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Saturday December 6, 2025
Local Connection
The 2015 Kentucky State Fair concluded its 111th edition on Sunday and, in the process, recorded a higher number of attendees than in recent years. This year’s event drew 601,672 visitors to the Kentucky Exposition Center, which is more than a 16% increase in attendance from the 515,937 visitors who attended the rain-soaked fair in 2014. This marks the sixth time in the last 10 years that attendance has exceeded 600,000. The attendance record was set in 1994 when 684,356 visitors passed through the fair gates.
Visitors to all 11 days of the Fair were rewarded with sunny skies and warm temperatures, minus any inclement weather, making the Turf Concert Series performances all well-attended. Along with the favorable weather helping with improved attendance figures, several new initiatives debuted this year that were geared toward making the Fair more accessible and affordable.
These included advanced discounted parking and admission tickets available for purchase at Kroger, Walmart, and online at Ticketmaster. Those riding TARC to the Fair, which nearly 1,000 visitors took advantage of, received half off of a regular-priced adult admission. The age for free child admission was raised from 3 to 5. Additionally, there were two “carload days” where $20 covered entry for an entire vehicle.
“We couldn’t have asked for better weather over the duration of this year’s fair, and that was a big part of why we saw such a dramatic increase in attendance, along with several new discount programs offered for the first time,” said President and CEO of the Kentucky State Fair Board Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe. “Once again the exhibitors and organizers of the Fair put on a world class demonstration of attractions, competitions and live performances that represent the best Kentucky has to offer.”
The 11-day event generated approximately $16.5 million in economic impact across the community and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and was responsible for creating hundreds of temporary jobs.
Next year’s Kentucky State Fair will be held August 18-28, 2016. For more information, visit www.kystatefair.org. For highlights, photos, and more from the 2015 Kentucky State Fair, be sure to visit the Louisville Dispatch Facebook page.
Breathitt, Fleming, Perry Counties Added
Governor Steve Beshear announced today that residents of three additional counties with damage as a result of July severe storms and flooding are now eligible to apply for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
According to FEMA, Breathitt, Fleming and Perry counties have been added to the list of counties for which individual assistance is available. Federal funding was already available to affected individuals in the counties of Carter, Johnson, Rowan and Trimble.
“This is good news for residents of Breathitt, Fleming and Perry Counties as they work to recover from these devastating storms,” Gov. Beshear said. “Our emergency management officials have worked hard to document damage and help in recovery efforts. I encourage citizens in the eligible counties to register with FEMA.”
People in the specified counties who need assistance can apply with FEMA online at: http://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance or by calling 1-800-621-3362. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
Strong storms from July 11-20 caused heavy rain and flash flooding, which claimed lives, washed out roads and forced people from their homes in the affected communities. Four deaths have been attributed to the flash flood in the mountain community of Flat Gap in Johnson County.
Breathitt, Fleming and Perry counties were already on the list of those eligible for public assistance. In those counties, federal funding is available to local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides in a total of 34 counties. The other counties are Bracken, Carroll, Carter, Clay, Cumberland, Elliott, Estill, Floyd, Henry, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, Magoffin, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Owsley, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Spencer, Trimble, Washington and Wolfe.
Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky.
“This is a very positive outcome, Kentucky Emergency Management Director Michael Dossett said. “The incorporation of Breathitt, Perry and Fleming counties immediately makes available federal resources to impacted citizens for their long-term recovery efforts.”
Gov. Beshear issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency for all of Kentucky on July 13, 2015. The Commonwealth’s Emergency Operations Plan and the Commonwealth Emergency Operations Center were activated.
During the disaster, Gov. Beshear also issued an executive order prohibiting price gouging in the sale of goods and services in the Commonwealth, and implementing other provisions to protect Kentucky consumers.
Additional information on KYEM’s Recovery Branch and FEMA’s assistance programs can be found at http://kyem.ky.gov/recovery/Pages/Public-Assistance-Program-Overview.aspx where you can also ‘like’ and ‘follow’ KYEM on Facebook and Twitter.
The Louisville Free Public Library has a new director. Jim Blanton is a Kentucky native and comes to us from the Daviess County Public Library in Owensboro where he also served as director. He has only been on the job a week, but he’s already hard at work helping ensure Louisville’s libraries continue to be the best they can be.
