Kids and caretakers from Sunrise Kids Daycare Center were made up and on parade this morning for Halloween. The parade route extended to a few blocks from their home base at 410 Locust Street and then back again.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Columbia resident Jimmy Sheckard starred on 2 Chicago Cubs teams that won the World Series
Jimmy Sheckard
Columbia Spy covered Sheckard's May 4, 2013 memorial dedication HERE.
Meeting and Event Schedule for the Week of October 31, 2016
Monday, October 31
Trick-or-Treat - 6-8 p.m.
Tuesday, November 1
Parks and Rec Committee - 6 p.m.
Board of Health - 7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 2
Budget Meeting - 6 p.m.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Did a parking violation contribute to a two-vehicle accident?
A two-vehicle accident occurred at North Fifth and Walnut Streets around noon today. Emergency crews arrived to find a Ford Fusion and a Ford Econoline van with front end damage and blocking both lanes. Airbags deployed in the Fusion, whose driver was placed in an ambulance. Both vehicles were removed from the scene via rollbacks. A person at the scene speculated that the Fusion driver's line of sight could have been blocked by two vehicles parked in a "no parking" zone along North Fifth, as shown in the last photo.
The two vehicles shown here were parked in a no parking zone at the time of the accident, potentially blocking the Fusion driver's line of sight as she entered the intersection. Although the sign shown reads NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER, the curb from the sign to the corner is not painted yellow. Police ticketed both vehicles for the parking violation. The Honda Civic is reportedly registered to a resident of Lancaster City.
Storm front brings cooler temps
This afternoon's storm passed by quickly but brought along cooler temps after today's unseasonable warmth of 82 degrees.
There wasn't much in the way of rain, just a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
A plane, apparently late for a very important date, braved the brewing heavy weather.
And sailed under the clouds . . .
in the direction of Harrisburg International Airport.
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Dungeon tours happening at the Market House
What: Dungeon Tours.
Where: Columbia Market House, 15 S. Third St., Columbia.
When: Tonight and Friday 6-8 p.m., Saturday 1-3 p.m.
Cost: $5 suggested donation.
Contact: columbiamarkethouse.com.
Friday, October 28, 2016
Underground Railroad house in danger of demo?
Local historians describe the farmhouse, built in the 1750s, as an important piece of York County history.
MORE:
http://www.ydr.com/story/news/2016/10/27/underground-railroad-house-danger-demo/92526478/
MONTILLA, JASON - ROBBERY-UNLAWFUL RESTRAINT 2 COUNTS-TERRORRISTIC THREATS 2 COUNTS
OCTOBER 28, 2016
Case Number:
31257-10-27-16
Arrest Date:
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Columbia Borough Police with the assistance of West Hempfield Township Police and 2 Lancaster City Officers and their K9s took Jason Montilla, a 43 year old Lancaster City resident into custody for Robbery, Unlawful Restraint and Terroristic Threats in the 200 Blk of Locust Street.
On October 27, 2016 at approximately 10:40 pm Columbia Borough Police Officers responded to a apartment building in the 200 Blk of Locust Street for a report of a person possibly holding someone against their will. Officers surrounded the building and attempted to make contact with persons inside. Officers could see two men inside the apartment, but they would not answer the door. Eventually Officers located one of the residents which resided in the same apartment inside a neighboring building. The 40 year old female tenant explained to Police that her 43 year old boyfriend was being held inside at knife point. Officers made entry inside the apartment and located Montilla and the 43 year old male victim. Montilla was arrested without incident.
During the course of the investigation, it was learned that the incident started shortly after 8:00 pm on October 27th. Montilla allegedly showed up at the victims residence and demanded money. He then retrieved a kitchen knife and a screw driver and threatened both victims over the course of 2-3 hours.
Montilla was charged with one Felony count of Robbery, two Misdemeanor counts of Unlawful Restraint, and two Misdemeanor counts of Terroristic Threats. He was taken to the Lancaster County Booking Center and is currently awaiting arraignment. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Charges:
Source:
Arraignment Date:
Friday, October 28, 2016
Location:
200 Blk Locust Street
Columbia, PA 17512
OFFENDER DETAILS
First Name:
First Name:
Jason
Last Name:
Montilla
Date of Birth:
43 years 5 months ago
Gender:
Male
Race:
Hispanic
Height:
70in
Weight:
168lbs
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
School board votes to terminate business manager at special meeting
Amy Light
At a special meeting Wednesday night, the Columbia Borough School Board voted unanimously to terminate the employment of Amy E. Light as business manager, effective October 31, 2016. The action also authorized the board to issue a written notice of termination. The board did not specify the reason for Light's termination, citing an ongoing process that could include a hearing and another determination. Light was not present at the meeting nor was she present at last Thursday's regular board meeting. Board President Cole Knighton and members Leo Lutz and Keith Combs voted via phone. Board member Iris Garrido was not present for the vote but arrived later.
