COLUMBIA SPY

Several people have received calls today (12/30/20) from a woman claiming to be from "PPL." The caller states, "your account reflects a disconnection order taking place today for non-payment history." The caller (from 717-431-5989) then gives an option to be connected to a billing department. PPL has verified to Columbia Spy that the calls did not originate from them and that they are investigating the issue as a scam. Comments regarding the calls (https://who-called.us/Number/1-717-431-5989) are shown below:

Takeaways from council's last meeting of 2020: [An interruption of the Facebook livestream halted the public's ability to view the Columbia Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, but an archived version was posted on the borough's Facebook page on December 24.] The 2021 budget Council voted 6-1 to adopt the 2021 budget, projected to be $6.87 million.The municipal millage rate will remain at 8 mills, but only because over half a million dollars was pulled from reserves. Councilman Howard Stevens was the no vote. (The municipal millage rate has fluctuated over the past five years. In November 2015, council shot down an opportunity to reduce millage a quarter of a mill, from 8 mills to 7.75. Council had discussed lowering the rate but ultimately voted 4-3 to keep it at 8 mills. In 2017, the rate dropped to 6.6 mills for the following year. The decrease was due to the 2017 reassessment in which the rate decreased in proportion to an increase in taxable assessme...

"We don't want to lose our business license. Plus, we're a new business here," said Michael Sivri, one of the owners of Black Olive Family Diner in Columbia, who just helped reopen Ephrata's Cloister Restaurant in November. Sivri said he considered the possibly of staying open and was encouraged to do so by some customers. But he ultimately decided to close, lay off his roughly 40 employees, and maintain some kind of presence by offering takeout even though it barely makes any money He says he just hopes the lockdown really does end Jan. 4. "Three weeks is not going to hurt us, but I hope he's not going to expand it," he said. MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/restaurant-owners-workers-struggle-with-shutdown-during-normally-busy-holidays-its-painful/article_64930ec6-4600-11eb-b83f-ff34142c2836.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share  

https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/equality-equity-for-at-risk-students-letter/article_cac483a0-4484-11eb-8cf9-5701f42522a9.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share  

Columbia Fire Company at 10th and Manor Streets - or the Columbia Borough Yard Waste Center on Blue Lane from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 9.

Benjamin G. Sauder and Joslyn Sauder conveyed property on a public road to Awakened Properties LLC for $83,500. Ranae J. Tibbens conveyed property on a public road to Archduke Investments LLC for $77,500. Stephanie F. Hallett conveyed property on Walnut Street to John Joseph Sicotte for $120,000. AJ Home Solutions LLC and Andrew Fry conveyed 243 N. Fourth St. to Owl Bridge Properties LLC for $115,000. Heidi A. Stewart and Meg Seibert conveyed property on North Third Street to Thomas R. Preston and Nichole A. Preston for $110,500.

 This week's photos of Columbia (The last photos of the year) This Charlie Brown tree(?) was spotted recently on 18th Street. Last week's thawing snow and Thursday's heavy rains combined to cause flooding and raise water levels on the river this weekend: Water levels "hovered" around 234 at Columbia River Park, which is 7 feet above normal. The water even reached the top of the boat ramp. Here are four from Todd Stahl: ************************ A few traces of the holiday season remain: Route 462 & Cherry Street South 5th & Cherry ************************ New ride in town Mounting the sign at the Market House The finished product A closer look The projected schedule ************************ Snow cleanup around town: ************************ Dumpster Street Stuffed in the back Get yours here. Watch your step - all of them. Checking the traffic controls at Front & Walnut Icicles up at the tunnel (along the trail)  Photo by Michelle Masch A hazy shade of w...

 

Workers from East Coast Contracting spent several hours on Tuesday installing a new sign at the Columbia Market House. The sign, which was mounted on the Third Street side, is part of a $2 million renovation of the historic structure. The building is scheduled to open officially some time in the spring of 2021.