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SubscribeFor the very first time, two people were selected to receive the annual Joan Riehm Memorial Environmental Leadership Award—and both recipients are connected to Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and Fern Creek High School.
Fern Creek teacher Lauren Neimann and Fern Creek Class of 2018 graduate Jack Leppert were presented with the award on October 11 during a ceremony at the school. The annual award honors public service employees, volunteers or students who have gone to great lengths to make Louisville a clean, green and healthier place to live, work and play.
Leppert earned the award for a project he designed to renovate the school’s senior courtyard. The renovation included green infrastructure and storm water mitigation as well as a space where students could spend time and relax. He received a $5,000 grant from the Partnership for a Green City and worked throughout the summer to see his project come to life.
“Jack Leppert is a perfect recipient of the Joan Riehm Award because he took the passion he gained from his teacher and literally became the change he wanted to see at Fern Creek High School,” said Dr. Glenn Baete, JCPS assistant superintendent of high schools.
Neimann, his teacher, also earned the award for guiding the project through the necessary steps like building modifications, budgets, and consultations with landscape designers. JCPS leaders say Neimann’s courses prepare students to leave Fern Creek well-equipped to enter sustainability degree programs in college.
“She is that incomparable teacher we remember from our own school days and the teacher we hope our children experience,” Dr. Baete said. “Her love of teaching, motivational methods, and passion for students are inspirational to those who come in contact with her as well as her community at Fern Creek High.”
The Joan Riehm Memorial Environmental Leadership Award was created after Riehm’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2008. Riehm became the first female deputy mayor for the city of Louisville in 1985. She left government 10 years later to serve as a consultant specializing in public issues management and communication, but returned to city government in 2002 to co-chair the merger transition team.
Riehm later initiated Metro government’s inclusion in the Partnership for a Green City, a collaborative effort to improve sustainability internally and in the community by four of Louisville’s largest public entities: Louisville Metro Government, University of Louisville (UofL), JCPS, and Jefferson Community & Technical College.
Gov. Matt Bevin today announced the award of the state’s first-ever fish house contract, in an innovative step to attack the Asian carp problem in western Kentucky and encourage job growth in the region. Bevin announced that Kentucky Fish Center, LLC of Wickliffe, Ky. has won the contract to establish the fish house, which will expand the market for Kentucky-caught Asian carp.
Angie Yu, operator of Two Rivers Fishery, a fish processing company also based in Wickliffe, will own and operate the Kentucky Fish Center. Asian carp caught in Kentucky will be sold by Kentucky Fish Center in daily auctions open to all interested buyers. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will oversee the auctions.
“The Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet has worked tirelessly to develop a workable solution for mitigating Asian carp,” said Gov. Bevin. “Today’s announcement is a great example of government partnering with the private sector to create a commonsense, market-based solution. It will provide commercial anglers with new opportunities, while also removing this invasive species from Kentucky’s waterways.”
By buying carp caught in Kentucky waters at a guaranteed price of 19 cents per pound, and selling the fish to both domestic and international users in daily auctions, the fish house will play a key role in growing the market for Kentucky carp.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources is pledging up to $4 million in loans and incentives for the fish house and commercial fishermen. The department will pay commercial anglers an incentive of 5 cents per pound for their catch, supplementing the fish house’s guaranteed 14 cents per pound purchase price, to make fishing for carp in Kentucky’s waters economically attractive.
“Commercial anglers currently harvest two million pounds of Asian carp from Kentucky’s waters each year,” said Ron Brooks, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s fisheries director. “We believe this program can increase that catch to 20 million pounds across the state within the next five years.”
Asian carp first came to the United States to help control aquatic weeds and algae blooms in fish farms. By the 1980s, three species of Asian carp had escaped into the wild during floods. They have now spread throughout lengthy portions of the Mississippi, Ohio, Missouri and Illinois rivers. They have established significant populations in Kentucky and Barkley lakes.
