Breaking News
- Excellence Academy court battle to continue Monday
28 Jul 2017
District’s star witness, pressed to produce proof of claims, comes up empty at the first day of trial. “This is not about our children, this a ‘Get Roosevelt’ ” trial said Excellence Academy founder, Roosevelt Wright, Jr. in district court today, closing out nine hours of testimony in which Wright and the school board’s paid consultant advanced two views of the district’s only charter school. Wright’s comments came during testimony today in 4th District Court before […]
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- New interim police chief named
26 Jul 2017
Today, Mayor Jamie Mayo announced that Major Eugene Ellis will serve as Interim Police Chief of the Monroe Police Department, effective August 1, 2017. Chief Quentin Holmes announced his retirement last week, so the mayor has appointed Ellis to fill the position. He will serve for the next 90 days until a permanent replacement can be confirmed. According to the city, Ellis is a 31-year veteran of the Monroe Police Department. “Major Ellis has served […]
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Family Celebration
- Katrina Jackson’s birthday was gathering of friends
28 Jul 2017
When Rep. Katrina Jackson celebrated her birthday on Monday, July 25th, it was a gathering of family and friends. There were home girls and guys, family members, and associates all laughing and talking and looking good! Jackson, as president of the Legislative Black Caucus, is one of the most influential women in the state of Louisiana.
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- Reeds renew 20th year vows with Jamaica splash
26 Jul 2017
Brian and DeShuntra Reed were joined by members of their extended families when they traveled to Montego Bay, Jamaica to celebrate their 20th anniversary over the last week. The couple and their family members enjoyed the sights and topped off the vacation with a renewal of their vows. Following the renewal, the couple jumped into a swimming pool while still wearing their wedding attire. The couple has three children and are enjoying life to the […]
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Achievements
- Congratulations Mia
27 Jul 2017
Mia Williams attends Cypress Point Elementary School in the Monroe City Schools. She maintained Honor Roll status while participating in her first dance recital in the Linda Lavender School of Dance. Mia also earned five awards as a Brownie in Girl Scout Troupe at True Vine Baptist Church. Mrs. Litta Carter Goins, Brownie Leader
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- Local students honored at Rose of Sharon’s Lee Memorial Scholarship Program
20 Jul 2017
The Millard Dean Lee Memorial Scholarship Program was held on Sunday at Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, where Rev. Dr. A.B. Davis-Johnson, Sr. is the pastor. Lee died in 2005 but in 1983, he pioneered the scholarship to highlight the success of students. The program has grown over the years and in 2007, the church voted to rename its scholarship in Lee’s honor. The speaker for this year’s program was Eleanor Ann Smith. She encouraged […]
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City Government
- Upcoming Events July 27-August 3
27 Jul 2017
Thursday, July 27, 2017 Family Movie Night: Balto at Louise Williams Branch at 140 Bayou Oaks Dr. in Monroe, LA at 5:30pm. Groundbreaking Ceremony for $3.3M Project at Water Pollution Control Center. Mayor Jamie Mayo and the Monroe City Council are pleased to join our Engineering Department to announce a groundbreaking ceremony to be held at 9 am at the City of Monroe Water Pollution Control Center (WPCC), located at 770 Richwood Road No. 2, […]
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- Councilman Clark takes on Mayo in fight over closure of BJ Washington Center
26 Jul 2017
Monroe City Councilman Eddie Clark took up a passionate stance against the closure of the B.J. Washington Center at Tuesday night’s Monroe City Council meeting. Mayor Jamie Mayo told the meeting’s attendees that the city is facing a $4 Million deficit and that the southside center won’t be the only thing cut from operation. He said that although people are complaining about the closure of the building, the numbers don’t add up and when he […]
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Police Arrests
- Criminal Activity July 18-24, 2017
25 Jul 2017
Man uses lanes improperly and has possession of marijuana Man uses lanes improperly and has possession of marijuana On Tuesday, July 18, 2017, according to a Louisiana State Police officer, a officer was on patrol on Interstate 20 in Ouachita Parish. The officer observed a silver BMW traveling east bound around milepost 123. The vehicle moved from the right lane to the left lane without utilizing a signal. I initiated a traffic stop and the vehicle […]
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- Man arrested after house fire leads to pot
21 Jul 2017
Police searching for the cause of a fire found a small stash of pot a man said he used for personal smokes. That’s what a Monroe Police officer discovered when assisted the Monroe Fire Department after a reported fire in a Southside home and then found bags of marijuana in the house, that a suspect said was for his personal use. It happened Thursday, July 20, 2017. when a Monroe officer was dispatched to 1212 […]
