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Columbia's Brad Chambers is noted in national publication

By Columbia Spy -
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Brad Chambers [Columbia Spy file photo] DAVID PHELPS | DAILY KOS Brad Chambers, 35 , has followed a different path in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County. A Columbia native, Millersville University graduate, and labor administrator, Chambers challenged six-term Republican Brett Miller for the state House’s 41st District. His campaign biography describes being raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs. As the oldest of three brothers, he helped care for his younger siblings. After college, he struggled to find work and afford housing and healthcare. Those experiences inform his priorities. Chambers first challenged Miller in 2024 and lost, roughly 56 percent to 44 percent. He announced another run in August 2025 , giving himself more than a year to make his case again. As I write, Chambers has declared victory in the rematch , with preliminary results putting him ahead by a few dozen votes. Results remain unofficial. Source: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2026/11/12/800127467/co...
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Columbia man donates $220 to CCAT after meeting draws 22 attendees

By Columbia Spy -
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Columbia's Frank Doutrich   JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY Frank Doutrich of Columbia made good on a promise this week, donating $220 to CCAT at the organization's November 11 meeting. Doutrich had pledged to give $10 to CCAT for every person who attended the gathering, which was held at Columbia's National Watch and Clock Museum at 5th and Poplar streets. A total of 22 people turned out, bringing the donation to $220. CCAT is a 100% volunteer team formed to help decrease the feral cat population in Columbia PA in a humane/ethical way through TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate & return), and when appropriate getting cats off the street, according to the organization's website HERE .
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Fire Crews Respond to Report of Building Fire at Columbia High School

By Columbia Spy -
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Fire crews were dispatched Thursday morning to a school on Ironville Pike in Columbia Borough after a fire alarm was upgraded to a possible building fire. The initial call came in around 8:27 a.m. on Nov. 12 for a reported fire alarm at the school, near Ironville Pike and North Ninth Street. The incident was later upgraded to a building fire, and additional units were sent. Dispatch information shows the response included Traffic 80, Engine 80, Ladder 80, Engine 41 from York, Ops 02, and EM 9111. An operations channel was also assigned.
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Columbia's 11-11-11 Club Honors Veterans With Annual Memorial

By Columbia Spy -
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Kevin Kraft, Sr. rang the bell on the 11th hour at this year's 11-11-11 memorial service. He's shown here at the event several years ago. [Columbia Spy file photo]. Veterans, families and community members gathered Wednesday for the 11-11-11 Club's annual Veterans Day tribute, an event featuring speeches, music and personal stories of military service. The memorial began at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Red Rose Memorial VFW Post 2435, at Fourth and Manor Streets.  Stu Huggens was the keynote speaker at this year's event. He's shown here performing downtown last year. [Columbia Spy file photo] This year's keynote speaker was Stu Huggens, a Vietnam War veteran, musician and Columbia graduate. Huggens, 75, whose legal name is Stuard Hogentogler, is a well-known local musician. He recounted his two combat tours in Vietnam to the audience. The 11-11-11 Club exists for a single purpose: to hold a memorial event each Veterans Day in Columbia. Club Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Kraf...
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Columbia Council outsources finance and code work

By Columbia Spy -
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JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY  Brown Plus will handle accounting and finance for 2027; Commonwealth Code Inspection Service takes on rental inspections and zoning Columbia Borough Council on Tuesday approved two contracts that move much of the borough's day-to-day finance and code work to outside firms: one with the accounting firm Brown Plus and one with Commonwealth Code Inspection Service of Manheim. The votes came the same night council hired Keystone Municipal Solutions as interim borough manager at $120 an hour, and they reflect a broader shift toward contracted services at Borough Hall. Council framed both deals as temporary supports while the borough rebuilds. "We need to get something to get us from A to B," Councilman Kelly Murphy said of the finance contract.  Brown Plus takes over  finance The finance agreement runs from Jan. 1, 2027, through the earlier of Dec. 31, 2027, or the date the borough hires its own finance manager. It is billed hourly and as needed. Co...
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Veterans Day 2026

By Columbia Spy -
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"The Returned Soldier" at Locust Street Park   Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11 to honor all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. History and Meaning • Origin: The holiday started as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, marking the first anniversary of the end of World War I (hostilities ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918). • National Holiday: Congress made it a legal holiday in 1938. • Renamed Veterans Day: In 1954, following World War II and the Korean War, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans—both living and dead—who served in war or peacetime. • Memorial Day Distinction: Veterans Day honors all American veterans, whereas Memorial Day (in May) specifically remembers those who died while serving in the military. Observances and Closures • Official Events: Key traditions include wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, parades,...
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Columbia Council hires Keystone Municipal Solutions to run borough as interim manager

By Columbia Spy -
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JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY   Contract pays $120 an hour for up to 30 hours a week; council says outside help will stabilize operations as it searches for a permanent manager Columbia Borough Council voted Tuesday night to hire Keystone Municipal Solutions LLC to serve as interim borough manager, handing day-to-day management of the borough to the firm at $120 an hour for up to 30 hours a week. Keystone will provide Chad Saylor, its executive director, as interim manager. Council chose Keystone over a competing proposal from Stonehill Ratliff LLC of Chambersburg after interviewing both in executive session. What the agreement says Under the agreement, Keystone's interim manager will perform the duties of borough manager under borough policies and report directly to council. Those duties include supervising departments, overseeing purchasing and contracts, handling complaints, administering the adopted budget and grants, and attending meetings as directed. The manager must also give ...
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