Viewpoint: Clerk Chelsey Richard Napoleon believes she was called to serve

After a Covid-related delay, Chelsey Richard Napoleon will take the oath of office for her second term as Clerk of Civil District Court and ex-officio recorder on Saturday, (May 14) at Southern University at New Orleans. The investiture ceremony will be followed by a free crawfish boil  at SUNO’s Quad. Surrounded by family and friends, Napoleon will be honored Sunday (May 15) at a special Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, where she is an active member of the church’s pastoral council. The following day, Napoleon will also host a golf tournament at the Audubon Golf Course, 6500 Magazine St. 

“At the end of the day, we are all in this together,” Napoleon said when asked why she created a weekend of activities to thank the community for their ongoing support. “The voters gave me an opportunity, and I want them to know I appreciate it.”

Fans of Casa Borrega mourn its closing

Patrons who have been enjoying eclectic Mexican fare, a variety of live music and the occasional street parties at Casa Borrega since 2012 will sadly miss it. “Oh no, I can’t believe it. I was just there last week,” said one regular, expressing the dismay of many when they learned the Central City restaurant served its last Chile Relleno and Margarita Borrega on Friday (May 6). It was located in the section of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard that has seen spurts of development since Hugo Montero and Linda Stone first came up with the concept more than a decade ago. Other restaurants followed – with varied success — and a couple of years later the Southern Food and Beverage Museum opened down the street.

Rouses Markets named official supermarket of the Saints (sponsored)

Rouses Markets is teaming up again with the New Orleans Saints. The Gulf Coast’s grocery has been designated the club’s official supermarket, as well as presenting sponsor of Saints Training Camp. Rouses Markets customers will have the opportunity to receive early access into Training Camp practices through a Fast Pass Lane. “Saints fans are some of the most passionate and proud sports fans in the country, and I’m one of them,” notes Donny Rouse, CEO. “There is a loyal Saints fan base in every market we serve across the Gulf Coast.

NOPD announces arrests in Uptown homicide, shooting and armed robbery

The NOPD’s Violent Offender Warrant Squad arrested Armand J. Labranch, 57, on one count of second-degree murder in a Hollygrove shooting death. The arrest came in the investigation of a homicide on March 25 in the 3000 block of Eagle Street. Derwin Bernard, 32, died at University Medical Center from a single gunshot wound. Labranch remained jailed on Tuesday (May 10) on $300,000 bond, Sheriff’s Office records show. On May 1, Sixth District detectives arrested Tommie Allen, 51, on one count of principle to aggravated second-degree battery.

Man injured by sheriff’s deputy breaking up fight at Earhart Boulevard restaurant

An Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy shot a man Sunday (May 8) during an altercation on Earhart Boulevard near South Carrollton Avenue, the New Orleans Police Department reported. At about 11:45 a.m., the NOPD received an “officer needs assistance, life in danger” signal, the police report states. The officer, who is listed as the victim in the incident report, was not injured. The officer reportedly discharged his service weapon to break up a fight between two men at the Nice Guys Nola restaurant. Two rounds had been fired, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, before the deputy used his gun.

Business Council lauds S&WB power substation deal (sponsored)

The Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region applauds Mayor Cantrell, the New Orleans City Council, Entergy and the Sewerage and Water Board for working together to advance one of the most critical infrastructure projects for New Orleans. The new S&WB power substation will greatly enhance the reliability of the City’s water-related infrastructure, including pumps and pump stations, and reduce the chances of boil water advisories and flooding resulting from bad weather events. This is a major milestone in creating the critical infrastructure necessary to ensure a prosperous future for New Orleans.

Viewpoint: Supreme Court reminds us ‘there are no permanent victories’

“How dare they tell a woman what she can do or not do with her body,” exclaimed Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday (May 3) as she vented her frustration about the U.S. Supreme Court’s leaked draft ruling on abortion written by conservative Justice Samuel Alito. As early as June, the country’s highest court, led by its conservative majority, is expected to release an opinion that will reverse a precedent that millions of women have used to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. 

When the Roe v. Wade case was initially filed half a century ago, public opinion supported the right to choose and the majority of justices concurred. Over the decades, liberal Democrats became complacent that the existing law would remain in effect forever. Unfortunately, Republicans around the country began waging a slow but strategic campaign to sway public opinion and elect or appoint for more conservatives. The rise of Donald Trump — with his convenient, new-found anti-abortion rhetoric along with his ability to appoint judges and endorse candidates — was indeed a major tipping point. 

The mood of the public had also changed.

Boy shot in Lower Garden District may be child-abuse victim, NOPD says

A child was injured Tuesday night (May 3) by gunfire inside a Lower Garden District home, the New Orleans Police Department reported. The boy, whose age was not provided, suffered a single gunshot wound, police said. The Emergency Medical Service took him from the house in the 600 block of Felicity Street to the hospital around 8 p.m. The child’s condition was not available Wednesday. Police initially referred to the shooting as an aggravated battery. On Wednesday morning, the NOPD announced it is treating the shooting as a cruelty-to-a-juvenile incident.