Bridge Replacement Taking Place on South Watterson Trail in Jefferson County

Bridge closed for 60 days during project

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 7, 2021) –The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) advises motorists of work to replace the bridge on South Watterson Trail over Fern Creek in Jefferson County. The structure is closed and will remain shut down to traffic for 60 days as work on the project is complete. The project was scheduled to begin in the fall but was postponed due to contractor delays. Motorists can detour the area via KY 1747 (South Hurstbourne Parkway) and U.S. 31 E (Bardstown Road).

This bridge replacement is part of a multi-project contract awarded to Louisville Paving and Construction. The cost of the replacement is $673,991. This project is part of KYTC’s Bridging Kentucky Program, which is a commitment to improving the safety and soundness of the Commonwealth’s bridges by rehabilitating, repairing, or replacing critical bridges throughout the state. The program is designed to open closed structures, improve bridge lifespans, ensure appropriate weight capacities are met and improve access and mobility for all Kentuckians.

The date and duration of this work may be adjusted if inclement weather or other unforeseen delays occur.  Visit goky.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  You can also get traffic information for the District 5 counties at facebook.com/KYTCDistrict5 and twitter.com/KYTCDistrict5.

A Message From the Friends of the Fern Creek Library

As with every community group, Friends of the Fern Creek Library have found ways to serve during this unprecedented time of COVID 19. We currently help supply three little libraries with books. The Friends of the Fern Creek Library, Fern Creek Woman’s Club, and Next Gen Leadership (Fern Creek High School) donated a Little Free Library on the grounds of FCCACC. This Little Library contains books for all ages of readers. We encourage you to stop by and take a book home to enjoy. We have supplied books for individuals when requested, leaving them in a bag outside of their homes. We are continuing to partner with Next Gen Leadership to provide literacy events online through the leadership of a Fern Creek High School teacher, Heather Jones. At this time, we are not accepting donations of books because we are unable to host Library Day due to the pandemic. If you need books for your library at home or for assisted living facilities with libraries, please contact us at ferncreekfriends19@gmail.com. A book can be that currently impossible vacation, an opportunity to learn something new, or an old beloved friend through a reread of a favorite book. Let us know if we can help you with books for your children. We can’t wait to see you again when Library Day can reopen, but in the meantime, we are still here for you!

2021 COVID-19 Vaccine Priority Groups

Suicide Prevention & Coping During COVID

The Mayor's Office for Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods (OSHN) would like to invite you to be a part of the One Love Louisville Networking Night featuring our special guest from the Kent School of Social Work, Sara Williams MSSW, CSW.  January 26 is an opportunity for citizens to learn more about Violence Prevention efforts as well as find out about important resources and initiatives in our community. Our Networking Nights create an environment for change agents to build a network of citizens as well as agencies involved in efforts to help prevent violence. It provides a space for continued development of violence prevention knowledge and resources. During this Networking Night, you will learn individual and collective efforts to prevent suicide and coping strategies during the age of COVID-19.

Come ready to connect with other passionate community members and learn more about innovative violence prevention strategies to help create a safer Louisville! Learn more about the event or register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/131626481349

Crisis Component of LIHEAP begins to provide utility assistance for Louisville residents

Automated appointment line now open to schedule appointments in advance

LOUISVILLE, KY (January 4, 2021) - The program that helps prevent low income residents of Jefferson County from being disconnected from utility services begins today, Monday, January 4, 2021. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is administered by the Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. The LIHEAP Crisis Component will run from Jan. 4 - March 31, or until available funds have been expended, whichever comes first. This year’s Crisis Program will allow residents receiving a current utility bill with a past due amount and residents receiving a disconnect notice to apply for assistance. To apply, residents must schedule an appointment utilizing the automated appointment system. Appointments can be scheduled by phone by calling 502-991-8391 or online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com. The toll-free service is currently open and is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Applicants must be a resident of Jefferson County with a household income at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g. for a household of four, the gross monthly income cannot exceed $3,275.00).  Applicants must also meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Received a disconnect notice from LG&E, or
• Received a current bill with a past due amount, or
• Have a current payment plan with LG&E due to a past-due balance, or 
• Received an eviction notice if utilities are included in the rent, or
• Be within four days of running out of bulk fuel; or
• Be within ten days of running out of pre-paid electric service.

Applicants must provide copies of the following documents.

• Proof of all household income for the preceding month (Food Stamp award letter, Social Security Award letter, pay stubs, or proof of $0 income). Note: Zero Income forms are available at the LIHEAP Drop Box locations or by clicking here.
• Social Security card(s) or (official documentation with Social Security Numbers) or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household; and
• Disconnect notice or a current bill with a past due amount for metered utilities; or
• Eviction notice and copy of lease if heating expenses are included in the rent. or 
• Statement from utility company that shows 10 days or less of service if participating in pre-paid electric service.
• Family Profile Form and Remote Processing Form can be downloaded at louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP or found at the LIHEAP office Drop boxes. 

Individuals who are unable to apply for this program own their own may send an authorized representative to drop off required documentation their behalf with a note including the applicant’s name, address, phone number, and the name of the designated representative. Residents who are homebound and who are unable to designate a representative to drop off documenation on their behalf may call 502/780-7937.

Copies of LIHEAP documentation, along with the downloadable Family Profile form and the Remote Processing form, should be dropped off at theLIHEAP site you select, on the day of your appointment.  Applicants will then be contacted by LIHEAP staff within 72 hours (3 business days) of the appointment time.

