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This celebration may be happening a little later than we originally hoped because of scheduling and budget challenges, but there was no way we were going to let these incredible students go without the recognition they deserve.What these young people accomplished is something our entire community should be proud of.
Students from Valley High School and Stuart Middle School represented Valley Station, Louisville, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky on the national stage and they came home with some incredible accomplishments. We’d love for our community to come together and help us celebrate them!
Monday, August 31 at 5:30 PM
Derby City Pizza – Valley Station
12900 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40272
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL — U800 TEAM
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!
Congratulations to:
Silas Payton
Abraham Castro
Aidan Beckett
Kole Holmes
Roderick Noble
Andy Duvall
VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL — U1600 TEAM
5TH PLACE IN THE NATION!
This team earned the highest finish ever by a Kentucky team in the upper-level competition.
Congratulations to:
Samuel Hennig
Lynoxx Smith
Rye Vavra
Jordan Keith
Delwyn Tellez
STUART MIDDLE SCHOOL — U800
8TH PLACE NATIONALLY!
Another incredible accomplishment, Stuart was the highest-finishing middle school in the High School Competition.
Congratulations to:
Angel Espinal
Eddie Duvall
Amanda Barzaga Nicot
Jason Werner
Coach: Leslie Hennig
These students put in the hours, competed against some of the best young chess players in the country, and represented our community with pride. Behind every one of them are coaches, families, teachers, teammates, and supporters who helped them get there. Achievements like this deserve to be celebrated right here at home. We’re proud of you. Valley Station is proud of you. And Kentucky should be proud of you. Come out Monday evening and help us fill the room with the kind of community support these young people have earned. Let’s make sure they know that when our kids accomplish something this special, their community shows up for them. Congratulations to all of our students, Coach Hennig, their families, and everyone who helped make these incredible achievements possible.
Councilwoman Bast wants to hear directly from you! Join her during this month’s District Office Hours to share your thoughts on Metro Government, whether it’s a concern, a suggestion, or a question about your neighborhood.
Next Meeting Date: August 26th, 2026
10:00am--2:00pm (Drop In)
2:00pm-3:00pm (By Appointment)
Southwest Government Center
Our office at Metro Hall has an open door policy if you need to meet
Call 574-1114 or email Crystal.Bast@louisvilleky.gov for more information.
This one means a lot to me because these aren’t new issues. These are roads and neighborhoods we’ve been talking about, advocating for and fighting to get more attention for since I came into office.
This year, Councilman Jonathan Joseph and I were able to secure $208,000 specifically for roadway and safety improvements in the neighborhoods surrounding Greenwood Road. For those who live in this area, you already know why this matters. Greenwood Road is the dividing line between portions of Districts 12 and 14, but the people who live here don’t care where one council district ends and another begins. They care about getting home safely. They care about the condition of the road they drive every day. They care about their neighborhoods finally getting the attention they’ve needed for years. We have said from the beginning that Southwest Louisville deserves investment. We shouldn’t have to accept deteriorating roads and infrastructure simply because “it’s been that way for years.” Some of these problems didn’t happen overnight, and they won’t all be fixed overnight either. But we can keep pushing, keep advocating and keep putting money back into the communities we represent.
The $208,000 is separate from the major Greenwood Road project. Greenwood itself is maintained by the state, so that larger project is under the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The current state timeline has utility work beginning in 2027, with the full Greenwood Road project currently scheduled for completion in 2031.While we continue pushing for that project, I’m focused on what we can get moving right now. A perfect example is West Pages Lane in District 14. We’ve fought for major improvements there as well, that work is finally started including much-needed roadway infrastructure repairs, paving and curbing. I know road projects aren’t flashy, but when you’ve lived with the same problems year after year, seeing equipment finally show up and work begin means something. There’s still plenty left to do. I’m not going to pretend otherwise. But every project we get funded, every road we get repaired and every long-standing issue we finally move forward is progress. I’ll keep fighting to make sure District 14 and Southwest Louisville get our fair share of the investment we deserve.
