COVID-19 infections continue to set records in Louisville but there might be light at the end of the tunnel. With more than 16,000 new COVID-19 cases reported over the last seven days, Louisville has now set a positivity rate record of 34%. The potentially good news is that there are indications that infections may be peaking and that the next few weeks may see a rapid decline in new cases. But we’ll have to get through those weeks.

Here are things you can do:

1. Wear masks indoors. While all masks help, public health experts urge everyone to upgrade from cloth masks to higher-quality KN95 and N95 masks and to wear them regularly indoors. High quality masks are expected to be offered for free very soon.
2. Encourage vaccinations and boosters. While more breakthrough cases are occurring with Omicron, vaccines are still excellent at preventing severe illness and death. If you have not already, get vaccinated and if you’re eligible do not delay getting a booster. Find vaccine and booster shots.
3. Get tested if you have symptoms or a known exposure. While demand for tests has escalated, many sites still have same day appointments or no appointment requirements. Louisville has a new drive-through testing site at Churchill Downs. The CDC recommends testing 3-5 days after an exposure or at the onset of symptoms. Find testing sites in Louisville here. The website to request four (4) free At-Home Test Kits from the federal government is up and running. You can access the form by clicking on this link - https://www.covidtests.gov/ - and providing your name, email address and shipping address on the USPS site to submit your request.   You’ll receive a tracking number and confirmation email that you can use to stay abreast of your order status.

Staffing shortages are affecting businesses and government services. Jefferson County Public Schools are in NTI (non-traditional instruction) again this week because of staffing shortages.

The Louisville Free Public Library canceled or made virtual all in-person programming and events through this week. (Libraries are still open regular hours). We’ve listed events for next week in the calendar at the end of the newsletter but check here to see if they are still on: Events Calendar | Louisville Free Public Library (lfpl.org).

Louisville Metro’s Department of Public Works is also experiencing a drastic COVID-19 staffing shortage and regular yard waste collection in Louisville’s Urban Services District is still suspended until further notice.

Christmas trees already at curbs are being collected by crews. The Christmas tree drop-off sites remain open through January 29 and are now accepting all yard waste that is in compliance with curbside guidelines.

Christmas Tree & Yard Waste Drop-Off Locations & Hours

• East District Recycling Center, 595 N. Hubbards Lane
• Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)
• Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue 
• Shawnee Park, 230 Southwestern Parkway (Athletic Complex)

Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Waste Reduction Center closes at 3 p.m. on Saturdays)

We’ll get through this - and hopefully soon.

Artist Liz Richter and Louisville Visual Art have teamed up with the Kentucky School for the Blind Charitable Foundation and other contributors, including the District 9 Neighborhood Development Fund, to bring a public art project to the green space at Frankfort Avenue and State Street in the Clifton neighborhood.

The project recently received approval from Planning & Design and bids for portions of the work are being obtained. The plan is for Spring construction of a wall which will hold the art. The installation of mosaic elements won’t come until this Summer, with an unveiling this Fall.

To see the approved plans, click here. Read more about the project here, and more about Liz Richter here.

The Louisville Asset Building Coalition (LABC) is providing FREE tax preparation services again this year. There are in-person and drop off appointments available. The service is FREE if you earned $66,000 Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or less in 2021.

Call the appointment line, (502) 305-0005, today to see if you qualify and make your appointment. Drop off only appointments are available every Friday beginning January 21 through the end of tax season between 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at United Crescent Hill Ministries, 150 S. State Street, in Clifton.

Other locations throughout Louisville offer appointments. To make an appointment please call (502) 305-0005 or click here for an online appointment. Click here to view the brochure of other locations.             

In order to access free self-file assistance, please visit www.labcservices.org and click on the “Free Tax Help” option.

Looking to spruce up your yard by planting a new tree? TreesLouisville has a rebate program where you can earn a $30 rebate when you purchase an eligible shade tree.

To earn a rebate, your tree must be planted in a residential yard within Jefferson County and must fall under a list of eligible species. They offer small, medium, and large trees!   

