COLUMBIA SPY

Set clocks back one hour tonight . . .

Today . . .

People will be able to walk on the new span Sunday afternoon without having to worry about traffic. They also will be able to trek on a portion of the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail that is finished. The trail, when completed, will connect historic towns, including Columbia and Marietta. MORE: http://www.ydr.com/story/news/2015/10/30/walk-columbias-new-bypass-bridge/74881028/

USAF Maj. Gen. Frank H. Smoker, Jr. (retired) was commander of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and one of eight flag officers from Columbia. MORE: http://www.ldnews.com/local/ci_29047601/county-currents-museum-at-gap-treasure-trove-military

The following article linked to this post lists the results of recent restaurant inspections conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which does them without charge to the respective municipality. Currently, Columbia Borough conducts its own inspections - through an overwhelmed and understaffed department - and at a cost to the borough. At a recent meeting, Columbia Borough Council said the matter is under review, and it is considering turning over such inspections to the state. We wonder why this was not done long ago. Here is your opportunity, borough council. The phone number is 866-366-3723. What are you waiting for?

At Columbia Borough Council's October Meeting of the Whole, Code Enforcement Officer/Supervisor Jeffrey Helm explained some of the workings of the codes department. Helm defined the purpose of a recent "courtesy notice" process - a reminder issued for a first time minor property issue to save clerical costs and time. He described it as more of a communication tool than an official notification. The form is a template containing a time-frame for corrections, which Helm claims residents appreciate, because it allows time for rectifying problems. He reported a 60-70% compliance rate, which he deemed "very successful." Council noted that the current ordinance may have to be changed to include the courtesy notice. Councillor Kelly Murphy noted negative feedback about the borough's current rental registration program and asked Helm for an assessment. Helm characterized the program, which monitors 800 buildings, as "a monster," because it consumes c...

Trick or Treat tonight, 6-8. Also:

Biomechanical art done by 717 Tattoo artist Jackie was posted here: http://www.picrail.com/l/3qo758/biomechanical-done-by-jackie-at-717-tattoo-in

Tonight . . . (Submitted photos)

GO HERE: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552

Police are charging a drug dealer for the overdose death of one of his customers. On September 5th, Columbia Police found Kody McKain, deceased in the Turkey Hill convenience store located at 301 Linden Street. Through an investigation, police identified Victor Nelson Virola, 22, of the 100 block of North Third Street, Columbia, as the person who sold McKain the narcotics that ultimately caused his death. MORE: http://fox43.com/2015/10/29/dealer-charged-for-overdose-death-of-man-in-columbia/

Seen today . . . Finishing the curb at Locust Street and Bank Avenue Digging a hole on Front Street, between Locust and Walnut Inserting a signpost into said hole Meeting at the crossroads

EASTON, Penn.  –  A fight promoter sued Brucekies Pub in Columbia, Pennsylvania and its managing member for allegedly unlawfully intercepting its telecast of the Ultimate Fighting Championships. MORE: http://pennrecord.com/stories/510644675-promoter-sues-brucekies-pub-for-intercepting-ufc-telecast

Columbia Borough Police Chief Jack Brommer informed council Monday night that two of the department's police vehicles need to be replaced. Brommer said Unit 4 (a 2011 model) needs to be replaced due to ongoing maintenance and other issues. According to Brommer, the vehicle has $3,000 in body damage due to a minor accident and has incurred an additional $1,400 in repairs in the past year or so. Councillor Sherry Welsh questioned the need to replace the vehicle, since the mileage is only 53,000. Brommer said the vehicle appears older than it is and offered to show it to her. Acting Borough Manager/Public Works Director Ron Miller stated that the average life expectancy for police vehicles is five years. Unit 4 replacement is scheduled for next year's budget. Brommer said another police vehicle is a total loss - a 2014 Ford Interceptor (Unit 6) recently involved in a head-on collision at North Fifth and Walnut. He added that he found a possible replacement vehicle on the lot...

Workers installed a sign at Columbia Plaza today for the Medicine Shop, which will be moving in next to Dollar General. Among the other changes at the plaza is an auto parts store that will be moving into the space recently vacated by the Columbia Family Restaurant when renovations are completed at the north end of the mall.

Trees at Columbia River Park that are slated to be cut down have been marked with spray paint.

We know there's a stairway to heaven, but a doorway to nowhere? How about several? These were seen today:  100 block of Avenue H (Note the plastic step stool beneath the threshold.)  100 block of Avenue H  On Bank Street, near Locust (There are at least two issues shown.) Not a door, but a window. Not just any window, but one with a dryer vent stuck through a piece of plywood. (200 block of Locust - third floor)

Some shots around town today . . . Columbia's a busy town, and today it was bustling:  Pole work on Barber   "Fixing a hole where the rain gets in" on Locust  Installing sidewalks on Eighth Trimming trees at Locust Street Park Meanwhile . . .  This truck appeared in the parking lot of a local business. Among other things, it contained portable electrical boxes attached to hand trucks. What?  Time to break out the Geiger counter to count rems and rads? Yes, probably.  TMI: It's never good when those letters appear together, whether they stand for "Too Much Information" or . . . something else.

At Columbia Borough Council's October 26 Meeting of the Whole, Acting Borough Manager/Public Works Director Ron Miller announced that the Route 441 bypass project might not be finished by Monday, November 2, as previously planned, and could take an additional week for completion. A walk-through is still planned for Sunday, November 1, 1-3 p.m. Here are some shots of the project from today:

Some scenes from around town today . . . Checking a light at the plaza Route 441 bypass work   The commemorative bench in front of Stover's is gone.  Sources tell the Spy it was taken away due to ongoing vandalism and loitering. Work continues at 855 Chestnut. Leaf pickup Now, that's interesting.