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A SIMPLE REMINDER: Daylight saving time (DST) begins on Sunday, March 14 at 2 a.m., with clocks moving ahead one hour.
It's March Madness! But, not just in basketball terms. Whether it's remembering to "spring forward" on Sunday morning, or figuring out if we are in the 1C category to get the vaccination, madness abounds in Louisville, Kentucky.
In the Just 4 Fun section at the bottom of this issue, we have listed some facts about daylight saving time. First, most people pronounce the event by adding an 's' behind the word saving. That's technically incorrect. The word “saving” acts as part of an adjective rather than a verb, so the singular is grammatically correct. Think of it as "saving" daylight.
Also, did you know that daylight saving time can affect your heath? Yes, it disrupts our sleeping pattern, and studies have shown a spike in heart attacks during the first week of the time change.
In theory, the time change brings an extra hour of sunlight each day for the next eight months, but it also robs us of an hour of sleep. This might seem like a minor inconvenience, but from all accounts, the loss of sleep due to daylight saving time can have a serious impact on our health and wellbeing. It turns out that when our internal body clock is disrupted, our natural rhythm for determining and regulating sleeping and eating patterns is off kilter. This causes us to feel drowsy, have mood swings and can add calories to our diet because we may experience an increased appetite. Plus, we may not be as alert because our motor functions are slightly off. This, of course, increases our likelihood of injury.
As for vaccines, providers have begun taking appointments for individuals 60 and older. According to Dr. SarahBeth Hartlage, associate medical director for the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness and co-chair of Louisville's vaccine distribution task force, there are approximately 100,000 individuals 60 and older in our community, and the majority of hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 have been in people 60 or older. While this is all well and good, I continue to hear about wait times and long line at vaccination sites. This is not good --- it's madness!
Hopefully next week will go as planned, and the vaccination site glitches that existed this week will be fixed. Also, LouVax, in addition to Metro Health and Wellness and community partners, will ramp up mobile missions to administer the Janssen vaccine to homeless populations and other hard-to-reach groups. Watch the vaccination update from the LouVax site at Broadbent Arena here. For more information on how to schedule appointments CLICK HERE.
But, those aren't the only things causing madness in our city. There's the one year anniversary of the death of Breonna Taylor. To commemorate the anniversary, hundreds of visitors and protestors will hit the streets near Jefferson Square Park this weekend. Several downtown streets are blocked off for ease of traffic and marching. I am wishing and calling for calm and peaceful protesting. I believe in freedom of speech and everyone's right to peaceful protesting. I'm rooting for both.
Wear a mask, wash your hands and social distance at least 6 feet apart. These action steps are still being suggested to help us get past this pandemic. How much more can we take of obeying travel restrictions, not being able to visit loved ones in the hospital or in nursing homes, avoiding dining inside a restaurant or hosting a large party at our home? The Broadway theatre was shut down, sports fans were deprived of attending their favorite sporting events, and Derby was even canceled. Whew! That’s a lot...Madness, I say.
In all seriousness, it was March 11, 2020, when the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a pandemic. I can’t stop thinking about where I was on that day and how I self-quarantined for 14 days starting on March 13. During that time, I fell ill and was almost declared a casualty of COVD-19. So, as I approach this one-year anniversary of the pandemic, I stop to pay homage to the millions of Americans who have lost a loved one to the novel coronavirus. I also want to encourage you to hang in there a little while longer. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, can't you?
Yes, it's March Madness, and along with enjoying the basketball tournaments, we can rest assured that one day soon we will be able to cheer for our favorite team in person if we'd like, and we will be able to celebrate the victories at a restaurant or bar. So, please make an appointment to get vaccinated and encourage your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to get vaccinated, too. We are about to build back better and rejoice that the best is yet to come!
Here's your opportunity to find out about the 2021-2022 Capital and Operating Budget of the Louisville Metro Government. Please join us to probe, ask questions and share what you feel should be the top financial priorities for our city.
