Friday March 29, 2024
News Sections

As Louisville Metro Government works to address budget constraints caused by the increasing state pension obligation and lack of new revenue, Louisville Parks and Recreation today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for management, operation, and maintenance of its 10 golf courses.

The city is accepting proposals until October 15, when the process will be closed, and the proposals will be evaluated. Interested parties can learn more about the solicitation including deadline dates and requirements at the city’s procurement web page, https://louisvilleky.gov/purchasing. The accepted proposals may include lease, hybrid or concession options.

Louisville Parks and Recreation golf courses are Metro-owned and currently managed independently by PGA professionals whose contracts expire at the end of 2019 – except for Quail Chase where the contract expires December 31, 2024. The state alcoholic beverage licenses for the PGA professionals expire at the end of October.

Deed restrictions on the golf course properties ensure that nine of the 10 Metro-owned golf courses must remain public spaces and used for recreational purposes, meaning that they will not be turned over for commercial or real-estate development. Bobby Nichols Golf Course in southwest Louisville is the only course with no such restriction.

The city issued a request for information (RFI) this spring to gauge interest and gather ideas for use of Metro’s golf course properties. The responses to the RFI helped in the development of the RFP being released today.

ABOUT LOUISVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION GOLF:
Louisville’s 10 public golf courses offer a quality golfing experience at some of the most affordable prices in the nation. Each course has its own unique character, and some consistently rank among Kentucky’s best and most challenging courses. The 10 municipally-owned golf courses meet the needs of everyone from beginners to scratch golfers. For more information, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/parks/golf-courses.  Continue reading

Southwest Airlines recently announced new seasonal weekly nonstop service between Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) beginning Saturday, December 21, 2019. The airline will operate the flight using 143-seat Boeing 737 aircraft.

“We’re pleased that Southwest continues to expand service here in Louisville with Fort Lauderdale marking the third new nonstop destination they have added in the past 17 months,” said Dan Mann Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority. “Southwest’s on-going investment of new routes at SDF speaks highly of the strength of our market and our strong partnership with them.”

With this announcement, Southwest Airlines will offer nonstop flights to ten destinations from Louisville including Baltimore, Chicago-Midway, Dallas-Love Field, Denver, Houston-Hobby, Las Vegas, Orlando, Phoenix and Tampa. Tickets are now available at www.southwest.com.

“This is great news for Louisvillians looking to head south for work or fun, and a further sign of the strength of the Louisville market,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “We’re pleased that Southwest clearly gets that, as it continues to expand its services here.”

The Fort Lauderdale flight came as part of the airlines winter schedule release. In addition to this new route, Southwest is also increasing their number of daily flights to Chicago-Midway as well as the number of weekend flights to Baltimore, Orlando, Phoenix and Tampa. With these service increases, Southwest’s Louisville capacity will be up 13% in January and February 2020.

This announcement follows a record-setting first six-months of the year for Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport with 2,049,504 total passengers – a 12.5% increase in passenger traffic. Since September 2018, nine of the 10 months have also set passenger records, with June celebrated as the airport’s busiest month yet with 206,000 enplanements.

This level of growth – fueled by expanded markets and new announcements including Fort Lauderdale – has placed Louisville’s airport on track to celebrate its best year ever.

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is served by six airlines offering flights to more than 30 nonstop destinations including 19 of the region’s top 20 domestic markets. With just one stop, travelers from across the region can reach more than 460 destination sin the U.S. and worldwide.

For additional information about the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, visit www.FlyLouisville.com.

We are bringing folks together from all walks of life for one purpose: to show unity and understanding through song. This Sunday, September 15th, hundreds are expected to come together and experience “Love Sings Louder” at the Iroquois Amphitheater.

Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) has joined with The Jewish Federation, Jewish Community Center, Fund for the Arts and the Republic Bank Foundation to sponsor this musical event. This is a free, community-wide, multi-faith, multi-cultural, intergenerational program.

