Class of 2020, Part 1: High schools turn to virtual resources, social media and creativity to honor graduates

 

The final months and weeks leading up to high school graduation tend to hold anticipated end-of-year senior traditions, celebrations and countdowns, but this semester is different. The class of 2020 won’t be able to celebrate their accomplishments with hugs from faculty and classmates this month; they won’t be able to graduate in a venue surrounded by cheers from family and friends; and they won’t be able to walk proudly across a stage to receive a handshake and a diploma. When Gov. John Bel Edwards announced school closures for the remainder of the semester in mid-March, students were faced with the challenge of adjusting to a new normal of distant learning. Now, with the state-wide stay-at-home order extended through May 15, graduating seniors are confronted with another major unprecedented change: a socially distanced graduation celebration. “Once you start your freshman year of high school, all you can think about is walking across that stage your senior year to make yourself and family proud,” said Rayon Pratt, a graduating senior at Landry-Walker high school.

Viewpoint: Everyone should get tested to speed up New Orleans’ recovery

I want to be a part of the city’s long-term economic recovery. That’s why I got tested for the COVID-19 yesterday at New Hope Baptist Church in Central City. Administered by Ochsner Medical Center, which has the in-house lab capacity to turn around results within 72 hours, the process was quick, easy and painless. I am a firm believer that everyone should get tested. It’s better to know whether you have the virus — or whether you are a carrier with no symptoms. In addition to determining who should be quarantined, test results serve as a useful guide for public health officials and elected leaders to determine where the virus is more prevalent, how it spreads, where to deploy resources and when to relax stay-at-home restrictions.

Yo Joe! Coronavirus’ latest impact on the New Orleans housing market

I’m Joe Gerrity, local businessman, investor, and Real Estate Broker. For my Yo Joe! column, I’ll be answering real estate questions and providing market information special to New Orleans during this pandemic.
Yo Joe! How were real estate sales affected in April?
To say that COVID-19 is affecting the real estate market is an understatement. To get a better understanding of just how much, we compiled yearly stats for all commercial, residential and multifamily sales in Orleans Parish. As expected, April sales are down dramatically — to be specific, down 40% in 2020 when compared to April 2019, and down 32% when compared to March of this year.

Catching up with actor Wendell Pierce

Wendell Pierce talks COVID-19, “Jack Ryan,” “Burning Cane,” and WBOK in interview with Kristine Froeba
New Orleans native, “Treme” and “The Wire” actor, Wendell Pierce is coming off of one of the most exciting periods of his career. And although COVID-19 has created a lull in almost everyone’s life and career, Pierce seems to be as visible as ever, both on the ground in New Orleans and on our collective streaming services.

It is also Pierce’s instantly recognizable, dulcet tone that narrates the new Popeye’s NOLA Strong campaign released last week. It’s a video that caused more than a few locals’ eyes to well up. When the restaurant chain created its NOLA Strong family meal box, directing all profits to benefit the non-profit Second Harvest Food Bank, they called on Pierce.

PPE masks by Simply CBD

Simply Dispensary: From New Orleans wellness retailer to PPE supplier

As COVID-19 continues to impact the City of New Orleans, many small businesses have been forced to close altogether or adapt in ways they would never have imagined just a couple months ago.

For Simply Dispensary, a local wellness products retailer with locations Uptown, in Mid-City, in the Marigny, and on the West Bank, that meant transitioning into a completely new industry in just a matter of weeks. 

Five teens arrested in Broadmoor vehicle theft

The New Orleans Police Department arrested five teenagers in an April 30 vehicle theft in the 4600 block of South Johnston Street. Alkia Edwards, 18, and four unnamed juvenile males were taken in on the same day. Edwards was released two days later; records are not available on the other arrestees because of their status as juveniles. Edwards was released Saturday, Sheriff’s Office records show, after being arrested and booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center for simple burglary, unauthorized use of a moveable, resisting arrests, illegal possession of a firearm, delinquency of a juvenile and for illegal drug possession. On Friday (May 1), Edwards appeared at Magistrate Court held by video conferencing.

Man fatally shot in Central City

A man was fatally shot Monday night in Central City, the New Orleans Police Department reported. Officers responding to a report of shots fired at 8:43 p.m. arrived at 2100 block of Fourth Street, where they found Arthur Netter suffering from a gunshot wound. The Emergency Medical Service took Netter to the hospital, where he later died from the gunshot wounds. He was 28 years old. No further information is currently available.

NOPD looking for suspects in car burglaries, porch piracy

The New Orleans Police Department has released photos of suspects in vehicle burglaries and package thefts in Uptown neighborhoods.  
The NOPD is requesting the public’s assistance in finding Zachariah Woodruff, a suspect in two vehicle burglaries in the Broadmoor area on April 6 and April 28. Woodruff has identified himself as homeless; however, he is believed to be residing near Louisiana Avenue and South Claiborne Avenue. Police have referred to him as a habitual shoplifter, and he is accused of recently stealing items from the Rouses stores on Tchoupitoulas Street and on North Carrollton Avenue. Anyone with information regarding Woodruff’s location is asked to contact Second District detectives at 504-658-6020 or Crimestoppers at at 504-822-1111.