Winter Storm Landon will rain, ice and snow over Louisville during the next few days making the roads dangerous to travel.
If you can, stay home.
If you can’t, be sure to check Louisville Metro’s Snow Map showing what roads have been treated, salted and plowed before you leave:
https://apps.lojic.org/metrosnowroutes
Be prepared for potential power outages:
- use generators outside only and away from windows.
- Stay indoors
- Dress warm and
- Use towels to fill cracks or gaps in doors and windows
- Keep your pets inside as much as possible
- Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly
 Councilwoman Amy Holton Stewart (D-25) and Council President David James (D-6) hosted a press conference Monday morning to announce they will file a resolution expressing no confidence in the leadership of the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.
The Council members believe the jail's leadership had several opportunities over the last few years to get ahead of serious, long-standing issues. However, seeing little progress or urgency, the resolution's sponsors believe Metro Corrections Director Dwayne Clark and his executive staff are failing to properly lead the officers and protect the inmates.
“The jail is understaffed and overcrowded, and that is creating a dangerous scenario for both the officers and inmates. Despite Metro Council making every effort to work with the Metro Corrections administration, Director Clark is failing to prioritize positive changes with any sense of urgency. Metro Council needs to send a clear message that we no longer have any confidence in Director Clark’s leadership,” said Councilwoman Holton Stewart (D-25).
Six inmates died while in the custody of Metro Corrections in the last 12 months, and the FBI is currently investigating one of those deaths.
“Director Clark and his Executive Staff have failed on several occasions to address the serious issues of how contraband is being smuggled into Metro Corrections. Councilwoman Holton Stewart brought forward the innovative idea to fund a Corrections K9 Unit, which Metro Council voted to support. However, Director Clark has resisted taking quick action with this opportunity, and that’s unacceptable,” said President James (D-6).
The resolution calling for a vote of ‘no confidence’ supports the concerns that many officers already voiced. On September 28, 2021, the Metro Corrections FOP voted 216 to 6 that they had no confidence in Director Clark and his administration.
Under Director Clark’s leadership, officer morale clearly deteriorated within the jail, and now there are around 150 vacancies.
Councilman Mark Fox (D-13) is also a sponsor of the resolution.
“The primary responsibility of government is the protection of its citizens, and that includes those in our custody,” said Councilman Fox. “Recent events, including a manpower shortage that did not occur overnight, have shaken my confidence in the current management team’s ability to lead. The officers of LMDC do an extremely challenging job very well and deserve leaders that provide a safe and well managed work environment. Those in our custody deserve the same!”
The resolution will be filed by the New Business deadline on Monday. It is expected to be assigned to committee for discussion during the Metro Council meeting on Thursday, February 3.
 Last Friday, Councilwoman Holton Stewart joined a small delegation of Louisville Metro Councilmembers in Frankfort to fight to return more State tax dollars for infrastructure investment and push for specific bills that would improve quality of life for Louisville citizens.
This year's session ends just before Easter. Please contact your KY State Senator and Representative to ask that they push the KY General Assembly to return more of our tax dollars for infrastructure projects in our Southwest community.
Find your legislator here:
Who is my legislator?
 
 Metro Snow Team members have made their pre-trip safety inspections, loaded their trucks, headed to the starting point of their respective routes and will begin applying salt to roadways as soon as possible. 56 snow removing crews will be working around the clock taking care of 111 Metro snow routes (2,700 two-lane roadway miles). We urge the public to use extreme caution as they drive, allow themselves extra time to reach their destination, and give our snow fighters room to work.
Keep up with the Snow Team’s progress here.
Check the WAZE app for traffic updates.
 The Louisville Metro Council's Community Affairs Committee are once again celebrating Black History Month by honoring the incredible African American leaders of our city.
We are asking for your help in nominating honorees to be chosen to represent District 25! If you know of an exceptional individual who deserves to be recognized for their contribution to our community and city, please follow the steps below to have their name be one of those chosen to be honored this year.
*Please include ALL following contents in your submission
- Your Honoree’s Name
- Mailing Address
- Contact Telephone Number
- A "Brief Bio"
PLEASE NOTE: All honoree nominations must be submitted by email to Amy.HoltonStewart@louisvilleky.gov by the close of business on Wednesday, February 9th.
The selected honoree will be recognized at the Annual Black History Month Program in late February.
 Many vehicle owners in Jefferson County could soon be faced with a higher tax bill.
The value of used cars increased by as much as 40% during the COVID-19 pandemic, and that means the cost to renew your vehicle's registration could be higher this year than in years past.
The Jefferson County PVA's office has launched a way for people to appeal their tax bill via an online portal.
Kentucky law allows for appeals to the PVA within 60 days of receiving the notice of renewal. Such notices are typically sent the month before renewal is due, which is usually the owner's birth month.
Jefferson County PVA Colleen Younger said some reasons for an appeal might be that the car's mileage is higher than the estimated mileage of the assessment or if it has significant damage.
"All property, according to state law, is valued as it exists on January 1st," Younger said. "So if you have high mileage prior to January 1, you would submit that documentation."
To submit your appeal, click here.
Vehicle owners will be required to provide their name, phone number, mailing address, license plate number, VIN, vehicle year, vehicle make, and vehicle model, according to a news release. Providing a title number and email address are optional. It is up to the owner to substantiate any kind of high mileage, damage or mechanical defect.
