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There is a special weekend in August when the people of Newburg come together to celebrate unity and pride and welcome back former residents to one of Louisville’s well established neighborhoods. This year “Newburg Days” will get underway on Friday, August 18th, Saturday, August 19th and Sunday, August 20th.
“It is time to welcome back old friends and family as the people of Newburg come together to have some fun, remember old times and share friendships in our community,” says Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin (D-2). “We want to welcome everyone and ask them to come out and join us for some fun and entertainment.”
“Newburg Days” kicks off on Friday with rides and music in Petersburg/Newburg Park. Saturday begins with the Community Breakfast in the Petersburg Park. Newburg Community Days is known for its parade which begins at 12:00pm and continues through out many local streets in the Newburg area. This year, there will be tournaments in cornhole and basketball tournament, children’s activities which include face painting and balloons. The Seniors Tent will feature a variety of activities throughout the afternoon.
On Sunday, a community worship service and gospel festival will highlight the last day of the event. Here is the schedule of events for Newburg Days:
Friday, August 18th
- Vendor/food booths and Carnival Rides open at 6:00pm
- O.G. Nation-Young OG (Rap and R&B) 7:00pm
Saturday, August 19th
- Community Breakfast 9:00 AM
- Corn Hole Tournament 11:00am
- Basketball Tournament 12:00pm -6:00pm
- Community Parade 11:30am (Line up time at George Unseld Learning Center)
- Recreation on the Go, Field Events for Children 1:30-4:30pm
- Senior Citizens’ Tent Band Entertainment 7:00pm -9:00pm
- Vendor/Food Booths/Carnival Rides-All Day
Sunday, August 20th
- Worship Services: In the park 11:00am
- Senior Luncheon: Community Baptist Church Annex 1:00pm – 3:00pm
- Basketball Tournament 12:00pm – 6:00pm
- Gospel Festival: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
- Vendor/Food Booths: All Day
- Carnival Rides: 2:00pm Start Time
There are also many community volunteers and organizations who will come out to help with various activities. “Those of us who live in Newburg know it is a wonderful place to live and we are keeping the tradition of the old fashion community get together like the kind many towns had in years past. So come out and join us,” says Shanklin. For more information about “Newburg Community Days”, contact Councilwoman Shanklin’s Office at 574-1102.
Photo: Louisville Metro Government
Nancy Lieberman Charities and WorldVentures Foundation teamed with the Louisville Metro Police Department and Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation on August 15 to dedicate a Dream Court to foster the relationship between officers and the communities they serve. The Dream CourtsTM program builds top-quality, multipurpose play spaces in underserved communities so children have a safe area to shoot hoops, socialize and learn about teamwork and good sportsmanship.
Located at Russell Lee Park, 3701 Southern Avenue, the Louisville Dream Court is the 39th in the nation and the first in Louisville. Fairway Independent Mortgage donated to the court. Mayor Greg Fischer, Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman were on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“We are so proud to be able to give the children of Louisville a Dream Court,” said Nancy Lieberman, Nancy Lieberman Charities founder and a Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer. “Having Muhammad Ali as my hero and my friend taught me how to truly be powerful when you’re helping others.”
Lieberman, a two-time Olympian, made history in 2015 when she was hired by the Sacramento Kings, becoming only the second female assistant coach in NBA history.
Other dignitaries attending included Fairway Independent Mortgage branch manager Jason McPherson and District 1 City Council Member Jessica Green. Steve Ghose, director of Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation, served as emcee.
County Attorney Mike O’Connell is supporting a high-tech approach to curbing habitual drunk drivers with the rollout of Jefferson County’s new Continuous Alcohol Monitoring Program (CAMP).
Under the new initiative, prosecutors in O’Connell’s office will request that all repeat offenders for driving under the influence (DUI) wear alcohol-sensing anklets for varying periods of time to ensure that they aren’t drinking. The anklets, produced by SCRAM Systems, automatically test a subject’s perspiration every 30 minutes for alcohol consumption.
The 24-hour monitoring is designed to help individuals address their alcohol issues and reduce the chances that they will reoffend. The Jefferson County Attorney’s office will also recommend CAMP for certain alcohol-involved domestic violence cases and for first-time DUI offenders with a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 or greater that also have an additional serious aggravating factor. Aggravators would include multi-vehicle crashes or those that involve bodily injury or death, a driver under the age of 21, or having a minor-age child in the car at the time of arrest.
In addition to keeping roads safer from impaired drivers, O’Connell stressed the focus on rehabilitation with CAMP.
