National Prescription Take-Back Day – October 24, 2020 – Initiative seeks to collect unused & expired
The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a crucial public safety and public health issue. According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 9.9 million Americans misused controlled prescription drugs. The study shows the majority of abused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet. Bring your pills for disposal to one of four locations: Bernice Pharmacy at 417 East Main Street in Bernice, Union Parish Sheriff’s Office at 710
ULM Battle of the Bayou Blood Drive set for Oct. 28-29
To help alleviate a critical shortage of blood and blood products, the University of Louisiana Monroe, ULM Medical Laboratory Science and LifeShare Blood Center is having the Battle of the Bayou Blood Drive from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29. The “battle” is a friendly competition between ULM and Louisiana Tech to encourage healthy adults to donate blood. The LifeShare donor bus will be in Warhawk Circle each day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. COVID-19 safety protocols are in place,
ULM Online program, degrees earn top rankings for fall 2020
ULM Online has received outstanding recognition in the latest release of fall 2020 rankings. The rankings are for ULM Online as a whole and specific degrees. ULM Online offers 33 degree programs in associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Fall enrollment for ULM Online graduate and undergraduate programs is at an all-time high with 2,000 students. This marks a 23 percent increase over fall 2019. ULM Online Director Katie Dawson said ULM’s excellent faculty, infrastructure, and
2020 Red Kettle Volunteer Opportunity
What a great way to connect with your community during the Christmas Season by ringing the famous Red Kettle Bell. The Salvation Army of NELA, needs your help to provide for families in need. Please consider volunteering at one of The Salvation Army Red Kettles this year, and your time will help ensure that the Salvation Army will succeed in their mission. Volunteer as a group or an individual. There are numerous locations to choose from. We ask that you commit to a full shift or a partial shift which
ULM Gerontology hosts Zoom Conference on Disability Advocacy, 1:30-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22
The University of Louisiana Monroe Gerontology program is observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month with the third Conference on Disability Advocacy from 1:30-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 via Zoom. Community leaders and major organizations that serve people with disabilities and older adults will participate in the panel discussion on exploring and developing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and older adults. Gerontology program Director Anita Sharma, Ph.D., stated, “Now more
Library to give away free books to children in Ouachita Parish
The Ouachita Parish Public Library will give away free books to children who complete a literary scavenger hunt during the last week of October. Even though the Library is not hosting its annual largescale Pumpkin Bash: A Children’s Book Festival for health safety reasons, it is still prioritizing the book giveaway. This year, Pumpkin Bash will be a scavenger hunt that children can complete with their families. To receive a free book, children must complete seven of the 10 items on the Pumpkin Bash
Arts Council announces ARTvent! 12 Days of Prizes to support the Arts
The Arts Council of Northeast Louisiana is excited to premier ARTvent! Starting December 1st for a total of 12 consecutive days, the Arts Council will be drawing for prizes to be given away to lucky winners. Tickets to enter are just $50 each and give you a chance to win every day. Daily winners are eligible for the grand prize drawing. Tickets available at www.nelaarts.org, the Arts Council office or from any board member. PRIZE PACKAGES... Holiday Family Feast: 1 holiday dinner, featuring 1 turkey
ULM Community Supply Drive - collecting items for McNeese hurricane recovery
The University of Louisiana Monroe is conducting a Community Supply Drive to gather much-needed items for McNeese State University in Lake Charles, which was severely impacted by Hurricane Laura in August. The campus drive is Oct. 7-16. Donation bins are located on campus at the Student Union Building (SUB), ULM Library and Schulze Dining Hall. Donations from the community will be accepted from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Oct. 12-16 in the triangle parking lot located between Bayou Pointe Event Center and
United Way NELA continues Food for our Friends to combat food insecurity in NELA
United Way of Northeast Louisiana is continuing Food for our Friends, a drive-through food distribution open to anyone in Northeast Louisiana who is experiencing food insecurity due to recent disasters. United Way aims to serve the many hard-working families in the community. Working with the Cajun Navy, the City of Monroe, and the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, United Way NELA will provide direct food assistance in the form of perishable commodity boxes to any individuals needing supplemental food. This
