District 14 eNews - July 27, 2023

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District 14 Councilwoman

and

Vice Chair of Democratic Caucus

Contact Cindi Fowler



Legislative Assistant

Contact Cindy Thieneman



Staff Helper

Amy Stewart


Office Locations:

CityHall
601 West Jefferson St.
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-1114

 

Southwest Government Center
7219 Dixie Highway
Louisville, KY 40258
(502) 574-7988



2023 Committees:

Chair of Government Oversight/Audit and Appointments

Parks & Sustainability

Budget & Appropriations


 

Visit Councilwoman Fowler's website 

 


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In This Edition...


Fun Fact....This Day in History

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July 27, 1940 Bugs Bunny's official debut

Bugs Bunny made his official debut in A Wild Hare.


Heat Advisory, Take Precautions

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With the heat here to stay, a Heat Advisory will be in effect in Kentuckiana starting Thursday morning through Friday evening. So how do you stay safe during a heat wave? Staying out of the sun and in air conditioning, and drinking lots of water are some of the important things to remember over the next couple of days.  If you do have to be outside, here are some of the signs your body might be getting too hot. If you are getting too hot, you might get brain fog or a headache. Your heart might also start to race and you might start breathing rapidly. If you start to feel dizzy, nauseous or even lose consciousness, that's the time to call 911. According to the Centers for Disease Control, older adults' bodies aren't quite as flexible to adjusting to sudden increases in temperature like a heat wave. They're also more likely to be taking medications that impact the body's ability to control its temperature.


Community Invited to LMPD's National Night Out on August 1

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Road Construction, Expect Delays

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Note: the schedule is subject to change due to inclement weather and/or operational factors.

Signs are up and Hall Contracting starting roadway reconstruction on Trade Port Drive from Cane Run Rd. to Johnsontown Rd, Johnsontown Rd. from Cane Run Rd. to the bridge over Black Pond Creek, Freeport Ct. from Trade Port Dr. to dead end, Freeport Dr. from Trade Port Dr. to the dead end, and Transport Ct. from Freeport Dr. to the dead end. 

This work is expected to take a couple of months to complete. Traffic control and phasing plans are being prepared by our contractor and will be forwarded on once received and reviewed.  Variable message boards will be installed soon with notification of the work coming next week. 


ENROLLMENT FOR LIHEAP SUMMER SUBSIDY TO OPEN JULY 25

Automated appointment line now open to schedule appointments in advance

Louisville, KY. The Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services joins with Community Action Agencies across the state to begin accepting applications for the 2023 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy Cooling Component and the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). These federally-funded programs are designed to help offset the cost of higher utility bills. Applications will be accepted beginning July 25, 2023, through Sept. 22, 2023, or until funds are depleted.

Applicants for the LIHEAP Summer Subsidy and LIHWAP program must be residents of Jefferson County with a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g. for a household of four, the gross monthly income cannot exceed $3,750).

The LIHEAP Summer Subsidy component provides households a one-time benefit ranging from $50 to $250 depending on income levels and housing category. Residents can apply regardless of the status of their utility bills. The benefit amount is paid directly to the electric vendor (i.e. LG&E).

The LIHWAP program also provides a one-time benefit ranging from $50 to $100 depending on income levels.

“The LIHEAP and LIHWAP programs are crucial to so many of our neighbors,” said Office of Resilience and Community Services Interim Director Laura Grabowski. “Our office is proud to administer these vital programs, which will help hundreds of people stay cool in the summer heat.”

Jefferson County residents wishing to apply must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system. Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com. The toll-free service is currently open and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Required documentation includes:

  • Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
  • Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month. (Ex. Food Stamp award letter, Social Security Award Letter, pay stubs, etc. or other proof of $0 income). Note: Zero Income forms are available at the LIHEAP locations or online at www.louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP
  • Most current electric bill, water/wastewater bill, or statement from your landlord if electric and/or water/wastewater is included in your rent, or statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program. The account number and name on the electric bill must also be provided.

There are seven LIHEAP locations for the 2023 LIHEAP Summer Subsidy program

  • South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 40215
  • Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 40211
  • Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place,1411 Algonquin Pkwy., 40210
  • Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Ave., 40218
  • Cane Run Neighborhood Place, 3410 Lees Lane, 40216
  • Northwest Neighborhood Place, 4018 W. Market St., 40212
  • Charmoli Neighborhood Place, 9100 Marksfield Rd., Ste. 100, 40222

For more descriptions about LIHEAP income eligibility and other instructions, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP. Residents may also call the automated LIHEAP information line at 502/991-8391 or visit www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Individuals who require more information can contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or (502) 574-5000, email metro.311@louisvilleky.gov, tweet @LouMetro311, Web:  louisvilleky.gov/tell311, or download the free Mobile Louisville Metro 311 app from the website. Residents can also call Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 help referral service.

Resilience and Community Services (RCS) serves as the administering agency of the Louisville Metro Community Action Agency. Community Action Kentucky administers LIHEAP in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services who receive the funding as a pass-through block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  For more information about RCS, visit our website: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services


Concert Coming to Riverside

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Stepping Stones at Valley View on September 7th

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Music In the Park Dates

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Free Movies at Iroquois Park

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Mosquitoes test positive for West Nile virus in Jefferson County

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Fogging operations to be conducted in the Iroquois area 

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) has found mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus in surveillance traps in the Iroquois area. To help prevent infection and reduce the mosquito population, mosquito fogging will take place this week in the 40214 ZIP code.

So far this year, no confirmed human cases of West Nile have been reported in Jefferson County.

In most instances, people infected with West Nile virus either show no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms.  However, less than 1% of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and people who have received organ transplants are at greater risk for serious illness.

