Weather
Traffic
@LouisvilleDispatch
@LouisvilleDisp
Subscribe
Friday December 12, 2025
Local Connection
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio announced today that Kevin C. Brown, an attorney with extensive experience with education and administrative law in Kentucky, has been named the district’s general counsel. Brown most recently served as associate commissioner and general counsel for the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE). Brown joins JCPS on November 1 and is the latest hire as part of Dr. Pollio’s restructuring to reflect best practice urban school districts across the country.
“Kevin Brown is a leading expert on education law in this region and the right person to guide our district through legal questions and provide expertise on a variety of matters,” Dr. Pollio said. “His background as associate commissioner and general counsel for KDE will be tremendous for JCPS. With Brown’s addition, we continue to build one of the top school district leadership teams in the country.”
Brown joined KDE in 2004 as staff attorney and assistant general counsel. He transitioned to general counsel in 2008 and associate commissioner two years later. As associate commissioner, Brown managed and supervised various offices and divisions, served as a congressional liaison and as a member of the commissioner of education’s senior leadership team. During his career at KDE, Brown oversaw state processes involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), provided legal guidance in support of the requirements of the federal Child and Adult Care Food program, and coordinated the promulgation of administrative regulations for the Kentucky Board of Education. Brown served as Kentucky’s federal liaison for the Council for Chief State School Officers. Before joining KDE, Brown served as an assistant attorney general in the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General.
“I’m excited to join the leadership team being assembled by Dr. Pollio and the board,” Brown said. “What’s clear is that Superintendent Pollio is serious about transforming education in our largest school district. I look forward to playing a role in that transformation by supporting the district through legal guidance and counsel.”
Brown graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2001 and received a bachelor’s degree from Transylvania University. He is a member of the National Council of State Education Attorneys and the Kentucky State Government Bar Association.
The creation of the general counsel position was among the recommendations from the Council of the Great City Schools’ organizational review of JCPS. Dr. Pollio called for the review to improve the district’s organizational coherence.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
The holidays are just around the corner and before long everyone will be out shopping and getting the decorations ready for another festive season. But it’s also the time when crime is on the rise and the potential exists for fire hazards if you don’t know how to protect yourself.
The next South Central Regional Forum will focus on how you can make the holidays safe with help from the Louisville Metro Police’s Seventh Division and the Okolona Fire Department.
“This forum will be a reminder for everyone of what you need to be aware of when you are shopping for holiday gifts,” says Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D-24). “The hustle and bustle of the season can be a time when we forget about the safety.”
The forum is set for October 17th at the new South Central Regional Library at 7400 Jefferson Boulevard from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Russ Miller and Dale Gallagher, Resources Officers with the LMPD Seventh Division, will make presentations on staying safe for the holidays. The Okolona Fire Department will talk about how to keep the Christmas tree and other holiday decorations safe and prevent fire hazards. All questions will be answered.
As always, Code Enforcement Officers will be on hand to answer property maintenance questions.
The South Central Regional Forums are sponsored by Councilwoman Flood and Council Members James Peden (R-23), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) and Barbara Shanklin (D-2).
For more information about this South Central Regional Forum, contact Councilwoman Flood’s office at 574-1124.
The Jefferson County Coroner is seeking the next of kin on a Mr. David Williams, age 69, black male, DOB 11/19/1948; please call 574-6262 with any information.
Louisville Parks and Recreation has been selected for a Great Urban Parks Campaign grant by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Louisville Parks and Recreation is one of 10 organizations awarded the grant, which supports the development of green stormwater infrastructure.
Green stormwater infrastructure in parks offer an effective way to positively impact environmental and social change, especially within underserved communities. Projects can mitigate the effects of climate-related weather events, improve community health, increase access to green space and nature, and provide opportunities for education, employment and social inclusion. By empowering local residents through meaningful community engagement, projects can address community needs while meeting local stormwater management goals. The grant award issued to Louisville Parks and Recreation will be used to restore the pond in Chickasaw Park.
“There are practical reasons why this work needs to take place in Chickasaw Park, but most importantly, this turns the pond into a recreation amenity for families to enjoy,” Parks and Recreation Director Seve Ghose said. “We are thankful to NRPA for selecting Louisville Parks and Recreation, and are eager to get started on the project.”
“We are excited to see the positive impacts these green infrastructure projects will have in their communities,” said Lori Robertson, NRPA’s Director of Conservation. “Utilizing parks to mitigate flooding and other climate-related weather impacts is a critical strategy in protecting neighborhoods. We know from our past work that these projects also offer a multitude of benefits beyond environmental ones including improved community health, park access, and social cohesion. We’re looking forward to seeing those impacts multiply with these upcoming projects.”
The Great Urban Parks Campaign aims to demonstrate the social and environmental benefits of green stormwater infrastructure in underserved communities — including increased public access to recreational opportunities and access to nature via parks.
