Thursday January 29, 2026
Local Connection
Weather
Traffic
@LouisvilleDispatch
@LouisvilleDisp
Subscribe
The Commission on Public Art (COPA) will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, September 6 from 4-7 p.m. in the Old Jail Auditorium (514 W. Liberty) to discuss pieces in its inventory that can be interpreted as honoring discrimination, racism, bigotry or slavery. Today, the agenda for that meeting is available.
The agenda is as follows:
- Introduction by COPA Chair Anna Tatman and staff report by Public Art Administrator Sarah Lindgren (30 minutes)
- Public comment (90 minutes)
- Break (15 minutes)
- Commission deliberation (45 minutes)
To find the agenda online and to view a livestream of the meeting, please visit https://louisville.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
All public comments submitted to date have been provided to the COPA Commissioners for their review. At Wednesday’s meeting, the public should adhere to a three minute time limit for their comments. The Old Jail Auditorium will open at 3:15 p.m. for meeting attendees and attendees wishing to speak will be asked to sign up. Signs ups will be first come, first served.
This meeting will not be the last public forum where public comments will be taken. Residents may still contribute their thoughts online: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/public-art/public-art-review or by mail to Commission on Public Art, 444 S. 5th Street, Suite 600, Louisville, KY 40202
Fall is in the air and to bring in the new season there will be a celebration of pride and unity when the 87th Annual Fairdale Community Fair gets underway on Thursday, September 7th through Saturday, September 9th.
It’s a weekend of fun featuring a traditional parade, carnival rides, music and food.
“The people of Fairdale have a very special pride in their community and the fair is one way to welcome everyone to the place we call home,” says Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13). “Each year, many volunteers make the Fairdale Community Fair a reality. They bring the feel of the old country fair where neighbors come to have fun and see what’s going on in the community.”
In years past, the Fairdale Community Fair has been a great way to welcome the fall season as summer comes to an end. Thousands people are expected to come out and visit the fair through the weekend.
A community tradition for 87 years, the fair offers games, booths, food, live entertainment, music, crafts and rides. The event also features a wide array of activities that one would usually find at a good old fashion country fair.
The Fairdale Community Club will again host the Homemakers Contest, and fairgoers will find all kinds of exhibits in the Fairdale Playtorium for viewing. The Fairdale Lions Club will provide fish and pulled pork meals, along with food trucks available for other choices.
Councilwoman Welch and the District 13 staff will be on hand with a Local Government informational booth to provide information about services in Metro Government. She encourages everyone to come by and say “hi” or let her know about an issue or concern.
This year’s parade theme is “Home Sweet Home” and will feature floats, musical groups, local celebrities and other participants as they leave Fairdale High School and travel down Fairdale Road to waving crowds along the street and then on to the Fairdale Playtorium Grounds.
People lining the parade route will enjoy a nice Saturday afternoon and children have been known to be waiting for candy tossed from some of the parade’s participants.
The Operating schedule for the 87th Annual Fairdale Community Fair:
Thursday Sept. 7th – Ride Night (rides only) from 5:00 – 7:00pm
Friday Sept. 8th – Fair begins with booths, rides & music from 5:00 – 11:00pm
Sat. Sept. 9th – Parade begins at 12:00 Noon – Fair continues from 1:00 – 11:00pm
“I would like to express my appreciation to LMPD Division 3 and the Jefferson Co Sheriff’s Office for their security services throughout the fair. Also, the Jefferson Co Attorney’s Office DUI Diversion Program is very helpful for cleanup efforts after the fair. Of course, it goes without saying how much work is done by the members of the Fairdale Fair Board, Inc. to keep this festival going all these years. A hearty THANK YOU to all involved!” says Welch.
If you would like more information about the 87th Annual Fairdale Community Fair, contact Kevin Elzy at 387-9641.
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Metro Parks and Recreation is offering an affordable family golfing package at its nine golf courses over the Labor Day weekend.
