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Mandeville — The state highway department is starting work on an $11.3 million project to widen a 1.2-mile stretch pf U.S. 190 in Mandeville from two lanes to four. A ceremonial ground-breaking was held last week at Mandeville City Hall. Allison Schilling, a district administrator … Continue reading →
Kenner — An unexpectedly strong bond rating has Kenner Mayor Michael Yenni expanding the scope of his ambitious beautification project, thanks to about $3 million more in available funding. Yenni said that because of an A+ rating from Standard and Poor, Kenner no longer has to maintain a $3 million reserve when it borrows … Continue reading →
METAIRIE — Two Metairie men accused of robbing a business and pedestrian at gunpoint Thursday morning have been arrested. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies booked David Lewis, 21, of Metairie, and Stanford Randolph, 19, of Metairie, into Jefferson Parish Correctional Center on two counts each of … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — By Saturday morning, a city still in turmoil over a shooting rampage at a Mother’s Day parade last Sunday saw the beginning of another bloody weekend. A 29-year-old woman was shot dead in Algiers on Friday night, followed by two more killings within four hours. The three slayings punctuated … Continue reading →
Marrero — Most New Orleanians will tell you the world’s greatest festivals are held in and around the Crescent City. Another one took place Friday and Saturday, although instead of great food and music, it was rich with insects, reptiles and even nearly microscopic organisms known as water bears. The seventh annual BioBlitz at Jean … Continue reading →
New Orleans — About halfway through his opening news conference in New Orleans on Friday morning, fielding a question about leadership in times of public fear, the Dalai Lama paused and put a finger to his chest. “Real gun control,” he said, “ultimately, from here.” And again, to make sure … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — The VA hospital under construction on Canal Street is $370 million over budget and 14 months behind schedule, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability office that examined the local hospital’s progress, as well as other VA hospital projects across the country. The New Orleans hospital’s initial cost, according to … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — The City Council on Thursday approved the demolition of most of the buildings at the Iberville public-housing complex as the Housing Authority of New Orleans and the city begin a redevelopment plan they say is necessary to revitalize Canal Street and the Central Business District. The decision to allow the demolitions came … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — One of the two brothers accused of gunning down 19 people at a Mother’s Day parade was allegedly holed up in an eastern New Orleans apartment during the days-long manhunt that followed the rampage. Monique Pepe, 19, who leased the Hayne Boulevard apartment alone, is accused of letting Shawn Scott, 24, … Continue reading →
Jefferson Parish — When Jefferson Parish politicians agreed this week to put two property tax millages crucial to the parish’s water and sewerage departments back before voters at a lower rate than originally proposed, there was little discussion of the impact that decision would have on future capital improvements. But … Continue reading →
ST. TAMMANY PARISH — An activist group that launched a recall petition drive for embattled St. Tammany Parish Coroner Peter Galvan on Wednesday gathered some high-profile signatories Thursday. St. Tammany Parish Council members Reid Falconer, Jake Groby, Richard Tanner and Maureen O’Brien and Abita Springs Mayor … Continue reading →
New Orleans — Police are looking for an unknown assailant who shot a man walking through an eastern New Orleans neighborhood late Thursday night. The 21-year-old victim reported the shooting around 10:28 p.m. in the 5100 block of Bundy Road, which has seen several shootings in … Continue reading →
New Orleans — Two brothers with ties to a 7th Ward street gang were captured after a four-day manhunt and charged with gunning down 20 people in a shooting rampage at a Mother’s Day second-line parade on Sunday. The victims, 19 shot and another trampled in the chaos, were collateral damage in the brothers’ ongoing gang … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — After working for months to pass legislation that would make it easier for food trucks to operate, City Councilwoman Stacy Head said Thursday she has decided to let Mayor Mitch Landrieu take the lead. Landrieu unexpectedly vetoed an ordinance early this month that would have loosened several of the restrictions governing … Continue reading →
Taking the initial step in what will be the first unionized charter school in Louisiana, teachers at the Morris Jeff Community School received recognition from the school’s board of directors Thursday. “One of the most amazing things about this is that it did not come about because of any problems,” teacher Rowan Schafer said. “It came … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — The current tactic of moving storm water out of the city as quickly as possible needs to change, and now is the time to change it, according to three experts who spoke at a workshop Wednesday devoted to exploring how other U.S. cities are turning water challenges into water assets. The workshop … Continue reading →
