Tuesday January 27, 2026
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Ashley Scholle, a fourth grade language arts and social studies teacher at Audubon Traditional Elementary School, has been presented with the Excellence in Classroom and Educational Leadership (ExCEL) Award. Representatives from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) and from the award sponsors — LG&E and KU and WHAS11 — honored the teacher on March 6 during a ceremony at the school.
“Ms. Scholle is a wonderful fourth grade teacher who models integrity, respect, creativity and accountability,” said Audubon Principal Tiffany Marshall. “She is a leader in the building who supports the students inside and outside of the classroom. Students know they have to learn, and are willing to be challenged to reach their potential.”
Scholle dedicates extensive time and energy to her students and school community outside the classroom as well. She has been involved in numerous initiatives, including the Reading Content Specialist Team and Visual and Performing Arts Program Review Committee, teaches Extended Learning and serves as Quick Recall Coach.
“Mrs. Scholle has a passion for teaching and helping students realize their full potential by creating a safe and engaging learning environment that inspires students to work at higher levels,” said Robin Divine, a counselor at Audubon. “She inspires students to participate in her classroom and they always feel safe to ask questions to further their knowledge.”
As part of LG&E and KU’s commitment to supporting education across the communities it serves, Scholle and other ExCEL Award winning teachers each receive a $1,000 instructional grant from the company.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Mary C. Woolridge (D-3) invites residents of the area to a special meeting of the Hallmark Neighborhood Association on Monday, March 12th to discuss a warehouse demolition project.
“I want everyone in the area to understand what is the latest information involving the demolition project of warehouses at 2349 Millers Lane,” says Woolridge. “My office has been made aware that while this project moves forward with demolition, it is important to be aware of what may be constructed on this property.”
The Councilwoman has invited Robert Kirchdorfer, Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations Director to speak at the meeting. He has been asked to discuss what is known about the project including the demolition and future building permits for the property.
The meeting is set for Southern Star Baptist Church, 2304 Algonquin Parkway in the lower level beginning at 7:00pm.
The company that will be occupying the new warehouse is Advanced Distribution Service. The building is a new warehouse that is 251,317 sq. ft. The estimated cost is $6,700,000; they paid $30,254.12 for the permit. The demolition permit would retain the shell of the building only. Once the tenant gets ready to move in another permit will be issued, then more details will be known about future construction.
“I want to make sure everyone in the area has an understanding of what type of business is proposed for this location,” says Woolridge. “This is an opportunity to ask questions and be updated on the timeline involved with demolition and construction.”
For more information about this special meeting of the Hallmark Neighborhood Association, contact Councilwoman Woolridge’s office at 574-1103.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman Vitalis Lanshima is inviting residents of District 21 to a special community meeting tonight, March 5th to discuss speeding concerns in various areas of the district.
“I believe it is important for everyone to know how to deal with speeding for the safety of everyone on our streets in the community,” says Lanshima. “This is an informational meeting for those who feel that speed bumps might decrease speeding in these areas.”
The Councilman has asked representatives of Louisville Metro Police and the Department of Public Works to discuss the speeding concerns in neighborhoods and explain the process of requesting and installing speed bumps/humps, along with the costs involved.
“Our goal is to make our streets safer. While we will be discussing the recent challenges faced by the residents of Meridale Avenue, our hope is that we can share our concerns and identify ways to keep our community safe,” says Lanshima.
The meeting will get underway at 6:00pm tonight at the Beechmont Community Center, 205 W. Wellington Avenue.
For more information, contact Councilman Lanshima’s Office at 574-1121.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
As a way to help Louisville expand its tree canopy, Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8) has announced the second annual Planting O’ the Green, an initiative that will plant 90 trees in the weeks surrounding the St. Patrick’s Parade.
“In honor of this year’s 45th St. Patrick’s Parade, we’re planting 45 trees in District 8 and 45 trees in District 6,” said Coan. “I believe this pay-it-forward approach is the only way to solve our citywide tree problem, and I hope Planting O’ the Green remains a tradition for many years to come.”
The Councilman and President James (D-6) made the announcement with representatives of TreesLouisville, MSD, Brightside, Olmsted Parks Conservancy and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
“I’m thrilled to work with Trees Louisville and Councilman Brandon Coan to bring more trees to our neighborhoods. Paying it Forward with Trees in our community is a great way to help replenish our tree canopy, which makes us all healthier and our city more vibrant,” said President James.
In District 6, 45 trees will be planted on E. St. Catherine between 2nd and Preston. In District 8, the trees will be planted in the green space along Gardiner Lane in the Hawthorne neighborhood abutting I-264.
“TreesLouisville is thrilled to be a primary sponsor of the Planting O’ the Green,” TreesLouisville Executive Director Cindi Sullivan said. “Our vision is a healthier community for current and future generations through a more robust tree canopy, and collaborations like this one are an excellent way to make progress.”
“Brightside is very happy to be a part of another Planting O’ The Green,” Brightside Director Gina O’Brien said. “Trees are a terrific investment in our communities that will positively affect the health of Louisville’s residents, environment and economy. Districts 6 and 8 will reap the benefits of these trees for years to come.”
John O’Dwyer, President of the Father Abram J. Ryan Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, reflected on the meaning of the St. Patrick’s Parade and the impact of Planting O’ The Green.
