Coroner identifies Central City homicide victim

The homicide victim who was shot to death in Central City on Sunday (Oct. 1) has been identified as Hakeen Jones, 39, the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office reported. NOPD Sixth District officers and the Emergency Medical Service were responding to a medical call in the 2300 block of 1st Street at about 7:40 p.m. when they found Jones lying in the street, according to the New Orleans Police Department. Jones, unresponsive with apparent gunshot wounds, was pronounced dead by the medical responders. The Coroner’s Office confirmed that Jones died of gunshot wounds.

Election Day voters, armed with cheat sheets for their three minutes in the booth, find shorter lines

It was 6:15 a.m. and the line at the Audubon Charter School/McDonogh 7 was about 75 people deep outside the door on Milan Street. Sleepy eyes belied an enthusiasm to vote in the 2020 election. Fortunately I brought hot tea in a thermos, a book to read and, more importantly, my “cheat sheet” — a list I had made the night before after researching the candidates and issues. I knew it was going to be a long day for voters and poll workers, so I wanted to be prepared. In addition to the presidential and congressional races, there were a lot of local races in Orleans Parish for judges and School Board members, and statewide amendments, as well as yea or nay for sports wagering.

Police blotter: Business owner attacked in Gert Town, 20-year-old robbed near Tulane

Armed robbers attacked two people in Uptown neighborhoods on Monday, the New Orleans Police Department reported. On Monday morning in Gert Town, a 54-year-old man was inside his business in the 7800 block of Forshey Street when he was approached by two men demanding money. When he said he didn’t have any, they assaulted him with a gun. The second incident occurred in the 6200 block of Claiborne Avenue, near Tulane University. A 20-year-old man was crossing the street at about 8:30 p.m. when a man approached from behind, pressed an object into his back and demanded property.

Viewpoint: Time is running out to vote by mail

Like almost every other city and town in the nation, New Orleans enjoyed a record-breaking early voting period during which 98,259 Orleans Parish residents cast their votes for president, seven constitutional amendments, sports betting, and an alphabet soup of local races. While the vast majority of Orleans voters – 86,979 – visited one of the five early voting locations, 11,280 citizens mailed in their ballots. Almost 100 mail-in ballots have been received since early voting ending. Today (Oct. 30) at 4:30 p.m. is the last day and time to request a mail-in ballot.

Police seeking suspect in Hollygrove carjacking of 70-year-old man’s Toyota

The New Orleans Police Department is requesting assistance in locating and identifying a suspect in the investigation of an armed carjacking on Sunday (Oct. 26) in the Hollygrove neighborhood. A 70-year-old man was inside his vehicle in the 8400 block of Colapissa Street at about 3:25 p.m. when a man walked up to the car brandishing a firearm. The gunman ordered the victim out of his car, and he complied. The gunman fled in the victim’s vehicle — described as a white 2016 Toyota Camry bearing Louisiana license plate 537AAH.

It’s hurricane prep time again in New Orleans

For the seventh time this year, New Orleans is in the path of a tropical system. The National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for New Orleans on Tuesday morning, as Hurricane Zeta headed north from the Yucatan Peninsular with a late-Wednesday landfall predicted for southeastern Louisiana. City officials are urging residents to prepare today for a hurricane. To help with that prep, the city is distributing sandbags this morning. District B Councilman Jay Banks announced free sandbag distribution for New Orleans residents at Dryades YMCA, 2220 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., from 8 a.m. until supplies run out.

Viewpoint: Business leaders eyeing potential challengers to Mayor Cantrell

Although qualifying for New Orleans mayor, City Council and other municipal offices is still eight months away, many of the same conservative business leaders who gave Mayor LaToya Cantrell the seed money that launched her campaign have begun the painstaking search for a new candidate. “LaToya won’t be mayor much longer,” said one multi-millionaire businessperson who was an enthusiastic early donor. Though many business owners had become disenchanted with Mayor Cantrell, they were willing to work with her for another four years until COVID-19 soured relationships.  “I’m not surprised that the business community is going to put a candidate up against the mayor,” said Ed Chervenak, UNO political scientist. “They are upset that she is not following the lead of Gov. Edwards, who has opened up the state much quicker than Mayor Cantrell has opened up Orleans Parish.

Shootings reported in Central City, Hollygrove on Wednesday afternoon

Two shootings were reported in Uptown neighborhoods Wednesday afternoon. In both, the New Orleans Police Department learned of the violence when the victim arrived at a hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds. The first occurred around noon in Hollygrove. The victim, a 34-year-old man, was walking near Belfast and Monroe streets when a car drove up and someone fired gunshots at him from inside the vehicle. He was taken to the emergency room via a private conveyance, the NOPD reported.