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SubscribeAs voters prepare to head to the polls next Tuesday, Attorney General Jack Conway reminds Kentuckians that they can help his office combat vote fraud by utilizing his Election Fraud Hotline. Kentuckians who witness election irregularities or possible election law violations are encouraged to call the Election Fraud Hotline at 800-328-VOTE (800-328-8683).
“Our Election Fraud Hotline is an important tool in the fight to ensure honest and fair elections for all Kentuckians,” Attorney General Conway said. “I want to encourage voters to be our eyes and ears in the polling places and report any election irregularities to our hotline.”
The Attorney General’s Election Fraud Hotline is open throughout the year during normal business hours and from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (EST) on Election Day. The hotline received 16 calls from more 50 counties during the 2015 Primary Election and 226 calls from 50 counties during the 2014 General Election.
Investigators from the Attorney General’s Office will also be patrolling precincts and polling places across the Commonwealth during next Tuesday’s general election. General Conway’s office has also worked closely with the Secretary of State’s Office, United States Attorney’s offices in Eastern and Western Kentucky and other members of the Kentucky Election Integrity Task Force to protect voters and the integrity of the election.
By law, the Office of the Attorney General has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute election law violations. The office is also required by statute to conduct post-election audits in six randomly drawn counties within 20 days of the election.
The Attorney General’s Office will send hotline updates to the media at 10:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. (EST), after the polls close.
Members of the news media covering the election are reminded that they may be in the voting room for the limited purpose of filming the voting process. However, as per OAG 88-76, the media may not conduct interviews with voters inside the voting room, record the identity of voters, or disrupt the voting process. These violations are Class A misdemeanors under KRS 117.236.
Gov. Steve Beshear today honored nine Kentuckians with the prestigious Governor’s Awards in the Arts.
“These awardees represent such a rich diversity of background and experience, but they have in common that they have risen above and beyond in their commitment to hone and refine their respective talents. In the case of the organizations we’re also honoring, they have demonstrated a remarkable and fervent commitment to creating an art-friendly community where they live,” said Gov. Beshear, who was presiding over the final Governor’s Award ceremony of his second term. “It has been my privilege as governor to see so many Governor’s Awardees pass through the Rotunda and to honor their contributions to our Commonwealth.”
Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen, a former Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of the Arts, also participated in the awards ceremony.
“The Governor’s Awards in the Arts creates a higher profile for Kentucky’s arts and artists, helping to raise awareness of the Commonwealth’s rich heritage and artistic traditions,” Lt. Gov. Luallen said. “As someone who was involved with the establishment of the Governor’s Awards for the Arts, it has been rewarding to see the vast array of talent and rich contributions that scores of individuals and businesses have made to Kentucky.”
Among the honorees was noted Kentucky journalist and arts advocate Al Smith, the former host of KET’s “Comment on Kentucky” and a former chairman of the Kentucky Arts Council. Gov. Beshear awarded Smith the Milner Award, named in honor of B. Hudson Milner, a Louisville utility executive and civic leader, whose contributions to the arts in Kentucky remain important to this day. The Milner Award is presented to Kentucky residents or organizations located in Kentucky for outstanding philanthropic, artistic or other contributions to the arts.
“The arts council is to be commended not only for investments in programs and arts institutions, but, in recent years, for grants to individual artists that highlight their talents and contribute to our citizens’ appreciation of artists as they raise our vision and nourish our souls,” Smith said.
The other eight Governor’s Awardees, listed by hometown and specific award, were:
- Linda Pigman Fifield, McKee, Artist Award
- Big Ass Solutions (manufacturer of Big Ass Fans), Lexington, Business Award
- Creative Diversity Studio, Louisville, Community Arts Award
- Nathan Link, Danville, Education Award
- Willie D. Rascoe, Hopkinsville, Folk Heritage Award
- Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau, Paducah, Government Award
- Dave Shuffett, Nicholasville, Media Award
- Sam Bush, Bowling Green, National Award
The 2015 Governor’s Award was designed by renowned folk artist Minnie Adkins, of Isonville. Artists chosen to design the Governor’s Award each year are selected from among past Governor’s Award recipients. Adkins earned the Governor’s Award in 1998.
For more information on the Governor’s Awards in the arts, including recipient bios and past recipients and descriptions of each award, visit the arts council’sGovernor’s Awards in the Arts web page.
The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, fosters environments for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. The arts council, along with the NEA, is celebrating 50 years of service in 2015, which the arts council is recognizing as the Year of the Arts in Kentucky.
This week a special dedication ceremony will be held to remind everyone of the public service and dedication given every day by the members of the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department.
On Wednesday, October 21st, Nicklies Development Company will formally dedicate an inscribed bench at the foot of the flagpole at the Valley Commons Shopping Center.
“PRP Fire is so important to this area of Metro Louisville; we cannot do enough to thank them for all of their efforts in keeping us safe,” says Councilman David Yates (D-25). “I want to thank Nicklies Development for this expression of gratitude on behalf of all Southwest Louisville.”
“I am honored to join Nicklies in recognizing the PRP Fire Department. We greatly appreciate all of the people in public safety who risk their lives to keep us safe,” says Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14).
The Dedication Ceremony will be held at 1:30pm. The Valley Common Shopping Center is located at 10631 Dixie Highway.
Meeting set for California Community Center at 5:30pm
Councilman David James (D-6) will host a Town Hall meeting for those who would like to learn more and discuss the Natures Methane Project proposed in West Louisville on Tuesday, October 20th.
Natures Methane has announced plans to locate an anaerobic digester in the 800 block of South 15th and 17th Streets. Councilman James is inviting the community to ask questions and learn more about the company’s operations and plans for the future.
“There has been a great deal of debate about this project and I want to make sure everyone has the facts on what has been proposed,” says James. “I have invited the principal players in this project as well as those who have expressed their concerns to this town hall.”
