About Town

Pics about town over the last few weeks...

North side of the bridge

When you absolutely positively need that evidence shredded

 That view

 Blowing off steam

(UGI on the 500 block of Walnut)

 Not a scene from an Alfred Hitchcock movie, just a bunch of crows in a frenzy.

 Antique TV accompanied by some sort of circuit board door-type thing?

 New lamp at the River Park ramp to replace the one damaged a while back.  Not an exact match, but close.

 Wrong way on the one-way 500 block of Chestnut

 Walking Dead Day October 21

(Stop by Taco to Go Saturday, October 21, for the annual Walking Dead Day! Serving "walking dead tacos"(spaghetti and meatballs), and free "brains" (jello). Anyone who dresses up as a zombie will receive a free walking dead taco and be entered to win trophies and gift certificates for best zombies! Open at noon, so dress your worst!)

 Mottled bridge arches

 River watchers

 Tangled up in blue?

 Progress at 301 Locust

 Nice paint job

 Ditto

 Before and after?

 Restored ghost signs

 A soon-to-be ghost sign on the 400 block of Locust

 Beautiful stone work at 4th & Locust

 Sign upgrade?

 Stone tower

 Big Brother got a little too wired.

 Datestone in the 100 block of Avenue H at the former potato chip factory

Downspout down

(100 block of Walnut)

 Sign City USA

 A 3-handed skateboarder?

 Under control

 This dump truck fire was quickly extinguished by our fire crews.

Hinkle's 

We're SAD to see it go.

 The hardworking gents at 301 Locust after a long day

 Construction fence at the library

 Strap a hammock and relax.

 The river's low.

 Yeah, it really is.

 Rockin' & rollin' at 4th & Cherry

 Pride in ownership

 Alley(way) cat

 Scratch that itch!

A convenient hangout

 Pedal power

 Stoned cat?

 Heron on the wing

 It's that internet meme guy!

 Far-out heron

 More painted rocks

 Above it all

 Some religions see things pretty much the same.

 Other times, they don't.

 She may have found one of those painted rocks.

 Bridge bust

 More of the same

 Lots o' pretzels

 Rainbow-painted rock at Columbia Crosssing

 Young shutterbug

 Surveying the Susquehanna from the Bridge Bust

Sometimes a sidewalk is just a living room.

Columbia Borough Police Department Reports, Jan. thru Sept. 2017

Cafe 301 to open at 301 Locust next year

Laurie Newman (center) along with Don and Becky Murphy of Cimarron Investments, LLC announced the opening of Cafe 301, a new restaurant that will move into 301 Locust Street in the winter of 2018. Laurie currently runs Laurie's 717 Catering, LLC, which provides soul food and Southern-style meals at the Columbia Market House every Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday was the business's one-year anniversary at the Market House.

This promotional poster shows an architect's rendering of 301 Locust as it will appear next year when renovations are complete.

Immediately after the announcement, Don Murphy led a tour of 301 Locust. The first floor will house the Cafe 301 restaurant, which will serve a variety of sandwiches and salads, and ice cream and coffee from local suppliers. The catering business will be headquartered in the basement, along with a large commercial kitchen and offices.

Albatwitch Day today on the 200 block of Locust Street 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Artist Bob Hammer to attend Albatwitch Day

Artist Bob Hammer will have his works on display and for sale at Albatwitch Day today.

Website:
https://hammerartstudio.com/event/albatwitch-day/

Cash registers, cigarette cartons stolen in rash of burglaries at Columbia businesses

Columbia police are investigating three burglaries reported at two Columbia businesses within the past two days.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/cash-registers-cigarette-cartons-stolen-in-rash-of-burglaries-at/article_e3d87f6c-b06d-11e7-bc08-3b2f69465df5.html

Columbia resident seeks answers from mayor and council on borough crime

Rick Fisher

Rick Fisher took his message to Columbia Borough Council Monday night: There's crime in Columbia and something must be done about it. 

