Congratulations to David Bramblette, who won the 50th Annual World Championship Dainty Contest on Monday.

The Dainty was different this year, held at the Germantown Baseball complex parking lot, with no spectators. Bramblette's winning distance was 153 feet, and he won after a tiebreaker contest with Keith Richard.

Recognizing that social distancing would be difficult on a narrow Schnitzelburg street, the SACC (Schnitzelburg Area Community Council) wanted to protect the players and volunteers that make this event possible.

"The SACC wants you all to stay healthy so you can all make it to the 51st Annual World Championship Dainty Contest in 2021," the group's facebook page read last week.

Proceeds from the Dainty benefit the Schnitzelburg Area Community Council and the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Two members of the Fischer administration – Kendall Boyd, Chief Equity Officer, and T Gonzales, director of the Center for Health Equity – spoke Wednesday before the Metro Council’s Community Affairs, Health and Education committee to recommend the Council and Mayor’s office jointly declare racism as a public health crisis in the city.

“Identifying and working to eliminate structural racism has been a priority for me and my team for over a decade, but there’s much more to be done,” Mayor Greg Fischer said of the recommendation. “Now, as we see people in our streets and in streets across the nation demanding fundamental change, we must have a new sense of urgency to make this declaration and do the hard work of dismantling racism and creating real transformation. I look forward to partnering with Council on this work.”

District 2 Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin, who chairs the Community Affairs, Health and Education Committee, and committee member Jessica Green (District 1), as well as Councilwoman Keisha Dorsey (District 3), support the recommendation and asked Boyd and Gonzales to speak at the meeting about options, and ways to educate other Council members and the public on what such a measure would entail.

“The time has come for a community-wide discussion about how we could correct racism as a public health problem. All of us have come in contact with some form of discrimination in our lives. For many people, it causes stress and worry as you try to work, raise a family or just try to get ahead in life,” said Shanklin. “If not addressed it can cause many different health issues. We should talk about how to get this out into the open and educate everyone about the physical and mental drawbacks of racism and discrimination in order to treat people fairly and with respect. When we do, we will be on the road to a healthier community.”

“We as city leaders are focusing much attention on racism and concerns of the protesters over these last months," Councilwoman Green said. "It is important that we look at all the effects of racism in our city. It is time to acknowledge the impact racism has on growth and development of our children and how we as adults maintain a positive mental frame of mind when all forms of racism can be demeaning to our health and well being.”

“From COVID-19 to ongoing health disparities ranging from access to care to the built environment and mental health, we’ve long known these issues have disproportionately impacted and affected African Americans," Councilwoman Dorsey said. "Acknowledging that racism has and is impacting the health of an entire race of people is not only validation of what those within our community have known, but it declares it to the world. But that is just the first step. My hope and efforts will be focused to ensure that the same resources allocated to other public health issues are allocated to this issue. Identification is just the first step, but the goal is eradication!”

In his testimony today, Boyd detailed how minority populations are disproportionately exposed to conditions such as concentrated poverty, racism, limited educational and occupational opportunities, and other aspects of social and economic disadvantages that contribute to poor health outcomes, including heightened exposure to violence. 

He cited many statistics to underscore the challenge, including the fact that in west Louisville, which has a predominantly Black population, life expectancy is approximately 67 years, while in eastern Jefferson County, which is more than 70 percent white, life expectancy is 82 years.

And as Councilwoman Dorsey said, the COVID-19 pandemic has further illustrated the divide, both in Louisville and the nation. African Americans currently account for 27 percent of the coronavirus-related deaths in Louisville Metro, while making up 24 percent of its population, and nationwide, African Americans currently account for 22 percent of the coronavirus-related deaths, while making up 13 percent of total U.S. population.

The Metro officials noted that Louisville’s declaration could come as a Metro Council resolution, ordinance, or via an Executive Order by the Mayor. Ideally, they said, the Council and Mayor would partner on the declaration and in acting on resolutions and ordinances that improve health in communities of color, and support local, state, regional, and federal anti-racism initiatives and other efforts to advance efforts to dismantle systemic racism.

Boyd noted that several other cities in the country have already declared racism as a public health crisis, including Columbus, Ohio, as well as Indianapolis, Memphis, Tennessee, and Kansas City, Missouri.

And Gonzales pointed out that, as many other jurisdictions are calling for more data and further study around racial inequities, Louisville’s Center for Health Equity has already identified 11 root causes that lead to inequitable health outcomes:

• employment and income gaps;
• challenges in transportation;
• inequities in the built environment;
• inadequate access to quality food;
• weaknesses in early childhood development; and
• issues related to health and human services, neighborhood development, housing, criminal justice, education, and environmental quality.

“Racism is bad for everyone’s health,” Gonzales said. “We need significant and quick action to make sure everyone in Louisville has what they need to thrive.”

Councilwoman Dorsey said Council staff has been gathering information on best practices in other states, focused on the idea that a declaration of any kind must come with resources to address “this health crisis like we would any other health crisis.”

