The security camera in front of Columbia Crossing at Columbia River Park received special attention Thursday afternoon. Let's hope that cures whatever was ailing it.
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Troubadour serenades at River Park
This troubadour serenaded passers-by at River Park Thursday evening, when the weather was mild. Unfortunately, heat and humidity are forecast to rise today and tomorrow, leading to a sweltering weekend.
Light post damaged at 5th and Locust
This light post at North Fifth and Locust Streets was damaged by a vehicle earlier this week, possibly due to distracted driving. According to a witness, the driver was heading west on Lancaster Avenue and failed to negotiate a turn southwest onto Locust Street before striking the post. Currently, the base of the post is broken, and the traffic light control button is dangling by its wires. The witness also said someone recently removed one of the shards of metal from the base.
The next wave flows into town - with a difference
Swarms of dead mayflies collected on the steps at Columbia River Park over the past few days - with a difference: These are white and about half the size of the brown ones infesting the area recently.
Friday, July 17, 2015
In Columbia, sometimes a cover-up is a good thing
Thankfully, someone painted over vulgar graffiti on the sidewalk in front of 137 South Fourth Street this week. Unfortunately, the white trapezoid creates a blank canvas for more "artwork."
Let's hope no one notices.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Juveniles leave path of destruction after vandalizing 34 vehicles in Columbia Borough | WPMT FOX43
Dozens of vehicles were damaged–their windows smashed and tires slashed–after five juveniles went on a vandalism spree in Lancaster County, according to police reports.
The vandalism occurred between June 16 and July 3 in the northeast section of Columbia Borough, police said.
So far, some 34 vehicles have been found with damage which include broken windows and windshields, broken side view mirrors and slashed tires. In one instance–the suspects threw a brick through a house window, investigators said.
Police spotted the suspects while on patrol during the early morning hours on July 3. One of the suspects was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.
A preliminary investigation revealed that five boys, ranging in ages from 10 to 14 years-old, were involved in the crime spree.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Officer Austin Miller at 717-684-7735.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Resident alleges selective enforcement by codes department
At last night's Columbia Borough Council meeting, Gerald Maurer, 518 North Third Street, alleged that the Columbia Borough Codes Department has engaged in several incidents of selective enforcement, nonfeasance, and misfeasance over the past few years. In particular, Maurer noted that the property next to his (516 North Third Street) sustained a fire on June 22, 2013, due to faulty wiring (as determined by the fire department). In the aftermath, Maurer took the photographs posted below, which he says display the poor condition of the interior of the house - aside from fire damage - and support his claims of selective code enforcement, since the codes department had not previously cited the property for code violations. (Maurer presented these photographs to council at last night's meeting.) Maurer added that, to his knowledge, no search warrant had been executed for this property to investigate its interior. However, Maurer claims that on one occasion, a search warrant was issued for his own property, and he arrived home to find a code enforcement officer and two policemen inside his house. He also cited ongoing disputes he has had with the codes department for a deck he had added to his property, even though the department did not specify which codes he was violating.
MORE TO FOLLOW ON THIS STORY
Monster mayfly spotted at Columbia River Park
A monster mayfly was spotted hovering over the Columbia River Park pavilion and the Veterans Memorial Bridge this afternoon. Several witnesses estimated the enormous insect to be about ten to twenty feet long and possibly weighing 500 pounds. Local officials contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Fluviology and the National Institute of Mayfly Sciences in an attempt to corral and classify the mayfly, but the insect had apparently left the area by the time the agencies arrived. Officials believe the insect posed no danger to the public at any time but are asking that any further sightings be reported to appropriate authorities.
An official from the National Institute of Mayfly Sciences has theorized that a maternal instinct may have been triggered in the giant mayfly when it spotted this person attempting to catch mayflies on ones of the docks, causing it to hover protectively around the park.
Is there a mayfly festival in Columbia's future?
The seemingly endless swarms of mayflies invading Columbia and Wrightsville have inspired some local residents to look into the possibility of a joint Columbia-Wrightsville mayfly festival to be held in the near future. Although the venture is still very much in the discussion and planning stages, a public meeting will be held at Columbia Cones and More on Monday, August 10 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the idea further. According to Scott Creek, proprietor of Columbia Cones and More as well as one of the group's organizers, residents are invited to the meeting and ideas are welcome.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Suspect arrested for Columbia bank robbery
A Lancaster County man has been arrested for a bank robbery last week.
