Tuesday November 11, 2025
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Photo: Louisville Metro Council
Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton announces the first meeting of the year of the District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Committee is set for Monday, February 19th and the topics for discussion are vacant and abandoned property and OneWest.
“We will be following through with more discussion on programs available to the public to purchase vacant and abandoned property as well as updates on clear boarding and demolitions of those properties that have become a blight to neighborhoods,” says Hamilton.
Laura Grabowski, the Director of the Louisville Metro Office of Vacant and Public Properties to the meeting will discuss Metro’s initiatives and programs to address reducing the number of vacant and abandoned properties in West Louisville and all of Metro.
The meeting will also give the public an opportunity to meet and welcome to Louisville Ms. Evon J. Smith, the new President and CEO of OneWest.
OneWest is a nonprofit community development corporation working to establish new pathways to private and public capital, in an effort to generate sustainable economic development and neighborhood revitalization in west Louisville, in partnership with community residents.
The District 5 Neighborhood Advisory Committee will meet at the Yearlings Club, 4309 West Broadway, beginning at 6:00pm.
Any resident of Portland, Russell, Chickasaw, or Shawnee are always invited and encouraged to bring their neighborhood concerns to these monthly meetings.
For information about the meeting, contact Councilwoman Hamilton’s office at 574-1105.
Photo: Advanced Planning, Louisville Metro Government
The conversion of portions of Third Street from one-way to two-way will begin with prep work the week of February 19 and completion targeted for early March (weather permitting). This conversion project also includes repaving of the street.
The project, which is part of the city’s MOVE Louisville plan to convert one-way streets to two-way, is designed to increase safety, mobility and circulation for motorists and pedestrians, while also boosting visibility for businesses and increasing retail activity.
The conversion will be divided into three phases, starting with the portion from Muhammad Ali Boulevard to Liberty Street. That work includes the installation of a temporary traffic signal at Third and Liberty streets. A permanent traffic signal will be installed this summer.
The second and third phases of the work, from Main to Market streets, and from Muhammad Ali Boulevard to Broadway, will occur this summer.
To ensure pedestrian and motorist safety around the Kentucky International Convention Center, Third Street from Market to Liberty will remain one-way. Third Street from River Road to Main Street is already two-way and will remain two-way.
In preparation of this conversion, two public meetings were held at Louisville Slugger Field in fall 2017, and numerous meetings have been held with various stakeholders and property owners along Third Street.
The city will continue to review one-way streets throughout the community for potential conversion to two-way operations. Additional streets planned for conversion will be announced later this year.
For more information on converting downtown and edge neighborhood streets to two-way, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/advanced-planning/two-way-street-con…
Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services announced today that the popular Fifth Third Bank Financial Empowerment Mobile, the eBus, will be visiting Louisville Feb. 20 through Feb. 26 and will be open to the public.
The eBus is a 40-foot retrofitted city bus equipped with onboard computer workstations and internet connectivity. It is staffed by professionals who provide free one-on-one personalized counseling, credit scores, financial coaching, budgeting, job search and other services.
The scheduled stops for the eBus are as follows:
- Tues., Feb. 20, Charmoli Neighborhood Place, 200 Juneau Drive, 40243, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Wed., Feb. 21, Bridges of Hope Neighborhood Place, 1411 Algonquin Parkway, 40210, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Thurs., Feb. 22, NorthWest Neighborhood Place, 4018 West Market Street, 40212, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Fri., Feb. 23, Facilities Management Services, 1500 Lytle Street, 40203, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Mon., Feb. 26, Ujima Neighborhood Place, 3610 Bohne Avenue, 40211, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
“We strongly value our partnership with Fifth Third Bank and their commitment to helping all of our Louisville residents gain opportunity and access to financial services”, stated Erin Waddell who leads several financial empowerment initiatives for the Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services. “We believe all Louisvillians deserve safe and affordable financial services – the eBus is a great way to explore some of those services.”
Once onboard the eBus, visitors will be able to:
- Request a credit report and review it with a professional
- Receive personalized evaluation of finances
- Gain information about fraud awareness and prevention
- Receive internet banking and bill payment demonstrations
- Participate in home ownership seminars and foreclosure prevention sessions
- Conduct online job searches and learn how to create an effective resume
“We are committed to empowering our community through financial education, says Mike Ash, Kentucky Regional President, Fifth Third Bank. “The eBus allows us to serve people where they live and work, and provide the knowledge and tools to help take control of their financial futures.”