Though the area is receiving heavy rain today, the weekend outlook through Labor Day looks sunny and pleasant.
For only $25, a family of up to four members can play nine holes at any Metro Parks course. The $25 includes greens and cart fees, and families can take advantage of the deal after 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 2; Sunday, September 3; and Monday, September 4.
Families are encouraged to call in advance to book a tee time at the golf course of their choice.
Metro Parks golf courses are open from daylight to dark seven days a week.
Mayor Greg Fischer today joined local small business owner Pam Haines to cut the ribbon on Sweet Peaches 2 Roll café located in the lobby area of the Nia Center, the city’s one-stop workforce and entrepreneurial development center located at 2900 W. Broadway. The café will offer coffee, tea, sandwiches, salads and a variety of freshly baked pastries and will be open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The 450 square-foot café reflects a nearly $100,000 investment by the city that included improvements such as moving water lines, purchasing new food service equipment and furniture and refinishing the space.
“The Nia Center has become increasingly important to entrepreneurship in Louisville,” said Fischer. “Now with the addition of Sweet Peaches 2 Roll, job seekers and entrepreneurs have a creative, open gathering space, where they can share ideas and experiences to further their goals.”
This is Haines’ second cafe in west Louisville. Her first, Sweet Peaches, is located at 18th and Muhammad Ali Boulevard where she has been serving the community great food at a great value since 2014.
“I am thrilled to further expand my dream of being a small business owner by opening a new café for the people who work and visit the Nia Center,” said Haines. “I would like to thank Mayor Fischer and the city for putting their faith in me to serve good food in this wonderful center.”
The café is the latest addition to the Nia Center. Earlier this year, it was announced that the Center would offer expanded resources for training opportunities and financial tools for small business owners and entrepreneurs such as the Manufacturing Training and Employment Connection (M-TEC), the Certified Production Technician training and the new Business Accelerator Loan program offered by the Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO).
As part of the city’s effort to focus on small business owners and entrepreneurs in west Louisville, the Nia Center Business Clinic is adjusting its walk-in hours to 11:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Luckett & Farley provided design services for the renovation, and Bornstein General Contracting performed the construction.
To learn more about the Nia Center, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/nia-center
Seven businesses have been approved for nine loans totaling about $1.5 million by the Department of Economic Development’s Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO), including the city’s first ever Business Accelerator loan approved to a new business locating in the Russell neighborhood. The loans will leverage a total investment of $8.71 million and will assist the companies to open, to expand services or to revitalize properties.
METCO loans have been awarded to the following businesses:
- $883,000 EPA Brownfields loan was approved for 601 East, LLC for its property at 601 East Jefferson Street in the NuLu neighborhood. The loan will go toward remediating environmental issues at the property formerly known as the Louisville Chemical building, which was a manufacturer of pesticides. This 16,000 square-foot historic building, built in 1890, is located in a designated local “eco-district.” The overall project seeks to revitalize the building into a mixed-use, historic adaptive re-use site.
- $121,800 façade loan has been approved for Utcherbay Owntay, LLC for its property at 1301 Story Avenue. The loan will allow owner—Andy Blieden—to rehabilitate the exterior of the building and provide handicap accessibility to the building, which currently is home to the newly-opened Butchertown Pizza Hall.
- Two loans were approved for Butcherblock Properties, LLC for its property located at 1025 East Main Street in the Butchertown neighborhood. The loans will allow owner—Andy Blieden—to rehab the building’s façade and to make accessibility improvements. Loans include a $65,200 facade loan and a $14,500 accessibility loan.
- Two loans were approved for Six Pack Volleyball for its property at 4026 S. 3rd Street in south Louisville. The building is home to the old Bernie’s, a popular venue for outdoor volleyball for 20 years that closed last year. Kari Guy and Rachel Dryer purchased the building in July 2017 and the loans will assist Guy and Dryer with their plan to rehab the facility with outdoor and indoor courts for year-round play. The existing building will have two tenants, one with a bar/restaurant and another with an office space and child care center, both to serve volleyball players. Loans include a $100,000 facade loan and $50,000 gap loan.