Fisher, a Columbia resident, told council he was sparked to action when he learned of a 61-year-old man beaten in a wolfpack-style attack in the borough in September. Fisher said he was outraged, but decided to channel his anger into something positive. To that end, he started the Columbia PA Crime Watch Facebook page as a means for Columbians to report local crime. The page is an outgrowth of several meetings he organized in Locust Street Park where citizens gathered to talk about crime, offer ideas, and air grievances. Among the complaints voiced at the first two meetings: police response time, neighborhood drug dealing, surveillance cameras not working, and lack of personnel to monitor them.

Fisher asked Mayor Leo Lutz why recent arrests at an incident in Rotary Park were not made public. Lutz claimed that police reports are sent to the media. "It's up to the media to take the information from there and print it," Lutz said. "Every week, we put an arrest report out. It's up to the media to do what they want to do with it."[Columbia Spy and Columbia news, views & reviews do not receive weekly police reports from the borough but do report incidents posted on the Columbia Borough Police Department's Crimewatch page.]

Lutz told Fisher that the borough monitors its 50 cameras. He said footage is recorded, and officers can view cameras in real time in their vehicles. Lutz said that 14 juvenile suspects at the Rotary Park incident were identified from footage and arrested. Lutz also said that the Drug Task Force officer has made four major drug arrests for possession and intent to deliver in the borough, in which one suspect was observed on camera footage. Lutz added that eight youths who blocked Walnut Street recently were also arrested."The police are obviously doing something," he said.

Fisher suggested reviving a neighborhood watch program once active in Columbia. He told council that the program can reduce crime by an average of 16%, but added that if residents don't call the police, the program will not work. 

Fisher vowed to return to council every month to see if progress has been made. In the meantime, he hopes to hold meetings at the Columbia Public Library. Over 500 residents have so far joined the Facebook page, which Fisher sees as a hopeful sign. Mayor Lutz promised that he and Police Chief Jack Brommer will work with Fisher and residents and will meet with them when the group becomes formalized. "We all want to see a better and safer Columbia," Lutz said. "We will assist the group in any way we can."

West Hempfield man charged with felony drug dealing had heroin, stolen gun at time of arrest

A West Hempfield man is accused of drug dealing following an investigation that involved surveillance of drug sales.

Jordan Stark, 28, was arrested on Oct. 6 in East Donegal Township and had 29.3 grams of heroin, packaging materials, $500 cash and a stolen handgun on him at the time of arrest, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's office.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/west-hempfield-man-charged-with-felony-drug-dealing-had-heroin/article_d39e86a4-b02d-11e7-8841-e7b35cca686e.html

19-year-old accomplice sentenced in case of Columbia teen who shot at police

A 19-year-old Columbia man was sentenced Friday to 10 years to 20 years in prison for his role in a shooting attack on police officers in the borough last year.

Trenton Nace pleaded no contest to felony charges of conspiracy to murder a law-enforcement officer and two counts of aggravated assault and a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/year-old-accomplice-sentenced-in-case-of-columbia-teen-who/article_1db76240-b049-11e7-b002-73078ee44bac.html

2 events in Columbia on Saturday | Columbia Borough Police Department

There are two events in town that will impact traffic on Saturday 10-14-17.

Between the hours of 11:00AM and 8:30PM the Columbia Historic Preservation Society will be holding an Albatwitch Day event in the 200 blk. of Locust St. The 200 blk. of Locust St. will be closed during this time.

The second event will be between the hours of 2:00PM and 5:30PM. The event is a 5k for the Columbia Life Network. The event will start at Columbia River Park and go north on the Northwest River Trail. Traffic using Rt. 441 between Locust St. and N. 3rd St. should use extreme caution and watch for pedestrians between these intersections.

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

MORE:

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/weekend-events-0

Dickerson, Gail Lynn - DUI - General Impairment | Columbia Borough Police Department

On 10-11-17 the Columbia Borough Police were called to 890 Lancaster Ave. for a drunkenness in progress complaint. Officers arrived to find a female that appeared intoxicated and also under the influence of a controlled substance. The female, identified as Gail Dickerson, (48) of Parkville, Maryland stated that she had driven from the Baltimore area to Columbia. Dickerson was charged with DUI - General Impairment after refusing to submit to a breath test. Dickerson was arraigned by MDJ Bixler and sent to Lancaster County Prison after failing to make bail.

