Councilwoman
Paula McCraney
601 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-1107
Click Here to Email Councilwoman McCraney:
Visit the District 7 Website
Follow Councilwoman McCraney on Facebook and Twitter:
@PaulaMcCraneyD7
Phone Numbers
of Interest
Air Pollution: 574-6000
Animal Services: 363-6609 or 361-1318
Anonymous Tipline:
574-LMPD (5673)
Brightside: 574-2613
Jefferson County Clerk's Office: 574-5700
Legal Aid: 584-1254
Metro Call: 311 or 574-5000
Metro Parks: 574-7275
Metro Police: (Non Emergency) 574-7111 or 574-2111
Metro Safe: 572-3460
or 574-7111
MSD: 587-0603
PARC: 569-6222
Poison Control: 589-8222
Property Valuation Administration: 502-574-6380
Public Works: 574-5810
Solid Waste Management (SWMS): 574-3571
TARC: 585-1234
Veteran's Affairs: 595-4447
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According to worldbank.org, the COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to have pushed an additional 88 million people into extreme poverty in 2020. By the end of 2021, the global number of people living in extreme poverty was estimated to be as many as 150 million.
For the most recent statistics click here.
Hello Neighbors and Friends,
As a result of the votes cast by my Metro Council colleagues and their confidence in me, I now serve as the 2023 Democratic Caucus Chair. I’ve always known that with great power comes great responsibility. Therefore, I assume this position with the greatest amount of humility and dedication. I shall approach my duties as Caucus Chair with the same vigor and passion I bring to my role as your Councilwoman. Taking on this added responsibility will be seamless, and District 7 residents will continue receiving the same level of service to which they have grown accustomed. This, I can say, with certainty.
Just what are the duties of the Majority Caucus Chairperson? I’m glad you asked. The Majority Caucus Chair, aka Majority Leader, serves as the President Pro-Tem and exercises the powers of the Council President when the President is absent or otherwise unable to perform the duties of the office. Specific responsibilities include setting the agenda and presiding over bi-weekly Caucus meetings, serving as the spokesperson for official Caucus actions, assigning Council members to Committees, and supervising the Caucus staff, which consists of the Caucus Director and Caucus Communications Director.
The Caucus is established as a gathering for members of a political party or coalition to plan political strategy and prepare the members for taking legislative action, reviewing public information, and discussing the political ramifications of expected issues and anticipated official action.
So, yes, I will be one busy little bee. But I will never be too busy to meet your needs and attempt to exceed your expectations. So, please call or email me any time if I can be of service to you.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve!
The Louisville Metro Democratic Caucus members unanimously elected Councilwoman Paula McCraney (D-7) as Caucus Chair and Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14) as Caucus Vice-Chair during the first meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.
The Republican members of the Louisville Metro Council’s Minority Caucus re-elected Councilman Anthony Piagentini (R-19) as Caucus Chair and Councilman Kevin Kramer (R-11) as Caucus Vice-Chair.
The Council also unanimously elected Councilman Markus Winkler (D-17) to serve as the Metro Council President.
Whether your state and local legislators are newly elected or returning representatives, stop by Cafe LOUIE to meet with them face-to-face. Listen to what's on their agenda for 2023, ask questions, and let them know what issues are on your mind in the new year. Cafe LOUIE will be held on Saturdays at 9 a.m., January through March, at different library locations each week (see the schedule below).
Councilwoman McCraney will participate on the following dates:
- January 21
- February 25
- March 11
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The Ballard High School boys basketball team will be the number 1 seed for next week’s Louisville Invitational Tournament. First- and second-round games will be played on Monday and Tuesday at campus sites. As the number 1 seed, Ballard earned a first-round bye and will host the Moore-Beth Haven winner in a second-round game at 7:30pm Tuesday. The tournament will move to Valley High School for Wednesday’s quarterfinals, Friday’s semifinals and Saturday’s 5pm championship game. |
Dear Community Partner,
As family and friends travel and take time this holiday season to spend with loved ones, we will be taking a break from sending out the weekly construction update until after the New Year. You can expect the next update to be published today, January 9. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about the construction process in the meantime. Keep in mind responses may be delayed if questions are received outside of our regular office hours, which are 8am-5pm Monday through Friday or federal holidays.
