The scholarship, which launched Oct. 1, allows eligible students in the Class of 2021 to begin postsecondary studies tuition-free at any Kentucky Community and Technical College school, including Jefferson Community and Technical College, or Simmons College of Kentucky to pursue an associate degree or career credential, or take 60 hours of credit. The Evolve502 scholarship is a last dollar scholarship, meaning Evolve502 will fund the difference between federal and state financial aid and college tuition.

The application takes about five minutes to complete online at evolve502.org/scholarship. Once applications are submitted and reviewed, applicants will receive a follow-up email with next steps including completing the federal financial aid form and applying to eligible colleges.

In addition to the scholarship, Evolve502 is offering opportunity grants to support students whose families earn less than $40,000 annually. The opportunity grants are $1,000 per semester ($2,000 maximum per year) and can be used to assist in costs outside of tuition including healthcare, transportation, books and more. The grants will automatically be given to Evolve502 Scholarship recipients who meet qualifications. The deadline to apply is June 30.

JCPS has released a Non Traditional Instruction Resources document, which includes NTI hubs, meal sites, utility assistance, clubs and activities, tutoring, and other resources.

The document is available here. 

ALSO: IN PERSON CLASSES RETURN!
   Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) students will return to in-person classes on a rolling schedule beginning March 17. The Jefferson County Board of Education voted tonight to approve an amended recommendation from Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio to reopen JCPS schools. 
   Under the revised reopening plan, all students except those in Exceptional Child Education (ECE) programs would resume in-person classes on a hybrid schedule. Students on the hybrid schedule would go to school buildings two days a week and learn virtually three days a week, with Wednesday being a remote learning day. The board voted to have all K-5 ECE students attend in-person classes five days a week. 

Students would resume in-person classes on the following schedule:

• All kindergarten through second-grade students would begin in-person learning on Wednesday, March 17
• Students in third through fifth grade start in-person learning Thursday, March 18.
• Early childhood would begin in-person classes on Monday, March 22.
• Middle and high schools would resume in-person classes on Monday, April 5,

   Students will be grouped into two sections based on their last name. Students whose last names start with A-K would go to school in-person on Mondays and Tuesdays, and students whose last name begins with L-Z would go to school on Thursdays and Fridays. Wednesday would be a remote learning day for all students on the hybrid schedule. 
   Students also have the option of continuing their coursework through the Virtual Academy.
   Teachers will have time to set up classrooms before students are welcomed back into buildings. Elementary and early childhood teachers would have work days/set up days on March 15 and 16, while middle and high school teachers will have March 25 and 26 to set up rooms. For complete details on your school’s reopening plan, please click here.
   The district will employ additional initiatives to support a return to in-person classes, according to Dr. Pollio:

• Non-school based certified staff will be deployed to schools with high populations of returning students to support teachers and students. 
• The district will work with its Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSCs) to provide thermometers for families who need them, since parents are being asked to check their child’s temperature before they leave home in the morning.

And JCPS is working to install ventilation devices at certain schools to improve airflow in classrooms.

Yard waste collection in the Urban Services District is done by request only at this time until April 5th. To make a request: 

1. Call Metro311 at 311 or 574-5000 or email metro.311@louisvilleky.gov. 
2. Provide your first and last name, address, phone number, set out location (front, rear, side, alley, etc.), and approximate number of containers, bags, or bundles.
3. Your appointment will be scheduled on your regular collection day the following week. (Example: If your regular yard waste collection day is Thursday, and your request is made on Monday, February 8, your yard waste will not be collected until Thursday, February 18.) 
4. Set out yard waste no earlier than 4 p.m. the day before your appointment and no later than 6 a.m. the day of your appointment, and follow the collection guidelines.

The Mayor and community partners announced the opening of free federal and state income tax preparation for eligible residents. 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 via online or at select drop-off sites. The service is available to individuals and families who earned less than $66,000 in 2020. Learn more.

With an increase of illegal activity from vandalism, vehicle thefts and items stolen from vehicles to gun shots reported. LMPD has several tips that may seem simple but very effective!

1. Immediately report any suspicious person, activity (gunshots), or vehicles to (502) 574-7111 or (502) 574-TIPS. This is not just for vehicle vandalism but drug activity, home/garage vandalism, gun shots - ANY suspicious activity! Make a police report! IT DOES HELP IN GETTING ADDITIONAL POLICE OFFICERS IN OUR DISTRICT!
2. Never leave anything of value in your vehicle; this includes laptops, purses, GPS devices and even loose change.
3. Always lock your vehicle doors.
4. Remove garage door openers from vehicles usually parked outside.
5. Do not leave your keys in your vehicle. Do not warm up your vehicles without you in them!
6. Do not leave the windows of you vehicle open, or partially open. 7. Try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
8. Consider additional lighting around your property.
9. Never leave a firearm unprotected in your vehicle.

In Louisville Metro, it is the responsibility of the person living in a home to keep the front and rear of the property clean. This area extends from the middle of the street out front to the middle of any alleyways to the rear or side of the property. This applies to litter as well as plants and trees that could impede the alleyway or street. Inspections, Permits and Licenses (IPL) could cite and possibly impose a fine if you've got a lot of debris and plant overgrowth. Thank you for adhering to the local property maintenance codes and keeping a clean neighborhood. 

LIHEAP Crisis Component will run through March 31, or until available funds have been expended, whichever comes first. This year’s Crisis Program will allow residents receiving a current utility bill with a past due amount and residents receiving a disconnect notice to apply for assistance. To apply, residents 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. Applicants must be a resident of Jefferson County with a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g. for a household of four, the gross monthly income cannot exceed $3,275.00).  Applicants must also meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Received a disconnect notice from LG&E, or
• Received a current bill with a past due amount, or
• Have a current payment plan with LG&E due to a past-due balance, or 
• Received an eviction notice if utilities are included in the rent, or
• Be within four days of running out of bulk fuel; or
• Be within ten days of running out of pre-paid electric service.

For more information on what documents you need to provide and more program information, please click here

The Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency (KIPDA) needs your input on the specific issues and needs you face on a daily basis when you travel to work, school, recreational activities, or making deliveries. The desired outcome of this outreach effort is to better understand what transportation improvements are needed throughout the region. 

KIPDA is currently updating the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). Connecting Kentuckiana 2050 will replace the current MTP as the long-term vision for transportation in the region. To learn more about Connecting Kentuckiana 2050, click here.  

A key component in the planning process is better understanding the wants, needs, and frustrations you experience when traveling to work, school, the store, or around town. KIPDA aims to identify your needs through a survey and interactive public comment map. The interactive map allows you to pinpoint specific locations throughout the region that disrupt your travel. This could include traffic, crash related delays, lack of adequate bicycle paths or sidewalks, long waits at stoplights, or lack of transit stops or routes.  

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and provide feedback on the interactive map found here. The survey will be available until mid-March.