Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Columbia Library March Calendar of Events


Severe weather forecast for Wednesday


Columbia woman accused of aiding boyfriend in husband's killing skips court, warrant issued

                     Allison E. Oberdorff

Allison Elizabeth Oberdorff, 26, did not appear at Lancaster County Court House Tuesday and failed to appear for a scheduled meeting with her attorney.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-woman-accused-of-aiding-boyfriend-in-husband-s-killing/article_9ef98e28-fdc5-11e6-bebb-430f1a5853bb.html?u

Midweek clash of cold, warm fronts could result in more severe weather in Lancaster County

A midweek clash between warm and cold fronts in Lancaster County could result in severe weather similar to the weekend storm that left $7 million of damage in its wake.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/midweek-clash-of-cold-warm-fronts-could-result-in-more/article_033cb6ba-fd37-11e6-933f-970d50ee7492.html

Public meeting today to discuss ambulance service in Columbia

The Public Safety Committee of the Borough Council of the Borough of Columbia will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. in Council Chambers of the Borough Municipal Building located at 308 Locust Street, Columbia, PA, 17512 to host discussions between and among the Columbia Quick Response Service and the Susquehanna Valley Emergency Medical Service regarding activating ambulance service within the Borough of Columbia. 

All members of the public are invited to attend and anyone with a disability needing an accommodation should contact the Borough Manager at (717) 684-2467 during regular business hours.

LHOP to hold Home & Money Fair April 1

The Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) Home & Money Fair will be held on April 1 at Bright Side Opportunities Center, 515 Hershey Avenue, Lancaster, PA from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.



The fair is a free, one-stop-shop event for anyone to attend and learn about information/resources with regard to: Buying/or selling a home, renting a property, developing effective money management skills, improving your credit scores, foreclosure prevention, your rights and responsibilities as a tenant or as a landlord, and much more. Professionals- such as mortgage lenders, bankers, realtors, insurance agents, home renovation contractors, and community organizations- will be available to answer your questions.
Attendees to the fair can also register for grand prizes.

Columbia Borough wants more of its residents to be homeowners, and officials want more dilapidated houses to be fixed up, especially on North Third Street, a major gateway into town.

As part of ongoing efforts to revitalize the struggling borough, which has been battered by decades of economic and technological shifts, Columbia is launching a low-interest loan program with the Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership.

More information here:


Founded in 1994, the Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership (LHOP) focuses on making housing affordable for low- and moderate-income families and individuals in Lancaster County. LHOP’s specific mission statement is: TO CULTIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND RESOURCES TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF QUALITY, FAIR AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGHOUT LANCASTER COUNTY. Since its inception, LHOP has provided mortgage assistance for first-time home buyers and loans for both for-profit and non-profit developers of affordable rental housing. Other activities of LHOP include Fair Housing Education and Training; Pre- and Post-Purchase Home Buyer Education; Landlord-Tenant Rights and Responsibilities; Neighborhood Housing Revitalization and the Housing Resource Center.

March Happenings at Columbia Crossing

Happenings at Columbia Crossing in March 2017

Check out the following events being held at the Columbia Crossing Building located at the Columbia River Park (41 Walnut Street) in March 2017

March 8th – 10:00 -11:00 AM – Tadpole Time: Wind
Monthly Early Childhood story time for ages 2-5. Tadpole Time will feature monthly themes that explore the natural world along the river, with a nature-themed story, songs, and activities that will encourage your child's curiosity about the world around them.
For children ages 2-5 with their caretakers. $4 per child and registration is suggested. Register by calling 717-449-5607, e-mailing info@columbiacrossing.org,   or pay at the door.

March 10th – 6:00-7:30 PM Basics of Nature Photography
Join Susquehanna Heritage at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center to expand your photography skills. Learn from Chris Arendt of the Camera Center of York the best techniques to taking scenic and creative outdoor shots and identify great locations to practice along the Susquehanna Greenway. Enjoy light refreshments, peruse our exhibit of Susquehanna Greenway Partnership's photo contest winners, and plan your next outdoor photography adventure. The cost for this unique presentation is $10/person.  Registration required.

March 18th -10 AM – 4 PM Susquehanna Saturday: Harnessing the Wind- Sponsored by LCSWMA
Our monthly Susquehanna Saturday program this month will explore how wind, present along the riverfront, is a force that can cause movement, motion, and power, and how to use this force in our everyday lives. This hands-on educational program is available anytime between 10 am and 4 pm, while supplies last. All Susquehanna Saturdays are free for all ages, but a suggested donation of $2 per participant is appreciated.

