About Town

 Recent pics from around Columbia . . . 

Red tail on Heritage Drive

Heritage Drive looking wider and clearer 

This box is alleged to have caused injury this week.

It's located on the 200 block of Locust, near Hinkle's.

A headless troll - like many on the internet

Rickety sign on Bank Avenue.

Note the spray-painted "S" before Columbia.

Haters can't even get their insults straight.

Whackin' weeds along Front Street

Mafly-covered lamp at River Park

Wannabe

Killdeer on the rail

The sumac has been removed. The mailbox is now visible.

Butts at the clock plaza at 5th & Chestnut

Where's the other piece? That's "od."

Tiger swallowtail

Have a seat - just watch out for that nail.

(South 4th)

This bass drum lost its head and was put out with the trash.

Gas service on the sidewalk, at the edge of a porch.

What could possibly go wrong?

Someone forgot the drop cloth.

Super fan on South 4th

Nittany lion on South 4th

Grassy median in the alley.

Does someone mow this?

Sign on the ground

Inexpensive driver's side window

Bo Bo's Tomatoes

(200 block of Union)

Second floor going up at the storage units on Front Street?

Could be . . .

Security camera, out of service

Stars and STRIPS!

Sludge island at River Park

Aloof

CONDEMNED!

(134 North 3rd)

Rollin' with the baby

The elusive hummingbird moth

Top of the globe

Morning glory in the morning

A new kind of flag?

Another view of the garage on the 600 block of Avenue H that may be turned into storage units.

The zoning hearing for this project has been postponed until September.

Rolling out the sign

The trashman is going to be busy.

Reaching for lunch.

The tasty bugs must be under the railing . . .

. . . and along the side.

Up, up, and away

Close-up

Columbia's trolley was back in action today (Sunday).

Yellow belly

Hangin' with the big boys

Join the Amvets.

Here's the summer schedule.

Vehicles without trailers will be ticketed if they're in the wrong spaces.

Baby on board

Boss Lady

Sub-sub-compact

Like the sign says

The river was high earlier this week due to heavy rains.

Watch out for the daddy longlegs!

Edwards, Amy - (1) count of Public Drunkenness | Columbia Borough Police Department

On July 30, 2017 at approximately 1:09 pm Franklin Smith of Columbia and Amy Edwards of Columbia were arrested and cited in the 200 Blk of S Fifth Street for Public Drunkenness. Both were staggering on the sidewalk and severely impaired. The call originated as a "check on the welfare." Both admitted to being under the influence of synthetic marijuana. They were both transported to an area hospital to be evaluated.
MORE:
https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/edwards-amy-1-count-public-drunkenness

Smith, Franklin - (1) count of Public Drunkenness | Columbia Borough Police Department

On July 30, 2017 at approximately 1:09 pm Franklin Smith of Columbia and Amy Edwards of Columbia were arrested and cited in the 200 Blk of S Fifth Street for Public Drunkenness. Both were staggering on the sidewalk and severely impaired. The call originated as a "check on the welfare." Both admitted to being under the influence of synthetic marijuana. They were both transported to an area hospital to be evaluated.

MORE:https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/smith-franklin-1-count-public-drunkenness

Columbia nursing home was under sanctions before evacuation caused by water leak

Problems were reported at a Columbia nursing home in the months preceding an incident last weekend that displaced dozens of residents, state records show.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-nursing-home-was-under-sanctions-before-evacuation-caused-by/article_a09d6748-72fc-11e7-9f42-2fc0b4c1a555.html

Columbia's trolley a no-show - but Rivertowne Trolley was back in town

Columbia's recently purchased Columbia Trolley Works trolley was nowhere to be seen today (no driver available), but the Rivertowne Trolley was back in town. The Rivertowne Trolley, owned by Andre and Kelly Underhill of Marietta, arrived at Columbia Crossing this morning to take several dozen people for a series of private tours around town. The riders were attendees at a birthday party at the Crossing. 