Case Number: 

12447-10-11-17

Arrest Date: 

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Charges:

• DUI - General Impairment

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

MORE:

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/dickerson-gail-lynn-dui-general-impairment

Flerx, Robert Michael Jr. - Statutory Sexual Assault and 2 additional charges | Columbia Borough Police Department

On 10-12-17 Robert Flerx Jr. (23) of Columbia was charged with Statutory Sexual Assault, Corruption of Minors and Unlawful Contact of a Minor after an investigation of an incident that occurred in 2016. Flerx admitted to police that he had sex with a juvenile female. Flerx was arraigned my MDJ Bixler and given $10,000 unsecure bail.

Case Number: 

1330-11-02-16

Arrest Date: 

Thursday, October 12, 2017

Charges:

• Statutory Sexual Assault
• Corruption Of Minors
• Unlawful Contact of a Minor

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/flerx-robert-michael-jr-statutory-sexual-assault-and-2-additional-charges

Albatwitch Day this Saturday, October 14

Police search for Columbia man suspected of destroying ex-girlfriend’s apartment, robbing her

Manheim Township police are searching for a Columbia man suspected of damaging the interior of his ex-girlfriend's home after entering without her permission during a domestic dispute.

MORE:

http://fox43.com/2017/10/11/police-search-for-columbia-man-suspected-of-destroying-ex-girlfriends-apartment-robbing-her/

MANHEIM TOWNSHIP POLICE REPORT:

WANTED PERSON

ISMAEL LOPEZ, JR.
Sex: M
Race: Hispanic
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 145 lbs
Eyes: Hazel
Hair: Brown

Ismael Lopez, Jr., M/22, of Columbia, PA, is wanted for Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Burglary, Criminal Trespass, Theft, Vehicle Theft, and Criminal Mischief. A warrant has been issued for his arrest and he remains a wanted person. Any person knowing Lopez' whereabouts should call the Manheim Township Police at 717-569-6401 or use our anonymous tip line at 717-569-2816.

Detective Billiter is the investigating officer for Report 2017-LT-04412.

Quick pics from CBFD's Open House Wednesday night

Power outage affecting Borough Hall, meetings rescheduled

Due to the power outage affecting borough hall (Wednesday, October 11), tonight’s Legislation and Safety meetings are being rescheduled to next Thursday, October 19 at 6 p.m. at the borough hall.

Join the Canoemobile at Columbia Crossing Monday, October 16

The Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile is a roving fleet of 24-foot, 10-passenger Voyageur canoes that travels the country to connect people to their local waterways and the great outdoors. As part of its national tour of over 17 cities, the Canoemobile will be stopping along the Susquehanna River in Columbia from October 16-17 to bring the experience to local 5th graders from Columbia School District and Eastern York School District. These students have scheduled field trips with the organization during these two days.

Due to an opening in the schedule on Monday afternoon, the partnering organizations would like to offer a free session open to the community. On October 16th, join us at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center from 2-4 in the afternoon for a session open to the public where people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can paddle in the canoes, learn about canoe and water safety, and discover the Susquehanna from a new perspective.

Recommended for ages 8 and up, children under the age of 12 must have an adult with them in the canoe.

This event is being sponsored by the National Park Conservation Association in partnership with the National Park Service Chesapeake office.

For more information about the Canoemobile please visit https://www.wildernessinquiry.org/programs/canoemobile/

For more information about this event please call Columbia Crossing at 717-449-5607 or visit the Susquehanna Heritage Website at http://www.susquehannaheritage.org/event/public-canoemobile-session/

Gentry, Shane Michael - (1) Count Criminal Trespass (F3) and 1 additional charge | Columbia Borough Police Department

On September 10, 2017 at 8:13 am Columbia Borough Police were dispatched to The Turkey Hill Experience at 301 Linden Street for a trespassing in progress. Police made contact with the caller who reported she encountered a shirtless male in the stairwell and the business was not yet open to the public. That the victim pointed out the suspect to police and he was identified as Shane Gentry. That Gentry entered through an unlocked employee entrance. After Gentry left the Experience he went next door to the Turkey Hill convenience store and stole a pack of Reese's peanut butter cups. Gentry was placed under arrest and charged with Criminal Trespass and retail theft. He was arraigned before the Honorable Miles K. Bixler and committed to the Lancaster County Prison. A detainer was issued by Lancaster County Adult Probation.

