The Borough of Columbia Council meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at 7:00 pm, has been canceled.
A large number of attendees were expected, for which the Borough Council chambers cannot properly accommodate. The Borough received late notification of the increased attendance and was unable to properly post a change of meeting location in the newspaper.
The Borough plans to relocate the meeting scheduled for July 14, 2026, at 7:00 pm to a larger venue. Information on the change of venue will be posted on social media and in the Lancaster Newspaper in advance of the meeting.
Here are a few more photos from last Sunday's bridge burning event...
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Thirty people including three council members showed up Wednesday night at Lancaster Distilleries on Fourth Street to participate in a community discussion on data centers.
The primary focus was the former McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street. Residents and other citizens have expressed opposition to a data center being constructed there.
The evening began with members of Lancaster Stands Up presenting an informational slideshow. This was followed by group discussions which at one point veered off topic into what people "wanted to see" at the property. Some of the suggestions would actually cost the borough money, bring increased maintenance, and bring in very few tax dollars.
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Firefighters and police responded to a building alarm on the 500 block of Union Street Thursday afternoon, July 2, 2026. Dispatch records show the call went out just before 3 p.m. as a "high occupancy" building incident, drawing a large mutual-aid response. Crews were seen working at a rowhome near 506 Union Street, running hoselines and a ventilation fan onto the property.
This was the temperature that afternoon.
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Look up, but don't trip over this cone.
Xed out
In remembrance
The river was a few feet below normal on Friday morning.
Black Olive Family Diner, 1506 Lancaster Ave., Columbia, June 22. Pass. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature-control-for-safety food (tuna salad, cooked rice, and chili) prepared in the food facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk-in cooler, is not being date-marked. Commercially processed, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature-control-for-safety food (turkey and manicotti), located in the walk-in cooler and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened. Observed black residue buildup on the fan guards of the downstairs walk-in cooler. Observed 3M tape, applied by the facility, on the food-contact surface of the deflector plate of the ice maker, making it no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Dry breading mixtures used for dipping of raw animal foods is not sifted every 4 hours to remove excess moisture and doughballs, which may render the dry mixture a temperature-control-for-safety food. Observed wait staff dump a cup of ice in the hand-wash sink at the front counter.
Smoke N Chill, 353 Cherry St., Columbia, regular/complaint, June 22. Pass. An employee's open beverage container (twist-cap variety) was observed in the back food preparation area. Food employees eating in the food preparation area as evidenced by observed partially consumed food (cookies and raw shell eggs) on top of the oven. Retail food facility is in operation more than 90 days and has not employed a certified food employee as required; prior violation, Feb. 17. Observed no chemical sanitizer being used on equipment and utensils after washing and rinsing them, and prior to use. Observed a yellow hose inside the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand-washing. Food employee observed preparing food not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets, hats or beard covers. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair: observed water leaking profusely at the drainpipe beneath the hand-wash sink and the three-compartment sink; prior violation, Feb. 17. The food facility does not employ a certified food manager as required. Food facility does not provide lockers or storage for food employee personal clothing and possessions. Observed many food items and personal spray, not pertaining to the business, being stored intermingled with food and food equipment for the business.
Sahd Metal Recycling has notified state environmental regulators of its intent to remediate contaminated soil at the former Cycle Den property, according to documents filed with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The site, located at 1115 Lancaster Avenue, was found to contain soil contamination from trimethylbenzenes, a group of chemical compounds. The filing was made under the state's Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act, commonly known as Pennsylvania's "Act 2" program, which allows property owners to clean up contaminated sites according to standards tied to how the land will be used.
Sahd Metal Recycling has opted to pursue a "site-specific standard" for the cleanup, meaning remediation requirements will be tailored to the particular conditions and intended use of the property. According to the notice, the property is expected to remain non-residential for the foreseeable future.
The Act provides for a 30-day public comment period for site-specific standard remediations. The 30-day period is initiated with the publication of the notice, which was published in LNP/LancasterOnline on July 2, 2026. Until August 1, 2026, Columbia Borough may submit a request to Sahd Metal Recycling to develop and implement a public involvement plan involving the municipality in the development of the remediation and reuse plans for the site.
Copies of these requests and of any comments should also be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection at 909 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
In 2012, an accidental fire broke out at The Cycle Den when a motorcycle being serviced sparked and ignited leaked fuel. The resulting three-alarm blaze destroyed the building and its vintage inventory, causing an estimated $2.5 million in damages. The business was rebuilt on the same site and reopened in September 2013. In October 2025, The Cycle Den announced its relocation from Columbia to Glen Rock, PA. The store's contents were auctioned off in December 2025. Sahd Metal Recycling announced their ownership transition of the property at 1115 Lancaster Avenue on June 23, 2026.
Amgad A. Hanna conveyed 13 S. Second St. to Janine Natividad for $210,000.
Jusino Perez Jesus Emmanuel, Perez Jesus Emmanuel Jusino, Nieves Gregoria Perez conveyed 519 N. Second St. to Swarey Daniel E, Swarey Emma K. for $205,000.
Porreca Jonathan N, Porreca Melissa A. conveyed 951 Locust St. to Grim Adam, Grim Bridget Gabrielle for $340,000.
Christensen Cody, Vest Jessyka Sarang, Christensen Bruce Scott conveyed 728 Walnut St. to Odicio Family Living Trust for $241,000.
Schoelkoph Doris A, Schoelkoph Doris K. conveyed 1065 Ridge Ave. to Stephen P. Eck for $310,000.
A small seaplane flew over on Thursday morning. It circled a few times, then landed on the Susquehanna River and was moored at a dock at Columbia River Park.
The pilot said he flew from Raystown Lake and was on his way to Philadelphia.
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Not to be outdone, this airliner flew over some time later.
Some scenes down by the river . . .
Fox43's Natalie Koranda filmed a segment about Riverfest at Columbia River Park Friday morning.
Guess who's back.
There's the rarely seen and rarely used EMA trailer that taxpayers bought a few years ago. Was it deployed during the recent 4th Street fire?
Truth brings healing.
On the 100 block of Walnut Street . . .
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A drainpipe can double as a convenient bottle holder.
The borough will be responsible for mowing this mess at McGinness — until Saadia buys it.
He's been around town on-and-off for over 60 years.
There he goes.
Demolition on South 4th on Friday
Seen at Tollbooth Antiques
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Our own reflecting pool?
Time to fix the lights? Or the camera?
You can tell which one's the supervisor. He never moves.
One of the painted hydrants in Marietta to commemorate the nation's 250th birthday.
Marietta marked its parking spaces along the main street. Columbia officials said it can't be done here because it will actually create fewer spaces. Really?
