In this Issue
 Hello Neighbors and Friends,
The Metro Council hosted its last meeting of the year on Thursday, December 14th. A video recap of the meeting can be found by clicking here.
All Council members are now on a winter break and will return January 3, 2024. Councilwoman McCraney is taking much needed time off to be with family, prepare for the holidays, and REST. Why is the word rest in all caps? Some of you may have heard that Councilwoman McCraney has been in school for the past 2.5 years. She was pursuing her Doctorate in Education at Spalding University. Well, on Wednesday, December 13th, the Councilwoman successfully defended her research and can proudly add the distinction of "Dr." to her title.
Congratulations to District 7 Councilwoman Dr. Paula McCraney for her accomplishment and dedication to our community and education!!!
NOTE: The Councilwoman has written a holiday message and her annual end-of-the-year recap for the Message From McCraney column. These messages will be featured in the next two eNewsletter editions, respectively. During the Council break, our office is open, so don't hesitate to contact us if we can be of service to you.
The Louisville Metro Council held their regularly scheduled Council meeting Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 6:00pm. Click here to watch the highlights. Metro Council meetings will resume in the new year.
The Council meeting and attachments may be viewed online here and on the Louisville Metro Council Facebook Page, which you can access at: https://www.facebook.com/LouisvilleMetroCouncil/.
The Metro Council meetings will take a break until the organizational meeting on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
The Louisville Metro Police Department is now on Nextdoor to engage with residents of Metro Louisville. Detective Sergeant Roderick Beasley is active on the platform representing the 8th Division. He is sharing information with residents of the 8th Division about current crime trends, crime tips, and community events for your neighborhoods.
To join us on Nextdoor click this link.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that spreads throughout our community each year, usually begins in the fall, peaking in the winter, and decreasing during early spring. RSV can cause severe breathing problems in infants and young children. Newborns and children with certain medical conditions are more likely to develop serious infection, be hospitalized, and die from RSV infection.
The RSV vaccine can be given to pregnant people between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy to protect their newborns or young infants from the severe effects of RSV infection. The antibodies produced in the pregnant person’s body are transferred to the child through the placenta, offering newborns up to 6 months of protection from RSV after birth.
A vaccine decision tool was created to help pregnant people determine if the RSV vaccine is right for them and their child. If you are pregnant and interested in receiving the RSV vaccine, check out the decision tool and speak with your obstetrician.
PARC offering $3 weekend garage parking downtown throughout December
The Parking Authority of River City (PARC) is offering downtown visitors discounted parking rates at its garages during the holiday season. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in December, drivers can enjoy a special daily parking rate of $3 by prepaying for parking at parcdaypass.com. The program covers the following PARC locations and destinations:
- Jefferson Street garage – Whiskey Row
- 8th/Main Street garage – Museum Row
- Market Street garage – Derby City Gaming and the West Market Street corridor
- Louisville Gardens garage – Jefferson Square
- Seelbach garage – 4th Street Live/4th Street corridor
|
 |
If you know a family with a student graduating from a JCPS high school in 2024 encourage them to apply. Students and families interested in exploring their next steps toward a postsecondary credential, certificate or degree can receive resources and support from Evolve502. More than 1,300 students from the class of 2024 have applied already.
Help us keep the roads safe!
Have you noticed new or worsening potholes in the area? Report them to the city in one of the following ways:
- Submit a service request form online form by clicking here.
- Call Metro311 or 574-5000 to report potholes or any other issues.
- You can also send the pothole details to my office (including the address) or call me at 574-1107, and we'll turn it in on your behalf.
See a pothole on the Interstate?
|
To report a pothole on an interstate in Jefferson County, visit the KYTC website. Go to the “Contact Us” dropdown menu and select “Report a Hazard.”
 |
|
The Young Eagles program from EAA gives youth ages 8–17 their first free ride in an airplane to introduce and inspire kids in the world of aviation. For an event near you, CLICK HERE. |
The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) is sharing a series of short news articles to better inform the public about TARC. The first was shared this week, and introduces several interesting facts about Louisville's leading public transportation provider. Check them out below.