 March 29th – 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM Nature Crafting
Create a unique piece of jewelry to welcome spring! Make a miniature bird's nest necklace or ring using natural materials, and have an opportunity to check out the spectacular birds in the Audubon's Annual Photography Awards exhibit on display. Bring a friend and craft along together. All materials provided. Ages 8+, Children under the age of 12 must participate with an accompanying adult.   $10 per person, register by calling 717-449-5607, e-mailing info@columbiacrossing.org.

List: Here's how much each Lancaster County community is getting in liquid fuels funding this year


Lancaster County communities will receive more than $17.6 million on March 1 to help them maintain their locally owned roads and bridges.

The funding is through Pennsylvania's annual liquid fuels allocation, which is up 5 percent this year to $466 million statewide.

MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/list-here-s-how-much-each-lancaster-county-community-is/article_fc2a3c6c-fd3b-11e6-ac99-d74b039960a9.html

Borough farm open all week for yard waste


Monday, February 27, 2017

Meetings for the Week of February 27, 2017

Borough
Municipal Bldg, 308 Locust Street



School Board
Admin Center, 200 N. 5th Street

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Historical Society gets a facelift - inside and out


Chris Vera's passion for Columbia's history was clearly evident during the recent renovation project at the Columbia Historic Preservation Society building. Vera is president of the society.

In addition to orchestrating several major projects, Vera could be found painting and using elbow grease to help complete them.

The building fundraising campaign began early last year with  several contributors, among them Cimmaron Properties, Gamby's Disposal, The Foresters, The Elk's Club, The Catholic War Vets, Owls Club, The American Legion, Grace EC Church, and the estate of Pauline Aston.

A much-needed and long-awaited new roof was installed by Abel & Son Roofing. Downspouts and gutters were replaced by a subcontractor.  Vera did much of the interior painting. He said he is very pleased with the roofing project, calling it professional work with superb results.

The Society reopens April 22, 1-4 p.m. and will be open every Saturday and Sunday until January. This year's exhibits will feature the Civil War, Columbia Hospital, and Columbia Opera House.


Fresh paint on interior walls and trim

A new look all around



Updated lighting



And outside . . .


A new roof

Here's a closer look.

Spouting was replaced.





Storm leaves a trail of damage in its wake

Saturday afternoon's storm left a trail of damage in its wake. The National Weather Service said there was no evidence of a tornado touchdown and that damage was caused by high winds up to 95 miles per hour.

Tree down on Heritage Drive, between Union and Locust

Yes, that's a roof in a tree in the 300 block of Avenue F

Tree down near the Knights of Columbus building.

Chestnut Street

Cleanup on Ironville Pike

Doug's Tree Service to the rescue

Carrying a heavy load

Avenue G

Across from the Columbia Plaza

 Laurel Hill Cemetery

Laurel Hill Road

TRAFFIC UPDATE - Some roads now open


Saturday, February 25, 2017

TRAFFIC ALERT - Columbia Borough Police


WE GOT HIT!

High winds and stormy weather ushered in a cold front this afternoon, downing trees, damaging vehicles, and creating general havoc in the borough. Here are some photos of the event:

 A wall cloud develops.

 The clouds descend.

 The storm hits.



The aftermath:


 Sign down

 Take Away Refuse along Front Street lost its roof.





 Another view of the blown-over roof

 Siding at North Second and Avenue H




 The siding blew off the side of this house on North Second.

 A Good Samaritan gathered nails from the road to prevent flat tires.

 This lamp at the Historical Society was hit by a piece of flying debris.

 A vehicle on the 500 block of Manor didn't fare too well.

 It was hit when the high winds snapped off this tree.

 A trampoline blew onto school grounds near North 9th & Purples Lane.

 Broken bench on Kinderhook

 A fallen tree on the 1000 block of Ironville Pike

 Underneath the tree was this truck.

 Our friends at News 21 showed up to cover the story.

 Another downed tree on Ironville Pike

 A fallen tree at Mount Bethel Cemetery

 Another one at Mount Bethel

 This one's listing a bit.

 Meanwhile, at Locust Street Park . . .

 Loose sign at Columbia River Park

  This lamp lost its head

 A missing tree at the Watch & Clock Museum

Finally, the clouds subsided.