We now have a new way for you to map crime around you. Just click here and view our new interactive crime mapping tool for Save it in your favorites to view crime anytime as it's updated daily. On the page is a Quickfind tool that allows you to put your address in and subscribe to crime trends, alerts and block watch reports for your police beat. Forward this email to your friends and family!
Excited to welcome Panda Express to Okolona! We celebrated their ribbon-cutting, generous donation to Dare to Care Food Bank and continual support of Norton Children's Hospital. We are thrilled to see the continued investment in Okolona!
Winter weather is expected to return to the Louisville Metro area, with the possibility of light snow showers tonight and more significant precipitation Thursday night into Friday. This could create slick conditions for the Friday morning commute.
Louisville Metro’s Snow Team and their partner agencies are already in communication and prepared to respond. Crews are ready to treat and plow Metro roadways as needed, depending on how conditions develop.
Where to find updates during a snow event
During winter weather, residents can find timely updates on:
These channels will share information on route progress, safety reminders, and any operational changes throughout the event.
How snow routes work
Louisville Metro Snow Team crews maintain 2,750 miles of roadway, divided into 111 designated snow routes. These routes focus on roads that carry the most traffic and connect residents to:
Major employment centers
Neighborhoods
Schools
Medical facilities
Hospitals
Because Metro resources must prioritize these key corridors, neighborhood streets and roads not included in Metro’s designated snow routes are not plowed or treated by Louisville Metro crews. During a snow event, you can track salting and plowing progress on their Snow Map.
If you live in a suburban city or municipality
Many suburban cities within Jefferson County manage their own snow removal operations. If your street is not part of a Metro snow route and you live in a city such as St. Matthews, Middletown, Jeffersontown, Lyndon, or other municipalities, snow and ice removal may be handled by your local public works team. Residents should check with their local city hall or public works department to learn how snow removal is handled in their area.
State-maintained roadways
Interstates and associated ramps are treated by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). For statewide winter weather updates and highway conditions, visit SnowKY.KY.gov
District 24 and the Masons are sponsoring a Blood Drive Tuesday, December 30, 2025 from 11am - 5pm. It will be at the Central Government Center - Conference Room A, 7201 Outer Loop, Louisville, Kentucky 40228. Every 2 minutes someone in the US needs blood! 1 out of 3 of us will need blood in our lifetime, and only 1 out of 33 of us will donate! Your support absolutely matters!
Win a 2025 Lincoln Nautilus or $40,000 in cash while making a meaningful impact in the community. Only 2,025 tickets will be sold in honor of the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus. Drawing will be on January 9th, 2026. Scan the QR Code above or call (502) 409-9563 for more information or to purchase a ticket.
Join in the holiday celebration at Light Up Newburg on Saturday, December 13, 6-8 PM inside the Newburg Community Center, 4810 Exeter Avenue, due to expected inclement weather. For more information, please call Councilwoman Shanklin’s office at 574-1102.
Fern Creek Highview United Ministries Annual Christmas Benefit Concert, Friday, December 12, 7pm at The Believers Church, 7905 Smyrna Pkwy, Louisville, Kentucky 40228.
The Concert will feature a variety of churches, Soloists, Musicians, Choirs, and a chance to BLESS our Community. Meet and greet with coffee and cookies following.
Kroger is partnering with the UPS Foundation on their own holiday food drive to support the Association of Community Ministries. It runs through December 16th at select Kroger stores (listed below). Please consider donating as you are shopping in one of the participating stores!
Educational Justice offers free one-on-one tutoring/mentoring for 5th-8th grades across Jefferson County. It's mostly virtual, so transportation is not a problem. Last year about 500 students participated and they saw significant grade-level gains. It's a free service, please share with this information with friends and family! For more information, scan the bar code or click on educationaljustice.org.
The 2025-2026 flu season is upon us, and it’s time to proactively keep its effects to a minimum and at the same time investing team efforts to combat COVID-19.
Flu is a respiratory virus and can spread quickly. When someone with the flu coughs or sneezes, the flu virus gets in the air and people close by can inhale it through their noses or mouths. It can also be spread when people touch a contaminated surface like a door handle then put their fingers in their noses or mouths or rub their eyes. The flu can last a week or longer. Common symptoms include:
A sudden fever (usually above 100.4°F or 38°C)
Chills
Headache, body aches, and being a lot more tired than usual
Sore throat
Dry, hacking cough
Stuffy, runny nose
Some people, especially children, may throw up (vomit) and have loose stools (diarrhea).