Thank you,
USACE Louisville District Public Affairs
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:
Starting this month, Kentuckians can expect to see higher costs for services like personal training and parking structures, along with more than 30 other services that will be included in the state’s sales tax. The change is the result of Kentucky Republicans’ support of House Bill 8, itself a vehicle for eventually doing away with the state’s 5% income tax, the Herald-Leader previously reported. Beginning January 1, 2023, the state’s income tax is set to drop to 4.5%, and the bill’s supporters in the General Assembly have plans to approve additional 0.5% reductions if they deem the state’s budget can afford it. The caveat is that House Bill 8 attaches a 6% sales tax rate to a number of services that were previously exempt, according to a brief from the Kentucky Department of Revenue.
Click here for a full list of services subject to the new tax.
According to recent projections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a rapidly spreading subvariant of COVID-19 is most prominent in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions. XBB.1.5—an offshoot of the omicron variant—has been projected to make up just over 40% of all COVID-19 cases in the United States as of the week ending December 31.
Residents still need to be cautious and take steps to stay safe:
- Choose to wear a mask, especially if you are someone with an immune-compromising condition.
- Stay home if you’re sick.
- Getting tested is the only way to know if the symptoms you may be experiencing are related to COVID, the flu, or just seasonal allergies. There are many locations throughout the city where you can get tested, many for free.
- Get vaccinated. It’s not too late, and they offer protection against severe illness.
For a listing of additional testing locations, please visit our COVID-19 Testing website. Please visit vaccines.gov to find out where you can get your flu shot and COVID-19 booster.
Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
- When driving is necessary, ensure you have emergency supplies of food, water, warm clothing, and a full tank of gas in case you are stuck in traffic or have an accident and must wait several hours for assistance.
- If possible, travel during the day and do not travel alone. Stay on main roads and do not crowd the snowplows. Let someone know your destination, route, and expected arrival time.
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Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. For more information, visit the gov winter weather page on frostbite and hypothermia.
- Have at least a three-days’ supply of non-perishable food and water for your family. Remember to store anything specific to your family’s needs.
- Even though there is not a forecast for heavy snow, remember to reduce the risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling snow and walking in the snow.
- Plan to stay in contact with family, check on neighbors, and listen to local officials.
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On Tuesday, January 1, Louisville Metro Animal Services was forced to euthanize two dogs for the first time since 2017 because the shelter is operating over capacity and has no more room for incoming dogs. In 2022, LMAS worked hard to keep from euthanizing pets for lack of space, however Covid pets, inflation, and lack of adopters has created a crisis for shelters across the country. LMAS will continue doing everything we can to save animals’ lives and avoid euthanizing more dogs for lack of space, but we are pleading with our community to visit us today to adopt or foster a shelter pet. Adoption fees are always waived for adult dogs, weighing 40lbs. or more and every adoption includes spay-neuter, microchip, vaccinations. Reclaim fees are also waived for unclaimed pets. We encourage anyone who is searching for their pet to visit the LMAS Shelter to check our kennels for their missing pet.
The below link for a USA Today article which sums up why shelters are in crisis, including LMAS: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/12/22/animal-shelters-overcrowding-prompts-some-revisit-euthanasia/10933722002/.
- Animal House Adoption Center (3516 Newburg Road) is open 12-6pm daily – no appointment required.
- All adoptions include spay/neuter, microchip and vaccinations.
- Adoption fees are waived for some adoptable shelter dogs, but the review process is not.
- To reclaim your pet from the LMAS Shelter, visit 3528 Newburg Road from 12-6pm.
Adopt a Pet:
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services/services/adopt-pet
Adoption faqs:
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services/pet-adoption-frequently-asked-questions
Foster a pet:
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services/services/foster-care
Large Item Pickup by appointment is being phased into the entire Urban Services District. Once appointments are available for your address, you will be able to quickly get rid of up to four large items, once per week, by simply making an appointment on the Metro311 app or website. This means more opportunities to dispose of large items, less "junk" sitting out for weeks, and improved neighborhood cleanliness!
