City of West Monroe

09/14/2026

What a difference a community can make when we work together! 💙🌊

During this year’s Water Sweep, nearly 100 volunteers worked together to collect 71 bags of trash from our local waterways and surrounding areas. Their hard work made an immediate, visible difference while helping protect wildlife, preserve our natural resources, and Keep West Monroe Beautiful.

We are incredibly grateful to Ouachita Green, our volunteers, community organizations and partners who helped make this event possible. Whether you collected litter, provided supplies, assisted with preparations or encouraged others to participate, you played an important role in making the day a success.

Water Sweep may take place once a year, but its impact lasts much longer. Thank you to everyone who showed up and demonstrated what it means to love our waterways and care for our community. We are already looking forward to doing it again next year!

09/14/2026

There is plenty happening in West Monroe this week! In this week’s Mayor’s Message, Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell shares:

• An update on the Columbia locks and dams
• A recap of Saturday’s Water Sweep and the positive progress being made along the Ouachita River
• Highlights from a busy weekend that welcomed many visitors to our community with the Live Original conference
• Opportunities to learn more and provide feedback on the Downtown West Monroe temporary demonstration
• Reminders about Tuesday’s City Council meeting and Saturday’s River Rat Paddle Challenge
• Important traffic and fire-safety reminders from the West Monroe Police and Fire Departments

Residents are invited to attend a downtown demonstration update meeting Tuesday at 8 a.m. on the patio at JAC’s Craft Smokehouse or Friday at noon in Alley Park. The West Monroe City Council will also meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.

Watch this week’s Mayor’s Message for all the details, and stay connected with the City of West Monroe’s social media pages for additional updates.

09/14/2026

Reminder: Our first Downtown West Monroe Demonstration Public Update Meeting is tomorrow morning!

Join us at 8 AM on JAC's Craft Smokehouse open patio to hear the latest, ask questions and share your feedback. Coffee and donuts will be provided, and attendees will be entered to win two tickets to the 2026 Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival!

West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce

You spoke, we listened—and the conversation about the future of Downtown West Monroe continues!👏

The City of West Monroe invites downtown business owners, property owners and community members to attend one of two public update meetings regarding the Downtown Demonstration. Hear the latest updates, learn more about what we have observed during the temporary trial, and share your feedback directly with city leaders.

The demonstration is allowing the city to explore potential improvements to traffic flow, parking, pedestrian safety, and beautification before any permanent decisions are made. Your experience and input are an important part of that process! We will have two opportunities for you to give us your feedback in-person:

Tuesday, September 15
8:00 a.m.
JAC's Craft Smokehouse open patio
Coffee and donuts will be provided.

Friday, September 18
12:00 p.m.
Alley Park in Downtown West Monroe
A food truck will be on-site with lunch available for purchase.

Everyone who attends either feedback session will also be entered to win two tickets to the 2026 Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival! Come hear the latest, ask questions and help shape the future of Downtown West Monroe.

West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce
Discover Monroe-West Monroe

09/14/2026

TRAFFIC UPDATE: The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will begin a concrete pavement patching and repair project along LA 617 (Thomas Road), from LA 34 (Jonesboro Road) to US 80 (Cypress Street), on Tuesday, September 15, weather permitting.

Intermittent lane closures will be necessary throughout the project. However, lane closures will be restricted during peak travel hours, with specific schedules varying by direction and location north or south of Downing Pines Road. Drivers should still anticipate possible delays and allow additional travel time when traveling through the area.

The project is expected to continue through late 2027, with the schedule dependent on weather and other factors affecting construction.

Please use caution near the work zone, watch for crews and equipment, and leave plenty of space between vehicles.

For the latest travel information, call 511, visit www.511la.org or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app.

West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce
City of West Monroe Fire Department
West Monroe Police Department

09/11/2026

We’re excited to welcome Osprey Initiative to West Monroe as they conduct a litter cleanup of local canals and waterways through a grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful

This morning, the Osprey Initiative team visited an environmental science class at West Monroe High School to talk with students about the effects of litter on our environment, how litter makes its way into our waterways and the dangers it can create for our local ecosystems.

