With the weather forecast calling for extended and intense periods of rain this weekend and Monday, the City of Goshen is monitoring areas that may be affected by flooding.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for areas in Elkhart County, including some within Goshen’s city limits. Heavy rain is expected to cause significant rises on area rivers beginning Saturday. Outlying areas along drainage paths, ditches and streams are likely the first to flood in the event of heavy rain.

Additionally, the Elkhart River is forecasted to crest at 9 feet, causing potentially moderate flooding, according to the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service. To access the Hyrologic Prediction Service website, go to https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=iwx&gage=gshi3/. Areas in the flood plain such as Rogers Park, Shanklin Park and their surrounding properties may be inundated at this stage.

City staff will be monitoring the forecast and will be on call in case of an emergency. Police and fire crews will patrol areas prone to flooding throughout the weekend. Residents are encouraged also to contact the city if they see flooding in their neighboring areas.

The Goshen Street Department will have sand available outside their headquarters at 475 Steury Ave., including after hours. The sand and bags are free of charge, but you will need to bring your own shovel and fill your bags. Midwest Sandbag, a local company, has about 100,000 filled sandbags available for purchase. Their number is 320.0531.

In an emergency, dial 911. To report a clogged storm drain, call the Water and Sewer Department’s afterhours number at 238.0723. To report a lift station alarm going off, dial 238.6539. Continue following the forecast by the National Weather Service and follow on updates from the City on our website at goshenindiana.org and goshenindiana.org/flood-information or Facebook at facebook.com/CityOfGoshen.

Local and national weather forecasts are calling for extended—and at times heavy—rain to occur late Thursday through late Saturday, with somewhere between 3 – 4 inches of rain falling on our area. If you live in a low-lying area that typically floods, please continue to monitor the weather forecast.

City Departments have worked hard to remove leaves and other debris from city streets and storm drains. However, the City is requesting the help of residents and business owners to check storm drains in front of their homes and business to remove any debris they see. By keeping storm drains clear, stormwater runoff can flow off of the road and prevent flooding issues.

For further information check www.weather.gov, www.weather/iwx/weatherstory, or your favorite weather station/website.

On March 20, 2018 the Goshen City Council approved changes to the water and sewer rates and charges (per ordinances 4939 and 4940). This year, the monthly usage charge has been increased as follows:

The Council also approved changes to sewer-rate charges. This year the monthly usage charge has been increased to $6.66 per 100 cubic feet. Monthly service charges, which include administrative fees, fire protection charges and maintenance of meters, also have changed this year. Both water and sewer rate charges will be slightly increased each year until 2022.

Water rates and charges

Sewer rates and charges

Monthly rates for fire-sprinkler meters, private fire hydrants and private fire sprinklers also have changed.

To view a full list of rate charges, go to goshenindiana.org/water-&-sewer-billing. For other questions, contact the Utility Business Office at 533.9399 or via email at watersewer@goshencity.com.

The annual Christmas tree collection will run between January 6 and January 31, 2020. Have your bare trees — no lights, decorations, tinsel or strands— by the curb for a Street Department crew to pick up.

Do not place artificial trees or other decorations at the curb. For more information, contact the Street Department at 533.9711 or streets@goshencity.com.

NIPSCO will be replacing a pole on the alley behind 110 N. Main Street, just north of Lincoln Avenue. The closure is expected to be Thursday Jan. 2, and outages may occur on Saturday, Jan. 4. However, the weather may cause for the work to be delayed.

All City offices will close at noon Tuesday, December 31, and will be closed all day Wednesday, January 1 in observance of New Year’s Day.

Trash collection services will be normal on New Year’s Eve, off on New Year’s Day, and delayed by a day afterward.

After an incredible outfit display at the annual Goshen Chamber of Commerce meeting, Mayor Jeremy Stutsman and Chamber President Nick Kieffer raised close to $10,000, which will be distributed to two local nonprofit organizations this holiday season.

The Mayor and Chamber President raised nearly $5,000, and the Community Foundation of Elkhart County will be giving an additional $5,000. The donations will be split evenly between Ryan’s Place and Ben’s House, two local nonprofit organizations that work with grieving children and women in need of shelter, respectively.

“Thank you to the Community Foundation for matching the donations for the good of this community and thank you to those who donated for supporting our local organizations,” Mayor Stutsman said. “I’d also like to thank Nick Kieffer for always being willing to support our community and finding ways fun while doing it.”

About two weeks leading up to the annual meeting, Mayor Stutsman challenged Kieffer to a “Best Holiday Outfit Contest.” The goal of the contest was to raise contributions for local nonprofit organizations or community initiatives.

Donations were to be sent by the day before the annual meeting so the grand total would be counted. If a minimum of $5,000 were raised, both Mayor Stutsman and Kieffer would don their best Christmas outfits at the annual meeting. The day of the meeting, the winner of the “Best Holiday Outfit Contest” would be named, and the winner would later name the local group (or groups) to receive the donation.

Although the initial goal of $5,000 was not raised in time for the meeting, Mayor Stutsman and Kieffer still turned the stage into an impromptu runway to show off their extravagant ensembles.

The Community Foundation offered to give an additional $5,000 at the event, and the fundraiser continued until the week of December 16. A final donation that came through the door this week, bringing the total raised close to $5,000.

“I am always amazed by the generosity in this community,” Mayor Stutsman said. “I want to invite anyone who is thinking giving this time of year, to please don’t forget about our local organizations that serve our community year-round.”

Mayor Jeremy Stutsman and other elected officials will have their formal oath of office ceremonies at the following times and dates:

• Mayor Stutsman will be sworn in following the end-of-year category transfer meeting for the City Council. The meeting will be held Thursday, Dec. 26 at 5:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 111 E. Jefferson St.

• Clerk Treasurer-elect Adam Scharf will be sworn in at noon Wednesday, Jan. 1 in City Hall, 202 S. 5th St.

• Council members will be sworn in at the beginning of the first Council meeting of the year. The meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

All City offices will close at noon Tuesday, December 31, and will be closed all day Wednesday, January 1 in observance of New Year’s Day.

Trash collection services will be normal on New Year’s Eve, off on New Year’s Day, and delayed by a day afterward.

All City of Goshen offices will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24 and 25, in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Trash collection services will be normal on Christmas Eve, off on Christmas Day and delayed by a day afterward.