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Photo: Kentucky Department Fish And Wildlife
The outlook for the upcoming waterfowl hunting seasons looks as promising as any seasons in recent memory.
“It is shaping up to be a phenomenal year,” said John Brunjes, migratory bird coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “We are still at all-time highs for duck numbers with as many breeding ducks as we’ve ever had. It’s been that way for a couple of years now.”
Brunjes said biologists conducted duck population counts along the Mississippi River in Illinois last week. They produced four times the normal number of birds counted. “Usually for the second week of November in Illinois, they see about 200,000 birds,” he said. “They counted 800,000 birds along the Mississippi River last week and those birds are heading our way.”
Waterfowl of all stripes are migrating through Kentucky right now. “We are seeing white-fronted geese and even tundra swans in southeast Kentucky,” Brunjes said. “It is very rare. We have a ton of snow geese showing up in weird places this year. The birds are moving well this year.”
The duck, coot, and merganser seasons all open Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. The opening segment of the hunting season for ducks, coots and mergansers runs until Nov. 26. These seasons open again Dec. 4, 2017, and close Jan. 28, 2018.
The hunting season for Canada, white-fronted, brant and snow geese also open Thanksgiving Day, but do not close until Feb. 15, 2018.
“We want to remind hunters there is an extended opportunity for geese,” Brunjes said. “The extended season went into effect last year.” Traditionally, goose seasons closed in late January.
A summer devoid of long dry periods set the table for excellent waterfowl habitat this fall. “The moist soil areas and native vegetation look really good,” Brunjes said. “The crops on our wildlife management areas (WMAs) did well. We have the best crops at Ballard WMA that we’ve had in a number of years.”
Finding a place to waterfowl hunt is a challenge for the majority of Kentucky hunters. The first place to check is the public land hunting section of the 2017-2018 Kentucky Hunting Guide for Waterfowl. This section details the hunting options and regulations on public lands, mainly wildlife management areas.
Many, but not all, of the smaller state-owned or managed lakes are open to waterfowl hunting as are reservoirs operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or the U.S. Forest Service. The bigger waters hold more birds during the coldest stretches of the year, when many farm ponds or smaller lakes freeze over. Call the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife information center at 1-800-858-1549 to inquire if a lake is open to waterfowl hunting.
Those pursuing waterfowl on reservoirs must not hunt near access areas such as boat ramps or areas closed to hunting or public access by signs. Common sense and courtesy dictates waterfowl hunters avoid setting up near private residences or marinas.
Scouting is vitally important to waterfowl hunting success, especially in the first month of the season.
“If you aren’t seeing any birds in the areas you hoped to hunt prior to opening day, you likely won’t see birds on opening weekend either,” Brunjes said. “You have to find the areas birds are using and set up accordingly.”
Waste corn in cut silage fields provides excellent food for ducks and geese. Goose hunters may find agreeable farmers who consider geese a nuisance. Goose hunting in harvested cornfields provides excellent sport and peaks with the coldest weather.
Those farmers may also grant permission to hunt their ponds. From the air, farm ponds dot the Kentucky landscape as craters do the Moon. They can provide the hottest hunting, but not all farm ponds attract birds. Scouting is vital for successful farm pond hunting.
Waterfowl hunters must have a valid Kentucky hunting license, a Kentucky migratory game bird – waterfowl permit along with a Federal Duck Stamp. Federal Duck Stamps are available at post offices across Kentucky.
Waterfowl hunters must have their Harvest Information Program (H.I.P.) confirmation number recorded on either their Kentucky hunting license or on their Kentucky migratory game bird – waterfowl permit. To get your H.I.P. number, visit the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website at www.fw.ky.gov and click on the “My Profile” tab. Answer a few questions about last season’s harvest of migratory birds to receive your confirmation number. The process takes less than 5 minutes.
“Folks in the neighboring states to our north such as Illinois, where waterfowl seasons are already open, are having great hunting so far,” Brunjes said. “It is early and a lot remains to be seen, but everything is setting up for a great season.”
The Metro Council’s appointed Triumvirate has reviewed the complaints against Louisville Metro Councilman Dan Johnson and has removed him from office thus creating a vacancy within the 21 District Office of the Metro Council.
“The Council Court Triumvirate has rendered its decision, I want to thank the members and I join them in saying the Louisville Metro Council is sending a strong message that we will not tolerate sexual harassment or a hostile work environment at City Hall,” said Metro Council President David Yates (D-25). “It is now time to move forward. I want to assure the residents of District 21 their issues and concerns will be listened to and the Metro Council will help them as we move through this transition.”