“We invite all races, all cultures and all religions to come forward together for one afternoon in unity through song to show a spirit of community and understanding,” says Councilwoman Sexton Smith. “At a time when we see violence and the rise of racism, we have an opportunity to do something unique and special to show each of us that we can find common ground through music.”

“Love Sings Louder” is inspired by the currently popular “mass singing initiatives” facilitated by groups like Israel’s Koolulam and Canada’s Choir!Choir!Choir!. These events have brought together a diverse range of community members with the idea to stop everything for a few hours and just sing together.

Councilwoman Sexton-Smith and Mark Perelmuter are co-chairs of the event. Jecorey 1200 will lead the way.

In the setting of the Iroquois Amphitheater, those who gather to participate in “Love Sings Louder” will be taught one special song by various community leaders and musical performers. Then, together everyone will sing as a way of feeling of togetherness through a deep communal experience – their sounds and voices coming together to create a social choir, full of hope and optimism.

“This will be a wonderful experience for our community and our city, and I hope it will continue to grow over the years. I look forward joining many others who want to be part of something that will leave a magical memory. Together, we can make something beautiful happen,” says the Councilwoman.

“Love Sings Louder” will begin at 2:00pm. The Iroquois Amphitheater is located at 1080 Amphitheater Road.

Hometown Rising Wraps Up First of Three Fall Music Festivals in Trifesta Series

Day One of the inaugural Hometown Rising Country Music & Bourbon Festival is in the books with big crowds turning out at the Highland Festival Grounds at the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center.

Fans were treated to country music staples including Pikeville native Dwight Yoakam, Trace Adkins, and Tim McGraw; established acts like Little Big Town, Frankie Ballard, and Jimmie Allen; and rising stars including Lindsay Ell, IMAJ, The Cadillac Three, and Taylorsville native J.D. Shelburne.

In addition to the three main stages full of talent, the festival also features dozens of festival merchandise vendors, a wide variety of bourbon labels to try, great food offerings from standard festival fare to gourmet offerings as well as dance lessons and performances.

The two-day party continues this afternoon for the final day featuring headliners Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Brett Young, and Jake Owen; as well as Poison frontman Bret Michaels and Lo Cash on the main Barrel and Oak stages. All three stages, including the Boots & Bourbon stage will be rocking all afternoon until 6PM, when the action moves to the main stages.

Dance lessons, including line dancing, east coast swing, and two-stepping, as well as barn dance mixers, bourbon history lessons also continue throughout the festival grounds.

The three weekend long Trifesta series continues next weekend with the three-day Bourbon & Beyond blend of bourbon, food and music – featuring headlines such as the Foo Fighters, John Fogerty, Robert Plant, Hall & Oates, Zac Brown Band, and ZZ Top.

The series wraps up September 27-29 as Louder Than Life returns to Louisville, bringing with it such heavy metal titans as Slipknot, Godsmack, Disturbed, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and Guns N’ Roses. The colossal lineup also features Ice Cube, Dropkick Murphys, Stone Temple Pilots, Gwar, Crystal Method, and many more feature acts.  Continue reading

The Beechmont Community Center and Louisville City FC will be hosting the second annual Soccer Skills Clinic at the outdoor futsal court on Saturday, September 21 and Saturday, September 28.

Beechmont is located just off Southern Parkway at 205 W. Wellington Avenue, 40214. The clinic, which is targeted for boys and girls 5-13 years of age, is free of charge. The clinic will begin at 10 a.m. sharp and end at noon each day.

Jacob Hazel, an organizer of the clinic, says that while experienced players may find something to learn at Beechmont, the fun, interactive games put on by Louisville City FC reps are meant to appeal to beginners and intermediate players.

To register for the clinic, please call (502) 361-5484, e-mail Jacob.Hazel@louisvilleky.gov.

Trained advocates will provide support to victims at every KSP post in the Commonwealth

Gov. Matt Bevin today joined with Kentucky State Police, the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, and the federal Office of Justice Programs, within the Department of Justice, to announce a new initiative that will provide trained advocates at every KSP post to support and assist victims of crime.

KSP is among the first state police agencies to implement this program on a statewide basis.

The program, called Victim Advocate Support Services (VASS), is launching this fall with a dual purpose. Advocates will administer care to crime victims – or those involved in traumatic events – connecting them with immediate resources, such as mental health services, crisis intervention or legal support. These skilled professionals will also serve as liaisons between law enforcement and the victim, simultaneously helping victims navigate the system while allowing detectives to focus more efficiently on the details of the case.

“I am proud of KSP for leading the charge to ensure that every single state police post in the Commonwealth has a trained advocate that can provide compassionate care and essential resources to victims of crime,” said Gov. Bevin. “The Victim Advocate Support Service program will ensure that victims are immediately connected with trained professionals who will be available during every step of the process. We are grateful to the federal Department of Justice for partnering with us on this important program, and I am confident that this initiative will allow us to better serve and support crime victims who need it most.”

One advocate will be assigned to each of KSP’s 16 posts throughout the state. They will work with community partners to provide fair, compassionate and sensitive treatment of victims, families and witnesses – from the investigative stage of a crime through a follow-up period after the case has been adjudicated. Providing these services in the first hours following a crime is not only vital to healing, it also helps victims secure available compensation funds for out-of-pocket expenses.

KSP Commissioner Rick Sanders said the VASS program will fill a void in the system when it comes to victim outreach and ensure that victims are provided with immediate assistance and resources.

“Last year, our agency opened more than 8,000 criminal cases involving more than 10,000 victims,” Commissioner Sanders said. “Many of these victims have experienced severe trauma and need support from a trained advocate. Although, our troopers are compassionate, they must use their training to immediately investigate the crime or assist with a critical incident as it is unfolding, and having a trained advocate at each post will allow victims to receive immediate support.”

The VASS program is funded through the federal Department of Justice’s Victims of Crime Advocacy (VOCA) grant program. Last month, the Grants Management Branch in the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, which administers VOCA funds in Kentucky, awarded KSP $2.5 million for the program. KSP is providing a $632,000 match.

In addition to the advocates, the grant will fund vehicles for each position and a program director. It also includes funds for staff to attend training in trauma-centered care, compassion fatigue, and victim advocacy. KSP will also work with community-based agencies to develop a resource guide for each post’s service area.

Kentucky Justice Secretary John Tilley praised KSP for the innovative approach to helping victims at a time when police are taking on more complex roles.

“We want to empower victims right from the start,” Secretary Tilley said. “Enduring a traumatic event is overwhelming enough without having to worry about navigating the complexities of the criminal justice system. We have a duty to uphold the rights of victims while also helping them navigate the labyrinth of information, resources and procedures. This will also help KSP troopers and detectives focus on what they do best – solving crimes and protecting communities.”

Katharine T. Sullivan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs, praised the initiative.

“The Department of Justice is excited about Kentucky’s new program and always happy to make these resources available to support crime victims at the moment they need it the most,” Sullivan said. “I’m confident that this program will serve as a model for other states, and I’m hopeful that it will set a new standard for law enforcement agencies everywhere as they seek to do more to respond to the needs of victims.”

KSP has begun interviewing and hiring victim advocates and will begin offering services as soon as the hiring process is complete.

In accordance with the proclamation by President Donald J. Trump and the U.S. Flag Code, both American and state flags at public office buildings will be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019, in observance of Patriot Day.

President Trump further calls upon Americans “to participate in community service in honor of those our Nation lost, to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. EDT (7:46 a.m. CDT) to honor the innocent victims who perished as a result of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.”

All individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies are encouraged to join in this tribute of lowering the flag “in honor of the brave first responders, resolute members of our military, and ordinary Americans who showed extraordinary courage to save others on that fateful day.”

Flag status information is available at http://governor.ky.gov/flag-status/.

Archives