Monday February 2, 2026
Local Connection
Weather
Traffic
@LouisvilleDispatch
@LouisvilleDisp
Subscribe
Louisville Metro Public Art together with the Commission on Public Art has announced two new projects developed by Louisville artists. The public art projects are focused on pedestrian and cycling experiences in Louisville, and will invite community involvement and participation. Artists Lance Newman and Todd Smith were selected for their innovative approach to public art in the form of poetry and technology, and how we encounter art in our city sidewalks, streets, and bridges.
“Public art can take many forms. As our city grows and changes, so do the artists and their unique approach to contemporary topics,” Public Art Administrator Sarah Lindgren said. “We are thrilled to partner with Lance and Todd whose projects will captivate Louisvillians and visitors. These artworks will enhance our daily experience as we walk to work, catch the ZeroBus, go to a concert, or cross the Ohio River.”
Descriptions of both projects are below:
Love in the Street: This project supports Louisville’s growing poetry scene and enhances the pedestrian experience on 4th Street for tourists, employees, concertgoers and more. Louisville poet Lance G. Newman II is the artist and curator who conceived the project to invite place-based poems and stamp them into the 4th Street sidewalk between Broadway and Chestnut in conjunction with the forthcoming streetscape project in 2018. A call for poems will be announced this summer.
Bike Sense Louisville: This project connects cyclists, technology and sound to capture and reflect data in real-time. Artist Todd C. Smith will use sensor units attached to the handlebars of 100 volunteer cyclists to create a web-based data visualization and a sound composition that will be streamed online and on the speakers of the Big Four Bridge. The sound composition will be determined by the activity of the cyclists. Along with general location, the sensor units on the bikes of volunteer cyclists will also gather ambient temperature and carbon monoxide gas data. The project will take place over one year starting in summer 2017.
The citizen cyclists will represent a cross-section of bike users in Louisville, from hobbyists to regular commuters. To volunteer as a cyclist, please visit https://www.bikesense.net/
Photo: Kentucky Department Fish and Wildlife
June is one of the best months for outside activities such as fishing. However, many predator species, such as largemouth bass, have already completed their annual reproductive ritual and kind of sulk through June.
It can be a tough month for fishing in lakes and reservoirs, but two options will produce fishing that compares to the marvelous weather.
Largemouth bass in farm ponds:
June is a transitional month for largemouth bass in our larger lakes, but the confined nature of a farm pond ups the odds in the angler’s favor.
“You can catch largemouth bass all summer in a farm pond,” said Jeff Ross, assistant director of fisheries for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Successful summer largemouth bass fishing in farm ponds is all about timing and changing approaches as the day progresses. Wake up early enough that dew soaks your shoes as you walk to the pond.
Old school topwater lures such as the Hula Popper or a Jitterbug in the bullfrog color draw vicious strikes when slowly worked along the edge of vegetation in the low light of early morning.
As the sun rises, switch to fishing a weightless 7-inch ribbon-tailed worm in the junebug color. “Bass hold tight to cover during the middle of the day on a farm pond,” Ross said. “Fish the shady side of the pond if there is one.”
The weightless ribbon-tailed worm slowly falls through the cover attracting largemouth bass snuggled deeply in it. If the pond has no cover, fish the worm slowly along any weedlines or under any floating vegetation.
As day fades into night, the topwater bite again comes into play. Anglers also catch many farm pond bass in the dark on a 1/4-ounce black spinnerbait with a round Colorado blade.
Fish the spinnerbait just above bottom and let the Colorado blade thump. Hold on tight as largemouth bass often savage this presentation.
Channel catfish:
Channel catfish spawn in Kentucky mainly in June. “They are cavity spawners,” Ross said. “You often find them near riprap or chunk rock.”
Riprap consists of cantaloupe-sized rock used to protect the face of dams, bridge abutments and marinas from erosion caused by the pounding of waves. A 3/8-ounce slip-sinker rig with a 4/0 circle hook is a good choice for catfish when fished on or near riprap or areas of chunk rock lining the banks.
