Category Archives: Blog

Friendly PSA: How to dispose of special waste during the holiday season

‘Tis the season full of cooking, gift wrapping, and new toys. With many households producing a little more waste in the coming weeks, we wanted to take some time and remind residents how they can properly dispose of some of the more unique kinds of waste that occur during the holidays.

Fats, Oils, and Grease (F.O.G.s), oh my!

Did you know that anything you dispose of through your kitchen sink makes it into the City’s sewer system? That’s one of the many reasons F.O.G.s should not be put down your kitchen sink. Not only will it cause problems for our municipal sewer system, but it can also clog up your household drains and pipes. Instead of sending F.O.G.s down the drain, below are a few alternative disposal options:

  • Pour F.O.G.s into a sturdy container and let harden. Dispose of it in a trash can. (Bonus points if the container is repurposed or recycled!).
  • Scrape hardened F.O.G.s straight into a trash can.
  • Use paper towels to soak up F.O.G.s from used dishes before washing.

Wrapping paper and ribbons galore

Before you put all your wrapping paper in the recycling bin, make sure to take a look at the design. Any paper that is glittery, metallic, or uses foil is likely not recyclable. If you’re not 100% sure, scrunch it into a ball. Does it stay scrunched? If yes, it can be recycled. If it flattens back out or unfolds, it likely can’t be recycled. Any tape, bows, or ribbon should be removed from the paper and thrown away before it hits the recycling bin.

I upgraded electronics; now what?

Did you get an upgraded electronic as a Christmas gift? If you’re getting rid of old electronics, make sure to recycle them properly. If you’re unsure where to recycle e-waste, check out the City’s household hazardous waste page for more info on local resources.

City of Goshen awarded state volunteerism award

The Environmental Resilience Department poses with the award. Back L to R: Lee Bergey; Aaron Sawatsky-Kingsley, Director of Environmental Resilience; Levi Moser. Front L to R: Theresa Sailor, Education Grant Writer; Melanie Helmuth, Urban Forestry Assistant; Acadia Imhof; Alexa Kennel; Brandi Devoe, Office Assistant; Anna Osborne.

Goshen Mayor Gina Leichty accepted the Government Entity Volunteerism Award on behalf of the City of Goshen during the 2023 Serve Indiana Awards for Excellence Ceremony on Wednesday, November 15. Mayor Leichty presented the award to the Department of Environmental Resilience on Friday, December 1.

“I want to thank the Department of Environmental Resilience and all of our AmeriCorps volunteers, past and present, for pushing Goshen forward and modeling the impact of volunteerism,” said Mayor Leichty.

The Government Entity Volunteerism Award recognizes any local or state government entity that has substantially impacted Hoosier communities through contributions of time and talent during the 2023 calendar year, demonstrating an ongoing community impact through volunteerism or philanthropy.

The City of Goshen was nominated and selected for this award largely for its successful partnership with the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) and the AmeriCorps program.

The partnership between MACOG, AmeriCorps, and the Environmental Resilience Department began in 2022 when the city hosted two AmeriCorps members, Shae Dirks and Acadia Imhof. In this federal program, individuals commit to a year of service in their community, earning a modest living allowance, health care, and an education award in exchange. The City is hosting three full-time and two part-time AmeriCorps members this year: Lee Bergey, Acadia Imhof, Alexa Kennel, Anna Osborne, and Levi Moser.

Over the two-year partnership, AmeriCorps volunteers have served over 9,800 hours on a dozen projects focused on community sustainability and public health, including organizing a women’s bike ride, designing and installing a rain garden, surveying trails to assess necessary repairs, and preparing over 700 trees to give away as part of Arbor Day.

Beyond partnering with MACOG and AmeriCorps, city staff regularly promote volunteer opportunities for the public, such as tree plantings, food events, and local clean-ups.

About Serve Indiana

Serve Indiana is a division of the Department of Workforce Development for the State of Indiana. The mission of Serve Indiana is to advance service and volunteerism by informing, connecting, and promoting opportunities and resources that enrich the lives of Hoosiers. This is accomplished through several programs and initiatives, including AmeriCorps State Funding, Day of Service Grants, and the Awards for Excellence.

Goshen to provide warming centers during winter months

The City of Goshen, Elkhart County Emergency Management, Goshen Interfaith Hospitality Network, Faith Mission, and Goshen Public Library have teamed up to provide a place of warmth for our residents this Winter at the Goshen Public Library during normal business hours.  Please check on your friends, family, neighbors, homeless, and the elderly during the winter months. Contact the Goshen Police Department if you need assistance checking on someone.Anyone in need of shelter outside of normal Library business hours or if the library is closed, please contact the Goshen Police Department for assistance (574)536-1790 or (574) 533-8661

Goshen Public Library Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM

Tuesday: 1 PM – 8 PM

Friday: 10 AM – 6 PM

Saturday: 10 AM – 4 PM

Hold onto those leftovers: trash pick up delay

Heads up! If your usual trash and recycling pickup is on Thursday or Friday, your service will be delayed one day due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The Thursday route will be picked up on Friday, and the Friday route on Saturday. Regular pickup will resume on Monday, Nov. 27th. Please plan accordingly and hold onto those leftovers a bit longer! Thank you all for your cooperation.

November Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter

Read the newsletter by clicking the following link: bit.ly/SWNewsNov2023.

The goal of the Goshen Stormwater Department is clean water for everyone and everything. One way this is achieved is through public education and the Stormwater Toolbox Newsletter is one of many ways this is accomplished. 

