Author Archives: Hannah Scott-Carter

Tentative dates for Norfolk Southern railroad crossing closures announced

The City of Goshen’s Engineering Department announced during Thursday’s Board of Works meeting a tentative timeline for the upcoming railroad crossing closures by Norfolk Southern.

The City’s engineering department has been in communication with Norfolk Southern since the city was notified last week and will continue to stay in contact throughout this project. The City will continue to provide any updates on closures via the City’s website and social media.

Residents can also find which crossings will be closed via the City’s road closures GIS map.

Railroad Crossing – Mainline Tracks Estimated Start-Date of Closure
Ferndale Road / CR 15Monday, July 15
Peddlers Village Road / CR 28Tuesday, July 16
Greene RoadTuesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 18
Railroad Crossing – Marion Branch Estimated Start-Date of Closure
Purl StTuesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 18
Reynolds StTuesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 18
Plymouth AveTuesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 18
Jackson StTuesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 18
Burdick StTuesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 18
New York StTuesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 18
College AveTuesday, July 16 – Thursday, July 18
Kercher RdWednesday, July 17 – Monday, July 22 

Update on upcoming Norfolk Southern crossing closures

Last week, the City of Goshen informed residents that Norfolk Southern plans to close several crossings throughout the month of July to install new rails with an approximate start date of July 8th. The work is now expected to begin on Tuesday, July 9th, or Wednesday, July 10th, and will continue through Wednesday, July 31.

Norfolk Southern will work from North to South, starting with the Lusher Avenue crossing in Elkhart. Below is an updated list of impacted crossings. Each crossing is expected to be closed for 1-4 days, and rail crews are expected to cover 2-4 miles per day.

The City’s engineering department has been in communication with Norfolk Southern since the city was notified last week and will continue to stay in contact throughout this project. The City will continue to provide any updates on closures via the City’s website and social media.

Residents can also find which crossings will be closed via the City’s road closures GIS map.

Railroad Crossing Closures Expected – Mainline Tracks 

  • Ferndale Road / CR 15
  • Peddlers Village Road / CR 28
  • Greene Road

Railroad Crossing Closures Expected – Marion Branch

  • Purl Street
  • Reynolds Street
  • Plymouth Avenue
  • Jackson Street
  • Burdick Street
  • New York Street
  • College Avenue
  • Kercher Road

Notice of Adoption of Ordinance 5185, An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Goshen to Establish a Process to Address Chronic Disorderly Properties

Ordinance 5185, An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Goshen to Establish a Process to Address Chronic Disorderly Properties, was passed by the Goshen Common Council on June 10, 2024, and approved and adopted by Mayor Leichty on June 28, 2024.

Ordinance 5185 establishes a regulatory framework to address chronic unlawful and/or nuisance activity occurring at a property during a 30-day period.  Ordinance 5185 sets forth the activities that are considered Prohibited Conduct and what deems a Property to be a Disorderly Property and public nuisance.  If it is determined that sufficient and proper cause exists to deem a property a Disorderly Property and a public nuisance, the City may file an action in any court of general jurisdiction against the owner and/or occupants to enjoin the nuisance and to recover a fine.  The fine for a first violation is $2,500, and a second and each subsequent separate violation is $7,500.

Ordinance 5185 is available for inspection in its entirety during regular business hours at the Goshen Clerk-Treasurer’s Office located at 202 S. Fifth Street, Goshen, Indiana.

Goshen recycling center closed for 4th of July holiday

The Goshen Recycling Center will be closed from noon on Wednesday, July 3rd, through Monday, July 8th, to give staff a break over the holiday.

The City asks users to be respectful of city staff’s work and only drop off accepted items and leave recyclable items in the bins. Do not leave items outside of the bins. Fines will be issued for all violators.

For more information on acceptable items, visit goshenindiana.org/recycling.

City Offices closed for Fourth of July and trash collection on a slide schedule

All City of Goshen offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. The Board of works will not have a meeting the week of July 4 due to the holiday.

Additionally, Borden Wasteaway will not pick up trash on Thursday, July 4, so Thursday and Friday trash and recycling services will operate on a slide schedule. The slide schedule can be found below. Normal service will resume on Monday, July 8.

