Sunday, December 31, 2023

Columbia Spy Highlights of 2023

 A few 2023 highlights about town in Columbia ...


The crew from Henkels & McCoy worked around town for several months installing fiber optic cable this year.

Dusk as seen through the Holy Trinity Cemetery

This cherub bundled up against the cold.

The Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard performed a 3-volley salute at the funeral of Charles R. "Bud" Heim at the United Methodist Church.

Morning in Columbia

Frank Doutrich displayed a "blow-up" of a check to prove to council that he had made a payment.

For some strange reason, the bell tower and trim on the former Manor Street School were painted black in the recent past.

A section of Route 462 roughly from Cherry Street to 16th Street was finally repaved this year after having been a nightmare for drivers for over a year.

Cliff Logan, Jr. of AE Balloon Flights made several flights over Columbia this past summer.

Bridge inspectors checked the Veterans Memorial Bridge several times in 2023.

A weight limit was imposed for vehicles on the bridge.

This is one the many cats who live at the Lloyd Mifflin House.

Many artists participated in this year's Plein Air event.

Some people might recognize this Market House standholder.

Over 30 volunteers honored the fallen at Mount Bethel Cemetery on Saturday, April 22, by cleaning veterans' headstones. Almost 700 veterans from the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War are buried there.

Habitat for Humanity made great strides this year on the housing project on South Fifth Street.

Bob Smith, who spearheaded the Columbia Hometown Hero banner program, was the Grand Marshal for the 2023 Memorial Day Parade.

Raymond C. Wallace, Jr., who parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, gave his trademark "thumbs up" at the 2023 Memorial Day Parade.


Many women in the military are represented on banners throughout town.

About 35 people attended today's Annual Flag Day Ceremony in Locust Street Park, which was presented by the Columbia-Middletown Elks #1074. Veteran Ryan Sexton was the guest speaker. Mayor Leo Lutz, the Frontier Girls, Columbia Cub Scout Pack #35, Boy Scout Troop #35 and others also participated.

Thunder on the River drew many participants and spectators.

Albatwitch Hard Cider was available at the Columbia Market House.

This sign was posted on North Front Street.

Ashley Tabernacle COGIC held its annual baptism at Columbia River Park in August.

Wilderness Inquiry canoemobiles at Columbia River Park in October

Halloween came and went.

Santa and helpers down at the bridge collected Toys for Tots.

Foggy morning at the Holy Trinity Cemetery

Sometimes a good scratch is all it takes to have a good day.


On to 2024!


Obituary: Raymond Clifford Wallace, Jr.

Raymond Clifford Wallace, Jr.

Raymond Clifford Wallace, Jr., 98, passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023. Ray was a decorated veteran who served in WWII with the 507th PIR of the 82nd Airborne Division. He participated in the D-Day Invasion June 6, 1944 and later was captured becoming a POW until March 1945.
MORE:
 

Friday, December 29, 2023

Lancaster County's National Watch and Clock Museum helps people travel through time | fox43.com



COLUMBIA, Pa. — From the large to the small and the old to the new, the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Lancaster County has a little bit of everything.  

That's what happens when you have the largest collection of timepieces in not just the area, the state, or the country, but in all of North America. 

MORE:
https://www.fox43.com/article/news/history/lancaster-county-national-watch-and-clock-museum-columbia-nawcc-hamilton-time-pennsylvania-tourism/521-dafb1842-e0ed-4a02-aff9-c98d6a6cf486 

Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - December 29, 2023



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

Markethouse Coffee Corner, 15 S. Third, St., Columbia, Dec. 23. Pass. Food employee preparing food wearing a wristwatch. Prepackaged muffins and cookies are not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement and distributed-by statement. Prepackaged muffins and cookies are not labeled to clearly indicate any "Big 9" allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement. Food facility does not employ a certified food employee as required. The facility has 90 days to enroll an employee in a state-recognized food safety course for managers. Food facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP-accredited certified food manager program. The facility has 90 days to enroll an employee in a state-recognized food safety course for managers.

The Golden Whisk Bakery, 245 Locust St., Columbia, Dec. 19. Pass. Food facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP-accredited certified food manager program. The food facility has a person enrolled in the class for managers. The receiving door at the back of the food facility has a gap at the bottom and in the middle and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents and other animals. Container of espresso machine cleaner stored on a table with food.



Resignation puts former member back on Columbia school board; Sonya Duncan sworn in | Community News | lancasteronline.com

When: Columbia school board meeting, Dec. 14.

What happened: Sonya Duncan was sworn in as a school board member by District Judge Miles K. Bixler.

Background: Duncan previously served on the board from 2022 until she lost her reelection bid in November. She will be replacing Cole Knighton, who resigned following his 2023 election. Duncan is expected to serve her term through Dec. 1, 2025.

