Man arrested for sexual assault charged in previous offenses

Michael Paul Geib of Columbia was arrested yesterday for sexual assault. He was also charged in previous offenses.

Michael Paul Geib

Here's the docket sheet for yesterday's incident:

Geib was scheduled to go to trial on May 16 on felony and misdemeanor charges of indecent assault of a person under 13 years. The charges stem from an incident that occurred last year:

In 2012, Geib pled guilty to harassment:

Doggone, that van is gone!

The van is gone! Up until a few days ago, a white van with expired registration had sat unattended for a considerable time in the area of the 500 block of Locust Street shown above.  (A previous report on the van is HERE.)  A commenter informed the Spy that the van had been moved.

News crews leave scene after locals kick up a fuss

Columbia Spy and WGAL News 8 arrived on the 200 block of Walnut Street at the same time early this afternoon to report from 215 Walnut, the residence of Michael Paul Geib.  Geib was arrested for an alleged sexual assault of a woman on the 300 block of North Second Street on Tuesday afternoon. While a News 8 cameraman was setting up a camera and tripod, several women arrived in a vehicle and parked in front of the residence. One of the women exited the vehicle and shouted at the cameraman to leave. The Spy spoke to the cameraman as he walked away from the residence. Although he was aware of his right to photograph in public, he decided to leave the scene anyway, most likely to avoid further conflict. Two of the women shouted and gestured at Columbia Spy to leave as they entered the residence.

A short time later, news crews set up on the 300 block of North Second, close to the site of the assault. CBS 21's Kyle Rogers, shown above, interviewed a witness.

Simultaneously, News 8's Ed Weinstock set up shop and conducted a report from the other side of the street.

Lancaster Sierra Club awards 5 "green" grants

One of the grants will go to Friends of the Osprey, developing a Susquehanna River bank site to view osprey nesting and interacting on a platform placed along the growing Northwest Lancaster County River Trail.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-sierra-club-awards-green-grants/article_607ff498-0c8a-11e6-83ae-f7246db57796.html

Stranger sexually assaults female along Columbia street Tuesday afternoon, police say

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/stranger-sexually-assaults-female-along-columbia-street-tuesday-afternoon-police/article_d5daba24-0c72-11e6-adfb-9ffa9d40f2d2.html

Biglers ask Columbia for waiver of bill

At Monday night's Finance Committee meeting, Cindy Bigler of Millersville appealed a $600 invoice from a Columbia Borough engineer regarding a condemned property she owns with husband Sam Bigler at 421-423 Avenue G. The property was condemned in June 2015, and a fire caused major damage to the structure on September 4, 2015.  (Columbia Spy reported on the fire HERE.) Bigler adamantly insisted that the borough engineer made the "wrong diagnosis" and that she should not pay for it. She accused the borough of jumping to condemnation. Bigler claimed that the borough code officer did not enter the building prior to the decision to condemn and that the borough's actions caused her, her husband, and tenants "a lot of problems."

Bigler also accused the code department of being unprofessional and said that she and her husband were not notified that the building would be condemned. She told the committee that they have a business line with an answering machine. "No one called us," she said. 

Code Enforcement Officer/Supervisor Jeff Helm said the decision was initially prompted by Code Officer Robert Osborne's inspection, in order to protect the borough from liability. (Osborne has since been terminated from employment with the borough code department.)

Helm told the committee that he inspected the exterior of the building on June 15, 2015, accompanied by Osborne and engineer William Sauers, who was then employed by the borough. Helm said that he and the others walked around the building and found exterior bulging walls and concluded that the building should be condemned and vacated in a timely fashion.

Helm further explained that on June 26, 2015, Sauers and Sam Bigler entered the property and conducted a room-by-room and floor-by-floor inspection, looking especially for separations of interior/exterior walls. Sauers found unsupported areas on the second floor that required remediation, and his opinion was to vacate. Bigler opted for a third-party inspection by Sanchez & Associates of Millersville.

The borough subsequently suggested that the Biglers select an engineer with knowledge of older structures. The Biglers hired engineer Dan Fichtner, who determined that the building could remain occupied if the interior were re-supported. Fichtner did not believe it was structurally unsound.

