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UPDATE: Slidell Hosts Veterans Day Concert with Northshore Community Orchestra on Nov. 9 at Slidell Auditorium

UPDATE: Due to forecasted cooler temperatures and strong winds on Sunday evening, and because it’s not ideal for musical instruments to be used in cold weather, the concert has been moved to the Slidell Auditorium. Doors open at 3:30 p.m., and seating is available on a first come, first served basis. The press release below has been updated.

The City of Slidell will host a Veterans Day Concert featuring the Northshore Community Orchestra on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, at 4 p.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium, bringing the community together to honor and celebrate those who have served.

“We welcome everyone to join us as we honor the men and women who have served our nation,” said Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal. “This concert is a meaningful way for our community to come together in gratitude for their courage, dedication, and sacrifice. My sincere thanks to the Northshore Community Orchestra for sharing this tribute with our citizens.”

The Northshore Community Orchestra, established in 1987, is St. Tammany Parish’s only symphony orchestra where both youth and adults can embrace music as a lifelong pursuit. It is composed of a diverse group of musicians from Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, the Greater New Orleans area, and south Mississippi. Its members, from students to retirees, represent a wide variety of backgrounds, including students, medical professionals, engineers, tradespeople, military members, educators, and even multi-generational families who play together.

Under the direction of Mrs. Susan Messina, a Slidell native and music educator with over 30 years of experience, the orchestra performs a wide range of music, from classical and jazz to pop, folk, movie themes, and Broadway hits. The orchestra regularly performs in community events, including Some Enchanted Evening and the City of Slidell’s Holiday Concert.

The Slidell Auditorium is located at 2056 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about this event, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For the latest information about City of Slidell news and events, visit MySlidell.com or follow the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook.

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PUBLIC NOTICE: Public Hearing and Review on Amendment to the CDBG Action Plan

The City of Slidell invites public review and comment on a substantial amendment to the City’s 2024 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan. This amendment will re-program funds to create a new activity – Sidewalk Installation within Census Tract 409, the CDBG Target Area. As part of the public review process, the City will hold one public hearing for public comment; Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM in the Mayor’s Community Meeting Room, First Floor, 2055 Second Street, Slidell LA 70458.

All residents, particularly low to moderate income persons, are encouraged to attend the public hearing. On-street and municipal lot parking is available. We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage and participate fully. Virtual/remote attendance is available and the attendance link will be posted at least 24 hours prior to each meeting on the City’s website, or the link can be obtained by contacting the City’s CDBG program. To request the meeting link, a particular accommodation, or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact cdbg@cityofslidell.org or call 985-646-4320 during weekday business hours.

A draft of the amendments plan will be available for review at the City of Slidell Planning Department from 8:30am to 3:30pm, Monday through Friday and on the City’s website at www.mysllidell.com from October 22, 2025 through November 21, 2025. To comment or ask questions, email cdbg@cityofslidell.org, call 985-646-4320, or, deliver written requests to CDBG, c/o Planning Department, 250 Bouscaren St., Ste.203, Slidell, LA 70458

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Bayou Jam Featuring Monster Crawfish Postponed Due to Severe Weather

After closely monitoring multiple forecasts and consulting with the National Weather Service in Slidell, we have learned that a high likelihood of severe thunderstorms is expected in our area this Sunday. Because the safety of our performers, staff, and guests is our top priority, we must postpone this Sunday’s Bayou Jam featuring Monster Crawfish.

 

We know how much you were looking forward to some great music. We are already working to secure a new date and will announce it as soon as details are confirmed. Please stay tuned to our website and social media channels for the reschedule announcement and any further updates.

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City of Slidell Receives $870,000 in Principal Forgiveness for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements

The City of Slidell has received a commitment of $5.1 million from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Loan Program for wastewater infrastructure improvements throughout the city. This loan, funded with state and federal grants, was originally offered with $250,000 in principal forgiveness.

On October 9, Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert received a letter notifying the city that the principal forgiveness amount has increased to $620,000, bringing the total to $870,000. This means that a larger portion of the city’s loan will not need to be repaid, reducing the overall cost to local taxpayers.

“We are extremely grateful to the State of Louisiana and the Department of Environmental Quality for their continued support of our infrastructure projects,” said Mayor Borchert. “This additional funding helps us improve critical wastewater systems and protect our environment, while investing in the future of our community.”

The CWSRF Program is a federal–state partnership that provides low-cost financing to communities for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects. These projects include municipal wastewater facilities, nonpoint source pollution control, decentralized wastewater treatment systems, stormwater runoff mitigation, green infrastructure, estuary protection, and water reuse initiatives.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) administers the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in Louisiana. The program provides low-interest loans to help municipalities finance eligible projects and ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act. Funding for the program comes from federal grants and matching funds generated through loan repayments and interest, creating a sustainable source of funding for future projects across the state.

For more information about City of Slidell news and event, please visit MySlidell.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Bayou Jam concert rescheduled due to rain

Due to the forecast for rain this afternoon and evening, today’s Bayou Jam concert has been cancelled. We will reschedule for a later date.

