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Big Wheels Bash

Get Ready for Big Wheels Bash!

Join the City of Slidell on Wednesday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Fritchie Park parking lot for our exciting Big Wheels Bash event!

Bring the whole family – kids and kids-at-heart – to see all the cool vehicles and equipment that our Public Operations team uses every day to keep our city running smoothly! It’s a fantastic chance to get up close with the machines that make Slidell work.

Don’t miss out on this fun and educational event!
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Artist Terrance Osborne Jurors ‘Fragments of Imagination’ Exhibit Opening June 20

The Olde Towne Arts Commission (OTAC) and the City of Slidell invite the public to the opening reception of “Fragments of Imagination,” a new exhibit featuring local and regional artists. The exhibition will be jurored by the renowned artist Terrance Osborne.

The reception will take place on Friday, June 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the George Dunbar Gallery inside the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.

“We are incredibly honored to have an artist of Terrance Osborne’s caliber serving as our juror for this exhibition,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “This is a remarkable opportunity for local artists to showcase their work and receive feedback from one of Louisiana’s most distinguished artists. I look forward to meeting all the artists at the opening reception on Friday.”

Osborne is celebrated for his vibrant, colorful depictions of New Orleans culture and architecture. His distinctive style has earned him international recognition, with his work featured in multiple official Jazz and Heritage Festival posters. Osborne’s art has captured the attention of major brands, leading to successful collaborations with Raising Cane’s, Nike, the NBA, Coca-Cola, and other national companies. His pieces are collected worldwide and have been featured in numerous galleries and museums across the country.

During the “Fragments of Imagination” opening reception, attendees will have the opportunity to meet Terrance Osborne and the participating artists. Awards will be announced during the reception. The exhibition continues through July 25, 2025. Gallery hours are by appointment only, Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information about the exhibit, please visit MySlidell.com or contact the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375.

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City Offices Closed June 19 in Observance of Juneteenth

In observance of Juneteenth, city offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19, 2025, and will reopen during regular hours on Friday, June 20.

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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Slidell Announces Temporary Closure of Gause Blvd. Railroad Crossing on June 21

The City of Slidell is advising residents of a temporary one-day closure of the Gause Blvd. (US 190 W.) railroad crossing on Saturday, June 21, beginning at 7:00 a.m. This closure is being conducted by a subcontractor on behalf of Norfolk Southern to make necessary repairs to the railroad tracks at this crossing.

According to information provided to the city by Norfolk Southern, the closure is required to fix a section of bent rail caused by a recent incident where a heavy object fell onto the tracks. To prevent any further issues, Norfolk Southern will replace the affected rail and repave the approach and gauge of the crossing.

This will be a hard closure, meaning that no vehicular or pedestrian traffic will be permitted to cross the tracks on Gause Blvd. while the crossing is being repaired. The closure is expected to last for a day.

The City of Slidell is sharing this information as a courtesy to its residents. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes and use caution while traveling in this area.

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Good News in Slidell- June 9th

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Fragments Of Imagination- Opening Reception

The Olde Towne Arts Commission (OTAC), the City of Slidell, and the Slidell Commission on the Arts are honored to announce that renowned artist Terrance Osborne will serve as juror for the upcoming “Fragments of Imagination” exhibition to be on display at the George Dunbar Gallery in the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall June 20 – July 25, 2025.
“We are incredibly honored to have an artist of Terrance Osborne’s caliber serving as our juror for this exhibition,” said Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert. “This is a remarkable opportunity for local artists to showcase their work and receive feedback from one of Louisiana’s most distinguished artists. I encourage all artists to submit their works and be part of this exciting exhibition. I also want to extend my gratitude to the Olde Towne Arts Commission for their continued partnership in bringing such high-caliber exhibitions to our community.”
Osborne is celebrated for his vibrant, colorful depictions of New Orleans culture and architecture. His distinctive style has earned him international recognition, with his work featured in multiple official Jazz and Heritage Festival posters. Osborne’s art has caught the attention of major brands, leading to successful collaborations with Raising Cane’s, Nike, NBA, Coca-Cola, and other national companies. His pieces are collected worldwide and have been featured in numerous galleries and museums across the country.
“Fragments of Imagination” opens on Friday, June 20, 2025, with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m., where attendees can meet Osborne and the participating artists. Awards will be announced during the opening reception. The exhibition continues through July 25, 2025 with gallery hours by appointment only, Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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Joshua Wichterich selected as White Linen and Lagniappe 2025 poster artist

Slidell Mayor Bill Borchert and the members of the Slidell Commission on the Arts would like to congratulate Joshua Wichterich for being selected as the White Linen and Lagniappe 2025 Poster Artist. His artwork, “Stars, Sweet Tea, and a Slidell Soiree” will be featured on the event poster and publicity materials.

“We are incredibly happy that Joshua was selected as the White Linen and Lagniappe poster artist for this year,” said Mayor Borchert. “His talent and passion for Slidell shine through in his artwork, and he has created a poster that truly captures the spirit of this event. I’d like to thank the Slidell Commission on the Arts for their work in selecting the poster artist.”