Metairie — An advisory board tasked with mapping out the continued redevelopment of Jefferson Parish’s Fat City neighborhood submitted its final recommendations this week, and the board sees both short-term and long-term fixes needed for the area’s growth. The Jefferson Parish Council accepted the Fat City Advisory Board’s final report with repeated congratulations for the … Continue reading →
New Orleans — A 17-year-old New Orleans boy was wounded Wednesday afternoon after unknown assailants opened fire on him from a vehicle in the St. Roch neighborhood. The incident was reported around 6:26 p.m. near the intersection of North Derbigny and Painters streets. Police said the victim … Continue reading →
Mandeville – The state highway department is starting work on an $11.3 million project to widen a 1.2-mile stretch U.S. 190 in Mandeville from two lanes to four. A ceremonial ground-breaking was held Thursday at Mandeville City Hall. Allison Schilling, a district administrator for the state Department of Transportation and Development, represented the agency. Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — Police late Wednesday arrested 19-year-old Akein Scott, the alleged gunman in a Mother’s Day shooting that injured 19 people Sunday. Police spokeswoman Remi Braden said authorities found Scott in the Little Woods neighborhood in eastern New Orleans shortly after 10 p.m. Scott, an accused gangster, posted bond and was … Continue reading →
Democrats were cock-a-hoop because U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu’s chances of re-election got a boost when she came out against putting deadly weapons in the hand of criminals and lunatics. Polls showed that the vast majority of Louisiana voters applauded her common sense. But wait. The Republicans are celebrating because pinkos who try to emasculate … Continue reading →
New Orleans — A fledgling Memphis company is returning scheduled commercial air service to the New Orleans Lakefront Airport more than six decades after those flights first moved to Kenner. Southern Airways Express plans to begin service to Memphis, Tenn.; Gulf Shores, Ala.; Panama City, Fla.; Destin, Fla.; and Oxford, Miss., … Continue reading →
JEFFERSON PARISH — After weeks of casting blame and debating what to do next, the Jefferson Parish Council on Wednesday decided to send two property tax millages back to voters after they were roundly rejected at the ballot box earlier this month. As they had hinted they might do for days, council members … Continue reading →
A state Senate panel Wednesday rejected a $3.5 billion funding request for public schools, further muddling an already confused picture on how classrooms will be funded. The Senate Education Committee approved a resolution, without objection, that asks the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to submit a new request in light of last week’s ruling by … Continue reading →
WASHINGTON – The Senate approved Wednesday Sen. David Vitter’s waterway resources bill that is intended to speed up flood-protection projects such as southern Louisiana’s Morganza to the Gulf plan in Terrebonne Parish, expedite U.S. Army Corps of Engineers processes, and set aside more dollars for river dredging. The bipartisan Water Resources Development Act, sponsored by … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — A New Orleans man was sentenced Wednesday to serve 15 years in federal prison for helping his childhood friend, convicted serial killer Steven Earl Hardrick, execute two men after a carjacking and failed drug deal in October 2007. Marvin Pierre, 27, cooperated with federal agents investigating Hardrick, and he described his … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — Tropical diseases are a growing threat in Louisiana and present a significant economic and health burden, according to a panel that met Wednesday. The experts pointed to environmental degradation and climate change as factors for the spread of diseases into the U.S. that are typically perceived as only affecting Mexico and … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — The French Market Corp., which oversees the historic market and the Upper Pontalba Building on Jackson Square, should have a new executive director in the next two months, a search committee of board members charged with finding that person said Wednesday. The Hawkins Group, a California-based search group hired to assist with … Continue reading →
St. Tammany Parish — St. Tammany Parish Coroner Peter Galvan and his lavish spending have been the target of investigation, public outrage and a Parish Council resolution asking him to resign, but now the embattled elected official is the target of a legal effort by voters to oust him themselves. Rick Franzo, of Concerned Citizens … Continue reading →
Jefferson Parish — Settlement discussions in a sexual harassment lawsuit involving a former Jefferson Parish administrator have stalled, and the plaintiff complained to the Jefferson Parish Council on Wednesday that the parish administration is attempting to skirt Louisiana’s public records law to hide misbehavior. Heather Hilliard, the parish’s former chief administrative assistant for public safety, … Continue reading →