Bigler requested that the committee waive the $600 bill for the borough engineer. Councillor Mary Barninger said that she agreed with Bigler's request and made a motion to send the issue to council at its May 9 meeting. Council President Kelly Murphy seconded the motion. Councillor Sherry Welsh, who was substituting for Councillor Cleon Berntheizel, opposed it.

Notice of Condemnation at the Avenue G property, prior to the September 4, 2015 fire.

Columbia School District, borough hire school resource office

In a joint meeting April 18, Columbia's borough council and school board voted unanimously to hire a school resource officer.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/community/columbia-school-district-borough-hire-school-resource-officer/article_33da7114-0ba1-11e6-bd9f-6b6d8dffcbad.html

4th Friday features ribbon-cuttings, Arbor Day Celebration

April's Fourth Friday celebration featured a variety of attractions and events, including the following:

Mayor Leo Lutz and Borough Council President Kelly Murphy helped out with a ribbon-cutting on Friday at Beauty in the Beast pet grooming service at 18 South Third Street.

Owner Britini Tollinger cut the ribbon, aided by co-owner Mike Whelan.

Inside the building is this painting, purportedly by artist Edward B. Black, who painted watercolors and oils of the Susquehanna River in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Clay from the Susquehanna River shore served as the basis for the paints used in this work which is painted directly on the wall. (Could it be a type of fresco painting?)

Black was a founder of the Harrisburg Art Association, and his works are in the collection of the State Museum of Pennsylvania and the Historical Society of Dauphin County.

An hour later and a few steps up the street, Doreen Fabulian - surrounded by family and friends - cut the ribbon for her shop, Aha Sweets, at 8 South Third Street. The shop bakes with organic and natural ingredients (not 100% organic, not gluten-free).  The shop also uses alternative flours (white organic spelt, oat flour, almond flour) in its variety of cakes, cookies, and cupcakes.

A little later, a caricature artist set up shop at the Columbia Market House.

On the grounds of the Columbia Borough School District admin building, members of Cub Scout Pack 35 recited the pledge as an introduction to the 25th Annual Arbor Day Celebration.

Rick Jensen, Columbia High School music director, led the Columbia High School Chorus in performances of various songs.

School Board President Tom Strickler served as master of ceremonies.

Amy Evans, chairwoman of the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission, offered welcoming remarks.

Mayor Lutz spoke about the value of trees in reducing pollution.

Council President Kelly Murphy expressed his thoughts about the importance of Arbor Day.

Amanda Hawn, a new member of the Shade Tree Commission, introduced herself.

Rick Hartlieb of the DCNR Bureau of Forestry spoke and presented a banner to the commission.

Columbia High School Senior Austin Combs read Joyce Kilmer's poem "Trees."

Rich Gerfin, Honorary Chairman of the 2016 Membership Drive, planted a tree.

Afterward, he was accompanied by a young audience member. Columbia Spy previously published a profile of Gerfin HERE.

A full array of proud award winners - including members of Frontier Girls Troop 191 and 202 - posed for the cameras after the event's conclusion.

Parking violation fees for Columbia Borough

'Landmark agreement' reached to restore American shad to Susquehanna | Local News

GO HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/landmark-agreement-reached-to-restore-american-shad-to-susquehanna/article_011efc90-0b10-11e6-b03c-03a3aecfd151.html

The mystery of the white van

A white Nissan van has overstayed its welcome on the 500 block of Locust Street, next to Locust Street Park. Sources tell Columbia Spy that the van has been in the same parking space for at least a month. Street sweeping tickets are routinely removed by - someone.

The van's PA state inspection and emission inspection stickers expired at the end of November 2015.

Witnesses report that about two weeks ago, Columbia Borough Police marked the front driver's side tire, shown above. It appears as though the vehicle has not been moved recently.

Columbia Borough has an ordinance regulating abandoned vehicles.  It's time for this one to go.

New River Trail to be closed for two weeks beginning May 11

Note: The section of the trail to be paved is roughly that from the Route 30 Bridge, northward along Chiques Rock County Park. 

