01.31.2024

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Today’s Forecast

39° | Cloudy | 23% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:43 a.m. | Sunset 5:59 p.m.

💪 Citizens, families, and community

Mayor Linda Gorton shares success from 2023 and what’s ahead in 2024 State of the City-County Speech

Mayor Linda Gorton standing a podium smiling with red glasses, a pearl necklace, and a light blue, gray, and black dressy coat on.

Mayor Linda Gorton delivers the annual State of the City-County address Jan. 30, 2024. | Photo by Amy Wallot

Yesterday, Mayor Linda Gorton delivered the State of the City and County Speech, looking back on her five years of service and ahead to future developments.

“Government is tasked with building strong citizens, strong families, and through them, a strong community,” said Mayor Gorton. “This is a wonderful city, full of the best people anywhere, and it is my great honor to be your mayor and lead this city forward.”

She discussed the important aspects that have helped strengthen our community including:

Focusing on public safety
Attracting good jobs
Building a sound infrastructure
Supporting arts and culture
Maintaining a high quality of life

Public safety

Mayor Gorton noted that the foundation of any successful city is its public safety. Lexington officials made this a top priority in 2023 with major investments in crime-fighting technology.

Last year, Flock Safety License Plate Readers recovered $1.6 million in property.

A map of Lexington with a blue star showing where a new development will go. — The blue star represents where the ~145 acre Legacy Business Park development will be. | Map courtesy of Google Maps

Employment + economy

Regarding the city’s economy + employment rate since taking office in 2019, Mayor Gorton had this to say: “We have more than recovered — we are thriving.” She added there are 3,000 more Lexingtonians employed than there were in March 2020.

Highlights include:

Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp. | This partnership promotes Lexington as an international hub for ag tech businesses. Mayor Gorton noted that 70 companies have expressed interest in coming to Lexington so far.
Second Chance Academy | Through a partnership with Jubilee Jobs, inmates are able to gain important employable skills, job training, and get help with job placement.

A group of people cutting a big turquoise ribbon — Ribbon cutting for Polo Club Park Apartments on Jan. 18, 2023.
|
Photo by Derek Terry

Affordable housing

Since the creation of the Affordable Housing Fund in 2014, the city itself has invested over $30 million for affordable housing. In just 2023, it allotted $7.4 million to create 234 units for those in the low income bracket, older adults, those living with mental disabilities + those experiencing homelessness. In the next budget, ~$5 million will move to support affordable housing.

Hit the button below to learn about specific public safety wins + what developments are in the pipeline.

Parks, community centers, and more

Events

Wednesday, Jan. 31

Mocktails at the Museum | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 5 p.m. | 21c Museum Hotel, 167 W. Main St., Lexington | Free | Sip on a complimentary mocktail while taking a guided tour of the latest exhibit, “Labor & Materials.”
Community Yoga | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 6-7 p.m. | Greyline Station, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Lexington | Free | Take a midweek break + connect with community members with an all-levels yoga flow.

Thursday, Feb. 1

Back 2 Mac | Thursday, Feb. 1 | 7 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $15-$18 | You can go your own way down to the Distillery District to see this Fleetwood Mac cover band.

Friday, Feb. 2

Groundhog Day Printmaking | Friday, Feb. 2 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Artworks at the Carver School, 522 Patterson St., Lexington | Free | Stop by to make your own Groundhog Day-themed precut linocut print.
Mark Normand: Ya Don’t Say Tour | Friday, Feb. 2 | 7 p.m. | Lexington Opera House, 401 W. Short St., Lexington | $49.75-$165.75 | Kick off your weekend with this fun-loving comedian who won this year’s Great American Comedy Festival competition.

Saturday, Feb. 3

Story Walk | Saturday, Feb. 3 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | McConnell Springs Park, 416 Rebmann Ln., Lexington | Free | This unique experience invites families to walk the trails + read the laminated pages of “Whoo Goes There?” throughout the park.

Sunday, March 10

MimosaFest | Sunday, March 10 | 11 a.m. | Manchester Music Hall, 899 Manchester St., Lexington | $15-$35 | You’re invited to enjoy a mimosa-themed afternoon at Manchester Music Hall.*

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Open

Paper Source is now open at The Summit at Fritz Farm. Located by Shady Rays + the Big Lex mural, stop in for all of your stationary needs, paper goods, gifts, and more. See what other stores are coming soon.

Eat

Wilson’s Grocery in Kenwick has officially re-opened. Stop by the neighborhood shop for ready-to-eat staples like biscuit sandwiches, fresh fruits and veggies, as well as home essentials including batteries, Drain-o, and more. It will be open Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and closed Sunday + Monday.

Watch

In case you missed it, Lexington was featured on a recent episode of “The Today Show” in a segment called “Travel Swap.” The hosts discussed fan-favorites including Keeneland, the Origin Hotel, and of course, bourbon. Watch the full piece.

Learn

See what all the buzz is about at Shaker Village with its Introduction to Beekeeping workshop. The course takes place on Saturday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and will teach you all about the life cycle of a honey bee, hive equipment and assembly, and how to establish your first hive.

Gallery

Mark your calendars for next Friday, Feb. 9 when the Lexington Art League will debut its newest exhibitions. Upcoming galleries include the bright and colorful works of John D’Orazio’s “Prismatic” and “Reparations: The Other Mies Archive” from architectural designer + professor Leen Katrib.

Try This

Registration is open for the UK Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy. The session begins Monday, Feb. 12 and will be held every Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for 10 weeks. Attendees will gain an understanding of law enforcement and learn more about topics such as K-9 operations + crisis preparedness. (UKNOW)

Award

Five Kentuckians have been nominated for this weekend’s upcoming Grammy Awards. Nominees include: Tyler Childers in five categories, Chris Stapleton in three, and author Silas House for Best Music Video.

Finance

One card, all the perks. Unlimited 1.5% cash back, a sign-up bonus worth hundreds, and 0% intro APR for 15 months (all with no annual fee) almost sounds too good to be true — but this card has it all.*

Real Estate

Hot Homes: Palm Springs vibes in Greenbrier

Hot Homes: Two lots in Greenbrier for $2 million

If you buy this house, we volunteer as tribute to house sit any time. | Photos by Fritz Mortl

While freezing our buns off with the heat blasting, we can’t help but daydream of pool days with the sun shining on our faces. We stopped our cozy couch scrolling when we saw the outdoor oasis at 3092-3096 Bobwhite Trail.

Yes, you read that right. This $2 million listing features the 3,638-sqft home, as well as the empty neighboring lot.

Let’s take a dive into the beautifully refreshing details of this stunning property inside the gated Greenbrier community:

4 bedrooms + 4 full bathrooms
Constructed in 2021
Walk-in pantry
Eat-in kitchen + dining room
Laundry room with custom pet suite
Vaulted ceilings with designer light fixtures

The carefully curated plants provide privacy around the outdoor living space, which features a sundeck, covered porch with electric shades, outdoor fireplace, and gunite swimming pool with waterfalls.

The Buy

The Buy 1.31.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Women’s UGG Tasman Slippers, which keep your whole foot cozy with sheepskin and have a thick enough sole for outside wear, too.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

Heads up, outdoor enthusiasts. Parts of The Arboretum Woods Trail system will be closed today-Friday, Jan. 2 for invasive species management. Feel free to relive the sunny summer days when we explored Physiographic Regions found at the park.

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