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The DiverCity Festival returns August 29 to a new location on Oliver Lewis Way, featuring over 100 performances and the debut of Global Lex Village to celebrate Lexington's diverse communities.
The Lexington Senior Center will celebrate its 10-year anniversary on Sept. 9 with Mayor Linda Gorton attending. The milestone comes as the city's senior population—nearly 25 percent of residents over age 60—continues to grow, with a new $24 million senior center opening later this year in Shillito Park.
The Government Center in Lexington closed early Friday due to a plumbing emergency, while other government buildings remained open.
Lexington eases yard debris disposal requirements following severe storms that brought record rainfall and downed trees on August 11-13. Residents can leave storm debris at the curb without bundling for one week.
Lexington Parks & Recreation is hosting community conversations throughout August to gather resident input for the Discover Great Places + Green Spaces Parks & Recreation Master Plan, which will guide parks and recreation improvements over the next decade.
Woodland Art Fair, celebrating its 50th anniversary, brings nearly 200 artists and more than 70,000 visitors to Lexington's Woodland Park this weekend with free admission, live music, food and locally crafted art.
Lexington's Public Safety Operations Center will perform scheduled phone maintenance on August 10 from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m., affecting administrative lines but not 911 emergency services.
The Family Care Center in Lexington opened a new nature-based playground with support from a $75,000 PNC Foundation grant designed to enhance early childhood education and outdoor learning experiences.
Employee-owned apparel manufacturer Artisans Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its new $8.4 million facility in Lexington, creating 55 jobs as the company consolidates Wisconsin operations into its Kentucky base.
Mayor Linda Gorton says Kentucky American Water rejected her request for a public meeting about ongoing delays to its Fontaine Road water main replacement project, citing frustration with the utility's decision to communicate only through doorhangers to directly affected residents.
Sharell Byrd and Ledarius Jackson purchased a home at 557 Shropshire Ave. with help from affordable housing programs as the city continues expanding homeownership opportunities through partnerships between the Housing Authority, REACH, Central Bank and the city.
A traffic circle will be installed at Jesselin Drive and Heather Way in early August as part of Lexington's Complete Streets initiative to improve safety and traffic flow.
Lexington Police have charged four individuals in three separate shootings that occurred July 25-27, 2026, as the city experienced six unrelated shootings over a four-day span.
A 63-year-old Lexington man has been charged with assault, burglary, and firearm offenses after turning himself in for a shooting on Winter Garden that wounded one person. The incident was one of six shootings across Lexington over the weekend.
Chinoe Road between Hart and Fontaine roads will close to through traffic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3-7 for the Division of Water Quality to replace a sanitary sewer lateral line as part of the city's compliance with a federal consent decree.
Lexington is seeking hosts for Tree Week 2026 (October 9-18), an annual celebration that brings community members together through tree-themed events and programs.
Lexington extended the closure of Wilson Downing Road through August 7 for final paving of a new mini roundabout at Belleau Wood and Walden Drives, the city's first roundabout in a residential neighborhood.
Swigert Avenue will close from July 27 to Aug. 7 for stormwater work. The closure enables repairs of a collapsed stormwater culvert affecting drainage reliability.
A 300-foot section of Alexandria Drive will close from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 28-30 for stabilization repairs ahead of a planned full resurfacing project.
Lexington city offices will close at 3 p.m. as severe storms with damaging winds, hail, and flash flooding threats are forecast for the area Tuesday evening, with the city mobilizing emergency response teams.
Mayor Linda Gorton warned Lexington residents to prepare for severe weather Tuesday, with a Level 3-of-5 risk for numerous severe thunderstorms. City departments have been placed on standby to respond to potential power outages, downed trees and traffic disruptions.
Lexington's Division of Water Quality will host Water for Life on July 19 at Gatton Park, a free festival celebrating water as a community resource. The event coincides with the Kentucky-Tennessee Water Professionals Conference being held in Lexington.
A 17-year-old has been charged with armed robbery and illegal possession of a handgun following a June 3 robbery at Kenawood Park where a juvenile's electronic scooter was stolen at gunpoint.
Lexington will hold a free trash disposal day Saturday from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bluegrass Regional Transfer Station for Fayette County residents disposing of non-hazardous household waste.
