Monday January 26, 2026
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With the traditional spin of a wheel Tara Dunaway of Leitchfield, KY, was named the 2018 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen at the 60th annual Fillies Derby Ball at The Galt House. Tara, 21-years-old, is a Junior at the University of Louisville where she is majoring in Business Marketing with a minor in Management. She is a College of Business Student Council Member and serves as the Chairman of Outreach, has been named to the Dean’s List multiple times, and has studied in numerous countries including England and Austria. Tara also volunteers at Portland Elementary and has participated in mission trips to Central America.
This year’s Derby Festival Princesses anxiously awaited the traditional spin-of-the-wheel, performed by Fillies President Glenda Thome. The other members of the court include: Katie Bouchard of Owensboro, KY, a senior at Western Kentucky University; Logan Howard of Louisville, a senior at the University of Kentucky; Morgan A. Redmond of Louisville, KY a senior at the University of Chicago, and Caroline Will of Louisville, a senior at the University of Kentucky.
The members of the Royal Court have been representing the Festival at a variety of events since their selection in January, including Festival Unveiled, the Ford Motor Company Spelling Bee and Macy’s Spring Fashion Show. They were selected as Royal Court members out of more than 130 young women who applied to participate in the program last fall.
Criteria for selection included knowledge of the Derby Festival, poise, intelligence, personality and campus/community involvement. Each woman receives two $1,000 scholarships (one from the Fillies, Inc., and one from the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation) and an official wardrobe.
The Princesses act as ambassadors for the Derby Festival and the city as they represent the community at a variety of functions. The Fillies, Inc. was established to support the Kentucky Derby Festival. Their mission is to organize the traditional Fillies Derby Ball, coordinate the “Royal Court Program,” produce the “Children’s Tea” event, and publish the Official Derby Festival Program. Membership is limited to 250 ladies of our community.
Past Derby Festival Queens include Martha Layne Collins – Kentucky’s first woman Governor, the late Gail Gorski – the first female pilot for United Airlines and a number of other community leaders. Many say their Derby Festival experience helped them prepare for their future careers.
Since 1956, the Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. It entertains more than 1.5 million people in a two- week period and has a local economic impact of more than $127 million. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world.
The Jefferson County Attorney’s Office has informed members of the Louisville Metro Council that the Department of Justice has reviewed Louisville Metro’s newly enacted Separation Ordinance (LMCO 39(1)(F)) and found it to be in compliance with federal law (8 USC § 1373).
“At the time, this ordinance was discussed and passed, we were confident that we dealing with a public safety issue and there was never any intention to hinder federal enforcement of immigration laws. I am pleased that the DOJ is satisfied with what was passed and we can move forward,” says Metro Council President David James (D-6).
“The City of Louisville does not discriminate based on immigration status nor does our police enforce federal civil immigration law. LMPD’s job is to enforce criminal law, and Louisville is a place of welcome for all,” says Councilman Brandon Coan (D-8).
Louisville Metro was one of dozens of jurisdictions across the country that was targeted by the federal government.
The Ordinance was passed in October of 2017 and it set guidelines for how local police work with federal officials in the enforcement of immigration laws the ordinance also set guidelines for all metro employees and prohibits the questioning of someone’s immigration status.
The ordinance specifically states: “Nothing in this section prohibits Metro Government from sending to, or receiving from, any local, state or federal agency information regarding an individual’s citizenship or immigration status. Federal law does not allow any such prohibition.”
Link to Department of Justice Clearance letter:
https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/metro_council/pdf_files/lou…
Link to Immigration Ordinance:
https://louisvilleky.gov/sites/default/files/metro_council/pdf_files/ord…
Photo: Louisville Metro Council
For many people, 911 is who you call in an emergency when you need police, fire or EMS. The Metro Government agency that handles 911 is also the place that alerts you to bad weather or any disaster to keep you and your family safe.
Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D-24) announces the next South Central Regional Forum will focus on the work of Emergency Services of Louisville Metro Government on Wednesday, April 18th.
“This particular forum is important because the people who work at Emergency Services are your direct connection when you need help. They answer the phone and determine who to send and stay with on the phone with you until help arrives,” says Flood.
The forum is set for the new South Central Regional Library at 7400 Jefferson Boulevard from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
Jody Meiman, the Director of the Emergency Services Agency will be the featured speaker at the forum and will address the operation of emergency services and emergency management operations in the city. He will also discuss 911 operations and the LENS Alert, which deals with notifications in the event of bad weather or a pending disaster.
“You may never have had the need to call 911 or be aware of what the city does to handle an emergency. This forum will provide helpful insight into what to do in the event of an emergency and how to stay safe and help those you love,” says Flood.
The South Central Regional Forums are sponsored by Councilwoman Flood and Council Members James Peden (R-23), Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13) and Barbara Shanklin (D-2).
For more information about this South Central Regional Forum, contact Councilwoman Flood’s office at 574-1124.
As the fight continues against drug abuse and addiction in Metro Louisville, Metro Council members applaud the Dixie Area Business Association for pulling together a first of its kind information forum and encourage residents to attend.
“Drugs in our Community: Awareness and Resources” will not only pinpoint which drugs are impacting our community; the forum also brings together many resources and agencies involved in fighting the problem to speak directly with residents seeking help.
“Our area of the county is the hardest hit with numbers of overdoses and overdose deaths. We must educate ourselves on this epidemic that is impacting our families at an alarming rate;” said Councilwoman Marianne Butler (D-15). “Hopefully one of the resource agencies can make a connection that helps someone seek treatment to overcome this disease.”
The event is Tuesday, April 17th at Holy Cross High School from 6pm – 7:30pm.
LMPD, Metro Safe, Louisville Health & Wellness, The Healing Place, Volunteers of America, Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital, Young People in Recovery and Celebrate Recovery are among those that will have representatives that can speak directly with those seeking help and information. The Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition will be on hand showing people how to safely administer Naloxon and have samples to share with residents.
“The problem our community is facing with overdoses and drugs is truly a community health problem,” says Blackwell. “That is why it is important that the entire community engage themselves with the knowledge and resources to combat this heartbreaking problem,” says Councilman Rick Blackwell (D-12).
In addition to educating one’s self on this subject, Louisville Metro Police will conduct a “Drug Toss” for residents to safely discard old medications.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to dispose of unused drugs at the Drug Toss to keep them out of the wrong hands. I greatly appreciate DABA having this most insightful forum for public education on drug abuse,” says Councilwoman Vicki Aubrey Welch (D-13).
“Every person is affected by the opioid epidemic. I have encouraged naloxone trainings throughout our community after the first one I hosted saved the life of a dear friend’s son,” said Councilman David Yates (D-25). “I thank DABA for their leadership to bring all of these great groups together to educate our community and save lives.”
Unwanted or expired drugs can be a dangerous problem. I appreciate DABA giving seniors and others a way to dispose of these drugs in a safe way. This helps keep these drugs out of the hands of those who might abuse them and gets them out of homes that might otherwise become a source for abusers,” says Councilwoman Cindi Fowler (D-14).
Holy Cross High School is located at 5144 Dixie Highway.
Photo: Louisville Metro Public Health And Wellness
An employee at the Applebee’s restaurant located at 4717 Dixie Highway has been diagnosed with acute hepatitis A. As a result, customers who ate at the restaurant from March 23 to April 12, 2018 may have been exposed to the hepatitis A virus.
Symptoms of hepatitis A are fatigue, decreased appetite, stomach pain, nausea, darkened urine, pale stools and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). People can become ill 15 to 50 days after being exposed to the virus. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention.
