Viewpoint: Gusman says additional health care facilities could save lives at parish prison

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Armed with the ruling yesterday (Aug. 5) by U.S. District  Judge Lance Africk, which returned control of the Orleans Justice Center to Sheriff Marlin Gusman, the sheriff said he is moving ahead with his push to build a new facility to house inmates with severe health and mental health needs and to repurpose Templeman V as a temporary facility for COVID-19 inmates. “I’m trying to save lives,” said Sheriff Marlin Gusman after Wednesday’s ruling, as he discussed plans for new or repurposed health facilities for prisoners. 

Court-appointed monitors reported in July that the OPSO was in partial or substantial compliance with the majority of federal reform provisions. Though Judge Africk returned control of the Orleans Justice Center to Gusman, the consent decree continues. 

On Wednesday, Gusman said his immediate concern is containing the spread of the coronavirus within the prison walls. “NOPD officers are bringing known COVID-19 positive patients to the Orleans Justice Center,” Gusman said.

opinion

Viewpoint: Nuns at Xavier Prep set Judge Piper Griffin on her path

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As she campaigns to become the second Black female and third Black jurist to serve on the Louisiana Supreme Court, Civil District Court Judge Piper Griffin, 58, credits the nurturing she received during her teen years at Xavier Prep for her courage and tenacity. “The nuns told me I could do anything if I put my mind to it, and I believed them,” said Judge Griffin. Her first dream, however, was to become an astronaut. “I loved exploring and being exposed to different things,” she said. When Judge Griffin began college at the University of Notre Dame, she realized aerospace engineering was not her forte.

crime

NOPD: Vehicle of interest, occupants sought in homicide investigation

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The NOPD is seeking to locate a vehicle and its occupants in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 26 at the intersection of Fourth Street and South Claiborne Avenue. On the listed date, NOPD Sixth District officers responded to a shooting at the listed location. A male subject was discovered at the location suffering from several gunshot wounds and later was pronounced deceased. The pictured vehicle is believed to have been used by the unknown perpetrators in this incident. It is believed to be an early 2000s BMW X5 SUV, likely to have significant damage to the rear bumper area.

We'll Be Right Back: New Orleans Hospitality

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Forward New Orleans for Public Schools releases platform for school board elections

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Forward New Orleans for Public Schools seeks candidate pledges on issues to improve educational opportunities and outcomes. FNOPS is a coalition of civic, business, and neighborhood organizations committed to increasing the number of quality public school options and ensuring equal access to quality education citywide. The coalition released an issue-based platform ahead of the Orleans Parish School Board elections scheduled for Nov. 3. The platform establishes issues FNOPS defines as most important to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for New Orleans public school students.

Advertiser specials

Sponsored: Judge Terri Love for Supreme Court

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Dear Friend,

After 5 years as a Civil District Court Judge in Orleans Parish and 20 years as a Judge on the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, I look forward to the honor and opportunity to serve our state as a member of our highest court, the Louisiana Supreme Court. If you missed our official “virtual” announcement on the Committee to Elect Judge Terri Love Facebook page, click to watch the video below. Please share our exciting news! 
In addition to our announcement, visit my campaign committee’s website, judgeterrilove.com, to learn more about me and my campaign. I hope I can count on your support and vote.

crime

Central City shooting victim dies of his injuries

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The victim in a Central City shooting Sunday (July 26) died from his injuries, the New Orleans Police Department reported. The incident began with a traffic accident on Fourth Street and Claiborne Avenue, police said. After the crash, the gunman got out of one of the vehicles and shot at a man in the other vehicle before fleeing the scene. At around 11:48 a.m., Sixth District officers responded to an aggravated battery by shooting at the intersection at the intersection. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 28-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wounds.

opinion

Viewpoint: Will Judge Bonin enter the race for district attorney?

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An alphabet of sitting judges quickly appeared yesterday at the Clerk of  Criminal Court’s office yesterday morning to qualify for re-election. Judge Kern Reese wore a traditional white linen suit and carried a straw hat, as did Judge Ben Willard. Judge Paul Sens was handsome in seersucker. The theory is that incumbents qualify on the first day to ward off challengers. One jurist who was conspicuous by his absence was Criminal  Court Section D Judge Paul Bonin, rumored to be entering the race for district attorney.

crime

Man killed in Central City double shooting

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A double shooting in Central City left one man dead and another injured, the New Orleans Police Department reported Monday afternoon. On Monday at 2:05 p.m., Sixth District officers responded to reports of shots fired in the 2800 block of Jackson Avenue, between South Claiborne Avenue and Willow Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered two men inside of a vehicle suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. During the investigation, officers learned that the occupants of a black sedan had pulled up on side of the victims’ vehicle. A front-seat passenger in the sedan opened fire with a rifle.