ULM receives DRA grant over $1 million for workforce development program
ULM will receive $1,074,510 for workforce development efforts through the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA). A press conference to announce the award's details is at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, with DRA and DOL representatives, state and local officials. The event will be at The Terrace on the seventh floor of the ULM Library. In all, 13 organizations share in
Ouachita Green names Aundi Brown as new Executive Director
The Board of Directors for Ouachita Green are excited to announce that Aundi Brown has been named as its new Executive Director. Ouachita Green is a nonprofit organization that serves as the umbrella for Keep Monroe, Keep West Monroe and Keep Ouachita Parish Beautiful. Ouachita Green is committed to cleaning and beautifying the Ouachita Parish area through litter abatement, recycling, beautification and environmental education. Brown has spent the last 12 years working in the recycling industry
City of West Monroe to host Love Local in the Park Oct. 3 at Kiroli Park
The City of West Monroe and the Kiroli Foundation will host “Love Local in the Park” this Saturday, October 3, beginning at noon at Kiroli Park. Loven Local in the Park is being presented by Paramount Healthcare Consultants and Walsworth & Company. This family-friendly outdoor event will take place on the grounds of beautiful Kiroli Park. The day will feature local musicians and performers on the Kiroli Park Bandstand. In addition to performances throughout the day, there will be food trucks as
Cooley House Fall Lecture – Live from Australia
The Cooley House Foundation will continue their award-winning Fall Lecture Series with a free virtual presentation live from Australia on Thursday, October 8. Michael Thomson, vice-president of the Walter Burley Griffin Society of Australia, will discuss “A Tale of Three Cities: The Griffins in Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney”. This follows the challenges and successful projects of the husband and wife team who designed the Cooley House, after they won an international design competition in 1912 for
Arts Council hosting four free concerts in October!
The Arts Council of Northeast Louisiana emerges from quarantine to present its free Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series at noon on Wednesdays this October at Anna Gray Noe Park in downtown Monroe. Bring a picnic lunch or pick up a $5 box lunch on site from Newk’s. You will have your choice between half a chicken salad sandwich or half an oven roasted turkey sandwich both including chips and dessert. Sweet and Unsweet tea is included. Cash or credit/debit cards accepted. Come early so you do not miss
ULM announces ‘Together We Rise’ Homecoming Week activities Sept. 28-Oct. 3
The University of Louisiana Monroe kicks off Homecoming Week 2020 with this year’s theme, “Together We Rise.” Events and activities will take place Monday, Sept. 28-Saturday, Oct. 3. Monday, Sept. 28, until 4 p.m., the ULM Water Ski Showcase will take place at Bayou DeSiard by VCOM. Students and community members will have a chance to meet and greet the ULM Water Ski team. From 4-5 p.m., the SGA Cookout will be at the Student Grove. Immediately following, the Homecoming Pep Rally and the crowning of
''KWMB awarded Healthy Communities Grant to enhance''
Keep West Monroe Beautiful has been selected as a recipient of the Healthy Communities Grant by Keep Louisiana Beautiful, the state’s premier anti-litter and community improvement organization. A grant of $8,000 was awarded to Keep West Monroe Beautiful for the purpose of purchasing additional recycling containers to be used at public events and cameras to be placed in areas where illegal dumping is taking place. Grant funds will also be used for environmental education materials and the
ULM’s 36th Annual University Mile is Wednesday, Sept. 30
The 36th Annual University Mile run/walk will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m. This is a 1-mile race through the University of Louisiana Monroe campus. The race will start at Hemphill Hall and end at the Activity Center. Maps are available upon request. The cost of this event is $15 for students and $20 for community members. Everyone who registers will receive an Adidas Clima-lite long sleeve tee. Attendees can register at the Activity Center’s front office, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ULM a Best National University for 5th year, ranks in Social Mobility for 2nd year
For the fifth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report recognized the University of Louisiana Monroe as a Best National University in the 2021 U.S. News Best Colleges report released in September. ULM is among more than 1,400 colleges and universities evaluated on 17 measures of academic quality. The data used to determine the rankings is before the pandemic. Best National Universities Only 389 schools are in the Best National Universities category. In 2016, ULM advanced from a Regional
