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Saturday December 6, 2025
Local Connection
Applications are now being taken for mobility-impaired hunters wishing to hunt from two specially constructed blinds at Doug Travis Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Hickman and Carlisle counties. Applications for these quota hunts must be postmarked by Nov. 15.
“One blind, Blind 19, is a boat-only blind, built for mobility-impaired hunters,” said Wes Little, migratory bird biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “The whole boat hides in this blind. The other blind, Blind 13, is an above ground blind that is wheelchair accessible. The mobility-impaired hunt party will be able to drive to this blind.”
The hunt dates for the mobility-impaired quota hunts during 2018-2019 are: Nov. 22–25; Dec. 3–6; Dec. 7-9; Dec. 10–13; Dec. 14–16; Dec. 17–20; Dec. 21–23; Dec. 24–27 and Dec. 28–30; Dec. 31, 2018 – Jan. 3, 2019; Jan. 4–6; Jan. 7–10; Jan. 9–12; Jan. 11–13; Jan 14–17; Jan. 18–20; Jan. 21–24; and Jan. 25–27.
To register to be drawn for this blind during one or more of the mobility impaired hunts, mail a 3 x 5 white index card in an envelope addressed to:
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources
Attn: Wes Little – Doug Travis WMA Mobility-Impaired Waterfowl Hunt Application
1 Sportsman’s Lane
Frankfort, KY 40601
The envelope must be postmarked between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15.
“Hunters must specify on the index card the dates for which they are applying and list them in order of preference,” Little said. “While they may apply for up to three hunting dates, they can only be drawn for one hunt. The index card must include the hunter’s name, complete mailing address and phone number as well.”
Successful applicants may invite up to three guests. After Nov. 15, those selected for hunts will be mailed a quota hunt permit for the dates they are drawn, a map showing the blind location and other instructions concerning the hunt. Unsuccessful applicants will not be notified. Duplicate applications for the same hunt will result in disqualification.
“The hunting party will be responsible for bringing and placing decoys as well as retrieving birds,” Little said. “These blinds are open to standby hunters on a first-come, first-served basis if the blind is not occupied by the drawn party by one hour before sunrise, but priority for its use will go to mobility impaired hunters.”
If not completed already, waterfowl hunters must go online at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov and fill out the Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey before they are legal waterfowl hunters.
Online applications are being taken through Nov. 15 for youth and mobility-impaired waterfowl quota hunts at two state-owned fish hatcheries near Frankfort and Morehead. Hunts will be available on each Saturday and Sunday in January 2019.
Hunts are being held at the Minor Clark Fish Hatchery in Rowan County and the Pete Pfeiffer Fish Hatchery in Franklin County.
“There are five blinds at Minor Clark Hatchery and two blinds at Pete Pfeiffer,” said Wes Little, migratory bird biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “Drawn hunters must provide their own decoys, put them out and retrieve their own birds.”
Interested youth or mobility-impaired waterfowl hunters may apply online by clicking this link or going to the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife homepage at fw.ky.gov and clicking on the “Hunt” tab, followed by “Quota Hunts” tab. Applications must be submitted by Nov. 15.
Hunt dates in 2019 include Jan 5-6, Jan. 12-13, Jan. 19-20 and Jan. 26-27. Youths under age 16 may apply for these quota hunts. A mentor age 18 or older must accompany the youth hunter. A mentor and youth drawn for a hunt may invite two additional youth hunters or one youth and second mentor to hunt with them. Selected mobility-impaired hunters may only have one assistant in the blind with them.
Drawn hunters will receive a quota hunt permit in the mail in late November notifying the hunter the dates for which they were drawn, along with detailed maps and other instructions concerning the hunt.
If not completed already, waterfowl hunters must go online at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at fw.ky.gov and fill out the Harvest Information Program (HIP) survey before they are legal waterfowl hunters.
Louisville Metro Animal Services is encouraging pet owners to take advantage of an upcoming Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic on Saturday, November 10th from 9am-12pm at Wyandotte Park, 1010 Beecher Street.
In addition to one ($10) and three-year ($15) Rabies vaccinations, LMAS will offer microchipping services for cats and dogs for just $25. So far in 2018, more than one-thousand pets in Jefferson County have been reunited with their owners. But sadly, the majority of cats and dog that entered the LMAS Shelter was not microchipped and could not return home.
“Microchipping is a crucial component to remaining a No-Kill shelter and saving more animal lives,” said Teeya Barnes, spokeswoman for Louisville Metro Animal Services. “Microchipping helps us quickly reunite missing pets and their owners. That means more open kennels for the city’s truly homeless animals. When the shelter is out of space, lives are placed in jeopardy.”
