Vandalism reported at Chickies Creek park in East Donegal Township

COLUMBIA, Pa. (WHTM) – Police are investigating after vandals struck an East Donegal Township park last week.

According to a news release, it happened between January 14 and 15 at Chickies Creek Day.

Extensive damage was caused to the grass area of the park by two vehicles, police say.

One of the vehicles is believed to be a Dodge Durango with a damaged and broken passenger side mirror.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Susquehanna Regional Police Department at 717-426-1164.

http://abc27.com/2016/01/22/vandalism-reported-at-chickies-creek-park-in-east-donegal-township/

Columbia Library closed Saturday

The Columbia Public Library will be CLOSED all day Saturday, January 23rd.

Snowzilla!

Snowzilla makes so much sense to us because of its perfect nod to this “Godzilla” El Nino. And quite frankly, this could be a Godzilla-sized winter storm.

MORE:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/01/21/poll-name-this-winter-storm/

Snow emergency declared in Columbia Borough

                       Source: wgal.com

JANUARY 22, 2016

Below is information on the Snow emergency that starts tonight at 7:00 PM. If you must be out driving somewhere during the snow storm please drive safely and allow extra space between you and the vehicle in front of you. The less traffic on the roads the better it will be for emergency crews and public works department to safely clear the roads. If you have a fire hydrant near your house please remember to dig it out as well. The Columbia Borough Fire Department will appreciate it. Have a safe weekend!

January 22, 2016

SNOW EMERGENCY

A Snow Emergency will be in effect in the Borough of Columbia beginning at 7:00 PM, Friday, January 22, 2016. The Snow Emergency will remain in effect until further notice. The Snow Emergency will be to facilitate clean-up efforts in the Borough.

Vehicle travel on Borough Streets marked as “Snow Emergency Routes” shall be in accordance with the Borough’s “Snow Emergency Ordinance” except for emergency situations. No person shall operate a vehicle on any Snow Emergency Route in such a manner or in such condition as to allow or permit such vehicle to become stalled on a “Snow Emergency Route” either by reason of the fact that the driving wheels are not equipped with chains or proper tires, by the exhaustion of the fuel supply to the vehicle, or by abandonment of the vehicle.

Parking on “Snow Emergency Routes” shall be prohibited. Parking is available in Borough Parking Lots located at Front and Locust Street, next to Borough Hall on Locust and in the former telephone company lot in Avenue H between 2nd and 3rd Street. Parking will be permitted after the street has been cleared. Residents are reminded it is illegal to throw snow in the street and to place various items along Borough Streets to reserve parking.

The Borough shall have the authority to remove and impound, or to order the removal and impounding of any vehicle parked or abandoned on a “Snow Emergency Route” during the Snow Emergency and to remove any items left on the streets. During clean-up residents will be notified to move their vehicles on a street by street basis.

Residents are further reminded to remove snow from sidewalks per Columbia Borough Code.

The following Streets have been designated “Snow Emergency Routes”:

Locust Street, Front to Fifth Street                                North Third Street, Locust to Cedar Street

Chestnut Street, Second to Fifth Street                         North Fifth Street, Chestnut to Locust Street

Lancaster Avenue, Locust to Malleable Road               Kinderhook Road

Ironville Pike, Ninth to Borough Limit                             Ninth Street, Ironville Pike to Lancaster Ave

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

Double-parking - Things can only get worse

Unfortunately, double parking has become a Columbia tradition. Quite often, drivers too lazy to park properly simply park in the street, blocking traffic and creating dangerous conditions. As shown above, the situation on the 200 block of Walnut Street was especially challenging yesterday. The driver of an SUV (center) had to wend his way through a veritable maze of vehicles - three cars and a truck - that were double-parked. One can only imagine how bad conditions will get when the impending snowstorm hits the area this weekend.

Warning: Shoveling out from winter storm could be deadly

Major snowstorms combine a perfect storm of factors that can cause heart attacks, as well as back injuries, pulled muscles and falls, and hand injuries resulting from clogged snow blowers.
MORE:
http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/01/shoveling_heart_attack_snow_ti.html

Online Chat Leads to Columbia Man’s Trial Conviction of Child Sex Abuse | Lancaster County District Attorney's Office

GO HERE:
https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/da/11617/post/online-chat-leads-columbia-man%e2%80%99s-trial-conviction-child-sex-abuse

What comes down must...go up?

New signposts were being installed at Columbia Plaza this afternoon, near the Lancaster Avenue entrance. The original signs and posts were torn down earlier today.

Gov. Wolf Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Winter Storm | Governor Tom Wolf

January 21, 2016

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf today declared a state of emergency in preparation for the winter storm expected to impact Pennsylvania, especially in the southeast and south central regions of the state. The disaster emergency proclamation enables state and local authorities to respond to any unmet needs as quickly as possible as a snowstorm is forecasted to blanket snow across much of the state.

"Declaring a state of emergency allows the commonwealth to deliver state resources wherever they're needed as quickly as possible," said Governor Wolf. "We have multiple state agencies working at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to monitor weather conditions across the state and we will respond to help local governments and residents in need."