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A couple of weeks ago, we shared some exciting news about improvements coming to Terry Road and I want to remind everyone that we’re not done. We’re going to keep working to bring changes to areas of our community that, in some cases, haven’t seen meaningful investment in decades. I also want to be realistic about what that takes. These improvements don’t happen overnight. The process can be slow, and unfortunately, there simply isn’t enough funding to fix everything that needs attention all at once. But that doesn’t mean we stop pushing. One of those long-overdue improvements is better lighting along Terry Road. We are going solar! This year’s Metro budget includes $120,000 for new energy-efficient solar lighting along the four-mile stretch of Terry Road from Cane Run Road to Johnsontown Road. This is a heavily traveled corridor that crosses multiple Metro Council districts, and adequate lighting is an important piece of making it safer for everyone who uses it. Whether you’re driving home from work, walking through your neighborhood, or traveling this corridor after dark, being able to clearly see the road ahead matters. This project came together through collaboration between Councilwoman Tammy Hawkins, Councilman Jonathan Joseph, and myself. Roads don’t stop at district lines, and neither should the work we do for our communities. And I want our residents to keep being part of that work. Keep showing up. Keep communicating with our offices. Come to the community meetings. Tell us what you’re seeing and what you believe needs attention. Your voices help us understand where the needs are and help shape what our community becomes. Government doesn’t build a stronger community by itself. It takes residents, neighborhood leaders, businesses, community organizations and elected officials working together and supporting one another. We’ve got a lot more work ahead of us, but we’re making progress one project, one investment and one long-overdue improvement at a time.
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SOUTHEND MOVIES UNDER THE STARS CONTINUES!
Our next movie night is September 4 at Nick Rodman Park, and we’ll be showing The Little Rascals! Bring the family, grab your chairs and blankets, and come enjoy another free movie night right here in the South End.
Schedule updates:
September 18 — This movie night will be rescheduled because it conflicts with Riverview Festival. We’ll share the new date as soon as everything is finalized.
The Goonies — We originally had to postpone this one earlier in the summer because of rain. Unfortunately, with everything coming up over the next several weeks concerts, movie nights, festivals, fall events and more we just don’t have enough room on the calendar to squeeze in another date this year. But we haven’t forgotten about it! Look for The Goonies to make its return in early spring.
We’ll also be working on next year’s South End Movies Under the Stars schedule and will share that lineup once it’s ready. Most importantly, keep supporting these events and keep showing up! Whether it’s a family movie night or one of our adult date nights, we’re trying to bring more fun, affordable things to do right here in our own community. The SouthEnd Council members can keep putting these events together, but we need our community behind them. The more you show up and support them, the more we can continue to grow them and bring even more opportunities to the South End. See you September 4 at Nick Rodman Park for The Little Rascals! Followed up with Hoppers September 11th at Sun Valley Park.
2026 SOUTHWEST MUSIC SERIES REMAINING LINEUP
VILLAGE GREEN CONCERT
Village Green Pavilion – Fairdale
September 12, 2026
Featuring Jake McVey
This series is about more than concerts. It is about families bringing lawn chairs and kids dancing in the grass. It is about neighbors reconnecting. It is about showcasing Southwest Louisville in a positive way. It is about supporting our parks, our local venues, our artists, and our community pride. We are incredibly thankful to our partners at 91.9 WFPK, Media Events USA, Jefferson Memorial Forest, Louisville Parks & Recreation, and everyone behind the scenes helping bring this vision to life. And most importantly thank YOU. Thank you for continuing to support efforts to grow and invest in Southwest Jefferson County. We have spent a long time being told to wait our turn, and I hope people are starting to see that we are working every single day to change that. Mark your calendars now because this summer is going to be one to remember.
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Keeping our pets healthy and safe is one of the best things we can do for our furry family members. I am excited to once again partner with Councilwoman Crystal Bast and Metro Animal Services to offer two low-cost vaccination and free microchip clinics this summer.
The first 100 pets at each clinic can receive a free microchip, helping improve the chances of being reunited if they ever get lost. Vaccinations, licensing, and other services will also be available at affordable rates.
📅 June 20 – VFW Post 1181
📅 August 29 – Southwest Government Center
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Please remember all pets must be on a leash or in a carrier. We hope to see you and your four-legged friends there!
FREE STORM DEBRIS DROP-OFF THIS SATURDAY
Jefferson County residents can drop off tree debris for free on Saturday, Aug. 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at four Louisville Metro locations:
Shawnee Park, 4501 W. Broadway
Meriwether Lot, 535 Meriwether Ave.
Public Works Yard, 595 N. Hubbards Ln.
Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Rd. (Enter from Bethany Lane.)
Tree debris only. Residents only. Residents will be asked to provide their ZIP code.
Contractors and businesses hauling debris may use the Waste Reduction Center for the usual fee. Visit Louisvilleky.gov/WRC for details. Please share to help get the word out to neighbors who are cleaning up after recent storms.
