Tag Archives: Press Release

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.  

City of Goshen to honor Indigenous Peoples Day with special event

To celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, the City of Goshen Community Relations Commission will host a special event at the Goshen Theater on Monday, Oct. 9, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. honoring the region’s rich history as the land of the Potawatomi and Miami nations.  

Doors to the theater will open at 6 p.m., with information tables available in the lobby. The program begins at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the community.  

Fables Books, Potawatomi-Miami Trail Marker Group, and One Circle, a Goshen College club focusing on addressing injustices toward Indigenous People, will all have tables in the lobby.  

A selection of portraits from “Dancing for Our Tribe” by Sharon Hoogstraten, Potawatomi Citizen, will also be displayed in the lobby. Hoogstraten created this permanent record of present-day Potawatomis wearing the traditional regalia passed down through the generations but modified to reflect the influence and storytelling of contemporary life.  

This year’s presenters are: 

Iron Bear Singers 

Iron Bear is a drum group composed of the Southern Plains singing style and Ponca influence. The members of Iron Bear represent many tribes from the Midwest. The drum lives in Hammond, Indiana, and is cared for by lead singer Sterling Big Bear III. The group’s name comes from Sterling Big Bear’s great-grandfather’s brother, Iron Bear. They continue using the name Iron Bear to honor family and ancestors. 

Citizens of Pokagon Band of Potawatomi 

Pow Wow dancing demonstration featuring Men’s and Women’s Traditional and Women’s Jingle Dress Dancing. 

Cusi Ballew (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Citizen) 

Ballew will discuss food sovereignty and cultural sustainability as the Cultural Sustainability Lead for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Center for History and Culture.  

Erin Burggraf (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Citizen) 

Burggraf will share Indigenous children’s stories and the importance of uplifting diverse voices in literature. After her presentation, she will be available in the lobby to read children’s books to any kids and parents in attendance.  

Schedule of event:

6:00 – Lobby open to visit informational tables
6:30 – Traditional Potawatomi welcoming and welcome address from Mayor Gina Leichty
6:40 – Indigenous children’s books with Erin Burggraf (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Citizen)
7:00 – Iron Bear Singers and Pow Wow dancing demonstration
7:30 – Presentation on food sovereignty and cultural sustainability with Cusi Ballew (Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Citizen and Cultural Sustainability Lead for the Center for History and Culture)
7:50 – Final words and closing

CITY KICKS-OFF PUBLIC OUTREACH EFFORTS FOR WATER SERVICE LINE INVENTORY

GOSHEN, Ind. (June 5, 2023)—With a booth at First Friday celebrations, the City of Goshen’s Water Utility kicked off public outreach efforts last Friday night for its lead-safe water service line inventory program.

By October 16th, 2024 the City of Goshen’s Water Utility is required to submit a completed inventory of water service line pipe materials to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). While administered by the State, this requirement is part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2021 revision of the Lead and Copper Rule. 

At the Monday, June 5th City Council meeting at 6 p.m., City staff will present their efforts so far to meet this regulatory deadline.

The presentation covers regulatory updates, inventory methods, the public outreach resource hub website, and summer door-knocking efforts to assist customers in identifying their service line material.

Water service-line materials can be field checked by digging small holes to uncover them (“potholing”) and by observing water pipes coming into a building attached to a water meter. To conserve funds, the City will focus on the latter method first.

Summer staff will be making their way through the City over the next several months making home visits to record service line materials. These efforts will be continued into 2024.

As an alternative, City residents and facility managers can self-report service line materials using a guided survey found at https://leadsafe-goshenindiana.hub.arcgis.com/pages/verify.

Dustin Sailor, Director of Public Works, comments on the process, “Goshen Water Utility is committed to transparency throughout the process of inventorying water service lines across the City and will use the information we gather to make smart decisions about our public infrastructure funds.”

The lead-safe hub website includes more information on the current status of the water-supply system and will be updated frequently to reflect the City’s latest efforts and findings https://leadsafe-goshenindiana.hub.arcgis.com.