New Orleans CityBusiness articles from September 2008

New Orleans CityBusiness archives from September 2008

ER Urgent: Ochsner to open new ER, bringing some relief to overcrowding in New Orleans.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Richard A. Webster In three months Ochsner Health System will open a new emergency room Uptown, bringing a small amount of relief to overcrowded ERs throughout the metropolitan area. The $4 million project at Ochsner Baptist...

Port of New Orleans seeking incentives.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet There is probably no Louisiana product more widely recognized than Tabasco, which celebrates its 140th anniversary this year. Tabasco is so well known it has almost become a generic term for hot sauce. With such an...

New Orleans City Councilwoman Shelley Midura fears Entergy plan raises rates.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Emilie Bahr New Orleans City Councilwoman Shelley Midura says Entergy New Orleans isn't doing anything to prevent a move that could leave its customers with the bill for millions of dollars worth of increased production costs. In...

Walking the Beat: Community policing efforts in New Orleans.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Richard A. Webster After Hurricane Katrina, a crew of drug dealers moved in and set up shop just outside of Vanessa Gueringer's house on Tupelo Street in the Holy Cross neighborhood. Every day they patrol the block, selling rock...

Credit concerns collapse New Orleans-based World Trade Center deal.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Ariella Cohen Redeveloping the World Trade Center at the foot of Canal Street could be years away, banking and development experts say, without an unexpectedly brisk turnaround of the global finance market or more public subsidy....

Southern Decadence in New Orleans dances with Hurricane Gustav.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Emilie Bahr Chuck Robinson watched anxiously Wednesday as Tropical Storm Gustav swirled toward to the Gulf, wondering what to do about the show planned for Saturday evening outside Napoleon's Itch, his Bourbon Street bar and...

Algiers TAPs into wealth of experienced educators.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Stephen Maloney Tessie White used to spend a handful of days each year huddled around desks with other teachers discussing ways to improve student performance. These professional development days dragged the veteran teacher away...

Commentary: A friend in need is a Facebook fiend.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Mark Singletary Would you like to be my friend? Although it probably sounds like something television's good neighbor Mr. Rogers might ask, it's me doing the asking and it's all about Facebook. It's about social networking. To...

Commentary: Leadership emerges from Gustav threat.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Editorial Weather forecasters were pulling their hair out last week trying to determine where then-Tropical Storm Gustav was heading and when it would be an imminent threat to the U.S. Gulf Coast. It was a lesson...

Commentary: Labor Day once again no holiday in New Orleans.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Greg LaRose Flashback 365 days ago. It's Labor Day 2007 and I'm paddling a kayak through the tranquil waters of Roche Harbor near Washington's nautical border with Canada. My only concern is how bad my hands would blister from the...

Commentary: McCain owns huge margin over Obama in Louisiana.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Jeff Crouere Across the nation, Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are locked in a dead heat for the presidential race. However, in Louisiana, McCain has a huge lead over his Democratic rival. A new Rasmussen survey gives McCain a...

$1.3M road repairs under way in New Orleans' Mid-City.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports The city has launched a $1.3 million street repair project involving four streets in Mid-City. Construction is planned for sections of South Alexander, South Hennessey and Ulloa streets, and Tulane...

Book marks University of New Orleans' 50th anniversary.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports A new book chronicling the history of the University of New Orleans is scheduled to be released Saturday as part of the school's commemoration of its 50th anniversary. UNO associate history professor...

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport expects fall service dip, rebound.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports The number of airline seats at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport will drop in September and October compared with June levels before rising again in November for the holiday season,...

Louisiana employers get child labor law reminder.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports As a new school year begins, the Louisiana Workforce Commission is reminding employers, minors and parents about rules that apply to the employment of minors when school is in session. We want to be sure...

Urgent care available for veterans in downtown New Orleans.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports Military veterans can have their pressing health care needs met in downtown New Orleans with Tuesday's opening of an urgent care center at 1601 Perdido St. The center, part of the Southeast Louisiana...

