Terror attack in New Orleans kills 15 people, wounds others

A New Year’s Eve celebration Tuesday night in the famed French Quarter of New Orleans turned tragic when a man in a truck drove it into a crowd.

At least 15 people were fatally injured and others hurt as well. The Associated Press reports that the vehicle was steered around a barricade and hit people before police killed the driver with gunfire.

The man was identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, of Texas, a U.S. Army veteran.

Investigation turned up several “improvised” explosive devices in the area. Inside the truck was a flag of the Islamic State terrorist group.

Security video of the area showed three women and one man placing a device, according to the AP.

Sports: Buckeyes stun Ducks

The quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff on Wednesday brought one epic overtime classic and one unexpected blowout.

Fifth-ranked Texas built an early lead, but fourth-ranked Arizona State rallied to send the game into overtime. The Longhorns finally won the contest in double OT by 39-31 in the Peach Bowl.

The Rose Bowl game in Pasadena saw the unbeaten and top-rated Oregon Ducks overpowered 41-21 by eighth-ranked Ohio State.
The Sugar Bowl game scheduled for Wednesday in New Orleans was postponed to Thursday because of the terror attack in that city.

Weather: Warmer, cooler, etc.

The forecast for the next four days for our West Orange County cities is familiar. Warmer, then cooler, then warmer. Thursday should have a daytime high of 70 with an overnight low of 50 under sunny skies. Friday will cool to 64 (50) with cloudy skies. Saturday’s high will dip to 61 (49) with partly cloudy conditions. Sunday will start to warm with a high of 67 (49) and similar skies.