13th Annual Free Coat Exchange November 24, 10:00am - 1:00pm

Coat pick up and drop off sites: November 24

Garage Bar // 700 East Market St.

Save-A-Lot Food Store // 4148 Taylor Blvd.

Save-A-Lot Food Store // 2626 Portland Ave.

People Power Personal Training // 2843 Brownsboro Rd.

J Town Hardware // 10513 Watterson Trail

Muhammad Ali Center // 144 N Sixth St

Serenity Center // 98 7^th St. Shelbyville, KY

Floyd County Casa // 800 E 8^th St New Albany In

Hope Southern Indiana // 1200 Bono Rd. New Albany IN

 For location updates, visit https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/lPDzCjRg5DIV5PjOCWGjGz?domain=freecoatexchange.org

 Information info@freecoatexchange.org 502 744-0075

Sirens and Lights—What To Do?

When you are driving and see the emergency lights or hear the sirens, do you know what to do? Here are the rules of the road:

Upon the approach of an emergency vehicle operating flashing, rotating, or oscillating red or blue lights or the driver is given audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall:

• Yield the right-of-way, immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and stop and remain in such position until the emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer or firefighter.
• Immediately stop clear of any intersection and shall keep such position until the emergency vehicle has passed, unless directed otherwise by a police officer or firefighter.
• Not follow any emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet, nor shall he drive into, or park the vehicle into, or park the vehicle within, the block where the vehicle has stopped in answer to an emergency call or alarm unless he is directed otherwise by a police officer or firefighter.
• Not drive over any unprotected hose of a fire department when the hose is laid down on any street, private driveway, or track for use at any fire or fire alarm unless the fire department official in command consents that the hose be driven over.

Upon approaching a stationary emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle, when the emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing yellow, red, red and white, red and blue, or blue lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall, while proceeding with due caution:

• Yield the right-of-way by moving to a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if:
• The person is driving on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with not fewer than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; and
• If it is possible to make the lane change with due regard to safety and traffic conditions; or

Reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed to road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.

Mayor Greenberg unveiled a draft of the city’s economic development plan called Growing Louisville Together. This plan has a lot to it besides straight economic development. It also includes investments in quality of place and education. The plan is posted online, and they are taking feedback via Wufoo at the website below until Nov. 28. 

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/economic-development/economic-development-strategic-plan

With Deadline Approaching, Thousands More Wreaths Needed to Place on Veterans’ Graves for the Holidays

The good news is nearly 4,500 wreaths have been purchased to be placed on veterans’ graves at Zachary Taylor National Cemetery this year. The bad news is that nearly 7,000 more are needed. And the deadline to sponsor a wreath is only one week away.

November 28 is the final day wreaths can be purchased to ensure they are created, shipped and placed on graves during a December 16^th ceremony. Since there are more than 11,300 graves at Zachary Taylor, the campaign is only at 40% of its goal.

A wreath can be sponsored for $17, either online at LouKYWreaths.org or in person at either Brownsboro Hardware & Paint location.

The live Maine Balsam Wreaths will be placed during an official ceremony at Zachary Taylor on Saturday, December 16 at 12:00 noon. The public is invited to attend and participate.

Wreaths Across America is a national organization which started in 2007. Its mission: Remember the fallen. Honor those that serve. And Teach the next generation about the value of freedom. The organization placed more than 2.5 million wreaths at more than 4,000 locations in 2022. For more information on the organization, visit LouKYWreaths.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION Scott Giltner, Location Coordinator, 502-649-4534

Susan Kalmey, Co-location Coordinator, 502-523-1846

Doug Carroll, Owner, Brownsboro Hardware & Paint, 502-758-1555.

kNOw Waste: Proper disposal of fats, oil, and grease

Whether you’re pan frying the morning bacon or deep frying the holiday bird, you always have leftover fat, oil or grease. The slippery mess should never be poured into a sink, toilet or storm drain where it can lead to plumbing or sewer problems and clog local waterways.

Fat and grease left over from routine pan frying can be disposed of with other residential garbage if handled properly. Just pour the grease into a container that has a lid, let it cool, and place it in the trash. That keeps it out of local waterways and sewers.

Louisville’s three staffed recycling centers accept household cooking oil left over from deep frying. It’s free and easy for residents of Louisville and Jefferson County. Residents should first let the oil cool, then strain out food particles and pour the oil into a container that has a lid. Take it to the nearest full-service recycling center and hand it to a staff member. The oil is recycled for use in biodiesel fuel. To find a drop-off location near you, go to Louisvilleky.gov/RecycleMap. 

Gov. Andy Beshear and First Lady Britainy Beshear welcome all Kentucky children to participate in a poster contest that celebrates the 62nd gubernatorial inauguration theme: Forward, Together.

The theme is inspired by how Kentuckians came together and got through many hard times over the past four years – from the pandemic to devastating natural disasters and many challenges in between – and how we are now getting to the good times together.

With support from their parents, guardians and teachers, school-age children ages 6-17 are invited to submit artwork that honors the theme. A panel, including Mrs. Beshear, will judge entries anonymously and select one winner from each age category, ages 6-9, 10-13 and 14-17. Two additional overall winners will be selected for having the most colorful and most creative posters.

The five winners and their families, along with school representatives, will be invited to the Capitol on Dec. 12, 2023, where the Beshears will recognize them as part of the inaugural celebration. The winning artwork will also be framed and on display in the Capitol during this time.

Poster Contest Submission Directions
Posters should be submitted, unframed on paper no larger than 12 by 16 inches and include a completed entry form (Word or PDF) attached to the back of the poster. All entries must be postmarked by Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, and mailed to:

Kentucky State Capitol
ATTN: Poster Contest Panel
700 Capitol Ave., Suite 112
Frankfort, KY  40601

For a complete list of contest rules and additional information, click here.

Fall Leaves

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! If you see Street Sweeping signs posted on your street, please make sure to move your vehicle so any leaves that fell naturally on the street can be properly cleaned. 

Leaf Drop-Off Sites

The Metro Public Works free leaf drop-off sites will be open Tuesday-Saturdays, through December 9. Drop-off will not be available on November 23 and 24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Only leaves will be accepted. Leaves can be loose, in paper/compostable bags, or reusable containers. Containers used to bring leaves to the drop-off sites must be taken back by residents.

Locations and hours:

• Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)

Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

• Public Works East District Operations Center, 595 N Hubbards Lane

Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

• Shawnee Park, 230 Southwestern Parkway (Athletic Complex)

Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

• Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue

Tuesday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm                  Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Apply Now To Help Build a Better Kentucky

Gov. Andy Beshear invited those who want to help the Beshear/Coleman administration continue building a better Kentucky to apply for an unclassified position at jointeamky.ky.gov.

The website includes information on how to apply for an unclassified position, details on the benefits of Executive Branch state employment and lists in-demand jobs. Those jobs include the director of emergency management; commissioner of workforce development; inspector general for the Finance and Administration Cabinet; commissioner of the Department of Juvenile Justice; executive director of the Office of Policy and Audit for the Finance and Administration Cabinet; executive director, Office of Inspector General for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and executive director of the Early Childcare Advisory Council.

Those seeking classified service positions in Kentucky’s Executive Branch should click here.