Veterans Memorial Bridge to return to its 1930s look

New cast iron lanterns, reminiscent of the ones that graced the bridge decades ago, will be installed on the piers along the span on the Lincoln Highway in the coming weeks.

The Veterans Memorial Bridge, which spans the Susquehanna River between Wrightsville and Columbia, will return to its 1930s look this year.

MORE:
http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_25497499/columbia-wrightsville-bridge-return-its-1930s-look

Here yesterday, gone today?

A quick check at Laurel Hill Cemetery on Friday night showed that some graves retained their items while others didn't. It's possible that some items were replaced today in anticipation of this story breaking. (See preceding post.)
Previously, there was a sign at the entrance to the cemetery grounds, which stated that items left after a certain length of time will be removed. As of today, that sign was missing.
The cemetery's website contains a tab to download regulations, which directs the user to a page with a "Not Found" notice.

Cemetery visitors outraged by cleanup of flag holders, personal items

During a recent cleaning of the Laurel Hills Cemetery in Columbia, a groundskeeper cleared flowers, flag holders and personal items from many of the graves.

Visitors were outraged to learn some of the items had been thrown out without any notice.

Cemetery management says it was a mistake, calling it a miscommunication with the groundskeeper.

It salvaged some of the items that were removed and if any of these items belong to you, the cemetery plans to clean them, and put them back.
 

http://m.wgal.com/news/loved-ones-outraged-by-cemetery-cleanup-of-flag-holders-personal-items/25329426

Friday afternoon bank robbery

Columbia Borough Police responded to the scene of a bank robbery at the Union Community Bank at 921 Lancaster Avenue. The bank was robbed at about 2 o'clock Friday afternoon.

 One person, determined to make a withdrawal, drove around the traffic cones and attempted to use the ATM while the investigation was in progress.  He was persuaded otherwise by a plainclothes officer.

A Brinks employee carried a satchel out the back to a waiting truck.

A bank surveillance photo of the alleged robber

GONE!

The former Pizza Hut building along Route 462 was demolished today.

Better check it again

During today's heavy rain, potholes formed again at the area under repair in the Columbia Plaza parking lot.

Columbia foundation will support pet rescue groups

Columbia Borough Council heard from two altruistic groups — one offering help, and one needing it — on Monday, March 24.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/columbia/news/new-columbia-foundation-will-support-pet-rescue-groups/article_0e12d2f4-b690-11e3-8abe-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

From the Police Log - March 28, 2014

COLUMBIA: District Judge Robert Herman on Friday dismissed all charges against Lance M. Jones, 37, of 225 S. Fourth St., Columbia, related to a March 10 domestic dispute at his home, a judge’s spokeswoman said. Borough police had charged him with aggravated assault, simple assault, and terroristic threats.

What I Saw - March 28, 2014

 Plans for the former Pizza Hut on 462?

Phase Two of the pothole repair at Columbia Plaza.

(I hope someone remembered to fix the leak or run a drain line.)

Milling art, not flour, on Mill Creek - The Scribbler

The second part of this article gives a list of "firsts" for the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

GO HERE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/opinion/the_scribbler/milling-art-not-flour-on-mill-creek/article_7430dfaa-b680-11e3-9e55-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

35th Anniversary of the 1979 nuclear accident at Three Mile Island

Where were you?

LOTS OF PICS &INFO HERE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/th-anniversary-of-the-nuclear-accident-at-three-mile-island/collection_d43bdfb8-b5bc-11e3-874c-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

Finally being fixed?

Repairs are currently underway at the Columbia Plaza parking lot.  A water leak had been evident for quite some time and had begun to create numerous potholes. Workers excavated the area and filled it in with gravel in the first phase of the repair.

Wednesday at 855 Chestnut

Hiking grandmother from Columbia forced off Appalachian Trail

The hiking grandmother from Columbia who wanted to raise money for impoverished African villages by hiking the length of the Appalachian Trail is off the famed pathway after three days of hiking.

Brenda Petroski, 60, cited “some sickness and just plain fatigue,” in her Appalachian Trail journal posting on Monday.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/hiking-grandmother-from-columbia-forced-off-appalachian-trail/article_d4c6bdf0-b449-11e3-a52d-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

Columbia bridge rumor laid to rest

No body is buried in the concrete of the old Columbia bridge.

A long-time rumor is false that a worker died and was embedded in concrete as it was poured to create the Route 462 bridge across the Susquehanna River.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/opinion/the_scribbler/columbia-bridge-rumor-laid-to-rest/article_af6fd5f6-b425-11e3-a637-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

What I saw recently

 Congrats, Columbia!