To join the WebEx meeting, click here! jo
You may also join from this meeting link:
https://louisvilleky.webex.com/louisvilleky/j.php?MTID=mdd1f00a88aed008b66bfb2a17969e1d8
Meeting number (access code): 160 856 0463
Meeting password: rMkmsDcs542
You can also dial: 173.243.2.68 and enter your meeting number.
You can also view the meeting on Facebook by licking this link:
The Democratic Caucus of the Louisville Metro Council - Home | Facebook
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new guidelines for individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-shot series with Pfizer and Modern, or two weeks after the one-shot Janssen vaccine.
The new guidance states that if you have been fully vaccinated:
- You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
- You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one household without masks, unless those people and household inhabitants have an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
Individuals that have not been fully vaccinated should continue taking steps to protect themselves by wearing masks, staying 6 feet apart and avoiding crowds.
Additionally, people should try to delay domestic and international travel and continue to follow CDC requirements and recommendations for travel if they do.
“This is a lot of encouragement with the safeness of the vaccine and what we’re able to do once fully vaccinated," said Dr. Sarah Moyer, Director of the Department of Public Health and Wellness and Chief Health Strategist. “Still we should continue to protect ourselves and our community by wearing masks, staying socially distant and be mindful that COVID is still around us."
View the CDC's guidelines for individuals that have been fully vaccinated HERE.
To view the weekly COVID update with city and public health officials CLICK HERE. For information on where to get tested for COVID-19 in Louisville CLICK HERE.
The American Rescue Plan Act signed on Thursday March 11th includes $434.5 million in direct aid to Metro Government and critical funding for businesses, families, residents and more Mayor Greg Fischer announced today.
In addition to the funding Metro Government will receive directly, the American Rescue Plan also provides separate funding for public and private efforts to address specific aspects of the pandemic’s impact and to boost recovery efforts. These include funding for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing and vaccinations, childcare, rent and utility assistance, community health clinics, non-profits, support for especially hard-hit business sectors, such as restaurants and performance venues, as well as increasing broadband access. The act also provides funding for extended unemployment benefits.
Other local public institutions, including Jefferson County Public Schools, and the University of Louisville, will receive American Rescue Plan funding as well. Kentucky state government will also receive an estimated $2.4 billion.
“These funds provide us with a tremendous opportunity to achieve the goals of our Build Back Better, Together (B3T) initiative, which is about creating a more prosperous and just future for all Louisvillians, particularly those residents who are most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and racial injustice,” the Mayor said. “That community-driven effort identified targeted investments in equity, economic development, sustainability, housing, transportation, and other critical areas – and it is that community-driven work that will guide our investments and help ensure maximum benefit for the future of our city.”
To read more of the mayors statement click here.
With the city’s COVID-19 positivity rate no longer in the critical zone, Mayor Greg Fischer announced that the Louisville Free Public Library is expanding in-person services at all of its locations.
Following Gov. Andy Beshear’s guidelines and in consultation with Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness, Library officials will offer “Grab and Go” access to library materials starting Friday, March 26. Patrons will be encouraged to browse and pick up library materials and check out using self-check kiosks. Building capacity will be limited to ensure social distancing, and visits will be limited to no more than 90 minutes.
LFPL’s popular curbside pick-up of library materials, which began on June 1, also will continue at all locations, six days a week. For information on the Library’s curbside service, please visit https://www.lfpl.org/curbside/ , or call 1-502-574-1611.
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Mayor Fischer has submitted a list of 11 individuals from the Louisville community to Metro Council for appointment to the new Civilian Review and Accountability Board.
The nominees are Stachelle Bussey, Denise Sears, Barbara Haigler, Jennifer Greene, Scott Dickens, Charles Keyes, Marianne Michael, Guillermo Sollano, Turney Berry, Antonio Taylor, and Kellie Watson.
