News
DOWNTOWN WEST MONROE TO HOST OUACHITA LIVE CONCERT FEATURING BLUES AWARD WINNER SELWYN BIRCHWOOD
Downtown West Monroe will continue its monthly concert series, Ouachita Live, on May 30 with internationally touring blues artist Selwyn Birchwood and his band. Ruston native D.K. Harrell will make a rare special guest appearance on stage with Birchwood. Sponsor Louisiana Lottery will present the May show. The free outdoor concert series takes place on the last Friday of every month from March through October in Alley Park (located on the corner of Trenton and Natchitoches Streets) from 7:00 p.m.
Frame the Drain 2025
Keep West Monroe Beautiful is excited to once again launch its "Frame the Drain" storm drain art project. Local artists are being sought to submit renderings to paint public storm drains in the City of West Monroe with messages that remind the public the importance of keeping litter out of our storm drains. Selected artists will receive a stipend to paint the storm drain this summer. The deadline to submit a rendering is Friday, June 6. For more information, email Keep West Monroe Beautiful
City of West Monroe to host Memorial Day Ceremony May 23
The City of West Monroe will host a Memorial Day Ceremony on Friday, May 23 in downtown West Monroe. The public is invited to attend. The ceremony will be held on Friday, May 23 at 10 a.m. in the Bell Tower parking lot on Trenton Street in downtown West Monroe. The NELA 6 Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers will join the city for this ceremony as we remember and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. For more information about the ceremony, please contact the West Monroe Mayor’s
Carrie Castille named tenth president of The University of Louisiana Monroe
The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors has named Carrie Castille, Ph.D., the tenth president of The University of Louisiana Monroe. Castille is the first female president in the university’s nearly 94-year history. “I am incredibly honored and grateful to be named the tenth president of this incredible institution. I believe that great days are ahead for the University of Louisiana Monroe. I look forward to working hard alongside the faculty, staff, and community to provide the best
West Monroe Fire Department to conduct Fire Hydrant Testing 2025
The City of West Monroe Fire Department will be conducting a city-wide flushing program on nearly 800 fire hydrants through June 12. The City of West Monroe Fire Department will be flushing every fire hydrant across the city, starting on Monday, May 19, beginning on the west side of the city limits, moving east, then south. The process is critical to the overall maintenance of the City’s water distribution system and is one of the most important practices conducted by public drinking water systems
Discover Monroe-West Monroe set to host largest youth tournament nationwide
Discover Monroe-West Monroe is teaming up with the American Youth Table Tennis Organization to host the 2025 National Scholastic Table Tennis Championship during Memorial Day weekend in West Monroe. It’s the largest youth team tournament in the country scheduled for May 24-May 26, 2025, at the West Monroe Sports & Events facility, bringing in top schools from about eight states, including Louisiana. “We met the Discover Monroe-West Monroe team at the Connect Conference in Milwaukee. The
Discover Monroe-West Monroe Launches Phase I of Ouachita Paddling Trails for Visitors
Discover Monroe-West Monroe (DMWM) officially launched Phase I of the Ouachita Paddling Trails on May 14, 2025, at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge Boat Dock. This new outdoor initiative highlights the natural asset of our rivers, lakes, bayous and is designed to help visitors and locals explore and enjoy our outdoor resources more easily. The website, www.ouachitapaddlingtrails.com, features six trails and each with its own map: Cheniere Lake Trail, Black Bayou Eagle’s Nest Paddle Trail, Bayou
DMWM Presented Eight Awards at the 2025 Tourism Industry Awards Banquet
Discover Monroe-West Monroe hosted its 2025 Tourism Industry Awards Banquet at The HUB in Monroe on May 8. The Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) presented awards in eight different categories. The winners are listed under each category: * Holiday Spirit Award - Christmas at Kiroli: Katie McClinton, Suzannah Donald & Brad Calhoun * Tourism Ambassador of the Year - 2 Aces on the Go: Caroline Carbrey - 2 Aces on the Go: Emily Thornhill * Attraction of the Year - Chennault
The Center for Children & Families Shines a Light on Mental Health Awareness Month with Services Acr
Since the pandemic, rates of anxiety, depression, and trauma in children and families have surged—leaving many without the support they need to cope. This May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, The Center for Children & Families is urging the public to recognize the signs, spread awareness, and support accessible mental health care across Louisiana and Mississippi. Understanding the Need Mental health is more than just the absence of illness—it’s the foundation for how we think, feel, connect with