Mayor Linda Gorton announced that twenty Lexington community organizations will receive grants from One Lexington to prevent gun violence, with fifteen grassroots groups receiving $150,000 in violence prevention funding, marking the fifth year of the grant program.
Lexington is hosting a free watch party Monday at the Kentucky Theatre as Team USA faces Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16 at Seattle Stadium, expanding the event following strong turnout at an earlier watch party.
Lexington has moved up the start time for its annual Patriotic Concert at Transylvania University and Gratz Park to 6 p.m., with the main Lexington Philharmonic performance beginning at 8 p.m., adjusting the schedule to accommodate performers and their instruments.
Lexington is participating in Plastic Free July for the second year, encouraging residents to reduce their use of single-use plastics by making simple swaps like reusable cups and bags. The city's Green Cup program offers discounts at participating coffee shops for customers who bring their own containers.
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is opening a $3 million grant program for nonprofit organizations addressing opioid use disorder and overdose prevention in Fayette County, with proposals due after July 2.
Lexington will host a free, family-friendly watch party on July 1 at the Kentucky Theatre downtown as Team USA faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in a FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match, with members of the Lexington Sporting Club on hand to meet fans.
Lexington launched a $90,000 tech internship pilot program to connect students with local employers and boost technology job growth, with Mayor Gorton and two city council members backing the effort.
Lexington announced a record $5.029 million in Extended Social Resource Grants to 34 nonprofit agencies for fiscal years 2027 and 2028, with funds distributed across five priority areas including mental health, emergency shelter, and food assistance.
Lexington is moving Friday waste collection to Wednesday, July 2 due to the July Fourth holiday, and starting all collections one hour earlier from June 29-July 2 to beat the heat.
Grimes Mill Road will close at McCalls Mill Road on July 1-2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for bridge railing repairs, with detours routed through McCalls Mill Road and Athens-Boonesboro Road.
Lexington will host a free watch party for Team USA's FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match on July 1 at the historic Kentucky Theatre, featuring local soccer fans and the Lexington Sporting Club women's championship trophy.
Lexington launched a $2 million home modification program for low-income seniors in partnership with Bluegrass Care Navigators, offering free accessibility upgrades like grab bars and improved lighting to help older residents age safely at home.
Mayor Linda Gorton has urged Lexington residents to report flood damage to 311 following heavy rain that dropped 2.5 to 3 inches in less than 90 minutes on June 22, triggering multiple rescues and road closures.
Lexington Parks & Recreation is celebrating National Parks & Recreation Month in July with summer programs and activities, while local businesses support tree planting through special product releases benefiting Trees Lexington nonprofit.
The City of Lexington will not collect recyclables on Tuesday, June 23, due to mechanical issues at the Recycle Center caused by wet materials, with collected items destined for the landfill.
Jonathan Parker, 31, has been arrested in connection with an armed robbery on June 11 and an attempted burglary on June 19, both targeting the same BP gas station on Waller Avenue in Lexington.
Lexington's Division of Water Quality is accepting applications through July 24 for Stormwater Quality Incentive Grants to fund infrastructure projects that improve water quality and reduce runoff in Fayette County.
Lexington officially opened two rebuilt sports courts at Belleau Woods Park that are double-striped for both tennis and pickleball play, completing a neighborhood improvement project residents have sought for years.
The Lexington Singers, a long-established community choir, will travel to England in June to perform with the Newmarket Community Choir as part of a cultural exchange between the two sister cities.
Lexington's annual Kentucky River Clean Sweep is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, inviting volunteers to remove trash from 12 miles of river bordering Fayette County. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at Kelley's Landing, with preregistration required.
Lexington will alter its waste collection schedule on Juneteenth, June 19, moving Friday pickups to Wednesday, June 17. Waste facilities will close on June 19-20.
Lexington is constructing its first mini roundabout in a neighborhood on Wilson Downing Road starting in June, with major street closures planned from July 6-31 to accommodate the safety improvements.
Lexington is hosting a virtual job fair on June 17 for Fayette County Public Schools employees affected by recent layoffs of 120 support positions.
