About Town - April 30, 2023

This week's photos of Columbia

(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)

Veterans banners aren't just for men.

Here are a few ladies from around town . . .

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“The truth is, however, that there is nothing very “normal” about nature. Once upon a time there were no flowers at all.”
― Loren Eiseley, The Immense Journey

This is the headstone of Samuel Wright at Mount Bethel Cemetery.

Wikipedia tells us this :

"Samuel Wright, son of James and Rhoda Wright, was born on May 12, 1754. He eventually became the town proprietor and created a public grounds company to administer the land. Through his trusteeship, the town's first water distribution system (later the Columbia Water Company) was established, as well as the Washington Institute (the town's first school of higher learning) and Locust Street Park, located at what is now Locust Street and Route 462.

In the spring of 1788, Samuel Wright had the area surveyed and formally laid out the town into 160 building lots, which were distributed by lottery at 15 shillings per ticket."

The never-ending project on Barber Street

Apparently, you can buy whatever this is at Tollbooth Antiques.

The headstone of Reginald Wright Kauffman at Mount Bethel Cemetery

He was an author and journalist.

Yes, we're getting another smoke shop.

It's at the former Subway building. Here's a side view.

'Tis the season - primary season.

Columbia Borough Council candidate Brad Chambers (right) met Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis this week.

Almost sunset

Seen in Avenue H:

Volunteers cleaned this area just last week and now look.

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Evidence of April showers

What appears to be an extraterrestrial is really just a cactus. 

This tree was planted at Columbia River Park recently.

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Also at River Park

[Photo: Todd Stahl]

Peony and friends

Circular stone work at the former Cookman Church

Flag, unfurled 

When you want to know the outside time

Left at the church doors on North 7th

This lone turkey was creeping around the old airfield this past week.

There was no sign of the rest of the flock.

Did the coyote get them?

No, that's not him.

Please do no disturb this FAA licensed commercial drone pilot.

There's his drone.

Let's hope he abides by traffic regulations.

There he goes!

Sam J likes Krispy Krunchy Chicken.

This sad-looking fellow . . .

. . . was playing on the playground equipment.

Ready for the rain

If your dog poops, you must scoop.

Here's why.

Police respond to "shots fired" in Columbia

On April 29, 2023 at approximately 1702 hours, Columbia Borough Police Department did respond to a report of "shots fired" in the area of South Ninth Street and Lancaster Avenue Columbia, PA 17512. The case is ongoing, and citizens and witnesses are encouraged to contact CBPD with any information regarding this incident, 717-684-7735.

MORE:

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/shots-fired-0

 

Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - April 28, 2023

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 866-366-3723, uses a risk-based inspection reporting process for restaurants and other food handlers.

Columbia Pizza And Italian Restaurant, 429 Locust St., Columbia, April 20. Fail. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge as evidenced by not complying with the Food Code and having multiple priority item violations during this inspection. Food employee involved in food preparation while wearing a bracelet. Food employee preparing pizza dough not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats or beard covers. All food (deli meat, tomatoes, lettuce, onions) in the reach-in cooler stored open with no covering. Employee’s half-eaten food stored on top of and intermingled with food for the business in the reach-in cooler. Commercially processed, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature-control-for-safety food (all deli meat), located in the walk-in cooler and the reach-in cooler, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened; repeat violation of 2021 and 2022. Food facility’s test strips are expired and appear to have been wet and are no longer reactive. Old food residue on the can opener blade. Old food residue on the slicer; repeat violations of 2021, and 2022. Brown, static dust on the fan in the back food preparation area. The food facility does not maintain food employee certification records as required. Food facility does not employ a certified food employee as required; repeat violation of 2021 and 2022. The facility has a certificate that is not a recognized food safety certificate; repeat violation 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair — water leaking at the drainpipe in two areas beneath the three-compartment sink. The transom is missing above the door in the back food preparation area and does not protect against the entry of insects and other animals. Working containers in the back food preparation area, used for storing cleaners taken from bulk supplies, were not marked with the common name of the chemical. A working container of cleaner was stored on the same shelf with food in the back food preparation area. Medicine (cough syrup), vitamins, probiotics and an assortment of personal supplements stored with single-service items (to-go boats), in the back food preparation area.