Hepatitis A is usually transmitted by putting something in your mouth such as an object, food or drink, which has been in contact with the feces of an infected person. In November, the Kentucky Department for Public Health declared a statewide hepatitis A outbreak. Since the outbreak began there have been 226 cases diagnosed in Louisville and more than 11,000 vaccinated.
“The best ways to prevent hepatitis A infection are to get vaccinated and to practice good handwashing,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, medical director. “Washing your hands thoroughly and often with warm water and soap, especially before preparing meals or eating, after using the bathroom or changing a diaper is a proven way to prevent the spread of diseases. Hand sanitizer is not as effective as hand washing against hepatitis A.”
The Department of Public Health and Wellness recommends anyone working in the hospitality industry, particularly those who serve or prepare food and beverages, protect themselves and others by getting the hepatitis A vaccine. The independent business owners of the Applebee’s restaurants in the state of Kentucky as well as surrounding markets in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee will provide free Hepatitis A vaccinations to their employees.
The department and the University of Louisville Global Health Center have partnered to offer below-cost vaccinations to all hospitality workers. The cost of the hepatitis A vaccine has been reduced from $65 to $25. Businesses with more than 20 employees can have a nurse come to their site to provide the immunizations. Businesses with fewer than 20 employees may designate vaccine for their employees to be immunized at U of L’s walk-in clinic. To arrange these employee immunizations, contact Dr. Ruth Carrico at 502-852-1324.
To date more than 50 local food service establishments have chosen to provide their employees the hepatitis A vaccine through this effort.
For more information about hepatitis A visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/health-wellness/hepatitis or call 211.
Registration is now open for Camp Ready4K, the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District’s kindergarten readiness camp serving incoming students the summer before they start school.
Applications must be completed by May 11 in order to be considered for Camp Ready4K. Camp will be held July 9 through July 27, from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., at the following locations:
- Alex R. Kennedy Elementary School (4515 Taylorsville Road)
- Dawson Orman Education Center (900 S Floyd St.)
- DuValle Education Center (3610 Bohne Ave.)
- Hazelwood Elementary (1325 Bluegrass Ave.)
- McFerran Early Childhood (1900 S 7th St.)
- Shacklette Elementary (5310 Mercury Dr.)
- Unseld Learning Center (5216 Ilex Ave. )
Families can complete an application online here. During the camp, incoming kindergarten students receive instruction from early learning teachers to ensure that they have the skills necessary to be successful in kindergarten. Students are also provided with breakfast and lunch.
For more information, families may call the Dawson Orman Education Center at 485-7121.
District 8 Metro Councilman Brandon Coan, Develop Louisville’s Office of Advanced Planning and Public Works will hold a public meeting on April 19 at 6 p.m. at Highlands Community Ministries (1228 E. Breckinridge Street) to present draft recommendations for the Bardstown Road/Baxter Avenue Corridor Safety Study.
This public meeting will serve as a follow up to the meeting in November 2017. It is an opportunity for residents and businesses to review and provide feedback on the draft recommendations to improve safety and mobility along the corridor. A final report is anticipated in summer 2018.
The study was conducted with the purpose of analyzing existing safety and mobility issues on Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue between Broadway and Interstate 264. The goal of the study is to identify solutions for improving safety and mobility for all users with an emphasis on pedestrians and bicyclists. Local firm Qk4 has been the consultant for this study.
“Improving the safety, quality and character of Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue is one of my top priorities. This corridor plan is a special opportunity to transform the Highlands,” said Coan.
Various forms of community engagement have been used to get feedback and to develop the draft recommendations including a booth at last fall’s Bardstown Road CycLOUvia, a public meeting in November 2017 and a public opinion survey.
The study includes conceptual recommendations that will be available for public comment. No funding has been appropriated to implement the recommendations yet; however, the study will be used to inform future public investments along the corridor.
For more information on the study including the results of the public opinion survey and corridor breakdown of crash data, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/bardstown-roadbaxt…