- $200,000 gap financing loan was approved for Sneak Properties, a property holding company for Isopure Corp., designer and manufacturer of water purification systems that are used in kidney dialysis centers and hospitals worldwide. This loan will assist Isopure Corp. complete the buildout of their facility at 11851 Plantside Drive.
- $50,000 façade loan was approved for Parkside Bikes LLC for its property at 822 E Market Street in the NuLu neighborhood. This façade loan will allow owners Ben Botkins and Jeffrey Myers to rehab the façade of this building that they purchased in December 2016.
- The city’s first-ever Business Accelerator Loan has been approved for Legacy Construction USA LLC, a new company seeking to start its operations in the roof repair industry. The company is located at 2306 West Market Street in the Russell neighborhood. The $50,000 loan will fund initial start-up operations, which consist of purchasing roofing materials, operational and administrative costs, general working capital and hiring sales staff to create a local and national pipeline of customers.
The Business Accelerator Loan is a new loan program available for entrepreneurs or small business owners who want to open or grow a businesses located in one of the nine neighborhoods of west Louisville (Algonquin, California, Chickasaw, Park DuValle, Park Hill, Parkland, Portland, Russell, Shawnee).
The Business Accelerator Loan is a new loan program available for small business owners with businesses located in the nine neighborhoods of west Louisville (Algonquin, California, Chickasaw, Park DuValle, Park Hill, Parkland, Portland, Russell, Shawnee).
Click here to learn more about the Business Accelerator Loan program.
The Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO) governs metro government’s small business loans, which include facade, accessibility and gap financing loans. Because metro government is not the primary lender, the loan program allows many public-private partnerships between government and private business ventures that further the vitality and quality of life in the Louisville community.
The METCO board meets the fourth Thursday of each month. Meetings are at 9:00 a.m., at the offices of Louisville Forward, located at 444 S. 5th Street, 6th floor. Remaining meetings for 2017 are scheduled for September 28, October 26 and December 14.
Click here to learn more about the METCO loan program.
Photo: Neighborhood Place
Neighborhood Place partners offer workshops and services in September to help keep families safe and healthy including car and booster seat fitting stations by Norton’s Children Hospital; a Healthy Living Club; a Diabetes Self-Management Series; and a Domestic Violence Awareness Workshop. To learn more about these offerings and several others please refer to the list below.
Sept. 5, Car Seat Fitting at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 9 – 11 a.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 629-7358 for an appointment. Learn how to install your child’s car seat or booster seat at this car seat fitting station offered by Norton’s Children’s Hospital. Find out if it’s time for a change.
Sept. 5, Free Blood Pressure Checks at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 for more information. Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness health educators will provide free blood pressure checks.
Sept 5, 12, 19, 26, and Oct 3, Free Crockpot Cooking Class at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 772-8588 to register for this activity. Learn about healthy eating and try new crockpot recipes at these free classes. Attend all classes and earn a crockpot at the end of the class sessions.
Sept. 5, 7, 11, and 14, WeCare Energy Efficiency Overview
Call 1-800-356-5467 for more information. Representatives from the WeCare Program at LG&E will be on hand to talk with interested persons about energy efficiency, energy usage and tips to reduce utility bills. WeCare staff can also help determine if households are eligible for a variety of free services including air duct sealing and insulation, attic and wall insulation, programmable thermostats and much more.