A slip-sinker rig consists of an 18-inch fluorocarbon or monofilament leader with the circle hook on one end. Tie the other end of the leader to a barrel swivel. After threading the main line coming from your rod through an egg sinker followed by a glass bead, tie the main line to the open loop of the barrel swivel.
A circle hook prevents gut hooking catfish. Resist the temptation to set the hook, simply reel in slack line until you feel the catfish swimming and keep your rod tip high. The catfish will hook itself in the side of the mouth with a circle hook.
“Hot dogs, shrimp, chicken liver or beef liver, channel catfish will eat practically anything,” Ross said. “I like chicken liver best for channels.”
Ross also said any cavity near a root wad or stump also holds channel catfish in June on our lakes and reservoirs.
The many creeks coursing through Kentucky hold surprising numbers of channel catfish. Those with rocky bottoms and water at least chest deep are best.
Undercut banks are key to finding channel catfish in streams. Use a slip-sinker rig with enough weight to hold it in place in current. Use a 3/0 circle hook with a piece of cleaning sponge impaled on it.
Drop the sponge into a tub of commercially made stink bait, also called dip bait, and push it to the bottom with a stick. Hold it there to soak up as much of the smelly dip bait as the sponge can hold and cast it to an undercut bank. The sponge emits a plume of funk downstream that channel catfish follow back to the sponge and eat it.
You can also use chicken livers, nightcrawlers or rancid cheese for this presentation, but the dip bait sponge is hard to beat in a stream. You will catch many 16- to 21-inch long channel catfish in streams, perfect size for a dinner. Channel catfish from a cool stream offer fantastic table fare.
June is a wonderful month weather wise, but a transition time as predator fish move into their summer locations. Farm pond largemouth bass and channel catfish provide excellent sport during this unpredictable month.
Governor Matt Bevin signed an executive order Friday that establishes the Kentucky Charter Schools Advisory Council to ensure successful implementation of House Bill 520 (HB 520). The order also realigns key education boards, councils and committees to provide an efficient, modern structure for implementing Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) and provides for greater coordination of efforts across the education system.
“The historic charter school legislation passed during this year’s General Assembly session represents a truly momentous step forward in providing quality choices for Kentucky’s most vulnerable students,” said Gov. Bevin. “This advisory council will play a vital role in ensuring the success of this exciting new educational option. Public charter schools will create the promise of real opportunity for young people and their families where hope does not currently exist.”
The Charter Schools Advisory Council will serve as a resource to the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE).
Senate Bill 1, passed during the 2017 session of the Kentucky General Assembly, set up a framework for the state’s new school accountability system and future academic standards. KBE now has the responsibility of disseminating regulations for that new system and the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Kentucky’s state plan, which includes its redesigned accountability system, is due to the U.S. Department of Education in September 2018. Further, the Standards and Assessment Review and Development Committee will soon begin the process of reviewing current academic standards and proposing changes to the Kentucky Board of Education sometime next year.
“Increased expertise on Kentucky’s boards and councils will help ensure that Kentucky’s new accountability system results in improved education outcomes for students,” said Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Hal Heiner. “Through this realignment, we are appointing members and advisors who will serve in dual capacities on various boards. These dual members and advisors will enhance the flow of communication between boards.”
Gov. Bevin’s executive order will improve collaboration among key stakeholders of the following boards and councils:
- Kentucky Board of Education
- Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE)
- Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB)
- School Curriculum, Assessment and Accountability Council (SCAAC)
- Standards and Assessment Review and Development Committee
- State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education
- State Advisory Panel for Exceptional Children
- Reading Diagnostic and Intervention Grant Steering Committee
The changes to the Kentucky Board of Education include providing four non-voting, non-member advisers in an effort to enhance alignment of education decision making on all levels. The new advisers will include a member of CPE; a member of EPSB; a member of the SCAAC; and a member of the Charter Schools Advisory Council.
Changes to the EPSB with this executive order include increasing the diversity of board members’ experience and expertise, and ensuring greater coordination among EPSB and other education boards and commissions, including SCAAC and the Kentucky Board of Education. EPSB establishes standards and requirements for professional educator licensure, and establishes standards for and approves Kentucky’s educator preparation programs.