The Community Meeting will deal with two topics:
- Natures Methane Project in West Louisville
- Anaerobic Digestion Technology
Both pro and con side sin the debate will be represented on the panel for discussion.
The Community Meeting will be held at the California Community Center, 1600 West St. Catherine Street from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. The California Community Center is next to California Park.
For more information about the community meeting, contact Councilman James’ office at 574-1106.
Little ghosts and goblins of District 13 have a very special event waiting for them when Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch and the Fairdale Community Club host the 13th Annual Trick or Treat Street on Thursday, October 22nd.
“The Fairdale Community Club is a fabulous organizer of this great event for the children of our area. The businesses and other organizations who participate are to be commended for demonstrating that they care about our children having a safe Halloween experience.” says Welch.
The Fairdale Playtorium will be the spooky scene for an evening of fun between the hours of 6:00pm and 8:00pm for children 12 and under. The Playtorium is located at 10616 West Manslick Road.
There will be free refreshments as well as trick or treating inside the Playtorium and costumes are encouraged.
Since 2003, Councilwoman Welch has partnered with the Fairdale Community Club and many area businesses to make Halloween a safe and fun holiday for children and their families. Last year, over 300 children and their parents enjoyed Trick or Treat Street.
For more information about the 13th Annual Trick or Treat Street, contact Councilwoman Welch’s office at 574-1113.
Training Set For Monday, October 12th At Southwest Regional Library
Louisville – In an effort to better educate the public about a current drug problem and save lives, Councilman David Yates (D-25) is partnering with the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition to sponsor a free training session on Heroin/Opioid Overdose prevention this coming Monday, October 12th.
““The Heroin epidemic in Kentucky and even in our local community is staggering. We have a duty we as elected officials to help keep the public safe, says Yates. “At the same time, there are ways we can help save lives as we combat overdoses and get addicts into treatment. This training could definitely save a life.”
The training session will take place at the Southwest Regional Library from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Kristen Keller and Phyllis Richardson of the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition will conduct the training on Heroin/Opioid Overdose Prevention. Both women lost members of their families to drug addiction.
The training will feature the following:
· Learning the signs and symptoms of heroin and opioid overdose
· Learn how to use Naloxone (Narcan) to respond to an overdose
· Each individual can register to receive a Naloxone kit
“We want to encourage the public to join in this fight because opiate overdose can be prevented and we want to thank Councilman Yates for his interest in keeping our community safe,” says Keller.
The Southwest Regional Library is located at 9725 Dixie Highway
You can learn more here: https://kyhrc.org/naloxone-
Councilman David James (D-6) welcomes all the participants who have come to Louisville for this year’s IRONMAN Triathlon set for Sunday, October 11th.
“This is a great competition and we want to wish everyone the best of luck but residents and drivers will find out that there are many traffic changes set for Sunday,” says James. “We want the athletes to be safe and we want to minimize any frustration by drivers. So in order to plan your travels, Louisville metro police have issued the traffic changes that are in place for the competition.”
IRONMAN TRIATHLON
STREET CLOSURE AND NO PARKING AREA LIST
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2015
STREET CLOSURES
The following streets will be closed during the following times;
5:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Witherspoon Street from Preston Street to Bingham Way
River Road from Third Street I-64 W/B Ramp to Bingham (local access only-Joe’s Crab Shack)
7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
River Road from Preston Street to Witherspoon Street
River Road from Preston Street to U.S. 42
Morning traffic will be allowed west on River Road after the bicycle safety tail car. Afternoon traffic (approximately 1 pm) will be allowed east on River Road after the safety tail car.
11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Brook Street from Witherspoon Street to Main Street
Main Street from Brook Street to Third Street
Second Street (under 2nd St. bridge) from Witherspoon to River Rd.
Third Street from Main Street to Liberty Street
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Third Street from Liberty Street to Winkler Avenue
Fourth Street from Liberty Street to Chestnut Street
Muhammad Ali Blvd. from Second Street to Fourth Street
Chestnut Street from Third Street to Fifth Street
Noon to 1:00 a.m
Winkler Avenue from Third Street to Fourth Street
Fourth Street from Winkler Avenue to Oakdale Avenue
Oakdale Avenue from Fourth Street to Southern Parkway
Central Avenue from Fourth Street to Sixth St.
12:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Southern Parkway from Third Street to New Cut Road
Southern Parkway Ramp from Interstate 264 (Watterson Expressway) eastbound
3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Liberty Street from Second Street to Fifth Street
Traffic will only be allowed to cross the route on the following roadways when the area is clear of runners during the following times;
Jefferson Street Entire Event
Liberty Street 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Breckinridge Street 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Kentucky Street 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Hill Street 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Cardinal Blvd. 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Central Avenue Noon to 2:00 p.m.
Woodlawn Avenue 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Watterson Expressway can also be used to cross the route during the entire event.
NO PARKING AREAS
The following streets will have no parking on them during the following times;
5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
River Road from Edith Lane to Preston Street
Witherspoon Street from Preston Street to Bingham Way
7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Brook Street from Witherspoon Street to Main Street
Main Street from Brook Street to Third Street
Third Street from River Road to Liberty Street
7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.
Liberty Street from Third Street to Fifth Street
Muhammad Ali Blvd. from Second Street to Fourth Street
Chestnut Street from Third Street to Fifth Street
Fourth Street from Muhammad Ali Blvd. to Chestnut Street
Third Street from Liberty Street to Winkler Avenue
Winkler Avenue from Third Street to Fourth Street
Fourth Street from Winkler Avenue to Oakdale Avenue
Oakdale Avenue from Fourth Street to Southern Parkway
Central Avenue from Fourth Street to Sixth Street