Visit the TreesLouisville website to find full program requirements and learn more about the program. After you purchase, complete the online form, including a copy of your itemized receipt. Each household can earn up to three $30 rebates!  

** Stay tuned for TreesLouisville’s spring tree giveaway in late March (TBD) for the opportunity to receive additional yard trees! **

Café LOUIE is back in 2022 to connect citizens to their elected representatives, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. each Saturday morning through March 26. Due to a rise in Covid-19 cases, January Café LOUIEs will be held virtually and streamed live on the Café LOUIE Facebook page. 

Elected officials will be given a brief time for prepared remarks and to answer a few pre-selected questions submitted by attendees.  During the virtual sessions, please submit your questions on the form at the bottom of this page: Café LOUIE | The Library Foundation (lfplfoundation.org).  

Every Café LOUIE is open to the public. I will be participating at events on February 26 at the St. Matthews Library and March 26 at the Crescent Hill Library. More information will be posted online at https://www.facebook.com/CafeLOUIE/.

Louisville was recently featured in a nationwide climate resilience campaign through The Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht – Rockefeller Foundation Resilience Center. The Center recently developed a USA Climate Resilience Map, a beautiful and informative resource to make people and communities more resilient by offering paths forward for cities through sharing proven solutions to address their climate risks and social vulnerabilities.

The Resilience Map highlights ten cities that are both highly susceptible to the environmental extremes of climate change and working in bold and innovative ways to ensure a more climate-resilient future for their citizens. Louisville was selected due to the increasing threat of severe urban heat. The tool showcases our greening and tree planting efforts to combat heat and provides an example from which other cities can learn. People can also read about different localities around the country and what they are doing to become more resilient to temperature extremes, flooding, wildfires, and drought. Lastly, through this interactive map, communities can see how vulnerable their own cities are to the predicted effects of climate change in comparison with others. 

Click here to watch a YouTube video about Louisville’s work to combat urban heat with trees.

The Louisville Metro Office for Aging and Disabled Citizens released the 2022 Resources Guide that includes information and resources available for seniors, people with disabilities, families and caregivers in the Louisville/Jefferson County area. 

The free resource directory is designed to assist adults over the age of 55 and persons with disabilities, as well as their caregivers, with handling physical, psychological, and financial challenges.  While the primary focus of this guide is at-risk seniors, it also covers topics such as employment and federal and state benefits. Additional sections include nutrition, transportation, safety, and many more.  

Featured content includes:

• Care for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities
• Counseling and Mental Health Services; and Health and Fitness
• Crime and Safety
• Educational Opportunities and Employment Services
• Financial Matters
• Food and Home Delivered Meals Information
• Housing and Transportation
• Recreational and Social Activities, and Volunteer Opportunities

For a free copy of the Office for Aging and Disabled Citizen’s (OADC) 2022 Resources Guide, visit OADC online at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/office-aging-disabled-citizens. Residents and organizations can also directly download the guide by clicking here. 

The OADC Resources Guide will be updated on a bi-annual basis.  To submit a new service, edit a current listing, or request assistance with a printed copy, contact Alli Woosley at Allison.Woosley@louisvilleky.gov or 502.574.5092. 

In an effort to avoid surpassing capacity, Louisville Metro Animal Services (LMAS) announces waived redemption fees for owners who claim their stray pet at the LMAS Harshaw Family Foundation Shelter.

It Is not uncommon to see an increase in unclaimed stray pets at the shelter during winter and after the holiday season. Combined with the COVID-19 pandemic and rising inflation, pet owners may not have the financial means to reclaim their pet. Even when they know for certain their pet is at the LMAS shelter, they don’t come in for fear of being unable to pay the bill.

In 2021, LMAS returned 1,064 pets to their owners compared to 945 reunions in 2020. Redemption fees are set by the Louisville Animal Ordinance and help pay for the care pets receive when they enter the shelter. By law and for the safety of all animals in the shelter, they must be vaccinated, microchipped, and spayed or neutered. LMAS also provides food and medical care during a pet’s stay. To view a list of impoundment fees, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services.

