With great sadness, the Louisville Zoo said goodbye to Hope, an adult female pygmy hippopotamus, on Tuesday. She was euthanized four days shy of her 25^th birthday. 

Hope presented ill two weeks prior and was under treatment for renal disease. Multiple exams and diagnostics revealed evidence of polycystic kidney disease, a genetic condition that has been reported to affect over 1/3 of pygmy hippos. The disease has been found to be more common in females. The Zoo’s veterinary staff consulted with the Veterinary Advisor to the Pygmy Hippo Species Survival Plan (SSP) throughout the management of Hope’s illness. When Hope failed to respond to supportive therapies, and as quality of life deteriorated, humane euthanasia was elected by zoo keepers and veterinary staff. A necropsy and complete pathologic examination will be performed.

 “These cases are never easy and euthanasia decisions are typically made as a group,” said Zoo Veterinarian Dr. Zoli Gyimesi. “Her kidneys were failing, she was not responding well to treatments and her prognosis was considered very poor.”

Hope came to the Louisville Zoo in 2011 from the Oklahoma City Zoo, in Oklahoma. She was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Hope was in rotation with 26-year-old male pygmy hippo Maji and gave birth to a male pygmy hippo Jahari in 2014. Jahari is now at the Pittsburgh Zoo.

Free fun, exercise and teamwork is in the mix this spring as Louisville Parks and Recreation is offering a free tee-ball league for children ages six and under. 

Sign-ups will continue through March 6, and again, participation is free. Parents can sign up here,  or at community centers, including D10's Cyril Allgeier Community Center, 4101 Cadillac Court

Games begin April 11 and will be played at Wyandotte Park, 1104 Beecher Street. Louisville Parks and Recreation is also seeking coaches and volunteers to help run the league. For more information, call 574-4515 or e-mail Brady Buckley.  

Louisville Parks and Recreation is partnering with Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities (RBI) program to increase interest and participation in the game of baseball and softball as well as to encourage academic participation and the value of teamwork. RBI operates in 200 cities worldwide.  

Get directly involved in making Louisville a more litter-free community through the Report-A-Litterer program aimed at motorists who throw fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, soda bottles or any type of litter out their car window. Click here to report.

Short term rental enforcement continues in large part to be complaint-driven, based on public reporting of alleged violations to administrators.

A new interactive map tool contains all of the registered short term rentals in Louisville having an active permit to rent their property out to paying customers on STR websites like Airbnb.

If you believe someone is using a property as a short term rental but it does not show up on this registry, or if the registry indicates a non-owner occupied property does not have a CUP, then please report the issue here (select “Zoning and Business Concerns,” “Zoning Concern,” “Short Term Rental,” complete the form and submit). Or contact our office. 

AARP invites you to submit applications for the 2020 Community Challenge Grant, which provides funding for quick-action projects that can help your community become more livable for people of all ages. Applications are now being accepted for small grants to improve housing, transportation, public space, smart cities, civic engagement, and more. Examples of grants that have been funded in the past are linked here. Examples of application social impact statement and deliverables are here. 

All of Kentucky’s previously funded projects can be found here.

This year’s application is due by April 1, 2020, 11:59 p.m. ET and all projects must be completed by November 9, 2020. Applications must be submitted here.

Holy Family 
February 21, 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 4:30 to 7 p.m., Dine-in, carry-out, drive-through. Lunch served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 3926 Poplar Level Road.

St. Elizabeth of Hungary
February 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 4 to 7:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Baked and fried fish. Dine-in or carry-out. Cake wheel, pull tabs, raffles. License #0128. 1020 E Burnett Avenue. 

St. Stephen Martyr 
February 21 (8th Grade Fundraiser), 28, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 5 to 8 p.m., in the Activity Center (corner of English and Greenup). Dine-in and carry-out available. 2931 Pindell Avenue.

St. Agnes
From the St. Agnes website: Due to the construction on campus, we have unfortunately made the decision to cancel the 2020 Saint Agnes Fish Fries. We are encouraging parishioners to first consider our sister parish, Good Shepherd, in Portland, in not only attending their fish fry, but also volunteering to help. 