Commentary: Cafe Atchafalaya flows among 'Battered Bistros'.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Tom Fitzmorris *** Cafe Atchafalaya $$$$ 901 Louisiana Ave., Uptown 891-9626 Breakfast and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Lunch Tuesday through Friday. www.cafeatchafalaya.com Cafe Atchafalaya is a nice example of a favored...

Built-in Immunity: New Orleans-area banks reaping rewards of prudent lending.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Thomas Leggett There probably will be some bank failures. That was Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's grim prediction in February during testimony before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. So far this...

Off the Clock: Q&A with Laurie Gregersen, manager of First Bank and Trust's Kenner office.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Greg LaRose Age: 50 Family: single Education: Destrehan High School; American Institute of Banking coursework Hometown: Norco A friend convinced Laurie Gregersen to enter the banking field out of high school, helping her land a...

New Orleans Financial Briefs: September 1, 2008.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Greg LaRose The world's first online accounts receivable trading platform -- based in New Orleans -- plans its public launch in November. Meanwhile, company officials say they will cross the $1 billion mark this week with sellers...

In Other Words: New Orleans-area bankers.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Jennifer Nall Ronnie Morales Vice president and security officer, Florida Parishes Bank Automated banking. Basically when a bank offers a full portfolio of products for deposits and loans, there are more ways for criminals to...

Sept. 3-15.
September 1, 2008... Byline: From CityBusiness Staff Reports Sept. 3-5 The 2008 Louisiana Realtors Industry Edge Convention and Expo will be held at the Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St. Seminars will take place from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 3, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m....

Two Ochsner facilities now on backup generators.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital in Raceland, which has five patients, has lost power and is now operating on generators, according to a 6 a.m. update from Ochsner Health System. Ochsner Medical Center -...

East Jefferson General Hospital, West Jefferson Medical Center still open, functioning well.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Christian Moises Two area hospitals have reported they are still open and functioning well. "We remain open and all decisions are being made following the latest updates from parish officials," said West Jefferson Medical Center...

Army Corps closes Harvey Canal gates.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports The Army Corps of Engineers said it closed the Harvey Canal floodgates at 4:30 a.m. today for Hurricane Gustav. The gates take eight to 10 minutes to close. Once closed, the corps can pump water to...

Touro Infirmary applies lessons learned in Katrina.
September 1, 2008... Byline: Richard A. Webster Touro Infirmary went into lockdown today at 6 p.m. -- no one leaves the hospital, no one comes in -- as it prepares for Hurricane Gustav. Touro is operating with a bare bones staff of 350 employees watching over...

St. Bernard schools closed through Wednesday.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports St. Bernard Parish Public Schools and offices will remain closed through Wednesday because of Hurricane Gustav. We recognize the necessity for our parents and employees to attend to their families' safety...

Jefferson Parish official: Harvey Canal levels falling.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports According to Jefferson Parish Emergency Operations Director Deano Bonano, water levels in the Harvey Canal are subsiding. This would mean that flood threats on the West Bank are reduced as a result, but...

Gulf oil production stops; 95 percent of natural gas production shut down.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports As Hurricane Gustav batters Louisiana, about 100 percent of oil production and 95.4 percent of natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico has been shut-in, the Minerals Management Service said today....

Jefferson Parish officials to hold news conference at 7 p.m.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports Jefferson Parish officials are scheduled to hold a press conference at 7 p.m. today to discuss "the progress in the restoration plans for the parish," a parish press release says. Expected at the event:...

Fair-housing advocate asks GOP to support Gulf Coast recovery.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports The executive director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center will attend the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., to ask Republican leaders to commit to helping the Gulf...

City of New Orleans provides early damage update.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports As of 11:45 a.m., the U.S. Coast Guard had confirmed two small vessels have broken loose from their mooring but appeared to be resting against the Florida Street wharf. At this time it is a concern but not...

