Vintage Chevys roll into town at NAWCC

The Columbia Watch and Clock Museum welcomed visitors on Tuesday morning, September 12, 2017. Nothing unusual there? Well, the visitors were all driving antique cars. About 45 vintage model Chevrolets. They are members of the "Vintage Chevrolet Club of America."

The club began in California in 1961. All of the vehicles are from the years 1929-1954 and are all six-cylinder engines. The oldest model in the group was a 1930's car out of Ohio.

Most of the folks drove their vehicles to Denver, PA where they are staying for this trip. Reportedly, 10-12 chose to trailer their cars to Denver and then drive them locally. The car that came the farthest is from Illinois.

The group plans to tour the Watch and Clock Museum followed by the Turkey Hill Experience.

Chuck Gibson, a National Board Member (Area 8 North Central), organized the trip. Mr. Gibson, as well as others in attendance, were happy to answer questions and talk about their cars. The shine on each vehicle reflected the enthusiasm of their prized possessions.

Columbia scout recognized for Eagle Scout project

Josh Schmitt has completed a project for his Eagle Scout certification.  With the help of this fellow scouts, parents, and leaders in Troop 35, he installed new bricks in the "beauty strip" along the sidewalk in front of the Columbia School District Administration Center.

Mayor Leo Lutz recognized Schmitt at Monday's council meeting (shown above) and commended him for his work.

The completed project is shown below:

Here, the scouts can be seen at work on the project:

Other photos of the scouts working on the project can be found as part of an "About Town" pictorial HERE.

Two overdoses, DOAs reported - Concord Lane & Elbow Avenue

Columbia teen convicted of trying to kill police officer, found not guilty of trying to kill 2 other officers

Marquell R. Rentas, 18, of 244 Walnut St., Columbia, was convicted of one count each of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault of an officer. He also was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder of a law enforcement officer and reckless endangerment charges.

He was found not guilty of two charges each of  attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and aggravated assault of an officer.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-teen-convicted-of-trying-to-kill-police-officer-found/article_2bd7307c-9892-11e7-857f-7f1a6dcd0692.html

Wrightsville officials still mum on police chief's suspension

The Wrightsville Borough Council met Monday Sept. 12, but no decision was made on the fate of the borough's suspended police chief. He was suspended without pay last month.

MORE:

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/2017/09/12/wrightsville-officials-still-mum-police-chiefs-suspension/657686001/

Two new Columbia Borough police officers introduced

Columbia Police Chief Jack Brommer introduced two new Columbia Borough police officers at Monday's borough council meeting. Pictured above, they are Justin Barrell (left) and Andrew Snyder. They are flanked by Brommer and Mayor Leo Lutz.

Barrell grew up in Berks County and graduated from the Reading Police Academy with an associate degree in Criminal Justice. He is also a Marine Corps veteran, having served six years and attaining the rank of sergeant.

Snyder is a Lancaster County native. He graduated from Manheim Township High School and received an associate degree in Criminal Justice from York Technical Institute. He also attended HACC Police Academy and has training in martial arts and firearms.

The addition of the two new officers brings the total to 18 full- and part-timers on the force.

'I don't like cops,' Columbia teen accused of trying to kill police officers says in video

"(Expletive) 'em," Rentas responds, adding "I don't like cops."

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/i-don-t-like-cops-columbia-teen-accused-of-trying/article_a7b652bc-97df-11e7-bcb9-3fd507e46df6.html

Citizens meet to voice concerns about borough issues

Meeting organizer Rick Fisher and Officer Amy Dittman discuss citizens' concerns.

Over two dozen concerned citizens met at the gazebo in Locust Street Park Monday to voice concerns about crime and violence in the borough. Columbia resident Rick Fisher set up the meeting and was joined by Officer Amy Dittman of the Columbia Borough Police Department.

Fisher said last week's wolfpack beating of a Columbia man was the tipping point for him to get involved. He stressed, however, that the meeting was not about vigilantism but rather a means to seek solutions. 

Several citizens talked about drug dealing in the borough and told Officer Dittmann that the intersection of 6th & Walnut Streets is a hub of such activity. Citizens also discussed last week's melee involving about 40 middle and high school students at 7th & Walnut, among other issues.

Officer Dittmann advised calling 911 County Dispatch to report an incident and said officers are often en route as soon as calls are received. She noted that Columbia will not have its own dispatcher in the near future due to the position being eliminated. Part of the local dispatcher's duties involved watching borough camera feed.

Many in the group said they want the meetings to continue. Fisher said he would like to invite Police Chief Jack Brommer to a future meeting. Citizens also suggested taking concerns to borough council.

Afterward, at Monday night's borough council meeting, Mayor Leo Lutz said he would have met with the group if he had not been at another meeting. He said he is willing to meet with them in the future.

Over two dozen residents met at the Locust Street Park gazebo.

Police testify Columbia teen confessed to shooting at them moments after he was arrested

STORY HERE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/police-testify-columbia-teen-confessed-to-shooting-at-them-moments/article_6a9a6e0a-9711-11e7-970b-137f4363f022.html#comments