- Sept. 5, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place at Valley, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 10 a.m. – noon
- Sept. 7, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd. (T. J. Middle School in the W.D. Bruce Building – door #24), 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Sept. 11, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Ave., 10 a.m. – noon
- Sept. 14, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – noon
Sept. 5, 6, 12 and 14, A Healthy Journey for Two Educational Baby
For more information and RSVP, contact Mendy Mason at 502-341-5400 or via email at Melynda.Mason@centerstone.org. Join us at to explore the do’s and don’ts of a healthy pregnancy in a free, fun setting. Seven Counties and KIDSNow Plus will host an educational baby shower to share information on how to care for yourself and your baby while being pregnant. Pregnant attendees receive a baby tote filled with baby items and a gas/gift card, with more chances to win prizes like gift/layette set(s), bottle sets and more. Fathers are welcome.
- Sept. 5, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 1 – 3 p.m.
- Sept. 6, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 West Market Street, 10am -noon
- Sept. 12,Greater Cane Run Area Neighborhood Place, 3410 Lees Ln., 1 – 3 p.m.
- Sept. 14, First Neighborhood Place, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 1 – 3 p.m.
Tuesdays, Couponing Support Group at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Call 313-4635 to register or for more information. Learn tips and money saving ideas to help build extra financial wealth in using coupons while grocery shopping.
Sept. 6 and 20, Legal Aid Office Hours at South Central Neighborhood Place, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 485-7130 for more information. A Legal Aid Society staff member will be on hand to answer questions, talk about cases that Legal Aid handles and provide referrals.
Sept. 8 and 22, Choices Domestic Violence Educational Workshop at NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 2 – 4 p.m.
Located at 4018 West Market Street. Call 313-4892 to register. The workshop is facilitated by the Center for Women and Families’ domestic violence advocates, a psycho-educational group for women, men, and teens who have experienced abuse in their intimate relationships. The objectives of the group are to raise awareness about intimate partner violence and the supportive services that are available; support and encourage participants’ healing and reconciliation of their experiences; and to prepare the participants to practice self-care and engage in healthy relationships going forward.
Mondays and Thursdays, YMCA’s “Caring and Learning with Me” program at Thomas Jefferson Middle School.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call Keyonna Humphrey at 974-8457 for more information and to register. This free program provides a wonderful learning environment for children ages 3-5 years old and their caregivers focusing on play and exploration. The adult caregiver is required to attend with the child/ren and you may also bring other children ages (0-2). Sponsored by the YMCA with support from First Neighborhood Place.
Sept. 11 and 19, Sodexo Hiring Opportunities at South Central Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Located at 4255 Hazelwood Ave. Call 574-4516 for more information. Sodexo, a food-service agency, will provide on-the-spot interviews for positions with Jewish Hospital, Our Lady of Peace and University of Louisville Hospital. Bring your resume and be prepared for an interview. This is one of Sodexo’s busiest hiring seasons. Stop by if you are looking for employment that can lead to a full-time or part-time position.
- Sept. 11, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Call 574-4516 for more information
- Sept. 19, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, 1503 Rangeland Rd., 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Call 313-4700 for more information.
Sept. 12, Healthy Living Club at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 363-1483 for more information. Join the support group on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss healthy living and to get the support you need to eat better, get active, and lose weight. This month, a representative from Walgreens Pharmacy will be on hand to review medications and give helpful information on how to ensure you are getting the best results from your prescription plan.
Sept, 12, Foster Parent Recruitment Meeting at First Neighborhood Place, 6 – 8 p.m.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd., side of Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Call 595-5437 (KIDS) for more information. Detailed information will be provided on the requirements and process of how to become a foster or adoptive parent. Information such as an explanation of foster care, special needs adoption, and information on foster parent training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the training classes will be provided. Sponsored by Kentucky Foster Care and the Special Needs Adoption Program.
Sept. 13, Child Booster Seat Event at Ujima Neighborhood Place, 4 – 6 p.m.
Located at 3610 Bohne Ave. Pre-registration is required by calling 502-629-7244. Norton’s Children’s Hospital will be on hand to provide free booster seats for those who pre-register, and conduct booster seat checks. All children under 8 years old or 57 inches are required to ride in a child restraint. A vehicle seat belt does not fit a child safely until they are 57 inches tall.
