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Hello Neighbors and Friends,
Animals play an important role in our personal lives and society, ranging from providing companionship, to law enforcement dogs tracking missing persons, to service animals providing critical assistance. Unfortunately, as seen with children, without a voice of their own, animals are among the most vulnerable in society. This vulnerability places them at high risk for animal cruelty.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 85% of dog owners and 76% of cat owners consider their pets to be family members. The same is true for 57 percent of the owners of pet birds and 47 percent of the owners of pet horses. In fact, studies show that sharing our lives with pets can have significant mental and physical health benefits.
On Thursday, December 1st, the Metro Council Women’s Caucus hosted a meeting about “The Link.” As I've shared with you in the past, I sponsored and helped to write the first Link law in Kentucky. I found out during the meeting, to my surprise, that my ordinance was the first in the United States to mandate The Link training to law enforcement.
Historically, animal cruelty has been considered an isolated issue, but research shows a well-documented link between cruelty to animals and violence toward humans. Current evidence indicates that animal abuse is not only a personality flaw in the abuser, but studies have concluded that cruelty to animals may be linked to other mental disorders. Therefore, increased awareness of this linkage is important because abuse of any living being is unacceptable and endangers everyone. Recognizing cruelty to animals as a significant form of aggressive and antisocial behavior may help further the understanding and prevention of violence.
During the meeting, a short documentary film called "The Link" was shown. It features the horrific death of Kyon Higgins, Jr. (KJ), the 10-year-old boy whose mother shot and killed him, then placed his body in the trunk of her car in April 2021. Neighbors believed KJ’s mother had previously abused her son and their two dogs. Records show KJ’s mother had received at least three citations for dog neglect and filed for a domestic violence protection order against a man in 2014. Had KJ’s neighbors reported that they suspected abuse in the home, based on how she treated the family dog(s), KJ may be alive today.
The Arrow Fund and the Kentucky Link Coalition collaborated with Udi Zaken of California, a film producer, who created and directed The Link documentary. To view this incredibly moving 13-minute film, click here: https://vimeo.com/738110383/d8471380f9.
Click here to watch WLKY's TV coverage of the meeting: WLKY-TV.
Councilwoman McCraney was invited to speak on December 1st at an Introduction to American Government class at JCTC (Downtown campus) about her role as an elected official on the Louisville Metro Council.
Laura Weinstein, a Political Science Professor and the class instructor, first heard the Councilwoman speak at a Women's Equality Day event earlier this year and was inspired by her message. She extended the invitation so that her students could hear firsthand about Councilwoman McCraney's accomplishments and how Metro Government functions in our community. Professor Weinstein called the Councilwoman's visit "a momentous occasion!"
"Councilwoman McCraney was beyond gracious to take the time out of her busy schedule to talk with my students about her role in Metro Council and her path to public service. I could tell that my students were inspired by her story and will never forget her message," said Professor Weinstein.
Human Rights Day (Dec 10) is the globally recognized day to celebrate and honor the anniversary of the 1948 adoption by the United Nations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.This groundbreaking document was the first time the Global Community came together and agreed: a) that all human beings on the planet are deserving of a basic set of human rights; and b) that governments have an affirmative responsibility to ensure that their citizenry fully enjoy these human rights.
The Universal Declaration defines these sets of rights to be both universal (that is, applicable to all humans), and inalienable (that is, they cannot be taken away). The Universal Declaration outlines these basic rights in five (5) main categories: civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. These categories of rights are further defined to be both indivisible and interdependent – meaning that they cannot be separated and that to fully enjoy any of these sets of rights, one must have access to fully enjoy the others (for example, to fully experience political rights, one must also enjoy their economic and social rights).
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The event will be held on Saturday Dec 10, 2022, from 7pm – 9pm (EST). You can also attend via Zoom! Click here: ZOOM.
This year, the program will consist of two groundbreaking artists, and a “panel” of local experts and activists who will examine the state of human rights in our region.
This live and virtual event will be held at the All Peoples Congregation, 4936 Brownsboro Rd., Louisville KY 40222. To purchase your ticket, go here: TICKETS.
Program:
- Doors open at 6:30 PM
- Program Begins at 7:00 PM
- Welcome by Bruce Beisner, Minister at All Peoples
- Overview of Human Rights by Rus Funk, Director of the Justice Center
- Music and poetry by Shadwick Wilde and Crystal Wilkinson
- 7:50 PM introduction of panelists*
- 8 – 8:45 PM “kitchen table chat” – our guests will engage in a dialogue amongst each other about the current state of Human Rights in Louisville and what is being/can be done to expand our experience of Human Rights. AND – what we all can do to support others to experience their human rights.