The good news is flu vaccines are available and recommended for everyone 6 months and older at healthcare providers and local pharmacies. Getting vaccinated helps to prevent getting the flu or reduces the risk of serious complications if you do get it.
Take all the steps you can to stay well.
Get a flu vaccine. October is the perfect time to get immunized against flu.
Children younger than 9 years who have never been vaccinated or have only had a single flu vaccine in their lifetime need two doses given four weeks apart.
Practice good hygiene like washing your hands regularly, covering coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue, and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces.
Wearing a mask offers an extra layer of protection from respiratory viruses that are spread by coughing, sneezing, talking.
When you're sick:
Use precautions to prevent spread. Stay home and away from others.
Seek health care promptly for treatment as it may help lower your risk of severe illness.
As always, talk to your healthcare provider about what’s best for you.
The Metro Council met Thursday for its second to last meeting of the year. During the meeting we addressed several pieces of legislation and took time to recognize the University of Louisville students who have interned with the Metro Council over the past four months.
Meeting /Highlights
Ban on use of Masks by Federal Law Enforcement Agents (O-260-25)
Councilman Lyninger (D-6) was able to get a party line vote in committee to support the passage of an ordinance that would ban federal police and other law enforcement from the use of masks while within the boundaries of Louisville Metro. This ordinance was in front of the full Metro Council on Thursday, where I joined all Republicans and a few of Democrats to stop this ordinance from getting final approval. The final vote count on this measure was 12 in favor, 13 opposed and 1 person voted present.
This ordinance, which was the second part of our effort to reduce human trafficking and the organizations that support it, passed unanimously. The ordinance makes it clear that Code Enforcement Officers can cite those properties in violation of our laws. The ordinance also added massage facilities to the properties that are impacted. This ordinance and a previously passed law related to massage facilities, that I co-sponsored, are part of our “Safer Louisville Agenda” and are expected to improve the abilities of the Health Department and Code Enforcement Officials as they crack down on illicit actors.
FY25 Year End Budget Ordinance (O-283-25)
Metro Louisville has closed its fiscal year 2025 with a net surplus of $9.5 million in the operating budget and $7.6 million in the capital budget which is being moved to the fiscal year 2026 capital and operating budgets to cover 33 existing or new projects or programs.
The operating items are:
$4 million for the incentives related to the recently announced GE expansion
An additional $500,000 for Community Ministries throughout Metro (including MUSCL and Fern Creek/Highview Ministries that assist District 24 residents)
$200,000 for the Louisville Orchestra/Ballet
$1,250,000 for rental assistance, affordable housing initiatives and down payment assistance
$50,000 for overtime to address illegal ATV activity and destruction of property
$120,000 to assist with enforcement of massage facilities ordinance (that I co-sponsored)
$250,000 additional funding to Dare to Care for a total of $850,000
$250,000 to Day Springs College for Living
$1,150,000 to Seven Counties for the Crisis Care Center
$203,000 for the SBS expansion at Pleasure Ridge Park High School
Capital projects included:
$40,000 to improve the Veterans Monument at Southwest Government Center
$150,000 for AB Sawyer Park Lighting. Funding helps install new lighting for football and baseball fields located within the park
$571,000 for Snow Removal Improvements
$75,000 LMPD Lighting Pilot Project to reduce crime in targeted areas.
$2,300,000 Fire truck for Louisville Fire Department
$500,000 additional funding to build Parks Maintenance Barn
$1,000,000 additional for a new Swimming Pool at Sun Valley Community Center for a swimming pool for a total of $2,000,000
Additional $55,000 for the IMAX Improvements at the Louisville Science Center for a total of $205,000
Neighborhood Development Funds for Exodus Family Ministries (O-274-26)
The Metro Council passed an ordinance allocating $17,050 to support staffing, utilities and food resources for Southwest Family Ministries and Exodus Family Ministries.