Governor Wolf and state officials from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Turnpike, and the Departments of Transportation and Health will hold a 2:30pm media briefing that will be broadcast live at http://governor.pa.gov/live.

The proclamation authorizes state agencies to use all available resources and personnel, as necessary, to cope with the magnitude and severity of the situation. The time-consuming bid and contract procedures, as well as other formalities normally prescribed by law, are waived for the duration of the proclamation. The State Emergency Operations Center, located at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency headquarters outside Harrisburg, is staffed by personnel from multiple state agencies.

https://www.governor.pa.gov/governor-wolf-declares-state-emergency-ahead-winter-storm/

900 block of Barber Street closed

Barber Street is currently closed between Plane and Tenth due to a water main break.

Workers remove Columbia Plaza sign

Workers removed the sign at the Lancaster Avenue entrance to the Columbia Plaza this morning. More information to follow as it becomes available.

Water main break on Barber Street

A water main break has been reported on the 900 block of Barber Street. Columbia Water Company workers are currently on the scene awaiting information from UGI on gas line locations before excavating. Repairs are expected to be completed today.

Route 441 bridge to be replaced

Work has started to replace a bridge that carries Route 441 over Chiques Creek in Lancaster County, according to the state Department of Transportation.
MORE:
http://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2016/01/19/route-441-bridge-replaced/79040946/

Prepare for a Celestial Spectacle as Five Planets Align - NYTimes.com

Five planets will parade across the dawn sky early Wednesday in a rare celestial spectacle set to repeat every morning until late next month.

Headlining the planetary performance are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. 

MORE:
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/science/space/five-planets-align-mars-jupiter-mercury-saturn-venus.html

Up to $1,000 reward for information on Raymond Lee wanted for Aggravated Assault. | Lancaster County Crime Stoppers

Source: 

Lancaster County Crime Stoppers

At 2:15 AM on December 25, 2015 Lancaster City Police officers responded to the 200 blk. of E. Chestnut St. for a report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance. Upon arrival officers found an intoxicated 30-year-old male inside of the foyer of an apartment building on the north side of the street with injuries to his eye and lip. This male was arrested for Public Drunkenness and conveyed to the police station. While at the station, officers examined the male more closely and discovered a laceration to the back of his head. The man was subsequently conveyed to Lancaster General Hospital and admitted as trauma patient. The male was unable to tell officers how he sustained these injuries.

Lancaster Safety Coalition surveillance video for this date was reviewed and the victim was observed in the 200 blk. of N. Shippen St. in the area of Molly's Pub carry-out. (Molly's Pub, 253 E. Chestnut St., is approximately one-half block from the location where the victim was found in the apartment foyer.) The victim was observed being struck, punched and kicked by at least three people. One of these people was identified by Det. Michael Gerace as Raymond Lee, 39-year-old male.

Raymond Lee was charged with Aggravated Assault, Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, and Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution. A warrant was issued for his arrest. The 4 other conspirators in this case have been apprehended. Raymond Lee is the only suspect that has not been arrested in this case.

Anyone with information on this incident or the current location of Lee is asked to submit a tip here or by calling Lancaster Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-1913. Callers may remain anonymous and do not have to give their names.

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/crimestoppers/14006/cases/1000-reward-information-raymond-lee-wanted-aggravated-assault

Committee meeting dates and times

As of this month, Columbia Borough has discontinued Committee of the Whole meetings in favor of individual committee meetings. Meeting dates and times (as listed on the borough's website) are shown below:

Murder suspect - 7 roommates and one bathroom?

Ronald L. Sheetz

Columbia Borough Police apprehended murder suspect Ronald L. Sheetz Sunday morning and deserve the thanks of the community for a job well done. 

However, several facts stand out about the state of Sheetz's living conditions at 226 Lawrence Street. According to this LNP article, Sheetz lived at this address with seven other people. And according to information found at zillow.com and the Lancaster County Assessment Office, the residence has three bedrooms and one bathroom.  FOR EIGHT PEOPLE.

At this point, it's unclear whether or not the residence is owned and occupied by members of one family or is a rental property that was occupied by eight unrelated residents.

Columbia Spy was recently told by a borough official that rental units may not have more than three unrelated occupants, according to borough ordinance. 

The Spy will post further information as it is obtained.

From zillow.com

 From the Lancaster County Property Assessment Office

What's the speed limit on 441?

Vehicles often speed along the new Route 441 bypass, creating dangerous conditions - particularly near the pedestrian crossing at Bridge Street. It should be noted, however, that the speed limit along this stretch of 441 is between 25 and 35 mph, as shown in the photos below.

 The speed limit is posted as 35 mph at the "top" of the bypass.

 About three-quarters of the way down, right before Bridge Street, the speed limit falls to 25.

The speed limit remains 25 mph until 441 crosses the railroad tracks past Locust Street, beyond which it reverts to 35 mph.

How cold is it?

Cold enough for this seagull to have icicles on his belly this morning at Columbia River Park...