Boyd said after the meeting that the administration’s next step would be to draft a resolution declaring “Racism as a Public Health Crisis” for Council consideration.

The Cyril Allgeier Community Center is distributing Summer Blessing meals, free to anyone 18 years old and younger. The child does not have to be with a parent to receive the meal.

Come to the center at 4101 Cadillac Court Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., ask the staff for a meal and you will receive it, no questions asked.

Call the center at 456-3261 if you have questions. For a list of community centers offering Summer Blessing meals, click here.

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 and will be made available as soon as practical.

Or use the crime mapping iPhone app. If you see crime occurring, please contact the Louisville Metro Police Department. Call 911 for emergencies. Call 502-574-7111 for non-emergency related help or to find a towed vehicle. Call 574-LMPD to report crime tips.

These LMPD divisions serve sections of District 10:

• Link to LMPD Fourth Division 
• Link to LMPD Fifth Division
• Link to LMPD Sixth Division

Spend the remaining "dog days" of summer bonding with your new forever companion. Adopt a sweet shelter pet like Bubbles, her adoption fee is waived for an approved adopter, thanks to the Pay It Forward Program. The approximately one-year-old Boxer/Labrador Retriever mix’s sweet, affectionate personality makes her a keeper.

This laid back lady loves to cuddle and be held. Need a walking buddy? Bubble loves strolls in the park, especially if she gets to play her favorite game, spot-a-squirrel. Meeting new people is fun, too. Bubbles pawfect day would end with her favorite treats, a hot dog and ice cream!

Her adoption includes spay surgery, vaccinations and a microchip. Bubbles weighs 56 pounds. She needs to be the only dog in her forever home; child and cat testing are available by request. Bubbles is already housetrained and crate trained. No appointment is necessary to adopt or meet Bubbles. Visit Animal House Adoption Center, 3516 Newburg Road, open daily from noon to 6 p.m. For questions about Bubbles, email Louisville Metro Animal Services or call 473-PETS.

Club Nature Virtual Camps

Up-to-date email and phone numbers ensure families receive important information

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is urging families to verify that their contact information is up to date, and that they are registered to receive text messages from JCPS as the district prepares for the start of Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI).

Up-to-date email addresses and phone numbers will be important for families who need to request a Chromebook and/or hotspot for the upcoming school year. Communication from a student’s school and teachers also requires a valid email or phone number.

With job changes and work from home scenarios, existing email addresses may no longer be valid and need updating. For families currently receiving district and school emails and text messages, no action is needed at this time.

To ensure parents and guardians are receiving information from JCPS, they are encouraged to take the following steps:

To make sure you receive text messages, simply opt in to School Messenger by texting Y to 67587. You MUST opt in to this system to receive text messages. Even if JCPS has your correct phone number on file, you won’t receive text messages if you haven’t opted in to School Messenger.

To receive emails from the district and your child’s school, you must have your current email address in our JCPS system. Information can be updated in the Parent Portal. If you do not have a Parent Portal login, you can set up an account here.

If you have an existing account, go to Parent Portal and click “Log on to the Parent Portal.”

1. Choose Campus Parent 
2. Enter log in credentials (user name and password)

1. Click More
2. Click Family Information
3. Click Update (correct your information then click ‘Update’ again) 

Families who have previously “unsubscribed” to emails from JCPS, or reported the emails as spam, will not receive future emails.

JCPS’ first day is scheduled for August 25th.

Last week, the Department of Public Works Solid Waste Enforcement team received a call from a Codes & Regulations officer who witnessed firsthand two individuals illegally dumping in the 2500 block of W. Main Street. When confronted, the individuals said they, “knew better than to dump” but chose to do it anyway. A citation was issued with a $500 fine plus $250 cleanup fee. The vehicle was also impounded and will cost approximately $250 in towing and storage fees to retrieve, which will cost them $1,000 in total.

Did you know…? a pickup truck load of tree debris can be disposed of legally at the Waste Reduction Center, located at 636 Meriwether Avenue, for only $60.

More than $42 million in federal CARES dollars will fund new programs

Louisville Metro Government is now accepting and processing applications for both the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants and Eviction Prevention COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Funding for the two new programs comes from federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security) Act money, with each program receiving $21.2 million toward their mission.

Small business assistance

The Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grants program, administered by Louisville Forward, will provide up to $50,000 to small businesses with the goal of helping prevent business closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At least 50 percent of the program funds would be dedicated to businesses in in low-to-moderate income census tracts.         

Eligible expenses include payroll, utilities, mortgage/rent, fixed costs, such as interest on debt service and insurance, and technology to allow for online sales. Funds will be disbursed in three payments and recipients will be required to report proof of grant expenditures.

To find out more information and apply, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/small-business-covid-19-relief-grants.

Eviction prevention

Eviction Prevention COVID-19 Relief Fund aims to aid low-to-moderate income households that are delinquent on rent payments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will pay for up to three months of rent for households facing COVID-related delinquencies.

Individual households may begin applying for rental assistance through the Office of Resilience and Community Services immediately. To be eligible, households must earn at or below 60 percent of the area median income ($45,840 annually for a family of four) and have had their income impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Households can begin the application process here: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/one-louisville-fund-online-application.