The City of Lexington has relaunched the Solarize Lexington program, which offers homeowners and other property owners a 20 percent discount on solar panel installation through a partnership with Solar Energy Solutions. Interest forms are due by Oct. 2.
Lexington's Urban County Council approved the $546 million FY27 budget with over $2 million in added investments for infrastructure, public safety, parks and social services.
Lexington activated Phase One of its Heat Plan June 10-11 as heat index reaches 95 degrees, deploying free transit to cooling centers, opening community facilities, and urging vulnerable residents to seek shelter.
Lexington's Swahili Day cultural festival moves to Gatton Park on the Town Branch on June 13, expanding the five-year celebration of African and Swahili-speaking communities in the city.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Environmental Commission will hold its 52nd Annual Environmental Awards Dinner on June 28 at McConnell Springs to recognize individuals, organizations, and projects that have advanced environmental sustainability in the community.
Truck-a-Palooza returns Saturday at Tates Creek High School with over 20 city trucks, sensory-friendly hours and free admission for families to interact with city employees and equipment.
Two people were arrested after robbing and assaulting a victim on N. Limestone Street in Lexington. Police located the suspects using the department's Real-Time Intelligence Center.
Lexington will host a week-long Juneteenth celebration from June 14-21, with commemorative flags and banners placed throughout the city, according to Mayor Linda Gorton. The federal holiday honors the end of slavery in the United States.
A Kazakhstan delegation visited Lexington in May through a State Department exchange program to learn about local government partnerships and critical minerals development, touring mining operations and meeting with Global Lex officials.
Lexington is planning a week-long Fourth of July celebration featuring the 50th running of the Bluegrass 10,000, a parade, ice cream social, patriotic concerts and fireworks to honor America's 250th birthday.
Lexington has opened applications for its third annual Veterans Street Banner Program, which honors local military veterans with banners displayed on Vine Street during Veterans Day. The deadline to nominate a veteran with Fayette County connections is August 3.
WORK-Lexington and the Kentucky Career Center are hosting a virtual job fair June 17 for Fayette County Public Schools employees affected by recent layoffs tied to the district's longstanding financial crisis.
Lexington has launched a 10-year Parks and Recreation Master Plan called "Discover Great Places + Green Spaces" to guide improvements to the city's parks, programs and facilities, supported by voter approval of an $8 million annual park fund in 2024.
Lexington's Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works recognized 30 schools and 72 teachers for their participation in environmental education programs that reached nearly 40,000 student interactions this academic year.
The city of Lexington is rescheduling waste collection for Memorial Day, with Monday pickups moved to Wednesday, May 27. Key waste management facilities will be closed Saturday, May 23 and Monday, May 25.
Lexington held its eighth Clean Slate Lexington Expungement Clinic, serving Fayette County residents seeking to clear low-level criminal records that block access to employment, housing and education. The program has helped more than 2,000 people since 2022.
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government is surveying residents about Winchester Road improvements through June 20 as part of a comprehensive corridor study addressing safety and growth.
The City of Lexington is collecting gently-used school supplies through June 22 to distribute to Fayette County middle school students for the upcoming school year, with donations accepted at the Electronics Recycling Center on Versailles Road.
Lexington police officer Nathaniel Schickler was charged May 20 with distributing obscene material to a 17-year-old and tampering with physical evidence, and was immediately relieved of sworn duties pending departmental review.
A delegation from the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., visited Lexington for a luncheon focused on educational exchange and cultural partnership, hosted by Global Lex and attended by local education leaders and city officials.
The Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness will host a virtual listening session May 21 to solicit public input on addressing Lexington's growing homelessness crisis, which has affected nearly 900 residents.
Global Lex is launching the Global Lex Village at the 2026 DiverCity Festival to showcase 10 international community organizations and celebrate Lexington's diverse cultural heritage. The Historic Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center is leading the festival's cultural programming.
StreetFest returns Saturday for its fifth year, closing Shropshire Avenue between Midland and Third Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring live music, food trucks and activities celebrating biking and walking as the city marks Bike Walk Month.
Lexington will host a free household hazardous waste collection event Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1631 Old Frankfort Pike, accepting paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, pesticides and electronic waste items including vape products.