“The Hibernians strive to open the spring season each year with the St. Patrick’s Parade, often called the People’s Parade, and it is a time for fun and community. Now we are making the Greenest Parade even greener as the next evolution of this charity event to give back to our fine city,” O’Dwyer said.
The 45th Annual St. Patrick’s Parade is Saturday, March 10th. For more information about Planting O’ the Green, contact Councilman Coan’s office at 574-1108.
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilman David Yates (D-25) is encouraging residents to come out to the next “Talk with David” on Tuesday, March 6th at the Southwest Regional Library beginning at 6:00pm.
This will be a “Meet your Major” meeting featuring LMPD 3rd Division Major Joshua Hash.
“We have always had a very good working relationship with the 3rd Division and I believe Major Hash will do a fine job in leading the men and women who protect us,” says Councilman Yates. “I want to encourage everyone to come out and meet him and let him know what you are concerned about and how you can help LMPD.”
Councilman Yates has also invited officials with Metro Parks to provide an update on the upcoming groundbreaking and timeline of completion for the Waverly Park Restrooms.
Representatives from MSD, Louisville Water Company and IPL will be on hand to answer questions along with Congressman John Yarmuth’s office will be on hand to help answer any questions and concerns.
“Please come out and join us. This is also a chance to talk with me about any concerns you might have about any issue.” says Yates.
For more information about the next “Talk with David”, contact President Yates’ office at 574-1125.
Louisville Metro Government has again earned the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This is the fifth consecutive year GFOA has granted the award – its highest recognition for government budgeting – to Metro.
GFOA guidelines and criteria are used to assess budgets for serving as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. In receiving the award, Metro’s Fiscal Year 2017-2018 budget received high marks in all four categories.“Our city government is focused on providing a transparent, accessible government that responds to the needs of citizens. This award shows that our budget — the guiding document for our fiscal year — meets the high standards that citizens deserve. I’d like to congratulate Budget Director Aaron Jackson, our budget staff and the entire Office for Management & Budget for their tremendous work.”
Jackson added: “Mayor Fischer’s commitment to citizen engagement and transparency brings Metro in line with best practices, like those that GFOA works to promote. That drive to make Metro a leader in the government sector has been essential in receiving this honor for five years.”
The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving about 19,000 government officials and other finance practitioners in North America.
Louisville Metro’s FY17-18 budget presentation can be found here: https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/management_budget/fy18_appr…
Mayor Greg Fischer announced that Louisville residents who need assistance cleaning up from the past week’s flooding can call Metro Government’s MetroCall 311 to get connected with volunteers who are helping with recovery efforts.
Louisville Metro Emergency Services and the Office of Resiliency and Community Services are working with Kentucky Emergency Management, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross and Metro United Way to identify flood victims and organize volunteer cleanup teams.
Residents who would like to volunteer to aid stricken residents and help with general community cleanup can contact Metro United Way 2-1-1. Callers can leave their information and will be contacted within 72 hours for a volunteer assignment. The city’s MetroCall 311 is available Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mayor Fischer added that the city is developing a plan to disperse a $100,000 donation to help flood victims that University of Louisville head football coach Bobby Petrino and the Petrino Family Foundation made this week. Football team members are slated to be among the cleanup volunteers in the coming days.
“We’re grateful for Coach Petrino’s generous gift and the work of volunteers from across the city who are pitching in to help Louisville bounce back from the flooding,” Mayor Fischer said.
The Mayor also announced today that the city’s flood response and recovery costs had surpassed the $2.8 million threshold required to qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. The assistance helps local government agencies recoup costs, which are expected to continue to rise.
As the waters recede, allowing access to previously flooded areas, recovery and cleanup efforts are expected to increase across the city in the coming days.
Louisville Metro Public Works has opened seven flood debris drop-off sites throughout the county. The locations and hours of operations are found on the Louisvilleky.gov website:https://louisvilleky.gov/government/flood-drop-locations
In addition, Waterfront Development Corporation staff and many volunteers will begin cleaning up Waterfront Park as the waters return to normal levels. Louisville Metro Parks is assessing affected locations and will be hosting community cleanups at a future date.
The Salvation Army is accepting donations of cleaning supplies at its 911 South Brook Street campus. Items most needed at this time include the following:
- Bottles of Water
- Disposable Latex Gloves
- Heavy Duty Work Gloves
- Bleach (82 Ounces)
- Household Cleaners (Windex, 409, etc.)
- Disinfectant Dish Soap
- Scrub Brushes/Pads
- Sponges
- Towels
- Paper Towels
- Dust Masks
- Mops
- Brooms
- 5-Gallon Buckets
- Storage Totes
- Heavy Duty Garbage Bags
*Note*- For those able to donate large scale donations (Pallets), please call (502) 671-4900 to arrange pick-up and/ or delivery of those items. Clothing and household goods are not needed.
As with all disasters, financial donations are most effective because they offer flexibility in supporting relief operations and those immediately affected by disaster. To make a financial donation by phone, please contact the Salvation Army’s Donor Relations Manager, Rennay Cooke at (502) 671-4926. By mail, please make checks payable to The Salvation Army of Louisville and note in the memo line “Disaster Relief.” Mail checks to The Salvation Army, 911 S. Brook St., Louisville, KY 40203.