Portions of I-59 remain closed in south Mississippi.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports Portions of Interstate 59 in south Mississippi remain closed as the Mississippi Department of Transportation continues to remove debris. The MDOT has closed I-59 beginning from Picayune to Poplarville in...

Salvation Army to send team to Hammond.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports The Salvation Army is deploying resources to Hammond to help areas affected by Hurricane Gustav. The group's emergency response team is leaving Hattiesburg, Miss., at 4 p.m. today to lead the initial...

East Jefferson General Hospital remains open with 234 patients, still on generators.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports East Jefferson General Hospital remains open with 234 patients. There are 60 physicians on site, with all medical and surgical specialties covered, and full staffing for continued patient care. The...

I-59 stretch opens to Louisiana state line.
September 1, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Reports All debris has been removed on Interstate 59 from Highway 53 to the Louisiana state line and the stretch is now open, according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation. For more information on...

Covington mayor: Bogue Falaya River at dangerous levels.
September 2, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The Bogue Falaya River is quickly rising to dangerous levels and residents in the area need to get out, Covington Mayor Candace Watkins said today. Residents who live between Third Avenue and the Bogue Falaya...

N.O.-area grocery stores look to reopen.
September 2, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet Grocers around the area are on the move to get back up and running to supply essential needs. Rouses Supermarkets has seven of its 34 stores open, despite experiencing significant roof damage to five of its locations,...

Jefferson Parish news conference set for 5 p.m. today.
September 2, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Jefferson Parish officials plan to hold a new conference at 5 p.m. today at the Joseph S. Yenni Building, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd. A press release did not say what the conference will be about. Expected to...

N.O. airport remains closed.
September 2, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport remains closed after Hurricane Gustav's battering of Louisiana. The airport has no commercial power at this time. A timetable for reopening has not yet been...

Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis: 'Gustav is not over'.
September 2, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff St. Tammany Parish is still feeling the effects of Hurricane Gustav, St. Tammany Parish President Kevin Davis said Monday night. "Hurricane Gustav is not over," he said. Davis took a tour of the parish Monday....

Levee crisis averted in Plaquemines.
September 2, 2008... Byline: Ariella Cohen Workers on Monday were able to divert freshwater and prevent a Braithwaite levee from giving way, sparing Plaquemines Parish from massive flooding. Damage in the parish is minimal in the wake of Hurricne Gustav. But...

Officials: Most Jefferson Parish homes, business spared major damage.
September 2, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness staff reports Although Hurricane Gustav toppled some fences and trees and damaged carports and storage sheds, most Jefferson Parish homes and businesses were spared major damage and there were no reports of street or...

Jefferson Parish government buildings to reopen Friday.
September 2, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Jefferson Parish said the following government buildings will be not reopen until Friday: - Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office - Jefferson Parish government buildings - Joseph S. Yenni Building -...

St. Tammany Parish to reopen Wednesday.
September 2, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Citizens will be able to reenter St. Tammany Parish at 6 a.m., Wednesday. If citizens of St. Tammany want to return tomorrow, please feel free to return tomorrow morning. Remember that there may be no...

Residents in N.O. get first glimpse at damage.
September 2, 2008... Byline: Richard A. Webster As water splashed over the Industrial Canal floodwall threatening the Upper 9th Ward, residents who chose to ride out Hurricane Gustav emerged from their homes today to survey the damage. And the news, for the...

St. Tammany Parish government to reopen Monday.
September 2, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff St. Tammany Parish Government offices will reopen Monday. All non-essential personnel who have not been recalled to work before then should report to their normal work site Monday morning. The St. Tammany...

Gustav has major impact on Gulf oil, gas production.
September 2, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Gulf of Mexico oil production is 100 percent offline, and 95.4 percent of natural gas production is also on pause in the wake of Hurricane Gustav, the Minerals Management Service said today. A total 1.3 million...

N.O. allows some to re-enter today.
September 2, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Emergency organization and groups essential to the recovery of New Orleans, such as utility companies, hospitals and public works workers, can return to New Orleans today. But it is not clear when residents. The...