Attorney General Andy Beshear created a council of more than 25 survivors in his office in 2017 to advise and assist him on matters related to victims of crime and advocacy.
Now with the two-year terms of these members of the Attorney General’s Survivors Council expiring, Beshear is encouraging victims across the state to have a seat on the council for a 2019-2021 term.
Beshear said council members include victims and survivors of homicide, rape, child abuse, domestic violence, mass violence and other serious offenses, and that their advocacy and voice have been not only a powerful tool for him but for the entire Commonwealth.
“These survivors have persevered through the unimaginable, they have real courage and know firsthand what is needed to seek and ensure justice for victims,” Beshear said. “I want to thank each member for their willingness to devote their time and passion to helping to pave a better way for other survivors who we are hoping will represent the council for the next two years.”
Beshear’s Office of Victim Advocacy provides direct services to victims, free training and technical assistance on victims rights and related issues. The office works directly with the Survivors Council – a first of its kind in any Attorney General’s office nationwide.
Throughout their term, members have worked directly to advise and assist the Office of the Attorney General on matters related to victims of crime, including training, awareness and policy initiatives.
Council members held numerous meetings to develop resources for victims, create guidance for professionals working with survivors, plan awareness and training efforts and develop recommendations for an annual report.
The members were also active in their communities providing education to advocates and law enforcement, as well as participating in awareness events like Human Trafficking Awareness Day, Victim Assistance Conference and Victims Rights Day.
The next members of the council will be selected from an open nomination and application process conducted by the Attorney General’s Office of Victims Advocacy.
Beshear is encouraging victims to participate on the council by clicking on his website – www.ag.ky.gov/survivors-council.
The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $1,898,727 in 13 agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth at its monthly board meeting.
State Investments:
- Kentucky Agricultural Leadership Program
- The University of Kentucky was approved for an additional $500,000 in state funds for the Kentucky Agricultural Leadership (KALP) Program Endowment Fund. The mission of KALP is to identify, develop and motivate men and women for effective leadership in agriculture and rural communities at all levels of public service. For more information on this project, contact. Dr. Will Snell at (859) 257-7288 or wsnell@uky.edu.
- Farmers Market Structure
- The Hopkins County Extension District Board was approved for up to $215,000 in state funds and $35,000 in Hopkins County funds for the construction of a farmers market structure as part of the Hopkins County Farmers Market project in Madisonville. For more information on this project, contact Curtis Dame at (270) 821-3650 or curtis.dame@uky.edu.
- On-Farm Water Management (OWM)
- David and Mollie Appelman were approved for up to $68,502 in state funds and $1,000 in Mason County funds to implement water management practices on their farm under the OWM Research, Development and Demonstration project guidelines. Once implemented, workshops/classes will be scheduled to share information and demonstrate the practices to other farmers. For more information about this project, contact David Appelman at (606) 742-2485 or dappelma@uky.edu.
- Aquaponics Greenhouse
- LaRue County Board of Education was approved for up to $60,000 in LaRue County funds for a high school greenhouse. For more information on this project, contact Chris Thomas at (270) 358-2210 or chris.thomas@larue.kyschools.us.
County Investments:
- On-Farm Investments
- The County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) offers 11 investment areas that give Kentucky agricultural producers the ability to increase net farm income, add value to their products and diversify their operation. CAIP benefits and enhances agriculture across the state by stimulating markets for Kentucky agricultural products. Five CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $968,194 for Bourbon ($300,000), Bracken ($180,000), Jackson ($202,644), Rockcastle ($105,550) and Scott ($180,000) counties.
- In addition to these new approvals, an additional $18,000 was approved to enhance an existing CAIP in Adair County.
- Next Generation Farmers
- The Next Generation Beginning Farmer Program (NextGen) was developed to facilitate the growing need for a specialized program that would benefit producers engaged in an agricultural operation from three to seven years. One NextGen Program was approved for Bracken County totaling $20,000.
- Shared-use Equipment Program
- The Shared-use Equipment Program assists broad-based community organizations with the purchase of farm equipment. The equipment purchased is made available for producer use in a specific county on a leased basis. One Shared-use Equipment Program was approved totaling $9,431 for Pulaski County.
- Youth Agricultural Incentives Program
- The Youth Agricultural Incentives Program (Youth) serves as a measure to facilitate the growing need for a specialized program that benefits youth actively engaged in agriculture. An additional $3,600 was approved to enhance an existing Youth program in Adair County.
The Supreme Court of Kentucky will convene Oct. 25-26 in Frankfort to hear oral arguments in cases that originated in Campbell, Daviess, Fayette, Franklin, Jefferson and Knox counties. Proceedings are open to the public and will take place in the Supreme Court Courtroom on the second floor of the state Capitol at 700 Capitol Ave. in Frankfort.