Now that the Triumvirate has made its decision, and in accordance with the requirements of state law, the Metro Council Clerk is required to announce the vacancy and process for persons seeking to be appointed District 21 Council member. The following notice is posted in City Hall (601 W Jefferson Street) and available on the Metro Council Website:
From the Office of the Metro Council Clerk
NOTICE OF VACANCY OF THE 21st DISTRICT METRO COUNCIL
KRS 67C.103(12) states that in the event of a vacancy, “council shall elect a qualified resident of the council district not later than thirty (30) days after the date the vacancy occurs.” KRS 67C.103(6) defines a qualified person as “at least eighteen (18) years old, a qualified voter, and a resident within the territory of the consolidated local government and the district that he or she seeks to represent for at least one (1) year immediately prior to the person’s election.”
The Rules of the Louisville Metro Council sections 10.01, 10.02, 10.08, 10.09, 10.10 & 10.11 set forth the rules and procedures when a vacancy occurs on Metro Council. Pursuant to Rule 10.02, the 21th District Metro Council Seat is declared vacant as of November 17, 2017.
Rule 10.08 states: “Within seven (7) days after a vacancy shall have occurred on the Council, qualified persons interested in being appointed pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes to the vacant seat shall submit a resume to the Clerk of the Council.”
All persons interested in filing for the 21st District Metro Council seat, who meet the criteria stated above in KRS 67C.103(5-6), should submit a resume via US Postal Service or email to the Clerk of the Louisville Metro Council no later than close of business day on November 28, 2017 at 5:00PM. The post mark date will be the date stamp for USPS mail. Resumes sent via email will receive confirmation from the Clerk. Please include all contact information on submitted resumes.
Pursuant to Rule 10.09: “The members of the Council shall review any resumes so submitted and shall indicate in writing to the Clerk the name of any applicant who that member wishes to be personally interviewed at a special meeting of the Council, which shall be duly called pursuant to these rules and held not less than seven (7) days nor more than thirty (30) days after the occurrence of the vacancy.”
Metro Council will then assemble during a regular or special meeting of the council to hold a vote “not less than (7) days nor more than thirty (30) days after the occurrence of the vacancy” to “fill the vacancy from among the qualified persons interviewed, or as provided by state statute.” See KRS 67C.103(12), Rules 10.10 & 10.11.
The person chosen by Metro Council to hold the District 21 Metro Council seat will serve until the end of 2018, pursuant to Section 152 of the Kentucky Constitution. The District 21 Metro Council seat will be on the election ballot on Election Day, November 6, 2018, for the registered voters of District 21 to elect a candidate. The prevailing candidate will serve a full, four year term.
H. Stephen Ott
Clerk of the Louisville Metro Council
First Floor, Room 101
601 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Stephen.ott@louisvilleky.gov
(502)574-3902
Photo: Louisville Metro Parks and Recreation
Olmsted Parks Conservancy, Louisville Parks and Recreation, Councilman David James, and volunteers and park neighbors will celebrate completion of phase one of the Victory Park revitalization project on Saturday, November 18, 2017.
Phase one of a $1 million revitalization to Victory Park included relocation of the basketball court to create a larger open area for activities; a new walking path; installation of additional lighting, benches and 35 new trees.
Phase two of the revitalization project is expected to start in early 2018 and will include a new playground and sprayground.
Financial support came from Olmsted Parks Conservancy’s recent Campaign for Extraordinary Parks, including Humana Foundation, James Graham Brown Foundation, PNC Foundation, Kosair Charities along with support from Louisville Metro Government, Mayor Greg Fischer and Louisville Parks and Recreation.
“Olmsted Parks Conservancy is thrilled to preserve this historic park and see the neighborhood enjoy the new features, especially since they have been part of the whole revitalization process,” said Earl Jones, Board Chair, Olmsted Parks Conservancy.
“The improvements to Victory Park have the opportunity to transform the surrounding neighborhood and bring nearby residents together,” said Seve Ghose, Director, Louisville Parks and Recreation. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds and cherish the partnership between Louisville Metro and the Olmsted Parks Conservancy.”
Victory Park is a four-acre parcel of land that was set aside as a park space by the Board of Park Commissioners in 1919 with a design drawn in 1923 by the Olmsted brothers. The area was noted for its magnificent trees, including gum, oak, osage orange and elm. It was originally called Greenwood Park, but its name was changed to Victory Park in commemoration of World War I.