Stop by one of our community meet-and-greets at the Library in September (see below); get to know Jim and share your ideas for the future of LFPL.
- Jeffersontown: Thursday, Sept. 10, 10:30-Noon
- Shawnee: Monday, Sept. 14, 10:30-Noon
- Okolona: Monday, Sept. 14, 5:30-7
- Main: Monday, Sept. 21, 11:30-1
- St. Matthews: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 10:30-Noon
- Southwest: Tuesday, Sept. 29, 4:30-6:00
Have you ever driven by a house and wondered what all of those large antennas on the roof are? Have you seen a vehicle with antennas of various sizes sprouting from it like a big, steel porcupine? Have you attended a large event like a marathon or the Derby Breakfast and seen event coordinators communicating with each other using handheld radios? If so, then chances are that you have seen some licensed radio amateurs – also known as “hams.”
The Louisville area is home to many active ham radio enthusiasts who use the technology for everything from emergency communications to simply chatting with friends or seeing what kind of homebrew transmitting or receiving equipment they can create.
Each year, area hams get together for an event known as a hamfest. The 2015 Greater Louisville Hamfest will be held September 12 at Paroquet Springs Conference Center in Shepherdsville. During the event, attendees will have the opportunity to connect face-to-face with other hams they have met on the air; buy, sell, and trade equipment at the flea market; learn about various topics during the forums and presentations; watch demonstrations; and earn or upgrade their operating license during the on-site testing opportunities. According to Amateur Radio Kentuckiana, getting licensed to operate on amateur radio frequencies is often much easier than people think it is.
To learn more about the upcoming Greater Louisville Hamfest, visit their website at louisvillehamfest.com.
Planning & Zoning – Tuesday, September 1st 1:30pm
The Committee has one zoning item before it: 4646 – 4650 Cane Run Road
(Case no. 15ZONE1012)
While items may be on the agenda for this Committee, this does not mean all items will be acted upon or discussed. Please check with the Committee Chair prior to the beginning of the meeting.
Public Works, Bridges and Transportation – Tuesday, September 1st 3:00pm
- An ordinance awarding a communications systems franchise to Extenet Systems Inc.
- An ordinance awarding a communications systems franchise to Crown Castle NG Central Inc.
- An ordinance amending the code of ordinances regarding historical landmarks and preservation districts as it relates to the salvage and preservation of brick pavers removed from streets and alleys
Labor & Economic Development – Tuesday, September 1st 4:00pm
The Committee will review an ordinance which proposes to extend the boundaries of the Louisville Downtown Management District. The Committee is still reviewing a resolution involving two parcels of property at the intersection of Muhammad Ali Blvd., 30th Street and West Market Street
Appropriations NDF’s CIF’s – Tuesday, September 1st 5:00pm
The Committee will review grant requests for Neighborhood Development Funds and Capital Infrastructure Funds of the 26 districts of the Louisville Metro Council.
Public Safety – Wednesday, September 2nd 3:30pm
The Committee will here from Chief Steve Conrad to discuss the recent LMPD Staffing Study. The Committee will also review an ordinance that removes the term minors from the “Pop up Parties” ordinance. The Committee still has under review an ordinance dealing with Short Term Rentals.
Committee on Contracts/ Appointments – Thursday, September 3rd 3:00pm
The Committee will review pending contracts and proposed appointments to the Boards and Commission of Metro Government.
Budget – Thursday, September 3rd 5:00pm
The Committee will review the following:
- An ordinance for a forgivable loan to Community Ventures for construction and marketing of 27 parcels of land in the Russell Neighborhood
- An ordinance for a forgivable loan to Rebound Inc. for construction and marketing of 3 parcels of land in the Russell Neighborhood
- An ordinance to levy taxes in the Louisville Urban Service District
- An ordinance transferring $45,000 from Develop Louisville Capital Fund to Develop Louisville Operating Funds relating to External Agency Community Ventures Kitchen Incubation
- An ordinance for a forgivable loan to New Directions Housing Corp. for a single family dwelling in Shelby Park
Meeting times are subject to change. Agendas are followed at the discretion of the Chair of each Committee. While an item may be listed, it does not mean all items will be acted upon by a committee.