Federal aid to help business, residents in La. affected by Gustav.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday said federal disaster aid is available for Louisiana to help people and communities recover from Hurricane...

Jefferson Parish officials to hold news conference at 3:30 p.m.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Jefferson Parish officials will hold a news conference at 3:30 p.m. today at the Jefferson Parish General Government Building, 200 Derbigny St., in Gretna. No further details were available.

Housing organization in N.O. creates Gustav information Web site.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Center has created a Web site devoted to providing Hurricane Gustav information. The site is gustavinfo.org.

Garbage collection to resume in unincorporated Jeff Parish, Lafitte.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Garbage collection will resume Friday in unincorporated Jefferson Parish and Jean Lafitte. Waste Management will resume curbside collection of regular household garbage and follow the regular schedule. Residents...

Rep. Jefferson seeks reimbursement for evacuees in La.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Rep. William Jefferson, D-New Orleans, said he wants the federal government to cover evacuation expenses for those who fled ahead of Hurricane Gustav. From my discussions with FEMA officials it has become clear...

FEMA assessing Gustav damages to trailers.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The Federal Emergency Management agency said the agency is assessing Hurricane Gustav damages to travel trailers and mobile homes that house victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. For more information, call FEMA...

Besh reopens N.O. restaurant.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff New Orleans chef John Besh reopened Luke, a Central Business District restaurant, the day after Hurricane Gustav ravaged the New Orleans area. Luke reopened for dinner at 5 p.m. Tuesday. It is the first of...

Southeast Louisiana veterans clinics closed.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff All Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System clinics - except the Baton Rouge Clinic - are closed because of Hurricane Gustav. All New Orleans administrative and clinical sites and the Houma clinic,...

Magazine Street Whole Foods in N.O. to reopen Friday.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The Whole Foods Market at 5600 Magazine St. will reopen at 10 a.m. Friday with limited hours. If power is available, the store at 3420 Veterans Blvd. will also reopen Friday. Whole Foods will reopen its Baton...

Jefferson Parish residents can return today.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff As of 6 a.m. today, Jefferson Parish residents can begin returning from Hurricane Gustav evacuations. Returning residents need no special credentials to return. To prevent traffic jams, parish officials ask that...

Coast Guard investigates reports of loose vessels in La, Miss.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The Coast Guard said it has begun post-hurricane response operations, including responding to reports of vessels that broke free during Hurricane Gustav. The Coast Guard received a report Monday morning of two...

Jefferson Parish water drinkable, except in Grand Isle.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Jefferson Parish officials say the parish's water system is working properly and water is drinkable, except in Grand Isle. The parish began allowing residents to return home today following Hurricane Gustav...

N.O. airport reopens; 1st flight set for Thursday.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport reopened today, and the first outbound flight is scheduled to depart Thursday. All Transportation Security Administration personnel are asked to call 465-5659 to...

N.O. will not turn away returning residents.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Despite a request by Mayor C. Ray Nagin that residents not return before midnight tonight, residents will not be turned away if they arrive before midnight. A mandatory evacuation remains in effect in New...

IberiaBank opens five N.O. area branches.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Five New Orleans-area branches of IberiaBank are open for business. The offices remained open until 5 p.m. today. The affected branches are: * Pan Am - 601 Poydras St., Suite 100 (1st Floor) * Elmwood (Harahan) -...

Rouses reopens N.O. area stores.
September 3, 2008... Byline: Jaime Guillet Rouses Supermarkets has opened more than half of their 34 stores including many stores in Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes. Joe Livorsi, Rouses general manger of sales and marketing, said all of Rouses' North shore...

Louisiana State University hospitals reopen select pharmacies.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The following outpatient pharmacies of the Louisiana State University Health Care Services Division are open during the times posted below: * Bogalusa Medical Center: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Monday, Wednesday, and...

Orleans jail to house evacuated prisoners.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Approximately 2,100 inmates evacuated from prisons in southeast Louisiana will be temporarily housed Orleans Parish Parish. "The (Orleans Parish Criminal) Sheriff's Office is working with the Louisiana Department...