TARC: Getting to Know Your Transit Authority
- Jefferson county voters approved funding and formation in 1974. Fifty years of service in 2024!
- TARC has Service in Louisville Metro, Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana
- Team of nearly 800 employees and contractors
- TARC has a fleet of 329 hybrid, electric, clean diesel and paratransit vehicles
- 1,700 miles of service on 30 lines covering Louisville Metro and Southern Indiana
- TARC operates 7 day a week service in majority of our network
- Over 5.2 million transit trips were completed in 2022
- Some of TARC’s core frequency line are along Broadway, Bardstown Rd, Dixie Highway, Preston Highway, and 4th Street corridors.
- TARC can get you to work with connections to major job centers around region including downtown, UPS/Ford, GE, River Ridge, River Port, Renaissance Park, major hospitals, and more
- In 2019 TARC introduced a Tap & Go MyTARC Card as an easy, convenient way to ride and save money.
To learn more remarkable facts about TARC please visit www.ridetarc.org or stop by their Customer Service kiosk located 1000 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
As we look forward to the New Year, many of us are thinking of positive change and new habits we want to develop. The free, four-week Anti-Racism Challenge can help us begin the new year with hope and action for a better world. It’s sponsored by listenlearnact.org, Metro’s Lean Into Louisville, and the Earth and Spirit Center and begins on January 5.
This is how it works -- once a week in January, participants will receive an email with a list of 10-12 anti-racism activities. These range from reading an article, contacting an elected official, watching a film or viewing an exhibit by Black artists, patronizing a Black business, etc. We ask participants to choose and complete three of the listed activities. The purpose is to keep us all focused and active in challenging racism. This is a personal Challenge -- no one needs to report back. Those who wish to participate simply provide their email address (we never share anyone's information) and that puts them on the list to receive our ARC email each week. Here is the link to sign up.
Registration is now open for our Winter Break Camps! These camps are FREE and for children ages 6-12. The two-week camps will include various activities from arts and crafts to athletics and will include a hot meal.
Lights on Main is teaming up with Frazier History Museum to bring you a dazzling Christmas tree exhibit like never before! 75 trees will be decorated for the holiday season and placed throughout all three floors of the museum, intended to promote community and attract patrons to the downtown business district, and most importantly provide funding free after-school programs for 300 children in the city of Louisville.
Guests will step into a magical winter wonderland with three floors of trees carefully decorated by local schools, organizations, families, and individuals. To ensure everyone can see it, the Frazier is extending hours on Wednesday evenings and opening at no cost to visitors on December 17th. Lights on Main is indoors for the first time, there will also be programming with school choirs, pop-up markets, partner Bourbon tastings, and a Santa photo op in the galleries.
On December 17th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. enjoy a free Family Day sponsored by Walmart at the Frazier History Museum. Enjoy a fun-filled day with diverse holiday celebrations, meet Santa and the Grinch, shop for unique gifts, savor delicious food from Con Aji y Cafe food truck, and create lasting memories with your loved ones.
Get tickets to Lights on Main here.
829 W. Main St., Louisville, KY 40202
Museum Hours
Monday–Saturday: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
*Note that hours are subject to change. Check our Facebook page or call 502.753.5663.
Enjoy a sparkling winter wonderland of swans, snowflakes, light bursts, candles and a multicolor tunnel of lights. Visit Santa and his sleigh in the Graeser Family Education Center and Mrs. Claus' Cottage in the Ellen T. Leslie Botanical Classrooms.
Holiday beverages will be available for purchase in the Jingle All the Way Cafe. No outside food or drink, pets, smoking, or vaping allowed inside the gardens.
Location: 1435 Frankfort Ave., Louisville KY 40206
Remaining 2023 Dates:
- December 14 - 23
- December 27 - 30
Admission:
- $12 for WBG members,
- $17 for non-members,
- $8 for members ages 3 – 12,
- $10.50 for non-members ages 3 – 12
- FREEfor ages 2 and under.
Purchase tickets in advance here.
