What's the speed of a Sunday afternoon? Two accidents per hour

The Jeep Cherokee shown below was traveling in the westbound lane on the Veterans Memorial Bridge (Route 462) at about three o'clock this afternoon when it was struck by a Chevy Cavalier traveling east. The Jeep, which was reportedly just purchased yesterday, lost a rear driver's side wheel, while the Chevy sustained front end damage, including a severely damaged front driver's side wheel. The accident occurred just beyond the plaza near the entrance to the bridge on the Columbia side. Both vehicles were hauled away by Midway Collision Shop within the hour.

50 minutes later, at about 4 p.m., officers left the scene to respond to another accident a block away at Third and Poplar Streets, where a Hyundai Elantra had apparently "T-boned" a Chevy Trail Blazer.  Air bags deployed in both vehicles.

A bustling Sunday at the Market House

The Columbia Market House will be open on Sundays during November. 

The place was bustling today . . .

Lines were long for a wide variety of food,

while the folk duo Dillweed played for the enjoyment of visitors.

Back in 2008, the Market House had a special visitor.

Go HERE to find out who it was.

About Town

Recent pics . . .

 This truck was spotted in the Turkey Hill Experience parking lot on Saturday.

 Just painted - the border of the new BB&T sign

Work in progress at Fourth and Locust - 

A worker said the "walls" will actually be planters.

Market House is open Sundays in November

Allentown police help arrest alleged Lancaster city shooter

Julius Craig, 18, formerly of Columbia, was arrested in Allentown Thursday based on an attempted homicide warrant issued in Lancaster in September. (Lancaster City Police / Submitted photo)

MORE:
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-c-allentown-police-arrest-lancaster-suspect-20151113-story.html

THE BACKSTORY IS HERE:
http://fox43.com/2015/09/15/police-id-suspect-in-lancaster-shooting/

Borough looks to collect on sewer liens

Columbia Borough is currently collating information on properties with sewer liens, with an eye towards collecting on those debts. Since Lancaster Area Sewer Authority (LASA) recently assumed responsibility for collecting quarterly sewer fees, regular billing will no longer be done by the borough. Columbia Spy has obtained information through a Right-to-Know request on properties, owners, and outstanding lien amounts.  Several liens have accumulated interest, and some are over 10 years old. According to the document PROPERTIES WITH LIENS 11/10/15 provided by the borough office, lien amounts total $14,810.66, with the total amount due with fees listed as $35,189.94. It was noted at last Monday's Columbia Borough Council meeting that total uncollected fees eight years ago were $150,000.

The document below lists current outstanding liens, with individual amounts and totals.  47 properties are listed. Columbia Spy has redacted names, addresses, and account numbers at this time.

Click/tap image for sharper view.

What's wrong with these pictures?

Just seen . . .



Bridge Street

North Second Street

Community Life Network of Columbia partners with Financial Empowerment Center to help connect consumers

GO HERE FOR INFO:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/bad-credit-deep-in-debt-tabor-helps-with-new-financial/article_b9db8c06-898a-11e5-bee9-cf4abbfefd01.html

SCCA offers painting class November 14

The Susquehanna Center for the Creative Arts is offering another painting class with Angel Bentivegna at their location at 224 Locust Street, Columbia.

For more information and to sign up, go here:

http://sccaartstore.com - Go to classes and sign up thru Eventbrite or call 717-576-9628.


Ange's first workshop on Monet was a great success!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153252609785665&set=pcb.10153252612380665&type=3&theater

ADA access? That's just plain crazy!

The ADA access to nowhere that we reported on previously HERE has recently become even more absurd.  A small section of fence has been added to prevent pedestrians from exiting onto Norfolk Southern property and walking near the railroad tracks. 

 And yet, the rear egress opens to an area a few feet from the tracks. So what's the point of the fence?

The placement of this ADA makes no sense. Pedestrians crossing from the Eastern Drillers building to this ADA will either exit "out the back" onto Norfolk Southern property next to the tracks - or go forward and then right onto Front Street (into traffic), then make another right onto the crossing to Columbia River Park. 