Four of the 11 were nominated by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, Greater Louisville Inc., the Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition, the Louisville branch of the NAACP, the Urban League, the Louisville Bar Association, Young Professionals Association of Louisville and the University of Louisville's public health chair. Three were nominated by Metro Council with four additional members nominated through the Mayor's office.
Metro Council has assigned the approval of these nominees to the Government Oversight and Audit Committee for Review and Approval.
To read the Mayor's complete statement click here.
Mayor Greg Fischer, Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Chief Erika Shields and Vincent James, the city’s Chief of Community Building, today outlined city preparations for events planned this weekend in observance of the one-year anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s tragic death – and plans for a marker in Jefferson Square Park to recognize the tragedies of 2020, as well as the reforms those events initiated.
The Mayor said he believes the weekend events will be “a solemn remembrance of tragedies, a recognition of changes that those tragedies have brought and will bring, and a reminder of the work still ahead to build a city of equity and a police department working with the community to be the best in the nation.”
To create a walking plaza and ensure the safety of those planning to gather at Jefferson Square Park this weekend, Chief Shields said blocks adjacent to the park will be restricted to pedestrian traffic only, with no parking, from after morning rush hour on Friday March 12th through Sunday March 14th.
No parking all Day at these locations:
- Jefferson Street from Fifth Street to Seventh Street
- Liberty Street from Fifth Street to Seventh Street
- Cedar Street from Sixth Street to Seventh Street
- Congress Alley from Sixth Street to Seventh Street
- Court Place from Fifth Street to Sixth Street
- Sixth Street from Market Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard
- Fifth Street from Market Street to Muhammad Ali Boulevard
Anyone heading to the park is advised to rideshare, to cut down on traffic, and be prepared to walk a few blocks. Police will facilitate ADA access at Sixth and Market streets, and will work with residents, business owners and downtown employees to allow necessary access.
Some TARC routes will be impacted by the road closures and restrictions. Riders should check the TARC website for details.
Mayor Fischer urged those gathering this weekend to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19, including masks and social distancing.
Marker at Jefferson Square Park
For more information click here
Dr. Steven Stack, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said the eligibility requirements for receiving a vaccine will change slightly next week based on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
“As of March 15, the Kentucky COVID-19 vaccination eligibility phase is 1-C,” Dr. Stack said. “1-C is now expanded to include all persons ages 16 or older with any medical or behavioral health condition or conditions that the CDC reports ‘are’ or ‘might be’ at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness.”
He noted that smoking is not among the covered conditions in Kentucky. Dr. Stack said vaccination sites should continue to prioritize people 60 and older, and all sites are still urged to use at least 90% of all vaccine doses within seven days of arrival.
Gov. Beshear announced Thursday that next month the Kentucky Career Center (KCC) will open nearly a dozen regional offices around the commonwealth.
On April 15, the state will open 11 regional career centers, in Bowling Green, Covington, Elizabethtown, Hazard, Hopkinsville, Louisville, Morehead, Owensboro, Paducah, Prestonsburg, and Somerset. A center for Lexington is also in the planning stages.
The regional centers will better serve Kentuckians seeking information and help. Appointments will be required through a scheduling tool found at the KCC website. However, the scheduling tool is not yet open.
Adam Mather, Inspector General for the Cabinet of Health and Family Services (CHFS), provided new information about visitation at nursing homes.
“The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which oversees the collection and use of Civil Money Penalty Funds, has approved a proposal submitted by the Trilogy Foundation for nearly $6,771,000 to enhance the safety of Kentucky residents and the public,” Mather said.
He said the funds will be used to implement a smart entry screening platform with smart badges for all employees across 285 Kentucky Medicare-certified nursing homes. Kentucky will be the first and only state to provide contactless devices and vaccine tracking that will help reduce person-to-person spread of COVID-19, the flu, other viruses and infectious diseases.
The sensors will be placed at key points of entry to safeguard the 22,450 residents living in these facilities,” Mather said.In more good news, Mather said beginning Monday, March 15, these facilities will ease restrictions that have been in place for nearly a year, affecting all visitors and non-essential health care personnel.