“The use of this alcohol-sensing technology can absolutely save lives,” O’Connell said. “This is an effort to use the accountability of the courts as a path toward sobriety. The longer a person is able to stay sober, the greater the chance that they will not commit a DUI or other alcohol-involved crime.”
Depending on the case, CAMP might be recommended while a defendant is awaiting trial, entered as a condition of a plea agreement, or both. The program could also conceivably cut city costs by allowing certain offenders to avoid jail days if they agree to continuous monitoring and demonstrate that they take their offense—and their alcohol misuse—seriously and are addressing the issue.
Offenders will pay for the monitoring with planning in place to help people who are indigent and cannot afford the costs. Monitoring costs nationwide average $10-12 a day. SCRAM Systems claims that former clients have self-reported spending on average about $14 per day on alcohol prior to wearing the bracelet. The office of the Jefferson County Attorney receives no money from the program.
Jurisdictions across the country have had success using SCRAM technology and continuous alcohol monitoring. York County, Pennsylvania reduced pretrial recidivism for drunk drivers by more than 90 percent. The district attorney in San Diego County, California–using monitoring guidelines similar to what is planned in Louisville–has saved taxpayer dollars by reduced jail overcrowding and seen earlier intervention for alcohol misuse.
Monitoring technology and services will be provided locally by Bluegrass Monitoring, which has monitored more than 9,200 individuals through similar efforts in the region as Ohio Alcohol Monitoring Systems.
Seminars are set for August 14-16 at the Louisville Bar Foundation to educate members of the local legal community, including judges and members of the defense bar, about the program.
CAMP is the latest tactic that O’Connell has promoted that uses the leverage of the court system to have a positive impact on addiction. 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.
BY THE NUMBERS
- According to Kentucky’s Administrative Office of the Courts, Jefferson County has averaged 4,260 charges of DUI each year since 2011. In 2016, there were 2,383 total DUI charges in Jefferson District Court and more than 22 percent (528) were repeat offenses.
- In 2016, 835 people in Kentucky died as a result of car crashes. The Commonwealth saw more than 4,200 collisions involving alcohol last year, resulting in more than 1,900 injuries and 119 alcohol-involved fatalities.
- On average, a DUI can cost a person $10,000 in attorney fees, fines and court costs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, car towing and repairs etc. Based on 2010 data from NHTSA, impaired driving crashes cost the United States more $44 billion each year.
- SCRAM Systems has monitored nearly 600,000 people with the technology that will be used in Jefferson County, and on any given day, 99.3 percent of individuals are sober and fully compliant with their monitoring.
Thousands of cyclists, walkers, canoeists and kayakers will hit the streets and the Ohio River on Labor Day, Sept. 4, for the 26th Subway Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle at Waterfront Park.
“What better way to mark the end of the summer and the Labor Day holiday than in the company of your friends, family and neighbors, at our beautiful waterfront,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “I invite everyone to come out, meet some new friends, and have fun!”
Subway Restaurants is the title sponsor of Hike, Bike & Paddle, with presenting sponsors, Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, Norton Healthcare and Neil Huffman Subaru and contributing sponsor, Academy Sports + Outdoors.
“SUBWAY Restaurants are proud to once again be the title sponsor of the SUBWAY Fresh Fit Hike, Bike & Paddle events. We will be distributing $2.50 gift cards to participants that can be used on their next visit to SUBWAY. Don’t miss this great family activity and a chance to explore the waterfront” said Doug Messmore, Louisville SUBWAY Board Chair.
“Coca-Cola Consolidated is proud to be a presenting sponsor of the Mayor’s Hike, Bike and Paddle activity on Labor Day. Coca-Cola strongly believes in providing consumers a variety of choices that fit their needs, which is why we offer many great-tasting beverages that are no or low calorie, in a variety of package sizes,” said Brian Outland, Vice-President of Retails Sales for the Coca-Cola Consolidated.
“Norton Healthcare is pleased to continue our support of the Mayor’s Hike, Bike & Paddle,” said Russell F. Cox, president and chief executive officer, Norton Healthcare. “This is a great event and a wonderful example of our shared commitment to improving the health and wellness of our community.”
“Neil Huffman Subaru, part of the Neil Huffman Automotive Group, is proud to be a seven-year sponsor of Mayor Fischer’s Annual Hike, Bike and Paddle. As a family-owned and operated business, we value the healthy initiatives the Mayor Fischer has taken to keep the community ‘on the move’ for years to come,” said Dow Huffman, Managing Partner, Neil Huffman Automotive Group.