Officials from Lexington and three surrounding counties broke ground Thursday on the Triple Crown Business Park, a 300-acre regional development project aimed at attracting employers and generating tax revenue across Central Kentucky.
Twelve Fayette County Public Schools seniors have been awarded 2026 "Be the Change" scholarships through a partnership among the City of Lexington, Galls and Central Bank, administered by Blue Grass Community Foundation.
Lexington is celebrating its fifth annual Bike Walk Month in May with free community events, bike rides, workshops and the popular StreetFest street closure on May 16, along with participation in the Love to Ride online cycling platform.
Mayor Linda Gorton is demanding faster repairs to High Street and Fontaine Road in Lexington after utility improvements, particularly from Kentucky American Water, left the roads badly damaged. City crews are making temporary improvements while awaiting completion of utility work.
Cherrybark Drive will close April 27 for sanitary sewer construction as part of a federal consent decree requiring Lexington to upgrade its aging sewer system. The project, expected to last until late summer, involves upsizing approximately 4,500 feet of sewer line along Wolf Run Creek.
The City of Lexington is accepting applications for its seventh year of the Teachers' Environmental Academy, a week-long summer workshop June 8-12 that teaches educators about local environmental challenges to share with their students.
Mayor Linda Gorton announced that Lexington's Affordable Housing Fund has leveraged nearly half a billion dollars since 2014 and will surpass 4,000 units built or preserved in 2026. The city's first fully ADA-accessible affordable housing project, Wellington Park Apartments, will provide 45 units for seniors in the 9th Council District.
Lexington officials unveiled new accessible playground equipment at Berry Hill Park, including a spinner, swing with harness, fencing and communication board designed for children with disabilities.
Lexington will host a Normandy Freedom Prize Voting Event on April 21, allowing high school students to participate in an international civic program and giving three local students the chance to travel to Normandy in June for D-Day commemorations.
Waller Avenue will temporarily close at the railroad crossing from April 20-25 for a Norfolk Southern project, with drivers advised to use Virginia Avenue as an alternate route.
Naqeeb Mufallah, 31, has been arrested and charged with assault on a police officer and multiple felonies after dragging a Lexington officer during a traffic stop near Meijer Gas Station on Ruccio Way Tuesday night. The officer sustained serious injuries but is expected to survive.
A Lexington Police officer was arrested April 14 in Scott County on a domestic violence charge and placed on administrative assignment while the department reviews the incident.
Lexington will distribute free mulch made from composted yard waste to residents on Saturday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to noon at 1631 Old Frankfort Pike.
Mayor Linda Gorton presented her proposed FY 2027 budget to the Urban County Council on Tuesday, emphasizing winter weather preparedness and infrastructure improvements amid projections of slower revenue growth.
The City of Lexington is hosting month-long Earth Day celebrations starting April 12, including tree plantings, nature hikes, crafts and volunteer opportunities aimed at promoting environmental stewardship throughout Fayette County.
Mayor Linda Gorton will ask the Urban County Council to approve agreements with eight contractors to help manage winter weather operations. The move follows an after-action review of a devastating ice storm that caused more than 150 crashes and prompted leadership changes.
Lexington's Reforest the Bluegrass returns to Coldstream Park on April 18 for its annual tree planting festival, continuing a 25+ year tradition that has restored over 200 acres of floodplain and improved local water quality.
A house fire caused by an explosion on Orlean Circle left one person injured Sunday morning. One suspect is in custody as federal and local authorities investigate the incident.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Environmental Commission is accepting nominations for its 2026 Environmental Awards, which recognize significant contributions to environmental improvement in five categories. Nominations close April 30, 2026.
The City of Lexington is hosting a free trash disposal day Saturday, April 11, for Fayette County residents to dispose of up to one pickup truck load of non-hazardous household waste at the Bluegrass Regional Transfer Station. The event is one of four free disposal days offered annually.
The City of Lexington is accepting applications for its Community Environmental Academy, a four-month program offering residents education on water quality, urban forestry and waste management, with graduates eligible to develop community projects with up to $1,500 in funding.
Lexington launched LexRide, a new seasonal downtown circulator service connecting the Distillery District, Warehouse Block, and downtown, offering free rides during its opening weekend (April 2-4) and $1 fares thereafter.