Victory Park has historically been the site for band concerts, plays, and gathering space for choral groups, as well as a place for active and passive play. Since its inception, this greenspace has been a focal point and a source of community pride for the surrounding neighborhood.
“Owl Flight” by Kathy Conroy – at the Kentucky Artisan Center
Artist Kathy Conroy of Pleasureville will be featured on KET’s program “Kentucky Life” which will air at 8:00 p.m. starting Nov. 18. Conroy is a scratchboard artist who utilizes a rarely used technique to achieve highly detailed imagery.
Scratchboard is a form of direct engraving where the artist starts with a Masonite panel coated with white clay. This clay layer is covered with a thin layer of black India ink leaving the artist a solid black panel as a starting point. Lines that create the imagery are cut and scratched through the ink, to reveal the white clay surface below. Conroy then layers colors onto the exposed white clay to illustrate complex and realistic images.
This KET program will air on the following dates:
- KET: Saturday, November 18 at 8:00 PM EST
- KETKY: Sunday, November 19 at 8:00 AM EST
- KET: Sunday, November 19 at 4:00 PM EST
- KET2: Monday, November 20 at 7:00 PM EST
- KET: Monday, November 20 at 11:30 PM EST
- KET2: Tuesday, November 21 at 7:30 AM EST
- KETKY: Wednesday, November 22 at 8:00 AM EST
- KETKY: Friday, November 24 at 12:30 PM EST
- KETKY: Saturday, November 25 at 8:30 AM EST
Conroy will also be at the Kentucky Artisan Center demonstrating her scratchboard techniques on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Her work is regularly available at the Center.
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is located at 200 Artisan Way, just off Interstate 75 at Berea Exit 77. The center’s exhibits, shopping and travel information areas are open daily, year-round, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the cafe is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information about center events call 859-985-5448, go to the center’s website, or visit the center’s Facebook page.
The Muhammad Ali Center, which opened twelve years ago this month, will be undergoing major renovations that include a complete redesign of its Main Lobby, the Ali Center Store, and Group Entrance. Beyond the normal wear & tear from an approximate 1.2 million visitors over the past dozen years, these enhancements will provide the Center the opportunity to deliver a better overall visitor experience and more contemporary private event space. Additionally, the much needed upgrades will offer a fresh and modern appearance to its retail store, while also supplying better functionality. A major part of the overall improvements will be a custom designed terrazzo floor in the Main Lobby, which will present a striking and welcoming impression upon entering the Center, and provide better durability for this high traffic area.
The renovations, expected to begin in mid-January 2018, will take about three months to complete. While public access to the Ali Center will be affected during this time, visitors will still have access to most areas of the Center, including its 2-1/2 levels of award-winning exhibits and most private event spaces. The Ali Center Store, now located next to the Main Lobby, will be temporarily moved to the Ina B. Bond Gallery on the Center’s Fourth Floor. It is expected that the Ali Center will be closed to visitors from January 8-14, and will re-open on January 15 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
The firm responsible for the project is Patrick D. Murphy Architects.
“These improvements will create a more vibrant and impactful experience for our visitors,” said Donald Lassere, president and CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center, “and we are grateful to our donors and other supporters who are making this possible.”
Logo: New Flyer of America
Gov. Matt Bevin today announced New Flyer of America Inc. will create up to 550 full-time jobs as it invests $40 million to lease and upgrade a facility for bus parts fabrication in Shepherdsville.
“New Flyer’s decision to locate in Kentucky further distinguishes the commonwealth as a top location for engineering and advanced manufacturing in the US,” Gov. Bevin said. “The significant number of jobs coming to Shepherdsville and surrounding communities through this investment will be a major economic driver for years to come. We thank New Flyer for selecting Kentucky and congratulate officials and residents of Bullitt County on this major announcement.”
New Flyer of America, a US subsidiary of New Flyer Industries Inc. (NFI Group), will build out a 300,000-square-foot facility in Shepherdsville. The $40 million investment includes $28 million for equipment and building preparations and $12 million across a 10-year lease. Company leaders expect to begin work this month and be in full operation by the end of 2019.
The operation will support the company’s efforts to boost in-house production of components, which allows New Flyer to create jobs, increase competitiveness and improve its production processes. The facility will provide fabrication and parts to support all three NFI Group business entities: New Flyer, MCI and NFI PartsTM.
