The following press release is from the Michiana Area Council of Governments.

The Interurban Trolley fixed route service and the Interurban Trolley ADA Access service will not operate on Wednesday, December 25, 2019, or Wednesday, January 1, 2020 due to the Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays. Regular service will resume on Thursday, December 26, 2019, and Thursday, January 2, 2020. The ADA Access service and ADA Dispatch Office holiday hours are as follows:

• Monday, December 23, 2019 – ADA Dispatch Office Will Close at 2pm
• Tuesday, December 24, 2019 (Christmas Eve) – ADA Dispatch Office Closed
• Wednesday, December 25, 2019 (Christmas Day) – ADA Dispatch Office & Access Service Closed
• Thursday, December 26, 2019 – ADA Dispatch Office Will Open at 8am Wednesday, January 1, 2020 (New Year’s Day) – ADA Dispatch Office & Access Service Closed

ADA riders should schedule transportation as follows:

• For Tuesday and Thursday; December 24 and 26 trips should be scheduled by Monday, December 23, at 1:00 PM (EST).
• For Thursday, January 2, trips should be scheduled by Tuesday, December 31 at 4:00 PM (EST).

The Interurban Trolley information offices will also be closed December 23, 24 and 25, 2019, and January 1, 2020.

The following press release is from the Greater Elkhart County Stormwater Partnership.

The Greater Elkhart County Stormwater Partnership is again distributing a free, two-year calendar entitled “Elkhart County Water Resources 2020-2021 Calendar.” This calendar uses pictures donated by local photographers, combined with information boxes, to increase awareness of our rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands, and how to protect them. 

Information in the calendar includes:

• The answer to the question: What is a watershed?
• The importance of native wildflowers, water infiltration, and soil health for water quality.
• The importance of different erosion and sediment control practices on construction sites.
• Information on water quality, water monitoring, and the impact of urban stormwater runoff.
• Information on different agricultural practices farmers use to protect water quality.

While supplies last, copies of the calendar are available at a number of public locations in Goshen and throughout the County, including: 

• City Annex Building (204 E. Jefferson Street, Goshen)
• City Hall (202 S. 5^th Street, Goshen)
• Parks and Recreation Office (524 E. Jackson Street, Goshen)
• Reith Interpretive Center (410 W. Plymouth Avenue – across from Shanklin Park, Goshen)
• Sewer & Water Billing Office (203 S. 5^th Street, Goshen)
• Wayne Wogoman Welcome Center at Fidler Pond (1424 Lincolnway East, Goshen)

• Bristol Town Hall (303 E. Vistula St., Bristol)
• Elkhart County Administration Building (117 North Second St., Goshen)
• Elkhart County Parks Administrative Office (211 W. Lincoln Ave., Goshen)
• Elkhart County Public Services Building (4230 Elkhart Rd., Goshen)
• Elkhart County SWCD office at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen
• Elkhart Environmental Center (1717 E. Lusher Ave., Elkhart)
• Elkhart Public Works & Utilities (1201 S. Nappanee St., Elkhart)

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.

Monday, December 16 will start the last week of leaf collection for the Street Department.

Rake leaves into long piles on the grass next to the street or sidewalk beside the curb, not more than 6 feet from the curb. For the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, if you must pile leaves on the sidewalk, please leave as wide a walking path as possible.

Leaves must be kept out of the street. Residents and property owners that have a storm drain in front of their property are asked to keep the drain area clear of leaves. This will help reduce the chances of water backing up on City streets. Bagged leaves will be collected, but it slows the city-wide collection down drastically. The leaf vac crew has to empty the bags out in order to vacuum up the leaves and they will leave the bags on the property.

Do not place leaves in the alley—they will not be removed. Do not put sticks, twigs and other trash into or on top of the leaf piles. These items can damage the vacuum equipment and force crews to pluck these items from the leaves—another time-consuming task.

Located at 20100 CR 19, the Goshen Environmental Center accepts brush and leaves, loose or in bags, at no charge to Goshen residents. The Environmental Center is open 52 weeks a year. Winter hours are in effect from Dec. 1st through March 31st with hours being Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Their number is number is 533-6200.

Additional traffic signs will be placed near Goshen High School to help with traffic flow.

A trial stop sign will be placed on the north-south alley south of Madison St., west of 10th and Monroe for southbound traffic.

The trial will be for one month, at which time the traffic commission will determine it it will be requested as a permanent sign.

Parking is restricted on Tulip Boulevard at Clinton Avenue. The restriction will be on the west side of Tulip Boulevard for 50 feet south of Clinton.

The reasons for the restrictions were that cars parked near the intersection make it difficult for vehicles maneuvering at the intersection, and it is difficult for residents nearby to pull out of their driveway.

The Board of Works approved Monday the traffic Commission’s request to close Franklin Street, between 7th and 8th every school day during dismissal from 2:30 to 3 p.m, when school buses are being loaded.

As part of the approval, the school will be responsible for the placement of cones on either end of the closure to alert the traveling public.