Newburg Library

***June Meeting Cancelled Due to COVID-19 outbreak***

On the third Tuesday of each month, a Community Meeting is held to give residents an opportunity to be informed, discuss ideas and share. Be part of the change we want to see for our community. Join us at 6:00PM when we meet with LMPD, and 6:30PM to share with Councilwoman Dr. Barbara Shanklin.

Louisville Metro Police Department 6th Division Questions? Contact Us

Official Team Kentucky sources for information concerning COVID-19

COVID-19 Hotline (800) 722-5725

The COVID-19 hotline is a service operated by the healthcare professionals at the KY Poison Control Center who can provide advice and answer questions. Please be patient as we are handling a high volume of calls and want to give everyone the time they deserve. For general information, please review the website prior to calling the hotline. Guidance is being added as it becomes available.

Click here for to visit the official Team Kentucky source for information concerning COVID-19 (updated daily).

For general inquires, email KYcovid19@ky.gov. Please be patient as we handle a high volume of emails.

COVID-19: Louisville Information

Louisville Metro has a website with updated information about COVID-19, including information from Mayor Greg Fischer’s briefings about City services.  You can access it here.

Just as a reminder the best place to get the full list of testing sites is here: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-covid-19-resource-center/louisville-metro-covid-19-response-facts-symptoms-and. Once there, just scroll down and click on testing. This site will be updated weekly.

COVID-19: Data in Kentucky

Current as of June 24, 2020 at 5 p.m. Eastern time

Kentucky Coronavirus Monitoring: 

Number Tested: 368,152 (PCR: 335,276- Serology: 32,876)

Positive: 14,363 (Probable: 426 - Lab Confirmed: 13,937)

Deaths: 538 (Probable: 4 - Lab Confirmed: 534)

Recovered: 3,706

*PCR is test for COVID, Serology is antibodies test

Kentucky's Response to COVID-19 (06/13 - 06/22)

Since the first case of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was confirmed in Kentucky, Governor Beshear taken the following actions:

​​6/22/2020:  Announced updated guidance beginning next week for many venues, including restaurants and bars. The new guidance also covers wedding venues and gatherings of 50 or fewer people.

6/18/2020: Announced that the state would continue to expand in-person services to help Kentuckians resolve unemployment insurance claims.

​6/16/2020:  Offered updated guidance covering public pools and gatherings of up to 50 people.

6/15/2020: Announced contact tracers will call people who may have been exposed from 1-844-KYTRACE (1-844-598-7223) to offer information and resources to keep them and others safe.

Announced Kentucky currently is performing mass testing of all inmates and staff members at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women (KCIW) in Shelby County. The decision comes after three staffers and 11 inmates tested positive for COVID-19. More than 270 of the facility’s 639 inmates have been tested thus far. Fortunately, no one from the facility has been hospitalized.

Latest COVID-19 updates in the City of Louisville

Louisville Metro Council approves 2020-2021 Capital and Operating Budgets

By a vote of 24 to 1, the Louisville Metro Council on Thursday approved the 2020-2021 Capital and Operating Budgets for Metro Government for the coming Fiscal Year.

Here are the highlights:

Housing:

• $5 million in additional funding for the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund (LAHTF) and its partners to address vacant and abandoned properties through the creation of direct purchase or lease-to-purchase opportunities.
• $2.5 million for programs that support home repair, address vacant and abandoned properties, and increase home ownership.
• $1 million is allocated for a new Homeowner and Rental Repair Loan Fund to support improvement of residences
• $413,400 will put a Metro Public Works crew into neighborhoods, and particularly alleys, to clean areas which have a high level of illegal dumping.
• $170,000 to hire two additional Code Enforcement Officers working with Develop Louisville to revitalize disadvantaged neighborhoods.
• $21.2 million, supported by the federal CARES Act, for rent assistance needed to prevent evictions as a result of coronavirus-related financial issues.
• $21.2 million, supported by the federal CARES Act, for small business assistance needed as a result of coronavirus-related financial issues.
• $3.5 million to help build and support a community grocery.
• $1 million is appropriated for youth and young adult programs, to be approved by Metro Council.

