city government

Uptown will get its own fireworks on New Year’s Eve

By |

Fireworks will explode Uptown at 10:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve as part of the city’s expanded New Year’s celebration for the end of the Tricentennial year. Both Uptown and West Bank residents will be able to enjoy the display set off from barges on the Mississippi River between Jefferson Avenue and Napoleon Avenue. Dogs frightened by loud, sudden noises may not enjoy it so much, so pet owners will also want to be aware of when their neighborhood’s fireworks will go off. Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Councilman Jay H. Banks and Chevron, along with additional support from the 2018 NOLA Foundation, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corp. and New Orleans and Co., have joined together to bring fireworks to over 70 neighborhoods with three additional end-of-year shows.

crime

Man robbed at gunpoint on South Claiborne, police say

By |

A man walking on South Claiborne Avenue early Wednesday was robbed at gunpoint, New Orleans police said. The victim, a man in his 20s, was walking near South Claiborne Avenue and Josephine Street shortly before 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, when a stranger confronted him with a gun, according to the initial NOPD report. The gunman took the victim’s phone and money from his wallet, then left, the report states. Further details were not immediately available.

community meetings

Central Circle networking lunch features speakers on charter schools, community policing

By |

The monthly Central Circle networking lunch will be held Wednesday, Dec. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dryades Public Market, 1307 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. If you plan to attend, you can RSVP here. Robert Morris of UptownMessenger.com will speak about his work with Uptown charter schools, Marta Jewson from TheLensNOLA.org will talk about Edgar P. Harney Charter School, and Allison Cormier, the manager of the Police Community Advisory Board, will share the program’s role. In addition, each organization will give a brief overview of their work and progress in 2018.

crime

Simultaneous bomb threats under investigation on South Claiborne, Walmsley, Poydras, Hayne

By |

New Orleans police are investigating four simultaneous bomb threats made Thursday afternoon on South Claiborne Avenue and Walmsley Avenue in the Uptown areas, as well as Poydras Street downtown and Hayne Boulevard in New Orleans East, authorities said. The bomb threats were reported in the 6200 block of South Claiborne Avenue (near the commercial strip mall and Tulane’s football stadium), the 7800 block of Walsmley Avenue (near St. Mary’s Dominican school), the 600 block of Poydras Street and the 9600 block of Hayne Boulevard on the lakefront, said NOPD spokesman Aaron Looney shortly after 2:30 p.m.

“There is no information available as to any connection between these incidents, or to other incidents currently being reported in other areas,” Looney said. This article will be updated when more information becomes available.

crime

Suspect sought in accidental shooting during fight on South Broad Street, police say

By |

A fight in a South Broad Street parking lot ended in gunfire Wednesday afternoon when one man hit another with a gun, causing an accidental discharge that grazed the victim’s ear, and New Orleans police have named a 48-year-old man as the suspect in the shooting, authorities said. Tyrone Catchings is wanted on a charge of aggravated battery by shooting following the shooting near South Broad and Washington Avenue, according to the following NOPD news release:

The NOPD has obtained an arrest warrant for Tyrone Catchings in connection with an aggravated battery by shooting that happened December 12, 2018, in the 3300 block of South Broad Street. NOPD Second District detectives learned that a male subject approached the victim in a parking lot at the location. An argument reportedly ensued between the two, and the subject allegedly used a firearm to strike the victim in the side of the head. The firearm then reportedly discharged, causing the victim to suffer a graze wound to the ear.

elections

Voters overwhelmingly back millage to continue Touro-Bouligny security patrol

By |

The Touro-Bouligny Security District received overwhelming support Saturday, when 91 percent of voters within the security district pressed “yes” to continue the paying the additional millage for the next eight years. The ballot containing two runoff contests and a city referendum drew only about 14 percent of voters citywide, but 21 percent of voters in the 10 precincts making up the Touro-Bouligny Security District showed up to vote, despite the rain. Of those voters, 385 chose to continue the additional property tax and 37 wanted to end it. The 16 2/10 millage, expected to bring in $470,000 annually, provides services that include a 24/7 security patrol plus house checks, mail pick up, and escorts when requested, the district’s website states. The Touro-Bouligny Security District board has also installed 30 security cameras in the neighborhood, placed at intersections to capture the activity on the street.

city government

Want an insider’s look at the NOPD? Citizens Police Academy is taking applications.

By |

Superintendent Michael Harrison is inviting residents to take an inside look at the New Orleans Police Department by joining the NOPD Citizens Police Academy. Individuals interested in joining the CPA will have an opportunity to learn more about the NOPD and the criminal justice in a fun and interactive setting. The CPA is a seven week program that will take place on Wednesdays from Jan. 9 through Feb. 20, 2019, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at various NOPD facilities.

Advertiser specials

Advertiser: Please Vote Yes for Continued Security in Touro Bouligny Neighborhood

By |

Please Vote Yes on December 8th for continued security in the Touro Bouligny Neighborhood. Did you know that the Touro Bouligny neighborhood was recently quoted as being the safest, with one factor being our Security Patrol? This safety record improves your property value and makes our area more desirable for all. Why vote? 24/7 patrol for all Touro Bouligny residents
Additional patrols during holidays
House checks when requested
Out-of-town mail/newspaper collection
Escort to ensure a safe departure and return
Promote neighborhood safety & security initiatives
New security camera program
Pedestrian crosswalk signs on Magazine & Prytania Streets
Call Metro Security 24/7 at 504-835-5421

For more information, visit www.TouroBouligny.com.

city government

Mayor Cantrell gets 57 percent approval rating in new quality of life survey

By |

2018 Quality of Life Survey includes City Council, crime, affordable housing, traffic cameras and more
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has a 57 percent job approval rating overall, according to the 2018 Quality of Life Survey conducted by the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center. The survey, known as the UNO Poll, also found that Orleans Parish residents consider crime to be the biggest problem facing the parish, and nearly half of New Orleans residents approve of the job the City Council is doing. The survey of 500 Orleans Parish voters and 500 Jefferson Parish voters took place from Oct. 17 to Nov. 5.

public safety

Eight people displaced after three-alarm house fire ravages Lyons Street home

By |

A house on Lyons Street was heavily damaged in a fire that broke out late Tuesday night, New Orleans fire officials said. The fire was first reported to 911 at 11:26 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 27), and firefighters arrived six minutes later to find the blaze at 817-19 Lyons Street already sending flames through the rear roof of the wood-framed, camel-backed duplex, according to a NOFD report. Police informed firefighters that all the homes’ residents were already safe and accounted for, so additional firefighters were called at 11:47 p.m. and 12:31 a.m. Wednesday to help prevent the spread of the fire to houses next door, the report states. A total of 55 firefighters brought the blaze under control at 1:42 a.m., the report states.