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- Criminal Activity July 12-15, 2017
20 Jul 2017
Registered sex offender fails to register vehicle On July 14, 2017, according to a Ouachita Parish Sheriff deputy, a deputy observed the suspect vehicle, a white Chevy Suburban, traveling northbound on West Heights Drive without having a properly displayed license plate. The deputy initiated a traffic stop on West Heights Drive at which time the driver came to a stop in a driveway. The deputy made contact with the driver who identified himself as Joe […]
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Inspirational Thoughts
- Minnie Ruffin students in Movie “Cowboy & Indiana” shot in Monroe
1 Jul 2017
Several local youth had a chance to enjoy the excitement of being in a real Hollywood movie, they were not stars, but they were treated like stars while the camera’s rolled in Monroe last month. R-Squared Productions filmed scenes from the upcoming family movie, “Cowboy & Indiana” last month in several locations in northeastern Louisiana. […]
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- J.R. Bryant named best prep violist in state
23 Nov 1999
J.R. Bryant plays the viola, it speaks! Even those who claim a distaste for violin and viola music find themselves awe-stricken by the sheer talent of this local teenager whose gift for instrument seems limitless. Bryant, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie R. Bryant, I, of Monroe, who loves to play the viola for […]
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Business
- Granny’s to open at the airport; To serve beignets, breakfast and lunch 7 days a week
26 Jul 2017
Granny’s Family Restaurant will be serving at the Monroe Regional Airport. The Monroe City Council finally adopted an ordinance at last night’s meeting authorizing the mayor to enter into a lease agreement with the restaurant to operate at the airport. Granny’s, owned by Carol Crymes, has operated on Louisville Ave. for the last seven years, and is now expanding to the airport. Crymes told the Free Press that she is excited about the venture and […]
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- Commission OKs November vote that could build, water park, convention center in South Monroe
20 Jul 2017
Group to use funds for a Water Park, Convention Center and Black Business in South Monroe The Louisiana Bond Commission approved a tax proposal by a Monroe group that could mean as much as $4 million for Economic Development in South Monroe. The Bond Commission at its July 20 meeting, approved a ballot application by the Southside Economic Development District of the City of Monroe to impose a two percent Hotel Occupancy Tax, for […]
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An Opinion
- Ideas for change: It will take volunteers and a change of heart to solve our problems
20 Jul 2017
An Editorial by Robert Kenneth Wright It’s going to take more than locking people up and fighting crime to change the climate of violence in our city. Meetings are being held, people are marching, people are posting concerns on social media and a lot of other activities are taking place in an effort to come up with solutions to the issues in Monroe. I was recently asked “Robert what is your solution?” I talk a […]
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Birthdays
Birthdays July 27 – August 2, 2017 27 Jul 2017
Happy Birthday Monyea Hampton, July 28th July 27-Gregory J. Baylis, Mary L. Johnson, Betty Stewart Toston, Jocelyn D. Reed, Aubrey Lawson, Railyn Doyle. July 28-Sandra Horne, Calvin Jones, Kennedy Mack, Linda Gilbert, Petrecia Babers, Lorin Y. Pargoud, Cole Miller, […]
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Birthdays July 13 – July 19, 2017 13 Jul 2017
Happy Birthday Alexis Young, July 17th July 13-D’Andrea Dickson, Charquin Sylbeverlyn Dionzai Millikin, Calvin Myles, In Loving Memory of Clinton L. Long, Jessica DeTiege, Donna Harris, Brenda Shelling, Genia Newton. July 14-Lawrence Hilliard, Tyesha Taylor, Augrey Moore, Shakkil Thompson, […]
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Weddings
Robinson-Williams wed in private ceremony 9 Jul 2017
David Robinson is a happy man, now that he has married the love of his life Timiko Williams. The couple were united in a private double ring ceremony on Friday July 7, 2017 with the Reverend Greg Oliver, officiating. Participating […]
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Washington and Robertson exchange wedding vows downtown Monroe 3 Jul 2017
Charles Washington and Natasha Robertson exchanged marriage vows tonight at a small family wedding downtown Monroe. While the country is celebrating its Independence Day on July 4, they decided to give up their independence and become a married couple. July […]
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Forever Underwood! 22 Jun 2017
Demetrice & Shannon Underwood were married Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Liberty Christian Center by Pastors Warren and Linda Trimble. The couples theme was vintage glam. They were surrounded by their family and friends as they sealed their vows with […]
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