“Next week, visitation can be conducted more widely. Everyone who enters these facilities will be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19, and attention will need to be paid to hand hygiene, face coverings, social distancing and other infection-prevention controls.”
Click on the topic below that interests you the most:
In the late 1980s, the Louisville/Jefferson County Landbank was formed, making it the third oldest Landbank in the country. The Landbank is a partnership between the three main taxing entities, Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and the Jefferson County Public Schools. Its mission is to return vacant, abandoned properties back into productive use. Included in its powers are the acquisition and disposition of properties, including a limited power to clean property titles of delinquent taxes and code-related liens.
Most of the Landbank's acquisitions come from city foreclosure of vacant and abandoned properties. Rehabilitation projects are reviewed by staff and presented at the monthly Landbank meeting. Purchasers of Landbank properties vary greatly. Some are owner occupants acquiring the lot next door or on the block, small developers interested in rehabbing an old house, neighborhood residents with plans to open a business, and developers building a brand new house.
Visit www.louisvilleky.gov/vacant to see the available properties and sales programs offered by the Landbank.
The Department of Public Works is fully committed to providing the highest quality of public services and enhancing the quality of life for all Louisville Metro citizens. The Department will effectively and efficiently maintain Metro's infrastructure; improve roadway systems; support progressive environmental initiatives; deliver superior external and internal customer service and tirelessly explore innovative processes that allow us to more efficiently serve the public.
WHAT THEY DO
- Road construction and maintenance
- Manage Metro Government road construction projects
- Transportation Planning
- Snow Removal on 3,047 lane miles
- Manage solid waste removal and recycling
- Operate and maintain 647 Traffic Signals.
Do you need to request a repair to a road, have a question about garbage pickup, recycling, or just simply want to know what is going on in your neighborhood? They have a newsletter just for that. Subscribe to the Works Week newsletter here.
PLEASE NOTE: If you live in an incorporated city with its own mayor and city commissioners, please consult a government official within your city about city services before contacting Louisville Metro Government Public Works.
Thanks to a generous grant from the Louisville Metro Department of Parks & Recreation, TreesLouisville is excited to announce the opening of another round of its Residential Shade Tree Rebate Program!
Did you know? Nearly 70% of available planting space in Jefferson County is privately owned. Planting a tree at home is one of the best and easiest ways you can help expand our community tree canopy and grow a greener, healthier neighborhood.
To participate, purchase and plant an eligible shade tree on your residential property and apply to receive $30 back on up to three trees. This program is open to residents of Jefferson County, KY on a first-come, first-serve basis until all funds have been claimed. For full eligibility requirements or to apply, visit treeslouisville.org/rebate or find a brochure at your local garden center.
The City of Louisville along with VITA and AARP are providing free tax services to those who qualify.
The Louisville Asset Building Coalition’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, and AARP Tax Aide programs provide trained, IRS-certified volunteers to offer the free tax services either online or at select drop-off sites.
The qualifying income is for those who make $66,000 or less. There are several sites around the city which may be identified through calling 502-305-0005 or by visiting the VITA website http://labcservices.org
Filing online can be done through getyourrefund.org
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2021 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament schedule:
Selection Sunday — 6 PM ET Sunday, March 14
First Four — 4 PM start on Thursday, March 18
First round — 12 PM start on Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20
Second round — 12 PM start on Sunday, March 21 and Monday, March 22
Sweet 16 — 2 PM start on Saturday, March 27 and 1 PM start on Sunday, March 28
Elite Eight — 7 PM start on Monday, March 29 and 6 PM start on Tuesday, March 30
Final Four — 5 PM start on Saturday, April 3
NCAA championship game — 9 PM on Monday, April 5
CBS Sports and Turner Sports will show games on TBS, CBS, TNT, truTV, and their digital platforms including March Madness Live.* For more information visit ncaa.com website .
* copied from ncaa.com
NOTE: The Ring Rd. burglary occurred in District 7.