“These new structures will bring a greater diversity of expertise outside of education to address workforce needs, and the needs of Kentucky’s 21st century economy,” said Heiner.
Photo: Secretary of State website
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is visiting Taiwan next week on an international trade mission to Asia with a delegation from the United States.
Grimes is one of four secretaries of state selected to participate in a trip the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) is coordinating and funding. Grimes made a similar visit in 2013, making the trip her second in office.
“I am proud of the relationships we have built with companies operating in Taiwan and with government officials there. During my second visit to Taiwan, I will continue to spread the word about why doing business in Kentucky is prudent and encouraging investment in the Commonwealth,” said Grimes, who is Kentucky’s chief business official.
Grimes is committed to facilitating growth for Kentucky businesses abroad. Since her 2013 trip, Grimes has met numerous times with TECRO officials during their visits to the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, she worked with representatives to help make Kentucky the 21st U.S. state with a reciprocal driver’s license agreement with Taiwan, further strengthening economic relations.
Grimes will meet with several of the Kentucky companies with offices in Taiwan, including Ashland, Inc., Sunspring America, Inc., and Taihu Brewing. She will also meet with representatives of the Asian Pacific Council of American Chambers. Other corporations with a Kentucky-Taiwan presence include Brown-Forman and Conntek Integrated Solutions in Louisville.
Taiwan is Kentucky’s 6th largest export market in Asia with more than $147 million exports in 2015. Also in 2015, Taiwan officials signed letters of intent to purchase corn and soybeans from Kentucky growers in 2016 and 2017.
Taiwan and Kentucky have been sister states since 1982 in a partnership formed by former Gov. John Y. Brown, Jr.
“Taiwan has been one of Kentucky’s important partners on the international stage. I look forward to helping foster growth of our partnership and seeking more mutually beneficial trading relationships within Taiwan,” Grimes said.
Gov. Matt Bevin yesterday met with more than 400 faith leaders and concerned citizens at Louisville’s Western Middle School to address the epidemic of violence that is gripping the heart of Kentucky’s largest city.
He invited churches and other community groups to commit to “adopt” an inner-city neighborhood block to visit 2-3 times per week over the course of the next year—respectfully walking the perimeter in teams of 3-10 individuals to pray for and get to know local residents.
“I truly believe we’re going to see a difference in this city,” said Gov. Bevin. “I personally believe in the power of prayer. I’ve seen it evidenced in our community and across others.”
“Don’t lose sight of this: these are the sons and daughters of Louisville and Kentucky,” he said. “We owe it to each other to have each other’s back on this.”
Please click the following links to access pertinent resources:
- Presentation from Gov. Bevin’s “Reclaiming Our Communities” message
- Maps of Louisville-Jefferson County homicides: 2015 | 2016 | 2015-17
- Listing of potential Louisville-Jefferson County neighborhood blocks to “adopt”
“Do we still need economic, political and law enforcement solutions? Of course we do,” noted Gov. Bevin. “This will not take their place but we feel it will make a real difference.”
For more information or to commit to “adopt” a block, please contact Adrienne Southworth at reclaim@ky.gov.
Louisville Native David Fenley has underwritten fundamental operational assistance to the LO and the KAF by making it possible for both organizations to secure a professional and functional office. While businesses and corporations often give in-kind donations, Fenley has stepped forward as an individual with an innovative and practical gift.
“The Louisville Orchestra and the Kentucky Author Forum are vital parts of our community and I felt it was incumbent upon me to help bring their goals and dreams to fruition by doing what I could to help,” said David Fenley, prominent entrepreneur and businessman. “What the LO is doing is changing the orchestral environment, and I want to do what I can to support them.”
The LO and KAF have moved administrative offices into the sixth floor of the Doe Anderson Building at 620 West Main Street. The 8,500 square foot office space is a benefit to the administrative operations of both groups because of the proximity to the Kentucky Center for the Arts (KCA). The new space also allows a consolidation of the LO production department by bringing the orchestra’s music library and librarian from a basement location in the KCA.