Students also got a hands-on look at the issue by examining litter collected earlier this morning from waterways around West Monroe.

And the cleanup continues! Osprey Initiative will join us for Water Sweep tomorrow, September 12, with a boat on the Ouachita River to assist volunteers in removing litter from our waterways.

Thank you to Osprey Initiative, Keep Louisiana Beautiful and West Monroe High School for helping educate the next generation and protect the waterways that are such an important part of our community!💙♻️

Keep West Monroe Beautiful

09/11/2026

This morning, the City of West Monroe gathered in front of City Hall to commemorate the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, honoring the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the heroes who answered the call and the courage, sacrifice and unity our nation witnessed in the days that followed.

We extend a special thank you to our guest speaker, Master Sergeant Bronson D. Moss, First Sergeant of the 307th Medical Dental Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base, for sharing his reflections with us this morning. His words reminded us that remembrance is not only about looking back, but it is about carrying forward the courage, service and unity that emerged from one of our nation’s darkest days.

We were also grateful to be joined by representatives from the Chief Tusquahoma Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Blue Star Mothers of NELA, along with our local first responders, veterans, community leaders and citizens who gathered with us in remembrance.

As the years continue to pass and new generations grow up without their own memories of September 11, it becomes even more important that we continue to tell the stories, honor the lives lost and remember the extraordinary bravery of those who ran toward danger to help others. May we continue to honor their memory through lives of service, compassion and unity. 🇺🇸

09/10/2026

You spoke, we listened—and the conversation about the future of Downtown West Monroe continues!👏

The City of West Monroe invites downtown business owners, property owners and community members to attend one of two public update meetings regarding the Downtown Demonstration. Hear the latest updates, learn more about what we have observed during the temporary trial, and share your feedback directly with city leaders.

The demonstration is allowing the city to explore potential improvements to traffic flow, parking, pedestrian safety, and beautification before any permanent decisions are made. Your experience and input are an important part of that process! We will have two opportunities for you to give us your feedback in-person:

Tuesday, September 15
8:00 a.m.
JAC's Craft Smokehouse open patio
Coffee and donuts will be provided.

Friday, September 18
12:00 p.m.
Alley Park in Downtown West Monroe
A food truck will be on-site with lunch available for purchase.

Everyone who attends either feedback session will also be entered to win two tickets to the 2026 Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival! Come hear the latest, ask questions and help shape the future of Downtown West Monroe.

West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce
Discover Monroe-West Monroe

09/10/2026

Celebrate Kiroli Park with a day of free family fun! 🌳

Join us Saturday, September 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Kiroli Park Day, a community celebration featuring bounce houses, an obstacle course, a foam play area, live music, children’s activities, event prizes, community vendors and more. Local food trucks will also be on site.

Admission and family activities are free, so invite your friends, bring the kids and make some new memories at one of West Monroe’s most treasured places!

Kiroli Park | Saturday, September 12 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Kiroli Park Day: A Community Celebration, is presented by the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce and the City of West Monroe, along with Brown’s Roofing, Johnny's Pizza, and KNOE 8 News.

09/10/2026

Another great Wednesday at Brown Bag! 🎶☀️

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday at the Pavilion at Seventh Square for another wonderful Brown Bag Lunch Concert! A special thank you to Clay LaBeff for providing the perfect lunchtime entertainment.

We’ll be back next Wednesday, September 16, from 12–1 p.m. with Kirby Rambin! Bring your lunch, grab a seat and join us for another great afternoon of FREE live music.

The Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series would not be possible without the support of our wonderful sponsors and community partners. Thank you also to Music City Studios for coordinating our talented artists and Newk’s Eatery for offering lunch specials throughout the series.

And, as always, thank you to the West Monroe-West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce for partnering with the City of West Monroe to bring this community tradition to life! We’ll see you next Wednesday! 💙