COLUMBIA SPY

WHO: Local families from Columbia, Pennsylvania Kelsey Miller, program manager of Healthy Columbia Philip Goropoulos, president of CHI St. Joseph Children's Health (a Lancaster-based nonprofit) WHAT: Healthy Columbia  – CHI St. Joseph Children's Health's community-driven initiative dedicated to providing and coordinating services and the investments necessary to create a thriving community in Columbia Borough  – will host a pancake breakfast for families from the Columbia community.  The FREE pancake breakfast is open to the public and will feature Santa and children's activities. WHERE: Our Lady of Angels, 404 Cherry St. WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. About CHI St. Joseph Children's Health and Healthy Columbia Healthy Columbia is CHI St. Joseph Children's Health's community-driven initiative dedicated to providing and coordinating services and the investments necessary to create a thriving community in Columbia Boroug...

Jordan J. Yost, M/24, homeless, who was wanted on outstanding charges of Kidnapping, Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault, Robbery of Motor Vehicle, Theft By Unlawful Taking, Unlawful Restraint, and Terroristic Threats has been located and arrested.  He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge David P. Miller who set bail at $1,000,000.00 which he could not post.  He was remanded to Lancaster County Prison.  For more information, click  HERE . https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/manheimtwppd/53783/broadcasts/jordan-j-yost-captured-wanted-kidnapping-robbery

The 600 block of Walnut Street has been closed at various times this week for remedial work. Contractors are currently scrambling to finish remedial work on several Walnut Street sidewalks. The sidewalks are part of an overall road project on the 500 and 600 blocks that includes road paving, curbs, and ramps. As Columbia Spy reported  HERE , property owners on the two blocks complained to borough council recently about various problems with the project. C.S. Davidson's Derek Rinaldo (second from left) reports on the Walnut Street road project. In response, engineering firm C.S. Davidson provided information and updates on the project at the borough’s November Public Works and Property Committee meeting. The firm’s representative, Derek Rinaldo, who serves as the borough’s Engineer of Record, told the committee, “We’re aware of several issues on that street right now.” He named cracking concrete, blocked drains, and overspray as a few of those issues. Rinaldo said he d...

A new report warns of a crisis in Pennsylvania's fire and rescue services, saying the number of volunteers continues to fall amid funding needs and training challenges. MORE: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania/articles/2018-11-28/report-warns-of-crisis-in-pennsylvania-fire-rescue-services

This edition of WITF's Smart Talk  features  Dr. John Gerdy , founder and executive director of Music for Everyone and Lisa Sempsey, music teacher and K-12 art and music curriculum coordinator for  Columbia Borough School District . The discussion starts at 27:48  HERE .

July 17, 2016 article in LNP's Sunday News A previously settled issue was raised again at the borough's November Finance Committee meeting: whether or not the borough is required to publish advertisements and notices in Lancaster Newspapers (LNP) as opposed to other cheaper publications, such as the  Central Penn Business Journal  (CPBJ) or the Merchandiser . The issue had been decided and closed in 2016 after a borough survey showed residents overwhelming preferred LNP, and LNP's legal representative sent a letter to council explaining that a state law requires local governments to publish notices in a newspaper of general circulation. At the July 2016 borough council meeting, President Kelly Murphy announced the borough's decision to stay with LNP, according to an article (shown above) by LNP correspondent Sharon Lintner. However, the issue surfaced again at Monday's meeting, when committee member John Novak questioned an $800 charge for the publicatio...

The York County district attorney has ruled that a West Manchester Township police officer was justified in fatally shooting Logan James Montgomery of Columbia, who fired at him first in a Manchester Township motel room last summer. A news release from the DA's office is shown below:

Borough officials considered several tentative personnel changes and accepted a notice of retirement at Monday night's Finance Committee meeting. Borough Manager Rebecca Denlinger announced the retirement of Public Works Director Ron Miller, effective February 1, 2019. Miller has been with the borough most recently since 2011. Current Highway Department Manager Jake Graham and an administrative assistant will take over most of the responsibilities of the position, with remaining duties to be covered by Denlinger and the borough engineer. Two personnel moves were also announced: Current Finance Manager Georgianna Schreck will become Assistant Borough Manager, and accountant Kyle Watts will fill the Finance Manager position. Schreck will stay at her current salary, but Watts will see an increase to $55,000 annually.  Watts has been with the borough for about a year. The vacated accountant position will be advertised publicly if it cannot be filled in-house.  The three-me...

Jordan J. Yost wanted for alleged assault on Columbia man At 11:22 a.m., Wednesday, November 14, 2018, a 40-year-old male from Columbia, PA, was voluntarily with Jordan J. Yost, M/24, homeless, at the Walmart at 2030 Fruitville Pike in Manheim Township.  At that time, the 40-year-old male and Yost got into a dispute over Yost's use of the victim's vehicle.  Yost pulled a handgun on the male victim and forced the victim into his vehicle, holding him against his will.  Yost then drove the victim to a location in Lancaster City, where Yost met an acquaintance, Paul Howard Stauffer, III, M/32, homeless. Yost and Stauffer repeatedly beat and pistol-whipped the victim, while videotaping the incident.  A third person known to police, but yet to be charged, also participated in the beatings of the victim.  After several hours, Yost took the victim's cell phone, various pieces of jewelry, and the victim's vehicle.  Yost left the victim with Stauffer. Dur...

This week's photos from around Columbia (Click/tap on photos for larger, sharper images.)  A few more clues that you're in Columbia: The COLUMBIA sign at Locust Street Park And here's another sign you're in Columbia: a brand new sinkhole.  According to a resident of the 600 block of Walnut Street, this sinkhole appeared today (Sunday, November 25) on the sidewalk near 651 Walnut.  Another sinkhole had been noted a few weeks ago near the same spot. This most recent one measures 3 to 4 feet long by about 2-1/2 feet wide by 3 to 4 feet deep.  Columbia Borough Police and at least one member of the borough's highway department arrived on-scene late afternoon and placed barricades around the affected area. And yet another hint you're in Columbia: a new Knox Box.   Unfortunately, this one was hanging open as of this morning, Sunday, November 25. A controversial lock box ordinance was passed this year. Businesses have ...