Public invited to ‘Parklet Day with Mayor Staci’ on Friday, May 9
The community is invited to stop by West Monroe City Hall on Friday, May 9 to take part in “Parklet Day with Mayor Staci.” A parklet is a public space that is converted from curbside parking spaces into vibrant community spaces. Some of the parking spaces at West Monroe City Hall have temporarily been converted into an outdoor setting that will provide a casual area for the public to visit with West Monroe Mayor Staci Mitchell. Mayor Mitchell will be able to visit with the public in this setting on
Discover Monroe-West Monroe Recognizes the Power of Travel During National Travel and Tourism Week
National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW) shines a spotlight on the U.S. travel industry’s essential role in driving economic growth, creating jobs and enhancing the nation’s global competitiveness May 4 – May 10, 2025. "Travel is one of our nation's most powerful economic engines—supporting millions of jobs, fueling businesses and propelling industries forward,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman. “National Travel and Tourism Week reinforces the pivotal role travel plays in
BESE approves new ULM teacher certification programs BESE approves new ULM teacher certification pro
The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) has approved new programs from the University of Louisiana Monroe School of Education that will assist teachers in becoming certified. These programs are designed to create clear pathways to certification for uncertified teachers in area school districts. These new pathways will assist teachers in receiving their Secondary Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in General Science, Middle School Language Arts, Middle School Mathematics, Middle
Discover Monroe-West Monroe Unveils Ouachita Paddling Trails
Discover Monroe-West Monroe is unveiling the Ouachita Paddling Trails on Saturday, May 10, 2025. The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with a short unveiling ceremony at Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge Boat Dock, located at Black Bayou Boat Dock Road, Monroe, LA, 71203. The ceremony will be followed by a guided paddle at 10 a.m. The event is free and open to all paddling enthusiasts. Be sure to bring your own kayak or canoe. Members of the media are invited to paddle. DMWM and partners are providing
Lighting the Way: Share the Light Foundation Installs First Community Food Pantry
The West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce proudly joined Share the Light Foundation for a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on Friday, April 25, celebrating the successful installation of the Foundation’s first free community food pantry.This milestone represents a powerful step forward in addressing food insecurity across Northeast Louisiana. The pantry was made possible through an inspiring collaboration of local leaders, volunteers, and donors. We applaud Sarah Tremaine for her
Artist Call - Please Share!
The Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation requests that professional artists and artist teams submit proposals for the creation of original, site-specific artwork to serve as markers in places impacted by the 1927 flood, as part of a multi-regional centennial observance. Communities, artists, and organizations are encouraged to get involved during the timeline of the project, 2026-2027, and participate in various ways, including but not limited to the following: Musical Tribute: Collaborate with local
2025 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway
2025 Monroe St. Jude Dream Home Built by BRACO Construction in DeSiard Trace. Estimated value: $440,000 9039 DeSiard Trace Sterlington, LA 71280 Giveaway date: June 12, 2025 House features: Over an acre of land in the DeSiard Trace subdivision including beautiful back porch with open field views Equipped with Generac Home standby Generator, courtesy of Albritton Service Company Contemporary Tudor style home Unique and open floor plan Spacious kitchen with black stainless
.jpg)
Living Well Foundation Announces Grant Cycle 2025
Grant Cycle 2025 The Board of Directors of the Living Well Foundation announces that a grant cycle will open February 17, 2025, to accept letters of intent, with applications to be completed by March 31, 2025. All requests must be submitted through the online software portal at www.livingwellfoundation.net by the completion date. Priorities for the grant cycle: Healthy lifestyles, including nutrition and food insecurity, physical activity, and wellness Access to healthcare, including medical,
Chamber's Adopt-A School Program Presents Checks to 2025 Grantees
The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce and Adopt-A-School Committee presented checks to five area teachers during the Ouachita Parish School Board Meeting on Tuesday. These five teachers were the winners of the 2025 Building Bridges Grant from the Chamber’s Adopt-A-School Program with generous sponsorship by Pattern Energy.The grant program is in its second year and had double the amount of applicants from the year prior. The five teachers participated in a competitive application process that