Now through December 31
Immerse yourself in this Holiday pop-up bar decked to the halls - literally, with floor to ceiling decor.
Featuring a festive food and drink menu that absolutely sleighs, multiple photo ops, featured events, and more!
Bar seating will be available on a first come first serve basis, optimal for drinks and socializing. In addition to visiting with an intimate group, guests have the option to reserve the space for private events, ideal for end of season holiday parties.
For private event inquiries, please email events@4thstlive.com.
Open daily from 4 p.m. until midnight --- It started Friday, November 24.
Tinsel Tavern collides with New Year's Eve Live! for an over-the-top holiday celebration to ring in 2024. Fourth Street Live!'s platinum ticket package unlocks access to a private party at Tinsel Tavern and all-inclusive premium drink package, private entrance with VIP red carpet experience, exclusive tastings, multiple photo opportunities, vendors, complimentary coat check, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast.
Address: 445 S. 4th St., Louisville, KY 40202
|
 |
This group meets every Third Thursday and is open to Service Members, Veterans and First Responders.
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Veteran's Club Inc. Headquarters
4218 Shelbyville Rd, 40207
Try to solve the jokes below. Answers can be found at the end of the newsletter.
What is green, covered in Christmas lights and bulbs, and goes ribbit?
How do sheep say Merry Christmas to each other?
What is every parent's favorite Christmas song?
Why did Rudolph have to attend summer school?
Why does Scrooge love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Having issues with high grass, illegal parking, street repairs, or other Code Enforcement concerns in the community? Contact 311!
Metro311 Service Request Information
- Submit a Service Request in the online system.
-
Only service requests for the past 30 days will be accessible in the system. If you need information on an older request, please call Metro 311 for status.
-
To receive email notifications of the status of your service request you must have an account and you must have included your email address when you created your account. You can create a new account and report a new issue.
- Not all issues you put a service request in for require you to login. Some issues may be submitted anonymously, such as reporting a pothole and property maintenance cases, for instance. But having an account will allow you to track the progress and status of the request.
- The outlined or highlighted area on the map indicates the area which is serviced by Louisville Metro Government.
If you do not see a category which corresponds to your issue, please call Metro311 at 311.
For all the details you need regarding the new drivers license please click the link below:
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:
Safety Reminder:
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.
Click here to Subscribe to the 5th Division E-Newsletter
District Resource Officers (DRO's)
After more than 3 years the 5th Division is happy to announce we have 2 DRO's! DRO's are the "Jack of all Trades" for the community. They are our problem solvers, ambassadors, community representatives and anything else you can think of. Congratulations to Officers John Keeling and Brad Steller, your 5th Division DRO's.
They can be contacted at the links below.
Officer John Keeling
Officer Brad Steller
Pop-UP I Drop-Off
Need to dispose of unwanted bulk items? Click the link below for details regarding Pop-Up Drop-Off event dates around Louisville. Click HERE
Accepted Items:
- Up to 3 electronic items (recycled)
- Metal & appliances - no refrigerators, freezers, dehumidifiers or any items containing Freon (recycled)
- Up to 4 passenger tires (recycled)
- Household recyclables, follow curbside rules (recycled)
- Yard waste, follow curbside rules, wooden pallets (composted)
-
Large household items (landfilled)
- Documents for shredding (recycled)
Prescription medication (disposed properly)
|
Development I Plan 2040
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.
Plan 2040 Survey Findings
Plan 2040 Demographic and Economic Projections
Plan 2040 Core Graphics
Tune in to View Metro Council Meetings
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.
State Government Website Information
Click Here to: View All Agencies
Kentucky General Assembly
Click Here to Visit Website for Laws, State Legislators, Watch Bills, etc.
Click here for more info.
Contact Your Congressman
Follow Councilwoman McCraney on Social Media
Click below to read the social media policy of the Louisville Metro Council:
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council/louisville-metro-council-social-media-public-comment-policy.
Answers to the Jokes
- A mistle-toad.; 2. Fleece Navidad.; 3. Silent Night! ; 4. Because he went down in history.; 5. Because every buck is dear to him!
|
