http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/832407_Egg-hunt-delights-crowd-in-Columbia.html
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
“Amish Mafia Tour” aims to disprove show’s claims | WPMT FOX43
Discovery Channel's hit "Amish Mafia" bills itself as a reality show, but local historian Brad Igou says it's anything but real – and he can prove it. Igou is opening a new attraction called the "Amish Mafia Tour" that will show visitors the shooting locations. Much of the show was shot on the farm of the Silverstone Inn just off of Route 30, including the barn that housed main character Lebanon Levi's office.
MORE HERE:
http://fox43.com/2013/03/29/amish-mafia-tour-aims-to-disprove-shows-claims/
Found-metal sculptures forged from scrap, imagination - LancasterOnline
Roger Dorsey is a heavy metal artist.
He finds inspiration in scrap yards. In fact, he's a regular at Frank Sahd Salvage Center in Columbia, where workers sometimes set aside interesting pieces of -- well, let's be honest, most people would consider it junk -- for his use.
"I'm like one of the family," he says. "They treat me really well."
MORE HERE :
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/831652_Found-metal-sculptures-forged-from-scrap--imagination.html
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Marauders banding together to keep out Corbett | PennLive.com
To say that Millersville University has picked a controversial speaker for its spring commencement this year is putting it mildly.
Students, faculty and alumni in Marauder Nation have signed a petition to oppose the university's choice. A group has set up a Facebook page voicing their outrage. Emails are pouring into the university administration's offices. Students are meeting this afternoon to organize some kind of response.
So who is generating this reaction?
None other than Pennsylvania's 46th governor – Tom Corbett.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Columbia Center Offers New Service
Displaying the new portable ultrasound equipment at Columbia Pregnancy Center, a location of Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Services, are (from left) director Nyla Martin, nurse manager Rebekah Will, and sonographer Linda Page.
The Columbia Pregnancy Center, a location of Susquehanna Valley Pregnancy Services (SVPS), has announced that it now offers first-trimester ultrasounds via a portable equipment system.
The Columbia Pregnancy Center is located at 501 Walnut St., Columbia. Its hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, as well as 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. To obtain more information or schedule an appointment, readers may call 684-3400.
MORE HERE:
http://news.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=83150
Go HERE for the center's website.
Go HERE for the center's website.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Columbia council seeks solution for sewage - News - LancasterOnline.com
Columbia Borough Council took the wastewater treatment plant problem and the need to comply with clean water regulations in an entirely different direction Monday by asking Lancaster Area Sewer Authority for a proposal to purchase the entire system.
The 5-1 vote to turn to LASA came in response to concerns raised by residents that the solution favored by the municipal authority — refurbishing the plant — was expensive and short-sighted.
MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/830753_Columbia-council-seeks-solution-for-sewage.html
PART III: Preservationist's curse - News - LancasterOnline.com
Lancaster, Strasburg, Columbia and Lititz have established historic districts under state guidelines. These districts also are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They encompass thousands of residences and other structures.
Historical Architectural Review Boards, or HARBs, sit in judgment on proposals for exterior modifications, including demolition, in all of the districts except Lititz, which has a slightly different system. Alterations include removing a porch or replacing wood windows with vinyl.
The point of monitoring these changes is to preserve the integrity of the historic districts. Methods of meeting that objective still draw occasional controversy decades after the historic districts were established.
MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/830391_PART-III--Preservationist-s-curse.html
County's mayors weigh in on proposed gun-control measures - News - LancasterOnline.com
He mixed no words when expressing his opinion on the Mayors Against Illegal Guns proposals.
"I'm totally against it," he said. "While I recognize there are issues as far as guns go, I believe if we simply enforced the laws we already have, we'd be better off.
"We don't need any new laws."
Lutz has been asked to join the Mayors group, but has rejected the offer
"I don't choose to support them," he said.
MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/830403_County-s-mayors-weigh-in-on-proposed-gun-control-measures.html
Monday, March 25, 2013
What I saw recently
Pics from the last week or so:
Much progress at The Cycle Den
Meanwhile at 3rd & Mill, the phone books were still hanging around.
And the broken glass was still there.
That's been how many months now?
The fence at River Park was still bent.
And this phone box was dangling at 462 & 6th.
Last Friday, this vehicle and trailer traveled through town,
with music blasting from the trailer.
"Rolling" ads were featured on either side of the trailer.
Another ad appeared after a few seconds.
The Easter Bunny made an appearance at Trin's, to the amazement of the two boys on the left.
There were lotsa hearts at Musser's.