The board also voted unanimously to engage ELANCO School District for immediate temporary business services to complete required time-sensitive financial reports and/or audit business services on behalf of Columbia Borough School District, with the stipulation that the cost shall not exceed $11,000. The amount is subject to possible future increases as may be necessary for the completion of time-sensitive business services. A written scope of work will also be included in the agreement. Garrido was present for this vote and voted in favor of the agreement.
Board Vice-President Kathleen Hohenadel, who led the meeting, explained that the action is necessary to fill a temporary vacancy in the business office. "While we may have taken action to terminate Ms. Light, we don't necessarily have a vacancy until we get through the process," she said.
Light was hired as the district's business manager, effective March 16, 2015 at $85,000 per year. She replaced Laura Cowburn, who retired.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Monday, October 24, 2016
Mayor Leo Lutz named to Governor's Advisory Council on Hunting, Fishing & Conservation
Governor Tom Wolf today announced that he had chosen twenty individuals to serve on his Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation.
MORE:
https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-announces-membership-of-the-advisory-council-for-hunting-fishing-and-conservation/
Where is Lancaster County most conservative? Most liberal? | Local News | lancasteronline.com
Outside of Lancaster City, Democrats outnumber Republicans in only 25 precincts in eight communities. Those precincts are in the townships of Lancaster, Manheim, Manor, East Hempfield and East Lampeter, and the boroughs of Columbia, Millersville and Marietta.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/where-is-lancaster-county-most-conservative-most-liberal/article_654f4150-98b1-11e6-bcc3-0bd6ff99d682.html
Sunday, October 23, 2016
Cooler temps on the way
Last week's unseasonably warm temperatures will give way to more fall-like weather this coming week.
Students of the Month honored
October Students of the Month were honored at Thursday's Columbia Borough School Board meeting.
Meeting and Event Schedule for the Week of October 24, 2016
Monday, October 24
Finance Committee - 6 p.m.
Wednesday, October 26
Special School Board Meeting - 5:30 p.m.
Zoning Hearing Board - 7 p.m.
Thursday, October 27
Harvest Days at the Market House - 4-8 p.m.
Mardi Gras Parade - 7 p.m.
To be considered at Wednesday's Zoning Hearing Board meeting:
Columbia Public Library is requesting special exception(s) and/or variance(s) to construct an addition(s) to the principal building at 24 South Sixth Street in an Institutional Residential (INSR) zoned district.
This year's parade theme is "Crazy Little Thing Called Love."
Saturday, October 22, 2016
PA DEP provides information on pipeline leak into Susquehanna
Gamble Township, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Emergency Response Team today responded to the leak of a Sunoco pipeline carrying gasoline in Lycoming County. An estimated 55,000 gallons of gasoline leaked into a tributary of the Loyalsock Creek, as a result of flash floods and landslides due to heavy rainfall last night. The pipeline has been shut down since early this morning.
DEP personnel are on site working closely with staff from Sunoco and its consultant to remediate the effects of this spill. DEP has been working on emergency plans with the three north-central water systems potentially impacted by this spill.
• Shamokin Dam Borough has closed its intake as a precaution, and Aqua PA is amenable to an emergency interconnect to serve Shamokin Dam Borough if needed.
• The Sunbury Municipal Authority is currently using its Little Shamokin Creek source.
• PA American-Milton has notified its customers to conserve water and has asked commercial users to encourage usage reduction. An alternative source of water is insufficient to meet the full demand. PA American will close its intake as necessary, and is preparing for a potential interconnect, if needed.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be working with DEP's Emergency Response program staff on a sampling plan in conjunction with the Sunoco contractors and consultant.
DEP is also working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for safe access to the pipeline break. The area is difficult for staff and equipment to reach. As the rain is predicted to continue, it may be later tonight or tomorrow before the water recedes and the break area can be found.