Submit your order for 4 free rapid COVID-19 tests. Every home in the U.S. is eligible. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
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VITA and AARP Tax Aide programs provide trained, IRS-certified volunteers to offer free tax services online or at select drop-off sites. VITA is available to individuals and families who earned less than $66,000 in 2021. AARP Tax-Aide’s mission is to serve any person who comes through the door, with special attention to those 60 and older.
January 24 is the first official day for filing tax returns this season. This year, due to the COVID pandemic, several of the VITA sites will prepare in-person free tax filing by appointments only, and most of the sites will provide free tax filing through drop-off services. Individuals can visit getyourrefund.org to have their taxes prepared online.
To schedule an appointment for in-person tax assistance, call 502-305-0005 or visit louisvillekyvita.cascheduler.com.
The VITA free tax preparation sites are located at:
- Americana Community Center, 4801 Southside Drive
- Louisville Urban League, 1535 W. Broadway
- Oldham County LaGrange Library, 308 Yager, LaGrange
- Portland Promise Center, 1831 Baird St.
- Salt and Light CDC/NABA, Shively City Hall, 3920 Dixie Highway.
- Sun Valley Community Center, 6505 Bethany Lane
- United Crescent Hill Ministries, 150 State St.
- Wesley House Community Services, 5114 Preston Hwy.
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For more details, including days and hours of drop off services and VITA locations, visit https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/qMTKCERX14Io8OOksPh76f?domain=labcservices.org
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Also, visit the website for information about a free service for others interested in filing their taxes online. Volunteers may visit MyFreeTaxes.com to access free software programs offered in partnership by United Way Worldwide and TaxSlayer. LABC is proud to be a member of the Tax Time Allies and has received funding from the Intuit Freedom Foundation to increase access to VITA and free software programs.
AARP Tax Aide opens the first week of February, operating at nine sites by drop-off appointments only. For future updates including online filing options, visit https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/a1KrCJ6Kz5sLWllgsOEgTx?domain=aarp-tax-aide-lou.org.
To help preparers accurately determine EITC eligibility and prepare returns, individuals should bring:
- Picture ID and Social Security cards for everyone listed on the return
- Copy of 2020 tax return with all attachments and schedules
- W-2s and 1099s from your employers
- Other 1099s for interest, dividends, state tax refund or other income
- Form 1099-G for any unemployment compensation received during the year
- 1095-A for health insurance
- 1098 for education credit, plus a detailed financial statement from the school
- Bank account number and routing number for direct deposit as well as savings account number (if applicable)
- If you do not have a bank account, we can help you open a Bank On certified account.
- Childcare information, including Provider ID and actual amounts paid
- Summarized list of other income/expenses for those who itemize or are self-employed
- Additional tax information that may be required
Masks are required at all VITA sites.
 Are you struggling to cover your utility bills? The LIHEAP Crisis Component (heating assistance) and the LIHWAP (water & wastewater assistance) programs are here to help.
Call 991-8391 or visit louisvilleky.cascheduler.com for eligibility and to schedule an appointment. Check back weekly if appointments are full for more appointments to be added
MORE INFO: louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP
 Arica Bacon, a District 25 neighbor, is a high school teacher that prepares her students to become future educators to young children. During the Summer she is available to help prepare your young children for school!
Check out her website, Prepping for K Academy online for educational materials and affordable educational toys at: https://preppingforkacademy.org/.
Arica also operates a YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1o6-TDvpWRaeVVeMfr5PyQ/videos) that teaches hands on activities and prepares children heading to preschool or kindergarten. She created the channel to assist parents in teaching their children Kindergarten readiness skills during the pandemic. These materials will help prepare young children so they can thrive in education!
Help your child be prepared for kindergarten and beyond!
You can also find me on Arica on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Prepping-For-K-Academy-2361917657360071.
 
 Have excess goods/old furniture? Consider donating to Catholic Charities for all the good they do in our community!
The following items are currently needed:
Hygiene
- Lotion
- Toilet Paper
- Paper Towels
- Men’s razors
- All Purpose Cleaner
- Laundry Detergent
Furniture
- Dressers
- Nightstands
- End Tables
- Kitchen Tables and Chairs
- Couches
- Living Room Chairs
- Coffee Tables
- Large Rugs
- Bikes
Household Goods
- Small Kitchen Appliances
- Toasters
- Microwaves
- Pressure Cookers
- Coffee Makers
- Tea Kettles
- Cookie Sheets
- Pots
- Teapots
- Laptops (even broken)
- TVs
- NEW Pillows
- NEW twin/full sheets
- NEW twin mattress covers
- Twin comforters
- Kitchen Trash Cans
Baby Accessories
- Baby Shampoo
- Baby Lotion
- Formula
- Diapers (all sizes)
- Bottles
- Bottle Cleaners
- Strollers
- Bouncers
- Car Seats
- Clothing
- Shoes
Children’s Accessories
- Clothing
- Shoes
- Toys
- Winter Accessories
Clothing
- Coats for all sizes (no peacoats)
- Small/Medium Men’s Clothing
- Men’s Pants Size 34 and smaller
- Men’s Belts
- Shoes of All Sizes (in good condition)
- Winter Accessories
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