District 14 Enews | May 28, 2020

District 14 Councilwoman

Cindi Fowler

cindi.fowler@louisvilleky.gov

Legislative Assistant

Cindy Thieneman

cindy.thieneman@louisvilleky.gov

Administrative Clerk

Danielle Tackett

Danielle.tackett@louisvilleky.gov

Office Locations:

City Hall

601 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
(502) 574-1114

 

Southwest Government Center

7219 Dixie Highway
Louisville, Kentucky 40258
(502) 574-7988

 



*Click here to visit Councilwoman Fowler's website for even more information! 

 

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In This Edition...

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The District 14 office will continue to monitor and answer concerns and emails received, although the 601 W. Jefferson St. office and the Southwest Government Center offices are not open to the public.

You can contact us by calling 502-574-1114 and leaving a voicemail or email Cindi.Fowler@LouisvilleKy.gov


Louisville COVID-19 Update

Stay Home Save Lives

One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund has raised $10.7 million

Mayor Greg Fischer today announced the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund has raised $10.7 million. The fund, originally launched in March, supports individual households and local community organizations that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 1,600 households have received funds totaling about $1.3 million that can be used for rent, food, utilities and other basic needs.

The Mayor noted because of an overwhelming response for household support from the fund, the Office of Resilience and Community Services, which processes the applications, had to temporarily stop taking appointments.

To schedule an appointment, call 502-874-5060 or visit OneLouHelp.itfrontdesk.com

Mayor Fischer also announced the latest round of community organizations and city partners that will receive financial support from the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund.

To find out more about the fund or to apply for funds, go louisvilleky.gov. To donate, go to giveonelouisville.org.

Daily COVID-19 data

As of Wednesday, there have been 51 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Louisville, bringing the total to 2,427 with 1,571 recoveries. There have been three additional deaths since Tuesday, bringing the confirmed Louisville total to 157.

Gender/Age data for today’s deaths:

  • Male/82-years-old
  • Male/77-years-old
  • Male/70-years-old

Currently, 23 members of LMPD, Louisville Fire, Metro EMS, Metro Corrections and the Sheriff’s Office are off-duty due to COVID-19:

  • 6 are off with positive tests and in self-isolation.
  • 15 are off and quarantined due to exposure to someone with a positive test.
  • 2 are “screened off” with symptoms and tested, or due to be tested, but have not received test results.

Positive test numbers for first responders/public safety since the incident began:

  • 48 positive tests.
  • 42 have fully recovered and returned to duty.

Metro Corrections inmate data for May 27:

  • 833 inmates have been tested.
  • 9 positive tests.
  • 66 tests pending.

The New Dixie Hwy Update

Paving

Paving of the New Dixie Highway is complete. This marks a significant milestone for the safer and more efficient Dixie Highway corridor. The surface of New Dixie Highway is a major upgrade from the severely deteriorated pavement that previously covered the stretch.

Drivers will notice a smoother roadway on their next trip of the corridor. A higher quality surface was achieved through daytime paving work. The final surfacing is being completed on schedule with little impact from COVID-19. Foundational work done to level, wedge and mill the roadway will ensure the New Dixie Highway surfacing holds up for years to come on the highly traveled corridor. Some striping work, which requires a dry surface to be completed, remains.

The Project Team is thankful to construction crews for their hard work to complete this important piece of the New Dixie Highway. Their dedication is greatly appreciated as we near the finish line for the project.

Landscaping

In addition to finishing paving, the project team has also completed its first mowing of the transformative medians. The new medians between Greenwood Road and Crums Lane encourage safer traffic patterns by limiting where drivers can make left turns.

Mowing will continue at least once every two weeks throughout the growing season using mulching mowers and weed eaters. By using fine turf equipment and techniques, crews will minimize the amount of grass scattered on along the highway.

All landscaping elements of the project, including shrubs, sod, and newly planted trees along sidewalks and near bus shelters, are also complete. To ensure successful plantings, the New Dixie Highway project included investing in an innovative underground system to provide support for trees to grow productively without interfering to utility lines.

We hope Dixie Highway travelers are enjoying how these new elements beautify the roadway. Our project team appreciates the patience of Dixie Highway area residents and travelers throughout this major construction project.

BRT

The only remaining pieces of the New Dixie Highway project are related to technology. Installation of fiber optics and other tech elements will continue this spring and summer.

This includes pylons with digital screens at each RAPID bus stop. Real-time information on TARC riders’ commutes will be available on the high-tech pylons.