Vehicle stolen in Columbia found crashed in Lancaster| Lancaster Bureau of Police

Apr 26th, 2023 On April 4th, 2023 at around 7:45 pm a 2003 Ford Mustang GT coupe, crashed into two unoccupied, parked vehicles and a front porch rail and stairs. Video surveillance footage from a nearby location captured the driver of the vehicle when they exited and walked away from the scene of the crash. The vehicle was reported stolen from Columbia Borough, PA the same date.  Lancaster City Bureau of Police Auto Crimes Detective, Adam Dommel, is investigating this incident. Det. Dommel is seeking to identify the driver of the vehicle. 

Please review the video clip to observe the driver exit the vehicle after the crash and walk away from the scene. Thankfully, no persons appeared to have been injured as a result of this incident. Officers responded to the scene to investigate and recover the stolen vehicle.  

Any persons with knowledge of the identity of the driver are urged to call the Lancaster City Bureau of Police at 717 735-3301 to pass on the information to Det. Dommel. The Bureau of Police relies on this great community to solve crimes and to participate in keeping our city safe. Use the link below to view the available video footage.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/lbop/19659/cases/2304004619-auto-theft

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/lbop/19659/cases/2304004619-auto-theft 

Lancaster County prosecutors will seek death penalty for man charged in raping, killing girl, 12

Jason Shackelford 

The Lancaster County District Attorney's office will seek the death penalty for the Columbia man charged with raping and killing a 12-year-old girl earlier this year.

According to police, Shackelford told Columbia police on Feb. 10 that he raped Elaina Smith, strangled her to death, then placed her body in a freezer.

The killing happened while Elaina's mother — Shackelford's ex-girlfriend — was at work overnight Feb. 8-9, according to authorities. 

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-county-prosecutors-will-seek-death-penalty-for-man-charged-in-raping-killing-girl-12/article_96b0e66a-e46b-11ed-a438-5f9af7f5c009.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

PA Hero Walk will benefit veterans | TownLively

https://townlively.com/pa-hero-walk-will-benefit-veterans/ 

After 158 years, Steinmans gifting LNP to public broadcasting station WITF

The Steinman family's 158-year ownership of a daily newspaper in Lancaster will end in June with a gift meant to safeguard the future of its flagship publication. 

Steinman Communications leadership on Tuesday announced to staff their plans to give LNP Media Group, publisher of LNP | LancasterOnline, at no cost to WITF, the Harrisburg-based public broadcasting station operator. WITF will oversee the Lancaster media company, which will be converted to a public benefit corporation and become a subsidiary of WITF. 

To support the mission and activities of both LNP and WITF, Steinman Communications and WITF have also announced the creation of the Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement, which will be overseen by WITF and funded by a donation from The Steinman Foundation.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/after-158-years-steinmans-gifting-lnp-to-public-broadcasting-station-witf/article_a5430f7a-e3ba-11ed-981c-8fba1e44b6a8.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Mount Bethel to hold monument dedication Sunday, April 30

What: Mount Bethel Cemetery monument dedication ceremony

A short dedication ceremony takes place at the cemetery at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 30. The ceremony will include the unveiling of two monument plaques featuring the nine honorees’ names and a portrayal of Susanna Wright by local actor Ja’net Wood.

Where: Mount Bethel Cemetery, 700 Locust St., Columbia. Street parking is available outside of the cemetery and additional parking is available at the St. John’s Lutheran Church lot and the upper side of the CVS parking lot.

Cost: Free. Donations will be accepted during an art show featuring Columbia-based artist Bill Clark at the cemetery’s caretaker’s cottage on April 30 from 2- 4 p.m.

Much of the donated money goes to upkeep for the cemetery, like repaving surfaces or mowing. The mowing alone costs more than $700 each time. Mowing is needed at least 14 times a year.

More info: 

LINK

LINK