- Questions will be taken from the audience during this program
- 8:45 PM Closing by Rus and Bruce
*Panelists include:
- Rus Ervin Funk, Director of the Justice Center at All Peoples
- Trent Findley, Metro United Way
- Councilwoman Paula McCraney, Louisville Metro Council
- Representative Attica Scott, Kentucky General Assembly
- Carla Wallace, Louisville SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice)
Ashleigh Hazley, Senior Manager for Programming & Community Engagement at the Muhammad Ali Center, will serve as the event emcee.
NOTE: The flyer above is not updated with current/correct names of panelists.
Below is a recap of select agenda item(s) presented during the December 1st Council meeting.
1. A newly created ordinance requiring property owners to remedy lead hazards in all rental housing units in Louisville Metro. PASSED
2. An amendment to the ordinance that recognizes June 19th as "Juneteenth National Freedom Day" and a paid holiday for Louisville Metro employees. I was a co-sponsor of this ordinance. PASSED
4. An ordinance to incentivize and support businesses that hire persons convicted of a crime. The city will make a good faith effort to increase business with companies that hire second chance employees. PASSED
5. An ordinance changing the zoning of property located at 4922 Brownsboro Road from single family residential and neighborhood commercial to office residential. PASSED
6. An ordinance amending the Land Development Code relating to outdoor dining. In May 2020, due to the pandemic, the Council adopted an ordinance allowing the temporary use of parking areas, open areas, and sidewalks for outdoor dining and alcohol sales. There have been several extensions since then, and this would make the outdoor dining regulations permanent. PASSED
If you would like to see the agenda for any of the Metro Council Committee meetings, click HERE.
To watch the Council meeting and access the agenda and related attachments, click here: Metro Council Meetings
As the temperatures continue to decrease, many schools in counties around Louisville and in Southern Indiana are temporarily closing because of an increase in flu, COVID and other infectious illnesses.
There are many similarities between influenza (flu) and COVID-19. Both are contagious respiratory illnesses that can lead to severe illness for many. And the good news is there are safe, effective vaccines for both.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends the influenza (flu) vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. To best protect yourself and others, please consider getting an influenza (flu) vaccine this season. Immunizations are considered preventative services and are covered by most health insurance companies with no out of pocket expenses to pay.
If you would like to track cases of the flu in Jefferson County, please view to Weekly Flu Reports. To find a flu or COVID-19 vaccine location near you, please visit vaccines.gov.
Meeting Type: BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENT
Meeting Date: MONDAY, DECEMBER 05, 2022
Time: Meeting will begin at 1:00 PM and continue until all cases are heard
Location: 514 W Liberty Street, 40202
Learn how to watch and participate online at:
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/upcoming-public-meetings
To view documents related to this proposal, please visit the link below or the address or phone number below:
https://aca-prod.accela.com/LJCMG
Louisville Metro Planning and Design Services (Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
444 S. 5th Street, 3rd Floor, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-6230
Or:
Visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design for:
• More information on zoning processes
• Public comment opportunities
• Applications for a petition for a night hearing, including procedures to change the time and/or location of a public hearing to 6:00 pm or later downtown, or to a convenient location.
Visit https://louisville.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx for meeting agenda and staff report.
To read about the most recent VA Medical Center construction events, go to:
https://www.va.gov/louisville-health-care/programs/new-robley-rex-va-medical-center
To request weekly updates about the construction events, send an email requesting updates to: LOUVAMCCONSTRUCTION@USACE.ARMY.MIL
For ALL construction-related inquiries, please email:
LOUVAMCCONSTRUCTION@USACE.ARMY.MIL
Check us out on social media:
Empty the Shelters - Holiday Hope Event returns to Louisville Metro Animal Services Animal House Adoption Center December 1-11! All adoptions will be FREE during the national adopt-a-thon sponsored by the Bissell Pet Foundation. Give a homeless shelter pet the gift of a fur-ever home for the holidays. Every adoption includes spay-neuter, microchip, vaccinations, and a gift for your new furry friend.
Animal House Adoption Center, located at 3516 Newburg Road, is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily and Fridays until 7 p.m. – no appointment required. To view adoptable pets at LMAS whose adoptions fees will be waived from Dec.1-11, click here.