JEFFERSON — The southbound lanes of South Clearview Parkway between Mounes Street and Jefferson Highway will be closed from 8 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Sunday as crews working on the Huey P. Long Bridge widening project repair the roadway. When complete, the Huey P. Long Bridge will include three 11-foot lanes in each direction … Continue reading →
The Audubon Zoo is caring for a rash of baby animals found in precarious circumstances around the state in recent weeks. Among the animals rescued include a North American river otter found next to its dead mother in the marsh and five 2-week-old raccoons found living in a vending machine. In Baton Rouge, a … Continue reading →
KENNER — Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a burglar who stole rims and tires from a car dealership. Surveillance cameras recorded a GM pickup pulling up to Lamarque Ford, 3101 Williams Blvd., about 12:18 a.m. Sunday. A man got out of the … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — Akein Scott, an accused gangster now the target of a sprawling manhunt, posted bond and was released from Orleans Parish Prison less than two weeks before he allegedly injured 19 people in a shooting during a Mother’s Day parade in the 7th Ward. As the search for him entered its second day … Continue reading →
A gunman opened fire on a Sunday afternoon six years ago, at a second-line parade meant to mark a homecoming of those scattered after Hurricane Katrina. Three people fell, wounded in the crossfire. Following the tragedy, public debate raged around a question that had been festering for … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — He is the son of farmers from a small mountain village in the northeast corner of Tibet, revered from childhood as the reincarnation of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion, and since 1959 the exiled keeper of all-but-extinguished hopes to loosen China’s hold on the Tibetan plateau. To his followers, … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — The soul-penetrating chants of Tibetan monks reverberated through Hall G of the Ernest Morial Convention Center on Tuesday in preparation for the sand mandala being created in honor of the Dalai Lama’s first visit to New Orleans. Open for public viewing, the sand mandala is an elaborate Buddhist art form painstakingly … Continue reading →
Metairie — Size matters. It matters in football, it matters in paychecks and, according to Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand, it definitely matters in health care. For the past few weeks, Normand has made that argument to business leaders throughout Jefferson Parish as he tries to garner public support for a change in law that … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — Fifteen alleged gang members have taken up authorities’ offers of social services created to remove them from a life of crime, Mayor Mitch Landrieu said Tuesday. That announcement came after local, state and federal officials held their third “call-in” session, an intervention with people on probation or behind bars for some of … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — The draw for many visitors to the city is simple: Bourbon Street, booze and the promise of a good time. Now, tourism officials are hoping to expand visitors’ horizons beyond the somewhat clichéd tour-book hot spots. To help make that happen, the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corp. has launched “Follow Your … Continue reading →
New Orleans — A federal judge granted New Orleans’ request to delay selection of an independent monitor of sweeping police reforms but cautioned officials that this will be the final delay. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan agreed to allow New Orleans officials and the Justice Department until May 28 to make a choice of the … Continue reading →
In only a day or two last fall, 828 volunteers in Louisiana helped clean up 7,800 pounds of trash from beach fronts and waterways in five parishes as part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. The results of that effort, released Tuesday, show the Louisiana residents were among more than 500,000 volunteers from 97 … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — A family struggle for control of one of New Orleans’ best-known restaurants is in the hands of a federal judge. U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan didn’t immediately rule Tuesday after hearing arguments from attorneys for two competing factions of relatives of Brennan’s restaurant’s late founder, Owen Edward Brennan. One of Brennan’s … Continue reading →
Metairie — A 54-year-old Metairie man died after he overturned his truck on North Causeway Boulevard late Monday night. George Belle died at East Jefferson General Hospital from injuries sustained in the 3300 block of North Causeway Boulevard, said Glen Boyd, a spokesman for the … Continue reading →
NEW ORLEANS — An 11-year-old boy stood at the center of a 7th Ward intersection Monday evening, surrounded by 200 people, to tell the city how he felt Sunday afternoon when 19 people fell right there, all around him, wounded in a hail of gunfire. That corner, … Continue reading →