Wednesday January 28, 2026
Local Connection
Weather
Traffic
@LouisvilleDispatch
@LouisvilleDisp
Subscribe
After extensive community engagement, Develop Louisville staff will present the update of Louisville Metro’s Comprehensive Plan to the Planning Commission on April 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Old Jail auditorium (514 W. Liberty Street).
The Comprehensive Plan is a guide for the community’s growth and development over the next 20 years. This update builds on the current Comprehensive Plan, Cornerstone 2020, and will be in effect until 2040.
Kentucky Revised Statutes requires a Comprehensive Plan for communities with zoning ordinances. The plan was updated using five key principles: connectivity, health, authenticity, sustainability and equity. The plan includes elements focused on land use, transportation, community facilities, livability, housing and economic development.
Extensive research and community engagement was conducted to draft the update. Examples of such engagement methods include an Advisory Committee, six work groups with open membership, nine community forums, a scientific survey, a public opinion survey and presentations at various community events and meetings. In total, over 6,000 Louisville residents participated in over 160 meetings and events to provide their thoughts on this update.
When the Planning Commission completes its review of the updated plan, the document will be presented to Metro Council as well as 12 local municipalities with zoning authority for formal adoption. Those 12 local municipalities are: Anchorage, Douglass Hills, Graymoor-Devondale, Hurstbourne, Indian Hills, Jeffersontown, Lyndon, Middletown, Prospect, Shively, St. Matthews and St. Regis Park.
A public comment period is now open and will remain so until the Planning Commission recommends approval. To view the draft Comprehensive Plan update document and as well as a public comment form, please visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/planning-design/comprehensive-plan. Comments may also be provided to Develop Louisville Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as by mail sent to 444 S. 5th Street, Louisville, KY, 40202, Suite 300, RE: Comprehensive Plan.
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes on Thursday recognized educators and community leaders for their work to promote civic education and engagement in Kentucky. She held a ceremony at Rupp Arena during the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 and honored an individual from each KHSAA region and a statewide recipient.
“Right now, teachers and educators are routinely being disrespected by the Governor and members of the General Assembly,” said Grimes. “And while the men and women who make positive impacts in the lives of our young people and inspire their growth are being insulted, at the same time, resources are being cut from education. Today, I expressed to these leaders that they are valued and the work they do is crucial to the future of our Commonwealth. They pour their energy into the success of Kentucky’s youth and deserve not only respect but accolades. Our Civic Education Leadership Award honors their outstanding work.”
The Kentucky Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award program recognizes teachers, school administrators, legislators and community leaders who have made notable contributions toward promoting or implementing civic learning to prepare students to be active and engaged in their communities.
Eric Sexton of Edmonton (Region 4) received the 2018 award. He organizes leadership government sessions for local middle and high school students, which provides them first-hand experience with state government in Frankfort and meetings with their state legislators. Sexton regularly helps organize high school voter registration and education drives. As a career/college coordinator in Metcalfe County, Sexton oversaw a 20 percent increase in college-bound graduates. He received a $1,000 award to be used toward resources for his civic programs.
The 16 regional finalists are:
- Region 1 – Michael Robinson
- Region 2 – Joseph Riley
- Region 6 – Jonathan Joseph
- Region 7 – Jan Helson
- Region 10 – Sara Wells
- Region 11 – Josh Mers
- Region 12 – Jeff Moss
- Region 13 – Jeff Phillips
- Region 14 – Vivian Carter
- Region 15 – Fran Booth
- Region 16 – Lea Ann Reeves-Gollihue
Each regional finalist received a $250 award for their civic education programs.
The Secretary of State’s office’s partners with Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts, which judges the nominations, and Kentucky Department of Education to present this award annually.
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes on Thursday recognized four Kentucky high school students for winning her office’s 29th annual essay contest. She held a ceremony at Rupp Arena during the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 Basketball Tournament.