And what use is the pedestrian push button shown above?

Here's another view of the rear egress. (Part of the new fence can be seen on the right.) 

Although this structure is probably compliant with regulations governing ADA at traffic lights, it doesn't adhere to common sense. In fact, unless some sort of modifications are made, it will remain downright absurd. 

Cigarette believed to be cause of fire

An unattended cigarette was believed to be the cause of a small fire on the balcony at the rear of 216 Perry Street this afternoon.  A quick-thinking neighbor used a garden hose to extinguish the fire. Fire crews arrived and applied more water to ensure that the fire was out.

Downtown Columbia Holiday Events December 13th

Event 1: The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce presents their Christmas Historic Home Tour, Mittens and Mufflers, on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 11 am -5 p.m. - rain or shine! The Mittens and Mufflers tour is a self-guided historic home tour featuring several homes on the very first established street of Columbia as well as 2 beautiful cottage homes! Beginning on November 19th advance tickets will be available at the Susquehanna Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau as well as several participating locations. Come enjoy the breathtaking, historic homes open for viewing as well as voting for the most beautifully decorated front door.

House Tour tickets: 

• Advance Tickets - $12 (price includes tax) 
• Day of Tour - $15 (price includes tax) 
• Well-mannered children under 12 - Free

Event 2: Be sure to maximize your River Town experience by visiting our Historic downtown during the day-long Old Fashioned Christmas. This special event promises a hearty dose of holiday cheer featuring special offers and complimentary refreshments at participating shops and restaurants. Old St. Nick promises to make an appearance in his workshop. There will also be performances by our area school’s children’s choir, strolling adult carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, gingerbread men decorating, cookie decorating, street vendors of hot cocoa, cider and roasted nuts, the Historic Market House and its vendors, The Columbia Historic Preservation Society’s Train Display, a historic guided tour and a variety of other fun-filled activities for children and adults. Downtown merchants will be open Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm for great holiday shopping. 5 pm is the magical time when we add a holiday glow to the Streets with luminaries and light up the downtown streetscape for the season. You’ll walk away with the nostalgia of Christmases gone by. Bundle up and wear your mittens and mufflers. 

For More Information, Contact: SVCC 717-684-5249

Leaf pickup back on schedule

Leaf collection will be back on schedule this week. Pickup fell behind due to paving and a day off on Election Day. Two collectors are now scheduled to be in operation.

Council buys replacement police car

Columbia Borough Council approved the purchase of a 2015 Ford Police Interceptor for $25,251 to replace Unit #4 that was totaled in a collision last month. Insurance will pay $20,435, with the balance coming from the 2015 Columbia Borough Budget. The equipment from the original vehicle was not damaged and will be transferred.

Shown above is the police vehicle that was totaled in a collision on October 13 while an officer was responding to a call.

Doug's Tree Service to cut River Park trees

After considering several bids, Columbia Borough Council approved the hiring of Doug's Tree Service to cut dead and dying trees at Columbia River Park at a price not to exceed $14,000. The trees slated for removal have been spray-painted with orange dots and will be cut in the near future. New trees are scheduled to be planted in the spring.

ADA to nowhere?

At tonight's council meeting, a citizen mentioned this ADA sidewalk access leading to . . . railroad tracks? The structure is located at a pedestrian crossing at Front and Walnut and is part of the Route 441 bypass project. 

Agenda - Borough Council Meeting November 9, 2015

Susquehanna branches, including 36 in Lancaster County, opening today as BB&T offices

http://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/susquehanna-branches-including-in-lancaster-county-opening-today-as-bb/article_084fe22a-86dd-11e5-aa44-63d05fcf694f.html

Susquehanna is now BB&T

Susquehanna Bank on the 300 block of Locust Street is now BB&T. The sign shown above was installed last Friday morning (the borders of which still need to be painted). Employees received orientation on new procedures over the weekend. The bank is open for business today under the new name.