Archive for January 6th, 2010

KYTC Crews Prepared to Battle Snow

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) road crews in the Louisville area are prepared for the snow that is predicted to fall across the region on Thursday morning.  Maintenance personnel have been watching the forecast and getting their trucks ready. State and contract crews will report to duty in advance of the winter storm.  Trucks will be dispatched to their routes and stand ready to treat the roadways when precipitation starts to fall.

District 5 personnel have the responsibility for clearing more than 2,400 miles of state-maintained highways in the counties of Bullitt, Franklin, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble.  Crews are prepared to work long hours clearing any accumulation from the roadways. 156 state and contract trucks are utilized to treat the roadways in these eight counties with 70 of these trucks concentrated on the interstates in Jefferson County.  Per an agreement with Louisville Metro government, the Metro Department of Public Works will be clearing snow and ice from all state routes in Jefferson County, excluding interstates.

The District 5 facilities combined have approximately 36,000 tons of salt and 140,000 gallons of liquid calcium chloride on hand to combat snow and ice this winter.

Motorists should always use extra caution when driving in winter weather and remember that bridges and overpasses typically freeze before surface-level roadways.

Motorists should remember these tips while driving in snow and ice:

• Make sure your vehicle is sufficiently winterized – check the battery, antifreeze level, heater, defroster, wipers and windshield washer.
• Dress warmly for the weather –in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, in anticipation of unexpected emergencies.
• Try to keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to prevent fuel line freezing and to prepare for possible lengthy delays on the roadway.
• Make sure a friend or relative is aware of your travel route.
• Carry a cell phone.
• Make sure your vehicle has an emergency care kit. It should include jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, blankets, nonperishable food, a first aid kit, and traction material.
• Check the forecast and call 511 or visit 511.ky.gov for the latest condition reports before traveling. Avoid nonessential travel if conditions are dangerous.
• Drive carefully. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination. Do not use cruise control.
• Remember that bridges and exit and entrance ramps can be icy when other areas are not.
• Stopping in snow requires more braking distance than stopping on dry pavement – up to four times more distance. Make sure to put plenty of distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead.
• Be visible. Dull, cloudy days will cut down on visibility, so drive using low-beam headlights.
• Steer into the skid. Stay calm and ease your foot off the gas while carefully steering in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go.
• During significant winter weather events, the KYTC will provide media outlets with updated road condition reports throughout the day and night.

Road conditions are described as follows:

• Wet pavement – Ice could form as temperatures drop.
• Partly covered – Markings may be obscured by snow, slush or ice.
• Mostly covered by snow, slush or ice.
• Completely covered by snow, slush or ice.
• Impassable – Conditions unsuitable for all but emergency travel.

The Kentucky SAFE Patrol – Safety Assistance for Freeway Emergencies – operates seven days a week on Kentucky interstates and parkways. SAFE Patrol drivers are equipped with blankets, shovels, reflective cones, auto fluids and other equipment to get motorists back on the road safely. Motorists can request SAFE Patrol by calling 1-877-FOR-KYTC (1-877-367-5982).

For up-to-date traffic and travel information, inside Kentucky dial 511 and outside Kentucky call toll free at 1-866-737-3767.  Information can also be obtained by logging onto www.511.ky.gov.

Forest Hills Neighborhood Meeting has been Rescheduled

The Forest Hills Neighborhood Meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 7, 2010 at the Southwest Government Center has been canceled due to expected inclement weather.

A new meeting date has been rescheduled for  A new meeting date has been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 13 at 6:30 PM at the Southwest Government Center.

All residents wishing to form a Block Watch Program in Forest Hills Neighborhood are invited to attend this informational meeting.  The group is seeking residents who can volunteer their time as a Block Watch Captain for their street.  In addition, residents will discuss the possibility of reinstating their neighborhood as an association.

For more information, please call James Givens at 645-2213

Troop #51 Breakfast Fundraiser

Sunday, January 24^th, 2010

8:30 a.m. till 11:30 a.m.

