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Victoria Brand Selected as Official Poster Artist for White Linen and Lagniappe 2026

“Vintage Soda Shop” by Victoria Brand

Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal and the members of the Slidell Commission on the Arts would like to congratulate local artist Victoria Brand for being selected as the official poster artist for White Linen and Lagniappe 2026.

Brand’s original artwork, “Vintage Soda Shop,” was selected to appear on this year’s event poster and will be featured on promotional materials.

“Congratulations to Victoria on this well-deserved recognition,” said Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal. “She is an incredibly talented artist whose work beautifully captures the spirit and character of our community. I love that events like White Linen and Lagniappe give us the opportunity to showcase and promote the amazing local artists who make Slidell such a special place.”

Brand is a local artist and painter based in Slidell. Her work is known for its vibrant color, expressive detail, and illustrative style. Originally raised in Metairie, Louisiana, Brand relocated to Slidell following Hurricane Katrina and has since become an active part of the local arts community.

Brand discovered her passion for art at just nine years old and began teaching herself watercolor techniques in her early twenties. Her artistic journey has been deeply shaped by her faith, which continues to inspire her artwork. Working primarily in watercolor and acrylic, her works often reflect themes of hope, reflection, and connection through expressive visual storytelling.

Victoria Brand

An active member of the Slidell Art League, Brand regularly participates in local exhibitions. Her work has been featured throughout the region.

Brand will be selling signed copies of the official White Linen and Lagniappe 2026 event poster during the event.

The ninth annual White Linen and Lagniappe will take place on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell. This annual celebration gives residents and visitors the opportunity to browse artwork while shopping at antique and boutique stores, listening to live music, and enjoying hot food and cold drinks in Olde Towne. Admission is free.

For more information about White Linen and Lagniappe, 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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WWII Veteran Baldo Albrecht Named Grand Marshal of Slidell’s Celebrate America 250 Golf Cart Parade

Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal is proud to announce that 96-year-old Navy veteran and community leader Baldo Albrecht has been selected as the Grand Marshal of the City of Slidell’s Celebrate America 250 Community Golf Cart Parade, which will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 2 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell.

Mayor Randy Fandal and Mr. Baldo Albrect

The patriotic parade is part of the City’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary and will feature decorated golf carts showcasing patriotic themes and everything that makes America unique, including sports, arts, entertainment, music, history, and pop culture.

“Mr. Albrecht represents the very best of the Greatest Generation,” said Mayor Randy Fandal. “His military service, dedication to family, and lifelong commitment to his community make him an outstanding choice to serve as Grand Marshal for this special celebration of America’s 250th birthday. We are honored to recognize his contributions and have him lead our parade.”

Born in 1929, Baldo Albrecht is a member of the generation that helped shape modern America following World War II. He served four years in the United States Navy before continuing his military service in the Louisiana National Guard. As part of the post-World War II occupation forces, he was stationed in Hawaii and later on the Japanese mainland. During his service, he visited Hiroshima and witnessed firsthand the devastation left by the atomic bombing, an experience he describes as unforgettable.

After his military service, Albrecht built a successful career as an electrical contractor and later retired at age 70 as Maintenance Superintendent for St. Bernard Parish Government. He has also remained active in community service and has been a member of the Elks Lodge for ten years. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina destroyed his home in St. Bernard, and he and his family relocated to Slidell, the community they proudly call home today.

Albrecht and his wife, Barbara, were married on May 21, 1978, creating a large blended family that today includes eight children, 16 grandchildren, and 37 great-grandchildren. Barbara devoted 17 years as a homemaker and enjoyed a 30-year career as a professional florist. Beyond his military and professional accomplishments, Albrecht dedicated countless hours to mentoring young people through the Sprites Carnival Club, which he founded in St. Bernard Parish to teach children about the traditions and joys of Mardi Gras. As president for ten years, he helped generations of children learn to build floats, create decorations, and celebrate local traditions.

Participation in the Celebrate America 250 Golf Cart Parade is free and offers families, friends, businesses, and community groups a fun way to celebrate Independence Day and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“This will be a fun way for our community to come together and celebrate America’s birthday,” said Mayor Fandal. “We encourage everyone to come to Olde Towne for the parade and festivities and have a memorable Fourth of July in Slidell.”

Following the parade, the Olde Towne Merchants Association will host an Independence Day celebration on Cousin Street beginning at 4:30 p.m., featuring live entertainment, food and beverages, and fireworks at 9 p.m..

Applications are still being accepted for the parade. Completed registration forms must be submitted to the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs no later than Monday, June 29, 2026. Registration forms are available at MySlidell.com.

For more information about the parade, including the parade route, contact the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375 or culturalaffairs@cityofslidell.org.

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Community Invited to Celebrate City of Slidell Inauguration on July 1

The City of Slidell will officially begin a new chapter of leadership as elected and appointed officials take the oath of office during a public inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium, and the public is invited to attend.