DEP will staff an incident command center at the Eldred Township Fire Hall.
Friday, October 21, 2016
55,000 gallons of gasoline spills into Susquehanna, effect on Lancaster County drinking water unclear | Local News | lancasteronline.com
A broken pipeline in Lycoming County on Friday dumped 55,000 gallons of gasoline into the Susquehanna River.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/gallons-of-gasoline-spills-into-susquehanna-effect-on-lancaster-county/article_5ed0d20c-97b8-11e6-8fb8-17dc59d3a8e1.html
Pennsylvania cites contractor error in withdrawing school performance data | TribLIVE Mobile
Dr. Hollister announced this issue at Thursday's school board meeting:
Thursday, October 20, 2016
Columbia board focuses on shared leadership agreement with Elanco | Community | lancasteronline.com
Implementation and evaluation of a shared leadership agreement with Eastern Lancaster County School District was a focal point at Columbia Borough School District committee of the whole meeting Thursday.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/insider/community/columbia-board-focuses-on-shared-leadership-agreement-with-elanco/article_8b96cd58-95fd-11e6-b496-0f0b2fa5669b.html
With just 19 players, Columbia's football team battles for 'the love of the game' | Football | lancasteronline.com
At full strength, Columbia's roster boasts 19 students. With two players absent from school Tuesday, and another two out with injuries, the remaining 15 took the field, chanting "Tide Pride" as the team worked on its offense.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/sports/football/highschool/with-just-players-columbia-s-football-team-battles-for-the/article_f32febae-963c-11e6-8328-f387fba6435c.html
Market House change of hours
The Columbia Market House is announcing a change of hours for the Fall/Winter Season. They will be open Wednesday & Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (with limited stand holders); Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For further information, follow the Columbia Market House on Facebook.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
School Board Meeting to be held Thursday, October 20
The Columbia Borough School Board will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, at the District Administration Building, 200 N. 5th Street.
At last month's meeting, several residents voiced concerns to the board about ongoing bullying during and after school. One resident also touched on the topic of political scheming among board members. A few of the residents who addressed the bullying problem are shown below:
Jim Johnson: "If you don't care about our children, Columbia has no future."
Bruce Murray: "We gotta start protecting our kids."
Randy Fletcher: "I don't know who you got running that school, but it's the wrong person in charge."
Jackie Shive: "Please discipline these bullies."
Tuesday, October 18, 2016
Monday, October 17, 2016
Meeting Schedule, Week of 10-17-16
All meetings are at Borough Offices, 308 Locust Street, except School Board meeting, which is at District Admin Building, 200 N. 5th Street.
Thursday, October 20: Community Development 6 p.m.
Thursday, October 20: School Board 7 p.m.
Sunday, October 16, 2016
Trashion Fashion Show at Arts at Hinkles October 30
The Arts at Hinkles is having a unique fashion show to benefit community art in Columbia. Participants are designing fashions made out of anything recycled or re-purposed. A "Best in Show" $100 prize will be awarded to the winning design of the night. All ages are welcome to this fun-filled evening! If you are interested in participating, there's still a few spots left.
Call Vicki at 518-275-8299 for more information.
The Arts at Hinkles, 247 Locust St., Columbia, Pa
Sunday, October 30, 2016 7:00 p.m.
Tickets $15, at door & presold at Hinkles
Beverages & light food will be served.
Street Invasion Purge Meet draws crowd Saturday night
The smell of burning rubber saturated the air around the AutoZone parking lot along Columbia Avenue as clouds of smoke drifted overhead. About 100 people with over three dozen vehicles, including cars, trucks, and bikes, converged on the lot Saturday night. The Street Invasion Purge Meet featured revving and burnouts, most in the nearby McDonald's parking lot. Squealing tires and roaring engines dominated the night for over an hour as drivers were urged on by spectators who recorded the action with cellphones. At one point a female employee of McDonald's approached the motorists and shouted at them to leave. Although the crowd was high-spirited, no fighting or vandalism occurred.
Shortly after 9 p.m., a line of vehicles abruptly left the lot in anticipation of police arriving. After the mass exodus, two police cruisers – one each from West Hempfield and Columbia - appeared after most of the participants had left.
This video was shot by Angel Rodriguez
This video was shot by Angel Rodriguez