All areas are phased in after their last "junk" set out weekend. The areas that had setout dates October 21-23, November 4-6, November 11-13, December 2-4, Dec 9-11, and Dec 16-18 are currently able to make appointments. Find your final setout weekend at Louisvilleky.gov by clicking "Address Lookup." When your address is on the appointment system, you can make an appointment up to once per week for up to 4 large items to be picked up. Households and property owners will receive a letter and info card in the mail.
Learn more at Louisvilleky.gov/LargeItems or by attending one of our educational events!
In-person presentations:
- Thursday, January 12, 6:30pm at the Shawnee Community Center, 607 S. 37th St.
- Tuesday, January 24, 6:30pm at the Bon Air Library, 2816 Del Rio Pl.
Virtual presentations:
If you'd like a representative to attend a community meeting and share about this program or other waste-related topics, contact the Solid Waste Education Department.
Christmas tree drop-off sites are available for all Louisville/Jefferson County residents at three locations. The Hubbards Lane site will also instantly recycle Christmas trees into mulch that will be offered back to citizens for home use. Those wishing to receive mulch must bring an appropriate container in which to carry it. All lights and ornaments should be removed from trees before they are dropped off.
HOURS & LOCATIONS:
Tuesdays-Saturdays, 9am to 5pm (Waste Reduction Center closes at 3 pm on Saturdays) through January 28.
All locations will be closed on Saturday, January 14 in observance of MLK, Jr. Day.
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East District Recycling Center, 595 N. Hubbards Lane
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Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)
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Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue
Metro Public Works will also provide curbside pickup of Christmas trees within the Urban Services District after the holiday. Residents with City curbside yard waste pickup may set their Christmas trees and greenery out on their regular collection day. Trees may not be in plastic bags and all decorations must be removed.
Residents normally serviced by private waste haulers should check with those companies to see whether and when tree pickup is available.
The Capital Grille is opening its first Kentucky location in the Oxmoor Center next month. The fine dining restaurant is known for its in-house dry-aged steaks (hand cut daily) and impressive wine list. Click here to read more.
F45 is specifically designed to provide a functional full-body workout while improving energy levels, metabolic rate, strength, and endurance. F45 is one of the most time-efficient ways of training. We aim to burn up to 750 calories per 45-minute session. f45training.com
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Transform your body at Pure Barre and feel the burn with isolated movements, targeting muscles in your arms, legs, hips and thighs. Each workout is crafted carefully with each fitness level in mind. Find your balance at our studio and be inspired by our community of strong women.
www.purebarre.com
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Bend and Zen Hot Yoga aims to create a unified community where teachers and students empower themselves and each other through kindness, honesty, and the practice of yoga. Whether you are looking to relax and unwind, build strength and mobility, improve flexibility, enhance concentration, or practice meditation to help reduce stress, our friendly community awaits to support you. Our mission is to help you experience Your Best Yoga!
www.bendandzenhotyoga.com
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From gotolouisville.com
Louisville kicked off the year on a high note with a slew of popular travel-related publications and media outlets pointing to the city as a top U.S. travel destination for 2022. For many of the city’s tourism-industry-related partners, those sentiments came to fruition with festivals, attractions, and hotels seeing increased visitation over the past 12 months. Weekend bourbon distillery tours regularly sold-out weeks in advance, and Fall festivals Jack O’Lantern Spectacular, Bourbon & Beyond, and Louder Than Life all saw record-setting attendance in 2022, with over 100,000 attendees each.
The city was lauded with recognition throughout the year, with accolades coming from several prominent national travel and tourism authorities, including Travel + Leisure, Southern Living, AFAR, Fodor’s, and Forbes.
Over the past 12 months, Louisville has also been touted as a strong seasonal destination, with AFAR, The Points Guy, and TravelZoo all naming it as a “Best Place to Travel in May.” Fodor’s, World Atlas, and The Travel all point to the city as a top place to travel during the Fall, and Jetsetting Fools and Travel + Leisure both include Louisville in their top winter destination roundups.
