Owen Courreges
About a year ago I was in a United Cab with a friend headed for Banks Street Bar to see a band perform. Although I normally maintain a “no conversations” rule with cabbies due to my own social awkwardness, the driver was friendly and we started a conversation.
He was from Pakistan. I received my undergraduate degree in political science, and I was interested in a native’s take on the political turmoil there. The discussion was enlightening. After the ride, the driver continued to converse with me for a while as we parked – my friend had to come grab me to tell me I was going to miss the music if I lingered much longer.
A few months ago I read an article that a Pakistani cab driver had been murdered in Eastern New Orleans. I recognized the man I had spoken with from his photo. He had been robbed, shot and left for dead. Continue reading »
Two men, one wearing an ankle monitor, were arrested on accusations of dealing cocaine on a Central City street corner Wednesday, and two other men were arrested the same night after a separate investigation into the attempted theft of a motorcycle led police to a cache of marijuana, a handgun and a hooded mask, authorities said. 
New trees at Washington and Broad, better landscaping around Benjamin Banneker Elementary School and a community garden at South Claiborne and Jefferson are among the latest round of neighborhood beautification projects that will each receive a boost from the city’s “Love Your Block” grant program.
A 27-year-old man was shot to death Saturday night on the porch of a home in the Dixon area of Hollygrove, police said.
An armed robbery and a carjacking were reported three blocks away from one another in a 10-minute time span Thursday night in Broadmoor, according to initial police reports. 
