About Town—January 25, 2026

This week's photos of Columbia (and area)

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Even a snowstorm doesn't discourage the Amish on a Sunday. [This photo and the three following were submitted by a reader in West Hempfield.]

A man was using this front-end loader to clear snow from driveway entrances that were plowed shut.

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On Friday, Columbia Borough workers put down brine on the streets in anticipation of the snow.

Earlier in the week, this crossing guard at 5th & Locust braved temperatures in the teens to help children cross the street safely.

These two black vultures on Chestnut Street were trying to stay warm.

Some small birds can go into a sort of suspended animation if the temperatures get too low, but this one seemed okay.

The goddess Ganymede on Locust Street received a few coins—possibly to help pay the heating bill.

The low temperatures seem to have affected the lights on the clock at 5th & Chestnut.

The cold didn't stop Mr. Rehab from working on Manor Street again this week.

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The low temperatures do seem to help create some late afternoon clouds and vivid sunsets.

The tops of these lamps at Columbia River Park seem to have turned to gold, but it's an illusion created by the sun shining through the glass.

Here are a few more shots from down by the river.

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Well, that just can't be right.

It should look more like this.

Cupid's back.

The skeletons at Columbia Curiosities are pondering a heart, just in time for February, which is "heart month."

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The Von Hess building is looking good.

This photo was taken at 10th & Manor on Thursday morning, several days after last weekend's snowfall. According to borough ordnance:

"Each tenant, owner or person in charge of any property fronting on or adjoining any street in the Borough of Columbia shall clear a pathway of at least three feet in width on the sidewalk in front of or adjoining such property within 24 hours after the snow which is the cause thereof has ceased to fall or to be formed, or after the same as been deposited thereon in any manner. The snow cleaned from the pathway shall not be deposited in the street after the street has been plowed."

In addition, there's a bus stop there.

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