Police blotter: Three vehicle thefts reported in Uptown area

Three vehicle thefts were reported in Uptown neighborhoods this week. The first, with four victims, took place in broad daylight in Central City. Three men, ages 48, 43 and 37, and a woman, 32, were in a car in the 2200 block of Terpsichore Street at about 12:30 p.m. when a man opened the driver’s door and demanded everyone get out, implying that he had a gun. The victims complied, and the carjacker fled in the victims’ gray 2021 Toyota Corolla, with Oklahoma license plate NPP 9069. The other carjacking reported on Wednesday was in the University area.

Viewpoint: Political action committees made the difference in the runoff elections

It was no surprise that long-time criminal justice reform advocate Norris Henderson was standing right behind newly elected Sheriff Susan Hutson and her most powerful ally, District Attorney Jason Williams, at Saturday night’s election celebration. Most experts say Hutson would never be about to become the parish’s first female sheriff without the outside funds from political action committees operated by Henderson and others. “PAC funds are the new tool in everyone’s political tool box. Though the candidates cannot control them, PACs have become a very effective way to either support or attack a candidate,” said one consultant. PACs can receive unlimited contributions but cannot coordinate with candidates directly.

Tulane University’s burgeoning residential village receives major donation

The university’s new residential village currently taking shape along McAlister Way on the Uptown campus received a boost recently from an alumnus whose name is synonymous with Tulane men’s basketball. Real estate magnate Avron B. Fogelman, a 1962 Tulane graduate, and his wife, Wendy Fogelman, a 1963 Newcomb College graduate, are providing the lead gift to build the pre-eminent student hall in the university’s residential project. The gift will propel the construction of Fogelman Hall. The freshman residence will replace Irby Hall, a popular residence hall on the former Bruff Quad next to McAlister Auditorium. Fogelman Hall will be one of five new residential buildings in The Village, the name for Tulane President Michael Fitts’ vision for reimagining the university’s residential spaces.

Uptown neighborhoods south of St. Charles Avenue hand Council B seat to Lesli Harris

In this year’s municipal elections, voters either went all in for their incumbents or they voted them out. Unfortunately for District B’s Jay H. Banks, he landed in the latter category. The council member lost his seat in the runoff election on Saturday (Dec. 11), and attorney Lesli Harris will be taking his place. Harris lost to Banks in the first round of voting in the November primary, but she got 57% of the vote in the runoff.

Uptown voters helped Susan Hutson beat 17-year incumbent Marlin Gusman in sheriff’s race

In a striking underdog victory, Susan Hutson beat incumbent Marlin Gusman in the runoff for the sheriff’s race on Saturday (Dec. 11), becoming the first woman ever elected sheriff in New Orleans and the first Black woman elected sheriff in Louisiana. 

Although Hutson came in second to Gusman in the primary race in November, she won the runoff with 53% of the vote. She garnered around 32,000 votes while Gusman, who has held his post for 17 years, got around 28,000. Turnout was 22.4%, according to unofficial election results from the Louisiana Secretary of State. While Gusman won the most precincts in the neighborhoods of Lakeview, New Orleans East and Algiers, Hutson managed to grab most of Uptown, Central City and Mid-City.

Man shot to death near Pontchartrain Hotel

The NOPD is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Friday afternoon (Dec. 10) in Central City near St. Charles Avenue. Just before 3 p.m., Sixth District officers responded to a call reporting shots fired in the 1600 block of Josephine Street. They discovered Halston Hayes suffering from an undetermined number of gunshot wounds.

Saying goodbye to Harry’s Ace Hardware won’t be easy for Uptown residents

It turns out that grabbing a Hubig’s Pie on the way to the register at Harry’s Ace Hardware was a small pleasure we took for granted. For over six decades, Uptowners assumed the store with the friendly staff  — and the pies – would always be there. 

Harry’s Ace, like the fried pies that used to be on their top shelf, is soon to be filed under the most dread of New Orleans idioms, “ain’t dere no more.” The latter hopes to return next year, but after more than a century, the former, Harry’s, is hanging up its hat. Sometime next spring, the familiar shop under the red awning on the corner of Magazine Street is shutting its doors. The closure was announced Dec.