Asian carp include bighead, silver, grass and black carp. They are prolific breeders. A single large Asian carp may produce up to a million eggs yearly. An Asian carp can consume 5 to 40 percent of its body weight each day. Bighead and silver carp feed voraciously on the same plankton that young sport fish such as crappie depend upon for their survival. Silver carp also jump from the water upon hearing the approach of a motor, creating hazards for boaters.
Commercial angling is the only practical method for limiting and reducing Asian carp numbers. Currently, only a handful of commercial anglers operate on Kentucky and Barkley lakes.
The incentives offered under the new distribution center contract will guarantee anglers a buyer and a nearby place to offload their catch. Brooks said the arrangement should lure more commercial anglers to Kentucky and Barkley lakes.
“We believe this will increase the amount of Asian carp coming out of those lakes to five million pounds per year,” Brooks said. “A sustained harvest of this amount will significantly reduce the impact of Asian carp on these nationally-recognized crappie lakes.”
The program includes a $734,000 secured loan for fixed assets to assist with the start-up of the fish house. Performance-based incentives of $570,000 to $700,000 a year will be awarded if the escalating yearly harvest goals of 5 to 20 million pounds of fish are met. The secured loan would be forgiven in 2024 if the 20 million pound goal is met that year. The program will be fully funded by boat registration fees.
Department officials estimate the effort would cost $3.5 million a year if it were run entirely by the state and would produce a harvest far less than the 20 million pound goal of the partnership announced today.
Develop Louisville’s Office of Advanced Planning, with local consultant MKSK and Louisville Downtown Partnership, has completed a conceptual vision for the redesign of Jefferson Square, Louisville’s civic square, and is seeking additional public feedback.
Jefferson Square, originally built in the 1970s, is located at 301 S. Sixth Street, bordered by Jefferson, Sixth and Liberty streets and a building at 600 W. Jefferson. The park currently has pathways, a small program space and seating areas, a water feature that is no longer functional, picnic tables and memorials to fallen police officers and firefighters.
The draft plan envisions a transformative design that more prominently honors Louisville’s first responders and creates a cohesive vision for this important public space. It includes:
- A memorial wall and garden honoring first responders, including police officers, firefighters and paramedics who have fallen in the line of duty;
- A curved, reflective canopy covering the southwest portion of the Square, providing shade, shelter and an artistic pavilion;
- An interactive water feature in the center of the gathering space for visibility and engagement;
- Sustainable green infrastructure, including native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials, as well as drainage channels to slow runoff into the downtown sewer system.
This conceptual vision was created with public engagement and feedback, which started last year during Light Up Louisville and continued in 2018 with an online comment form, an open house at Metro Hall and close collaboration with Louisville Downtown Partnership. Emergency service agencies such as LMPD and Fire were integral in the process to ensure that the redesign of the public square maintained a reverence toward the memorials there.
“For many years, Jefferson Square has been a gathering space in the heart of Louisville that has hosted many events, from speeches, presentations, mini concerts and Light Up Louisville, while also serving as just a nice place to enjoy the outdoors,” said Doug Hamilton, Chief of Public Services, adding that many visitors may not realize its role as a place of remembrance for local public safety agencies. “Several times a year you may see first responders and family members come to honor and acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the line of duty serving this community. They all are eager to see those sacrifices and memories preserved in an even more inviting, open setting of respect and dignity.”
Anyone interested in offering feedback on the proposed redesign is invited to do so during the Mayor’s Music & Art Series at Jefferson Square on Thursday. The concert, featuring Sound Company, begins at noon. A comment form is also available.
The FY19 Budget includes $310,000 to prepare formal design documents for the square. That process will begin later this year.
For more information, renderings and a comment form, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/jefferson-square-r…
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Since its opening in 2002, the David Armstrong Extreme Park has attracted skaters and bikers from around the country and the world. The parks newest artistic addition is sure to catch the eye of those who appreciate what the Extreme Park has brought to the city. On Friday, Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith (D-4) hosted the Big Reveal of a new mural on the outside wall of the park that gives everyone who drives or walks by it an idea of the purpose of the park and its uniqueness.