Starlings ate from the cat dishes while the cats were away.
And kept watch - just to be safe.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Prosecutor wants Punxsutawney Phil put to death for poor prediction | WPMT FOX43
Yes. Do it. Please. End this silly tradition once and for all.
http://fox43.com/2013/03/22/prosecutor-wants-punxsutawney-phil-put-to-death-for-poor-prediction/
Fourth Friday, Scooby-Doo and 'Angels' - LancasterOnline
Can't wait 'til First Friday to get your art fix in downtown Lancaster? You don't have to. You can sate your appetite this weekend, too, during the Rivertowns Fourth Friday celebration. Each month, the towns of Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville showcase their creative offerings in much the same way downtown Lancaster does. Friday from 5 to 9 p.m., visitors can enjoy a variety of art exhibits and explore specialty and antiques shops in all three towns.
MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/828858_Tips--Fourth-Friday--Scooby-Doo-and--Angels-.html
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Columbia officials 'ecstatic' over statewide park award - LancasterOnline
Columbia officials are "ecstatic" about a statewide honor bestowed on the borough for its ongoing River Park project.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Police: Lancaster County man arrested after he leads Wrightsville police on chase, jumps in river - The York Daily Record
A Lancaster County man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after he led Wrightsville Borough Police on a chase and then jumped into the Susquehanna River, leaving his pregnant girlfriend as she ran into the woods, said Wrightsville's Chief Ron Hege.
Columbia River Park receives state award for improvements - LancasterOnline
Columbia River Park won the Keystone 20th Anniversary Award for an exemplary Parks and Recreation project funded by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.
The award was presented to the Borough of Columbia, Lancaster County, at the state Capitol on Monday as part of a celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Keystone Fund.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
'Superbug' alert is sounded - LancasterOnline
A deadly superbug being called a "nightmare bacteria" is circulating in Lancaster County, and federal health officials are urging hospitals and nursing homes across the country to protect their patients from it.
"This is going to be a big problem as we move into the future," said Dr. Neil Greene, chief of Lancaster General Health's infectious disease division. "It is going to be a potential major public health threat."
The superbug is actually a family of germs that are difficult to treat because they're highly resistant to a group of antibiotics called carbapenems, which often are used as a last resort to treat serious infections. The germs are referred to as carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae, or CRE.
Federal health officials refer to CRE as a triple threat. The germs are resistant to all or nearly all antibiotics. They also have high mortality rates, killing up to half the people who get serious infections with them.
Most chilling, perhaps, is that the bacteria can spread their resistance to other bacteria, jumping from bug to bug, so a bug that causes pneumonia can transfer antibiotic resistance to a bug that causes urinary tract infections.
MORE HERE:
Saturday, March 16, 2013
On the subject of security . . .
In a recent newspaper article HERE, Dave Lewis, general manager of the Columbia Water Company, is quoted as saying "they" are going to review the security at the Water Company site where the water storage tanks are located. A good place to start might be the boundary between Laurel Hill Cemetery and the Water Company's property. Currently, there is no fence or any other barrier between the properties to keep unauthorized people out.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Drinking Water Problem Corrected
Please note that the Do Not Consume Advisory has been cancelled and it is now safe to drink and use your water for all purposes. The DEP test results indicated that no contamination occurred. For more information about this public notice, visit our website at www.columbiawaterco.com to read the entire public notice or call 1-877-407-2808 to hear this message again.
http://www.columbiawaterco.com/emergency-notice.php
Columbia schools closed as investigation of water-plant break-in continues - LancasterOnline
Updated Mar 15, 2013 12:11
Columbia Borough School District was closed Friday while the state continued testing the community water supply for possible contaminants.
A "Do Not Consume" order issued to about 8,700 customers after a break-in at a water plant overnight Wednesday remains in effect.
The school was closed as a precaution, said Jeff Helm, health officer and zoning and planning officer for the borough.
Helm said he advised school district Superintendent Barry Clippinger Thursday night that water fountains would be off limits and food workers would have to use bottled water if the schools stayed open.
"Hand washing at this point," Helm added, "it's all questionable."
Helm said Friday morning that the state Department of Environmental Protection was checking for a wide array of potential foreign substances.
It could get worse
Let's hope not, but here's an update from ABC 27 News.
(The link to the original article, which has more information, is at the bottom of this post.)
We've heard the bad news, now here's the (potential) worse news:
If the water is found to have been contaminated, the tanks will need to be sterilized or replaced, which could take several more days if not weeks.
Columbia Borough schools were closed Friday in light of the advisory.