“We wish to thank David Fenley for his vision and generous sponsorship which allowed the Louisville Orchestra to move and operate on Main Street.” said Andrew Kipe, Executive Director of the Louisville Orchestra. “When David heard that we desired to be on Main Street, he immediately became involved in making it financially possible for us. Our relocation would not have been possible without his help and we are truly grateful for his patronage.”
The LO had been working from ArtSpace at 323 West Broadway since 2008. That office was subsidized and controlled by the Fund for the Arts and enabled collaboration with
other arts groups like Kentucky Shakespeare and Kentucky Opera. As the LO staff has grown and the organization has developed, proximity to the performance venue on Main Street became a greater imperative for the LO.
Mary Moss Greenebaum, founder and producer of the University of Louisville Kentucky Author Forum states: “Finding our new home with the Louisville Orchestra seemed a natural liaison. The music of composers and the words of authors should cohabit amicably. Further, the Orchestra and the Kentucky Author Forum are linked by two other commonalities: overflow audiences in our own community and a presence in the national cultural conversation.”
The LO Box Office is open to patrons Monday through Friday from 9AM – 5PM. The University of Louisville Kentucky Author Forum 2017-2018 season will be announced in the Fall. Open houses will be announced throughout the summer.
The new address of the Louisville Orchestra and the University of Louisville Kentucky Author Forum is:
620 West Main Street Suite 600 Louisville, KY 40202
The Orchestra’s main phone number is the same 502.587.8681. The University of Louisville Kentucky Author Forum phone number is also the same 502.589.2884. Websites, individual email addresses, and social media outlets have not changed.
David Fenley is a businessman and entrepreneur that has amassed the largest investment grade portfolio of Class A properties in the state of Kentucky. He is a philanthropist who founded UpstartU program to bring advanced sciences, technology and the arts to children in foster care. Fenley is committed to preserving, protecting and promoting Louisville’s rich arts heritage and the fields of emerging sciences and technology in Louisville. He is a proud father to an exceptional son, Truman.
The University of Louisville Kentucky Author Forum is a non-profit, nationally-recognized literary event. Author Forum programs carefully match an author and interviewer; their hour-long candid conversation takes place before a live audience at The Kentucky Center in Louisville. The event is taped and distributed by KET, airing as the series “Great Conversations” on PBS member stations across the country. Learn More about KAF here: http://www.kentuckyauthorforum.com/
The Louisville Orchestra, under the galvanizing leadership of Music Director Teddy Abrams, performs more than 60 concerts annually throughout the greater Louisville metro. With a primary performance venue of the Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts (501 W. Main, downtown Louisville), the LO offers a variety of orchestral concerts including music from the classical tradition, symphony pops, family concerts and a wide range of “cross-over” and non-traditional music of our time. Learn more about the LO here: http://www.louisvilleorchestra.org
Credit: KY State Parks
The grand opening for a new splash pad at E.P. “Tom” State Park will be Saturday, June 3, at 11:30 a.m.
State and local officials will be on hand to open the splash pad. Admission to the pool area will be free from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday. There will be refreshments, music and prizes.
The celebration is being organized by the Tom Sawyer State Park Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the park. The foundation played a critical role in raising the funds that paid for the splash pad.
The youth pool at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park has not been able to open for several years because of federal swimming pool regulations that could not be met. A fund-raising campaign to pay for installation of a splash pad where the youth pool was located was initiated by the park’s foundation board. The funds were raised with the support of Mr. Sawyer’s family and members of the Louisville Metro Council. Construction ensued in summer 2016.
The park is named for Erbon Powers Sawyer, who was a Jefferson County Judge/Executive and local attorney. Daughters Diane Sawyer and Linda Sawyer Frankel are longtime supporters of the park as was their late mother, Jean Sawyer Hayes.
E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park is a 580-acre park within the urban landscape of the city of Louisville and serves as the only state park within Jefferson County. Recreational facilities include an Olympic-size outdoor pool; fully functional gymnasium with basketball, badminton and pickleball courts; athletic fields for soccer, lacrosse and flag football; a three-field softball complex; tennis courts; archery range; radio controlled airfield; and BMX bicycle track.
Meeting space is available with small classrooms in the administrative building or the large reception hall and conference room found at the Sawyer Hayes Community Center. The park also has three picnic shelters.