Paddlers will begin their adventurous five-mile course at 10 a.m., taking their canoes and kayaks through the McAlpine Locks and Dam to the Jaycees Boat Ramp in New Albany. Participants will launch their canoes or kayaks at the ramp located at the Harbor Lawn of Waterfront Park. Paddlers can drop their boats off at the “Green” parking lot near River Road and Witherspoon Street from 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Police and safety boats will be nearby during the paddling activity, and all participants will have assistance if needed in launching their canoe or kayak. Paddle participants must wear a life jacket and carry a noise making device.
After the event, TARC will offer a shuttle service for paddlers to retrieve their vehicles at the launch site.
For cyclists, a 9.5-mile route will leave Waterfront Park and go west through the Portland Stroll District and head back to Waterfront Park. Turnoffs will provide cycling routes as short as two miles.
The hiking route, which is wheelchair-accessible, will take walkers west along the waterfront, along portions of the Riverwalk and wharf to 10th Street and back. Walkers can bring their dogs on the hike, but must keep them on a leash and pick up waste, as required by law.
Louisville YMCA staff will lead the hike. Both the cycling and walking routes will be marked, and there will be water stops at the halfway points to refill water bottles. The Louisville Bicycle Club and Scheller’s Fitness and Cycle are providing “bike captains” to help cyclists obey the rules of the road.
“Bike doctors” will be in Waterfront Park before the ride and along the route to assist cyclists with any equipment problems. Louisville Metro Police will provide traffic assistance at key intersections, and the Louisville Metro EMS bicycle team will patrol the route. All cyclists are asked to remain behind the lead police vehicles.
More than 50 vendors and information booths will open at 8:30 a.m. at Waterfront Park. Again, patrons will have the opportunity to try their hand at stand-up paddle boarding until 1 p.m.
Yoga, Tai Chi and Zumba demonstrations will be offered, along with group participation.
Beginning at 8:30 a.m. there will be 3,000 free T-shirts for those who arrive early and complete a brief survey. The Brain Injury Association will distribute 500 helmets to riders who don’t have one. Neil Huffman Subaru will be giving away a free bicycle and kayak at the event. Participants are encouraged to be “green” and bring their own water bottles which they will be able to fill at Waterfront Park and at various water stations along the routes, as part of Louisville Water’s Pure Tap To Go.
This is the 13th year for the Hike, Bike & Paddle events, which are held each Memorial Day and Labor Day. The events are part of the city’s Healthy Hometown Movement, created to encourage Louisville residents to be more active and make healthier lifestyle choices. To view interactive route maps and for more information, go to hikebikeandpaddle.org.
Already know you’re coming? RSVP on our Facebook event page. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AroundLou!
Additional support is provided by River City Paddlesports INC., Outfront Media, 106.9 Play, Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling, Louisville Water Company and the YMCA.
Gov. Matt Bevin joined with a 17-state coalition, led by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, to urge the U.S. Department of Labor to rescind the Obama-era Persuader Rule. This regulation threatened to increase legal costs for businesses and undermine the longstanding and vital attorney-client privilege.
In a letter to Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta, the group concludes: “Given that the Persuader Rule has the effect of regulating a traditionally state-regulated domain, and that Congress has made no such indication, the Department should rescind the rule.”
Last November, Attorney General Paxton won a permanent, nationwide injunction against the Persuader Rule, when a federal judge ruled that it was unlawful and would have required attorneys to publicly disclose confidential information protected by attorney-client privilege. In December, a Texas-led 10-state coalition won a final judgment in the case.
The Obama administration’s reinterpretation of the Persuader Rule upended five decades of established federal labor policy and would have made it more difficult and expensive for small businesses to obtain legal advice. Attorney General Paxton’s lawsuit kept the Department from enforcing the new rule.
The Department’s proposal to rescind the Persuader Rule requires a 60-day public comment period—which ends on August 11—before the Department can take final action.
Joining Gov. Bevin and Attorney General Paxton in the letter is the governor of Mississippi, as well as the attorneys general of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the letter can be downloaded here.
Photo: Kentucky Department Fish and Wildlife
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has opened more land for public use.
The properties are in Gallatin, Nicholas, Owen, Pulaski and Wayne counties.
Rockcastle River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in eastern Pulaski County is the largest of the new WMAs and will offer hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers outstanding recreational opportunities.