The winners in their respective grades are:
- 9th Grade – Nevaeh Hope Dearmond (Logan County High School, Russellville)
- 10th Grade – Chloe Morgan Watkins (Logan County High School, Russellville)
- 11th Grade – Anna Frances Baskin (Henry Clay High School, Lexington)
- 12th Grade – Victoria Kelly Brunson (Craft Academy at Morehead State University)
“Just yesterday, I stood hand in hand with students as they let their voices be heard about gun violence and safety in schools. Everywhere you turn, young people are driving engagement in their schools, their communities, and in Kentucky,” said Grimes. “These four young women are incredible representatives of all the young people who getting up, getting out, and getting loud right now. I know Kentucky’s future is very bright.”
Created in 1988, the Secretary of State’s essay contest serves to inspire students to be active and informed citizens, with particular emphasis on election-related issues. High school students are invited to write essays regarding the First Amendment and elections. Entries were judged on research and understanding of voting and the First Amendment, idea development, organization, language and correctness. The University of Kentucky Scripps Howard First Amendment Center judges the anonymous contest entries.
Each winner received a $1,000 cash scholarship made possible by the Office of Secretary of State and its partners, KEA and KEA Retired, the University of Kentucky Scripps Howard First Amendment Center and the Kentucky Department of Education.
Winners of the slogan contest, which is open to students in grades 6 through 8, will be announced separately.
Gov. Matt Bevin today joined local officials and company executives from Maxim Crane Works LP, a nationwide crane rental and lifting services provider, to open a $4.71 million office that consolidates the company’s operations into Kentucky and is creating 100 full-time jobs.
“Maxim Crane Works has been a steady corporate partner in Kentucky for more than 80 years, and this latest investment showcases even further commitment to the commonwealth,” Gov. Bevin said. “Maxim Crane is a powerful name within its industry, and we are proud the company continues to strengthen its presence in our state. Congratulations to the company, the community of Wilder and the Northern Kentucky region on this incredible new endeavor.”
Before the ribbon cutting, Maxim executives toured guests through the new 17,000-square-foot office. The building brings together Maxim’s operations and leadership functions in Campbell County, where the company has operated a regional headquarters since 1937. Maxim bases about 400 cranes in Wilder for quick deployment to customers across the Eastern US. Its growth projections – including organic and via acquisition – helped bring the project to fruition.
“This is a project that clearly demonstrates the benefits of a pro-business government working together with the private sector to generate jobs and economic growth at a record pace,” said Frank Bardonaro, COO for Maxim. “We appreciate the support of the Governor and local leaders to provide Maxim the opportunity to bring more jobs and opportunity to the local community as a result of this tremendous joint effort.”
“I am honored to be able to present our employees, customers and the next generation of Maxim employees with this state-of-the-art facility,” added Bryan Carlisle, the company’s CEO. “We are extremely grateful to our employees for providing us with this opportunity to continue what started a few miles away in 1937 and has grown into the largest and most successful Crane Rental company in the USA.”
Maxim is a coast-to-coast provider of crane rental and lifting services. With over 50 locations across the country, Maxim provides services in every state and has consolidated more than 30 crane-rental companies.
Sen. Wil Schroder, of Wilder, noted the company’s prominence within its industry.
“On behalf of the citizens in the 24th Senatorial District, I’d like to welcome the nation’s largest provider of crane rental and lifting services, Maxim Crane Works,” Sen. Schroder said. “This $4.71 million investment and the creation of 100 jobs is yet another testament to Campbell County’s workforce. The 24th Senatorial District continues to be a leader of economic development in the commonwealth and I am proud to welcome this business to our region.”
Rep. Dennis Keene, of Wilder, said the local workforce has the skillset to meet any need and expressed gratitude for the company’s investment in the region.
“This announcement is just further proof that Wilder is a great place to do business and that its workforce is second-to-none,” Rep. Keene said. “I want to thank the leaders of Maxim Crane Works for being such an integral part of our corporate community for more than 80 years and for deciding to invest nearly $5 million more as it consolidates its in-state operations here. I also appreciate what our local and state economic development leaders have done to make today’s ribbon cutting possible.”
Wilder Mayor Stanley Turner commended the company on its steady growth.
“Congratulations to Maxim Crane on the completion of this expansion,” Mayor Turner said. “The City of Wilder is very proud to be the location chosen to support the continued growth of Maxim Crane’s corporate operations in our region.”
Kenton County Judge-Executive and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Board Chair Kris Knochelmann noted the company’s strong standing within the community.
