COLUMBIA SPY

http://fox43.com/2013/01/31/woman-shoots-up-with-kids-in-car-cops-find-needles-drugs-in-diaper-bag/

Testimony closed Wednesday evening on an application to allow full-nude dancing at a Columbia Borough strip club. "We want to be nude like every other BYOB club in Pennsylvania and not work at a disadvantage," said Cassandra Fisher, general manager of Club Good Times, 425 Union St., where she also dances. "Everyone would make more money if we were nude." The community, however, was firm in its opposition to the plan. During nearly 30 minutes of public testimony before the borough's zoning hearing board, several residents registered their displeasure with the bar. Union Street resident Biddie Helton said patrons exiting the club once harassed her to the extent that she pulled a shotgun on them. Helton said it "is not fair for any woman in this town for their husbands to go into that bar and to witness these women taking their clothes off. This town does not need nude women. If they want to get naked, let them go to a parking lot and get naked." MORE  ...

PA made the "Terrible 10" list. http://www.cw15.com/news/local/story/Report-finds-low-income-working-families-are/iDsbper1lUCgEW1_egCY3Q.cspx

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Local-police-chief-working-with-schools-to-make/vinxG4CrbkeK_yduvf5wlA.cspx

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/01/susquehanna_river_fishing.html#incart_river_default

Mayor Leo Lutz of Columbia provided a copy of borough policy, which says stray dogs are held temporarily at the borough shed. If a dog's owner is not identified within four hours, dogs are taken to Columbia Animal Hospital for care. "After 48 hours, if the dog is still in the care of the Columbia Animal Hospital and an owner has not been identified, the canine will be euthanized and cremated," the policy states. "It is not the borough's intent to euthanize animals, but to find them homes," Lutz added. "This procedure is to give guidelines for operation. We will make every attempt to find a home for the animal," including efforts to find foster care beyond the initial 48 hours while an owner is sought. http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/808315_Local-SPCA-proves-to-be-an-attractive-option.html

Several sections of fence on the Cherry Street side of Mount Bethel Cemetery are detached and lying over.  An adjacent section, still standing, is badly bent.

Today, workmen started pouring cement at the Cycle Den site.

Go  HERE  for the article.

http://fox43.com/2013/01/29/poll-finds-gov-corbetts-approval-rate-plummeting/

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/808727_Regional-planning-still-has-its-place.html

Is Columbia next? http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/01/central_dauphin_school_board_a_5.html#incart_m-rpt-2

I just noticed that the Turkey Hill Minit Market on 462, across from 9th Street, is closed.  Now, there's an empty building right next to an empty building that used to be a Pizza Hut. Hang in there, Mountville Motor Sales and Royer's Flowers and Gifts.  We need you!

"Our final report is firmly grounded in sound science, and we expect that EPA will agree with it based on the science presented," DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. "Based on the science and law, we do not believe that the main stem of Susquehanna River should be proposed as impaired under the Clean Water Act. While we recognize that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and others had requested that DEP propose to impair a 98-mile stretch of the Susquehanna River, as we have pointed out on many occasions before, that view is based on very limited, piecemeal data and is not supported by the existing data or the law. But DEP takes the concerns expressed about the Susquehanna very seriously and we are doing something about it. We will be taking, separately, a comprehensive and strategic approach to ensure that the Susquehanna River is protected." http://fox43.com/2013/01/28/dep-secretary-provides-update-on-susquehanna-river-waterways/ Go  HERE  for a previous a...

Guess what? The show is fake. Is anyone surprised? http://www.cw15.com/mostpopular/story/Ex-wife-of-Breaking-Amish-cast-member-speaks-out/bRHFbzPreEGqgDdZqvtmCA.cspx

http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/20130128_Sally_Starr__iconic_Philly_TV_personality__dies_at_90.html

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/808314_Leader-of-new-animal-shelter-here-brings-rich-background.html

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/808312_How-much-can-Columbia-bare-.html

Today around noon, I noticed footprints on the ice down by the old bridge.  The ice was only about an inch thick along shore, but someone had to try walking on it anyway. I've heard tales of how, during some severe winters in the 1950s, guys would drive cars - on the ice - across to Wrightsville. No thanks.

Emergency personnel were kept busy yesterday due to the snowfall. Here is a screenshot from LCWC at about 7:24 p.m.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/01/outdoor_show_gun_rights_advoca.html#incart_river_default

http://m.wgal.com/news/Police-Homeowner-holds-robber-at-gunpoint-until-police-arrive/-/17430522/18291036/-/lvvef2/-/index.html

GO  HERE.

How do we get this guy off the public payroll? http://www.cw15.com/news/local/story/CEO-of-Liquor-Control-Board-set-to-retire-become/eA2ajSYrcEii0sa6BhDC3w.cspx

This deal is really starting to stink. http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/01/lottery_privatization_camelot_4.html

Columbia woman attends rally in Washington. http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/807477_Hundreds-of-Lancaster-County-residents-join-March-For-Life-in-Washington-in-protest-of-legalized-abortion.html

"He'll be back under a state law that allows former employees to return on an emergency basis while collecting their pensions." What's the emergency - advising on whether to choose red or white? This escapade has the unmistakable bouquet of ripoff. http://www.cw15.com/news/local/story/Pa-liquor-chief-to-retire-return-as-consultant-at/vcCiJeBa3kCZDEYFGBkwPw.cspx

