Good morning, Monroe.

Discover Monroe-West Monroe is asking local chefs and restaurants to apply for Restaurant Week 2025, which will run from Sept.

15—21 and offer set-price meals. Applications are due by July 18.

On July 4, a hot dog eating contest was hosted at Alley Park in West Monroe — the event marked local Fourth of July festivities.

A new restaurant in Monroe now provides fine dining — chef Aaron Dietrich created a unique menu as detailed in the Feed Your Soul feature.

The Better Business Bureau said military consumers reported losing $584 million to fraud in 2024 based on FTC complaints, and it will spend July offering tips to help protect them from scams—advising steps like discussing suspicious messages at battalion huddles and using safe payment methods. This effort aims to help military families avoid falling victim to scams in the future.

Monroe Police Department is searching for 17-year-old Ja’Necia Williamson who was reported missing and was last seen getting into a black SUV wearing a gray hoodie, blue jean shorts and a black backpack—call 318-329-2600 if you have any information.

Monroe police are asking for help locating Tyrese Brown—wanted for first-degree murder and other violent crimes linked to a homicide on May 22.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for help finding 16-year-old Mario Sanchez, who is about 6+2 tall, weighs 160lbs, has brown eyes and brown hair, and was last seen wearing a blue hoodie, shorts and blue shoes; anyone with information should call 318-329-1200.

The 2025 Dixie Boys Baseball World Series will be held at Sterlington Sports Complex throughout July, with the 15U games scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 10 and the pre-majors and majors contests set to begin on Friday, July 24 with finals on Wednesday, July 30 — officials say this event highlights strong local partnerships with Discover Monroe-West Monroe and gives teams a chance to compete at a top-notch facility.