Columbia Borough employed the services of Rivertown Trolley last year before breaking its contract with the company. The borough instead opted to buy its own trolley.

This property is condemned - York-based landlords given notice

The borough codes department recently condemned 134 North Third Street due to an "unlawful structure." The letter accompanying the posted notice defines an unlawful structure as "A structure which is found to be occupied by more persons than is permitted under this code or which was erected, altered or occupied contrary to law." 

According to the letter, the rental does not have a certificate of occupancy or rental license.

The owners have 30 days to correct the violations. The full text of the letter is shown in the photograph below. 

The building contains several rentals units. Sources tell Columbia Spy that occupants have regularly been noisy and disruptive.

Old building gets a new life

Once again, Don and Becky Murphy are giving a facelift to the downtown - or at least part of it. The Murphys, through their company Cimarron Investments LLC, have committed to a major renovation of the building at Third and Locust that many Columbians remember as the Jack Horner shoe store. The Murphys plan to put on a new roof, install an elevator, and replace first-floor windows with full-length ones. The building will be renovated inside and out, including existing apartments.  Current occupants will be moved to other units in the building as their apartment comes up for renovation. 

When the project is completed, the Murphys hope it will resemble Eagle Hall, a men's and boys' club that once occupied the building. However, existing awning hardware can't be used, because new windows won't be compatible. New awnings will be installed at a later date and will resemble the ones at the Marriott Hotel in Lancaster. 

Target date for completion is mid- to late fall of this year, according to Don Murphy. 

 Workers have removed some of the building's facade, revealing the original steel columns (shown in red).

 Existing hardware from the original awnings was recently exposed by workers.

 A close-up of the awning hardware

 A view from inside. 

These windows on the first floor will be replaced with full-length ones.

 This insert on the building reads: "SWARTZ 1902"

 Workers removed sections of the building facade this week.

 Becky Murphy (in pink shirt) looks over the project.

 Recently removed awning hardware

 Leftovers after hardware was removed.

Exposed areas were covered with plastic on Friday to protect them against rain. The track near the middle of the photo is nearly bare since hardware was removed.

Can Lancaster County, with a half-million people, be considered rural?

The July 17 front-page article about the chapel built in Columbia, Pa., “Build a chapel, and perhaps they won’t come,” noted that it’s in “rural Lancaster County.”
MORE:https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/can-a-county-with-a-half-million-people-be-considered-rural/2017/07/28/59a30d58-71a2-11e7-8c17-533c52b2f014_story.html?utm_term=.8f79ad3aaf33

Juried Art Exhibit at SCCA, Friday, July 28

The Susquehanna Center for the Creative Arts, 224 Locust Street, will hold a Second Reception, featuring a Juried Art Exhibition, on Friday, July 28, 5-9 p.m., with work by First Prize Winner Susan Gottlieb (shown above).

An Eagle Scout reflects on Trump’s Jamboree speech [opinion]

"So here I offer an alternate message, one that could have been given by the president to a group that aims to embody so much of what we purport to value as a country."

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/opinion/columnists/an-eagle-scout-reflects-on-trump-s-jamboree-speech-opinion/article_654f89fc-7151-11e7-960b-9729b51aec31.html

Frey Farm Landfill in Lancaster County gets expansion permit from DEP

The permit allows the landfill an additional 50 feet of maximum peak elevation to its vertical expansion and nine acres of lateral expansion, the DEP said. The daily average volume will increase from 1,500 tons to 2,500 tons per day, and the maximum daily volume will increase from 2,000 tons to 3,000 tons per day.

MORE:

http://fox43.com/2017/07/27/frey-farm-landfill-in-lancaster-county-gets-expansion-permit-from-dep/

For Shark Week, John Wright Restaurant serves up 162-pound mako shark [video]

Welcome to Shark Week on the Susquehanna.