When are they going to inspect the Veterans' Memorial Bridge?  There are a lot of large cracks in the piers. http://fox43.com/2013/01/25/penndot-to-inspect-norman-wood-bridge-jan-28-30/

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/807273_Hempfield-High-School-senior--once-thought-dead-in-crash--comes-home.html

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/807160_All-kinds-of-artworks-show-up-at-the--Show-up-and-Show-Show-.html

This afternoon at 4:49

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/807144_Prosecutors-seek-death-penalty-against-Columbia-couple-in-homicide-of-infant-son.html

She'll oversee compliance, in contrast to the "look the other way" policy of previous years. http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/PSU-names-college-official-as-integrity-officer/0BcH_N35n0eSKh3Smcy2Ig.cspx

It's getting crazy out there. http://m.ydr.com/yorkdaily/db_301241/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=HzVbmUF3

This has been the week from Hell - if Hell were cold, windy, and frozen over, that is. When daytime temps are only in the teens and 20s, the prospect of a day even slightly above freezing is enough to warm the cockles of one's  heart. (What the hell ARE cockles, anyway, and are they something I should talk to my doctor about?) The worst thing about winter, though - besides heating bills, dead batteries, and frozen pipes - is there's no one to blame it on. I can't point the finger of shame (frozen though it may be) at those rotten Republicans in Congress, or big banks, or the CIA, or the military-industrial complex. Which makes one frustrated, as well as cold. My main recourse is to bitch and grumble to whomever will listen, and no one will, not voluntarily anyway, and I don't blame them. This morning, we got a dusting of snow, just enough to be a nuisance. Tomorrow - more snow? Who knows? Certainly not the local weathermen. I hate that false certitude they t...

PPL Electric Utilities will increase tree trimming and removal along its power lines this year to further reduce tree-related power outages and improve the reliability of electric service for customers. http://fox43.com/2013/01/24/ppl-electric-utilities-expands-efforts-to-reduce-tree-related-power-outages/

Today reminds me of death. The bitter air, the long shadows, the frozen ground. Now I know why they call this the dead of winter. I need to get out of this cold. Birds in bare trees try to out-lament each other by chirping and squawking about who's coldest. I'm down at the tracks. A Norfolk Southern train rumbles by. I wonder what's in those train cars. If a train ever derails, toxic chemicals could escape from a ruptured tank car and kill everyone in their sleep up to 3rd Street and beyond. Hopefully, one of the cars will also leak nitrous oxide so everyone can die laughing.

Great. Now get to work breaking up the big banks. http://fox43.com/2013/01/23/state-rep-aims-to-make-federal-gun-laws-null-in-pa/

http://fox43.com/2013/01/23/ugi-wants-consumers-to-be-aware-of-carbon-monoxide-danger/

NRA withdraws from show.  Good, keep withdrawing...back a little more...a little more...keep going...keep going.... http://fox43.com/2013/01/23/nra-withdraws-from-eastern-sports-outdoors-show/

Columbia Borough should mandate this proposal.

Three hawks and an eagle?  Take this guy's gun away!   Oh wait, someone did.  Let's hope it's permanent. http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/806328_Amish-farmer-charged-with-killing-young-eagle.html

Go  HERE  for the info.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/806317_Stray-dog-policy-revised-in-Mount-Joy-Township.html

http://fox43.com/2013/01/22/police-investigate-rape-at-nursing-home-in-lancaster-county/

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/806164_MAHS-to-host-talk-on-Shenks-Ferry-and-Susquehannocks.html

Today's high will be 20° F.  Daytime temps won't get above freezing until this coming Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Yeah, but what took so long, Penn State? You got caught big time, so now you're gonna comply. Someone needs to dig deep and find out how many other cases were covered up. http://www.philly.com/philly/news/homepage/20130122_Pennsylvania_State_University_now_a_leader_in_Clery_compliance.html

Go  HERE  for info.

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Blue-Monday-Monday-known-as-the-most-depressing/W-f9cpsl10mMegiUKkIZMg.cspx

http://m.wgal.com/news/Lititz-could-be-named-coolest-small-town/-/17430522/18216130/-/1o62xxz/-/index.html

Jonal Gallery/Alverta Arts Shop 653 Locust Street - Columbia, PA 17512 717.681.9400 http://www.jonalgallery.com/Invites you to a special Fourth Friday Event, January 25, 2013 5:00-9:00p.m. Enjoy the exciting opening of resident artist, Dale Weibley, "Black - White and Beyond" as he introduces his newest pen & ink "NEMO'S ARRIVAL" now in polychrome.... Come see "Nemo's Arrival" in black & white and polychrome and enjoy a new twist to Jules Verne's popular "Captain Nemo." Did he truly exist only in fiction or could he have been the scientific genius behind Jules Verne's writings? You decide! Either way, Dale Weibley offers a visual insight and thought-provoking stimuli into other possibilities not previously explored. Whether you leave believing Captain Nemo remains as a character in Jules Verne's novels or the science behind them, you will never truly dismiss the possibility! Dale Weibley will also premier...

http://fox43.com/2013/01/21/cat-shot-with-arrow-lancaster-crime-stoppers-offers-reward-in-animal-cruelty-case/

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/805701_Northwest-River-Trail-is-taking-shape.html

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/805612_Hempfield-board-gets-schooled-in-Web-learning.html

Go  HERE  for article.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/805238_Columbia-school-board-considers-options-for-tax-increase.html

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Which-is-easier-buying-a-gun-or-a-cat-CBS-21/B7kaJ2bQ006D5XcKkhMRmA.cspx