In this month’s newsletter, a message of thanks is shared for the help the community gives to keep our local waterways clean. In addition, there are three articles:

  1. November 16 is National Stormwater Day – The National Municipal Stormwater Alliance declared November 16 to be National Stormwater Day as November 16, 1990, is when the Federal Register included notice of the promulgation of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase I MSP program marking this a major day in the stormwater community.
  2. The series on the origin of words used to describe waterways draws to a close this month with a focus on the word used to describe the smell in the air after a summer thunderstorm: Petrichor.  
  3. Holiday F.O.G. Warning – F.O.G. stands for fats, oils, and grease and if these are dumped down a drain it can harm the health of our sewers and local waterways. Find out the proper ways to handle F.OG.s during the holiday season and year-round.

If you have concerns about stormwater drainage or water quality issues or have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact the Goshen Stormwater Department at stormwater@goshencity.com or 574-534-2201.

Goshen Parks’ Nights of Lights event returns to Shanklin Park

The City of Goshen Parks & Recreation Department will kick off its Goshen Nights of Lights event at Shanklin Park on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23.

“We’re excited to bring back the event to Shanklin Park this season,” said Parks Superintendent Tanya Heyde. “This is an event many families enjoy and look forward to, and we hope many more take the opportunity to create new fun memories at this year’s drive-through, bike-through, or walk-through light show.”

Started last year, Goshen Nights of Lights is a celebration of the holiday season full of animated light silhouettes, walk-through silhouettes, and tree wrappings. The event will run from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. daily through New Year’s Day.  

Bryce Gast: A Goshen life remembered

Bryce Gast, Goshen’s Administrative City Engineer, passed away suddenly on October 3, 2022. Bryce embarked on his journey as the City of Goshen’s Administrative City Engineer in May 2019. From the very beginning, he displayed a passion for his work that would leave an indelible mark on the landscape of Goshen. His commitment to excellence and unwavering dedication to the city’s development set the stage for a remarkable tenure.

Recent, substantial upgrades to Goshen’s Wastewater Treatment Plant—much of the work designed and implemented over the years, with Bryce in a lead role—involved replacing pumps and clarifiers dating back to the 1960s and 70s, expanding the facility’s aeration tank system, installing a more energy efficient blowing system, and installing a new dewatering building for the plant’s biosolids.

Read more about Bryce’s life and his contribution to the City of Goshen.

Read More
Remembering Bryce

City of Goshen cuts ribbon on newly reconstructed Wilden Avenue 

Goshen Mayor Gina Leichty was joined by Dustin Sailor, Director of Public Works and other city and community partners to celebrate the opening of West Wilden Avenue on Friday, November 17.  

“I’m continually grateful to Dustin and the entire engineering department for their dedication to bringing much-needed improvements to our City’s infrastructure as they did here at Wilden Avenue,” said Mayor Leichty. “Roadways and sidewalks are part of our everyday lives, so it’s important to continue to invest in projects like this one.” 

This $7.3 million project includes new pavement with curbs and gutters, new sidewalks, construction of a new storm sewer, and realignment and widening of Wilden Avenue at State Road 15. For the neighborhood, one of the most significant changes is the sidewalk; taking this entire stretch of walkway from one of the worst in the city to one of the best. 

The project, designed by Abonmarche, completed by Rieth Riley Construction Co., and inspected by DLZ Corporation, improves pedestrian safety and mobility, asphalt pavement, traffic flow, truck access at the intersection of Wilden Avenue and State Road 15, and drainage.  

Planning for this project began several years ago. and was considered a high priority due to it having some of the worst-rated sidewalks in the City and drainage issues tracing back to the 1960s. Construction was completed in two phases beginning in March from Rock Run Creek to 1st Street and then 1st Street to State Road 15. Last year, the City reconstructed East Wilden Avenue from State Road 15 to 5th Street.  

Assistant Chief of Police Shawn Turner honored at First Light Mission banquet 

R to L: Jasmine Moorehead, First Light Mission (FLM) Communications Director; Brad Rhoade, FLM Board Member; Laura Rhoade, FLM Board Member; Aime Jarvis, FLM Intake Coordinator; Assistant Chief Shawn Turner; Mindy Moorehead, FLM Executive Director

Assistant Chief of Police Shawn Turner was awarded the Compassionate Heart Award by First Light Mission during its annual “A Place at the Table” fundraising dinner on Tuesday, November 16.

“In my 13-plus years, Shawn has worked to make things easier for all of us in keeping everyone safe,” said Mindy Moorehead, Executive Director of First Light Mission. “He shows compassion to all our guests whenever he is around and has gone above and beyond many times over the years.” 

Turner humbly accepted the award, saying, “The only reason an award should be accepted is because I’m part of an administration that believes in compassion and empathy.”  

Turner has been dedicated to helping with any roadblocks First Light Mission has faced over the years, such as setting up wants and warrant checks for guests. At times, when food has been shared with first responders, he will direct some to First Light Mission. 

“I’m proud to know our administration has contributed to a cultural shift of showing more empathy and understanding, in part, because we highlight the good work of our officers internally and publicly when it’s deserved,” said Turner.  

This is the second year First Light Mission has given out its Compassionate Heart Award, which goes to a police officer that First Light Mission believes has gone above and beyond. Last year, Sergeant Corey Mosher received the award.  

About First Light Mission 

First Light Mission is devoted to providing a place of refuge and fresh starts for the homeless in crisis by providing resources and temporary shelter in partnership with congregations and the community.