Law Enforcement Reform:

• $763,500 in funding for a civilian oversight system.
• $1.2 million in state LMPD funds for exploration and implementation in deflection along with co-responder approaches which place behavioral health specialists with police to offer case management connections to treatment, housing, and services
• $1.6 million in federal funds redirected to recruitment efforts for a police force which more closely looks like and lives in the community; and training, including use of force, de-escalation, and implicit bias.

Other Budget Changes:

• $14.3 million for infrastructure improvements such paving and includes $700,000 for a study of all Louisville Metro road conditions. The sidewalk repair budget is increased by $500,000 and additional funds are appropriated for facilities, parks and library maintenance and repairs$700,000 for a required dry-dock inspection and repair and $500,000 in operating funds for the Belle of Louisville
• $500,000 to outfit the Middletown Library, at a location provided at no cost to Louisville Metro by the City of Middletown.

Statement regarding the budget from Councilwoman Shanklin:

“My “no” vote tonight was a tough decision, but I am disappointed the budget does not take care of all areas of our city. An example of that: all metro pools will be opened this summer except Camp Taylor where a lot of disconnected youth from the Newburg and Norfolk area go to swim.  Our youth will have to go to Sun Valley or Fairdale to Swim. We must take care of all the disadvantage youth in Louisville Metro. I hope that is a consideration in years to come.” Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin District 2

Mayor urges residents to participate in survey to share their priorities for new LMPD Chief

One Love Louisville Ambassador Institute - Virtual Edition

The Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods has adapted their bi-monthly violence prevention training to offer a VIRTUAL Ambassador Institute on Saturday June 27. The training will be condensed into a three-hour virtual WebEx meeting from 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM. This format will still allow for questions and interactions with our presenters. We will hear from experts as they cover a range of topics including Mental Health 101, Suicide Prevention, Community Organizing, Conflict Resolution, and the Public Health Approach to Violence.  Sign up for the free event at the link provided, and spread the word to help make Virtual Ambassador Institutes a success! We hope to see you Saturday, June 27!

After registration, participants will receive their WebEx invite via email. 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/106002666830

JCPS' Continued Response to the COVID-19 Outbreak

JCPS will be providing their summer feeding program, so meal services will continue to be open throughout the summer on the same Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule, with additional mobile sites starting Monday, June 1.  Check out the video of this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZr3s8fUrXc&feature=youtu.be.

For a list of sites and times, click here.

Also: 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.

Follow JCPS online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

Current information from Ms. Abby Piper (Executive Administrator, Government/Community Relations; Jefferson County Public Schools):

There are times when we all just need to hear what’s going on straight from the person at the top. This is one of those times when I feel Dr. Pollio is the voice you need to hear.

First, if you do nothing else, please take a look at this op-ed written by Dr. Pollio that posted in the Courier Journal: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/2020/06/18/jcps-student-assignment-fix-inequities-community-investment/3203343001/

Second, an interview with Dr. Pollio on Tony Cruise’s radio show. The interview covers school reopening, JCPS’s efforts to address teacher shortages, student assignment, and more. Listen: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-kentuckianas-morning-28270549/episode/jcps-update-dr-marty-polio-63916947/.  

Third, although not a message directly from Dr. Pollio, you may be interested in this five-minute clip on the proposed site acquisition for the new elementary school in West Louisville. Watch: https://youtu.be/bxWQsKihYtA.

TARC seeks the community’s input on proposed route changes

TARC is seeking the community’s input on proposed route changes designed to better align its services with actual ridership and create efficiencies amid a challenging budget climate.

“A huge majority of TARC riders (97 percent) use barely half of its current routes – a fact that existed prior to the current COVID-19 pandemic,” said TARC Co-Executive Director Margaret Handmaker. “With almost half of our routes being little used by the community, these proposed changes reflect TARC’s strategy to invest where our passengers are.”

Laura Douglas, TARC’s Co-Executive Director, said the proposed changes are meant also to better manage resources in a challenging budget climate.

“In some parts of our community, TARC’s cost per rider is approximately $2.50; on other, less-frequently used routes, it nears $60 per rider. When TARC charges just $1.75 per trip, this is unsustainable and drains resources from where they are needed most,” Douglas said.  “TARC does not want to merely move people around; we want a high level of service.”