Click here to see a compiled list of some of Louisville’s top accolades of 2022.
Are you 55 years or older and seeking ways to make an impact in our community? Our Louisville Metro RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) can help match up volunteer opportunities at one of over 40 service agencies that may be a perfect fit for you.
To learn more, call us at 574-7305 or visit here.
Join our community of compassionate volunteers at Hildegard House. We provide a home and compassionate care for individuals at the end of life who have no home or loved ones to care for them so that they may die with dignity and access hospice care. We are the family for our residents and care for them just like family members. Compassionate Companions commit to a weekly 5-hour shift. The next volunteer training is January 13 and 14..
To learn more about volunteering and register at www.hildegardhouse.org or call Volunteer Coordinator Jana McNally at (502) 581-8267.
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There’s no better place to make terrific memories playing with adorable baby Dinos, excavating fossils, or even training a raptor while being surrounded by behemoths like sky-scraping Spinosaurus and, the King himself, Tyrannosaurus Rex!
Jurassic Quest, coming to the Kentucky Expo Center Saturday, January 14 to Monday, January 16, is the world’s largest, most popular Dino event with unique and exciting experiences for the whole family. Observe our herd of life-size animatronic dinosaurs including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, T-Rex and an incredible 50-ft. long Megalodon!
For more information and tickets click here.
Keepers of the Dream: A Community Arts Celebration of Dr. King's Vision returns to The Kentucky Center's Whitney Hall, 501 W. Main St., on Sunday, January 15th at 5pm. This program highlights a theatrical historic journey of Dr. King’s Dream leaning on the youth/future to uphold the vision.
Performances include River City Drum Corp, Keen Dance, Young Prodigys, Redline Performing Arts, Courageous, Lance Newman, Brandon Harrison, Miya Ford, Robin Garner, Tytianna Ringstaff, Erica Goodman, Jocelyn Camille, Derion J and Friends and Koree Jackson. Preshow performance from 4pm-4:45pm by Erica Denise in The Kentucky Center Lobby and post show performance from River City Drum Corp's Drumline.
ArtsReach is made possible with support from Louisville Metro Government, The Norton Foundation, and the Kentucky Performing Arts Foundation with additional support provided by private donors.
This event is FREE and open to the public (no ticket required) and FREE parking will be offered in The Kentucky Center Garage.
A laugh-out-loud story of friendship, love and romance in a fresh new musical! Based on the 1993 film, this stage adaptation captures the lovably crotchety characters through twinkling humor and the depiction of a small town that feels like home to everyone. Please note: Contains adult humor. Now Playing through February 12 at Derby Dinner Playhouse, 525 Marriott Dr., Clarksville, IN 47129.
Click here for show dates and ticket prices, which includes dinner, show, tax and parking.
Louisville Free Public Library welcomes back Kentucky Shakespeare's live two-actor performances to the Northeast Regional branch, 15 Bellevoir Circle, on February 25 from 2-3pm. This year they will present Shakespeare’s famous romantic comedy Twelfth Night. Audiences can engage with professional actors in a fun, creative show that focuses on the importance of self-respect, self-esteem, healthy relationships, and conflict resolution. Shakespeare in the Libraries is free for families, ages 6 and up. Learn more at LFPL.org/KyShakespeare.
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At what time was Jefferson County's first baby of 2023 born?
A. 2:08 a.m.
B. Stroke of midnight
C. 2:13 a.m.
D. 1:49 a.m.
The answer to today's trivia is listed at the bottom of this newsletter.
Photo: courtesy Baptist Health/wave3.com
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.
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.
If you test positive for COVID, but aren't sure what to do, call the LOU Health COVID-19 Helpline at 502-912-8598. The hotline is available Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and 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.
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.
Answer to New Year's Trivia:
According to WDRB.com, Silas McCoy was born at 2:13am on January 1 at Norton Women & Children's Hospital in Louisville, the first baby of 2023 in Jefferson County.
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