The next POP UP DROP OFF
September 19
Sun Valley Park and Ashby Lane Baptist Church, 10401 Lower River Rd/6617 Ashby Ln
At church: Shoes, Medication, Electronics, and Shredding
October 17
Metro Fleet Services, 3515 Newburg Rd
November 21
UofL Shelby Campus, 440 N
Whittington Pkwy
Shredding enters in left
Beginning Aug. 18, the Waste Reduction Center will implement updated operating hours to better support daily operations and provide consistent service to residents.
Under the new schedule, the center will be closed from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. In addition, the facility will close for the day at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, rather than its current 5 p.m. closing time.
Saturday operating hours will remain unchanged.
These adjustments are necessary to ensure adequate staffing throughout the day and to maintain safe, efficient service for residents. We understand schedule changes can be inconvenient, and we appreciate the community's patience and understanding.
Residents are encouraged to plan visits accordingly and use the Recycle Coach mobile app to receive real-time updates. The Waste Reduction Center website will also show the most up-to-date information.
Thank you for your continued support of Louisville Metro’s waste and recycling programs.
Louisville Loop
We want to hear from you about the Louisville Loop! Louisville Metro is asking for community feedback, and this is a great opportunity to share what you like, what you’d like to see improved, and what you think the future of the Louisville Loop should look like.
There’s a section at the end that asks, “Do you have any additional comments or concerns?” After you complete the survey, feel free to share what you wrote in that section in the comments below.
I’d love to hear what our community thinks, and we’ll be sharing some of our feedback as well. Your input matters, so please take a few minutes and make your voice heard!
Sun Valley Golf
You might have noticed some interesting stripes around the putting greens at Sun Valley Golf Course lately and there’s a good reason for them! Our golf operations team is working to reseed areas around the greens to restore turf and green space that has been lost over the years. This work is part of the continued effort to improve course conditions and create a better overall playing experience for everyone who enjoys Sun Valley. I’m excited to see improvements like these starting to happen across our Metro golf courses. We have some great teams in place who care about these courses, understand their value to our communities, and are working to make them better. These improvements take time, and there’s still plenty of work ahead, but I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Metro Golf and especially our own Sun Valley Golf Course. Thank you for your patience while the newly seeded areas have time to grow and establish. Little by little, we’re investing in these public spaces and making sure they’re around for generations to enjoy
Waverly Park
Something really special is coming to Waverly Park, and I’m excited to see this kind of investment happening right here in Southwest Louisville. Louisville’s first adaptive mountain bike trail is being created along a section of the Clinic Loop at Waverly Park. The trail is being widened and improved to accommodate adaptive mountain bikes, giving riders with disabilities or mobility limitations the opportunity to experience mountain biking and the outdoors in a way that many traditional trails simply don’t allow. But this is important this trail is free and open to everyone. It isn’t exclusively for adaptive riders. It’s being built so that people of different abilities can enjoy the same trail, together.
We need more of this. For a long time, families in the South End and Southwest Jefferson County have asked for more recreational opportunities, more investment in our parks and more amenities close to home. And as we make those investments, accessibility and inclusion need to be part of the conversation from the beginning. Everyone deserves opportunities to get outside, be active and enjoy our public spaces, regardless of their physical abilities. Waverly Park is in Councilman Jonathan Joseph’s district, but it sits just a hop, skip and a jump from Districts 14 and 25. Parks don’t stop serving people at district lines, and neither should we. When something good comes to Southwest Louisville, our entire area benefits. Catalyst Sports and KYMBA have been working alongside Louisville Parks and Recreation to make this project possible, and I’m grateful to everyone who has had a hand in bringing it to our community. The grand opening will be Saturday, September 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Waverly Park’s Clinic Loop. I hope this is just the beginning of seeing more accessible and adaptive recreational opportunities throughout the South End. We have some beautiful parks and incredible outdoor spaces, and I want to see more people have the opportunity to use them, experience them and feel like they were built with them in mind too
Jefferson Memorial Forest
This program is designed for outdoor lovers and hikers who have little to no prior experience camping overnight in the wilderness and would like to learn more backpacking skills.The program involves two sessions. This first session will focus on Gear Use/Fitting/Packing, Planning a Backpacking Trip, and Preparing the group for next week's outing. Attending this first session is required to attend the second session campout. Come join the adventure and learn something new! Program meets at Quest Outdoors
Ages: 12 and up. A parent/legal guardian must accompany anyone under the age of 18.
Pre-Registration required. Register online or by calling 502-368-5404
1st Session Registration
2nd Session Registration
Text-to-911 is officially available in Jefferson County!
This is a great option for anyone deaf, hard of hearing, or someone with a speech disability. There might also be scenarios when an injury, medical condition, or situation could warrant a text instead of a call.