TARC is seeking the public’s input on three phases of potential service adjustments. The first, Phase A, would start on Aug. 9, 2020, and the others would be phased in as needed to achieve a sustainable financial standing.

Phase A: Proposed changes include discontinuing the LouLift circulators (routes 01 & 77), local route 62, circulator 96, and all express routes (except 61X, 67X, & 78X).

TARC Local routes 17, 31 and 40 all operate a limited number of express trips in the morning and afternoon peak.  There are no changes proposed to these routes or their related express trips.

Phase B: Proposed changes include discontinuing local route 82, remaining express routes (exceptions from Phase A), circulators 52 and 75, and local route 22.

Phase C: Proposed changes include temporary frequency adjustments to the Dixie Rapid BRT (route 10). However, BRT service frequency will remain at 15 minutes weekdays, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

TARC’s leadership and staff are reviewing the proposals to avoid creating a disproportionate burden on specific passenger groups and is developing a federally required Title VI evaluation to address any potential impacts on low-income and minority populations. This evaluation will be released to the public pursuant to Board approval of any changes.

Because of social distancing restrictions in place due to COVID-19, public comment meetings on the proposed changes will take place online. Public comments also may be submitted by email to PublicComment@ridetarc.org.

Reminder: New Toll Rates Effective July 1

Toll rates are updated every year

New toll rates for three bridges connecting Louisville and Southern Indiana begin July 1, 2020. Rates will range from $2.15 to $12.93, depending on the size of the vehicle and whether the driver has a prepaid account.

Drivers with prepaid accounts in good standing and transponders pay the lowest toll rates and save more than $2 per crossing. The easiest way to maintain a positive account balance is by choosing auto-replenishment and linking the account to a valid payment method.

Toll revenue is used to meet the financial obligations of the Ohio River Bridges Project and to pay for operations and maintenance of the bridges and roadways in the project area.

Tolling is in place on the I-65 Abraham Lincoln Bridge, I-65 Kennedy Bridge and SR 265/KY 841 Lewis and Clark Bridge connecting Prospect, Ky. and Utica, Ind.

Toll rates increase annually by 2.5 percent, unless the rate of inflation (as measured by the Consumer Price Index) is higher. There was not an increase in 2017 because tolling had been in place for less than a year. Tolling, a bi-state effort between Indiana and Kentucky, started Dec. 30, 2016.

Find more information on RiverLink tolling, including answers to frequently-asked questions, at www.RiverLink.com.

Kentucky Kingdom set to open on June 29

Edward J. Hart, president and CEO of Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay, gives details about the opening to Louisville's Courier-Journal (displayed below)

The Kentucky Kingdom team is ready to welcome our guests back to the park on June 29. I’d like to take this opportunity to assure everyone that, from a public health perspective, Kentucky Kingdom is well prepared. We have implemented new procedures and protocols, all of which are explained in Kentucky Kingdom’s 200-page “COVID-19 Preparedness Plan.”

A summary of the plan can be found online at kentuckykingdom.com. These new measures include social distancing at our attractions, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures and the placement of more than 100 hand sanitizing stations throughout the park.

As we all know, health officials have stressed that outdoor activities are preferable to indoor activities and that mass gatherings should generally be avoided. Kentucky Kingdom, of course, is an outdoor venue for family fun. It’s also important to understand that the outdoor activity at Kentucky Kingdom should not be viewed as a “mass gathering.” 

Putting Kentucky Kingdom in this category is misleading since health officials have made it clear that it’s not the number of people in attendance, but rather the density of that attendance. In other words, 10,000 fans packed into an arena is not the same as 10,000 theme park visitors spread out over Kentucky Kingdom’s 60 acres. The park’s size provides plenty of “elbow room” to allow for proper social distancing.  

The CDC’s social-distancing guideline calls for a separation of 6 feet in all directions (i.e., 36 square feet per person) between people who are not in the same family unit. However, Kentucky Kingdom has established an even stricter standard of 36 square feet per person, even when a person is part of a family unit. 