“This mural is truly an expression of the energy and colorful nature of this park and I want to thank the artists who brought their unique graffiti style forward for everyone to appreciate,” said Sexton Smith. “Let this mural be an inspiration and attraction that leads to other creative works in District 4.”
For the past few years, Braylyn “Resko” Stewart as lead artist coordinated the mural with $ 15,000 funding from Metro Parks and District 4 Councilwoman Barbara Sexton Smith.
“The mural project has really spruced up the Extreme Park,” Parks and Recreation Director Seve Ghose said. “We appreciate all the hard work and creativity displayed by these artists and know it’s something the city’s residents will enjoy.”
Stewart recruited the artistic talents of fellow local artists Wilfred Sieg III and the four person artist collective known as Often Seen Rarely Spoken to complete the mural adorning the outer park wall. This is an efforts to curb some of the illegal graffiti and bring a since of pride to the area!
The park opened in 2002 and was immediately recognized as one of the finest in the country. Recently, the park was closed for more than a year as the Ohio River Bridges Project was completed. The park reopened April 2015. Just a year ago, a new metal vert ramp replaced the wooden ramp at the site – that skate element is also considered to be one of the best in the world. Among the current features the bowl and full pipe, which were fixtures to the original design, were modernized. The park is named for former Louisville Mayor David Armstrong, who passed away in June at the age of 76. Armstrong was serving as mayor in 2002 when the skate park opened to the public.
Councilwoman Sexton Smith is looking to the mural as a beginning invitation to other artists and businesses to use this form of expression to fight the problem of graffiti in Butchertown and District 4.
“I am very excited about the possibility of an international Mural Festival in District 4. Together we can do this,” said Sexton Smith.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health has confirmed West Nile virus in five Louisville residents. Four of the West Nile cases were neuroinvasive, a serious form of the disease in which the virus attacks the brain or the tissues lining the brain and spinal cord leading to encephalitis or meningitis. There have been no deaths from West Nile this year.
“We urge people to protect themselves against West Nile,” said Dr Sarah Moyer, director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness. You should wear insect repellant and dress in long sleeves and pants if going outside during dusk and dawn.”
“The massive amounts of rain we have seen over the last several days are causing mosquito populations to multiply and we know that West Nile infected mosquitoes are present throughout the community,” said Dr. Moyer.
In most instances, people infected with West Nile virus either show no symptoms or relatively mild symptoms. However, less than one percent of infected people develop a serious neurologic illness such as encephalitis or meningitis. Serious illness can occur in people of any age. However, people over 60 years of age are at the greatest risk for severe disease. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease, and people who have received organ transplants, are also at greater risk for serious illness.
The Department of Public Health and Wellness advises people to take the following precautions:
Avoid Mosquito Bites
Use insect repellents when you go outdoors. Repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and some oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol products provide longer-lasting protection. To optimize safety and effectiveness, repellents should be used according to the label instructions. More information about insect repellents can be found here at http://www.cdc.gov/westnile/faq/repellent.html.
When weather permits, wear long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors. Mosquitoes may bite through thin clothing, so spraying clothes with repellent containing permethrin or another EPA-registered repellent will give extra protection. Don’t apply repellents containing permethrin directly to skin. Do not spray repellent on the skin under your clothing.
Take extra care during peak mosquito biting hours. Take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing from dusk to dawn or consider avoiding outdoor activities during these times.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes outside. Use your air conditioning, if you have it.
Help reduce the number of mosquitoes around your home by emptying standing water from flowerpots, gutters, buckets, pool covers, pet water dishes, discarded tires and birdbaths on a regular basis.
The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness has operated a mosquito control program for more than 50 years. The department does surveillance of mosquito populations with traps strategically located throughout the community and tests mosquitos for such diseases as West Nile, Zika and St. Louis Encephalitis.
In the spring the department pre-treats potential mosquito breeding sites with larvicide to prevent hatch offs. In the summer it treats catch basins and performs mosquito fogging in response to West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.
In 2017 there was one non-fatal human West Nile case in Louisville. In 2016 there were two human cases and one death. In 2015, there were three human cases with no deaths.