Redemption fees are waived through Tuesday, February 15^th.  Owners can claim their impounded stray pet Monday-Saturday, from 12-6pm, at the LMAS Harshaw Family Foundation Shelter, located at 3528 Newburg Road.

Redemption fees will only be waived for pet owners with no previous violations, and cover microchipping, licensing and vaccination fees. Court fees will not be waived. LMAS will work with owners who have outstanding balances and want to reclaim their pet.

One more special runs through February 14.  Every adopter of a large-breed dog weighing 40lbs. or more will receive a free dog crate for their new four-legged friend through February 14 or until supplies run out. The Pay It Forward program makes it possible for LMAS to waive adoption fees for certain shelter pets and never expires. It is always free to adopt adult cats and adult dogs, 40 lbs. or more for approved adopters. Through February 14, a dog crate comes along with your new pet.

Louisville Parks and Recreation will soon offer art classes at select Community Centers with instructor George Taylor. Three types of classes will be offered for a fee, and they are basic drawing, cartooning and intro to acrylic painting. For more information and how to register, please click here.

Here are some tips to help you avoid the most common mistakes crews see during waste collection in the Urban Services District.

Garbage

• Bring in your garbage cart after collection! This helps keep it from being damaged and helps reduce litter, especially in alleys.
• Garbage should always be inside your cart with the lid closed. (Excess garbage may be placed in a reusable container with handles and a lid, labeled GARBAGE.) You can purchase an additional garbage cart or request a free repair if your cart is damaged.

Recycling

• Styrofoam and plastic shopping bags are NOT accepted in Louisville’s recycling programs. Review the list of accepted items. 
• Keep your items loose and not bagged. Flatten cardboard and crush containers to conserve space in your container. Flattened cardboard may be placed on top of your recycling cart when set out for collection.
• Observe the every other week schedule. (January 28, February 11, and February 25 are upcoming Friday recycling days.)

Yard Waste

• While yard waste collection is suspended, it can be dropped off for free - but only if it's bundled according to curbside rules. 

Large Item Collection

• Construction materials are NOT allowed. Review accepted items list. 
• Yard waste and tree trimmings are NOT allowed. 
• Small items, even if they are bagged or boxed, are NOT allowed. Use garbage collection instead. 
• Know your set out dates and get reminders using the Recycle Coach app. (February 25-27 is the next set-out period for most of D9.)
• You don't have to wait! Up to three large household items can be dropped off for free at the Waste Reduction Center. 

For the 22nd year, the Design-a-Bus Contest is back! TARC is proud to partner with the Louisville Orchestra for "Music in Motion," where student artists are encouraged to think about the role music plays in their everyday lives. 

Complete application materials can be found here.

Calling all players and volunteers for the 2022 Miracle League of Louisville baseball season! The Miracle League of Louisville is a baseball league and complex located in Fern Creek Park for children and adults with physical, cognitive, and/or emotional disabilities.

The league is seeking volunteers for the upcoming 2022 spring baseball season. Volunteer opportunities include being a Buddy (each player in the league has their own Buddy who assists them on the field and in the dugout for each game), coach, assistant coach, umpire, dugout assistant, or general volunteer each game day!

The spring baseball season games will be played on Saturdays from April 9, 2022, through June 11, 2022, with the exception of Derby Day and Memorial Day. The volunteer commitment will require a minimum of one hour, or longer if interested each week.  Church groups, athletic teams, corporate groups, civic groups, and school clubs are just a few examples of individuals that can come together to serve our community. Volunteering as an individual or a group for The Miracle League of Louisville will build camaraderie and a sense of community involvement.

If interested in playing in the league, volunteer opportunities, or you have any questions regarding the upcoming baseball season please visit the Miracle League of Louisville website, www.miracleleaguelouisville.org.