This higher standard results in a maximum capacity of 16,800 guests in the park’s common areas. We did not include restrooms, changing rooms, retail shops, restaurants and queue lines in calculating the park’s available common areas, nor did we include the pools in the water park. This conservative approach exceeds the guidelines for calculating maximum attendance issued by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

In addition to emphasizing Kentucky Kingdom’s capacity for social distancing, it’s important to point out that the vast majority of the park’s guests are below the age group (60 and older) that is most vulnerable to the coronavirus. 

In fact, approximately 90% of our visitors and 99% of our seasonal staff are under the age of 60. We encourage individuals over the age of 60 to reconsider visiting the park, especially if they have preexisting conditions.

Kentucky Kingdom’s No. 1 priority will always be the safety of its guests. This year will be no different, especially when it comes to the park’s new protocols. We rely on our guests to assume personal responsibility for their actions. Of course, our staff of up to 1,400 team members is on hand to remind our guests of the importance of social distancing and the other COVID-19 protocols we have put in place for everyone’s benefit.

The entire team at Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay is excited to welcome you back to the park and looks forward to seeing you this summer!

SummerWorks Registration Reopened

Earlier this week, Mayor Fischer announced $1.3 million in new donations for the SummerWorks program aimed at providing opportunities for people ages 16-21. This more than doubled the $1.1 million SummerWorks had previously budgeted for this summer. The majority of this money will fund 300 new sponsored jobs at a variety of local agencies and nonprofits. These positions involve at least 30 hours of work/week and pay a minimum of $10/hour. Registration for these positions has been reopened for a short period of time and can be accessed here.

Two new initiatives were announced as well: a SummerWorks Fellowship on civic engagement and the SummerWorks Tech Academy. Twenty to 25 youth will participate in the fellowship, working on a project that culminates in a report to Mayor Fischer outlining ways Louisville can become a more peaceful and equitable community. The Tech Academy incentivizes youth to learn valuable digital skills by paying them to complete online courses on topics such as software programming, video game development, and digital music production.

Having issues with high grass, illegal parking, street repairs, or other Code Enforcement concerns in the community?  Contact 311!

Metro311 Service Request Information

• Submit a Service Request in the new system.
• Only service requests for the past 30 days will be accessible in the new system.  If you need information on an older request, please call Metro 311 for status.
• Anything submitted in the old reporting system (prior to June 19, 2019) will not show in the new system.  It is still being processed however. Please call Metro311 for status.
• To receive email notifications of the status of your service request you must have an account and you must have included your email address when you created your account. You can create a new account and report a new issue with Metro 311 by following this link.
• Not all issues you put a service request in for require you to login. Some issues may be submitted anonymously, such as reporting a pothole and property maintenance cases, for instance. But having an account will allow you to track the progress and status of the request.
• The outlined or highlighted area on the map indicates the area which is serviced by Louisville Metro Government.
• If you do not see a category which corresponds to your issue, please call Metro 311 at 311. 

Waste Reduction Center is Open

After some much-needed maintenance, the Waste Reduction Center at 636 Meriwether Avenue reopened 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.

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Remodeling? Plan ahead for disposal

Renovating or remodeling? Don't start the demolition process until you make a plan for disposing of the resulting debris. Construction and demolition debris are prohibited by ordinance in Louisville garbage and large item collection. Collection crews will mark the material and leave a notice at the residence. Use the "What Goes Where" search tool on the Recycle Coach app to find out how to dispose of specific items. 

So, what can you do with the construction and demolition debris? One option is to haul it to our Waste Reduction Center on Meriwether Avenue. Fees are variable depending on volume. More information and a fee schedule are available here.

A second option for large volumes of debris is to hire a hauling company. Often, a pickup truck can get the job done in a single trip. For even larger volumes, some companies will drop off a large dumpster at your home and then retrieve it after you're done filling it.

Help your Community and Report Potholes

One of the things we missed this Spring was the annual Pothole Blitz.  But Louisville Metro fills potholes in streets and alleys every day and we need your help to report them.