While the advisory is in effect, the company is providing tankers of water, which are stationed at the Columbia Shopping Plaza and the Columbia Shopping Center. Residents will need to bring their own containers to carry water.
Tap water should not be used for drinking, cooking, food preparation, oral hygiene, or for pets until further notice, officials said. If ice cubes were made with tap water before 3:30 p.m. on March 13 they should be thrown away.
The water can be used for sanitary purposes such as bathing and washing but not for washing dishes.
UPDATE: Possibility of contamination has Columbia residents filling up on bottled water - CBS 21 News
UPDATE: Nearly 9,000 water customers in Lancaster County are not allowed to consume their water even if it's boiled. However, officials now say it is safe to bathe and wash clothes.
Columbia Water Company issued the ban saying the water may have been contaminated after someone broke into one of the water storage tanks The ban is affecting Columbia, Mountville and parts of Manor Township.
Because of this schools and offices in Columbia School District are closed today as is Columbia Child Care and Learning.
Officials say tests will be done to see if the water is safe - but that could take a few days. In the meantime water buffaloes have been set up so people can bring their own containers and take as much water as needed.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Columbia Water customers should not drink water
COLUMBIA, PA - Columbia Water customers should not drink water March 14, 2013 03:15 PM EDT
Customers of Columbia Water Company have been asked to not drink water due to potential contamination, according to company officials.
Officials said a break-in at a storage tank/pumping station happened early Thursday and they are not sure if the water was tampered with.
Customers in the Marietta Division of Columbia Water company are not affected.
Columbia police said they were called to a storage tank north of the borough about noon Thursday.
Below is the full statement from company officials.
Columbia Water Company is issuing a "DO NOT CONSUME" order for customers of Columbia Water Company due to potential contamination of the drinking water supply. It was discovered today that a break-in occurred over night at one of the storage tank/pumping station locations. At this time, it is unknown if the water in the storage tank was tampered with.
This notice applies to the following customers: All customers of Columbia Water Company except those in the Marietta Division.
DO NOT DRINK THE WATER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Customers are asked to not use the water for drinking, cooking, food preparation, oral hygiene or providing to pets until further notice.
Throw away ice cubes if made with tap water after 3:30 p.m. on March 13. The water can be used for sanitary purposes such as bathing and washing. If you have specific health concerns, you may wish to consult your doctor.
Alternative water supplies are being provided by Columbia Water Company. Columbia Water will be providing a water tanker to residents as needed. The water tankers will be stationed at the Columbia Shopping Plaza and the Columbia Shopping Center. You will need to bring your own containers to transport your water.
Corrective actions are being taken by Columbia Water Company. We have isolated the storage tank that was possibly tampered with. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is conducting sampling of the tank and the distribution system to identify any potential contamination. We will be draining the tank after sampling has been conducted.
Columbia Water Company anticipates resolving the problem within 3-5 days. Notice will be issued when the problem is resolved and this advisory has been lifted.
For more information visit our website at ColumbiaWaterCo.com or call the Columbia Water Company at 717-684-2188.
Most Popular Stories
Artist Bob Hammer - Closing reception this Saturday
Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Weavings, INK. Art Gallery
208 Hellam Street, Wrightsville, PA 17368
(T) 717-252-3518 www.weavingsink.com
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Vultures in Columbia
The vulture problem that was presented to borough council at this week's meeting was previously discussed by commenters to this blog at a post HERE.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Vultures 'hang out' in Columbia - News - LancasterOnline.com
Turkey vultures are "more than a nuisance," Columbia resident Cy Greenya told borough council Monday.
Greenya estimates the number of turkey and black vultures that roost in the trees along the back of his property to be near 100. They tear up roof shingles and destroy patio furniture. The vast amount of feces, he said, must be a health hazard.
Vultures are federally-protected migratory birds, he said, so property owners have limited options in dealing with the problem.
MORE HERE:
What I saw this weekend
On Saturday, unseasonably warm temps convinced these small spring flowers to emerge.
Two mallards went wading in Shawnee Creek.
These guys went wading in the Susquehanna.
They were members of New Holland's Liberty Fire Company.
They trained on Saturday and Sunday at River Park.
(The three photos above were taken on Saturday.)
An overseer on shore watched the proceedings.
On Sunday, these folks were walking along the railroad tracks at the bottom of Locust Street.
They were searching for something.
I assume they had placed a penny on the track, and it got lost after a train ran over it.
About noon, clouds passed over the area, but didn't hang around.
The sun returned mid-afternoon.