TARC buses will travel even more rapidly to RAPID line stops when linked with an Intelligent Transportation System that preempts traffic signals for quick and efficient movement. That technology will be operational later this year.


COVID-19 Testing at Shawnee Park, Bashford Manor, and Southern High School

Testing

Shawnee Park

Kroger Health is offering a mobile testing site at Shawnee Park weekdays from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Hand sanitizer and face masks will also be distributed at this site.

To register to be tested at this location, please click HERE.

Bashford Manor

Walmart is partnering to offer drive-thru testing located at Bashford Manor. Testing will be offered Mondays-Fridays from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. to those who qualify.

First responders, healthcare workers without symptoms, and anyone older than 18 with symptoms qualify at this location.

To register to be tested, please click HERE.

Southern High School

Kroger Health is offering a mobile testing site at Southern High School beginning May 26th and running until May 29th. Services will be open from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. and open to everyone.

To register to be tested at this location, please click HERE.

To see a complete list of testing sites throughout Kentucky, follow this link.


Gradual Re-Opening of Businesses

Openings

Healthy at Work : Guidelines for Re-Opening

healthy at work

Dial 211 for Food Assistance

Dial 211

JCPS Updates - Virtual Summer Programming and Meal Sites

JCPS

You and your child made it! Yesterday was the last day of school for the 2019-20 school year.  While this wasn’t the end of the school year we’ve all come to expect, it is certainly one for the history books, and we’ve been constantly amazed at how our students, staff and families created innovative ways to keep learning.

Now that school is out for summer break, JCPS is offering multiple summer learning opportunities to continue engaging and supporting students.  The programs are being held as virtual experiences, although the district will make every effort to host face-to-face learning late in the summer if circumstances change:

  • Summer League, June 22-July 31, is open to students in grades 1-12 and is designed with the appeal of video game-based learning in mind.
  • Lit & Camps, beginning mid-June, are designed for third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, offering campers the opportunity to learn about chess, yoga, karate, hip hop and fencing.
  • AMPED, beginning mid-June, is designed for students in grade 6 and up and will teach students how to download and install audio production and editing software and how to make, edit and publish beats.

To learn more about the programs, go to our website. We’ll be posting updates and ways to access the experiences on this site.

In order to support these learning opportunities, students who received Chromebooks and/or hotspots from the district will keep those throughout the summer.

Meal sites will continue to be open throughout the summer on the same Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule, with additional mobile sites starting Monday, June 1.  A couple other changes to note: Wilt Elementary’s food site will be closed after today but Laukhuf Elementary will open for meals beginning Friday, May 29, and the Community Connections mobile stop will have its last day on May 29.  For a list of sites and times, click here.


JCPS CARE Hotline - Now Available

JCPS Hotline

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) launched a hotline to help connect families with needed resources and services.

Families can call 313-CARE (2273) for assistance and referrals related to medical services, drug and alcohol addiction help, homelessness and basic needs such as food, housing and utilities, among other supports.

The CARE line will be operated by professionals from the Academic Support Programs Department and includes school counselors, mental health practitioners, Family Resource Youth Services coordinators, and coordinators from the departments of Early Childhood, Health Services and Community Supports.

CARE operators will be able to offer assistance, resources and referrals for:

  • Basic needs, including food, utilities, clothing, public transportation and housing
  • Medical services
  • Emotional/ behavioral/ mental health
  • Domestic violence
  • Drug and alcohol addiction support
  • Unemployment
  • Homelessness

The line will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, until May 29.  The district will evaluate the response and determine if there’s a need for it to continue over the summer and into next year.  Families can continue to call 313-HELP for general JCPS-related questions.


Your Dog and Utility Workers – Safety Is the Top Priority

Dog Bite

With more customers working from and spending time at home, it’s likely your dog may be spending more time outdoors during the day. Unfortunately, dog bites are a leading cause of injury to LG&E meter readers and field technicians.

We all love our pets and want to keep them safe, but even the friendliest dogs can become startled or upset – maybe even aggressive - when a stranger comes onto its owner's property. LG&E trains employees on how to prevent dog attacks, but you can help LG&E keep their employees – and your pet – safe. Contain your dog away from the meter on reading days, or when work is scheduled on your property. You can find your scheduled meter reading dates in the top section of your monthly LG&E bill or when you sign in to your online LG&E account.