Adults $6.00 Kids/Teens $4.00

Kids Under 5 Yrs. Old Free

Boy Scout Troop #51

Chartered by St. Peter the Apostle Roman Catholic Church

All You Can Eat Buffet Breakfast

(Served at the former St. Polycarp/Columbine Campus Cafeteria)

(Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage & Bacon, Hash Browns, Biscuits & Gravy, Coffee, Milk & Juice)

For more information, please email Mike Kuhn, Committee Chair/Assistant Scoutmaster, at mdkuhn@bellsouth.net .

Please visit the Community Calendar at DougHawkins.com for more great happenings and announcements in South Louisville.

Kentucky Division of Water offers cold weather water pipe protection tips

Prevent pipes from freezing, bursting

With frigid temperatures and wind chills expected to continue through the week, the Kentucky Division of Water reminds citizens to protect the water systems in their homes and businesses from freezing.

When water freezes, it expands. When water freezes in a pipe and expands enough, the pipe bursts, water escapes and serious damage results. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are all vulnerable to freezing, especially if there are cracks or openings that allow cold outside air to flow across the pipes.

To keep pipes from freezing, wrap hot and cold water pipes in insulation or layers of newspaper, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture. Allow a trickle of water to run from a cold faucet that is farthest from the water meter or one that has frozen in the past. This will keep the water moving so that it cannot freeze and will help relieve pressure should ice form in the pipes. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

If pipes freeze, remove the insulation, completely open all the faucets and pour hot water over the pipes or wrap them with towels soaked in hot water, starting where they are most exposed to the cold. You may also use a hand-held hair dryer or electric heating pad if there is no standing water. Apply heat until full water pressure is restored.

Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove or other open flame device to thaw a pipe. A blowtorch can make water in a frozen pipe boil and cause the pipe to explode. All open flames in homes present a serious fire danger, as well as a severe risk of exposure to lethal carbon monoxide.

If you are unable to locate or reach the frozen area, call a licensed plumber.

When away from the house for an extended period of time, consider draining the water system completely. To drain the system, shut off the main valve, turn off and drain the water heater and turn on every water fixture (both hot and cold lines) until water stops running. When returning to the house, turn on the main valve, turn on the water heater and let each fixture run until the pipes are full again.

Save the Date!

Youth Opportunity Showcase

Saturday, February 13, 2010

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Kentucky International Convention Center

221 Fourth Street, Cascade Ballroom “C”

Jobs Opportunities (ages 16 to 21)

Internships • Job training • Education • Community service

Dress for an interview and bring your I.D. and resume.

For more information, contact KentuckianaWorks at 502.574.2500

Companies & Organizations – if you would like to recruit area teens for full or part time paid jobs or for non-paid internships, for booth information please contact:

Darrell Aniton

Darrell.Aniton@louisvilleky.gov

574-2685

Southwest Youth Soccer League Signups

Spring Signup Date/Time

Saturday, January 9th 12:00 to 4:00
Saturday, January 16th 12:00 to 4:00
Sunday, January 17th 1:00 to 4:00
At Sun Valley Soccer Fields Concession Stand
Located at 6618 Ashby Lane
(street across from Wal-Mart)

Divisions/Ages (Grade):
Tiny Tots – 3 to 4 (Pre-K)
Preps – 5 to 7 (K-2nd)
Juniors – 8 to 10 (3rd-5th)
Seniors – 11 to 13 (6th-8th)
High School – 14 to 17
Effective Age Date is April 1, 2010

Fees:
Includes uniform; shirt, shorts, and socks.  A team photo and trophy (except for High School division)
$70 Per Child
$20 Family Volunteer Fee (refundable)
Must work two hours to get refund

Can’t make signup dates, please leave a message at 935-4800 or visit us at www.swysl.com.  A league representative will contact you.

Eddie Harshfield, President, Southwest Youth Soccer League