A pet license for cats, dogs or ferrets is required by Law for Jefferson County pet owners, and can be purchased or renewed during the Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic. A one-year pet license for an altered cat or dog is $10; a three-year, altered pet license is $27. LMAS also offers discounted licensing rates for senior pets: $5 (1-year altered) or $10 (3-year altered).
“A pet license is assurance your pet’s Rabies vaccination is up-to-date, so if they become lost they won’t receive the vaccine unecesssarily if they were to enter the shelter,” said Barnes. “Another benefit is if your pet is lost and picked up by an animal control officer, we can bring them home instead of to the shelter. Your pet won’t be exposed to germs and illnesses commonly found in animal shelters.
The Low-Cost Rabies Clinic is open to all pet owners. Dog must be on-leash and cats must be in carriers during the clinic.
Join Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Louisville Parks and Recreation for cider and donuts to celebrate the completion of the Bonnycastle Hill restoration project in our beloved Cherokee Park! No need to RSVP—simply attend if your schedule allows. Contact Meghan Robinson with questions.
Thursday, November 8, 2018 | 9 to 10 am
Stegner Pavilion | Bonnycastle Hill in Cherokee Park
We are thrilled to share the new Stegner Pavilion, relocated basketball court, lit walking paths and reconfigured parking area with our vibrant community of park users.
Olmsted Parks Conservancy proudly thanks Louisville Parks and Recreation, the City of Louisville, Mayor Greg Fischer, Councilman Brandon Coan, the Stegner Family and other generous donors to our Campaign for Extraordinary Parks for their partnership and support of this successful restoration project.
The work of more than 600 retired and senior volunteers in the Louisville area will be honored at a special event on Wed., Nov. 7. The Louisville Metro Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) annual recognition event will take place at Churchill Downs’ Millionaire’s Row (6th Floor), 700 Central Ave. from 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. The theme is “Everyone’s a Millionaire with RSVP.”
As part of the city’s Office of Resilience and Community Services, RSVP connects persons age 55 and over with their choice of some 60 public service and non-profit locations, including American Red Cross, Senior Nutrition Centers, Dare to Care, Community Ministries and the Robley Rex VA Medical Center.
RSVP members will be joined by volunteer site representatives, Senior Corps Advisory Council members and RCS staff. Mayor Greg Fischer will serve as the keynote speaker followed by congratulatory remarks from Gena Redmon-Harris, director of Resilience and Community Services.
“Through their volunteerism these senior citizens are making a real and positive difference in their communities,” said Mayor Fischer. “I am proud to join with the Louisville Metro Retired and Senior Volunteer Program to recognize those who give their time to better the lives of others.”
The Rev. Ron Loughry, Executive Director of Fern Creek/Highview United Ministries, and winner of the 2015 ElderServe’s “Champion for Aging” is serving as the master of ceremonies for the third year in a row. He will also be recognized for his years of service to RSVP and the community as a whole as he will be retiring at the end of this year.
During this year’s celebration, 41 RSVP volunteers who reached their dedicated, volunteer service milestones of five to 30 years will receive special recognition. Also featured will be a VA Salute and Recognition to acknowledge all veterans who serve as RSVPs. One special honoree, Guy Dorsey, a World War II veteran, is being recognized for 25 years of volunteerism in the community and has some 30 family members from all over the United States coming to be with him for the event. In addition, following the buffet meal and speaker presentations, the volunteers will enjoy full access to Churchill Downs and a day at the races.
“RSVP volunteers generously give their energy, skills and caring dedication toward providing over 75,000 hours annually resulting in more than $1.5 million in savings/service impact for their agencies. This celebration is their public ‘thank you’. Everyone is a millionaire with RSVP.” said RSVP Program Coordinator, Christopher Clements.
RSVP is federally sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), and this year’s event sponsors include Passport Health Plan, ResCare, and AARP.
For more information on RSVP activities or to learn how to become a volunteer, call (502) 574-1530 or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services/retired-and-senior-volunteer-program-rsvp.
photo: Stevietheman
Mayor Greg Fischer joined south and southwest Metro Council members, and representatives from Underhill Associates and the Southwest Dream Team to celebrate the ongoing progress of the $5 million redevelopment of historic Colonial Gardens, and to highlight the work being done to create a safer pedestrian crossing, additional parking, and the addition of a new TARC bus stop next to the project.
“Colonial Gardens is a great investment that connects our city’s past with our future,” said the mayor. “We want to make the new Colonial Gardens as popular as it once was, and for that to happen, we know we need to make it accessible for all our residents. The improvements made along this corridor will benefit not only Colonial Gardens, but other area businesses, residents, and visitors to Iroquois Park.”
Metro Public Works recently completed $200,000 in roadway improvements at the intersection of New Cut Road and W Kenwood Drive where Colonial Gardens is located. The improvements include a left turn lane into Colonial Gardens from New Cut Road, curb extensions, enhanced sidewalks, and on-street parking.