February 29 - Birding for Beginners

Ever wondered the names of the many birds you see at the Nature Center? Join us from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, February 29 to learn learn some tips on bird identification, plus how and where to look for them. This workshop is for ages 14+ and will include both indoor and outdoor time. Registration is $15 per person. To reserve your spot, give us a call or register on our website.

The Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, and AARP Tax Aide programs provide trained, IRS-certified volunteers to offer free tax services at 19 sites across the city. The service is available to individuals and families who earned less than $66,000 in 2019. 

VITA and AARP volunteers will also help determine if residents are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable federal tax credit for low- and middle-income working individuals and families. 

Appointments are recommended for VITA service and can be made at 305-0005 or by scheduling online. For a complete list of VITA locations, including mobile sites, as well as hours of operation, visit http://labcservices.org or call Metro United Way’s 211 help referral service. 

AARP sites in Louisville will open the first week of February at ten locations. For a full AARP schedule and listing, including sites in Southern Indiana and mobile sites, click here or call 394-3443.

The program that helps prevent low income residents of Jefferson County from being disconnected from utility services is underway. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is administered by the Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. The crisis component will run through March 31, or until available funds have been expended, whichever comes first.

To apply, residents must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system at 991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com. For details on eligibility requirements and required documentation, click here. 

Cat of the Week: Lennox

Gorgeous kitty Lennox needs a furever home! The approximately one-year-old Tabby is very friendly, curious and gets along with other cats. An approved adopter can adopter Lennox for free thanks to the Pay It Forward Program. Lennox weighs six pounds. She’s already neutered, vaccinated & microchipped. To meet or adopt Lennox, visit Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Road. Animal House is open daily from noon to 6 p.m.  For more information about Lennox, call 502-473-PETS.

Dog of the Week: George

George is a sweet, gentle dog who was abandoned and starving when Animal Control was called to rescue him from life on a chain. The approximately four-year-old Pit Bull’s personality has made him a staff favorite at the LMAS Shelter. Now he needs a family to show him the sweeter side of life. George’s adoption fee is waived thanks to the Pay It Forward Free Adoptions Program. George weighs 46 pounds and he’s already neutered, vaccinated & microchipped. George can be tested with potential fur siblings by request. To meet or adopt George, visit Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Road, daily from noon to 6 p.m. For more information about George, send an email.  

The Jefferson County Cooperative Extension office will provide the following free Library Garden Classes:  

March 17 - Planning your garden at Newburg Library, 4800 Exeter Avenue, 6 p.m. Intensive three-season gardening can give you a varied and longer harvest. Plan out your garden using earliest and latest planting dates, correct spacing and get the most out of a limited garden space. 

March 19 - Perennial Veggie Gardens at Bon Air Library, 2816 Del Rio Place, 6:30 p.m. Want to plant once and harvest for years to come? Perennial vegetables such as asparagus, rhubarb and herbs are easy to grow once you know how to prepare the garden bed before planting and their basic care. 

For more information on all the services provided by the extension office, click here. 

February 25 and 26, 2020 Census Employment Recruitment at several locations. Become a 2020 Census Taker and support your community. The position entails collection of important data that will determine the state’s representation in Congress as well as how funds are spent in your community on things like roads, schools or hospitals.

• February 25 at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 9 a.m. to noon. Call 313-4700 for more information.
• February 26 at South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave, 9 a.m. to noon. Call 363-1483 for more information

February 26 - Louisville Forward – Office of Community Development/Office of Housing Outreach at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 West Market Street, 9 a.m. to noon. If you are interested in learning more about community housing resources such as Down Payment Assistance Programs, Home Repair Programs, Lead Safe Louisville Programs and current efforts to reduce vacant and abandon properties in our communities, representatives from Louisville Forward will be onsite monthly at NorthWest Neighborhood Place to provide face-to-face valuable information to assist median to low-income community residents. For more information, visit Develop Louisville website at www.Louisvilleky.Gov/DevelopLouisville.