For more information about the eBus schedule and features, contact Adam Hall, Community and Economic Development Manager with Fifth Third Bank, at 502-562-5584 or adam.hall@53.com.
Photo: The Kentucky Center
Jackson Browne has written and performed some of the most literate and moving songs in popular music and has defined a genre of songwriting charged with honesty, emotion and personal politics. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2007.
His most recent studio album, Standing In The Breach, is a collection of ten songs, at turns deeply personal and political, exploring love, hope, and defiance in the face of the advancing uncertainties of modern life.
Jackson Browne performs at The Kentucky Center June 12. Tickets start at $46, reserved seating, fees apply.
Mayor Greg Fischer today announced that former Louisville Metro Council member Tina Ward-Pugh will be joining the Office for Women.
In her new role, Ward-Pugh will build upon existing programs and increase the outreach and advocacy on behalf of women across the city.
“Tina Ward-Pugh has a long and distinguished list of accomplishments in advocacy and leadership in our city. I look forward to the great work Tina will do in advancing the work of the Office for Women,” Mayor Fischer said. “This could not come at a more important juncture for our community.”
Ward-Pugh said: “It will come as no surprise to most everyone that I am thrilled to join the leadership in the Office for Women. My energy and passion for more than two decades has been working to elevate the status of girls and women in our community and world in some way or another. I look forward to building upon the good work that the OFW has been a part of for many years.”
The Office for Women is part of Louisville Metro Resilience and Community Services.
“Tina brings a wealth of contacts and expertise to RCS that will further elevate the work of the Office for Women. Her background and connections to the social work community will serve all of RCS as we work together to address the needs of our community,” said Gena Redmon, director of Louisville Metro Resilience and Community Services
Ward-Pugh represented District 9 on the Metro Council from 2003 until choosing to not seek re-election in 2014. She also served on the City of Louisville Board of Aldermen.
Office for Women was founded in 1991 and works to ensure women have access to the resources and information necessary for self-determination.
Championship Tractor Pulls Each Day
The 53rd National Farm Machinery Show (NFMS) kicked off it’s annual 4-day stretch yesterday at the Kentucky Exposition Center. At the show, more than 850 exhibitors and displays – from well-recognized names such as John Deere, Case IH, Mahindra, Blaster, and Perdue to upcoming companies – introduce attendees to the latest products as well as established staples in the agriculture industry.
If visitors to the NFMS are not in the market for new farm implements, the Gifts and Craft Market, located in the South Wing upper Mezzanine level, features everything from farm toys and locally made confections to belt buckles and mattresses. The Market is open during show hours.
In addition to visiting with the vendors at the show, visitors are invited to attend free seminars and television program tapings that cover everything from how to improve growing methods to the latest marketing trends in the industry.
Free programs are available at the show, with information also available in the free show app.
Doors open at 9AM each day of the show, which closes at 6PM daily. While admission to the show is free, Kentucky Exposition Center parking is $8 per vehicle at the gates. Concessions are available onsite from many different places, including a variety of Kentucky raised products.
Following the NFMS each evening, visitors can stick around and witness the noise and excitement of the Annual Championship Tractor Pull sponsored by Sygenta. Spectators will see competitors from across North American in a variety of trucks and tractors – from souped up farm diesels to alcohol burners to specially-built monster machines featuring multiple V-8 engines bolted together on a frame – dragging a weighted sled down the dirt track to see who can pull it the farthest.
The associated Championship Tractor Pull celebrates its golden anniversary this year, marking 50 years of massive horsepower. The event starts each night of the NFMS at 7PM with an additional competition on Saturday at noon. Admission to the Championship Tractor Pull is not included with the NFMS. Tickets may be purchased online with prices starting at $20. Parking for the pull is also $8, but if you are already at the NFMS, you do not need to pay it again unless you leave and come back. It is recommended that visitors bring ear protection, as some of the pulling machines are very loud.
During show hours, visitors interested in the machines being featured in the truck and tractor pull can stop by Broadbent Arena to see the trucks and tractors up close and have the chance to meet some of the drivers.
