Porch concerts, a remnant of pandemic shutdowns, are too popular not to continue

A product of the pandemic, the Constantinople Stages free porch concerts are continuing. You can find the porch stage at 1201 Constantinople St., near Coliseum Street.  Bring your chairs, drinks, friends and family. And remember to tip the musicians; cash or Venmo is accepted. The following concerts have been scheduled. For updates, visit the Constantinople Stage Facebook page.

City board denies neighbors’ appeals over doubles-to-dorms conversion on Audubon

The battle between Uptown residents and developers over doubles-to-dorms conversions continues to play out in municipal hearings over zoning decisions. “Doubles-to-dorms” refers to the conversion of homes intended for families into private dormitory-style housing for college students. 

The Board of Zoning Adjustments on June 6 denied two appeals from University area residents who stated the Department of Safety & Permits wrongly issued a zoning determination and a building permit for 636-40 Audubon St., a multi-family building at the corner of Hampson Street. 

Early morning shooting leaves one dead in Hoffman Triangle

A man was killed early Friday (June 10) in the Hoffman Triangle neighborhood, the New Orleans Police Department reported. It was the second fatal shooting in the Sixth District within 48 hours. Around 3:24 a.m., officers in the area responded to shots fired in the 2800 block of South Roman Street. Upon arrival, they discovered an adult male victim suffering from an undetermined number of gunshot wounds. The victim died at the scene.

Viewpoint: Are there secrets in the Smart Cities documents Cantrell would prefer to hide?

Many New Orleanians would agree that Mayor LaToya Cantrell is pugnacious, uncompromising and used to getting what she wants. She seemed set on launching a controversial project that was supposed to increase internet connectivity while making retired NBA player Magic Johnson and his partners even richer. Her plans abruptly came to a halt when a skeptical City Council stepped in with a mountain of detailed questions that Cantrell and her staff fought and are finding extremely hard to avoid answering.   

By the middle of their second term, most mayors are thinking about life after City Hall. Mayor Moon Landrieu quickly landed himself a Cabinet position under President Jimmy Carter. Mayor Dutch Morial began practicing law with an eye toward a U.S. Senate race, which was derailed due to his untimely death.

Man killed in Central City shooting

A man was shot to death when gunmen opened fire on a Central City street on Wednesday (June 8), the New Orleans Police Department reported. At about 5:30 p.m., NOPD Sixth District officers responded to a report of gunfire in the 2800 block of Josephine Street. They found a man suffering from gunshot wounds. The Emergency Medical Service took him to the University Medical Center, where he died. The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will identify the victim and official cause of death upon completion of autopsy and notification of family.

La Patrona brings a fresh taste of Mexico to the Riverbend

La Patrona serves authentic Mexican food in the Riverbend at 575 S. Carrollton Ave. The restaurant is run by Edwin Alonzo and Veronica Cardona, the former proprietors of La Mansión, which operated on Dublin Street from 2015 to 2021. Alonzo and Cardona are from Guatemala. Cardona cooked at a Mexican restaurant in San Antonio before moving to New Orleans in 2015. She learned the ins and outs of Mexican cuisine.

Police blotter: Four armed robberies and two batteries reported in Uptown neighborhood

Four armed robberies and two aggravated batteries were reported in Uptown neighborhoods during the past week, according to the New Orleans Police Department. The battery occurred Sunday (June 5) in the 9000 block of Olive Street. Two men were in a fight at about 10:30 a.m., police said, when one was struck with an unknown object. The victim, 33, was taken to the hospital. A suspect, 59-year-old Kevin Williams, was arrested on scene.

Sobriety checkpoints planned for Thursday night

The NOPD Traffic Division will conduct sobriety checkpoints in New Orleans on Thursday and Friday (June 9-10) and again on June 23 to 24. The checkpoints will operate at undisclosed locations from 9 p.m. on Thursday to 5 a.m. on Friday and from 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, to 5 a.m. on Friday, June 24. Motorists will experience minimal delays during these checkpoint operations, the NOPD said, and should have the proper documentation available if requested (i.e., proof of insurance, driver’s license, etc.).