Industrial Revenue Bond for Churchill Downs (R-045-25)
Churchill Downs was seeking Metro support for the issuance of an Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) as authorized by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This IRB would not use the credit of Louisville Metro, nor would we be required to support the bond should Churchill Downs Inc fail to make payment. Instead, this IRB will help lead the way towards $200 million to up to $1 billion in capital investment to the historic racetrack. Improvements outlined in the presentation to the Metro Council included a major redevelopment/renovation to the area known as the First Turn Suites and Millionaires Row.
This piece of legislation has been under consideration for months as we sought additional information regarding its impact on JCPS as well as knowledge as to the scope and level of investment expected within our city. The resolution ultimately passed by a vote of 18 to 7 with one person voting present. I and members of the Metro Council have used the past few months to express our hope that this action by the Metro Council will lead to more civic involvement by Churchill Downs and continued dedication to keeping their headquarters in Louisville. I believe the discussions have been helpful in addressing some of these concerns, so I ultimately decided to support this ordinance.
I look forward to seeing the fruits of this legislation and hope that this investment by Churchill Downs will result in greater opportunities and revenue for our community.
Looking Ahead…….
This week is our final committee week of the calendar year. Our final meeting of the full Metro Council will be on Tuesday, December 16, 6:00pm. The Metro Council, while open throughout the holiday season, will take a break from our regular meeting until after the new year. Our first meeting of 2026 will be Thursday, January 8. During that meeting members will select the Council President for the calendar year and address any pending legislation that is in need of passage.
Notice of Public Hearing for 8823 Moody Road, 4200 Hickory Trace Drive, Case Number 25-CAT3-0016, Case Manager Jude Mattingly
Meeting Type -Development Review Committee, Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Meeting will begin at 1pm and continue until all cases are heard. Location 514 West Liberty Street 40202 (Old Jail Building)
We’ve got an awesome dog to share with you, her name is TWIGGY! Twigs was taken from a neglectful owner but isn’t letting that get her down. Twiggy is housetrained too, no messes for this mature madam! Twiggy is around 5yrs old and abouts 50lbs. Twiggy knows sit, lay down, and paw! She is a smartie pants and easy to train because she LOVES food!!
Twiggy is a CHAMPION at #YourCityShelter! That means her adoption comes with perks! No adoption fee, Freedom Harness with leash, crate, starter bag of food, and 6 months of heartworm prevention. She will also have a lifetime free license and a 3 years of core vaccines thanks to Friends of Metro Animal Services. Twigs is available for SAME DAY ADOPTION!
Metro Animal Services will be at Petco, Friday, December 12th from 11 am-2 pm at 12695 Shelbyville Road. They will be teaming up for a festive Holiday Adoption Mash-Up and you’re invited to meet some of the sweetest adoptable dogs and puppies in town!
Bring the whole family and soak up the cozy holiday vibes as you meet dogs who are ready to head home just in time for the holidays. Even better? Every adoption fee is completely covered thanks to the generous support of Bissell Pet Foundation!
Expect wagging tails, fluffy faces, and lots of holly jolly cheer, plus holiday tunes, cute photo opportunities and staff and volunteers ready to help you find your match.
This is the perfect chance to give a pet the best gift of all: a loving home. Come make a memory, save a life and kick off the season with kindness. We can’t wait to see you there!
ADHD Peer Support Group Meeting every Monday at the South Central Library, 7300 Jefferson Blvd. Times are: Kids 7th Grade or Younger: 4-5 PM, Teens 8th-12th Grade 5:30 - 6:30 PM, College and Adults 18+ 7-8 PM.
Makerspace Orientation Online
Makerspace Online Orientation - You must complete the orientation and fill out the confirmation form before using the equipment. Click Here to Sign Up for the Orientation!
Make & Take Ornaments - December 13th
Make and Take Ornaments December 13th, 2-3 PM - Make and decorate your own holiday ornaments. Ages 4-10. South Central Regional Library, 7300 Jefferson Blvd.
Saw Peep Pan-Asian Ensemble - Shadow Puppetry - December 14th
Saw Peep's In-Person Class - Shadow Puppetry - Learn this ancient art. December 14th, 2-4 PM, Ages 9+, South Central Regional Library, 7300 Jefferson Blvd.
Merry Making - PomPom Holiday Garland - December 16th
Merry Making, Ages 13+, Make Holiday Pom Pom Garlands, Tuesday, December 16th, 2-4 PM, Registration Requested at Liz.Magee@lfpl.org. South Central Regional Library, 7300 Jefferson Blvd.
