Good morning, Monroe.

The Northeast Louisiana Arts Council will host a Welcome Home Celebration and ribbon cutting at Forsythe Park on Thursday, Aug.

27 from 5:00-7:00 p.m., featuring the restored dragonfly sculpture along with live music, face painting, and local food vendors, and admission is free.

Local leaders will host the Bring Back Kiroli community breakfast with coffee + networking at 8 a.m. on Sept.

3 at Kiroli Park Lodge to gather ideas for Kiroli Park’s future after Winter Storm Fern; residents can offer volunteer, sponsorship, and programming ideas.

Local officials hosted a ribbon cutting at Cheniere Lake to mark Phase II of the Ouachita Paddling Trails, which adds six scenic routes and new launch sites in Monroe and West Monroe.

The updated website now offers weekend itineraries for residents and visitors to explore North Louisiana waterways.

West Monroe's Kiroli Park reopens Saturday, Aug.

15 at 7 a.m. after months of restoration from Winter Storm Fern damage. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (a donation box is available) and a volunteer work day is scheduled Friday, Aug. 14.

Monroe is set to host the Send Relief Serve Tour on Aug.

21-22 as hundreds of volunteers carry out community projects like yard work, school beautification, free laundromat services, and block parties (organized with local churches and schools to support neighbors in need).

Trinity Diamonds Direct is hosting Bowl + Bling to raise funds for The Wellspring.

Rachel Niblett and store manager Maddie Ware discussed the event on Good Morning ArkLaMiss, and more details will be shared soon for supporters in Monroe.

Local businesses+nonprofits+volunteers are invited by the local Chamber of Commerce to host the free, family-friendly Kiroli Park Day on Sept.

12 at Kiroli Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. as a celebration following storm recovery efforts.

A new Louisiana law (Act 499) lets colleges set up economic development districts so they keep extra sales tax revenue for campus projects while local officials provide oversight; universities like ULM and Grambling State plan to use the funds to support campus growth.

Samuel Fandal was born early at St. Francis Medical Center and spent three months in the NICU as his family celebrated every step of his recovery.

Funds from the 2 Cars 2 Winners Raffle will pay for a full NICU remodel this fall.