Additionally, paving along Kenwood Avenue is expected to be complete this fall. With the enhanced pedestrian safety features in place, Public Works will monitor the New Cut Road/Kenwood Avenue intersection to optimize the signal for traffic flow in and out of Iroquois Park.
Construction on the $5 million redevelopment of Colonial Gardens started last fall and includes renovating the 7,000 square-foot historic structure, as well as adding three new, one-story buildings for a total of 18,000 square feet. The buildings will share a common patio and garden area. The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2019.
The site’s developer, Underhill Associates, is in talks with local restaurant groups to occupy the four corner spaces of the building. “Underhill Associates is proud to bring Colonial Gardens back to life. This is a vital corner for the South End which will be an example of new vitality and will be a catalyst for more redevelopment,” Jeff Underhill said.
Metro Councilwoman Marianne Butler, whose District 15 includes Colonial Gardens, said “We have waited for many years for this revitalization. We are getting a vibrant community magnet complimenting the park while offering neighbors new dining opportunities. It is a win for everyone and I encourage neighbors to patronize the restaurants for many years to come.”
Councilman Blackwell of nearby District 12 said “This project is transforming the New Cut/ Kenwood corner and I am excited to see the changes occurring each day. The infrastructure improvements create a safer pedestrian experience for all, including those who want to enjoy events at Iroquois Park.”
District 25 Councilman Dave Yates said, “It is exciting to see the investment and progress we are making in South Louisville. Through this public-private partnership with the Underhills, the Kenwood and New Cut block is seeing unprecedented rejuvenation that will encourage people across the city to want to travel to our neck of the woods. Soon we will be proud to call Colonial Gardens the gateway to the South End and its success will reverberate southbound along New Cut and Dixie.”
And Vicki Aubrey Welch, noting that she is soon to retire as District 13 Councilwoman, said “It gives me great pride to know I was part of history in bringing Colonial Gardens back to a vibrant historical venue for the heart of South Louisville. Mayor Fischer worked long and hard together with the South End Council to bring this development forward. For that I will be forever grateful.”
Photo: Kentucky Cabinet For Economic Development
Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer today joined community leaders, investors and Louisville Metro Government representatives to champion Opportunity Zones as a new tool to help revitalize Louisville neighborhoods. Additionally, the Mayor released the city’s Opportunity Zones Prospectus, a holistic document that showcases Louisville’s assets and will be shared with investors locally and across the country.
“Opportunity Zones are a new avenue for us to attract investment to areas of our city that already have momentum and could see tremendous growth and opportunity with additional capital investment,” said the Mayor. “We want responsible development and projects that benefit our residents by providing investment without displacement, which is why we’re working closely with community stakeholders, state, and federal government partners to ensure we are best positioned to put private dollars to work.”
Opportunity Zones are a new community development program established by Congress in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This program encourages long-term investment in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide by providing a tax incentive for investors to re-invest their unrealized capital gains into Opportunity Funds that are dedicated to investing in Opportunity Zones. In Louisville, 19 census tracts are designated as Opportunity Zones.
Transformation is currently underway in the city’s Opportunity Zones. One of the first Louisville investors to take advantage of the recently enacted Opportunity Zone legislation is The Marian Group through its spin-off and expansion of Blacksmith Iron Works, a fabrication and custom metal solutions business that recently moved into a 20,000 square-foot facility at 3100 Vermont Ave. in the Russell neighborhood. The Blacksmith Iron Works expansion will represent almost $750,000 of total investment in Russell and will include at least 16 employees by 2019.
“We are excited about this expansion for Blacksmith Iron Works and to be moving to Russell,” said Jake Brown, President of Blacksmith Iron Works and a Principal with Louisville-based developer, The Marian Group. “To be one of the first Opportunity Zone investments in Louisville just makes it better.”
Additional community partners that are investing in Opportunity Zones include OneWest, a nonprofit community development organization that recently purchased its first property on 18th Street with plans to redevelop it as a restaurant or retail space, and the Louisville Urban League with its $35 million Track on Ali project.
The team at Louisville Forward, the city’s community and economic development agency, is ready to work with businesses and investors to maximize Louisville’s potential for its Opportunity Zones by providing concierge project management, offering incentives for projects in CDBG-eligible census tracts, and working to accelerate the permitting process.
The city is also working to identify the needs of investors, developers and business owners, and then connect them with each other dependent on resources that will support each project. To be listed in the city’s database, complete the form found at https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/kzd6v3x13ol8kc/
To assist business owners and investors with identifying Opportunity Zones, the city created an interactive map to show exact addresses and boundaries of Louisville’s designated Opportunity Zones. To search Louisville-specific addresses, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/opportunity-zones-louisville