“We are proud to invest in jobs, infrastructure, innovation and manufacturing,” said Paul Soubry, CEO of NFI Group. “By developing our insourcing initiatives, we build on a solid foundation to further create jobs, increase competitiveness and support more sustainable and reliable manufacturing and operations processes. We are proud to expand our presence in the State of Kentucky.”
NFI Group, a TSX publicly traded company, is a North American leader in heavy-duty transit bus production and offers a robust line of transit buses under the New Flyer brand Xcelsior®. The company also is a leader in North America’s motor coach market, through its Motor Coach Industries Inc., and its NFI Parts entity provides parts, technical publications, training and support for NFI Group’s buses.
NFI Parts currently operates in Kentucky, employing 176 people at parts distribution, customer service and tech-support centers.
Sen. Dan Seum, of Fairdale, welcomed New Flyer to Bullitt County.
“I am pleased to hear that New Flyer of America will be joining the Shepherdsville community with this $40 million investment and the creation of over 500 jobs,” Sen. Seum said. “I know our region will serve this company well and I look forward to their success in Bullitt County and beyond.”
Rep. Russell Webber, of Shepherdsville, said the company will have a long-lasting impact on the community.
“I am thrilled an American institution like New Flyer is locating its new facility in Bullitt County,” Rep. Webber said. “The resurgence of manufacturing in Kentucky is benefitting our communities and the economy as a whole. The positive impact of New Flyer’s investment and job creation in Shepherdsville will be felt for decades to come.”
Rep. Dan Johnson, of Bullitt County, welcomed New Flyer to the community.
“Bullitt County is a Modern Day Mayberry at the same time it’s a new industrial Meca. The best of both worlds,” said Rep. Johnson. “We welcome New Flyer of America to our Community. This partnership will be a blessing to both New Flyer and Bullitt County families.”
Shepherdsville Mayor Curtis Hockenbury also welcomed New Flyer to the community.
“Shepherdsville has had great success the past several years and it is fantastic that New Flyer has found our city a great place to do business,” Mayor Hockenbury said. “We have developed an overall business climate which has allowed economic growth to occur. Shepherdsville welcomes New Flyer and the good jobs it will create within our city.
Bullitt County Judge-Executive Melanie Roberts noted the significance of the scale of the project.
“We are certainly pleased to have New Flyer as a member of our corporate family,” Judge-Executive Roberts said. “Adding up to 550 jobs will provide employment opportunities for members of our county as well as our surrounding counties. The $40 million investment will allow for greater services for our children. It is a big win for Bullitt County and the State of Kentucky.
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) during a special meeting in November preliminarily approved the company for up to $8.5 million in tax incentives through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.
New Flyer also can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal year 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
Joined by the 265-member Louisville Metro Snow Team, Mayor Greg Fischer declared today that the city is battle ready for winter 2017-18. The declaration came after the Snow Team spent hours working through a mock snow event that included driving all road treatment routes.
Mayor Fischer said, “Most important to the snow fighting effort are the 265 or so men and women who make up the Snow Team. They are the ones who will spring into action any hour of the day, any day of the week, to make it safe for the rest of us to get where we need to go when it snows.”
The Snow Team is led by Metro Public Works under the leadership of Director Vanessa Burns and Assistant Director for Roads and Operations Brian Funk.
Funk will direct the team, which also includes the Public Works Solid Waste Management Division, Metro Parks, the Department of Codes & Regulations, and the Division of Fleet and Facilities.
Louisville will begin the snow season this year with 33,500 tons of salt on hand. A contract is in place to order more if needed. Most of the salt will be stored underground in Louisville Mega Cavern, 1841 Taylor Ave., with about 13,500 tons distributed to four above ground locations, where it will be loaded onto salt spreading vehicles as needed.
The city will also continue to pretreat roads with brine ahead of snowfalls. Brine is a saltwater solution that reduces the adherence of snow and ice to pavement and reduces slick spots.
Snow removal progress can be followed via an interactive online map. During snow events we will post a link to the snow map on the city website www.Louisvilleky.gov and the Department of Public Works site at www.louisvilleky.gov/publicworks. The latest updates will also be posted on Twitter. Just follow the @LouPubWorks profile.
City snow routes include arterial and collector roads, bus routes and roads to major employers and emergency facilities. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and private contractors clear about 600 miles in the city. About 1,000 miles of neighborhood streets are only cleared when a snow emergency has been officially declared.