COLUMBIA SPY

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/900127_Ummad-Rushdi-case-moves-to-court.html

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/899919_Police--Columbia-man-kidnapped-ex-girlfriend.html

On a picnic table at River Park. Fortunately, the "artists" used chalk.

http://m.wgal.com/news/woman-accused-of-stealing-11000-from-employer/-/17430522/22112722/-/c1wu61/-/index.html

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/898612_PennDOT-issues-list-of-county-bridges-and-weight-restrictions.html

The public is invited to register for the first-ever online public meeting to be held this Thursday, Sept. 26, as part of the update to the commonwealth's 12-Year Transportation Program. Those interested in participating in the webcast, which will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., can register at www.TalkPATransportation.com MORE HERE: http://fox43.com/2013/09/23/public-encouraged-to-participate-in-first-ever-online-public-meeting-for-pa-transportation/

http://m.cumberlink.com/news/local/penndot-to-host-first-online-public-meeting/article_65001a72-2522-11e3-bd49-001a4bcf887a.html?mobile_touch=true

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/breaking/ci_24163451/blast-fall-color-way-york

JONAL GALLERY/ALVERTA ARTS SHOP 653 Locust Street Columbia, Pennsylvania 17512 717.681.9400 jonalgallery.com This exhibit has a twist and will be held as a benefit exhibit for the local food bank. The Columbia Food Bank located at Saint Paul Episcopal Church - in the Mary Elizabeth Bair Parish Center at 340 Locust Street, Columbia. "The Columbia Food Bank has been providing food and other relevant assistance to clients as !an outreach of the church for approximately twenty five years. The food banks success is due to donations of food and finance from the community as well as support from it's dedicated volunteers." states the Director Danielle Peters. In 2012 the Columbia Food Bank provided 51,489 meals to approximately 1,052 households in the Columbia/Mountville area. The statistics speak for themselves - it indicates that this food bank is needed now, more than ever before. Peters states "No man, woman or child should have to go to bed hungry; no...

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/897947_Taylor-Elementary-School-in-Columbia-gets-new-playground-equipment.html

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/896943_Large-crowd-protests-U-S--Rep--Joe-Pitts--Republicans-over-attempts-to-repeal-Obamacare.html

The seasons will change this Sunday (Sept. 22), with the Northern Hemisphere moving into autumn and the South emerging from winter into spring. The celestial event that marks this transition is called an "equinox," and it happens twice every year, around March 21 and Sept. 21. Just what is an equinox, and why does it occur? GO HERE: http://m.space.com/22852-fall-equinox-earth-seasons-explained.html

http://news.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=91120

LANCASTERONLINE No one was injured when spilled molten metal triggered a fire and an explosion at a Columbia plant on Sept. 17, an official said. MORE HERE: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/895713_Fire--explosion-hits-Colonial-Metals-in-Columbia.html

Late Saturday night or early this morning, a vehicle ran off Route 462 and crashed though a concrete block support wall next to Royer's Flowers & Gifts.  The vehicle also demolished a real estate sign for the recently closed Turkey Hill Minit Market.  Columbia Borough police charged the driver with DUI. (The former Minit Market building was just purchased, and the owner plans to open it as a convenience store.)

Pics from the past week or so . . .  Fetching water A few pics from the Buddhist temple.  Interesting iconography . . .  The watcher. Compare this photo with the one right above it.  Just hitched  Big green gift for the bride and groom  Lurking  "Maintainance"?  Is that anything like "Maintenance"?  I agree that the word on the sign is probably how it should be spelled if our language made any sense, but "should-bes" don't make it so. And what's that phone number again?  Lost boutonniere, apparently screaming  The ghost of Elvis at the State Theater (actually a reflection). Aptly enough, quite a few of his movies played there back in the day. Speaking of ghosts . . . a ghost sign

Despicable Me did a flyover last week . . .

On my quest, I sought the Buddha but found only the final resting place of the Yellow Submarine. (2nd & Cherry)

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/894847_Police-searching-for-shooter-who-fired-into-Columbia-apartment.html

This posting showed up on several telephone poles around town over the weekend.  I don't know if these people are still missing.

http://lancasteronline.com/obituaries/local/893261_Barry-L--Doutrich.html

LANCASTERONLINE Columbia rallied in the final two minutes of the game to beat Northeastern 8-7 in a nonleague game on Friday night at Columbia. MORE HERE: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/892131_HIGH-SCHOOL-FOOTBALL-ROUNDUP--Columbia-earns-last-second-win-over-Northeastern.html

The Columbia Borough School District Board of School Directors has announced that the district's comprehensive plan will be placed on public display on its website beginning Sept. 9. Columbia is a Phase 2 district. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that all Phase 2 districts post their comprehensive plans for a 30-day public inspection period. The plan must then be approved by the board and submitted to the department by Nov. 30. The comprehensive plan serves as the framework to guide various district operations. After reviewing the plan, persons having comments should direct them to the superintendent's office.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/890827_Customers-protest-potential-water-rate-hike-in-Columbia.html

LANCASTERONLINE The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission will hold a public hearing in Columbia on Tuesday, Sept. 3, on the Columbia Water Company's proposal to raise water rates by 21 percent. The PUC hearing to receive public comment on the proposed rate increase will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Columbia Fire Department Station 801, 137 S. Front St. On June 13, the PUC voted to investigate the proposed rate increase. The total annual bill for a typical metered residential customer using 48,000 gallons of water a year would increase a total of $77.64, from $367.92 to $445.56. Columbia Water Co. provides water service to approximately 8,700 customers within Columbia and Mountville boroughs and West Hempfield, Manor and Donegal townships. Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments.  Customer testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.

Some pics from around town over the last week or so . . .  Visitors to the THE  The signs say NO PARKING.  Yeah, right, as if anyone could. Welcome to the jungle, It gets worse here every day.  Steps to nowhere  Even QRS needs help sometimes.  And so does RRTA  Sittin' down by the river (Actually, part of a photo shoot I infiltrated.)  Flag on the fence  Swallowtail  "Ladies in waiting" or just "Ladies waiting"?  Debra's new do Keeping a watchful eye on things