“Maxim Crane is an excellent community partner in Northern Kentucky and we appreciate their ongoing investment into their facilities, employees and operations here,” Judge-Executive Knochelmann said. “We look forward to continued partnership in the years to come.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) a year ago preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $2 million 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.
Maxim Crane 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 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.
For more information on Maxim Crane Works, visit www.cranerental.com.
Photo: Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District
A new survey from the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District is asking the public to weigh in on the District’s efforts to engage with and inform the community on air quality and the environment.
The District will use the information collected in the online survey to develop a series of community workshops.
The goal of the workshop series, slated to begin this spring, is to give the public a better understanding of the District’s work, while also offering a space where the community can discuss ways to continue improving Louisville’s air.
“Informed communities are more likely to support programs and policies that improve air quality,” said Michelle King, APCD Director of Program Planning. “And informed individuals are more likely to change behaviors to reduce their own emissions and exposure to poor air quality.”
The survey is online now, and will stay online until April 30.
Survey link: https://louisvilleky.wufoo.com/forms/the-apcd-wants-to-hear-from-you/
APCD Environmental Coordinator Torend Collins is overseeing the development of the workshop series.
“Community engagement is an important part of the work we do at the APCD,” Collins said. “So the results will not only assist with developing workshops, but will also help us better understand what the community knows about our agency.”
The Public Safety Committee of the Louisville Metro Council will hear a presentation that led to a Resolution requesting the Kentucky Attorney General to appoint a Special Prosecutor to investigate Former Louisville Police Department Officer Mark Handy.
“I believe it is important for the Committee to have a better understanding of this situation and we do not take the purpose of this Resolution lightly,” says Councilwoman Jessica Green (D-1), who chairs the Committee. “The public needs to have confidence in those who protect us and after this presentation we will decide what should be done regarding this request.”
The Committee will hear from Denny Butler, Louisville Police Detective, Retired and Mr. Edwin Chandler, the man wrongfully convicted for a crime he didn’t committee who was later exonerated.
Media reports in the last several weeks have indicated Handy was at the center of several homicide cases which resulted in convictions overturned.
To see the Resolution on line: Click Here!
The Public Safety Committee meets at 3:30pm in Council Chambers, Historic City Hall, 601 West Jefferson Street.The meeting is carried live on Metro TV, Spectrum Cable Channel 184 or on UVERSE at Channel 99. All meetings of the Metro Council are streamed live. Go to the Metro Council Home page at www.Louisvilleky.gov/metrocouncil and click on the Metro Council Agendas link.
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio tonight announced a new task force to reimagine and reshape the district’s alternative school programs.
“It’s time to rethink how we deliver services to our most at-risk students—ensuring that we’re providing them a quality education, relevant and career-focused opportunities and the comprehensive support services they need to thrive both in school and at home,” Dr. Pollio said.
The new model would establish separate programs and facilities for middle and high school students. Additionally, it would focus on providing career-focused opportunities to students by linking them to Academies of Louisville programming and providing a more personalized learning experience. This would allow students to make progress at the appropriate pace, instead of being confined by the restraints of a particular schedule structure.
“Currently, they’re all on traditional schedules, which is particularly challenging for students in an alternative-school setting, who are often behind,” said assistant superintendent Dr. Katy Zeitz, who oversees alternative schools and will serve as the task force chair. “Our goal is to reconnect and provide support to some of our most disenfranchised students. The task force will brainstorm and consider options, think through research-based programming and best practice strategies that work best for at-risk students and help vet new programs for JCPS.”
Dr. Zeitz is working closely with the JCPS Office of Diversity, Equity and Poverty Programs (DEP) to identify and select individuals within the district and community who can provide expertise and insight into relevant practices with at-risk and court-involved youth.
“Our task is: how do we build a situation that is safe and relevant, but also meets the social and emotional needs of students who have experienced the kinds of violence and trauma that some of our kids have seen?” Dr. Zeitz said. “We want to provide more wrap-around and therapeutic supports to students, and collaborate and partner with other city efforts around response to trauma, violence prevention and safe and healthy neighborhoods.”
The group will convene for the first time this spring. Pending any needed approvals from the Jefferson County Board of Education, changes to the district’s alternative school programs would be effective with the 2019-20 school year.