  • Residents with normal pickup on Thursday will have service Friday, July 5.
  • Residents with normal pickup on Friday will have service Saturday, July 6.

For more information on trash collection, visit goshenindiana.org/trash-collection.

Celebrate Independence Day at Fireworks on the Fairway

The long-loved fireworks in Goshen at Black Squirrel Golf Course are returning this year with a new name, Fireworks on the Fairway. Doors to the event open at 4 p.m., and attendees can enjoy the various local food trucks and vendors and kick back on the fairway. A brief program will begin at 8 p.m., and the fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. The event is free for the entire community.

Parking locations can be found on the map above. The Goshen Police Department asks area motorists to please avoid the roads surrounding the golf course if possible to alleviate traffic congestion. The fireworks show will last approximately 30 minutes. At the conclusion, traffic will be restricted primarily to outbound traffic from the golf course. Our officers will be doing their best to get people out of the area as quickly as possible but ask motorists to be patient.

Goshen Parks and Recreation’s Splash-Tastic Weekend returns for another year

The City of Goshen’s Parks and Recreation Department will once again host its Splash-Tastic Weekend at Abshire Park from Friday, July 26 to Sunday, July 28.

This is the second year parks and recreation staff will install two 300-foot inflatable slip-n-slides on the hill at Abshire Park. Individuals can purchase $10 wristbands and enjoy the slides for a two-hour session. Kona Ice, DonutNV, and other food vendors will be on-site for an additional cost.

Tubes are mandatory to enjoy the slide. Sliders should bring their own one-person inflatable pool tube. Wristbands will not be sold at the event, so preregistration online is required. Below are available session times:

Friday, July 26

  • 2 – 4 p.m. (Preschool and Special needs children)
  • 5 – 7  p.m.

Saturday, July 27

  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • 2 – 4 p.m.
  • 5 – 7 p.m.

Sunday, July 28

  • 12 – 2 p.m.
  • 3 – 5 p.m.

Parking at Abshire Park is limited. Overflow parking is available at both Dykstra Park and Goshen Church of God.

Visit the Goshen Parks and Recreation page for more information: goshenindiana.org/parks-rec.

June brush pickup begins next week

The monthly brush pickup will begin on the week of June 24, 2024.

During scheduled brush collections, the Street Department will make only one pass through the city to pick up brush. Please have your brush by the front curb, but not in the street, by that first day in the morning at 7 a.m. Brush will not be picked up in alleys. The piles of brush should be trash-free. Crews cannot access the piles if blocked by vehicles.

For information regarding Dial-A-Trailer and the Brush Trailer, go to goshenindiana.org/street-department.

The next summer brush pick up weeks will begin on the following days:

  • July 29, 2024
  • August 26, 2024
  • September 30, 2024

Cooling shelter available amid extreme heat

With dangerously hot weather moving in through Elkhart County this week, the City of Goshen is asking residents to be mindful and take action to protect themselves, their loved ones and their neighbors.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reports an excessive heat advisory from Tuesday Afternoon through Saturday, with heat index values rising into triple digits.

Extreme heat and humidity will increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.

In talking with the Goshen Public Library and First Light Mission, the City of Goshen has designated the library, 601 S. Purl Street, and First Light Mission, 801 Wilkinson Street, as cooling centers during these extreme weather events. Individuals can go to the library to cool down and escape the heat. Individuals can use the Library during its regular business hours, which are below.

First Light Mission is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will provide a safe, cool place for those exposed to the elements and welcome those in need with open arms while also ensuring the privacy of residents and their families.

  • Monday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Tuesday 1 – 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Thursday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The NWS recommends being prepared to drink plenty of fluids and staying in an air-conditioned room or out of the sun if possible.

Additionally, Mayor Gina Leichty asked residents to look after one another. “Please check on your friends, family, neighbors, the homeless, and the elderly during this time of extreme heat,” she said. “If you know of anyone in need of assistance, don’t hesitate to call for help.”

If you need assistance checking in on someone, please contact Officer James Ballard at 574-536-1790. If you need transportation to a cooling center, contact the Goshen Police Department at 574-533-4151. Please call 911 if you have an emergency.