Joshua B. Wichterich is an award-winning artist, illustrator, author, and founder of Blue Wing Press. He has illustrated more than 60 children’s picture books, designing many from cover to cover and assisting bestselling authors in self-publishing. A prolific artist, Wichterich continuously refines his craft. His art has been featured in numerous Slidell exhibits, including the 2018 Mixed Media exhibit, where he won first place for his large watercolor piece, “Second Death.” He also showcased his art in the 4 Corners art exhibit in 2022, sponsored by the City of Slidell and the Olde Towne Arts Commission. He frequently exhibits his work at Notting Hill in Olde Towne for event such as Arts Evening and White Linen and Lagniappe. In the summer of 2024, the City of Slidell hosted his art show at City Hall, All in the Family, where he exhibited his art along with pieces from his sister and work created by his grandfather that had never been publicly displayed.

Wichterich is also an advocate for artists, art, and children. He dedicates many of his children’s books and art to the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany and is working on an art installation for the museum with the art students of St. Tammany Parish, which will debut in the fall of 2025. Joshua has been proudly featured in local publications such as the Times Picayune, the St. Tammany Farmer, Nola.com, and Social Northshore. He was awarded the title “The Northshore’s Best Artist of East St. Tammany Parish” by Sophisticated Woman magazine for two consecutive years and has been featured on four covers of Slidell Magazine, collaborating with editor Kendra Maness Davis and with artist Kylah Odle.

“I am honored to have been chosen at the White Linen and Lagniappe 2025 Poster Artist, and thrilled to have my work represent this event,” said Wichterich. “Creating ‘Stars, Sweet Tea, and a Slidell Soiree’ was a joy. Inspired by my ‘Mad Hatter Tea’ piece which is part of my Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland art series, I crafted this whimsical watercolor and ink illustration to capture the unique charm of Olde Towne and Slidell. I’ve woven in little ‘easter eggs’ of my favorite local treasures throughout the piece. It’s a story of friends, family, and Louisiana critters, all dressed in their finest white linen, enjoying the magical atmosphere of a Slidell evening with music, moon pies, and delightful conversation.”

Wichterich will be selling signed copies of the event poster during White Linen and Lagniappe.

The 9th annual White Linen and Lagniappe takes place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell. This event provides an opportunity for residents and visitors to browse artwork while shopping at antique and boutique stores, listening to live music, eating hot food and enjoying cold drinks all throughout Olde Towne Slidell. 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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PUBLIC MEETING: CDBG Plan Hearing

The City of Slidell invites public review and comment on the City’s 2025‐2029 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consolidated Plan and the 2025 CDBG Action Plan. The 2025 Consolidated Plan is a five year plan that identifies priority needs, lists goals to meet those needs and anticipates activities that may be funded. It is a comprehensive analysis that identifies community needs, definespriorities and focuses funding to best utilize CDBG resources by:

  • Assessing Homeless and Other Special Needs.
  • Providing a Housing Needs Assessment.
  • Conducting a Market Analysis.
  • Assessing Barriers to Affordable Housing.
  • Creating a Strategic Plan to: Address Priority Needs; Establish Goals for the City for the Next Five Years; Develop a Homeless Strategy; and, Create an Anti‐poverty Strategy.

The 2024‐2025 CDBG Annual Action Plan identifies specific projects the City will fund with Community Development Block Grant Funds. The City‘s allocation for PY 2025 is $207,836. The City utilizes 80% for project activities in the CDBG Target Area, Census Tract 409, and 20% for Administration and Planning.

2025‐2026 Action Plan Proposed Projects

  • Public Facilities & Infrastructure: Enhance and develop public facilities and infrastructure within CT 409.
  • Building Partnerships: The City proposes to create partnerships with local nonprofits.
  • Urgent Needs: Public Facility Improvements: Provide public facility improvements that have a particular urgency and are designed to alleviate existing conditions that result from a serious and/or immediate emergency that threatens the health or welfare of the community. Improvements will be limited to the CDBG Target Area CT 409, as defined by HUD definition of area benefit.
  • Urgent Needs: Public Service Activities: Provide public services that have a particular urgency and are designed to alleviate existing conditions that pose a serious immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and will target applicants who are by definition, limited clientele, who are by HUD definition, presumed benefit recipients or who satisfy documented low to moderate income requirements.
  • Fair Housing Education and Awareness: Encourage community education to increase the understanding of housing discrimination and fair housing.
  • Administration and Planning: Efficiently administer and manage the program funding and reporting.

As part of the public review process, the City will hold a public hearing for public comment on Monday, June 23, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the Mayor’s Community Meeting Room, First Floor, City Hall, 2055 Second Street, Slidell LA 70458.

All residents, particularly low to moderate income persons, are encouraged to attend the 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.

A draft of the action plan is 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 through June 24, 2025. To request the meeting link, a particular accommodation, for inquiries about accessibility, comments, or to ask questions, email cdbg@cityofslidell.org, call 985‐646‐4320, or, deliver written requests to CDBG, c/o Planning Department, 250 Bouscaren Street, Suite 203, Slidell, LA 70458.

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