COLUMBIA SPY

LANCASTERONLINE A retired Columbia police chief is suing the borough for allegedly short-changing his monthly pension payments. MORE HERE: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/877003_Former-chief-suing-Columbia-Borough-over-his-pension-.html

Some pics from around town over the last few days . . .  These notices have been popping up on properties around town lately. The government is once again in the process of confiscating private property.  Grammar anyone?  So what DID happen at this property on the 200 block of Locust? It's the same place as shown  HERE .  Little Boy Blue casting his fate to the wind (or at least his line to the water).  The hands of fate?  Nah, just more cool kitsch at Burning Bridge Antiques.  Jailed without due process  Spelling . . . ?  Hitchin' a ride  Seen on the 200 block of Union Street.  Is it legal? If so, I want one for my property that says WHOVIAN ZONE. Seen in Wrightsville. Hmmm . . . .

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/875912_Columbia-lunch-program-keeps-kids-happy--healthy.html

LANCASTERONLINE The state Game Commission is looking for the person who shot a Canada goose through the chest with an arrow, an injury that eventually claimed its life. MORE HERE: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/875510_State-seeks-person-who-shot-goose.html

LANCASTERONLINE The state Public Utility Commission voted 5-0 on Tuesday, July 16, to approve a state Department of Transportation plan for new warning signals at the intersection of Walnut and North Front streets in Columbia. The railroad crossing will receive new warning gates on both sides of the tracks at the intersection and a traffic signal will be installed. In addition, the railroad crossing at Locust Street and Front Street will be closed permanently, according to Columbia Borough Manager Sam Sulkosky. MORE HERE: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/875553_New-controls-approved-for-Columbia-rail-crossing.html

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/875218_Leaders-in-five-municipalities-in-northwestern-part-of-county-work-on-agreement-regarding-Northwest-Lancaster-County-River-Trail.html

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/875309_Columbia-man-killed-in-Dauphin-County-crash.html

The Columbia, Wrightsville and Marietta areas will host Fourth Friday activities from 5 to 9 p.m. on July 26. Attendees may experience the offerings of the river towns area during this at-your-own-pace monthly event by visiting galleries, antique shops, local eateries and specialty shops. Participants will have the opportunity to view exhibits from local and visiting artists, enjoy refreshments, and discover the uniqueness of towns along the Susquehanna River. For more information on specific gallery exhibits or shop offers, visit www.parivertowns.com or call 684-5249. http://news.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=88408

The Columbia VFW Band will present two free outdoor concerts in August. The Locust Street Park gazebo in Columbia will host the band on Sundays, Aug. 4 and 18. Both performances will begin at 6 p.m. In the case of inclement weather, the concerts will be cancelled. MORE HERE: http://news.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=88550

LANCASTERONLINE Some 18,000 vehicles cross the Route 441 bridge over Chickies Creek near Marietta every day. Many of those are heavy trucks carrying waste to the county incinerator in Conoy Township or pharmaceuticals from the Glaxosmithkline facility in Marietta. Yet the 85-year-old bridge on River Road is listed as "structurally deficient" by state Transportation Department inspectors and is one of 46 in the county on a list facing weight-limit restrictions. MORE HERE: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/874958_Many-county-bridges-deemed-structurally-deficient.html

Some pics from around town over the last few days . . .  Forgotten cap at Park School playground  License plate  Sheriffs  Broken window at Our Lady of the Angels on Sunday morning  A closer look  They're b-a-a-a-ck!!!  And the walkways show it.  What's the old saying about spit through a goose?  Oh that's right, it's not "spit."    Rose of Sharon complete with bumblebee  Wagon wheels at Burning Bridge Antiques With a little work, this tree at Laurel Hill Cemetery could be a topiary sculpture of Snoopy.  All he needs is a nose . . . and maybe a pair of World War I flying ace goggles.

Who or what killed the fish? Seen at Columbia River Park on Sunday morning, July 21, 2013. I also saw a large dead catfish with its tail chopped off and a dead carp in the same vicinity.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/873577_Woman-tells-police-her-boyfriend-robbed-convenience-store.html

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/873091_Car-hits-train-in-Washington-Boro.html

Columbia Borough Police in Lancaster County are looking for the suspect who robbed the Turkey Hill on Linden Street around 12:30 Wednesday morning.  He was able to leave the store with the cash register tray, but police are not releasing the amount of money that was taken.  Police believe he is in his early 20s.  He was last seen wearing a gray shirt and jean shorts.  He was driving a silver four door car with a PA license plate. Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation should contact the Columbia Borough Police Department at (717-684-7735). http://fox43.com/2013/07/17/columbia-turkey-hill-robbed/

The beginnings of a memorial at Lancaster Avenue and South Sixth Street, dedicated to the two people killed in yesterday morning's tragic vehicle accident A new look for Jesse the Computer Guy's truck A new look for Betty Boop, at Butcher's tattoo shop at Fifth and Locust A horizontal jiffy john at River Park

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/872517_Police-identify-driver--pedestrian-killed-in-crash-in-Columbia.html

Last night (July 14), a van went through a stop sign and hit a Mustang at 5th and Maple around 9:35. Speed appeared to be an issue. (Photos and information submitted by ducktapeman01. Used by permission.)

Some pics from around town over the last few days . . .  On Thursday at River Park, a young couple with three dogs barely under control, "accidentally on purpose" let one of the dogs loose to swim out and terrorize the local mallards.  What is wrong with some people?  Believe it or not, that's the dog's head denoted by the red arrow.  Here's a closer view of the same pic.  Unfortunately, it's not of very good quality, because I was using a small point-and-shoot, and I "shot from the hip."  The mallards were all females, and they didn't fly away, because their ducklings were with them.  The ducklings can't be seen in the photo, because they swam a bit further out to escape the predatory dog.  Here's a red-tailed hawk keeping watch over the railroad tracks from a height.  One-man band Nick Disanto performed at River Park on Saturday.  He has quite a set-up.  Later on Saturday afternoon, Washington Boro toma...

Emergency personnel responded to a vehicle accident at Lancaster Avenue and South Sixth Street today at 6:12 a.m.  A pedestrian and a 70-year-old man, an occupant of the vehicle, were killed.  A 66-year-old woman, another vehicle occupant, was taken to the hospital.  The vehicle, a white Plymouth van, hit the pedestrian before slamming into the sign post at Lancaster Avenue Garage. Police have not released the identities of the victims. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-684-7735. Go  HERE  for more information. The following three photos show emergency personnel hosing down the Lancaster Avenue Garage parking lot, where the accident occurred this morning.