Join the community of compassionate volunteers at Hildegard House. They provide a home and compassionate care for individuals at the end of life who have no home or loved ones to care for them so that they may die with dignity and access hospice care. They are the family for their residents and care for them just like family members. Compassionate Companions commit to a weekly 5-hour shift. The next volunteer training is November 11 and 12. To learn more about volunteering and register at www.hildegardhouse.org or call Volunteer Coordinator Jana McNally at (502) 581-8267.

LIHEAP Fall Subsidy begins to provide utility assistance for income-eligible residents

Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services is accepting appointments for the annual Fall Subsidy Component of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which operates November 7 through December 16, 2022, or until funds are depleted.

During LIHEAP Subsidy, individuals or families in Jefferson County at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines who are responsible for home energy cost, whether directly or as an undesignated portion of rent, are eligible for assistance.  Residents can apply regardless of the status of their utility bills.

The Subsidy component provides households a one-time ranging from $50 to $200 depending on income levels and housing category. Payments are be made directly to the heating vendor (i.e. LG&E).

Appointments are required in advance to apply. The toll-free automated appointment system is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to schedule an in-person appointment at one of seven locations. The automated scheduler will provide details about these locations as well as eligibility and required documentation.

Please note residents who applied for LIHEAP Fall Subsidy in October during the early registration phase for elderly and disabled citizens, do not need to reapply during the regular LIHEAP Subsidy Phase. 

LIHEAP Fall Subsidy Component

How to apply: Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Eligibility:

• Jefferson County households within 130% of 2022-23 Federal Poverty Guidelines
• Must be responsible for home heating costs or pay heating costs if utilities are included as an undesignated portion of rent.
• LIHEAP Subsidy is a one-time benefit. You do not need to have a past-due balance or disconnect notice to be eligible.

Documentation:

• Proof of all household income for the preceding month (Food Stamp award letter, Social Security Award letter, pay stubs, etc. or proof of $0 income). Note: Zero Income forms are available at the Resilience and Community Services office at 701 W. Ormsby Ave., Suite 201 as well as the seven LIHEAP locations listed below or by clicking here. 
• Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
• Most current heating bill; or statement from your landlord if heating expenses are included in your rent; or statement from your utility company if you participate in a pre-pay electric program. Please bring the account number and name on the account for all heating fuel sources and electric. 

Residents will also have the opportunity to apply for MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program, known as EWRAP.

Eligible households can apply for one or both LIHEAP Subsidy and MSD’s EWRAP with one single appointment.

EWRAP provides approved applicants in Jefferson County a 30% discount on wastewater charges and the consent decree surcharge.  Eligibility includes households at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines. Proof of an active utility account with the Louisville Water Company and MSD is also required.  This enrollment period is for new and renewing MSD discount program clients.

MSD EWRAP (Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program) How to apply: Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

Eligibility:

• Jefferson County households within 150% of 2022-23 Federal Poverty Guidelines
• Must be an MSD residential wastewater customer
• Not currently receiving MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount as of date of application.

Documentation:

• Proof of social security number or permanent residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
• Must provide proof of all income received during the previous month by any member of the household (gross).
• Proof of active utility account with Louisville Water Company and MSD. (i.e. Named customers with MSD, receiving metered water service for a property used solely for residential purposes, and owned or leased by customer as principal residence).

MSD clients who do not meet the income eligibility for MSD’s EWRAP may be eligible for MSD’s Senior Citizen Discount Program, if the client is 65 years of age or older with a gross household income of $35,000 or less per year.   It is recommended you submit your MSD bill with your LIHEAP documentation to see if you qualify for a MSD discount program.

Discounts from the MSD programs will become effective on the next billing cycle following approval. 

Individuals who are unable to apply for LIHEAP or the MSD programs in person may send a representative on their behalf. Simply provide the representative with the documentation listed above as well as a hand-written note, dated and signed from the applicant, giving them permission to handle their application for services. Residents who are homebound and who are unable to send a representative may call 502/780-7937.

Visit louisvilleky.gov and search for “LIHEAP” for periodic updates about both of these programs, or for more details about the MSD Discount Programs, visit https://louisvillemsd.org/paymybill.

For more information about this process on how to apply for LIHEAP or the MSD discount programs, please contact Metro311 by simply dialing 311 or 574-5000, email metro.call@louisvilleky.gov, visit the website’s On Line Customer Service or Live Chat at www.louisvilleky.gov/metrocall, tweet @LouMetro311, or download the free Mobile 311 app from the website.

LIHEAP is made possible by the United States Department of Health and Human Services and by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.  For more information about Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services -- visit our website at www.louisvilleky.gov/RCS  or contact Community Action Kentucky at 1-800-456-3452.

For more information on MSD’s EWRAP or Senior Citizen Discount Program visit https://louisvillemsd.org/paymybill or call 502-540-6000.

Louisville Parks and Recreation seeking public input regarding the future of Iroquois Park tennis courts

Louisville Parks and Recreation is seeking input from the community regarding the future of the tennis courts in Iroquois Park by performing in-person/online surveys as well as hosting a public meeting.

In June 2022, Mayor Fischer signed an ordinance allocating more than $79 million in the fourth round of the city’s share of American Rescue Plan funds –which included $500,000 for upgrades to the tennis courts in Iroquois Park.

To determine how this project could meet the community’s needs, Louisville Parks and Recreation is seeking feedback from the public before moving forward.

Online surveys will be available from November 4-14 at bestparksever.com.