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Audio Beach Rocks Out Bayou Jam

The City of Slidell’s popular Bayou Jam Concert Series continues on Sunday, Oct. 5 with a performance by Audio Beach.

Celebrating their 22nd anniversary, Audio Beach has spent over two decades rocking audiences across New Orleans and the Gulf Coast with a blend of originals and covers. Anchored by Bill Stavis’s driving drums, Billy DesHotels’s soulful piano, and Dylan Caillouet’s grooving bass lines, the band finds its voice in Mario Sperandeo’s vocals and guitar work. Since 1988, they’ve shared the stage with legends like Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Randy Jackson of Zebra, Michael Ray of Kool & the Gang, and many more. From the swagger of classic rock and alternative to the smooth grooves of funk, R&B, blues, and country, their eclectic repertoire nods to the rich musical heritage of the Crescent City and beyond. Whether playing festivals, rocking in local clubs, or bringing a taste of New Orleans classics to stages across the region, Audio Beach delivers an immersive, high-energy experience that keeps fans coming back for more.

“The City of Slidell has been hosting Bayou Jam concerts for over 20 years, and they are a great way for our citizens and visitors to come together and celebrate as a community,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “I invite you to join me in Heritage Park on Sundays this fall and enjoy these free concerts.”

Save the dates for these upcoming concerts:
• Oct. 26 – Monster Crawfish
• Nov. 9 – Veterans Day Concert with the Northshore Community Orchestra
• Dec. 7 – Vince Vance and the Valiants

All concerts will be held on Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be announced by 1 p.m. on the day of the event through the city’s website and Facebook page.

For more information about this event, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For City of Slidell news and events, please visit MySlidell.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Slidell Breaks Ground on Dellwood Drainage Pump Station Improvements

On Monday, September 22, 2025, Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert was joined by city officials and community leaders for the groundbreaking of the Dellwood Drainage Pump Station Improvements Project. This project marks another step in the administration’s ongoing commitment to improving drainage and protecting residents and businesses from flooding.

The $5.1 million project – funded by the Louisiana Office of Community Development through the Louisiana Watershed Initiative (LWI) – will include the installation of mechanical bar screens in front of the existing Dellwood Drainage Pump Station intake basin. These screens will capture debris and prevent clogs during heavy rain, helping reduce flooding in the area.

The Louisiana Office of Community Development–Disaster Recovery funded the project through the state’s $1.2 billion CDBG-MIT grant, part of LWI’s Round 1 funding for local and regional projects. To date, OCD-DR has approved 28 Round 1 projects, all designed as implementation-ready, low-risk flood mitigation efforts with no potential negative impacts on surrounding areas. Meyer Engineering is serving as the design consultant, and RNGD is the project contractor.

“This groundbreaking is our third ceremony in three weeks for stormwater management and drainage improvements for our residents and businesses in south Slidell,” said Mayor Borchert. “We recently broke ground on the new Riecke Retention Pond off Pontchartrain Drive, the automatic flood gate and SCADA system near the Lee Street Water Basin, and now the improvements at the Dellwood Drainage Pump Station. I would like to thank everyone who worked on this project to help protect Slidell’s homes and businesses from flooding.”

For more information about City of Slidell news and events, please visit MySlidell.com and follow the City of Slidell, Louisiana on Facebook and Instagram.

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OZONE Music Showcases Emerging Talent at Bayou Jam Concert

The City of Slidell’s popular Bayou Jam Concert Series continues on Sunday, Sept. 28 with a performance by singers and songwriters from the OZONE Music Foundation, including Joe Sims, Doug Stepanek, Claire Kellar, and Louisiana Music Hall of Fame band JJ Muggler.

OZONE Music Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based on Louisiana’s Northshore, co-founded by Emmy-winning, Grammy-nominated songwriter Greg Barnhill to champion original music and the artists who create it. Through instrument gifting, free lessons, industry-led workshops and one-on-one mentorship, OZONE removes barriers to musical expression and nurtures talent at every level, building not just careers, but a thriving regional music ecosystem that celebrates creativity, drives economic growth and unites communities through the power of song. They host singer-songwriter nights and writer’s circles and through community partnerships, provide musical artists with invaluable performance opportunities, hands-on guidance and industry connections. For more information about OZONE Music Foundation, please visit the website at OzoneMusic.org.

“The City of Slidell has been hosting Bayou Jam concerts for over 20 years, and they are a great way for our citizens and visitors to come together and celebrate as a community,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “I invite you to join me in Heritage Park on Sundays this fall and enjoy these free concerts.”

Save the dates for these upcoming Bayou Jam concerts:
• Oct. 5 – Audio Beach
• Oct. 26 – Monster Crawfish
• Nov. 9 – Veterans Day Concert with the Northshore Community Orchestra
• Dec. 7 – Vince Vance and the Valiants

All concerts will be held on Sundays from 5 to 7 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be announced by 1 p.m. on the day of the event through the city’s website and Facebook page.

For more information about this event, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For City of Slidell news and events, please visit MySlidell.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

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