There are seven LIHEAP locations with Drop Boxes for the 2021 LIHEAP Crisis program:

• South Central Neighborhood Place located at 4255 Hazelwood Avenue, 40215
• Neighborhood Place Ujima located at 3610 Bohne Avenue, 40211
• Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place located at 1411 Algonquin Parkway, 40210
• Newburg Community Center located at 4810 Exeter Avenue, 40218
• Cane Run Neighborhood Place, located at 3410 Lees Lane, 40216
• Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway, located at 1st floor, 40211
• East End Drop Box, located at 2927 Goose Creek Rd., 40241

All Office of Resilience and Community Services and Neighborhood Place offices remain closed for walk-in clients in an effort to help stem the spread of COVID-19.  Staff are serving clients remotely via phone, secure drop boxes and email communication.

For more descriptions about LIHEAP income eligibility and other instructions, call the automated LIHEAP information line at 991-8391 or visit www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.  Residents may also visit https://louisvilleky.gov/LIHEAP for more details.

Individuals who require more information can contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or (502) 574-5000, email metro.311@louisvilleky.gov, visit the website’s On-line Customer Service at https://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro311, tweet @LouMetro311, or download the free Mobile 311 app from the website. Residents can also call Metro United Way’s 2-1-1 help referral service.

LIHEAP is made possible by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is a pass-through block grant from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which contracts with Community Action Agencies across the state. Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services serves as the administering agency of Louisville Metro Community Action Partnership. For more information about Community Services, visit our website: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services or call 574-1157 (TDD available at Metro311– 574-5000); or Community Action Kentucky at 1-800-456-3452.

COVID-19 Vaccine Scams FRAUD WARNING

Jan 2021 Hot Topics

1. Don’t fall for a secret shopper scam! A local consumer reported to BBB Scam Tracker that she received a check to be a Secret Shopper. She was told to deposit the $2000 check, keep $500 for payment, then use the rest to purchase gift cards and send the gift card information. The check was fake, and the victim is out the money!
2. A local consumer fell for a car wrap scam. Scammers used the address of a local business. The victim was sent a check, was told to cash it at the bank, keep part of it for payment, then take the rest of the money and deposit it to an account for the decal people to put the decal on his car. Supposedly, every two weeks, he would continue to be paid while the decal was on his car.
3. Don’t fall for an employment scam! Several victims have reached out to BBB Scam Tracker saying they were contacted by “shipping companies” out of the local area, offering jobs as “Quality Control Inspectors.” Victims are told they will make a large sum of money to pick up packages, inspect them, and reship them. In order to get the job, the scammers ask for your personal information.
4. A new phishing scam involves calls offering assistance with claiming unemployment benefits. The scammers usually claim to be from a federal or state labor department and ask for personal and confidential information. Just hang up.
5. Scammers are using the confusion surrounding the second round of stimulus checks to take your money. Don’t provide personal information, upfront fees, or click on any links to fill out an “application” for the payment.
6. Scammers are still cashing in on COVID scams. Be wary of anyone who reaches out to you in regards to getting the vaccine via a phone call, text, or email. Scammers impersonate the CDC,  in an attempt to steal your personal information.
7. A fake notice from Amazon says that someone spent thousands of dollars using your account. In some cases, people receive what seems to be an invoice from Amazon requesting payment. The message contains a supposed fraud-hotline number. Victims are told they must send money to correct the "mistake."
8. The New Year is a good time to check your free credit report, with one of the three major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Go to www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.
9. Make a NY resolution to be a smart consumer in 2021. Update anti-virus software on your computer; change passwords; read the fine print; get everything in writing; and don’t forget to visit bbb.org to research businesses and charities.
10. Tax season is right around the corner! Do your research before you hire a tax preparer. Find out what their service fees are upfront, avoid those who base their fee on a percentage of your refund, and never sign a blank tax form. Check out companies at bbb.org.

Driver's License Updates

Driver’s Licenses

At this time, these five Driver’s License branches are now open and operating Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.:

• Middletown (11700 Main St., 40243) 
• Outer Loop-Highview (7509 Outer Loop, 40228)
• Southwest (4919 Dixie Highway, Suite A, 40216)
• West Louisville (2900 W. Broadway, 40211)
• Bowman Field (3501 Roger E. Schupp, 40205)

Please note:

• Social distancing will be required.
• Mask or face covering will be required.
• At our high-volume branches, a reservation system may be utilized.
• From 8 to 9 a.m. each day at each branch, Seniors and those with health issues will be served first (reservations not needed)
• We highly recommend taking advantage of the Mail-in Renewal Option if you meet the applicable criteria. For details and the form, click here -- https://www.drivejefferson.com/mail-in-renewal/

(Our sixth branch, at 514 West Liberty, is closed to the public due to COVID-19 and is only processing main-in renewals at this time.)

Career opportunities

Our office is now hiring! For information about openings or applying for a position, click here -- https://www.jeffersonkycourtclerk.com/human-resources/

Websites

Please visit DriveJefferson.com for driver’s license locations, services, hours, etc. and JeffersonKyCourtClerk.com for Office of the Circuit Court Clerk information.

2nd Neighborhood Meeting for a Change of Zoning R4-C1 to R7: Bardstown Road at Waterson Trail to be Held Thursday, January 21st at 6:00pm