If you’re looking for some family fun to be had this weekend, be sure to stop by the National Farm Machinery Show at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
It is easy to forget that there are brave service men and women who are still serving their country in some of the most dangerous spots in the world. Our military remain on duty as the first line of America’s defense in the fight against terrorism.
For Councilwoman Madonna Flood (D-24) their service is the reason why the “Doing Our Part from the Heart” Campaign is an important effort to show that our troops should always be remembered and honored.
“They’re still there. It is easy to forget that they stand ready to serve and protectAs long as there is one solider in need of our help, we will work to help them out and make their tour of duty a little easier,” says the Councilwoman. “It is easy to forget their sacrifice and we must always remember they stand ready to protect us and this is one way to let them know we are thinking about them.”
Valentine’s Day is the official kick off of the “Doing Our Part from the Heart” Campaign. Over the next eight weeks, Flood with the help of the community will collect toiletries, snacks and other items to send to our military. Simple items such as hand sanitizer, eye drops, candy and other personal items make a huge impact for troops serving in remote locations around the world.
“Many of our soldiers do not have access to a PX or a base when they are out in the field. They also have to pay for these extra items. We hope our boxes brighten their day,” says Flood.
It was in 2006 when the Councilwoman first called upon the community to help in this endeavor. She had received a simple letter from her son while he served in Iraq. For Christmas that year, he asked for basic personal items like deodorant, sunscreen and razors. He also asked if it was possible to send enough of those items for the other members of his unit.
“It is quite possible that a family somewhere in our country received a similar letter this past Christmas and that is all the more reason why we all need to be reminded that our service men and women are still out there,” said Flood.
Joining Flood as sponsors of the 2018 campaign are the Okolona Business Association, the Okolona Fire Department, Republic Bank, Scheller’s Fitness and Cycling, PARC and Jackson-Hewitt Tax Service and Wesley Manor. The campaign runs through the end of March.
If you cannot donate items and wish to make cash contributions to help cover the cost of shipping, Republic Bank continues its partnership by setting up an account to accept all monetary donations to cover postage for the items going overseas. Every package cost $17.40 to send. Make sure to note on the check “From the Heart” account at these locations:
Outer Loop 4808 Outer Loop, 40219
Shepherdsville 438 Hwy 44, Shepherdsville 40165
Corporate 601 W Market St, 40202
Brownsboro Rd 4921 Brownsboro Rd, 40222
J-Town 3811 Ruckreigel Pkwy, 40299
Dixie 5250 Dixie Hwy, 40216
“Every year, I am amazed at the outpouring of support from our community for this effort. I thank you and more importantly those who dedicate themselves to the service of our country also thank you,” said Flood.
Here is a list of items needed that can be dropped off at a “Doing Our Part” location:
- Chewing Gum/Mints/Lifesavers/other candies that will not melt
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Foot Powder
- Razors
- Body Wash
- Bandaids
- Q-Tips
- Bug Repellant with DEET
- Eye Drops
- Hand Sanitizer
- Wet Ones
- Kool-aide or Gatorade individual packs
- Peanut Butter
- Individual snacks, chips, nuts, pretzels
- Neosporin
- Sun Block/After Sun lotion
- Nasal Spray
- Tylenol/Pain Relievers
Here are the drop-off locations for the 2018 Doing Our Part from the Heart Campaign;
- Republic Bank “From the Heart Account” at all Republic Banks
- Okolona Fire Department 8501 Preston Highway, Louisville
- Scheller’s Fitness & Cycling
- 8323 Preston Highway, Louisville
- 11520 Shelbyville Road, Louisville
- 1000 Veterans Parkway, Clarksville
- Jackson-Hewitt Tax Preparers
- All Locations in Louisville and Southern Indiana
- Wesley Manor 5012 East Manslick Road Louisville, Ky, 40219
- City Hall 601 West Jefferson, Louisville
For more information about the 2018 “Doing Our Part from the Heart” Campaign, contact Councilwoman Flood’s office at 574-1124. You can visit the Councilwoman’s webpage at http://louisvilleky.gov/government/metro-council-district-24 or go to “Doing our Part From the Heart” on Facebook.