January D8 Newsletter

Louisville Metro Government sent this bulletin at 01/30/2026 01:25 PM EST

CM Ben Reno-Weber

District Eight

Ben's Pen: A Note from CM Reno-Weber
January Highlands Hero: Len Ward
What’s Bubbling Up? D8 Events & Opportunities to Engage
Snow Update
Ben in the Wild: CM Reno-Weber Out & About
Bardstown Road Redesign Phase 2 Online Survey is Live
Citywide Announcements & Events
Dad Joke of the Month

Ben's Pen: A Note from CM Reno-Weber

I don't know that I have ever been prouder to represent District 8 than this month. Even before the city was blanketed by Snowmageddon 2026, news of an proposed gun store and the unveiling of the proposed designs for the Mid-City Mall site sparked conversations that have been…robust. And then the snow came.

These events were met by an existing infrastructure that enabled us to respond quickly. The gun store announcement was met with a large community meeting (400+ people were reported attending) organized by the District 8 Advisory Board at with I was able to attend with representatives from the Mayor's Office and state electeds Senator Cassie Chambers and Representative Mary Lou Marzian. People were able to get questions answered, voice opinions, and organize a response.

Similarly, plans for the new "Mid-City Market" were released locally to the most impacted neighborhood associations and business associations with the opportunity for direct engagement with the developers. This follows on two previously organized community meetings in which the desires of the community, which are sometimes contradictory- were already clearly laid out.

Then the snow came. It was truly magical to see people out helping one another. The volunteer and community need surveys previously organized by our District 8 Policy Fellow and publicized by our neighborhood associations lit up as people responded to needs with shoveling and wellness checks. As of today, every request has been met - but keep them coming!

And of course this is just a fraction of what is happening in our neighborhoods, most of which we never see.

And we lost one of our own this month - Len Ward, the son of Betsy Foster, who is the heart of our office. I last saw Len surveying traffic lights on Bardstown Road, just one of a thousand ways he gave back to our community. Read more about him in this month's Highlands Hero.

Community is never easy or simple. But how we respond together in times of crisis- even when that response is not unified or aligned- says more about the health of our civic infrastructure than anything else. That may be especially when we are not unified or aligned, but still care for one another.

Honored to serve.

Ben

PS: Don't forget to read to the end of the newsletter for this month's dad joke.

On what issues do everyone in the Highlands agree?

January Highlands Hero: Len Ward

Our District 8 family is holding Betsy Foster, District 8's legislative assistant, close.

Many of you know Betsy as the heart of our office — the person who answers the phone, listens deeply, and fights every day to help neighbors navigate systems that are often too complicated and too cold. What you may not know is that the same fierce care she brings to this work was at the center of her life as a mom.

Betsy lost her son, Len Ward, suddenly this month.

Len was brilliant, funny, irreverent, and deeply committed to justice. In the midst of living with serious illness, one of his greatest fears wasn’t just his health — it was losing access to healthcare if he lost his job. That fear is one too many families know intimately. No one should have to choose between their life and their insurance.

Even in grief, Betsy is honoring Len the way he lived: by asking us to take care of one another.

In Len’s name, she is urging people to speak up for protecting Affordable Care Act subsidies so that access to healthcare isn’t a privilege, but a promise. It’s work Len believed in, work Betsy has done alongside him in Frankfort and Washington, and work that quite literally saves lives.

This is what a Highlands Hero looks like: love turned into action, grief turned into resolve, and a belief that our systems can — and must — do better for people.

We are grateful for Len’s life.
We are grateful for Betsy’s leadership and heart.
And we recommit ourselves to building a community where care is something you can count on.

Please keep Betsy and her family in your thoughts, and if you’re able, honor Len by standing up for access to healthcare for all.

What’s Bubbling Up? D8 Events & Opportunities to Engage

A Taste of the Highlands is back — Mardi Gras style!

Join neighbors, friends, and local partners for an evening of great food, live music, and community connection — all in support of Highlands Community Ministries and the vital work they do to help our neighbors grow, heal, and thrive.

February 17, 2026
5:30–7:30 PM
1228 E. Breckinridge St

Open bar, unlimited tastings, and a VIP bourbon experience — all powered by local sponsors who believe in investing in our community.

Let’s celebrate the Highlands by showing up for one another.