Sources tell Columbia Spy that a section of the new Northwest Lancaster County River Trail - from Columbia to Marietta - will be closed for about two weeks for asphalt paving beginning on May 11. Paving will be overseen in part by Lancaster County Parks and Recreation. At this point, it is undetermined whether or not the trail will be open on weekends during that time.

Paving was originally scheduled to begin in mid-August but was moved up in anticipation of National Trail Days Celebration on Saturday, June 4.

More information to follow as it becomes available.

Columbia has openings for wrestling, boys' basketball, girls' basketball coaching positions

According to the school's website, Columbia has opened four head-coaching positions, including winter-season staples wrestling, boys' basketball and girls' basketball.

Under the job postings section, Columbia athletic director Jim Rhoads lists wrestling, boys' basketball, girls' basketball and bowling as open, and the district is currently accepting applications for head coaches in those sports.

MORE:
http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/news/article/-3249227217538228606/columbia-opens-up-wrestling-boys-basketball-girls-basketball-coaching-positions/

More trees being planted at river shore

Borough workers planted more bald cypress trees along the shoreline at Columbia River Park today - appropriately enough, on Earth Day.

Busy weekend in store for Columbia

This Friday (April 22) is Fourth Friday in Columbia, Marietta, and Wrightsville.  

Visit participating galleries and local venues from5 to 9 pm. Details on exhibits and other specials may be found at either the SVCC website or our Facebook page.  

A special venue attraction is the exhibit in the Caretakers Cottage at Mt Bethel Cemetery from 5 to 9 pm. 

Save some time to stop by Columbia Crossing to enjoy the artwork displayed there, or visit the newly re-opened Jonal Gallery.

Join SVCC as we welcome Beauty in the Beast located at 18 S Third St, Columbia. A ribbon cutting will take place at 4:00 pm on Friday April 22. Meet the owners, enjoy some light fare, and help SVCC congratulate this new venture. An invitation is attached.

Don't go far after the ribbon cutting, because we have a second grand opening just down the street.  Aha Sweets, located at 8 S Third St, Columbia, will celebrate their opening with a ribbon cutting at 5:00 pm. Meet the owners, enjoy sweets, and congratulate this additional new business.

The Columbia Shade Tree Commission will hold their 25^th consecutive observance ofArbor Day at 6 pm on Friday, April 22.  Join this observance at the Columbia School District Administrative Center (200 N Fifth St, Columbia) during the Fourth Friday activities.

Sahd's Metal Recycling will host their annual Earth DayObservance on Saturday, April 23, from 9am to 1 pm.  Stop by to learn more about recycling and other Earth friendly activities.

AND, did you know that the National Watch & Clock Museum will launch a new exhibit this week? Sacred: Symbolism and the Religious Concept of Time, a look at how the five major religions view the passage of time, will first open to the public on Friday, April 22, and will remain on display through the end of the year.

River Park tree planting has begun

Several bald cypress trees like the one shown above were planted along the river shore at Columbia River Park recently to replace dead and dying trees that were cut down a few months ago.

Jonal Gallery in today's LNP

The link to the full article is HERE.

The Harold & Judy McKonly TNR Cat Clinic

For Columbia Residents ONLY

Cost Per Cat: $15.00 includes Spay or Neuter, Ear Tip, Rabies and Distemper Vaccine

When: Saturday April 30, 2016 (Limit of 75 cats in this clinic)

Appointments are required and may be made by calling: 717-983-8878

Where: Pet Pantry Clinic 26 Millersville Road, Lancaster PA 17603

Drop off Time: 7 A.M. until 9 A.M. All cats must arrive in in a trap or secure carrier NO cardboard boxes

Discharge/Pick up Time:Approximately starting at 4:30 P.M. -5:00 P.M. (could be early or later) 

PLEASE READ and UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING:
1. Before Reserving a spot on our surgery list please be realistic on how many Feral cats you can safely trap and transport. Limit of three cats per house hold.
2. This is a high volume, assembly line spay/ neuter clinic therefore NO FAMILY PETS this clinic is for un-owned feral Cats.
3. There will be no physical examine.
4. All cats must have their ears tipped NO EXCEPTIONS.
5. Kittens must be 3 months and at least 2 lbs.
6. All cats must be kept in a warm location overnight in their carrier or trap for recovery. (Further discharge information will be given day of surgery)