Landlords may apply for assistance on behalf of their tenants to the Office of Housing. Funding will be prioritized for affordable housing units (households at or below 60 percent of area median income) or properties with more than 50 percent of their units in the Housing Choice Vouchers Program.

To find out more information and apply, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/develop-louisville/eviction-prevention.

Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services joins with Community Action Agencies across the state to begin accepting applications for the new Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Cooling Program. Designed to help offset the cost of higher electric bills due to rising temperatures, the program is the network’s latest resource to help families during the COVID-19 public health crisis. Applications will be accepted now through October 31, 2020, or until funds are depleted.

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, community organizations, and residents, hundreds of electric fans have been collected to provide heat relief for older adults and people with disabilities. 

The Fan Fair giveaway qualifications and guidelines are as follows:

• Person 60 years of age or older
• Or documentation verified by a physician of a disability
• Resident of Jefferson, Oldham, Henry, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble or Bullitt Counties
• Proof of address and age
• ​One fan per household
• Household must not have functional central air conditioning

Qualified individuals may call one of the sites below for more information and instruction on how to apply to receive a fan. Appointments are required in advance due to most sites remaining temporarily closed for walk-in clients in accordance with the CDC and Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness guidelines. The locations include:

• First Neighborhood Place (40219); 502-313-4700
• Cane Run Neighborhood Place (40216); 502-485-6810
• South Central Neighborhood Place (40215); 502-485-7130
• Ujima Neighborhood Place (40211); 502-485-6710
• Northwest Neighborhood Place (40212); 502-574-5434
• South Jefferson Neighborhood Place (40258); 502-363-1424 (Fairdale); 485-7310 (Valley site)
• Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place (40210); 502-634-6050
• KIPDA (40299); 502-266-5571
• Tri-County Community Action Agency (Henry County 502-845-7808; Oldham County 502-222-1349; and Trimble County 502- 255-7514)
• Multi-Purpose Community Action Agency (Shelby County 502-633-2218; Spencer County 502-477-8296; Bullitt County 502-543-3455)

Fan Fair is an annual event sponsored by KIPDA Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living and Louisville Metro Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens (OADC). These organizations first joined forces in 2016 to implement a Fan Fair and Community Resource event in response to the numerous calls they received requesting heat relief. The Fan Fair/fan giveaway event is now in its fifth year.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, alternate plans have been made for the 2020 Fan Fair to distribute fans at multiple sites in place of a larger, community gathering.

Fan supplies are limited and will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

For more information about the Fan Fair event, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/office-aging-disabled-citizens or https://www.kipda.org/.

The Louisville Water Foundation works with community agencies to help customers keep their water turned on.

In stressful times, Drops of Kindness offers customers help with unpaid bills. Whether you’re a resident or business owner, Drops of Kindness offers a customized approach to help customers resolve unpaid bills and reduce future financial obligations.

For details, go to https://www.louisvillewater.com/DropsofKindness.

Senior citizens who are age 65 or older, have a gross annual household income of $35,000 or less and are both Louisville Water Company and MSD customers may request an application for a 30 percent discount on wastewater charges and the EPA Consent Decree Surcharge through MSD's website or by calling Customer Relations at 540-6000.

From the Lawn Care for Cleaner Air program for the Air Pollution Control District:

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 574-6000 if you have any questions.

From the Kentucky Science Center: The COVID-19 Pandemic is hard on everyone, and we thank you for your patience while we finalized our plans to keep our staff, members, and guests safe.

KSC is now open to members and the general public seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Due to limited capacity, all guests will be required to make reservations in advance. If you run into any issues when trying to reserve tickets, please email us. 

Kentucky Science Center will require masks upon entry for guests six years of age and older. While in the building, please stay with your travel group and maintain social distancing guidelines of six feet spacing from other groups. If you are unable to wear a mask due to medical reasons, please maintain social distancing of six feet from all guests.

Before your visit, please read our full COVID-19 procedures and pre-screening questions. 

As we celebrate Juneteenth, a day of freedom commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, we invite you to join our 2020 Juneteenth Jubilee!

Watch & link to the series of seven episodes here https://ourwaterfront.org/annual-events/juneteenth-jubiliee/ or here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeCLjQV20uU

Social posts are at https://www.facebook.com/waterfrontparklou/videos/641189373176072/

A new episode of the seven part series will premier each Friday through July 31. It will be broadcast at noon on Wave Country with Dawne Gee on WAVE 3.

• 8/24 Litter/mowing on all interstate highways
• 9/7 Two-lane road mowing in counties
• 10/26 Litter/mowing on all interstate highways, with the exception of I-265, which will be delayed until after the first frost if that has not occurred by 10/26.
•  12/14 Last litter cycle on interstate highways

Fine turf mowing along 1-65 and downtown bridge areas: 

8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28, 10/12. 

All start dates are tentative and subject to change depending on the needs of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and weather conditions; official notifications will be sent out prior to the start of each cycle. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.