All City of Goshen offices will be closed Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

Borden Waste Away will not collect trash on Thursday. Trash collection services will be delayed by one day after July 4 this week.

Also, this is a reminder that flags are not lowered during the Fourth of July holiday.

With the Fourth of July week kicking off fireworks usage, Mayor Jeremy Stutsman has an important message for the community: remember our state and local fireworks regulations and be safe when lighting up fireworks.

“I hope everyone gets to enjoy a happy and safe Fourth of July with their family,” he said. “Please be sure to use fireworks responsibly to avoid injury or causing a fire.”

In Goshen, a local city ordinance was adopted in 2007 at the urging of residents concerned about neighborhood safety and noise. Regulation is controlled by parameters imposed in state legislation.

Consumer fireworks are allowed by state legislation and local ordinance from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset (or until approximately 11:20 p.m.) from June 29 through July 9, except July 4—they are allowed from 10 a.m. until midnight on that day. Any other times require Board of Works approval and must be on real estate owned by a government entity. Fines for violations may be up to $500 per incident.

To report a violation of the fireworks ordinance, citizens are welcome to call the non-emergency dispatch phone number—533.4151. The caller must supply an exact address of where the violation is occurring in order for a police officer to respond effectively to the call.

Local regulations apply to “consumer fireworks” as defined in state statutes. To read the state statute on fireworks, click here.

Always remember the following safety tips when interacting with fireworks:

• Use extreme caution when lighting fireworks in the wind. Keep spectators where the wind is blowing smoke and debris away from them.
• Never smoke or consume alcohol when lighting fireworks.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
• Steer clear of others setting off fireworks. They can backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.
• Do not attempt to make or alter any fireworks or firework devices. Always have a fire extinguisher or water supply, such as a hose or bucket of water, nearby. Only light one firework at a time and never attempt to re-light or fix a “dud” firework.
• Be considerate of individuals with PTSD and other types of medical conditions. The noise can cause severe stress and reaction in neighbors.
• Think about pets. Animals have sensitive ears and can be very frightened or stressed by firework sounds.

The Interurban Trolley fixed route service and the Interurban Trolley ADA Access service will not operate in Elkhart or Goshen on Thursday, July 4, 2019, due to the Independence Day holiday.
In addition, the ADA Access Dispatch office be closed on Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, 2019.

ADA Access riders who will be scheduling trips for Friday, July 5 through Monday July, 7 need to do so by 4:00 PM (EST) on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.
Regular transit service will resume on Friday, July 5, 2019.

All City of Goshen offices will be closed Thursday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

Trash collection services will be delayed by one day after July 4 that week.

Bring your friends and family Saturday, July 6, to the third annual America’s Freedom Fest, featuring Rotors N Ribs, a daylong celebration featuring an airshow, 5k run/walk and fireworks display. The event will take place at the Goshen Municipal Airport, 17229 CR 42, Goshen, Indiana.

 A full schedule of all events can be found at americasfreedomfest.net.

Tickets in advance are $12 for adults and $4 for children. At the gate (the day of the event), tickets will cost $15 for adults and $5 for children. Children under the age of 5 are free-of-charge, as are veterans with military ID.

For those wanting to watch only the fireworks display, gates will open at 9 p.m. No tickets will be required at that time.

Advance tickets can be purchased at the following locations:

• First State Bank (locations in Goshen, Middlebury, Elkhart and South Bend)
• Goshen City Hall, 202 S. 5^th St., Goshen
• 5&20 Country Restaurant, 7995 Hwy 20, Shipshewana
• Double R Grocery, 65730 SR 13, Millersburg
• Gardners Outdoor Power Equipment, 2804 S. Main St., Goshen
• Goshen Municipal Airport, Main terminal building, 17229 CR 42, Goshen

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has declared that tomorrow Thursday June 27 is an Air Quality Action Day for St. Joseph and Elkhart Counties for Ozone.

This means that meteorologists have Predicted that weather conditions will be conducive to high levels of ozone pollution.  These actions will help lower emissions that contribute to the formation of ozone:

• Use public transportation: Free rides for the Interurban Trolleys in Elkhart and Goshen
• Carpool, walk, or bike to work & on errands
• Delay mowing your yard until evening
• Walk or carpool to lunch; or bring your lunch to work
• Turn off your car while waiting for trains
• Refuel your car in the early morning or the evening
• Avoid unnecessary automobile trips; do your errands on your way to or from work
• If you have to drive, park in the shade to limit gasoline evaporation

For more information about actions you can take, visit the Clean Air Michiana website. If you have questions, contact MACOG at 574-287-1829 or macogdir@macog.com.

The Goshen Municipal Airport is proud to host, for the third year in a row, the annual Air Supremacy over Goshen Show from July 11 to July 13. This giant-scale, remote control aircraft event is bound to bring a fun, family-friendly time for Goshen residents and surrounding communities.

More than 250 museum-quality aircraft, of wingspans of 80 inches or more, will soar through the skies controlled by more than 100 radio control craftsmen from all over the Midwest. Flying will take place between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. all three days.

The show will feature aircraft from WWI, The Golden Area, WWII, and the classics like the Piper Cubs and even military-style turbine jets! Food and hobby vendors will be located at the airport during the shows as well.

Event co-founder and Coordinator RJ Monroe invites all residents as well as anyone from around the region who may be interested in learning more about the R/C aircraft.

“The Goshen Municipal Airport has become the home of our event, which each year brings record numbers of pilots from around the Midwest,” Monroe said. “Our airshow also brings spectators from all ages, so come to our show, bring a lawn chair or a blanket, sit back, and enjoy the flights!”

The event is open to all spectators and or groups, for just $5 a person, Children under 12 with a paid adult, veterans and military enter free of charge.

NOTE: Please use the U.S. 33 entrance to airport flying site just a few miles south of the Walmart Supercenter. Follow the signs to Air Supremacy over Goshen. Maps and directions are available at www.flygoshen.com.

The Goshen Board of Works approved changes to the Lincoln Avenue milling paving project schedule Monday, June 24.

While the portion of Lincoln Avenue between Third Street and the Elkhart River bridge will reopen to traffic on June 25, the next closure will not be until July 8. That is when Lincoln Avenue will be paved from 3rd to Main Street.

The final portion of Lincoln Avenue to be paved, between Main to 8th streets, will not be closed until the week of July 29.

The changes to the schedule were made to avoid road closures during July First Fridays (July 5) and the Elkhart County 4-H Fair (July 19–27).