Capital One reopens some storm-hit branches in La., Texas.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Capital One Bank announced the following news regarding its offices and other business operations in Louisiana and Texas markets impacted by Hurricane Gustav: In Louisiana, its three North Shore offices including...

Help available for St. Tammany businesses.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff The St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation is open and ready to assist area businesses in resuming operations. Staff members are available to take calls from hurricane-impacted businesses, provide referrals...

East Jefferson in Metairie to resume outpatient services Monday.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff East Jefferson General Hospital will resume outpatient services and elective procedures Monday. The EJGH Wellness Center will reopen from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday with regular hours resuming at 7 a.m. Saturday....

Entergy: 774,000 still powerless in La., Miss. and Arkansas.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness staff report More than 774,000 Entergy customers remain without power as of 4 p.m. today in the utility's service territory in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas. Outage numbers have fluctuate because of damage the...

Fidelity expects to reopen N.O. area branches Thursday.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank opened branches in Baton Rouge, Hammond, Ponchatoula, Covington, Slidell and Mandeville today. Officials anticipate reopening the bank's Jefferson Parish locations in Kenner, River...

Regions Bank to reopen select branches in La. Thursday.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Regions Bank plans to open more than 20 of its south Louisiana branches Thursday. Branches scheduled to open tomorrow include: New Orleans - 1001 Wall Blvd.; and 3908 Veterans Blvd., Metairie North Shore - 1000...

Slidell Memorial restoring services.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Slidell Memorial Hospital beginning to restore its operations as residents return to the area. The hospital is open and providing emergency services and some inpatient services now that electrical power is up and...

Mandatory evacuation in N.O. ends at midnight.
September 3, 2008... Byline: Greg LaRose The mandatory evacuation of New Orleans will end at midnight, although many residents have already made their way back into the city two days after Hurricane Gustav brushed by the area and unleashed its damage on...

Entergy New Orleans to open customer service centers.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Entergy New Orleans will open two customer information centers Thursday to assist customers who evacuated for Hurricane Gustav with questions about their power after they return home. The centers will be housed...

Entergy: Gustav restoration 'rivals' that of Katrina.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Entergy Corp. today said it has restored service to nearly 36,000 customers following a peak of 850,000 outages in the wake of Hurricane Gustav. But the company said it is also battling new outages and said total...

Gulf oil and gas production picks up.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Gulf of Mexico oil and gas production has increased today for the first time since Hurricane Gustav slowed operations. About 95.8 percent of the oil production has been halted, compared with about 100 percent...

Community Coffee reopens some locations in La.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Community Coffee Co. today said its manufacturing facility in Port Allen was not affected by Hurricane Gustav and the company plans to resume operations as soon as power is restored. The following CC's Community...

Ochsner lists open hospitals in N.O. area.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Ochsner Health System said the following hospitals are open to the public and fully operational: - Ochsner Medical Center - Jefferson Highway - Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank - Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner...

Jefferson Parish sewage system overwhelmed.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Jefferson Parish officials today said the parish's sewage system is overwhelmed and warned that wastewater may back up into homes and businesses. The news came the same day the parish was reopened to residents...

Corps: 'The system held' in Gustav.
September 3, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff "The pumps pumped and the system held." That was the headline of a news release the Army Corps of Engineers released today touting the performance of hurricane protection during Hurricane Gustav. "Hurricane...

Montgomery Barnett law firm in New Orleans reopens.
September 4, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report The offices of Montgomery Barnett law firm have reopened following a temporary closure due to Hurricane Gustav. The firm's Web site, www.monbar.com, is operational, and our attorneys and staff members can...

St. Tammany Parish added to federal disaster declaration.
September 4, 2008... Byline: CityBusiness Staff Report St. Tammany Parish has been included in the Federal Disaster Declaration for FEMA disaster aid for individual assistance. Residents of St. Tammany Parish who evacuated for Hurricane Gustav or received...