COLUMBIA SPY

Columbia residents know that their little river town is full of interesting shops and restaurants, as well as rich historical significance. Apparently, the Smithsonian is also aware of Columbia's wonderful qualities, because the organization named the borough number 13 in its 2014 list of the top 20 U.S. small towns to visit. MORE: http://news.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=102189

http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-council-supports-bill-to-allow-local-police-to-use/article_ec9aea44-cff8-11e3-af0e-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

Caught a big 'un - a carp, that is.  Scooping the chicken dung at McGinness's field on Friday afternoon . . .  and placing it in the hopper.  Back to the pile for another scoop  At the Earth Day celebration at Sahd's, a young bag lady shows how many plastic bags the average American uses in a year. Here, she's talking to the bottle guy who's showing - well, you guessed it.  A male cardinal, one of the abundant variety of birds around town.  A tunnel at Shawnee Creek, near Mill Street  The Laurel Hill Cemetery regulations have been reposted after going missing for a while.  Hey, where's Jr?  This dachsund caused a minor traffic jam on South Fourth Street on Saturday afternoon.  Oblivious to the commotion he caused, he soon sauntered off. Old-timey gas pump  Here's another one, from when gas was 41 cents a gallon.  The Lake Meade Fire & Rescue crew pr...

http://www.yorkblog.com/yorktownsquare/2014/04/16/5-images-explore-wrightsvilles-bridgehead-upstream-and-down/

Recently, large piles of what appear to be chicken feces and feathers have been accumulating on the grounds of McGinness's airfield near Manor and South 9th. The recent high winds are probably capable of spreading the particulates from these piles. Here's a link to information about the potential health hazards of chicken feces: http://www.idph.state.il.us/health/infect/Poultry.htm And do we even want to talk about the smell?

http://parivertowns.com/m/events/view/Fourth-Friday-in-Columbia-Marietta-Wrightsville-2014-02-27-0

Columbia Borough is doing more than an annual spring cleaning over the next few weeks — the borough is also celebrating, mulching and auctioning. MORE: http://m.lancasteronline.com/columbia/news/columbia-borough-cleaning-up-and-celebrating-with-spring-events/article_b76f1124-caee-11e3-b43c-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

A Department of Public Welfare call center that seemed on track to bring 300 jobs to Lancaster County beginning in October is on hold. The eight bidders on the state's call for proposals seeking 32,900 square feet of office space for the center were informed this week that the state had withdrawn it. MORE: http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/state-withdraws-call-for-office-space-in-lancaster-county/article_327f6cde-cb16-11e3-82f6-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

The community is invited to the annual Earth Day event, taking place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, at the Sahd Metal Recylcling salvage yard, located at 1045 Lancaster Ave., Columbia. Numerous businesses and organizations will set up displays and interactive exhibits for children and adults to explore. Admission and activities are free; however, interested attendees may register and complete a safety waiver by visiting www.recycleyourmetal.com/earthday.html . The event will be held rain or shine. MORE: http://news.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=101775

Little Caesars will be going in at the former Pizza Hut site along Route 462 (Lancaster Avenue), next to Mountville Motors. It seems fitting that a pizza place will replace a pizza place.

Members of the Columbia Borough Police Department both gave, and received, awards at the Monday, April 14, council meeting. MORE: http://m.lancasteronline.com/columbia/news/columbia-police-give-and-receive-awards-for-dedication/article_29ed002e-c5a6-11e3-849b-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

It's been 20 years since farsighted officials and individuals dared to dream of a 14-mile, multiuse paved trail along the Susquehanna River that would celebrate its beauty, rich transportation and industrial history, and draw visitors to its river towns. Now, with a flurry of spring construction underway and the missing links falling into place, the reality of the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail is finally within sight. By this fall, the public should be able to walk or bike 9 contiguous miles from the old Point Rock railroad tunnel on the northern edge of Columbia to Bainbridge's American Legion Park in Conoy Township. MORE: http://m.lancasteronline.com/sports/outdoors/mile-northwest-lancaster-county-river-trail-nears-finish-line/article_8eaed5c8-c803-11e3-bd91-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

The answer is "yes." GO HERE: http://m.motherjones.com/environment/2014/04/west-texas-hazardous-chemical-map

New lights being installed on Locust Street Activity at the former Pizza Hut site on Route 462 Still leaking at Columbia Plaza

Due to cloud cover, observers in this area were unable to view Tuesday morning's lunar eclipse, but here's a replay from another vantage point . . .

Columbia has earned the national Tree City USA award for 22 consecutive years. The notable achievement is due in large part to the efforts of the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission (CBSTC) and the Columbia Tree Society. The two organizations will sponsor the 23rd annual Arbor Day event at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 25. Participants will gather at Rotary Park, located at Second and Chestnut streets in Columbia. MORE: http://news.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=101385

A black Angus steer that got loose from a Lancaster County farm had to be put down after it led emergency responders on a chase along the Susquehanna River Saturday afternoon, said Chad Livelsberger, fire chief with Wrightsville Fire and Rescue Company. MORE: http://www.ydr.com/

On Saturday morning, April 12, the River Park Focus Group held a public meeting at the Columbia River Park pavilion to invite discussion of future improvements of the park area, river front, and Northwest River trail Services Building.  Mayor Leo Lutz conducted a tour of the area with the two dozen or so citizens who attended.  At the subsequent discussion and brainstorming session, several proposals were offered, among those: clearing the brush and trees from the Civil War era bridge abutment and piers to create an observation area, extending and improving walking trails, and creating a camping area. Mayor Lutz led a tour of the grounds.  Mary Wickenheiser offered her thoughts as Councilwoman Stephanie Weisser listened.  Several of the group members  Mayor Lutz explained his vision for the area.  Other group members proposed ideas.  Illustrated plans  A discussion group Borough Manager Sam Sukolsky disc...