To check if your area has been fogged or will be fogged call the mosquito hotline, 574-6641, or visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/mosquito-fogging. To make a request regarding mosquitoes in your neighborhood call Metro Call at 311 or 574-5000.
Louisville Metro Emergency Services provided this update today on the heavy rains and potential for flash flooding in Louisville:
- MSD, our city’s Public Works and first responders remain in communication about the potential for flash flooding.
- The EOC was activated this morning to Level 1, which involves personnel monitoring the situation, and assisting with potential needs of agencies involved in the event. Key city officials are alerted to Level 1 status by text, which initiates a chain of communication among senior leadership, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
- With the National Weather Service predicting more heavy rain over the next two days, MetroSafe will continue to monitor conditions and activate the EOC as appropriate.
- Louisville Fire had only one rescue call today. A motorist attempted to drive through standing water, and their car stalled at Frankfort Avenue and Cable Street. The motorist was rescued.
- Since 6 a.m. Saturday through 4 p.m. today, MSD’s Call Center answered 437 customer calls.
- MSD has crews out in the community throughout any weather event, monitoring stormwater drainage channels and pipes, catch basins.
- Public Works also is patrolling roads to clear any clogged catch basins and reduce flooding. Public Works received two calls today; both related to clogged catch basins. Both were cleared.
- Public Works has crews on standby to place barricades if streets must be closed, and have ordered additional barricades to be used if needed.
- We encourage the media to continue to share our reminders to the public to stay away from pooling water and to “Turn Around. Don’t Drown.”
Next Steps
- The city’s Public Works’ Road division has inspected the city’s 32 viaducts and found that 17 of them are marked with signs advising motorists, “Do Not Enter When Flooded.” In other areas, those signs have been removed; the city is taking steps to replace those.
- Public Works also is working with MSD to identify the potential standing water depth in each of 32 viaducts in our community and then paint visible marks on each, as an additional warning to keep people from driving through during a heavy rain event.
- The city will use data from MSD, the National Weather Service, Louisville Fire and MetroSafe to project potential dangerous water conditions in the steepest and deepest viaducts and establish a mechanism to trigger visible warning lights to avoid entering flooded areas.
“Public safety is our No. 1 priority, and I am extremely confident in the commitment in the work of our police, fire and emergency management teams,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “It’s important that citizens be our partner in this mission, taking the steps they can to keep themselves and their families safe.”
Brightside, Louisville’s organization for keeping the city clean and green through beautification and education, will be holding its 5th annual Brightside Bash presented by the Republic Bank Foundation from 6-9 p.m. on September 20 at The Louisville Palace (625 S. 4th Street).
First held in 2014, the Bash serves as a fundraiser for the Brightside Foundation, which works to ensure funding to allow Brightside to continue offering its many educational programs, sustainability initiatives and beautification projects across our community.
This year’s Bash will also include the second Brightside Awards, an opportunity for Brightside to thank their dedicated volunteers and business/corporate partners. Awards and winners include:
- Fred Wiche Volunteer of the Year Award: Jeff Miller
- Brightside One Bright City Award: McFerran One Mile Walkers Club
- Brightside Green Acorn Award for Outstanding Youth Leadership: Jack Leffert
- Mayor’s Brightside Award for Outstanding Corporate Engagement: Passport Health Plan
- Brightside One Bright Future Award: Jason Wohlgemuth
- Brightside’s Golden Broom Award: Metro Council President David James
The Brightside Bash is a fun evening filled with local bands, silent auctions, raffles and food. The emcee for the event will be WHAS11’s Kaitlynn Fish. Tickets for the Brightside Bash are $53 (includes tax).
Brightside has been a donor-funded, volunteer-fueled organization since 1986. As both a 501(c)3 and a government agency, it functions as a public/private partnership. The city covers a portion of its administrative expenses, but all programs are run entirely on privately donated dollars.
To purchase tickets and view descriptions of the Brightside Awards, please visit www.brightsideinc.org or call Brightside at 574-2613.