THERE WILL BE AN ADDITIONAL $15.00 FEE FOR ANY CAT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL MEDICAL ATTENTION

Borough Offices: 308 Locust Street, Columbia PA 17512 | Phone: 717-684-2467

Columbia Borough will make agendas available on-line before council meetings

After recent news articles reported that information was not being provided to the public in a timely manner, the borough began posting draft and final meeting agendas on its website.
MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/community/columbia-borough-will-make-agendas-available-on-line-before-council/article_9913af08-062b-11e6-858f-77c3a4021859.html

Columbia and Elanco school board consider a joint superintendent for next year

Columbia’s Acting Superintendent Kenneth Klawitter on Monday night proposed that the board share a district leader with Elanco in the 2016-17 school year.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-and-elanco-school-board-consider-a-joint-superintendent-for/article_3f982380-05dd-11e6-8e42-fbfbf35bd4a7.html

Columbia to get school resource officer

At a joint meeting Monday night, the Columbia Borough School Board and Columbia Borough Council voted unanimously to place a school resource officer in Columbia schools, beginning with the 2016-17 school year.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Fleetwood Girl Scouts take on Turkey Hill Experience

Fleetwood Girl Scout Brownie Troop 1793 recently held a "SHE & ME" event and traveled to the Turkey Hill Experience in Columbia, Pennsylvania.
MORE:
http://www.berksmontnews.com/general-news/20160418/fleetwood-girl-scouts-take-on-turkey-hill-experience

Columbia to get trolley on trial basis

Columbia's getting a trolley. Or more precisely, it's renting a trolley service on a trial basis.  Columbia Borough Council approved the move at its April 11 meeting after a presentation by Daisy Pagan, who is championing the project through the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. The borough is fronting $30,600 for the trolley for a one-year tryout during tourist season. Any revenue generated from the operation - conservatively estimated at $20,500 - will be returned to borough coffers. The amount is based on a charge of two dollars per rider and income from advertising on the side of the trolley.

Rivertowne Trolley Company will provide the service with a 24-seat trolley that was recently restored. Service will run from Memorial Day weekend (5/26/16) through Labor Day weekend (9/2/16), 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and as needed for special events, and extended for Fourth Fridays. Guests might ride free if the budget allows.

The Turkey Hill Experience has agreed to contribute signage, parking attendants at lots, and an informational piece to be distributed to all guests.

The tentative trolley route is shown in red below:

Man gets stuck waist-deep in mud, crews pull him out

Traffic on a stretch of Route 441 was diverted for about an hour this afternoon when emergency crews responded to an environmental rescue call for a man stuck in the mud at Chiques Rock County Park. Personnel found the man in mud up to his waist in the eastern part of the park between Route 441 and Old Chiques Hill Road. Crews had to remove some of the mud before pulling him out. Afterward, the man appeared unhurt at the scene, except for a possible case of hurt pride.

Fire police diverted northbound traffic on Route 441 right onto Klinesville Road. Southbound traffic was detoured onto Old Chiques Hill Road.

Painter Frank Morgan to appear at Fourth Friday print signing at SCCA

Painter Frank Morgan will do a print signing at the SCCA Friday, April 22, 5-9 p.m., and will have a variety high-quality reproduction prints available to the public at very reasonable prices.

Morgan attended Harvard University where he studied drawing and art history while obtaining a bachelor’s degree in political science. After graduating in 1973, he worked as an architectural draftsman for the Architects’ Design Group in Cambridge, Massachusetts and painted in his spare time.

During the 1990s, he produced a series of prints of Washington, D.C. scenes which were sold widely in the Washington area, and in 2000 he was commissioned to paint a unique series of views of the U.S. Capitol for the Congressional Holiday Ornament program, a series still in use at the Capitol today. He also worked as an architectural designer and consultant for private clients in the Washington area.

Frank Morgan’s home and studio are now in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania where he now devotes his time to historic and religious painting and architectural designing. He can be contacted at studioguild1@verizon.net.