To review all agendas of the committees of the Louisville Metro Council, go to the Metro Council Clerk’s web page at: http://louisvilleky.gov/
All meetings are aired live on Metro TV Time Warner Cable Channel 25. Meetings are also streamlined on the Metro Council’s website. Go to: http://louisvilleky.gov/
For more information contact:
Tony Hyatt 574-4137 / 526-3622
Stephen Haag: 574-1204 / 645-1752
There is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the final days of the 2015 Kentucky State Fair, which runs through this Sunday.
There is entertainment for everyone at the fair. Children (and kids at heart) will enjoy the performing animal acts like JUMP! The Ultimate Dog Challenge, Miller’s Border Collies, and Cuzzin’ Grumpy’s Porkchop Revue. Fair-goers looking for thrills will want to check acts like the Chinese Acrobats of Hebei or Team FMX.
Foodies looking for something interesting for their pallets may want to try a few of the many vendors that are selling unique items like the Philly Cheesesteak Doughnut Burger, a deep fried bacon-wrapped Oreo, or some traditional Kentucky favorites with a twist like the Hot Brown on a Stick or the deep fried Derby Pie. There are also cooking contests and demonstrations throughout the day as well. On Friday, there’s a Taste of Beef Challenge and Cast Iron Skillet competition. Those interested in farming will enjoy a walk through the Agriculture exhibits to see various fruits, vegetables, and grains that were grown throughout the state, including a pumpkin that weighs over 800 lbs.
Attendees interested in the performing arts won’t have to look far. Alumni and faculty of the Jefferson County Youth Performing Arts School are performing two different musicals celebrating the history of the Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation. Dance lovers will also be able to see cloggers, square dancers, and other forms of dancing during the fair daily.
For the animal lovers there are sheep, swine and beef cattle competitions daily and, on Sunday, there will be a draft horse and mule pull. For a more hands on experience with animals, there is the Discovery Farm in the exhibit hall where fair goers can see ducklings learning to swim, learn about dairy, and have a chance to see chickens hatch. The World’s Championship Horse Show is wrapping as well. Free seating is available in Freedom Hall starting at 9:00 AM in the Upper Level.
There is no shortage of musical entertainment either. Visitors to the 2015 Kentucky State Fair can visit any of the many venues placed throughout the grounds. There are a variety of bands playing all day that will surely suit everyone’s tastes. There are also concerts nightly in the Cardinal Stadium, many of them free with fair admission. Charlie Daniels with Colt Ford will be playing Friday at 8:00 PM and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts with Devour the Day will be playing at the same time on Saturday. Sunday at 8:00 PM Boyz II Men and Kool & The Gang will be playing. Tickets for this show can be purchased through Ticketmaster with prices ranging from $50 to $1800, which includes standard fair admission.
Be sure to check out our 2015 Kentucky State Fair album on Facebook for more photos of all the action.
Event set for tomorrow at Southwest YMCA
Councilmen Rick Blackwell (D-12) and David Yates (D-25) have a special night planned to help kick off the new school year for students. The Back to School Bash is set for Friday, August 21st from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Southwest YMCA.
“As an educator, I know the importance of starting the new school year on a positive note,” says Blackwell. “I am excited to again partner with the Southwest YMCA to host this celebration for our students and their families.”
The Back to School Bash will feature swimming, food and fun; and it’s all free. There will be inflatables, group fitness demonstrations and swim time at the Y’s pool. Mad Science will be on hand for kids to make their own slime and cotton candy.
“This is a great family event that helps our children ease into the new school year as the summer winds down,” says Yates. “It is also an opportunity to explore the many programs offered by the Southwest YMCA and how it serves our community year round.”
For Safety reasons the Southwest YMCA has the following rules in place:
- Family appropriate swim wear must be worn in the swimming pool. A white t-shirt can be worn on top of suit for women and as a shirt for men if you choose. Cut-offs or shorts will not be permitted as swim wear in the pool.
- Minimum of one adult per child in the pool for children 6 and under.
- One parent required to stay in pool area (not necessarily in the water) for children 7 and older.
- Children 7 and older who want to swim in the deep end will be required to take a swim safety test.
- This is a family event—an adult must stay with the children—no drop offs.
Pizza, drinks, and cookies will be provided by Metro Council Districts 12 and 25.
The Southwest YMCA is located at 2800 Fordhaven Road, just off of St. Anthony Church Road. The event is free and no reservations or YMCA membership are required.
If you would like more information about the Back to School Bash, contact Councilman Blackwell’s office at 574-1112 or Councilman Yates’ office at 574-1125.