The public may also observe oral arguments via the Supreme Court livestream on the Kentucky Court of Justice website. Oral arguments are available online as they occur in real time and are not available as archives.
The Supreme Court is the state court of last resort and the final interpreter of Kentucky law. Seven justices sit on the Supreme Court and all seven justices rule on appeals that come before the court. The justices are elected from seven appellate districts and serve eight-year terms. A chief justice, chosen for a four-year term by fellow justices, is the administrative head of the state’s court system and is responsible for its operation. The Supreme Court may order a ruling or opinion to be published, which means that the ruling becomes the case law governing all similar cases in the future in Kentucky.
THURSDAY, OCT. 25, 2018
9 AM
2017-SC-000441-DG
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY V. MICHAEL PADGETT
2017-SC-000661-DG
MICHAEL PADGETT V. COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
“Criminal Law. Mistrial. Double Jeopardy. Issues involve a pretrial ruling and whether the trial court abused discretion in declaring a mistrial after defense counsel’s perceived violation of that ruling.”
Discretionary Review granted 12/7/2017 and 2/7/2018
Daviess Circuit Court, Judge Joseph W. Castlen, III
Attorney for Appellant/Cross-Appellee: Thomas Allen Van De Rostyne
Attorney for Appellee/Cross-Appellant: Emily Holt Rhorer and Shannon Dupree
10 AM
2017-SC-000596-DG
LEE COMLEY V. AUTO-OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY
“Insurance Law. Homeowners Coverage. The issues, involving potential coverage for damage to a home resulting from a nearby water main break, concern the scope of the “water damage” exclusions as to “water below the surface of the ground . . . which . . . flows, seeps or leaks through any part of a building” and as to “regardless of the cause . . . flood.”
Discretionary Review granted 3/14/2018
Fayette Circuit Court, Judge Thomas L. Clark
Attorneys for Appellant: Stephen M. O’Brien, III, Bruce Clark Batten, II, and David Coomer
Attorneys for Appellee: Luke Alan Wingfield and John Carter
11 AM
2017-SC-000274-DG
LOUISVILLE AND JEFFERSON COUNTY METROPOLITAN SEWER DISTRICT V. T+C CONTRACTING, INC.
“Contract. Fairness in Construction Act. KRS 371.405. Issues include whether the dispute resolution provisions in the parties’ contract, which deem the contractor’s claim for additional compensation from MSD waived if certain procedural requirements are not met, violate the Fairness in Construction Act.”
Discretionary Review granted 3/14/2018
Jefferson Circuit Court, Judge James M. Shake
Attorneys for Appellant: Kenneth Allen Bohnert, Richard M. Sullivan and Jennifer Fust-Rutherford
Attorney for Appellee: Gerald Lee Stovall
FRIDAY, OCT. 26, 2018
9 AM
2017-SC-000203-DG
SHANNON JONES, ET AL. V. DAVID WAYNE BAILEY
2017-SC-000604-DG
DAVID WAYNE BAILEY V. SHANNON JONES, ET AL.
“Parole Board. Entitlement to Assistance of Counsel. The issues include whether the final post-incarceration sex offender supervision revocation hearing is a “critical stage” of the proceeding, triggering entitlement to assistance of counsel.”
Discretionary Review granted 10/25/2017 and 12/7/2017
Franklin Circuit Court, Judge Thomas D. Wingate
Attorney for Appellants/Cross-Appellees: Angela Turner Dunham
Attorney for Appellee/Cross-Appellant: Timothy G. Arnold
10 AM
2017-SC-000348-DG
BARBARA SMITH V. BONNIE SMITH
“Torts. Personal Injury. Slip and Fall. Issues include whether the status of a visitor as an invitee or licensee or trespasser continues to define the scope of the property owner’s duty to the visitor.”
Discretionary Review granted 3/14/2018
Knox Circuit Court, Judge Gregory Allen Lay
Attorneys for Appellant: Michael D. Risley, Darrell L. Saunders and Bethany A. Breetz
Attorneys for Appellee: Brien Glenn Freeman, Todd Kevin Childers and Aaron Howard
11 AM
2017-SC-000340-DG
RAYMOND HAYES, ET AL. V. D.C.I. PROPERTIES-D. KY, LLC, ET AL.
“Torts. Personal Injury. Trespasser. Attractive Nuisance. Issues include whether the 16-year-old plaintiff can recover for injuries sustained when he trespassed on the defendant’s construction site.”
Discretionary Review granted 4/18/2018
Campbell Circuit Court, Judge Fred A. Stine, V.
Attorney for Appellants: Anthony McIntosh
Attorney for D.C.I. Properties-D. KY, LLC: James Moberly West
Attorney for The Nelson Stark Company: Mark MacDonald