The 162-pound mako shark arrived on the patio of the John Wright Restaurant Tuesday afternoon, packed in ice, with bubble wrap protecting its head and tail.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/features/food/for-shark-week-wrightsville-restaurant-has-big-fish-story-on/article_dd0ee46a-720a-11e7-9501-1f19c92d044c.html

Columbia man jailed after assaulting, threatening to kill woman during dispute

A Columbia man is behind bars after threatening to kill a woman during a domestic assault Tuesday at his home.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-man-jailed-after-assaulting-threatening-to-kill-woman-during/article_5b19a2fa-7175-11e7-b433-5b7672cb3ca9.html

Police seek help in identifying theft suspects

Lancaster County SPCA to go out of business, citing 'failed business model & lack of funds'

The shelter said it will cease operations in stages over the next few weeks, with today -- Tuesday, July 25 -- the last day it will it will accept owner-surrendered pets and stray cats.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-county-spca-to-go-out-of-business-citing-failed/article_7d87d3c8-7136-11e7-84bd-ab0efd2a42fa.html

Silly Safari at Library Tuesday Morning

No more homework? Lancaster County students can keep wishing

Bob Hollister, who serves as Eastern Lancaster County and Columbia Borough superintendent, said he doesn't plan on "entertaining a 'no homework practice.' "

He said homework has two main benefits: to reinforce or preview learning, and to help parents stay involved in what their children are learning in school.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/no-more-homework-lancaster-county-students-can-keep-wishing/article_6a19f50e-6d86-11e7-9f84-e7a9251c4286.html#comments

PFA VIOLATION AND 2 ADDITIONAL CHARGES

RUTTER, SHIRLEY VALERIA -  Shirley Rutter (35) of Columbia was charged with violating a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order on 07-22-17 after an incident in the 400 blk. of Locust St. Rutter was charged separately on this day also with a theft of services charge after placing an order of delivery food for $115.70 and attempting to send it to the person who had a PFA against her. Rutter admitted to police that she ordered the food as a prank.

Rutter was also recently charged with possession of marijuana on 07-18-17 after an incident in the 400 blk. of Locust St.

Rutter was arraigned at central booking on the PFA charge and committed to prison.

Arrest Date: Saturday, July 22, 2017

Charges:
PFA Violation
Theft of Services
Possession of Marijuana
Source: Columbia Borough Police Department

Council nixes McGinness "Airfield" deal

In a 6-0 vote, Columbia Borough Council voided the agreement of sale with Peggy A. Knoll and James G. McGinness, trustees of the McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street. Council voided the agreement at a special meeting Monday night, because “environmental and/or subsurface conditions of the property are unacceptable to the borough.” At its April 10, 2017 meeting, council voted to consider approval of the sale, pending the outcome of an investigation of the property during a 90-day “due diligence” period.

Councillor Cleon Berntheizel was present via phone at Monday's meeting, and Councillor Fran FitzGerald was absent.

The backstory of the pending sale of the property is HERE:

Let's talk about weeds

We'd like to talk about weeds.

In view of all the discussion of the topic lately, we'd like to present Exhibits A and B below:

 Somewhere...in there...is a mailbox.

There it is! 

A relay mailbox at North 5th & Chestnut is safely shrouded among the billowing sumac. Although some folks don't consider sumac to be a weed, it's unsightly nonetheless and will quickly take over an area if not attended to - plus, some people are allergic.

Lately, weeds of all kinds have been taking over the town. If the trend persists, our theme song may very well become "Welcome to the Jungle."

Workers take down dying tree at Mount Bethel

Workers from Doug's Tree Service spent the afternoon sawing apart a rotted tree at Mount Bethel Cemetery. A few weeks ago, a large limb fell from the aging tree. Also on scene was a 120-foot crane from Bob's Crane. At $200 an hour, the crane allowed workers to reach extreme high points of the tree. A representative of the cemetery reckoned the tree's age to be about 100 years old. The bill from Doug's Tree Service is estimated at $1,900, in addition to costs of operating the crane. Several trees have been removed from the cemetery within the past year due to rot and storm damage.