Author: Dave Minsky

NOPD investigating stabbing death near old U.S. Mint on Decatur Street

Photo by Infrogmation | CC Flickr
New Orleans Police said detectives are investigating an incident in which two men were stabbed, one fatally, on Monday along Decatur Street, near the old U.S. Mint building.

The incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. in the 1300 block of Decatur Street, where officers were called to respond to a stabbing and upon arrival, located two male victims who sustained stab wounds, one of whom emergency medical technicians pronounced dead at the scene, according to the NOPD.

Police said the second male victim was transported to a local hospital, where he is currently listed in stable condition.

Detectives with the NOPD’s Homicide Section are in the process of gathering information to identify a perpetrator and their motive, police said.

The Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the victim and cause of death once an autopsy is complete and family has been notified, according to the NOPD.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact the NOPD at 504-821-2222, Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or 1-877-903-7867, or Detective Walter Edmond, who is in charge of the investigation and can be reached at 504-658-5300.

Suspect accused of firearm charges arrested on North Rampart Street, NOPD says

A man wanted on suspicion of aggravated assault with a firearm in the French Quarter was arrested Tuesday on North Rampart Street, according to New Orleans Police.

NOPD officials said they arrested 40-year-old James White at a residence in the 800 block of North Rampart Street on Tuesday following an investigation into an assault with a firearm incident that occurred the same day along St. Ann Street.

The incident was reported at about 6:11 p.m. in the 1000 block of St. Ann Street, according to police.

After interviewing the victim and witnesses, and reviewing video camera footage from the Real-Time Crime Center on North Rampart Street, New Orleans Police said they developed a description of White — who allegedly fled to a nearby residence following the incident.

White was observed standing outside the North Rampart Street residence, where police were conducting surveillance, and was later apprehended without incident by NOPD officers from the First and Eighth districts. officials said.

In addition to the aggravated assault with a firearm charge, White is accused of illegally carrying a concealed weapon.

‘Beloved’ Galatoire’s waiter retires after more than a half-century of restaurant service

Picture credit: Galatoire’s via Facebook
A “beloved” waiter who has worked at Galatoire’s for more than half a century has retired, the French Quarter fine dining establishment announced on Thursday.

Described as a “mainstay” of Galatoire’s dining room and a “local celebrity” of sorts, the restaurant said that waiter John Fontenot decided to hang it up after 56 years of service French Quarter service industry work.

“John delighted patrons with his colorful stories and many, many jokes,” Galatoire’s said in its social media announcement. “We wish him well in his much-deserved retirement. He will certainly be missed!“

Galatoire’s is located at 209 Bourbon St.

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Gennifer Flowers says she’s bringing back the Kelsto Club cabaret on St. Louis Street

Picture via Facebook
A cabaret once operated by a woman who claimed to have had an affair with former President Bill Clinton is making a return to its old St. Louis Street location, according to an announcement last week.

In a July 26 Facebook post, Gennifer Flowers announced that she will be reopening the Kelsto Club at 720 St. Louis St. Flowers initially opened the club in the early 2000s before it closed several years later.

Flowers made the news back in the early 1990s when she claimed to have had a 12-year-long affair with Clinton. Flowers came forward with her claim during Clinton’s presidential campaign.

Flowers said she will be reopening the Kelsto Club along with her friend Kitsy Adams, who was a close friend to the late Chris Owens. Local reports stated that Flowers hopes to have the club open by Labor Day, although she indicated on social media that an opening date will be posted soon.

When the club reopens, Flowers said she’ll be performing along with Mimi Guste on the piano and with jazz musician Tony Seville.

“You all have an invitation from me to please visit and say hi,” Flowers said on Facebook. “Lots of amazing entertainment besides myself and bottomless mimosas!!”

NOPD says officers arrested suspect who robbed tourists in the FQ

The New Orleans Police Department last week said its officers have arrested a man suspected of using a firearm to rob a pair of international tourists on Bienville Street earlier this month.

Lio Kealoha Dennis Schaefer, 19, was arrested Thursday in Covington, Louisiana, where an NOPD detective located him following an investigation, officials said. The NOPD said Schaefer was arrested with the help of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and taken into custody without incident.

New Orleans Police said Schaefer is wanted in connection to the armed robbery of the two tourists that occurred at about 8 p.m. on July 6 in the 800 block of Bienville Street.

During the investigation, the NOPD said Eighth District detectives executed a search warrant on a residence, where they retrieved a gun, ammunition and partial clothing as evidence in the incident.

Detective Derek Llewellyn received intelligence that Schaefer was located in Covington before traveling there and making a positive identification, according to the NOPD.

Following his arrest, the NOPD said Schaefer was charged with five counts, including two counts of armed robbery, two counts of using a firearm during an armed robbery and one count of illegally carrying a firearm.