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Columbia police chief tells Borough Council department is understaffed, overstretched and "not sustainable"

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Columbia Borough Police Chief Holly Arndt addressed council Tuesday night. JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY  Police Chief Holly Arndt told Columbia Borough Council on Tuesday night that her department is operating with too few officers, too little administrative support and almost no legal guidance. She said that "continued operation without addressing these issues would NOT be responsible." Arndt, who took command of the department May 1, delivered a lengthy prepared statement at council's October 13 meeting. She described a department in need of what she called "a foundational rebuild." Arndt said the department has 13 patrol officers, one of them on light duty. It has no lieutenant and no administrative sergeant. By comparison, the borough website, (which still lists Brommer as chief) describes a department of 19 full-time officers, three part-time officers and two full-time support staff.   Since August 25, officers have answered 1,784 calls for service, which Arn...

Final signs go up on Walnut Street as project nears completion

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A worker uses a core drill to create holes for signposts. JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY  Crews installed signage Tuesday afternoon along the 100 and 200 blocks of Walnut Street, the final step in the Walnut Street project. To install the signs, a worker used a core drill to bore holes into the new sidewalk. The holes will hold the signposts. Among the signs installed were a one-way sign and a combination of a "No Right Turn" sign with a supplemental "No Parking" sign restricting parking on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The no-parking signs were posted along the street near the intersection with Front Street.  Workers with Atlas Flasher & Supply Co., Inc., carried out the work.  This sign was placed in a tree well. Some signs, like this one, stand well above eye level.

Mayor Lutz declares 100 & 200 blocks of Walnut Street one-way westbound

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Mayor Leo Lutz has declared the 100 and 200 blocks of Walnut Street one-way westbound, according to an official notice from the Borough of Columbia dated October 8, 2026. The declaration follows completion of construction and line-painting on the two blocks that narrowed the roadway to a single vehicle lane and a two-way bike lane. In the notice, Lutz said the change was made so the corridor can be traveled safely. The one-way designation is temporary. It remains in effect until borough council ratifies it within seven days. The October 13, 2026 council meeting agenda lists " Ordinance 2026-968 One-way Walnut Street" under New Business. If council approves the ordinance, the one-way designation will become permanent.  In the meantime, drivers who use Walnut Street should expect westbound-only travel on the 100 and 200 blocks while the declaration is in effect.

Columbia school board rejects changing stadium name to honor coaches Jack Yohe and Mike Burke

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CHRISTY RAE AMMONS | | For LNP | LancasterOnline When: Columbia Borough School Board committee meeting, Oct. 6. What happened: Board members discussed a prior request to name the football field and stadium after two former coaches, John “Jack” Yohe and Michael Burke. Member Thomas Zeigler spoke in support of the naming; however, President Charles Leader, Vice President Lauren VonStetten and other members opposed it, noting that other requests to name buildings and fields had been denied. Quotable: “I respect the work that Jack and Mike put into the program. There’s no question they should be honored,” said Leader, adding, “Once we do it (name a facility), then somebody’s going to want us to do it again and again and again …. There’s an end line somewhere and we’re trying to draw that now.” Details: Since a majority of the board was against the request, a consensus was reached. Rather than naming the football com...

Agenda — Columbia Borough Council Meeting — October 13, 2026

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The meeting packet is  HERE .

Deeds Recorded — Columbia Borough — October 12, 2026

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The estate of Grace E. Sholly conveyed 228 Cedar St. to Vero Homes LLP for $40,000. Desanctis Christopher, Morris Kylie L. conveyed 755 Locust St. to Aziz Samy Tawfik for $140,000. Tynes Sherie L, Weaver Cathy A. conveyed 314 Perry Street to Ewing Ashley N, Ewing Robert Russell for $160,000. Barley Matthew F, Barley Ellen R. conveyed 419 Chestnut St. to Jacqueline N. Morales for $270,000.

About Town — October 11, 2026

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Photos of Columbia, PA Week ending 10/11/26 Walnut Street, Keystone, Halloween, and more Horse overlooking the Walnut Street project  Speaking of the Walnut Street project . . . And someone forgot their wheelbarrow.  ***************** The last of the Keystone photos . . . ***************** A state trooper pulled over a pickup truck hauling a shipping container — or two? ***************** Signs of the season . . . ***************** Bikes No pooping or peeing 7th Street & O Avenue  Canoemobiles VOTE FOR BRAD! ###