Personnel: The board approved the appointment of a school safety officer, Scott Musselman, at Columbia Middle/High School with a salary of $41,000. Musselman will begin his duties on or around Jan. 2.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/resignation-puts-former-member-back-on-columbia-school-board-sonya-duncan-sworn-in/article_87104abc-9f63-11ee-9d5d-ffbf894fe285.html 

DA's Office Investigating Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Mount Joy Township | Lancaster County District Attorney's Office

Shane Kelec 

The incident occurred at approximately 2:51 p.m. in the 1500 block of S. Market Street, Elizabethtown, and involved a suspect identified as Shane Kelec, who was wanted on rape, aggravated assault and related charges. 
MORE:

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/da/11617/post/das-office-investigating-fatal-officer-involved-shooting-mount-joy-township 

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Police Seek Registered Sex Offender Charged with Rape in Elizabethtown | Lancaster County District Attorney's Office

Shane Kelec

The facilitator: Columbia point guard Artie Poindexter doesn't mind sharing the wealth

"He's a great facilitator," fellow senior Brelon Miller said. "He can get to the rim whenever he wants. He can either finish or dump it off. He can beat anybody off the dribble because he's fast enough."

Columbia coach Kerry Glover and Poindexter have a deeper connection than player-coach. They're second cousins. The coach has known his point guard since he was a toddler.

Glover leans on Poindexter as much as any player on the team. When a possession starts with Poindexter dribbling the ball, a good look at the rim typically follows.

This year he has taken a leap," Glover said. "Sometimes it just takes guys realizing, 'This is my last go.' Regardless of whether we do excellent all year or not, this is it. Might as well give it my best shot. Have some fun and make some memories."

Columbia is 5-2 and looking to capture Section Four of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. The Crimson Tide is ranked second behind Trinity in the Class 3A power ratings.

Three seniors have been varsity contributors since they were freshmen: Poindexter, Miller and Jordan Poole. Each is averaging between 12.4 and 13.7 points.

"With us three, I don't know who can stop us," Poindexter said. "You can stop one but you've got to stop the other two. That's how I think of it."

The basketball Class of 2024 is one of the best in Columbia's recent history. The seniors are hoping to add another 20-win season and more playoff success to their resumes.

Columbia plays fast, not only in transition off steals, but in its halfcourt sets. The team's lack of size makes it more versatile. Everyone can handle the ball and break down a defense. Poindexter's unselfishness is an important part of the plan.
MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/sports/highschool/boysbasketball/the-facilitator-columbia-point-guard-artie-poindexter-doesnt-mind-sharing-the-wealth/article_b3a52bd6-a37f-11ee-847d-0395aaa29c87.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Columbia teen's disc golf star rising after national win

Kayla Hess is the winds section captain in the Columbia High School marching band.

She's treasurer of the student council, and a member of the school's Mini-Thon, which raises money for kids with cancer.

A straight-A student, Hess has just been accepted to the National Honor Society. She recently joined Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Other than that, there's not much going on in the sophomore's life.

Oh, wait.

She also plays disc golf — lots of it. She's won 39 times in her 81-event, four-year amateur career and can claim to be the nation's premier 15-year old disc golfer after winning the 2023 PDGA Women's National championship in the 15-under division.
MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/sports/local_sports/columbia-teens-disc-golf-star-rising-after-national-win/article_9f53e61a-a20b-11ee-a094-9301ba90ec60.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Meeting - December 28, 2023

 


The 202-page meeting packet is HERE.

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Winter is here

 


In 2023, it occurs on Thursday, Dec. 21, at 10:27 p.m. EST.

Wednesday, December 20, 2023

King's Discount Columbia is open

 


Reminder: Winter Offensive Longest Night Memorial - December 21 at 324 Walnut Street



New Year's @ Noon at the NAWCC Museum - Sunday, December 31

 


Columbia Borough Police help to keep roadways safe through Motor Carrier enforcement | Columbia Borough Police Department

Nearly 35.9 million affected by Xfinity data breach: filings | ABC27

Developer resubmits $2.1 billion Chanceford Township hydroelectric dam proposal | fox43.com

Something you'll never see in Columbia Borough - Township cutting property taxes by 12 percent

Monday, December 18, 2023

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - December 18, 2023



Nathan Watson and Kaely Chilcote conveyed 1000 Grinnell Ave. to Kaely Chilcote and Kelly Chilcote for $0.

Karrie Leigh Ridgley and Karrie Leigh Beck conveyed 243 N. Second St. to Julia Scheib for $186,000.

Charles L Jr. Reese and Josetta L. Reese conveyed 615 Plane St. to Jessica Mann for $1.

Sunday, December 17, 2023

About Town - December 17, 2023

This week's photos of Columbia 

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


Peeking out

A new vehicle

There it is - the stairway to heaven.

Insulated glass

Mount Bethel at night

Time to fix that camera

Downtown garland

Golden houses

Wreaths Across America

Mount Bethel's Weeping Angel

Another break in the action at the former drive-in project

Send in the clouds

Sunset/dusk

Christmas season in Columbia . . .
































*****************

Time for a scratch

Down by the bridge

Kevin

Merry Xmas . . .

. . . Columbia Crime Families
Happy New Year