Saturday, September 30, 2023

On this Day in History: Veterans Memorial Bridge opens to the public – Uncharted Lancaster


The Columbia–Wrightsville Bridge, officially called the Veterans Memorial Bridge, spans the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, and carries Route 462. Built originally as the Lancaster-York Intercounty Bridge, construction began in 1929, and the bridge opened on September 30, 1930. On November 11, 1980, it was officially dedicated as Veterans Memorial Bridge, though it is still referenced locally as the Columbia–Wrightsville Bridge.
MORE:

https://unchartedlancaster.com/2023/09/30/on-this-day-in-history-veterans-memorial-bridge-opens-to-the-public/ 

Friday, September 29, 2023

On this Day in History: Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge destroyed by Cedar Keys Hurricane in 1896 – Uncharted Lancaster


On September 29, 1896, the Cedar Keys Hurricane ripped through Central Pennsylvania with gale-force winds and torrential rain. It left a wake of destruction, leveling barns, trees, and the 1869 Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge. It was so powerful that it swept the massive bridge from its piers, with some of the pieces landing near the iron furnaces south of Marietta.
MORE:
https://unchartedlancaster.com/2023/09/29/on-this-day-in-history-columbia-wrightsville-bridge-destroyed-by-cedar-keys-hurricane-in-1896/ 

Thursday, September 28, 2023

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Traffic shift planned on Wright’s Ferry Bridge between York-Lancaster Counties

From ABC27

PENNSYLVANIA (WHTM) — PennDOT announced on Tuesday that traffic is expected to be shifting at the median barrier project on the Wright's Ferry Bridge, which connects York and Lancaster Counties.

According to PennDOT, weather permitting, the work will be performed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday nights beginning on Sunday, Oct. 1. Traffic will be restricted to a single in both directions. Two lanes of traffic will be open in both directions during the non work hours.

MORE:
https://www.abc27.com/news/traffic/traffic-shift-planned-on-wrights-ferry-bridge-between-york-lancaster-counties/ 

U.S. Marshals look for four wanted men in Pennsylvania

From WTAJ - www.wtaj.com



PENNSYLVANIA. (WTAJ) — United States Marshals are searching for four Pennsylvania men, including one wanted for homicide.

U.S. Marshals released wanted posters of four men from Harrisburg who are wanted for charges including homicide, attempted homicide, and federal violations.
MORE:

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Meeting - September 26, 2023

 


The meeting packet is HERE.

Monday, September 25, 2023

Two car break-ins reported on Locust Street

 




[Submitted photos]

Two car break-ins occurred some time Sunday night near 4th & Locust. Reports were made to the police around 8 o'clock this morning.

Council looks at using a public relations firm to handle emergencies


PR firms: Council members talked about using a public relations firm on an on-call basis to handle an emergency — without having to pay a monthly fee.

More: President Heather Zink said via phone Sept. 21 the Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio is an example of why the borough would have a public relations agency available.

Quotable: “In the case of a catastrophic event, we might need help,” Zink said Sept. 21. “We don’t want to pay a retainer, though.”

Background: The borough previously paid York-based Gavin a monthly fee but voted 5-2 not to renew that contract in May 2022.

Details: President pro tempore Todd Burgard presented costs for three public relations firms, including Gavin, to council members. Each would charge on an as-needed basis. He suggested researching and adding three additional companies to that list for the next council workshop.

[Source: LNP/LancasterOnline]

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - September 25, 2023


Oscar Torres and Damaris Torres conveyed property on Wright Street to Ozziejeanpierre Torres and Stephanie Torres for $144,000.

Ann M. Waltman and Brianna M. Waltman conveyed 931 Spruce St. to Jonathan William Dodson III for $239,900.

Joshua T. Rhoads conveyed property on South Fourth Street to Emebet Gurara for $170,000.

The estate of John V. Thomas conveyed property on Locust Street to Red Canna LLC for $83,000.

Nylsa V. Torres-Rodriguez conveyed property on South Eighth Street to Aaron Godwin for $183,000.

Aaron J. McCombie and Chandra Q. McCombie conveyed property on Chestnut Street to Bradley Gale and Thola Benecoff Wolanski for $255,000.

Ann M. Roseboro conveyed property on a public road to Grady Kevin Reicker for $240,000.

Juan C Rosabal Pena and Ofelia Munoz Castro conveyed 33 S. Fifth St. to Coal Hill Investments LLC for $165,000.

Cynthia E. Barninger conveyed property on Union Street to Proverbs Home Buyers LLC for $100,000.

Sunday, September 24, 2023

About Town - September 24, 2023

This week's photos of Columbia
(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)


Cycling through on Bridge Street -
Columbia wants to be a bicycle-friendly town, but it's not there yet.

Here are some extra bikes, just in case it ever happens.

The shadow looks like some spooky, wrought iron Victorian gate - just in time for Halloween. 

Sign repair in progress?

When even the train stops at the railroad crossing

New sign

More stonework at the Buddhist temple

Don't tread on him.

His neighbor is a Karen - allegedly.

Yet another bridge inspection. PennDOT is worried.

But won't all those vehicles on the bridge add to the problem?

Still lurking

Cosmic Bigfoot or Cosmic Albatwitch?

Just in time for Halloween, here's a black cat sitting sphinx-like at the Mifflin House.

Also in time for Halloween . . . a ghost? 
Or a Ghostbuster?

No, just some guys cleaning out a vacated apartment

Here's another mural by anndope.

It's at Fragments of the Past on the 300 block of Walnut.

You'll find some real ghosts there.

Yeah, where is he? Columbia needs him now more than ever.

Here's a skeleton at Plane and Franklin. Good thing he's chained!

A witches coven uptown.

Here's a sign on Locust for the witches academy.

Jack o'lantern

Potential jack o'lantern

And a pumpkin with a message

True. Once you're there, there's no outlet.
(By the way, was anyone raptured this weekend?)

This sign, although beautiful, could apply to half the intersections in Columbia.

Speaking of intersections and the like, here are some figures on our streets, sidewalks, and alleys from Thursday's council budget work session.
31.35 miles of public roads in the borough!

And here's a look at revenue from the same meeting.

Since 1910

Hey, truck drivers!

Ornamental pepper plant along the 200 block of Chestnut

Last fall, council voted 6-1 to purchase this property at 700 Franklin Street to add it to its 58-acre tract formerly known as the McGinness airfield. The borough wants the land as part of its plan to develop the tract into an innovation park, a project originally estimated to cost $12 million.

Borough manager Mark Stivers said the hope is that someone will purchase and relocate the house off the property so that the borough can extend Franklin Street directly into the park. If the house is not sold and relocated, the borough plans to demolish it. The house is currently unoccupied.

It doesn't seem to have been advertised for sale anywhere recently, so count on it being demoed. Such a waste.


C-130 flying over

Spirits delivered to your door. Well, all right!

They've set up shop at 230 N. 4th St.

Watering the ol' stone pile on the 500 block of Chestnut

Progress at the CDBG project on South 2nd

Vibrant sky
[Photo:Melissa Shirk]