Learn more at: https://lge-ku.com/safety/keeping-our-employees-safe


Colonial Gardens' Biscuit Belly Grand Opening - June 5th

Biscuit Belly

As restaurants are beginning to re-open, you might notice a new addition to the collection of eateries located in Colonial Gardens.

Check out Biscuit Belly for all of your breakfast and brunch cravings. They are excited to open Friday, June 5th to serve up some of their delicious eggs, hashes, and of course biscuits!

For more information, check out Biscuit Belly on Facebook.


Metro Public Works' Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Truckload Sale - June 13th

Compost Sale

The Metro Solid Waste office is pleased to announce a one-day only compost bin and rain barrel truckload sale on Saturday, June 13! The online store offers several types of compost bins, kits, accessories, and rain barrels.

Shop online and pick up your items at 1030 Phillips Lane, across from the Kentucky Exposition Center on Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (Staff will wear personal protective equipment and will stay at least 6 feet away from citizens. Staff may be able to safely place your order inside your vehicle or, if not, they can leave it for you to put in.)

Watch a 10-minute presentation by Public Education Supervisor, Karen Maynard, about backyard composting given during the Louisville Sustainability Council's Green Convene. 

To shop the online store, visit louisvillecompostersale.com.


LIHEAP Spring Enrollment - Application Deadline June 30th

LIHEAP

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services, as part of the Community Action Agency network in Kentucky, is now taking applications for an added spring open enrollment period for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2020, or until designated funds are depleted on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

The Spring LIHEAP program, which is designed to help low-income households offset home energy costs, has increased income eligibility requirements to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.  Income eligible residents can apply regardless of the status of their utility bills.

The benefit amount awarded is based on an individual’s income and primary fuel type. Benefits are paid directly to the primary fuel vendor in the form of a voucher.

Jefferson County residents wishing to apply must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system.  Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com. The toll-free service is currently open and is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Modified service delivery for LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
All six LIHEAP offices remain closed for walk-in clients in an effort to help stem the spread of COVID-19.  Residents can still apply for LIHEAP by utilizing secure drop boxes in front of the six LIHEAP offices.

LIHEAP required documentation, along with the downloadable LIHEAP Family Profile form and the Remote Processing form, should be dropped off at the LIHEAP site you select, the day of your appointment, at least one hour before your scheduled appointment time.

Applicants will then be contacted by LIHEAP staff within 72 hours (3 business days) of the appointment time.

Required documentation to drop off includes:

  • Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
  • Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month.
  • Most current heating bill, statement from your landlord if heating expenses are included in your rent, statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program.
  • The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.

Copies of the required documentation is advisable but if original information is dropped off, the LIHEAP staff will make arrangements to return to the recipient.  

LIHEAP six locations include (which remain closed for walk-in clients):

  • South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 40215
  • Neighborhood Place Ujima/Duvalle Education Center, 3610 Bohne Ave., 40211
  • Neighborhood Place/Bridges of Hope, 1411 Algonquin Pkwy., 40210
  • Newburg Community Center/East, 4810 Exeter Ave., 40218
  • Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 3410 Lees Lane, 40216
  • Starting May 18 at the Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211

For more descriptions about LIHEAP income eligibility, required documentation and other instructions, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP. Residents may also call the automated LIHEAP information line at 991-8391 or visit www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Individuals who require more information can contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or (502) 574-5000, email metro.311@louisvilleky.gov, tweet @LouMetro311, Web: loiusvilleky.gov/tell311, or download the free Mobile Louisville Metro 311 app from the website. Residents can also call Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 help referral service.


Kentucky Offering Mail-In Ballots for June 23rd Primary Election

Vote by Mail

Mayor Greg Fischer is reminding all registered voters in Louisville to vote using mail-in absentee ballots to reduce in-person contact amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Governor Andy Beshear and Secretary of State Michael Adams announced an Executive Order on April 24 that lifted most restrictions on Kentucky’s absentee ballot voting to allow all eligible voters to vote by mail in the June 23 primary.

In order to vote absentee, you must first be registered – and there is still time to do that. Kentuckians have until 4 p.m. on May 26 to register for the June 23 primary. To find out if you are already registered, or to register online, visit the State Board of Elections Voter Information Portal at GoVoteKy.com.

To vote by mail, the State Board of Elections requires voters to submit an official request for an absentee ballot. Because of COVID-19, all requests to vote by mail must be made online: jeffersoncountyclerk.org/AbsAppRequest or by phone: (502) 574-6100.

