Friday, February 27, 2026
Restaurant Inspections – Columbia Borough – February 27, 2026
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King's Country Flavorites, 15 S. Third St., Columbia, Feb. 21. Pass. Observed employee rinsing out a flowerpot in the designated hand-wash sink.
Li'l Stacks Pa, 15 S. Third St., Columbia, Feb. 21. Pass. Food employee (owner) observed preparing food and not wearing a beard cover. The hand-wash sink does not have water at a temperature of at least 85 F. The fuse for the hot-water heater had blown; fuse was replaced and hot water was restored.
Columbia Presbyterian Celebration, 360 Locust St., Columbia, complaint, Feb. 18. Pass. No violations.
Park Elementary School, 50 S. Sixth St., Columbia, Feb. 18. Pass. No violations.
Columbia High School, 901 Ironville Pike, Columbia, Feb. 17. Pass. No violations.
Taylor Middle School, 45 N. Ninth St., Columbia, Feb. 17. Pass. No violations.
Smoke N Chill, 353 Cherry St., Columbia, Feb. 17. Pass. New food facility in operation more than 90 days and has not employed a certified food employee as required. The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair: observed water leaking at the drainpipe of the hand-wash sink and the three-compartment sink.
Thursday, February 26, 2026
Local business owner questions council about controversial email
JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
Jesse Sweigart, local business owner and administrator of columbiapa.online, says that the email, which references incidents involving borough officials between 2024 and 2025, contains allegations that point to ethical issues in the borough. He says officials have stayed silent despite being aware of the email, and asked for them to take action.
Sweigart read from a prepared statement when he addressed council at the February 24, 2026 Columbia Borough Council meeting.
"Why has nobody publicly addressed or called for an investigation into the troubling email that every news organization and several elected officials have already received?" Sweigart asked. "The public is aware that something is wrong. The silence only makes it worse."
Sweigart said the email contains "graphic and disturbing" allegations about inappropriate images sent on borough-issued devices. He said the email also mentions missing records and internal pressure on employees. He asked for council's acknowledgment that the email exists, as well as for an independent review. He noted, however, that none of the allegations have been verified.
"No one is asking this council to declare guilt," Sweigart continued. "What the community is asking is for acknowledgement, transparency and a commitment to due process." He said that if the allegations are false, council's admission would clear the air. "Why hasn't anyone suggested even a preliminary inquiry? If the allegations are false, then why not say so we can clear the air?"
"I urge this council to acknowledge the existence of this email and concerning nature, because I spoke to a few of you, and we know it exists," Sweigart said.
Zink: "You're demanding we tell you things...that we're legally not allowed to discuss."
Ultimately, officials ignored Sweigart's concerns. Heather Zink, council vice president, reacted defensively. "You all act like you're calling for investigation and this and that. How do you know we haven't already done anything—because we haven't told you?" Zink asked. "You said you're not demanding action, but yet you are demanding action." Zink said council cannot legally discuss the issues, because they're personnel matters.
Evan Gabel, borough solicitor, agreed, saying the borough cannot and will not comment on personnel matters.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Agenda (Revised)—Columbia Borough Council Meeting—February 24, 2026
Columbia Borough School District board member resigns | Community News | lancasteronline.com
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MORGAN HUBER | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE
When: Columbia Borough school board meeting, Feb. 19.
What happened: The board approved the resignation of member Nathan Roach, effective Feb. 20. Roach, who has served on the board since February 2024, was reelected last November; he co-chaired the policy committee. In his resignation letter, Roach stated he will be moving out of Columbia, making him ineligible to serve on the board.
Quote: "It has been my honor and pleasure to work alongside you all. However, life has been taking me in another direction and a new chapter is beginning," Roach stated in his letter. "I wish you all the best and will be cheering you on from a distance. CBSD will forever hold a place in my heart."
What's next: A spot now remains open on the school board. Columbia residents who are interested in serving may apply for the vacant position by Feb. 27 through the district website. All applicants must be at least 18 and have lived in the borough for at least one year. Letters of interest may either be delivered to the school district office or submitted by email to board President Charles Leader, Superintendent Ashley Rizzo, or Secretary Lindsey Blake.
More: The remaining eight active board members will hold interviews at their March 3 meeting. The newly appointed board member will serve through Dec. 6, 2027, the remainder of Roach's two-year term.
MORE:
Monday, February 23, 2026
Deeds Recorded—Columbia Borough—February 23, 2026
Adam C. Greenya conveyed 41 Bethel St. to Charlene J. Hiestand for $187,000.
Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau, Boisko Virginia L. conveyed 149 Stump Ave. to Lancaster Land Bank Authority for $3,045.
Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau, Boisko Virginia L. conveyed 151 Stump Ave. to Lancaster Land Bank Authority for $3,944.
Sunday, February 22, 2026
About Town—February 22, 2026
This week's photos of Columbia
Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.
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When you don't have an engine to pull the train cars, just use a truck.
Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.
JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
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Snowman, possibly laughing at us tonight
February is Black History Month.
A unique use of a traffic cone
La Biblia
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In the historic district
Not much change from last time
(Habitat for Humanity Linden Street Build)
Tollbooth Antiques
Bootleg Antiques
The bell is still there on Chestnut Street.
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Checking a hydrant
Seagulls doing seagull things
A hawk was watching nearby
The river at the beginning of the week
Police cars at Columbia Crossing
Heading out in the fog
There they go!
Some fog photos from around town . . .
Saturday evening's sunset . . .
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Friday, February 20, 2026
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Monday, February 16, 2026
Deeds Recorded—Columbia Borough—February 16, 2026
Bank Northwest conveyed property on a public road to Columbia Capital Group LLC for $25,000.
Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau, Vogelpohl David W. conveyed 540 Manor St. to John Baldauff for $48,500.
Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau, Bryant David H, Bryant Jane L. conveyed 648 Yohe Ave. to Coastline Capital LLC for $90,600.
The estate of Connie L. Frey conveyed 1222 Manor St. to Christopher Geltmacher for $1.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
About Town—February 15, 2026
This week's photos of Columbia
Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.
JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
Bridge inspectors were at it again on the Route 462 Veterans Memorial Bridge on Friday. The other bridge, the Route 30 Wrights Ferry Bridge, is slated for inspection February 18 through 20.
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Snow and sunsets . . .
Borough workers were still clearing snow around town.
Snow at Mount Bethel
Snow in Locust Street Park
An unintentional snow creature?
Ice, cracking
Enjoying the view
Lots of Icicles
The obligatory picture of the bridge and the snow
A favorite for marking your space
Ditto
A snow pit
Outdoor furniture for dining in the snow
This sidewalk on North 5th (Route 462) was never cleared.
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Parts of Walnut Street are a mess.
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Don't mess with the Water Company!
Bank Avenue is closed as work continues on the Von Hess building.
Watch out for that hole!
This is an outbuilding behind the Wright's Ferry Mansion. The mansion is in the background, on the right.
Workers recently cleared heavy brush here.
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Valentine display
Blessing boxes on Walnut
It's more widespread than we thought, possibly reaching to the highest levels of government.
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