In the world of public service, where meetings, movements, and moments often collide in a blur of urgency, some mothers manage to raise children with both purpose and poise. Betty Blakes is one of them. A mother of…
Category: Community News
News about local community activities
Thunderstorms, high winds bring damage to Monroe area
Residents of Monroe, Louisiana, faced a tumultuous evening as severe thunderstorms swept through the region, unleashing powerful winds, torrential rain, and widespread flash flooding. The National Weather Service issued multiple warnings, including a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 6:00 PM CDT…
Judge Lehy issues house arrest sentence for repeat hit and run driver
A Monroe man has been sentenced to house arrest in connection with the 2019 hit-and-run death of a local teenage skateboarder. Daniel Lynn Ross Jr., 51, was sentenced to four years of house arrest after pleading guilty to charges stemming…
Snaps of the City
Between April 24 and April 30, 2025, our friends were busy on social media, including these snaps.
McFarland on Fire Chief selection: “All I hear is crickets”
The Monroe City Council is intensifying pressure on Mayor Friday Ellis to appoint a new fire chief, six months after the retirement of former Chief Terry Williams in November 2024. The prolonged vacancy has sparked concerns about leadership stability in…
Brown Bombers want more DBE participation in city contracts
The Monroe City Council unanimously voted Tuesday night to delay authorization of a $1.65 million pump replacement bid, citing concerns over low Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goals. The controversy erupted when the city’s purchasing department requested permission to advertise…
Rev. McCoy urges voters to support Eastside school tax
Voters in East Ouachita Parish will head to the polls next Saturday, May 3, 2025, to decide the future of local school facilities in a bond election that could result in a brand-new elementary school for the Richwood area. The…