“This is about the time of year we typically see mosquitoes test positive for West Nile,” said Louisville’s Interim Chief Health Strategist Connie Mendel. “No matter what ZIP code you live in, please take precautions to avoid being bitten.”

Avoid mosquito bites

  • Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions. More information about insect repellents can be found here.
  • When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don't apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.
  • Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours of early morning and dusk. Be sure to use repellent and wear protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.

Prevent mosquito breeding grounds

  • Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitos outside.
  • Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and drain birdbaths on a regular basis.

To check if your area will be fogged visit the department’s website or call the mosquito hotline, 502-574-6641. To make a complaint about mosquitos in your neighborhood call Metro311 by dialing 311 or 502-574-5000.


Spot a Tick in Louisville Metro

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Tick exposure occurs year-round but is more common in the warmer months of the year from April to September. The three most common tickborne illnesses in Jefferson County include ehrlichiosisRocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) and Lyme disease.

People with ehrlichiosis will often have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and sometimes an upset stomach. RMSF is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of an infected tick. Most people who get sick with RMSF will have a fever, headache, and rash. RMSF can be deadly if not treated early with the right antibiotic.

People with Lyme disease usually get an expanding red rash that sometimes resembles a bullseye. If left untreated, the infection can spread and cause rashes in other parts of the body. Some people may develop nerve problems, arthritis, or other disorders. But even if Lyme disease isn’t caught until later stages, most people fully recover after treatment with antibiotics.

To protect you and your family from tickborne illness, remember to treat gear and clothing with repellents before going outdoors. Once you have completed outdoor activities, check your body and any pets for ticks. Shower or bathe as soon as possible and wash and dry clothing at high heat.

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) has a "Spot a Tick and Share Program." If you find a tick, please fill out this form. LMPHW will identify the type of tick and also test the tick for diseases, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme and ehrlichiosis.

How to remove a tick:

  • Follow these steps to learn how to safely remove a tick.
  • Safely remove it and place it in an air-tight container. Plastic Ziplock baggies are not an acceptable container.
  • Add in rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to the container, enough to fully cover the tick.
  • Label the container with your name and contact information and drop off the tick with a completed submission form to our office at 400 E. Gray St., Louisville, Ky, 40202.

For more information about ticks, please visit our Mosquito and Tick Control website.


Farmer's Market Every Sunday at Riverside

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Meals on Wheels

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Reporting Potholes

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We need your help reporting potholes, use one of the methods below;

  1. Use an online form by clicking here.
  2. Use Twitter by sending the location of the hole to @LouMetro311 and include the hashtag #502pothole.
  3. Call Metro311 or 574-5000 to report potholes or any other issues.
  4. Call our office at 574-1114, and we'll turn it in on your behalf.

To report a pothole on an interstate in Jefferson County, go to the “contact us” dropdown menu and select “report a hazard” on KYTC’s website http://transportation.ky.gov or click here.


Report a Litterer!

Report a Litterer

Get directly involved in making Louisville a more litter-free community through the Report-A-Litterer program aimed at motorists who throw fast-food wrappers, cigarette butts, soda bottles or any type of litter out their car window. 

Click here to report.

Click here for more information


How Can You Help with Illegal Dumping

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Illegally dumped trash is more than just an eyesore! It is expensive to clean up, it negatively impacts our quality of life and economic development, and the plastic debris may end up in our waterways and oceans. Individuals caught dumping illegally may have their vehicle impounded and face fines and fees totaling about $1,000. 

Residents are encouraged to fill out this online form if they witness illegal dumping. The form can also be used to share home security camera footage or images of illegal dumping occurring with our Solid Waste Enforcement Department. Go to Louisvilleky.gov/IllegalDumping to learn more about how you can help prevent illegal dumping. 

Did you know..? Many waste materials can be dropped off legally and for FREE. Up to three large household items, up to 4 passenger tires, and up to 3 electronics items can be dropped off for free at the at the Waste Reduction Center, located at 636 Meriwether Avenue. A pickup truckload of yard waste or construction debris can be disposed for only $60.00.

Residents can also utilize the free Pop-Up Drop-Off events that occur monthly, on a Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., March - November, in various parts of Jefferson County. Items must be separated into the various categories for easy off-loading. Know before you go! View the accepted items list here: Louisvilleky.gov/PopUps.


Southwest Community Ministries - Items Needed

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Southwest Community Ministries is currently overwhelmed with families who have never needed assistance before but are running out of household and hygiene products! They are asking for help from members of the community, youth groups, or anyone willing to donate.

If you would prefer to give food donations, items such as ravioli, ramen, fruit cups, canned meats, soups, and peanut butter crackers are always good options. Things like Ensure and pull top lids are good for seniors as well!

Needed Household Items:

  • Toilet Paper
  • Paper Towels
  • Ramen Noodles
  • Ravioli
  • Kid Friendly Snacks
  • Kleenex
  • Clothing Detergent (Small)

Items can be dropped off at the Ministry (8504 Terry Rd.) Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. For more information please call (502) 935-0310.

Donations can also be made by visiting SouthwestCommunityMinistries.org/donate.


Meriweather Waste Reduction Center

Meriweather Waste Reduction Center

At the Waste Reduction Center, Louisville/Jefferson County residents can dispose of tires, household bulky waste such as metals, appliances, electronics, tree limbs and stumps up to three feet in diameter, unbagged yard waste, construction debris, and furniture.

Hours of Operation

Tuesday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Appointments available Tuesday - Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 

Up to three household bulky items per day may be dropped off at no charge. Bulky loads or drop-offs exceeding three items will be charged according  - CASH ONLY.  

Examples of single items

  • Up to 4 passenger tires*
  • One appliance
  • One large household item such as mattress, box spring, sofa or chair

*No more than 4 tires will be accepted for free drop-off at one time regardless of the number of other items