During the ceremony, the following elected officials will take the oath of office:

Mayor of Slidell

  • Randy Fandal

Slidell City Council Members-at-Large

  • Leslie D. Denham
  • Thomas S. Abney

Slidell City Council Members

  • Landon J. Washington, District A
  • Sean Fadely, District B
  • Megan S. Haggerty, District C
  • Nicholas “Nick” DiSanti, District D
  • Shawn Jones, District E
  • Thomas “Trey” Brownfield, District F
  • Tim Rogers, District G

Chief of Police

  • Thomas “Tommy” Williams

Mayor Fandal will deliver his inaugural address following the swearing-in ceremony, outlining his vision and priorities for the City of Slidell as the new administration begins its term.

“I invite all residents to join us for this special occasion as we celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for the City of Slidell,” said Mayor Randy Fandal. “This ceremony is an opportunity to come together as a community and look ahead to the future of our great city.”

The inauguration ceremony is part of the City of Slidell’s Celebrate America 250 series of events commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. The celebration begins with the Slidell Rotary Clubs’ Heritage Fest on Saturday, June 27, followed by the City of Slidell’s Celebrate America 250 Community Golf Cart Parade at 2 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell on Saturday, July 4. The festivities continue with the Olde Towne Merchants Association’s July 4th Music Festival at 5 p.m.and conclude with a Fireworks Spectacular beginning at 9 p.m. on July 4 in Olde Towne Slidell.

The Slidell Municipal Auditorium is located at 2056 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free and open to the public.

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City Offices Closed June 19 in Observance of Juneteenth

In observance of Juneteenth, city offices will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026.

Essential personnel will remain on duty. If Slidell residents experience problems with their water or sewer service, they should call the City Services 24-hour emergency hotline at (985) 643-6140.

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City of Slidell Opens Temporary Sandbag Distribution Site Ahead of Potential Tropical Weather

In preparation for a potential tropical cyclone and the expected heavy rainfall, the City of Slidell will open a temporary self-service sandbag distribution site today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. near Heritage Park, in the parking lot at the corner of Bayou Lane and Pennsylvania Avenue.

Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this resource to help protect their homes and property from potential flooding.

To ensure availability for as many residents as possible, there is a limit of 15 sandbags per person.

St. Tammany Parish has also opened a self-service sandbag station in Slidell at 34783 Grantham College Drive.

We encourage residents to continue monitoring weather forecasts and take necessary precautions as conditions develop.

For additional information and the latest updates, visit MySlidell.com or follow the City of Slidell, Louisiana on Facebook.

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Weather Alert- Tuesday, June 16th, 2026

Please stay weather aware this week. Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected Tuesday through Friday, with the greatest chance for significant impacts currently expected on Thursday.

The biggest concern is heavy rain and possible flash flooding. Most areas could receive 3 to 6 inches of rain by Friday, but some locations may see much higher amounts if storms repeatedly move over the same area.

Potential impacts include:
• Street flooding and flooding in low-lying areas
• Heavy downpours with rainfall rates of 2 to 5 inches per hour
• Frequent lightning
• Wind gusts up to 40 to 50 mph
• Rising water levels in rivers, bayous, streams, and along Lake Pontchartrain

A Flood Watch remains in effect through Friday morning.

While not everyone will experience flooding, conditions can change quickly. Never drive through flooded roadways, and use extra caution during periods of heavy rain.

Need sandbags? St. Tammany Parish has opened a self-service sandbag station in Slidell at 34783 Grantham College Drive.

We’ll continue to share updates as conditions change. Please monitor local forecasts and be prepared for periods of heavy rain throughout the week.

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UPDATE: Boil Water Notice Cancelled City of Slidell Repairs Water Main Break; Boil Water Advisory Issued for Affected Homes in the W. Hall Avenue Area

UPDATE, 6/5/26, 12:00: the boil water advisory has been lifted. All test results came back in normal range.

The City of Slidell’s Public Operations Department has completed repairs to a 12 inch water main break that occurred earlier today on W. Hall Avenue. Water service has been restored to affected customers.

As a result of the loss of water pressure caused by the break, a Boil Water Advisory has been issued for the following addresses:

  • 274–1747 W. Hall Avenue
  • 35614–35708 Liberty Drive
  • 1711–1763 McArthur Drive
  • 1711–1763 Lynnwood Drive
  • 1705–1781 Sullivan Drive
  • 1300–1340 Forestwood Drive
  • 1301–1389 Westlawn Drive
  • 1388–1586 Sunset Drive
  • 1305–1357 Greenlawn Drive
  • 1537–1588 Woodlawn Drive
  • 1427–1494 Meadowlawn Drive
  • 1411–1496 Hermadel Drive
  • 2 Weilwood Drive
  • 1243–1285 McArthur Street
  • 1330–1517 St. Tammany Avenue

The City has taken several steps to notify affected residents. Notices have been posted at the entrances to affected neighborhoods, flyers have been distributed to residences within the affected area, and updates have been posted on the City’s website and social media channels.

As a precautionary measure, the City of Slidell advises all affected residents to boil their water before using it for drinking, cooking, washing food, or brushing their teeth.

Water can be made safe by bringing it to a rolling boil for at least one minute. Boiled water should then be stored in a clean container and refrigerated. Bottled water may also be used as an alternative.

The Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until the Louisiana Department of Health analyzes water samples collected from the affected area and confirms the water is safe for consumption. This process typically takes several days. Residents will be notified once the advisory has been lifted.

“We know this situation caused a significant inconvenience for our residents, and we apologize for the inconvenience,” said Slidell Mayor Randy Fandal. “I want to thank our Public Operations crew for their hard work and dedication. They worked throughout the day under challenging conditions to locate the problem, make the repairs, and restore water service as quickly and safely as possible.”

For the latest information about City of Slidell news, events, and public notices, visitMySlidell.com and follow the City of Slidell on Facebook.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Section of W. Hall Ave. Closed For Emergency Water Main Repairs

6:45 UPDATE:

The City of Slidell’s Public Operations crews have completed repairs to the 12-inch water main. Water service should be restored to affected residences shortly.

A Boil Water Advisory is now in effect. We are still compiling the final list of affected addresses; however, if your home experienced a loss of water pressure today, you are included in the advisory. We will post the complete list of affected addresses as soon as it becomes available.

As a precautionary measure, the City of Slidell advises all affected residents in the W. Hall Avenue area to boil their water before using it for drinking, cooking, washing food, or brushing teeth.

Water can be made safe by bringing it to a rolling boil for at least one minute. Boiled water should be stored in a clean container and refrigerated. Bottled water may also be used as an alternative.

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3:30 UPDATE:

W. Hall Avenue remains closed between St. Tammany Avenue and St. Scholastica Drive as City crews continue repairs on the 12-inch water main break.

Crews have located the leak and are working hard to make repairs. This is a significant repair, and the work could take several more hours or longer to complete. Our crews will remain on site until the repair is finished and water service is restored.

A boil water advisory will be issued for affected areas once repairs are complete. We are still assessing the impacted area, and a list of affected addresses will be released and residents notified as soon as that information is available.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding. If you’d like to show your support, please give this post a like and join us in thanking the hardworking men and women who are out there in difficult conditions working to resolve this issue as quickly and safely as possible.

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Due to a 12-inch water main break, a section of W. Hall Avenue between St. Tammany Avenue and St. Scholastica Drive is currently closed while City crews make emergency repairs.

Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes and avoid the area if possible.
We also anticipate a boil water advisory will be issued for customers in the affected area. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Thank you for your patience as our crews work to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
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Public Notice: Improved Code Enforcement Slidell

Strengthening Community Standards and Safety

Through Ordinance No. 4258 (adopted in October 2025), the City of Slidell is launching a new Code Enforcement process designed to be faster, clearer, and more responsive.

Upcoming Changes

The new process includes:

  • A faster hearing, or court-like process, with 15 days’ notice
  • Streamlined rules for property nuisances, including junk, unsafe structures, high grass, graffiti, and trash can pick up
  • New hearing fees (minimum $250) and potential fines
  • Full implementation in Summer 2026

In the coming months, you may see new violations posted around the City that reflect this new process. The Department of Public Operations, Code Enforcement Division aims to be reasonable, transparent, and considerate as new changes are implemented.

What this means for Slidell residents and business owners:

You may see more violation notices posted around the city. If a violation isn’t resolved, a date may be set for a government decision more quickly and a minimum $250 hearing fee will be assessed to the property owner.

How the process works: A violation notice is issued, and if the violation is not addressed, then a hearing is scheduled (with 15 days’ notice provided). At the hearing, a judgement may be issued with fines, penalties, and potential city correction authorized at the expense of the property owner.

More information:

If you receive a notice, correct the violation or contact us right away if you have questions – we’re here to help you resolve the issue and avoid penalties. Contact the Department of Building Safety at 985-646-4300 or codeenforcement@cityofslidell.org.

See junk, high grass, or debris? Submit a complaint here: https://myslidell.com/planning/code-enforcement-complaint-form/.

We will keep you updated as the process continues!

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Millage Renewals Help Keep Utility Rates Affordable for City Residents

The City of Slidell is encouraging residents to learn more about two millage renewals that will appear on the June 27, 2026 ballot. The renewals help fund water and sewer services, as well as residential garbage collection, for residents living inside the city limits.

These are not new taxes. They are renewals of existing millages that have helped fund water, sewer, and garbage collection services for decades. The millages supplement utility billing, helping keep water and sewer rates affordable for residents while providing an additional source of funding for these essential services. These services are used by thousands of residents living within the city limits every day.

If voters approve the renewals, the current funding will continue, allowing the City to maintain existing service levels.

If the renewals are not approved, the City would still be required to provide garbage, water, and sewer services, which could result in increased service fees, reduced garbage collection services, or higher water and sewer rates.

“This is a straight renewal, not a new tax. It simply keeps our existing system running smoothly,” said Mayor Randy Fandal. “Our citizens have continuously voted to renew these millages to supplement their utility bills. Passing this measure acts as a direct shield for your wallet, ensuring we can keep our public services reliable and our monthly utility rates steady and affordable. Go make your voice heard and let’s keep Slidell moving forward!”

City officials emphasize that the renewals are not new taxes. They simply continue an existing source of funding that helps keep utility services reliable and affordable for Slidell residents.

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