Once the Jefferson County Clerk’s office receives the absentee request, the voter’s information and address are validated before a ballot is mailed. The deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot is June 15 at 11:59 p.m. Completed absentee ballots should be returned to the Jefferson County Clerk’s office by mail using the prepaid envelope included, or by dropping it off at designated drop-off locations. For more information, visit elections.jeffersoncountyclerk.org.

Metro residents who prefer to vote in-person can do so at the Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane, on June 23. In an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19, this will be the only in-person polling site open in Jefferson County.


Lawn Care Rebates Available

Lawn Care

Most of us are stuck at home and many things have changed, but your grass is still growing. Why not take advantage of the Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program and save up to $100 on a new, air-friendly, electric-powered mower? You can get rebates on electric string trimmers, electric blowers, and reel mowers too. (Make sure to practice social distancing when making your purchase, of course!)

Now is a great time to recycle that old, polluting equipment and save some cash on new gear that will make breathing a little easier for you and your community. You can also get larger rebates on more powerful equipment with our Lawn Care for Cleaner Air Professional program.

Please see our website, louisvilleky.gov/lawncare, or call (502)574-6000 if you have any questions.


Scott's Gap Parking Lot Closed for Construction

Jefferson Memorial Forest

The Scott's Gap parking lot for the Jefferson Memorial Forest will be closed for the next four weeks. We apologize for any inconveniences this causes.

We know how important it is to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, but construction has begun in this section of the forest. With heavy machinery and construction equipment present, the parking lot is no longer safe for vehicles or pedestrians.

Thank you for understanding. If you have any questions or concerns, please call us at (502) 574-1114.


KY Science Center - School's Out Science Camp

Science Camp

Kentucky Science Center School’s Out Science Camp will begin the week of June 15!  

This summer's KSC School's Out Summer Camp will provide the transition our campers need. From stay at home, 2D, online interactions to in-person, friends laughing together, building friendships while doing all things Science. Camp provides a familiar, safe place to take those first steps into the new normal. 

We aim to provide the safest camp possible for our campers and staff. The science is still there, just with a little more space between the bowls of slime. We are exploring new ways to communicate with and include our campers in the conversation. Navigating these uncertain times can be scary and overwhelming. Camp can lay a course toward building resilience and hope that will set root and grown with our campers throughout their lives.   

We anticipate some camp families will be more comfortable with waiting until later in the summer to join us for these families we can transfer earlier registrations to later in the summer. We will be offering a risk-free refund for families make their attendance decision up to one week prior to camp start date.  

This summer's camp may look different, but we will be there for our campers, their families, our staff and the community! For more information about this summer's camp experience, please visit kysciencecenter.org.


Kentucky Science Center Activités - Do Science at Home

Science Center

Despite the Kentucky Science Center building being closed, the staff has been working hard to continue providing members and the public with at home content! One way they are achieving this is with their new online series titled “Do Science at Home.”

This series includes videos that are released every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11am on Facebook and YouTube. In addition to these videos, KSC is also creating a bi-weekly newsletter with updates related to reopening, School’s Out Summer Camp, and at home content/resources. Click here to read the newest edition of the KSC newsletter!

We may not be able to visit the Science Center in person, but that doesn't mean we have to give up all of the exciting opportunities it offers!


Virtual Tax Preparation Appointments Available

Virtual Tax Prep

Meriweather Waste Reduction Center : Re-opens June 2nd

Waste Reduction

After some much-needed maintenance, the Waste Reduction Center at 636 Meriwether Avenue will reopen on Tuesday, June 2. This is a popular disposal site for large loads of unbagged yard waste, tree limbs and stumps up to three feet in diameter, construction debris, and large household items. (Fees may apply.) Residents can dispose of up to four tires, up to three electronic items, and up to three large household items for FREE!

Details can be found on the website

Open Tuesday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.


Meals on Wheels Volunteer Opportunities

Meals on Wheel

Today, the average life expectancy is at a record high of 79 years, As we get older, even the most independent among us may experience physical declines or financial hardship that strips away their independence. Add to that an increase in geographic mobility of our families, and the result is millions of seniors left behind, hungry and alone.

9 out of 10 say Meals on Wheels helps them live independently!

How can you help? Volunteers are always needed! Call (502) 935-0310 to learn more. They serve seniors in 40258, 40272, and 40117.


Contact Metro311

Metro311

Bowman Aviation Festival Flyer