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Mowing over leaves to mulch them back into your lawn is a great option for reducing waste. Mulching not only returns vital nutrients to the soil, but experts say that it can help your grass grow even better the following year! Never blow leaves into the street!
Moreover, street sweeping season is ongoing, so, if you see signs posted on your street for sweeping, please make sure to keep the street clear so any leaves on the street can be properly cleaned.
All Metro Public Works free leaf drop-off sites will be open Tuesday-Saturdays through December 10. Only leaves will be accepted, and they must be loose or in paper/compostable bags or reusable containers. Containers used to bring leaves to the drop-off sites must be taken back by residents.
Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)
Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Public Works East District Operations Center, 595 North Hubbards Lane
Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Shawnee Park, 230 Southwestern Parkway (Athletic Complex)
Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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You're invited to join the City of Brownsboro Village for Cocoa and Cookies with Santa on Sunday, December 11th from 2-4pm at the dead end of Napanee Road (by 3700 Napanee Road). The event will be canceled if there is a prediction of 50% or more rain. And in the spirit of the season, please bring canned goods for the homeless.
Details:
Wed, Dec 28, 5 – 6 PM
Iroquois Amphitheater 1080 Amphitheater Rd, Louisville, KY
Join us for a special sensory-friendly Winter Woods Spectacular an hour before the event opens to the public: designed for people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and sensory processing...Read more on FEAT Louisville
Santa’s making a one-day stop at the Louisville Zoo on Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and he’s bringing enrichment treats for the animals with him!
At Santa’s Zoo Stop, guests can chat with St. Nick while staying warm in the Main Plaza Gift Shop. Children and the young at heart will also have an opportunity to write a letter for Santa to take back to the North Pole. Zoo docents will be nearby with animal ambassadors to meet. Those who adventure further into the Zoo will see some of their favorite animals engaging with special holiday-themed enrichment items customized just for them by Santa’s elves.
For an additional fee, guests can decorate cookies for $4.99 per cookie or 2 for $7.99 and grab a hot chocolate while in the Gift Shop for $3.99, or even enjoy freshly roasted s’mores for $4.99 each on the Main Plaza. For more information and a list of the animal enrichment visit www.louisvillezoo.org/santas-zoo-stop.
Enjoy a Holiday Concert with the Louisville Orchestra on Tuesday, December 13th at 7pm at Broadway Baptist Church, 4000 Brownsboro Rd., Louisville 40207. For more information, email office@broadwaybaptist.org or call 502-895-2459.
Answers to the puzzle are listed at the bottom of this newsletter.
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.
Stay aware of new development in your area! Sign up for Gov Delivery notifications at:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/KYLOUISVILLE/subscriber/new
On January 1, 2019, a new Comprehensive Plan, called Plan 2040, went into effect. As a resident of District 7 (or any district in Louisville), it is important to review the Comprehensive Plan if you are interested in development that is proposed for the neighborhood. The Comprehensive Plan is the guidepost for all development, and the Planning Commission must use it as one of the guiding principles and tools for making decisions regarding the approval or denial of a neighborhood development project.
Read The Comprehensive Plan (Plan 2040)
The Comprehensive Plan is representative of over 6,000 voices, including Metro staff, an advisory committee, and resident volunteers. The Advisory Committee, made up of diverse representatives from neighborhood and community organizations as well as development and business interests, finalized its recommended goals, objectives, and policies on February 21, 2018.
On April 16, 2018, the Planning Commission recommended the Comprehensive Plan for approval. The document was then reviewed by the Metro Council as well as 12 local municipalities with zoning authority for formal adoption. Those 12 local municipalities are: Anchorage, Douglass Hills, Graymoor-Devondale, Hurstbourne, Indian Hills, Jeffersontown, Lyndon, Middletown, Prospect, Shively, St. Matthews, and St. Regis Park.
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
Here are the key COVID-19 data metrics for this week:
- Daily average incidence rate of 56.1 cases per 100,000 population
- Weekly incidence rate of 376.79 cases per 100,000 population
- 3,013 new cases reported over the previous week
- 1 newly reported death
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4.4% staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19
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5.9% staffed ICU beds are in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19
- 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.
Subscribe to Louisville Metro's Covid-19 e-newsletter for the latest news!
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. Click here for more information: monkeypox
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.
Click Here to: View All Agencies
Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc
Click here for more info.
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.
Wuzzle Answer Key
1. Falling Temperature
2. Two Under Par
3. Fat Chance
4. Broken Heart
5. Hot Under the Collar
6. Head in the Sand
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