Wednesdays, through March 25, 4 Your Child: Dads Making the Difference at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.For more information or to register for the upcoming weekly workshops, please contact Dr. Cheri Langley at 709-9323 or by email at 4YourChild@Outlook.com. “4 Your Child” is an eight-week fatherhood program that aims to improve the quantity and quality of fathers’ involvement by integrating responsible parenting, economic stability, and relationship education services. Participants may be compensated for their time up to $220 but registration is required.

February 24, Kentucky Health Career Center Outreach at First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 10 a.m. to noon. A KentuckianaWorks Health Career Center professional will provide valuable information to help increase your occupation potential including training funds for in-demand occupations; resources for individuals seeking advance healthcare careers; resume writing, career assessments; interview planning; computer essentials, work-based learning opportunities and more. Call 313-4700 for more information.

February 27, Birthing While Black Community Conversation at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 6:30 to 8 p.m. Join this community conversation focusing on addressing racial gaps in maternal health. A film screening will take place from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a discussion. Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Ujima Neighborhood Place, Louisville Metro’s Department of Public Health and Wellness and Healthy Start initiative. Contact 354-8424 for more information.

About Neighborhood Place Louisville’s Neighborhood Place -- a partnership of Louisville Metro Government (including the Office of Resilience and Community Services, and Public Health and Wellness), Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Centerstone -- provides community-based centers which bring together health care, education, employment and social services at seven locations across the community. To find a Neighborhood Place in your neighborhood, please call Metro Call at 311.

What's the difference between a Recycling Bin and Recycling Cart?

The District 10 Discount Cart Program only includes Recycling Carts in 65- or 95-gallon size. Please call 574-1110 or email us for the form. This offer is available to urban service district residents.

Households with city waste services receive one garbage cart (all black) and one 18-gallon orange recycling bin for free. If you have just moved into a residence and either of these are missing, contact Metro311 online or call 311 or 574-5000 to make a request. 

Receive notifications about garbage, recycling, bulk waste, and yard waste collection services through the RecycleCoach app. 

The app also has a “what goes where” feature to allow a person to input a certain item to get information on disposal or recycling. Download from the App Store or Google Play.

The Louisville Metro Police Department uses a Crime Mapping website to display crime on a map in Jefferson County. Zoom in to see crimes in an area, or put an address in the address bar at top left to search. You may sign up for auto email alerts for crime around an address. 

Reports are made available to the public after a process of internal review, often in the same day as the report taken. Due to the nature of some crimes, reports are made available to public upon the completion of a thorough investigation. Reports of that nature will be made available as soon as practical.

If you wish to make a Metro311 request, please make a report online or use the mobile app. You'll receive a service request number that will help the District 10 office assist you.

You can report online here, or download the free mobile 311 app from your app store. Or tweet @LouMetro311 or call 574-5000. 

You can now look to see if an issue you want to report has already been reported. And you'll get notification of your issue along the way. Visit Metro311 to learn more: 

Louisville Metro Government's Metro Business Portal, where you apply for permits, licensing and applications with Louisville Metro, is here. 

Eligibility criteria:

•    Must be owner occupied for at least one year.
•    Not available on rental property.
•    Must meet income guidelines (See intake staff) 
•    May receive assistance once in a five year period.
•    Louisville-Jefferson County only

Types of repairs:

• Furnace repair or replacement (October-April only)
• A/C unit- repair or replacement (Requires medical statement, available May-Sept. only)
• Electrical repairs/upgrades
• Water line repairs/replacement
• Sewer line repairs/replacement
• Water heater repair/replacement, gas line leaks

For further information contact Jackie Wilson-Rudy at 574-5850.

Interested in volunteering for one of Louisville Metro Government's Boards and Commissions? Serving on a board or commission, you will have a chance to improve the quality of life in our community.

There are approximately 100 boards and commissions with many areas of interest, including business and economic development, land planning, parks and recreation, public health and public safety.

To learn more about board applications, please click here.