Louisville is once again in the spotlight. The United States Justice Department announced charges against four Louisville police officers involved in the No-Knock Warrant and raid that led to the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor. They were charged with civil-rights violations. One of the officers charged was a former detective who was fired for lying on the search warrant that led to Breonna's death, and another officer was charged with actively conspiring with him to cover-up the lies.
We are in the midst of a very challenging time for our city. Some residents continue to grieve, some continue to hope. Many remain fearful and anxious about what is to come with more trials, investigations, findings, and outcomes pertaining to the Breonna Taylor issue and various other unsolved cases.
I don't believe our city has fully reckoned with the shooting of Breonna Taylor, and until we do, we will always seem a though we're desperately avoiding healing. Healing is not only a personal responsibility, but a collective one as well. When bad things happen in life, it does take time to come to terms with its complete negative effects. Therefore, I am calling on all Louisville Metro residents to join together, with compassion and patience, for the healing of our city.
For our community to heal, we must collectively acknowledge the pain and the anger brought about when things happen that can’t be explained or when people act aggressively against others without provocation or reason. We must walk hand in hand, cry together, empathize with one another, share our feelings honestly, and begin the healing process. We need to feel all the emotions expressed by all sides – those directly affected by the shooting and those of us who are still grappling with what happened, and why.
We can do this, Louisville, and we can do it with compassion. We can connect with each other through compassion, we can mend relationships through compassion, and we can move forward together while fostering emotional well-being through compassion. Through compassion, we can take empathy to another level because doing so harbors a desire for all people to be free from suffering, and it’s saturated with a desire to help.
"Compassion asks us to go where it hurts, to enter into the places of pain, to share in brokenness, fear, confusion, and anguish. Compassion challenges us to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears. Compassion requires us to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless. Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human."
On July 15th, a beautiful pavilion was dedicated to the entire community with the help of Louisville Metro officials. After remarks from the officials, Carol Ely brought out the big scissors so she, Metro Councilwoman Paula McCraney, Louisville Metro Mayor Greg Fisher, and Metro Councilman Scott Reed could declare that Locust Grove’s Pavilion was open for business.
EGGFEST @ Brownsboro Hardware
2022 EGGFest
Event Ends 3:00 PM EDT
Best Beef or Pork Contest Tons of incredible food to sample and savor! Big Green Egg Classes—9am, 11am, & 1pm
$20 per person. .
Cooks + ONE guest get in FREE! Kids 12 and under FREE!
TICKETS ARE RECOMMENDED TO BE PURCHASED ONLINE IN ADVANCE OF THE EVENTS ON SATURDAY IN ORDER TO SPEED UP ENTRANCE TO THE EVENT.
THIS IS A CHARITY EVENT, TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. IN THE EVENT OF A CANCELLATION, PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE CHARITIES LISTED.
The two resolutions that I introduced to the Council last week passed unanimously on the consent calendar during last week's Council meeting. One of the resolutions encourages the Kentucky General Assembly (state legislators) to pass a measure to eliminate the sales and use tax on feminine hygiene products (aka "The Pink Tax"). The other resolution calls on state legislators to pass a measure to eliminate the sales and use tax on diapers.
This week in the Community Affairs, Housing, Health and Education Committee, a resolution passed unanimously to support the "Get the Champ a Stamp" movement to create an official United States postal stamp to honor the late Muhammad Ali, who once said, "I should be a postage stamp. That's the only way I'll ever get licked," The resolution states "Muhammad Ali, whose contributions to our city, nation and our world, will forever be part of our history and a reminder that, even since his passing, he will never be licked." The resolution will be presented during the full Council meeting for a vote next Thursday.
In the Budget Committee, an ordinance passed unanimously to approve a 5th round of ARP local fiscal recovery funding in the amount of $2,500,000 for a Digital Health Data and Analytics System including Electronic Health Records for the Department of Public Health and Wellness. The ordinance goes before the full Council next Thursday for a vote.
