The next Community-Wide Cleanup is happening Saturday, October 22nd. Be a part of this city-wide event to keep Louisville looking bright and beautiful by signing up here. 

We encourage all residents make a difference by taking part in our Community-Wide Cleanup. It is a great service opportunity for boy/girl scouts, sports teams, faith groups, community organizations, and corporate teams. 

Cleanups are an integral part of Brightside's mission and without the help of volunteer groups, and many other volunteers throughout the year, Brightside could not achieve their goals of a cleaner, greener Louisville.

Neighborhoods can hold their own cleanups at any point throughout the year and Brightside can provide gloves and bags for each Neighborhood Cleanup. They will work with Solid Waste Management to have the collected litter bags picked up. Give them a call at (502) 574-2613 or register online about two weeks prior to your event to schedule your cleanup and for information about getting supplies. 

Dreams with Wings Jack O'Lantern stroll returns Friday, October 21!

Enjoy hundreds of beautifully carved pumpkins lining the front of St. Francis of Assisi.

There will be concessions to purchase and trick or treat stations for the kiddos.

Mike Bush and The All Stars will rock out during the evening! They are such a great band and will make the evening fun for all!

We ask for a $5 donation per child to participate in trick or treating. (You can always donate more!)

 Want to be a sponsor? More info here: https://www.dreamswithwings.org/eventpage

 Want to volunteer and carve pumpkins? Email eking@dreamswithwings.org

Candy donations also requested! Please drop at 1579 Bardstown Rd. by Tuesday 10/18.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) announces that entries are being accepted for the 2022 edition of its popular Adopt-a-Highway art contest for Kentucky school students. The theme is Adopt-a-Highway: Keep Kentucky Clean and Green.

Entries must be postmarked no later than Oct. 28, 2022. Students enrolled in Kentucky public, private or home schools may enter. The entry form, evaluation criteria and other information for students, parents and teachers are available on the program website.

The contest is divided into four age groups: 5-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-18. Winners of each age division earn a $100 gift card while second- and third-place finishers receive a $50 gift card. Additionally, first- through third-place winners in all age groups will have their artwork featured on social media and prints will be displayed in the Transportation Cabinet’s Conference Center in Frankfort.

KYTC has held the contest for over 20 years to increase environmental awareness among children, educate the public about the harmful effects of litter and encourage behaviors that promote a clean environment. Last year, nearly 300 students from across the commonwealth submitted artwork.

For additional information about the Adopt-a-Highway Program, including entry forms and evaluation criteria for the 2022 Adopt-a-Highway Art Contest visit transportation.ky.gov/AdoptaHighway.

Registration for the Zoo’s annual Throo the Zoo 5K is now open. The wildest 5K in town presented by Norton Audubon Hospital takes off at 8:00am on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the Louisville Zoo. Race proceeds benefit the Louisville Zoo, which is dedicated to its mission of bettering the bond between people and our planet.

One of Louisville’s most distinctive run/walk events, the course takes participants “throo” the Zoo —alongside some of their favorite animals and exhibits. The start and finish lines are just outside the Zoo gate, but along the way, participants will be able to see animal ambassadors like bears, giraffes and sloths. The chip-timed course is open to runners and walkers at all fitness levels, including guests with strollers.

Registration for this important Zoo fundraiser starts at $30 now through September 29 and can be completed online at louisvillezoo.org/throo. Register early before prices increase on September 30 to $35 and again on November 6 to $40. Registration on the morning of the race at the Zoo is $50.

Racers unable to attend the November 12 event, or who prefer to get their miles in at home, can register for the Zoo’s Throo the Zoo Virtual 5K race. Participants will be mailed a finisher medal and Zoo ticket for a future visit, allowing them to be part of the fun, no matter where they race. Pricing for the Virtual Throo the Zoo 5K begins at $25 with an increase to $30 on September 30.

ROAD CLOSURES: Illinois Ave. will be closed from Grenade Ave. to Trevilian from 7 - 8:45am and Illinois Ave. from Taylor Ave. to Grenade Ave. from 7:45 – 8:45am.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) has issued an annual "Antler Alert" to remind motorists that the peak season for deer-vehicle collisions has arrived.  About half of all such crashes occur during the last three months of the year.

In addition to causing vehicle damage, deer can be hazardous to humans.  Deer are among the leading causes of animal-related human fatalities in the United States, contributing to about 200 deaths on the highway every year.

In Kentucky, 2,988 highway crashes involving deer were reported to police in 2021, according to crash data used by the KYTC Office of Highway Safety to monitor highway crash trends.

KYTC offers these driving tips:

• Slow down immediately upon spotting a deer crossing the roadway; they tend to travel in groups.
• Don’t swerve to avoid a deer, which can result in a more serious crash with an oncoming vehicle or roadside object.
• In the event of a crash, keep both hands on the wheel and apply brakes steadily until stopped.
• Always wear a seat belt.
• Keep headlights on bright at night unless other vehicles are approaching.
• Eliminate distractions while driving: Phones down!
• Drive defensively, constantly scanning the roadside, especially at dawn and dusk, when deer are most active.

MSD Triples Rate Discount for Low-income Customers 

Senior Discount Recipients Must Recertify Eligibility

The Louisville MSD rate discount for low-income customers triples from the previous 10 percent to 30 percent effective with billing periods beginning on or after October 1, 2022. It will also be easier to apply for the discount because of a new partnership with the Louisville Metro office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS).

Eligibility for MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP) is limited to households at or below 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines.

RCS will handle a one stop application process covering both EWRAP and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). That means applicants will submit documentation only once instead of having to go through separate processes for wastewater discounts and energy assistance.

RCS will also take applications for the MSD Senior Citizen Discount Program. New this year, seniors already receiving the discount must recertify eligibility each year before the anniversary of their previous approval date by filing a new application. The program provides a 30 percent discount for customers age 65 and above with gross household incomes of less than $35,000. Seniors may also continue to apply directly with MSD at louisvillemsd.org/paymybill.

EWRAP is approved for the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. The MSD Board will decide each year whether to continue the program.

Jefferson County MSD customers can make appointments for LIHEAP registration and EWRAP application by phone at 502-991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

The 2022 General Election is November 8.

The deadline to register online to vote in the 2022 General Election is October 11, 2022 4:00 p.m. local time.

Register to vote or verify your registration status today!