Temperatures were barely out of the teens today, with wind chills in the single digits.

Police gather follow-up evidence at crime scene

Ronald Lee Sheetz, 41, was arrested Sunday morning at an undisclosed location in Columbia, according to Brett Hambright, spokesman for the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office. Sheetz is charged with the stabbing murder of Michael Oberdorff, Sr. of Columbia.  Columbia Borough Police and other officers gathered follow-up evidence and photographed the crime scene at 322 South Second Street this afternoon. Police had staked out the residence for several days.

CAPTURED!

A man wanted in the stabbing death of a Columbia man Friday night is in custody.

Ronald Lee Sheetz, 41, was arrested Sunday morning at an undisclosed location in Columbia, according to Brett Hambright, spokesman for the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office.

He will be arraigned this afternoon and committed to Lancaster County Prison without bail.

Officials previously had warned that Sheetz "is presumed dangerous, so anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts, call police immediately at 684-2120. Do not try to confront or apprehend him."

Police were dispatched to 322 S. 2nd St. at about 11:35 p.m. Friday for a reported domestic incident in progress, Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman reported in an earlier press release. Allison Oberdorff told police her husband needed help in an upstairs master bedroom. Police found Michael Oberdorff Sr. on the floor of that bedroom with an apparent stab wound to his chest.

Oberdorff told an officer, “Help me! Help me! I’m dying. Ronald stabbed me,” according to Stedman. Oberdorff died a short time later at Lancaster General Hospital.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/update-man-charged-in-columbia-stabbing-death-has-been-captured/article_e6c7c2e6-bc45-11e5-80a9-6fcd920cce98.html

Ronald Lee Sheetz charged with Criminal Homicide

Docket sheet for Ronald Lee Sheetz:

Info from the DA's office on Columbia murder

Police are investigating the death a Columbia man stabbed late Friday night, Jan. 15, in his home.

Columbia police have charged Ronald Lee Sheetz, 41, with criminal homicide regarding the death of 44-year-old Michael Oberdorff Sr.

At the time of this release, Sheetz is not in custody. He is presumed dangerous, so anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts, call police immediately at 684-2120. Do not try to confront or apprehend him.

Investigators, including Columbia police and Lancaster County detectives, are actively pursuing Sheetz, whose last known address is in Columbia.

Police were dispatched to 322 South Second Street on Friday about 11:35 p.m. for a reported domestic incident in progress.

Police were met by a woman who lived there, reporting that her husband, who was in an upstairs master bedroom, needed help.

In the master bedroom, police found Michael Oberdorff Sr., on the floor with an apparent stab wound to his chest.

Oberdorff Sr. stated to an officer, "Help me! Help me! I'm dying. Ronald stabbed me."

Oberdorff Sr. died a short time later at Lancaster General Hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

During an interview with police, the woman occupant identified "Ronald" as Ronald Sheetz, a former boyfriend. She told police she saw Sheetz in a physical altercation with her husband.

Columbia police Officer Edgar Mann filed charges, which were approved by Lancaster County Assistant District Attorney Christopher Lechner.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday.

Sheetz is presumed innocent.

(See CrimeWatch/Twitter for his photo.)

Man charged with stabbing death in Columbia remains at large

Ronald Lee Sheetz

Police are investigating the death of a Columbia man stabbed late Friday night in his home.

Columbia police have charged Ronald Lee Sheetz, 41, with criminal homicide regarding the death of 44-year-old Michael Oberdorff Sr., Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman reported in a press release.

As of 9:45 a.m. Saturday, Sheetz is not in custody. He is presumed dangerous, so anyone who sees him or knows of his whereabouts, call police immediately at 684-2120. Do not try to confront or apprehend him.

MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/man-charged-with-stabbing-death-in-columbia-remains-at-large/article_e6c7c2e6-bc45-11e5-80a9-6fcd920cce98.html

Stabbing on South 2nd

A person was stabbed in the chest in Columbia Borough Friday night, WGAL reported.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/?TNNoMobile

Police line at 322 South 2nd Street this morning

WGAL photo from Friday night

State Police helicopter searches river

A State Police helicopter canvassed the Susquehanna River for about an hour this morning during a search for a man reported to have jumped from the Route 30 Bridge Thursday night. Although the search extended from the Route 30 Bridge to the Safe Harbor Dam, no one was located.  Columbia Borough and West Hempfield Police scanned the river from a vantage point at Columbia River Park.

West Hempfield police ask anyone with information to call them at 717-285-5191 or 1-800-957-2677.

UPDATE: Man IDed who reportedly jumped from Rt. 30 Bridge

Police identified Benjamin Jose Nogueras, 20, of Lancaster as the man who would have been driving the vehicle. Officers have been in contact with Nogueras' family, and attempts to contact him by phone have gone unanswered.

MORE:
http://www.ydr.com/story/news/2016/01/15/route-30-bridge-jumper-not-found/78838138/

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/police-lancaster-man-is-likely-jumper-from-route-bridge-into/article_0dfb9d34-bb1e-11e5-a51d-433187d0f866.html