Sept. 19 and 27, Community Dental Care Information Sessions
Call 502-366-4442 for more information. Community Dental Care is a full-service dental organization designed to increase access to health care in communities with the goal of improving the overall health of the population. Representatives will be on site to provide information about services offered and to assist in scheduling appointments for dental needs or for pediatric health needs.
- Sept. 19, South Central Neighborhood Place, 4255 Hazelwood Ave., 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Sept. 27, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place at Fairdale, 1000 Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Sept. 27, South Jefferson Neighborhood Place at Valley, 10200 Dixie Hwy., 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Sept. 19, Diabetes Self-Management Class Series at First Neighborhood Place, 1 – 2:30 pm.
Located at 1503 Rangeland Rd. Registration required by calling 574-6663. Whether you are recently diagnosed or have been diabetic for years and need a refresher, this class is for you. Topics covered will include what are diabetes, glucose monitoring, problem solving, healthy eating, medication management, sick day management, healthy exercise, and goal setting. Sponsored by Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness.
Sept. 21, Legal Aid Representative at South Jefferson Neighborhood Place, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Located at 1000 Neighborhood Place. Call 363-1483 for more information. A representative from Legal Aid will be on hand to discuss issues surrounding domestic violence, Emergency Protective Orders and making a safety plan for all family members. Stop by to discuss your situation. All matters are confidential.
Mike O’Connell was named Outstanding County Attorney of the Year at the Kentucky Prosecutors Conference Thursday afternoon at the Hyatt Regency in Lexington.
The award, presented by the office of the Attorney General to only two of the Commonwealth’s 120 county attorneys each year, comes as part of the annual gathering for the state’s prosecutors for training in the aid of their public service. Bobbi Jo Lewis, the Anderson County Attorney since 2003, was also honored this year.
“I am humbled that my peers serving as county attorneys across the state feel that the good work we do in Jefferson County should be recognized,” O’Connell said. “This award belongs to the people of this community and to the assistants and staff in my office who pursue justice every day.”
A lifelong Louisvillian, Mike O’Connell graduated from St. Xavier High School and and later Xavier University in Cincinnati. He obtained his law degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1974 and became a civil trial attorney, as well as an assistant Jefferson County Attorney.
In 1980, he was appointed and twice elected to the Jefferson District Court Bench where he served until 1987, at which time he was appointed and then elected to the Jefferson Circuit Court.
In 2008, O’Connell was appointed Jefferson County Attorney. He was elected in 2010, re-elected in 2014 and will run for re-election again next year.
During his time as Jefferson County Attorney, he has introduced restorative justice practices in juvenile court and started a pilot project for restorative justice in the adult division of Jefferson District Court. He actively worked for passage of a Senate Bill 40 in 2016 that established a pilot project for opening Family Courts in the state.
Under his leadership, his office continues to be on the forefront of prosecutions in the areas of drunk driving and domestic violence—operating specialty units in those areas and a 24-hour Domestic Violence Intake Center. In addition to its work as prosecutors in Jefferson District Court, the Jefferson County Attorney’s office also serves as the legal representative for Louisville Metro Government and helps to collect more than $65 million each year in child support for families in Jefferson County.
O’Connell is heavily involved in efforts in addressing the role addiction plays in our legal system. His office has been instrumental in forming and supporting the Jefferson County’s Drug Treatment and Veterans’ Treatment Courts, and he has supported the use of Casey’s Law in Kentucky, which allows parents, spouses and others to seek the court’s assistance to order their loved one into treatment for drugs or alcohol.
Mike is a past board member of the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission, the Little Sisters of the Poor, Beacon House, Catholic Charities and Jefferson County Juvenile Justice Commission.
Mike and his wife Ellen celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary in June. They have three children, Annie, Michael and Matt, and two grandchildren, Emily and Drew.
