Louisiana

NEW ORLEANS — Fans were so focused on football Friday night that it’s easy to overlook just what it takes to put on an event like the Sugar Bowl.

There is plenty of action on the field and off the field, as well — just ask the people who have to work the game.

“Yeah, we’re busy,” said a Superdome greeter.

“Alabama, No. 1. Roll Tide,” shouted a fan as he walked through the entrance to the dome.

“Roll, Tide roll,” chanted a group of friends behind him.

A group of college guys stripped down to the waist with their bodies painted red were rooting for Utah.

Whether it was frisking fans in security, fixing drinks or taking photos, some worked while the game played on.

“It’s a lot of fun, it really is,” said Scott Winterton, from Deseret News in Salt Lake City. (Read the full post about ‘Vendors Prosper During Sugar Bowl Week’…)

NEW ORLEANS — It’s a new year, but many people say it’s the same old problems when it comes to traffic lights and road conditions in New Orleans.

And the problems with lights and crosswalks were causing headaches for some drivers and pedestrians in town for Friday’s Sugar Bowl at the Superdome.

The Public Works Department wants to make a lot of improvements this year, but a tighter budget could make it tougher to get that work done.

Public Works Director Robert Mendoza said that fixing any problems with the city’s traffic lights is a priority because it’s a safety concern. (Read the full post about ‘Broken Signals Cause Pedestrian Problems’…)

METAIRIE, La. — A 32-year-old Metairie woman was killed when she was pushed out of a truck on Veterans Boulevard and then run over, police said.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said officers discovered the woman lying in the road around at Transcontinental Drive and Veterans Boulevard around 10 a.m.

She was taken to University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Investigators learned that the woman, whose identity is not being released, was in an argument with a man while sitting in the passenger seat of his Ford F-150 pickup truck. Police said the man, 37-year-old Lawrence Mangerchine, of Arabi, opened the passenger door and pushed the woman out.

She stood up and ran to the driver’s side to try to stop Mangerchine, but he drove away, police said. (Read the full post about ‘Woman Dies After Being Pushed From Truck’…)

HARVEY, La. — The suspect wanted in connection with the shooting death of a man in a Burger King parking lot last month turned himself in Friday, police said.

A murder warrant was issued on Thursday for the arrest of Gentry Williams in the Dec. 18 slaying.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said Williams shot and killed 36-year-old Harry Smith in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant in the 3600 block of Lapalco Boulevard.

Sheriff’s deputies had been unable to locate 24-year-old Williams in Harvey, but he turned himself in Friday afternoon.

Smith’s employers, John Georges and Gabe Corchiani, had offered a $15,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. (Read the full post about ‘Suspect In Harvey Shooting Turns Himself In’…)

NEW ORLEANS — The Sugar Bowl has already been a touchdown for New Orleans, as Alabama and Utah fans pump millions of dollars into the city’s economy.

French Quarter merchants say they couldn’t be happier, as fans pack stores before Friday night’s big game.

Jay Roman runs Cafe’ Du Monde, a business rolling in the dough and experiencing sweet success, thanks to the droves of football fans in town for the game. Business has been nonstop, around-the-clock.

“I tell you, it has been a good couple of weeks for us,” Roman said. “the holiday season has been very good, the weather has been very temperate, and now all the bowl people have come in … (Read the full post about ‘Sugar Bowl Brings Sweet Success For New Orleans’…)

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police officers shot and killed a man who fired on them early Thursday morning for unknown reasons, police said.

Officers on patrol in the First District around 3 a.m. spotted a suspicious vehicle parked in the 1600 block of Governor Nicholls Street. When the officers tried to talk to the man inside, he began firing on them, NOPD spokeswoman Jonette Williams said.

The officers told the man to drop the gun but he refused and continued to shoot at them, police said. The officers returned fire, and the 22-year-old man was pronounced dead on scene. His name is not being released until family members can be notified. (Read the full post about ‘Man Killed By Police After Firing At Officers’…)

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans had one confirmed injury due to celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve, Superintendent Warren J. Riley said.

A fallen bullet grazed a 25-year-old man’s back at about midnight in the 7100 block of Mayo. Investigators said the man was in his grandmother’s back yard when the bullet fell. He was treated and released at a hospital.

Police arrested two people in connection with weapons charges related to illegal possession of firearms early Thursday. Three weapons were seized and two abandoned handguns were confiscated.

The department had 56 calls regarding gunfire from midnight to 6 a.m. Thursday, compared to 66 calls in that time on Jan. (Read the full post about ‘1 Injury From Celebratory Bullets Reported’…)

NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 32-year-old man.

The shooting was shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday in the 2400 block of Treasure Street, police said.

Officers found the man lying inside a partially renovated residence suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical technicians arrived and pronounced him dead. Police are contacting his family and have not released his name.

Investigators are gathering evidence and seeking information about a motive in the shooting.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call CRIMESTOPPERS at 822-1111, toll-free 1-877-903-STOP (7867). (Read the full post about ‘Police Seeking Leads In Fatal Shooting’…)

Atlanta, GA — (Sports Network) - Charles Scott ran for three touchdowns and LSU, the reigning national champs, steamrolled the 14th-ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 38-3, in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

Scott finished with 65 yards on 15 carries for the Tigers (8-5), who capped a roller coaster-like campaign. LSU opened the 2008 season with four consecutive wins, but the Tigers dropped five of their next eight outings before Wednesday’s dominant performance.

Offensive MVP Jordan Jefferson was a crisp 16-of-25 passing for 142 yards and a touchdown in the win. (Read the full post about ‘Great Scott! LSU Routs No. 14 Georgia Tech’…)

HARVEY, La. — A murder warrant was issued on Thursday for the arrest of a man in a Dec. 18 slaying.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand released a warrant for the arrest and first-degree murder charge of Gentry Williams.

Police said Williams shot and killed Harry Smith on Dec. 18 in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant in the 3600 block of Lapalco Boulevard. (Read the full post about ‘Arrest Warrant Issued In Jefferson Parish Slaying’…)