Justin J. Dettinger, 28, of Columbia, is accused of robbing the Union National Bank on South 18th Street on Tuesday, according to West Hempfield Township police.
Police released surveillance photos and identified Dettinger as a suspect after several tips. He was arrested Monday morning in Mount Joy Township where he was staying.
K2: Synthetic pot 'freaking out' users in small towns across Lancaster County
Columbia, West and East Hempfield townships, East and West Lampeter townships — all have had recent cases.
Crews rescue two canoeists on Saturday
Emergency crews responded to Columbia River Park on Saturday afternoon to rescue two canoeists form the Susquehanna River. The incident occurred between the two bridges.
Go HERE for more information.
(Photos by Ben Burner)
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Construction fence installed on Locust Street
Sections of construction fence were recently added at the 208-210 Locust Street property.
South Fourth is looking a bit better
Much of the trash has been removed from the 100 block of South Fourth Street, due in part to the citizen shown above, who was cleaning up with a dust pan and broom the other day.
Tell Jack Hubley: They might be here for a while
A few weeks ago, on a WGAL report, Jack Hubley gave the impression that the mayfly swarms plaguing Columbia and Wrightsville would soon be a thing of the past. Unfortunately, that hasn't turned out to be the case. On Saturday morning, swarms of mayflies were quite apparent at River Park - presumably freshly arrived, because many were still fluttering on the ground.
Ben Burner, Columbia Crossing's intern, had to clean them off the building once again. Columbia Spy assumes mayfly cleaning wasn't in his job description.
(Hang in there, Ben, and keep up the good work! This has to end sometime.)
Maybe they should be ticketed.
About town
Some recent photos from around town . . .
At Columbia River Park, this bicyclist tried to ride across the water-covered ramp to the dock - unsuccessfully.
Black and white
Catching some rays
Sometimes a sidewalk is just a living room - and pedestrians have to walk in the street or take another route.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Government calendar: July 11, 2015 - Columbia Historical Architectural Review
The Historical Architectural Review Board of the Borough of Columbia will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the council chambers of Borough Hall, 308 Locust St., Columbia. Agenda items include:
_ 40 N. Third St.; Columbia Kettle Works LLC, owner. Install two new awnings beside the building's main entryway.
_ 171-173 S. Fourth St.; Union Station Grill, owner. Remove pent roof from the building's west and south elevations, replace with painted commercial signage. Install five new exterior lightning fixtures.
_ 329 Chestnut St.; American Legion Post 372, owner. Install a new vertical platform lift adjacent to the front entry steps.
Children, without school lunches, find nourishment at Columbia, Wrightsville churches
The Columbia program, sponsored by the Columbia church's Hands Across the Street ministry, is in its fourth summer of offering free lunches for children, Monday through Friday, at five sites in Columbia.
MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/features/The Columbia program, sponsored by the Columbia church's Hands Across the Street ministry, is in its fourth summer of offering free lunches for children, Monday through Friday, at five sites in Columbia./children-without-school-lunches-find-nourishment-at-columbia-wrightsville-churches/article_aefe43ea-27d9-11e5-bcca-7fcccddff1a8.html?mode=jqm
Friday, July 10, 2015
Still more photos from Tuesday's bank robbery
West Hempfield Township police have released more photos from Tuesdays bank robbery and are offering a $1,000 reward for information on the robbery.
It happened at the Union Community Bank on South 18th Street in Columbia just before 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Police said a man 25-30 years old with a medium build, light complexion, and scratches on his face demanded money from a teller.
Police said the man was wearing a black and white hat with the letters "EB" on it, a black long sleeve shirt, jeans, sneakers, and sunglasses.
Investigators said he ran off from the bank and they are not sure how much money he took.
Police said he never showed a weapon and no one was hurt.
Police said he never showed a weapon and no one was hurt.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-285-5191.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Police offer reward in Columbia bank robbery
COLUMBIA, Pa. (WHTM) – West Hempfield Township police are offering a $1,000 reward for information on a bank robbery.
It happened at the Union Community Bank on South 18th Street in Columbia just before 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Police said a man 25-30 years old with a medium build, light complexion, and scratches on his face demanded money from a teller.
Police said the man was wearing a black and white hat with the letters "EB" on it, a black long sleeve shirt, jeans, sneakers, and sunglasses.
Investigators said he ran off from the bank and they are not sure how much money he took.
Police said he never showed a weapon and no one was hurt.
Police said he never showed a weapon and no one was hurt.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 717-285-5191.
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