The WMA abuts the Daniel Boone National Forest to the south and east. Two areas will remain closed while abandoned gas wells are being permanently sealed along Acorn-Ano Road and Buren Turner Road. No admittance signs, orange flagging and orange paint will mark the off-limits areas.
Visitors to Rockcastle River WMA will find it primarily forested. About 30 percent of the area is open land. Several ponds ranging from half an acre to almost 6 acres are scattered across the property. Daily creel limits on the WMA are 10 bluegill or other sunfish, four catfish, 15 crappie and one bass longer than 15 inches.
Rockcastle River WMA is not listed in the current Kentucky Hunting and Trapping Guide. It will be open for hunting under statewide regulations for squirrel and other game with some exceptions. The modern gun deer season will be open for two consecutive days starting the second Saturday in November. The area will be closed for all muzzleloader deer, grouse and bobwhite quail seasons.
No general fund tax dollars were used in the project.
- Meadow Creek WMA in Wayne County is another new offering in the Southeast Region.
The property is off KY 1619 about 20 minutes northeast of Monticello. The terrain is flat and much of the property is planted with new trees but there are mature woods along the property’s western edge.
Meadow Creek WMA is open for hunting under statewide regulations except the early muzzleloader deer and modern gun deer season are closed.
- Stephens Creek WMA in Gallatin County and a tract at John A. Kleber WMA add more opportunity in the Bluegrass Region.
Stephens Creek WMA is named after the creek that runs along its eastern boundary.
The area is mostly forested and features steep hillsides with some open ridgetops. Offering good populations of deer, turkey and squirrel, it will be open for hunting under statewide regulations, except the modern gun deer and October muzzleloader deer seasons are closed.
No general fund tax dollars were used for the project.
Conveniently situated just off U.S. 127 in southwest Owen County, the tract blends rolling hills and steep wooded hillsides. Cedar stands are interspersed with mixed hardwoods. There are some ridgetop fields and creek bottoms along Gills Branch.
Hunting regulations for the tract will match those in place for the rest of Kleber WMA.
The area boasts a robust deer population, so hunters can expect good deer hunting as well as opportunities for wild turkey. An abundance of oak and hickory trees should lend itself to plenty of enjoyable squirrel hunting. Parking areas are on County Line East Road and Gills Branch Road just off U.S. 127 about 15 minutes north of Frankfort.
- Clay WMA expands with the opening of the Kingsolver tract in Nicholas County. The tract is northeast of Carlisle and about 4 miles by car from the main unit of Clay WMA.
The Kingsolver tract is mostly forested but it also features some open-land habitat. Forested areas will be managed for a mixture of growth stages and beneficial composition with an emphasis on invasive species management. The open land habitat will be managed as early successional old-field habitat.
Hunting regulations for the tract will match those in place for the main tract of Clay WMA. However, it will be open during quota fox hunts and the pheasant hunt.
To reach the Kingsolver tract from Carlisle, follow KY 36 east for 1.5 miles then turn left on Scrubgrass Creek Road. Follow Scrubgrass Creek Road for about 1 mile. From Flemingsburg, follow KY 32 west for about 11 miles. Turn left onto Scrubgrass Creek Road. The property starts ½-mile on the left.
Maps and additional information for these areas and other public lands are available on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s website at fw.ky.gov. Click on the “Maps” tab on the department’s homepage and select “Wildlife Management Areas/Public Hunting Areas” from the list of links.
The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) has created a video that alerts deaf and hard of hearing citizens on how to watch the August 21 solar eclipse safely. According to KCDHH Executive Director Virginia L. Moore, the video has received national attention, receiving over 57,000 views on Facebook and 1,400 shares.
“This is an exciting time for all of Kentucky’s citizens,” said Moore. “We just want to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing citizens are well informed about this event and take all necessary precautions to protect their vision as they enjoy this historic eclipse.”
During the video, a narrator provides information on the eclipse and instructions on viewing it safely in American Sign Language.
“We don’t want to damage the sense (eyesight) that we rely so heavily on,” the narrator says. “With that in mind, you should know that there are special solar glasses that will protect your eyes while you view the solar eclipse. You can find these glasses in various local stores.”
The video goes on to explain how to identify if the solar eclipse viewing glasses are genuine, and how to identify if they have been damaged.
You can view the post on the KCDHH Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KCDHH/ or go to the website, www.kcdhh.ky.gov/, click on the “Vlog” tab and watch the Solar Eclipse 2017 video.