1.Officially, it’s “daylight saving time” (singular), not “daylight savings time” (plural).
2. Daylight saving time can affect people’s heath. Daylight saving time disrupts your sleeping pattern, and there have also been studies that have shown a spike in heart attacks during the first week of the time change.
3. Hawaii and most of the state of Arizona don’t follow daylight saving time. Also, four of the U.S territories don’t observe it either. These places are Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and American Samoa.
4. In the whole world, about 70 countries follow daylight saving time. However, the majority of the countries near the equator do not adjust their clocks an hour forward.
5. Daylight saving time isn’t the phrase used around the world. Some countries refer to it as “summer time.”
6. During World War I in 1916, Germany initiated daylight saving time to save energy for the war effort. Britain followed rapidly after, and when the United States got involved in the war, they too initiated daylight saving time. 7. Just because many countries follow daylight saving time, it doesn’t mean they follow it exactly the same. Some countries change to daylight saving time on different days. This can create confusion for international travelers and business communications.
8. For decades, candy manufacturers tried to lobby for a daylight saving time extension for Halloween in the United States. They wanted this extension because many young trick-or-treaters weren’t allowed to go trick-or-treating after dark.
9. Furthermore, studies showed that children’s pedestrian deaths are four times higher on Halloween than on any other night of the year. Because of these studies, a 2007 law was passed to extend daylight saving time to the first Sunday in November.
10. In Antarctica, many of the research stations still observe daylight saving time even though there’s no daylight in the winter and 24-hour daylight in the summer.
To view the Governors most recent updates on click here: https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=GovernorBeshear&prId=641
In August 2016 Louisville Metro Emergency Services teamed up with Bullitt County, Oldham County, and Washington County to create a regional emergency notification system – Louisville Emergency Notification System (LENSAlert). Its enhanced capabilities include using all communications modes to send alerts – mobile phones, landlines, email, text, social media, IPAWS-OPEN. Take another step in being prepared for disasters and sign up for LENSAlert today.
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In addition to receiving notifications, individuals can create a Safety Profile for themselves and their household that can include any information they want 9-1-1 and first responders to have in the event of an emergency. When individuals make an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right responders to the right location with the right information. Information about medical history, allergies to medication, number of residents in a home and even a picture of the family dog can all be added to a Safety Profile.
Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions About Smart911
Are you looking for a public place to exchange items you've sold online? Do you share custody of a child and are looking for somewhere to exchange custody?
The Louisville Metro Police Department is providing MetroSWAP Zones outside of some Division offices.
There is 24 hour video surveillance. LMPD recommends:
- Agree to meet the person ONLY at a MetroSWAP station.
- Meet only during daylight hours.
- Tell someone you trust where you are meeting and at what time.
- Meet in the parking lot at two designate areas of each location.
- Make the interaction brief and to the point.
MetroSWAP Zones are at:
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Visit http://www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroPolice/Patrol+Divisions/ to sign up to receive the LMPD’s new crime alert update for your neighborhood. Simply select your LMPD division number and click "Subscribe to Crime Alerts by Beat" to begin receiving the update.
- Division 5, please call dispatch at 502-574-7111
- Division 8, please call dispatch at 502-574-2111
Fifth Division - This division covers the area including the Highlands, Clifton and Cherokee and Seneca Parks.
Eighth Division - This division covers the area including Middletown, Lyndon, Oxmoor and the Ford Truck Plant.
Interactive Crime Mapping
You can now map crime in Louisville using the interactive mapping tool.
NOTICE: All Metro Council meetings are carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 and U-verse Channel 99.
The meetings are also available online at the Metro Council home page at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/metro-council-clerk. (Click here and click on the “Watch Meetings Online” button.)
OR access prior or current meetings here:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2.
TO ACCESS MEETINGS THROUGH FACEBOOK: CLICK HERE
Agendas for these meetings can be viewed using the following link:
http://louisville.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
Click Here to: View All Agencies
Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc
Click here for more info.
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