While this is a great additional tool, the best course of action is to call 911 if you can. Text if you can’t.
Thank you to Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for their continued partnership with our office We hear constantly from residents about speeding, reckless driving, and traffic safety and I’ve continued pushing for more enforcement in the areas where we know there are problems. These numbers show exactly why that partnership matters. From April through July, Sheriff’s deputies conducted traffic enforcement across all 26 Metro Council districts, resulting countywide in 1,398 citations, 553 courtesy notices, and 1,670 total charges. And District 14? I’d like to say I’m surprised, but I’m really not. District 14 ranked #3 out of all 26 Council districts for citations.
Just in District 14 during those four months:
- 145 citations
- 56 courtesy notices/written warnings
- 166 charges filed
- 201 total stops logged
That means District 14 alone accounted for more than 10% of all Sheriff citations issued countywide during this period. Speeding continues to be a major issue. Countywide, speeding violations dominated the list of charges, including 196 charges for drivers traveling 15 MPH over the posted speed limit. We have screamed for YEARS about the dangers along Dixie Highway and other heavily traveled roads throughout Southwest Louisville. While we will continue pushing the state for the infrastructure and safety improvements these corridors desperately need, we can’t simply wait around for those changes to happen. In the meantime, enforcement matters. A huge thank you to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for listening to our concerns, putting deputies in our communities, and collaborating with LMPD to address the traffic issues our residents continue bringing forward. 201 stops in District 14 in just four months is real work, and I appreciate every bit of it. We’ll keep pushing for safer infrastructure. We’ll keep asking for enforcement. And we’ll keep working together to make our roads safer for the people who live, work, and travel through our community every single day.
New Kentucky school bus stop law is now in effect
School is almost back in session, and there's an important change every driver should know.
Kentucky's updated school bus stop law, created through House Bill 7, expands when drivers must stop for a school bus with its stop arm extended and red lights flashing.
What changed?
Drivers must now stop in all lanes and in both directions, including on:
When don't you have to stop?
The only exception is when you're traveling in the opposite direction on a roadway with four or more lanes that is separated by an elevated barrier or an unpaved median.
Know before you go
Passing a stopped school bus is dangerous and illegal. Drivers who fail to stop can face:
Slowing down and stopping for school buses helps protect children as they get on and off the bus. A few extra seconds can make all the difference.
Mayor Greenberg announces enrollment for LIHEAP Summer Subsidy beginning August 3
Jefferson County residents can apply for utility assistance through the Louisville Metro Office of Social Services
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg announced today the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy to help Kentucky households offset summer cooling costs. Enrollment starts on Aug. 3 and runs until Sept. 11 or until designated funds are depleted. Funds are approved on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Summer Subsidy Component provides households with incomes up to 150 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines a one-time benefit ranging from $41 to $250, depending on income levels and housing category. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s electric vendor.
“Summer heat can place a significant strain on household budgets, and we know families are feeling overwhelmed with the rising prices of gas and groceries,” said Mayor Greenberg. “Through the LIHEAP Summer Subsidy, we’re helping residents stay safe, healthy and connected to essential utilities. We encourage everyone who may qualify to apply as soon as possible.”
To apply, Jefferson County residents may schedule an appointment through the automated appointment system. Appointments may be scheduled by phone at (502) 991-8391 or online at the LIHEAP Appointment Scheduler. The toll-free service is currently open and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
All applicants will be required to supply the following documentation at time of application:
- Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card for each member of the household.
- Proof of income from the preceding month for all members of the household.
- Most current electric bill, which may be a statement from your landlord if electric is included in your rent or a bill/statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program.
- The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.
The Summer Subsidy does not require a disconnect notice or past due bill. The benefit can be applied as credit on your account. Previous LIHEAP assistance does not affect a household's eligibility.
For more information about LIHEAP income eligibility and other instructions, visit louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP or call the automated LIHEAP information line at (502) 991-8391.
The Louisville Metro Office of Social Services (OSS) serves as the administering agency of the Louisville Metro Community Action Agency.
Kentucky’s Community Action Agencies administer LIHEAP in partnership with Community Action Kentucky and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Funding for the program is provided through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and helps eligible households manage home energy costs throughout the year. For more information, visit Community Action Kentucky.
Repair Affair helps qualifying homeowners with FREE home repairs designed to make their homes safer and help them continue living independently.
You must:
• Own and live in your home
• Be 60 years of age or older OR have a verified disability
• Meet the program’s household income guidelines
WHAT TYPES OF REPAIRS CAN THEY HELP WITH?