 NO                                                              ParKing

the blocks say.

 "Wood" you look at that?

 Part of the clockworks to the clock tower at the National Watch & Clock Museum

Also seen at NAWCC: vehicles from all over . . . 

On Sunday, a vehicle dueled with a pillar at the Wells Fargo building.  The big bank won, as they always do, and the vehicle limped away, battered and broken, leaving a trail of defeat.

Vehicle accident - Class 2

Emergency personnel responded to a vehicle accident Class 2 early this afternoon on the 600 block of Chestnut Street.  A PT Cruiser hit a parked Jeep Cherokee.

Deputy Coroner called to scene

The Lancaster County Deputy Coroner was among those called to a Walnut Street residence this morning. Several Columbia Borough police officers were at the scene, also.

Gas leak - Two children taken to hospital

Emergency personnel responded to reports of a gas leak with one person unconscious at 11:39 this morning on North Second Street. At the scene, two children were found unconscious. Two ambulances were dispatched. Personnel evacuated the children and their grandmother, and the children were transported to the hospital. Firemen wearing oxygen masks checked inside the properties at 341 and 343 North Second and found concentrations of gas and carbon monoxide. Fans were set up in the doorways to ventilate the houses, and UGI was called to turn off the gas supply to the properties.

Firemen enter 341 North Second.

Personnel donned oxygen masks.

Fire Chief Scott Ryno coordinated efforts at the scene.

A fireman took readings for gas and CO.

Once more into the breach.

Paul Miles gave directions on positioning a fan.

Haters gonna hate

I'm surprised at all the recent negativity aimed at Columbia's mention in Smithsonian Magazine as one of the "20 best small towns to visit." And by negativity, I'm referring to name-calling, snarky comments, and outright condescension. Some people's eyes must be going funny from all the looks they're giving down their noses.
In this blog, I've sometimes been critical of the town, and with cause, but I've also given credit where it's due. Most of the time, my criticisms are aimed at prodding local officials and pointing out problems.
I was born and raised in Columbia and still live here. I walk and drive its streets. I patronize its businesses almost daily, and I've paid taxes for years. For those reasons, I reserve the right to be critical. Can the naysayers cite similar claims for the right to be derogatory? Is there a valid justification for it?
For current residents who are consistently negative about the town: What have you done to improve the community? For that matter, why are you still here?
For those from outside the community: Jealous much? Because I'm convinced jealousy is what's driving the vehement contempt and grade school level name-calling. Columbia has finally gotten much-deserved recognition, and some people just can't handle it.
Of course, we all have the freedom to express our opinions, even uninformed ones.  I've been reading a lot of those lately.

You know you're from (fill in the blank) if you are a member of a Facebook nostalgia group

The memories are flowing on the "You know you're from Columbia PA if" Facebook group, which began just a month ago and already has more than 4,000 members.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/you-know-you-re-from-fill-in-the-blank-if/article_88a2fe80-b051-11e3-b70d-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

Tom Foster Hermansader: Art's in his blood

GO HERE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/tom-foster-hermansader-art-s-in-his-blood/article_9c8106a8-aeae-11e3-b3fa-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

Carol Powell named superintendent for Columbia School District; takes post July 1

Columbia School District's long search for a new superintendent came to a close on Thursday when the school board approved the hiring of Carol Powell as the district's new leader. 

Powell will begin her term at Columbia on July 1 at a salary of $115,000 for a three-year term.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/carol-powell-named-superintendent-for-columbia-school-district-takes-post/article_8f007c8e-b11f-11e3-9434-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

Columbia named one of "20 best small towns to visit" in U.S.

Columbia has earned recognition by the Smithsonian Magazine as a top U.S. town for visitors, being named as one of “The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2014.”

The magazine, in its April issue, cites Columbia’s historic areas, attractions like the National Watch & Clock Museum and its access to nearby recreation.

Smithsonian listed Columbia as the 13th-best town to visit.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/columbia/news/columbia-named-one-of-best-small-towns-to-visit-in/article_22835ff2-b13a-11e3-9ff1-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

Former Columbia police dog Max dies at age 9

Columbia Borough Police Department's former K-9 officer, Max, died on Tuesday, March 18, said Connie Beury, chairwoman of the Columbia K-9 Campaign.

Max retired at age 9 in January.

MORE:

• http://m.lancasteronline.com/columbia/news/former-columbia-police-dog-max-dies-at-age/article_d6a7c3ba-b0ef-11e3-8a6f-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm