Category Archives: News & Events

Updates, messages and other announcements are posted under this category with the intent to notify residents. Posts under this category are emailed in a newsletter at the end of the 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.

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.  

2023 Leaf collection is underway

The 2023 Fall Season leaf collection began in October 2023.  There is no set schedule for leaf collection.  The crews follow a route through the City and keep rotating through the route until all the leaves are picked up. The leaf collection season usually ends in mid-December.

With those beautiful leaves falling all around us , we want to make sure our community stays vibrant and water-drainage friendly. So, we’re kindly requesting your help to keep our storm drains leaf-free and our streets puddle-free!

Here’s how you can join in and make our neighborhoods shine even brighter:

  • Clear those storm drains near your home or business, allowing rainwater to flow freely and reducing ponding.
  • Skip the Curb Piles: Please avoid piling up leaves along the curb, which can lead to drainage issues. Let’s keep our streets leaf-free!
  • Spread the Word: Share this post with neighbors and business owners to spread the word about this leafy mission.

For more details on leaf collection visit: https://goshenindiana.org/street-department

Wilden Ave. Set to open soon

Wilden Avenue will soon be open, but not this Saturday as planned. Reith-Riley informed the City they will need to keep the road closed until 12 PM Friday, November 17, in order to finish concrete and grading work. When they open, we anticipate a smooth ride between Indiana Avenue and Main Street!

Boil Order: Blackport Dr. to S 29th St.

Starting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, a water main valve was shut off to repair a hydrant valve. A Boil Water Advisory has been issued for East Goshen from Blackport Drive to S 29th Street, for when the water comes back on.

It is recommended that all cooking and drinking water be brought to a complete boil for five minutes before using.  Please continue to boil all cooking and drinking water until a notification that it is no longer necessary.

We appreciate your cooperation during this time and will update you as necessary until the drinking water problem has been solved.  If you have any questions concerning the drinking water problem, please contact your water department at 574-534-5306 or waterseweroffice@goshencity.com.

More info on boil orders can be found below:

Park restroom access during the fall and winter season

As the temperatures drop and winter approaches, it’s essential to stay informed about the status of park restroom facilities in your area. Remember to check the park’s specific hours of operation, as these may vary. Keeping this information in mind will help you plan your outdoor activities with ease during the fall and winter months.

The Unheated Park Restrooms Are Closed for the Season

First and foremost, please note that the unheated park restrooms are now closed for the season. As the colder weather sets in, these facilities are temporarily shut down for maintenance and safety reasons. But don’t worry, there are still options available for your convenience.

Heated Restroom Facilities

For those who prefer the comfort of heated restrooms, there are two locations you can count on throughout the season:

  1. Abshire Cabin (1302 E. Lincoln Ave): This charming cabin offers a heated restroom facility for your comfort. It’s a great option for those visiting the park in the vicinity of E. Lincoln Ave.
  2. Shanklin Park Warming Building (near the pond) (411 W. Plymouth Ave): Located near the picturesque pond, this warming building houses a heated restroom facility. Enjoy the scenic views and warmth during your park visit.

Portable Restrooms

In addition to the heated facilities, there are portable restroom locations available for your convenience at the following sites:

  1. Shoup Parsons/Goshen Dam (755 Fair Oaks Dr): If you’re exploring the beautiful Shoup Parsons/Goshen Dam area, you’ll find portable restrooms here to cater to your needs.
  2. Pumpkinvine Trail (near CR 28): Whether you’re hiking, biking, or just taking a leisurely stroll along the Pumpkinvine Trail, you can access portable restrooms near CR 28.
  3. Oakridge Park Area (Wilden Ave. Trail at 1st Street): Enjoy the natural beauty of Oakridge Park and its surroundings while knowing there are convenient portable restrooms nearby.
  4. Fidler Pond Park (1424 Lincolnway E): If you’re spending time at Fidler Pond Park, you can rely on the availability of portable restrooms for a comfortable experience.

We want you to make the most of the beautiful outdoor spaces in our community while staying comfortable and prepared for the changing seasons. So, don’t let the cold weather deter you – embrace the beauty of fall and winter in your local parks.

Don’t forget to ‘Fall Back’! Daylight Saving Time ends on November 5, 2023

As the leaves change color and the air gets crisper, it’s a sure sign that autumn is in full swing. With the changing of seasons comes an important reminder – the end of Daylight Saving Time! On November 5, 2023, we will set our clocks back by one hour, officially marking the return to Standard Time.

Why ‘Fall Back’?

Daylight Saving Time (DST) is a practice where we adjust our clocks forward by one hour in the spring and set them back by one hour in the fall. The concept is simple – we “spring forward” in March to make better use of natural daylight during the longer days of spring and summer, and in November, we “fall back” to return to Standard Time as the days become shorter.

What to Do:

On the night of Saturday, November 4, 2023, before you head to bed, remember to set your clocks back by one hour. This simple action will ensure that you’re in sync with the new time schedule.

Safety Check:

This is also an excellent time to check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s a small step that can make a big difference in your safety.

Conclusion:

Daylight Saving Time is a timeless tradition that helps us make the most of daylight throughout the year. So, on Sunday, November 5, 2023, remember to set your clocks back, enjoy the extra hour, and embrace the coziness of autumn as we transition into the Standard Time zone.

Meet the 2023-24 Kid Mayor finalists

Meet Amari Stoll, Lincoln Tolin, Christopher Budiardja, Philip Gingerich, Elyana Rojas Lopez, and Ainsley McPhail, the six 2023-24 Kid Mayor finalists.

Finalists will participate in the Goshen First Friday Parade of Lights on November 3 and give speeches at the November 13 Goshen City Council meeting. The election will take place on December 1. The new kid mayor will be announced at the December 4 city council meeting.

Any fourth-grader with a Goshen address was able to submit a video as to why they should be the next Kid Mayor, and all of Goshen’s fourth-graders will vote for the next Kid Mayor. 

Meet the finalists

Amari Stoll attends Chamberlain Elementary School. Amari enjoys academics, being outside, and joking around with her siblings. Amari says she would make a good Kid Mayor because she is good at being organized and professional.

Lincoln Tolin attends Model Elementary. Lincoln describes himself as kind, helpful, responsible, respectful, and generous to all people in the world. Lincoln loves basketball, football, math, and spending time with his family and friends.

Christopher Budiardja is a student at Chamberlain Elementary School. Christopher loves to play soccer during recess with his classmates. He plays violin and likes to help others. Christopher would like to become the Kid Mayor because he loves Goshen and wants it to be the best community it can be.

Phillip Gingerich is a student at Chamberlain. Phillip describes himself as funny, smart, and creative. He enjoys spending time with his family. Phillip would like to be elected Kid Mayor because he believes he could make a big impact on Goshen.

Elyana Rojas Lopez is a student at Parkside Elementary, where she is an ambassador. She likes reading and can speak both Spanish and English. She would like to be a marine biologist. Elyana would like to be Kid Mayor because she loves to help her community.

Ainsley McPhail attends Prairie View Elementary. Ainsley loves to stay active and play volleyball. She is also a big Baby Yoda fan. Ainsley thinks she would be a good Kid Mayor because if she is elected, she will be responsible and kind.

Happy New Water Year

Read the newsletter by clicking the following link: bit.ly/SWNews_Oct2023.

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, there are three articles:

  1. Happy New Water Year – Find out what the “water year” is and why it is important to understand how much water falls from the sky from place to place and during different seasons of the year. Additionally, find out how you can help monitor rainfall by becoming a volunteer with CoCoRaHS
  2. Find out the origins of the word “hydrology” in the next installment of the “Why are there so many words for waterways?” series. 
  3. The Value of Water has been calculated at $58 Trillion by the World Wildlife Foundation! Water has immense value but we continue to have “water blindness” to this important resource. Find out more.

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.