A HUGE DISTRICT 7 "THANK YOU" GOES TO LOUISVILLE METRO PUBLIC WORKS for taking care of the clearance issues at the intersection of Eagle Creek Dr. and Ormsby Lane. The overgrowth impeded the safe passage of cars in the Northbound Lane and prevented a clear line of sight from Eagle Creek Dr. onto Ormsby. I PERSONALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TAKING MY CALL AND DOING WHAT YOU DO BEST!
You may participate in person at the Old Jail Auditorium (514 W Liberty St, Louisville, KY 40202). If you are unable to participate in person, please call 574-6230 or use the link above to learn how to connect to the meeting by telephone.
Eastern Area Community Ministries (EACM) is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization, founded in 1990 to address the human needs of those living in eastern Jefferson County. We are one of 15 ministries in the Association of Community Ministries (ACM), which serves all of Jefferson County. EACM orchestrates the efforts of many individuals, congregations, service organizations, businesses and local governments as together we strive to effectively respond to the needs of our neighbors.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Thirty-eight churches partner with EACM to support these essential community services. EACM is also supported by business partners, grants, and individual donations. EACM provides help and services to those living east of the Watterson Expressway and north of Interstate 64 which includes the following zip codes:
EACM needs drivers for our Home-Delivered Meals program. Several weekly routes are now available, and we are looking for substitute drivers. For more information, please contact Melissa Sego at 502-896-2316 or by email.
*Photo and information courtesy of Eastern Area Ministries July newsletter.
These are the most-needed items in our pantry this month:
Deodorant
Shampoo and conditioner
Diapers size 6
*Photo and information courtesy of Eastern Area Ministries July newsletter.
There are now 3 convenient ways to donate online - One-Time, Monthly, or Round-Up your credit/debit card purchases. Your financial support helps EACM stay ready for the next family who calls in need of help! You can make a secure online donation here, or send a check to: Eastern Area Community Ministries P.O. Box 43049 Louisville, KY 40253
Louisville COVID-19 Cases Remain at Red-alert Level
Louisville COVID-19 case counts are holding steady at the red-alert level. Health experts recommend people living in high community-level counties to wear a mask indoors in public, stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if experiencing symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for people at high risk for severe illness
47.6 of those fully vaccinated have received a booster dose
Wastewater testing data shows the BA.5 variant to be the dominant variant.
Need help finding a COVID test or vaccination location? Have you tested positive for COVID, but aren't sure what to do? Call the LOU Health COVID-19 Helpline, 502-912-8598, available Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Language translation services are available.
The Louisville Zoo will open new 2023 sloth behind-the-scenes experience dates for March to August 2023 with an increased amount of sessions. Tickets will go on sale for the 2023 dates on August 9 at 11 a.m. at louisvillezoo.org/sloth-experience.
When the sloth experience was first announced in the fall of 2021, all the sloth tours were sold out within a few days.
The sloth experience includes the opportunity to participate with Zoo staff in preparing the sloth's diet and visiting their indoor exhibit. Guests will meet with keeper staff to learn all about sloths. They will also have the opportunity for a photo with the sloth, as well as receive a special keepsake from the experience. The experience capacity is 5 guests (ages 6 and older only).
This behind-the-scenes experience starts at 1:30 p.m. on select dates and lasts approximately 30 – 45 minutes. Guests should arrive at the MetaZoo by 1:20 p.m. Tickets to the sloth experience are $90 per person and can be purchased as an add-on option with a general admission ticket or purchased separately with a Zoo membership. Visit LouisvilleZoo.org/sloth-experience for more information and to purchase. All participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present. Infants in arms, toddlers, or any children under age 6 will not be admitted.
The experience is rain or shine; no refunds or exchanges. All activities are subject to approval by the sloths. Currently, this is the only behind-the-scenes experience or tour available for purchase.
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The deadline for signing up for Louisville Metro Government and Louisville Sustainability Council’sSolar Over Louisville program is fast approaching!
If you signup August 14, that means:
You are expressing interest in exploring solar by having your property pre-screened and receiving a custom remote quote through Solar Over Louisville. (There will be more time to consider the proposal and sign a contract).