Depending on the needs of the home and available resources, assistance may include accessibility improvements, grab bars and handrails, unsafe steps or flooring, doors and locks, minor plumbing or electrical repairs, roof and gutter repairs, weatherization and other safety-related repairs.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Contact New Directions Housing Corporation and ask about the Repair Affair program and application.
New Directions Housing Corporation
1617 Maple Street
Louisville, KY 40210
Phone: 502-589-2272 or 502-371-4906
You can also find information and the application online:
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND: Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee that every requested repair can be completed. The work depends on available funding, resources, volunteers and the type of repair needed. I know we have seniors and individuals with disabilities throughout Louisville who have lived in their homes for many years and simply need a little help keeping those homes safe. A loose handrail, unsafe steps, an accessibility issue or a repair someone can no longer physically or financially manage can become a much bigger problem. If this doesn’t apply to you, it may apply to your parent, grandparent, neighbor or friend. Please share this information and help us get it into the hands of someone who may need it.
Did you know Louisville has an Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens?
If you’re helping an aging parent, caring for a loved one with a disability, or simply aren’t sure where to turn for help, this is an incredible resource that many people don’t know about.
The Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens can connect residents with resources such as:
• Transportation assistance
• Meals and nutrition programs
• Caregiver support
• Home care services
• Home accessibility modifications
• Housing resources
• Medicare and benefits information
• Scam and fraud prevention
• And much more
Sometimes the hardest part isn’t finding help it’s knowing where to start. This office is there to help guide you through the process and connect you with the services that best fit your situation.
Whether you’re planning ahead for yourself or helping a family member navigate life’s challenges, this is a resource worth keeping in your back pocket.
or by calling Metro 311 and asking to be connected.
If you know someone who could benefit from these services, please share this post. You never know whose life it might make a little easier.
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On August 17, 2026, the Kentucky Department for Public Health confirmed there's an ongoing measles outbreak in Kentucky. Fifteen (15) cases have been reported so far in Christian, Owen, Todd, Trigg and Washington counties. The United States is experiencing the highest number of measles cases in decades. Most people who get measles are not vaccinated. Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air and can cause serious health problems, especially in young children,” said Dr. Kris Bryant, associate medical director for LMPHW and pediatric infectious disease specialist with Norton Children’s. “It can make a child severely ill and lead to life-threatening complications like seizures, swelling of the brain, pneumonia, and make you more likely to get sick with other infections.” There is no antiviral treatment for measles, but it is preventable through vaccination. The first of MMR vaccine is usually given to children at ages 12 through 15 months and a second dose at age 4 through 6. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles. “With thousands of people expected to attend the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, now is a good time to make sure you and your family are protected against measles,” said Connie Mendel, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) and Chief Health Strategist. “Measles spreads easily in crowded indoor and outdoor settings, so anyone who is not vaccinated may be at increased risk of exposure. Check that you and your children are up to date on the MMR vaccine before attending the fair. If you develop a fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a rash after attending the fair or another large event, contact your healthcare provider and avoid public places until you receive medical advice.” “If your child needs the MMR vaccine, we can help,” Mendel added. “We provide vaccines to people without insurance or a medical home, as well as for children whose insurance or doctor do not cover vaccines. We also accept most insurance plans. There is a $12 administration fee for each vaccine, but no one will be turned away if they are unable to pay. Call 502-574-5380 to schedule an appointment at our immunization’s clinic.”
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Hollywood Classics Under the Stars - Starts 5/4
 
Hollywood Classics Under The Stars
Starting May 4
Hollywood Classics Under the Stars kicks off on Monday, May 4th with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story! Bring the whole family to the amphitheater from May through September for free outdoor movie screenings.
2026 MOVIE NIGHTS:
Monday, May 4: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Monday, May 18: The Princess Bride presented by Monticello Bank
Monday, June 1: When We Were Kings
Monday, June 15: Hannah Montana Miley Cyrus Best of Both Worlds presented by Monticello Bank
Saturday, June 20: Wicked For Good Sing-Along
Monday, June 29: How to Train Your Dragon presented by Monticello Bank
Saturday, July 11: Almost Famous / This Is Spinal Tap (Double Feature!)
Monday, July 20: The Big Lebowski
Monday, August 3: Shaun of the Dead
Saturday, August 22: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (with Live Shadow Cast)
Saturday, September 5: Godzilla (1954) & Godzilla vs Destoroyah (Double Feature!) presented by Monticello Bank
Learn More: Hollywood Classics Under The Stars – Iroquois Amphitheater
Have a question?
Reach out to Iroquois Amphitheater at amphitheater@louisvilleky.gov
or call (502) 368-5865 for more information. |
