Hurricane

‘Extremely dangerous’ Hurricane Ida strengthens as it nears landfall

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The National Hurricane Center reported Sunday at 6 a.m. that Hurricane Ida is an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm expected to make landfall in southeastern Louisiana later today. Reports from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Hurricane Hunter aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 150 mph with
higher gusts. The Mayor’s Office has issued the following updates:
The city continues to closely monitor Hurricane Ida alongside public safety and infrastructure partners at the local, state and federal level. A hurricane warning, storm surge warning, and flash flood watch are in effect for our area. Ida is expected to strengthen into an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 74 to 110  mph.

opinion

Viewpoint: Will proof of vaccination be required for festivals and Saints games?

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The Delta variant is quickly overtaking America. It already accounts for 93% of Covid-19 infections. To combat it, government and the private sector are announcing new mandates almost daily. Anyone planning to pay $200 or more to see the Rolling Stones at Jazz Fest in October must surely be wondering if a vaccination card or a recent negative Covid-test will be required for admission. Without such precautions, the Jazz and Heritage Festival, French Quarter Festival, Saints games and other fall special events could become superspreaders unlike any seen before. 

Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis has always said the Fest will adhere to the prevailing Covid guidelines.

opinion

Viewpoint: Politics is in the way of public safety, crime watchdog says

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Raphael Goyeneche, head of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, said Wednesday (July 28) that the city’s political leadership “must step up and give the NOPD the resources they need to protect and serve the community. Politics needs to get out of the way of public safety. Citizens want to feel safe in their neighborhoods.”          

Earlier this week, the MCC released the Orleans Parish Violent Crime Maps, a three-year look at violent crime by police district. Also included are results from the New Orleans Crime Coalition’s 2021 Police Satisfaction and Police Policymaking surveys. 

The majority of Orleans Parish voters (64%) who participated in the surveys clearly stated they believe the city is not safe. An even larger majority (74%) said that the crime problem has worsened over the past year.

New commander to take over NOPD’s Second District

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The New Orleans Police Department announced a change of command in the Second District, which oversees police services for Audubon, Carrollton, Hollygrove and other Uptown areas. Capt. Jeff Walls, the Second District commander since 2019, assumed command of the Eighth District on Friday. He replaced Capt. Anthony Caprera, who retired Friday after a 37-year career with NOPD. It’s Walls’ second leadership assignment to the Eighth District, which comprises the French Quarter, CBD, Marigny and Warehouse District. On Monday (June 21), Lt. Eric Gillard, the second in command in the Second District for the past four years, will be promoted to the rank of captain and assume command of the Second District.

public safety

NOPD to hold sobriety check Thursday and Friday

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The NOPD’s Traffic Division has planned a sobriety checkpoint for an undisclosed location in New Orleans. The checkpoint will be in operation from 9 p.m. on Thursday (May 20) through Friday (May 21) at 5 a.m.
During this time, motorists will experience minimal delays at the checkpoint and should have the proper documentation, such as proof of vehicle insurance and driver’s license, available if requested by officers.

S&WB lifts its boil water advisory

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From the Sewerage & Water Board

The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, in consultation with the Louisiana Department of Health, has canceled the precautionary boil water advisory for residents and businesses in New Orleans after bacteriological tests confirmed that water in the area was safe to drink and could be used for personal needs. Water samples from across the area have tested negative for contamination. Customers who have not used their water supply during this precautionary boil water advisory are advised to flush their internal and external plumbing by running water through their system for several minutes.

public safety

Boil water advisory issued for most of Uptown

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The Sewerage & Water Board issued a precautionary boil water advisory for the area bounded by South Carrollton Avenue, the Mississippi River and the Pontchartrain Expressway following a loss of Entergy power at the Carrollton Water Plant, resulting in low water pressure. The above map of the affected area can be found here. It was triggered by the massive power outage after the tornado touched down in the Carrollton area early Wednesday (May 12), reports say. Residents in the affected area are advised to use bottled or boiled tap water to drink, cook, clean food or brush teeth until further notice. Residents with compromised immune systems should also use safe water to wash hands, shower or bathe.

Motorcyclist killed, two others injured in crash on Tchoupitoulas

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A motorcyclist was killed on Tchoupitoulas Street in the East Riverside area late Friday, the New Orleans Police Department reported. Two others were injured in the crash. The motorcyclist was traveling west over the speed limit at about 9:50 p.m when he struck a woman crossing Tchoupitoulas near Gen. Taylor Street, police said. He was thrown from his bike, and medical responders declared him dead at the scene. He was 45.

roadwork

Roadwork update: Audubon, Black Pearl, East Carrollton, Broadmoor, Central City, East Riverside, Fontainebleau, Hollygrove, Octavia

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The Mayor’s Office announced in its monthly roadwork newsletter that an unprecedented amount of infrastructure work — altogether more than $550 million in roadway and other projects — is currently underway in New Orleans. Mayor LaToya Cantrell also said more more projects are in the works. She noted that $350 million in bonds approved for a tax-exempt sale will lead to multiple projects out for advertisement in the coming months. These projects include improving public spaces, adding stormwater storage and fixing streets. Additionally, about $100 million in joint infrastructure roadway projects, $10 million in capital building projects, and $100 million in green infrastructure projects will go out for bid in the next few months.

NOPD

Puppy shot to death by officer investigating complaint in Lower Garden District

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A puppy was killed by a New Orleans police officer Saturday night in the Lower Garden District, the New Orleans Police Department reported. The department’s Public Integrity Bureau is investigating the shooting, which occurred about 9:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Felicity Street. The 18-week-old puppy, named Apollo, was recently adopted by the Lower Garden District residents, NOLA.com reports. The officer was investigating a complaint over loud voices at the home.