Sunday, May 15, 2016
This town is for the birds
Abundant wildlife thrives in our humble hamlet, among which is a great variety of bird species of many shapes and sizes. Most of the following photos were shot this weekend:
Smug starling with mouthful of mayflies
Yes, the Canada Geese are back at River Park.
Watch your step!
Six-pack
This bluebird took up temporary residence in one of the young bald cypress trees at Columbia River Park.
He glared at the camera.
And then turned his back.
Then glared again from atop a sign, looking crabby.
Apparently, the bluebird of happiness was having a bad day.
Some sort of shorebird - along the shore, of all places
Catbird
Lawbreaker
Osprey on the hunt
Dive!
Onward and downward!
Splashdown!
Unfortunately for him, it was a near miss.
Back at it
A little later, a great blue heron flew over.
These two vied for control of the skies.
Red-tailed hawk
Another shot
Bird on a wire - a male blue jay
The early bird gets the worm, and the early worm becomes breakfast.
Pigeon in a puddle
Later that afternoon, the osprey's efforts paid off. He was carrying a hapless bass (or some other kind of sunfish) over the river.
(This photo was shot through the windshield of a moving car with a point and shoot.)
About Town
Recent photos from around town . . .
Complaining to management
On hold
Domicile deconstruction after last fall's fire
Removing damaged beams from the November 4, 2015 blaze that engulfed several row homes on the 300 block of Walnut Street.
Rolling out the roof Salem United Church of Christ, 324 Walnut Street
Weighted down
What was that number again?
The recently planted bald cypress trees are doing well at Columbia River Park.
Fishing lesson
Friday, May 13, 2016
Coffee and Conversation with Senator Ryan P. Aument
Light Refreshments will be available for visitors.
Parole Violation Warrant | Columbia Borough Police Department
Michael Horn
On 05-13-16 Michael Horn (33) of Columbia was picked up on a parole violation warrant at 3rd St. and Cherry St.
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Summer Art Camp planned for Columbia
The Susquehanna Center for the Creative Arts, in collaboration with Columbia Borough, will offer a Summer Art Camp for ages 8 to 18 beginning Monday, June 13.
At its April 11 meeting, Columbia Borough Council voted to allocate $3,900 to fund the program.
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Borough moves forward on impaired Locust Street building
208-210 Locust Street
If the Columbia Borough Planning Commission approves the certification, LCHRA will seek to purchase the property from owners Sam and Cynthia Bigler. If an agreement of sale cannot be reached and the owners do not sell to another entity, the property will be listed as blighted, and LCHRA will sell it to a party who will meet the conditions for redevelopment of the property.
If at any time during the process the owners present a certified plan to remediate the property - with signed engineering drawings and an approved timeline in accordance with the demands of LCHRA - they will be able to do so.
“Remember, it's difficult to take a property," Lutz said. "People who own property do have rights, but the municipality also has rights."
Two New Painting Classes at the SCCA
Beautiful masterpieces done by Claude Monet and Vincent Van Gogh: Pick one or all and sign up for a unique painting experience. Have a enjoyable, relaxing time while you enjoy the process of creativity. You will paint on a 16"x20" canvas with acrylic paints and you will be amazed at the masterpiece you create. No prior Art training required.
BYOB
Go to Eventbrite to view and sign-up.
http://www.eventbrite.com/o/susquehanna-center-for-the-crea…
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Mayor proclaims EMS week in Columbia
To designate the week of May 15 through 21, 2016 as "Emergency Medical Services Week"; and whereas emergency medical services is a vital public service; and whereas the members of emergency medical service teams are ready to provide life-saving care to those in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week; and whereas access to quality emergency care dramatically improves the survival and recovery rate of those who experience sudden illness or injury; and whereas the emergency medical services system consists of emergency physicians, emergency nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, educators, administrators, police, and others; and whereas the members of emergency medical service teams, whether career or volunteer, engage in thousands of hours of specialized training and continuing education to enhance their life-saving skills; and whereas the Borough of Columbia is fortunate to have several emergency medical service units available to residents and businesses: Columbia Borough Police Department, Susquehanna Valley EMS, Columbia QRS, and Columbia Borough Fire Department; and whereas it is appropriate to recognize the value and the accomplishments of emergency medical service providers by designating Emergency Medical Services Week; now therefore, I, Leo Lutz, mayor of the Borough of Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in recognition of this event, do hereby proclaim the week of May 15 though 21, 2016 as "Emergency Medical Services Week" with the theme "EMS Strong." I encourage the community to observe this week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.
Pet Pantry now sponsoring Feral Cat Fridays for Columbia
Every Friday is now Columbia Day at Pet Pantry in Lancaster. The spay/neuter program, designated "Feral Cat Fridays," will continue at a cost of $30 per cat, for ferals only. Appointments are required, and cats must be delivered to the facility. Additional information is shown on the above release.
According to Columbia Borough Councillor Stephanie Weisser, the facility spayed or neutered 21 feral cats on April 30 that were delivered by seven residents. The cats were caught under a trap and release program.
Former police chief denied position on pension board
Joseph F. Greenya
Greenya, who resigned as chief in 2011 after working on the force since 1974, sued Columbia Borough on June 28, 2013 over pension concerns. Greenya alleges that he was being short-changed on his monthly pension payments. According to the Lancaster County Prothonotary's Office, the case is still open.
Monday, May 9, 2016
GONE!
A damaged tree that was leaning against utility wires was cut down today. The Bradford Pear tree had been partially uprooted along the sidewalk near 150 South Fourth Street and created a public safety hazard, as reported yesterday on Columbia Spy. The majority of the job was completed before noon, and the remaining stump was removed mid-afternoon.
Sunday, May 8, 2016
Getting up in the world
Things were looking up around town lately. A little over a week ago, a giant crane was used to lift a new air conditioning unit onto the roof of Trinity House Apartments on Mill Street. The lifting operation took over an hour as workmen waited atop the building to place the unit.
Around the same time, workers installed a new utility pole and transformer on the first block of North Third Street, in front of Columbia Kettle Works. The establishment stayed open during its regular business hours as the work was done over several days. Flagger Force directed traffic around the work zone.
Our trees have taken a beating lately
Trees in the area have suffered a lot lately, due either to the hand of nature or that of humans. Asplundh recently slashed their way through Columbia, cutting trees in their path. An Asplundh spokesman has informed Columbia Spy that PPL contracted them to undertake the project, which is done about every four years. Notices are hung on property owners' doors in advance of trimming. Asplundh supposedly has a certain amount of right-of-way on private property to trim trees interfering with electrical wires. The spokesman said residents should not be concerned about the degree of trimming - which can sometimes look severe - because the trees "will grow back."
Nature also took a toll on local trees recently, when high winds sheared off several trees on the Musser property along Lancaster Avenue. It appears as if a tornado ripped through the area, although none had been reported at the time.
Falling in slow motion
As Columbia Spy reported several weeks ago HERE (near the bottom of the page), a Bradford Pear tree in front of 150 South Fourth Street is falling over and is restrained only by utility wires over the sidewalk. Recent heavy rains and winds during the past week have contributed to the tree's demise, and the tree is now leaning even further and has become a public safety concern. The base of the tree has lifted out of the root basin due to the high, weak root system of the Bradford Pear tree and the borough's undersized root basins.
Friday, May 6, 2016
VIDEO: Police arrest shop owners on various charges
WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE
The back story is HERE.
Video by Jesse
Screenshot from above video.
Amber Lace Wise can be seen shouting as Dane Aaron Stock struggles with police in the background.
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