There are three ways to report potholes:

1. Click here to use an easy online form.
2. Use Twitter by including the hashtag #502pothole and the location of the hole in any tweet.
3. Call Metro311 or 574-5000 to report potholes or any other issues. You may also email Metro311

Report Street Light Outages to LG&E

If you see a streetlight out in your neighborhood (or anywhere in Louisville), please note the address and report it to LG&E for repair. Click here to fill out the online form to report broken or malfunctioning streetlights. We always recommend adding your contact information to the request, so a technician who has questions can contact you. LG&E makes repairs during the day. Make sure you follow up if the streetlight hasn’t been repaired within seven (7) days.

LMPD reminder:  Please secure your property!

A reminder to lock your vehicle, and never leave valuables in plain sight. This includes any and all keys, key fobs and firearms. 

Police report that some drivers are making it easy for thieves by leaving their vehicle running. Please secure your property. 

LMPD suggests making a 9 p.m. routine, as seen below.

• Remove valuables from your vehicle.
• Lock your car.
• Secure your weapons.
• Close your garage.
• Lock your doors and windows. 

Remember to report any suspicious behavior to LMPD’s non-emergency line at 574-7111. To speak to a call taker, press 5.

Metro Emergency Repair Program

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 or electric).   
• Gas line leaks.

For further information contact Jackie Wilson-Rudy at 574-5850 or Jacqueline.Wilson-Rudy@louisvilleky.gov.

Apply for a 30% Senior Discount on Sewer Services

If you'd like to apply for a 30% Senior Citizen Discount of the amount billed for sanitary sewer service and the EPA Consent Decree Surcharge, please print, complete and return the form.  You must be able to provide documentation verifying:

• you are the legal title/leaseholder/renter of the property
• you are 65 years of age or older
• your household gross income is $35,000 or less per year.

Click HERE for the form.

Food Pantry open in District 2

Open every 2^nd Monday of the month -- 10am - 12pm

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• Serving households in the 40213, 40218 & 40219 Zip Codes Only
• First Come, First Served Basis
• Picture ID & proof of residency required!

Sponsored By: 

Peace Presbyterian Church

4210 East Indian Trail

Louisville, KY  40213

Upcoming Events at Newburg Library!

New interactive map makes legal Short Term Rentals easy to find

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

Now, there is a new tool available to help. This interactive map 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.

In the map sample at upper left, light blue represents properties with active registrations. Green indicates properties with active registrations and a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), which is required to rent the property if it is not the owner's primary residence.

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. 

Report a Litterer!

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 of their car window. 

Click Here to Report!

LouieConnect

Louisville non-profits have launched a new website to help connect people in need of food, shelter, and more.  Metro United Way and the Family Scholar House partnered to create LouieConnect, modeling it on a similar site created in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  When someone uses LouieConnect, the web-based app asks for basic information and then lists applicable resources nearby — from food pantries to shelters to career centers to financial literacy programs.

***Important Metro Services Phone Numbers***

• Air Pollution: (502) 574-6000
• Animal Services: (502) 363-6609 or (502) 361-1318
• Brightside: (502) 574-2613
• Community Services & Revitalization: (502) 574-4377
• Congressman John Yarmuth: (502) 582-5129
• IPL (Code Enforcement): (502) 574-3321
• Legal Aid Society: (502) 584-1254
• LG&E Business: (502) 627-3313 or (800)- 331-7370
• LG&E Residential: (502) 589-1444 or (800) 331-7370
• LMPD 6th Division: (502) 574-2187
• LMPD Anonymous Tipline: (502) 574-LMPD (5673)
• LMPD: (Non Emergency): (502) 574-7111 or (502) 574-2111
• Louisville Forward/Economic Development: (502) 574-4140
• Master Commissioner Jefferson Circuit Court (Foreclosure Sales): (502) 753-4888
• Mayor Greg Fischer: (502) 574-2003
• Metro311: 311 or (502) 574-5000
• Metro Parks: (502) 456-8100
• Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD): (502) 540-6000
• Metro Safe: (502) 572-3460 or (502) 574-7111
• PARC: (502) 569-6222
• Planning & Design Services: (502) 574-6230
• Property Valuation Administrator (PVA): (502) 574-4016
• Public Works: (502) 574-5810
• Solid Waste Management (SWMS): (502) 574-3571
• TARC: (502) 585-1234
• Vacant & Public Property Administration: (502) 574-4016
• Your State Representative or State Senator: http://www.lrc.ky.gov