Discover Monroe-West Monroe Hosts Twin City Marathon November 8
Discover Monroe-West Monroe along with the cities of Monroe and West Monroe will host a tour of the two cities via the Twin City Half and Full Marathon on November 8. The routes will wind runners through the historic downtowns of both cities, along majestic tree-lined neighborhoods, and over the Ouachita River. The event will start and finish at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe, LA. The course is USA Track & Field certified and is a Boston Marathon qualifier. Runners from over 17 states will
HURRICANE LAURA SURVIVORS: PREVIOUS FEMA HELP DOESN’T AFFECT ELIGIBILITY
Hurricane Laura survivors in Louisiana should register with FEMA even if they have registered with the agency for previous disasters. FEMA considers each disaster to be a separate event so survivors affected by multiple storms may receive help more than once. Survivors in Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Ouachita, Vermilion and Vernon parishes may be eligible for FEMA grants to help with their recovery. Help may include rent, home repair, home replacement and other
City of West Monroe begins storm debris cleanup
The City of West Monroe Public Works Department is working to remove storm debris from local residences impacted by Hurricane Laura. Public Works Director Ronnie Turner said city crews have been working all week to remove storm debris caused by last week’s hurricane. City of West Monroe residents are asked to place all “green waste” on the side of the road where city equipment can easily access it. Please do not place green waste in ditches which may impact drainage. Residents are also
Kayak Bass Fishing event scheduled in Monroe-West Monroe
Kayak bass fishing is the fastest-growing segment of the sportfishing industry. Over 800,000 U.S. bass anglers say kayaks are their primary means of reaching prime fishing spots. Ouachita River and Bayou D’Arbonne Lake, Louisiana, will be the tip of the spear when, on September 5 and 6, bass fishing competitors from across the southeast will meet in a two-day “SuperTRAIL” catch-photo-release tournament. Unlike conventional bass boat tournaments, in which fish are caught, placed in holding tanks, carried
Ouachita Parish: Three Additional Parishes Approved for FEMA Individual Assistance Following Laura
Residents of nine parishes eligible for aid, additional approvals expected Gov. John Bel Edwards announced today that FEMA approved his request for Individual Assistance for those in Acadia, Ouachita and Vermilion parishes that suffered damage in Hurricane Laura. This brings the total of approved parishes to nine; the governor’s request for another 14 parishes is still pending federal approval. “This approval will help the residents of Acadia, Vermilion and Ouachita parishes move forward in their
Twin Cities Hosting Food Distributions in August
The City of West Monroe and the City of Monroe, in partnership with the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, will both host food distributions during the first week of August. These food distributions are open to all residents who live in Ouachita Parish who are in need of food. “We thank the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana for partnering with the cities of Monroe and West Monroe to distribute food to those in our community who need assistance,” said West Monroe Mayor Staci Mitchell. “Food security is a
ULM announces Fall 2020 course delivery methods, COVID-19 safety measures
ULM announces Fall 2020 course delivery methods, COVID-19 safety measures By ULM Office of Marketing and Communications As the University of Louisiana Monroe prepares to welcome students for the Fall 2020 semester, information is being provided regarding course delivery methods and safety measures implemented in response to COVID-19. ULM continues to focus on the campus community's health and safety while still executing its academic mission. Currently, the fall academic calendar will
Chamber Announces 2020 Small Business Award Winners
The West Monroe West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the winners of the 2020 Small Business Awards presented by Glenwood Regional Medical Center and Paramount Healthcare Consultants. Nominations were accepted from Chamber members in the following categories: Emerging Entrepreneur, Micro Business, Small Business, Female Champion, Community Champion and the Silver Plus Award. And the winners are: · Emerging Entrepreneur - Sarah Blackwell owner of Sadie C’s Sarah began with a vision
Small Business Awards 2020
Small Business Awards Luncheon 2020 The West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce will once again host their annual Small Business Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 7, 2020 from Noon to 1 p.m. at the West Monroe Convention Center. The WMWO Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards Luncheon, presented by Glenwood Regional Medical Center and Paramount Healthcare, is an opportunity for the Chamber of Commerce to recognize small businesses that play a vital role in the economic vitality of our