Surveys translated into Spanish, Arabic and Vietnamese will be available for those who wish to complete them in-person at the Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office (1080 Amphitheater Road, 40214) on Thursday, November 10, and Friday, November 11,  from 4-6 p.m.

Additionally, park users are encouraged to look for signage posted throughout the park from November 4-14 containing a QR code to scan from a mobile device for direct access to filling out the survey online.

A public meeting to discuss the results of the survey will take place at the Beechmont Community Center (205 W Wellington Ave., 40214) on Tuesday, November 15, at 6 p.m. Parks will also present its findings to Metro Council and the Parks and Sustainability Committee at a later date.

Amazon seasonal employees and UPS employees ride fare-free

Individuals who will be employed this holiday season at Amazon and UPS may ride all TARC routes fare-free by showing their current, valid employee ID.

Amazon employees can take TARC for free until January 15, 2023. You can reach Amazon's River Ridge facility via Route #71, as well as by riding TARC's new Route #73, or #74.

UPS employees may ride TARC service fare-free all year long. The UPS Worldport location is serviced by TARC Routes #28, #93, and #99. The facility on Air Commerce Drive is accessible via TARC's new Route #46.

For more information on TARC's new routes, which expand service to employment centers, please click here. For assistance planning your trip, we recommend using Google Maps

When you are driving and see the emergency lights or hear the sirens, do you know what to do? Here are the rules of the road:

Upon the approach of an emergency vehicle operating flashing, rotating, or oscillating red or blue lights or the driver is given audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall:

• Yield the right-of-way, immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the edge or curb of the highway clear of any intersection, and stop and remain in such position until the emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer or firefighter.
• Immediately stop clear of any intersection and shall keep such position until the emergency vehicle has passed, unless directed otherwise by a police officer or firefighter.
• Not follow any emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet, nor shall he drive into, or park the vehicle into, or park the vehicle within, the block where the vehicle has stopped in answer to an emergency call or alarm unless he is directed otherwise by a police officer or firefighter.
• Not drive over any unprotected hose of a fire department when the hose is laid down on any street, private driveway, or track for use at any fire or fire alarm unless the fire department official in command consents that the hose be driven over.

Upon approaching a stationary emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle, when the emergency vehicle or public safety vehicle is giving a signal by displaying alternately flashing yellow, red, red and white, red and blue, or blue lights, a person who drives an approaching vehicle shall, while proceeding with due caution:

• Yield the right-of-way by moving to a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if:
  • The person is driving on a highway having at least four (4) lanes with not fewer than two (2) lanes proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle; and
  • If it is possible to make the lane change with due regard to safety and traffic conditions; or
• Reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed to road conditions, if changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe.

Mowing over leaves to mulch them back into your lawn is a great option for reducing waste. Mulching not only returns vital nutrients to the soil, but experts say that it can help your grass grow even better the following year! Never blow leaves into the street!

Leaf Drop-Off Sites

The Metro Public Works free leaf drop-off sites will be open Tuesday-Saturdays through December 10. Drop-off will not be available on November 24 and 25 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Only leaves will be accepted and they must be in paper/compostable bags or reusable containers. Containers used to bring leaves to the drop-off sites must be taken back by residents.

Locations and hours:

Public Works Yard, 10500 Lower River Road (enter from Bethany Lane)

Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Public Works East District Operations Center, 595 North Hubbards Lane

Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Shawnee Park, 230 Southwestern Parkway (Athletic Complex)

Tuesday-Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Waste Reduction Center, 636 Meriwether Avenue

Tuesday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm

Saturday, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Cat of the Week 

It’s always free to adopt adult cats at Louisville Metro Animal Services, with an approved application. Pimm’s Cup is just six month old and the last of his litter still waiting to be adopted. That’s because Pimm’s Cup is super shy so he spends all his time hiding out in his cat tent, where he’s likely to go unnoticed. Adopt Pimm’s Cup and give him a permanent home where he feels safe to explore and relax. Pimm’s Cup was in a foster home before being placed for adoption and he keeps his cat condo tidy. His waived adoption fee includes a swag bag of gifts. Pimm’s Cup is already neutered, microchipped, and current on vaccinations. For more info about Pimm’s Cup, call 502-473-PETS. To meet or adopt Pimm’s Cup, visit LMAS’ Animal House Adoption Center, located at 3516 Newburg Road, 12:00 - 6:00pm daily. To view more adoptable cats and kittens at LMAS, click here. (https://louisvi)lleky.gov/government/animal-services/services/adopt-pet

Dog of the Week 

Spice up your life by adopting Salsa. The shy, but happy, Labrador Retriever mix spent time in a foster home so he could work on his confidence. He showed his temporary family he is a big ol’ cuddle bug who gives the best cuddles. He enjoyed spending time in the backyard where keeping himself entertained included treating the bird feeder as a dog toy. Salsa is about average energy level and enjoys going for walks. Adopt Salsa for free with an approved application, thanks to the Pay It Forward Program. Salsa’s adoption includes a swag bag of gifts from the non-profit, the Friends of Metro Animal Services (fomaslou.org). Salsa is approximately two years old, and weighs 40lbs. He’s already neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations. Dog and cat testing are offered by request. For more info about Salsa, email animalservicesadoption@louisvilleky.gov. To meet or adopt Salsa, visit Animal House Adoption Center (3516 Newburg Road), 12:00 - 6:00pm daily. To view more adoptable dogs available at LMAS, click here. (https://louisvilleky.gov/government/animal-services/services/adopt-pet)