You secure the opportunity to access a 12-19 percentdiscount on going solar through this program.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to access the 26 percent federal tax credit this year, which will likely reduce to 22 percent in 2023, and might be phased out the following year.
You are joining your neighbors in saving on energy costs, supporting local solar jobs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and helping Louisville reach it's 100 percent clean energy goals!
To date, over 1,280 individuals have signed up for this program, 55 have signed contracts, and installations have already begun. Learn more and sign up for Solar Over Louisville at www.100PercentLou.com/2040.
Metro Louisville now has an interactive map that will allow you to see what is happening in your neighborhood as well as others across the city. The map updates daily and if you choose you can receive alerts for your area by subscribing using the red receive alerts button on the page. Click here to try it out: Interactive Map to Track Crime.
Message from the LMPD 8th Division
. Please make note of the below tips to help make sure theft doesn't happen to you.
Never leave anything of value in your vehicle; this includes laptops, purses, GPS devices and even loose change.
Do not leave your vehicle running while unattended.
Always lock your vehicle doors.
Remove garage door openers from vehicles when parked outside.
Do not leave your keys in your vehicle, this includes key-fobs.
Do not leave the windows of your vehicle open, or partially open.
Try to park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
Never leave a firearm unprotected in your vehicle.
Immediately report any suspicious person, or vehicle to (502) 574-7111.
During a press briefing Monday, Dr. Jeffrey Howard, interim director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW), announced that there are three cases of monkeypox in the Louisville Metro area. He said all three individuals are working closely with LMPHW. Dr. Howard added that the department has initiated treatment to those infected, is using contact tracing methods and has vaccinated close contacts, per CDC recommendations.
Dr. Howard acknowledged that early data from the CDC suggests that gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with other men make up a large number of cases in the United States. However, he stressed that anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox is at risk. He also stressed that the risk of contracting monkeypox in Jefferson County is low.
“Unlike COVID-19 it does not spread as readily through respiratory droplets and therefore is not quite as contagious,” Dr. Howard said. “For example, monkeypox is thought that one person that has contracted the disease may spread the virus to one or two other people. Whereas the omicron variant of COVID-19, one person with that disease might spread it to nine or 10 people.”
Monkeypox tends to spread through close contact with someone who is infected with the virus. It can spread through prolonged face-to-face contact and intimate physical contact such as kissing, cuddling or sex. The virus can also be spread through materials, like bedding, that has previously touched an infectious rash or bodily fluids.
Symptoms of monkeypox include:
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Backache
Swollen lymph nodes
Chills
Exhaustion
A rash that sometimes can look like pimples or blisters on the face, inside of the mouth, hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus
If you are displaying symptoms of monkeypox reach out to your health care provider.
Louisville Metro Council livestreams all of its regular meetings and committee meetings on Facebook Live.
To see all meetings on Facebook Live, go to the Metro Council Facebook page by clicking here.
The public can also view all council and committee meetings on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. Proceedings are live streamed from the Metro Council Clerk’s Archived Media page here.
If you would like to see the agenda for any of the Metro Council’s Committee meetings click here.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click HERE.
Please be advised that the Louisville Metro Council Districts have been adjusted due to mandatory redistricting. Click this link mc-redistricting-maps-11022021pdf (louisvilleky.gov) to view maps of all 26 districts to determine if your representative has changed.
Several District 7 precincts and neighborhoods changed as a result of the redistricting, so please contact my office if you have questions or concerns about your new district.
District 7 Disclaimer:By taking part in District 7 events, you grant Councilwoman Paula McCraney full rights to use the images resulting from photograph/video filming. Councilwoman McCraney will have the right to any reproductions or adaptations of the images for inclusion in her e-Newsletter or other Council publications. This might include, but is not limited to, the right to use them in printed and online materials, social media and news releases.
If you do not wish to be photographed, please email the District 7 office at paula.mccraney@louisvilleky.gov prior to event attendance.