Febuary Community Meeting

Our next District 8 community meeting is coming up on Tuesday, February 20th at 8:30 a.m. These meetings are a chance to connect, share what you’re seeing in the neighborhood, and help shape the priorities we’re working on together.

Location: TBD
We’ll announce the location soon—be sure to follow District 8 on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates. I hope you’ll join us and be part of the conversation.

Highlands Commerce Guild: New Year, New Brand

During our last D8 meeting, the Highlands Commerce Guild (HCG) shared an overview of its brand and visual identity refresh—an effort to better reflect the spirit and identity of the Highlands commercial corridor. As part of this work, HCG will host a community listening session to ensure the brand strategy reflects the voices and values of the broader Highlands community.

Join us to learn more about the project and how you can get involved. If you are interested in participating, please email HCG at hcglou@gmail.com. Additional details will follow. This conversation is open to the entire community; HCG membership is not required.

Snow Update

When winter weather hits, the question I hear most is: “When will my street be plowed?”

Louisville Metro’s Snow Map is the best way to see what’s been treated, what’s in progress, and whether your street is part of one of our 111 designated snow routes. These routes connect our neighborhoods to hospitals, schools, major employers, and key corridors — which is why they’re prioritized during a storm.

If your street isn’t on a Metro snow route, your suburban city or HOA may handle snow removal. It’s a great time to check in with neighbors or property managers and plan ahead together.

Using the Snow Map is simple:
❄️ Go to louisvilleky.gov/snow
❄️ Type in your address
❄️ See whether you’re on a Metro route and track recent treatment

A road marked “plowed” doesn’t always mean clear — especially if snow is still falling or temperatures stay low. But this tool helps all of us make safer, more informed decisions when the weather turns.

Stay warm, stay safe, and stay connected: louisvilleky.gov/snow.

Ben in the Wild: CM Reno-Weber Out & About

I was honored to be the guest of Highlands Girl Scout Troop 2134 this month. They came with great questions, thoughtful insights, and no shortage of ideas for how to make our community better (plus snacks, which never hurts).

Spending time listening to young people reminds me why this work matters—and why optimism is a renewable resource. The kids are gonna be alright.

Bardstown Road Redesign Phase 2 Online Survey is Live

Reminder:
Safety improvements are underway along Bardstown Road — and your voice is an important part of shaping what comes next. KYTC is accepting public comments on the current phase of the project through March 31, 2026.

These upgrades aim to make one of our busiest corridors safer for everyone: pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and the small businesses who rely on steady, accessible foot traffic. The lane marking work happening now is just the first step, with larger pedestrian-access improvements and signal modernizations in development for the coming years.

As always, our community is strongest when we engage early and often. If Bardstown Road is part of your daily life — where you shop, commute, work, or live — I encourage you to share your feedback. It’s one of the most direct ways we can help ensure these investments reflect the needs of the people who use this corridor every day.

You can submit comments through the KYTC StoryMap or online survey linked on the project page. Let’s keep working together to build a safer, more walkable, more connected Highlands.

Citywide Announcements & Events

Harbor House Feathers & Friends Gala

Harbor House of Louisville has been quietly doing incredible work for over 30 years—supporting adults with intellectual disabilities across 31 zip codes and 5 counties.

Now, they’re expanding that mission with a newly opened Child Enrichment Center in the South End, bringing generations together and investing in families where it matters most.

Join them on March 21 for the Feathers and Friends Gala—a night of fun, connection, and giving back to an organization strengthening our community every day.

Let’s show up for the people and programs that make Louisville more inclusive for all.

Verified Savings Program, Available at Highlands Kroger

Kroger just launched a new Verified Savings Program, and it’s available at the Highlands Kroger. The program offers 20% off fruits and vegetables and 50% off Kroger Boost membership for customers receiving SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, the National School Lunch Program, or Veterans & Survivors Pension benefits.

This is a good example of how public benefits and private partners can work together to stretch household budgets and support healthier choices — right here in our neighborhood.

To participate in the program, customers will need to sign up online using SheerID. Enrollment is online, and once verified, discounts are applied directly through a Kroger digital account.

Dad Joke of the Month

On what issues do everyone in the Highlands agree?

None. ;)

Councilmember Ben Reno-Weber | Louisville Metro Council | District 8

601 West Jefferson Street, Third Floor

Louisville, Kentucky 40202

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Councilman Ben Reno-Weber
District 8
Questions? Contact me
Office: 502.574.1108
https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-8

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