Case Number: 

11052-10-10-17

Arrest Date: 

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Charges:

• (1) Count Criminal Trespass (F3)
• (1) Count of Retail Theft (M-2)

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/gentry-shane-michael-1-count-criminal-trespass-f3-and-1-additional-charge

CBFD Open House Wednesday, October 11 - Rain or shine

PLEASE DO NOT ARRIVE BEFORE 6 PM DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS.

In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, the Columbia Borough Fire Department will hold its annual Open House this Wednesday, October 11, 6-8 p.m. at the Fire Hall, 726 Manor Street.

Don't forget the highlight: fire truck rides! There'll be free food, too. Lots of other reasons to show up, including the fire safety trailer, police department, and emergency vehicles from QRS and SVEMS.

Our firefighters volunteer to put their lives on the line for our community. Come out Wednesday and tell them how thankful we are for their service.

CHI St Joseph employees going door-to-door next week to discuss lead paint issues

Next week employees with CHI St. Joseph Children's Health will be in town going door to door to speak with residents about lead paint hazards. This is not a mandated Borough program but a voluntary initiative of Healthy Columbia, a project of CHI St. Joseph Children's Health.

Source: Columbia Borough Police Department

Denlinger to be next Borough Manager

Rebecca Denlinger

[2017 Columbia Spy file photo]

Rebecca Denlinger is on track to becoming Columbia's next borough manager. In a unanimous vote Monday night, Columbia Borough Council hired Denlinger as a full-time Community/Economic Development Director/Assistant Borough Manager, effective January 1, 2018. From there, she will assume the position of Borough Manager on January 1, 2019. She currently serves Columbia as an independent contractor with her company Rising Tide Collaborative, LLC, in the position of Economic Development Coordinator.

Denlinger will stay at her current salary of $65,000 throughout 2018 but will get a boost to $95,000 annually as borough manager. Beginning in 2018, her compensation package will also include fringe benefits.

Denlinger holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of Delaware, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Penn State. She has worked with the Elizabethtown Area Chamber of Commerce, Rettew Associates, Inc., and the Lancaster County Planning Commission and has also served as a consultant for Marietta Borough this year.

At Monday night's council meeting, Council President Kelly Murphy said Denlinger will assume the position of Borough Manager at the end of 2018, because current Borough Manager Greg Sahd has indicated "he is looking to retire" at that time.

Columbia teens cited for driving in farmer's fields

On Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 2048 hours Officers received a call to respond to the area of the 1700 block of Hilltop Road, Washington Boro., for a report of vehicles driving through the caller's property and damaging the fields.

 Upon Officers arrival, Officer Phil Eck learned that three vehicles had been driving in a field of harvested corn. Officer Eck learned that the following individuals were in the vehicles: Austin Seibert, 18, Dylan Gainer, 19, Lindsay Splain, 19, Codie Berntheizel, 19, and a 16 year old. All of the alleged violators are from Columbia. 

 Based on Officer Eck's investigation he filed citations for Simple Trespasser for this incident.

Source: Manor Township Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/manorpd/11406/post/simple-trespasser

Missing child found

Yard waste not picked up Monday, October 9, will be picked up Tuesday

Yard waste pickup ends October 16; leaf collection starts October 23

Albatwitch Day Saturday, October 14

High school equivalency prep classes Tuesdays and Thursdays at the library

Schedule a Read to a Pet session with Spencer at the library

Free College Planning Workshop at the Library - Tuesday, October 10

Police report missing Columbia boy

Dominick Schoonmaker, a 14 year old Columbia male ran away from home in the 600 Blk of Walnut Street on October 8, 2017 just before 6pm. He is approximately 5'01" and 83 pounds. He is a white male with blonde hair and blue eyes last seen wearing a pink t-shirt and black "Jordan" sweatpants.

He was observed by family later in the evening riding his chrome BMX style bicycle on Columbia Ave (Rte 462) east in Mountville Borough towards Lancaster City. 

He is listed as a "Missing Person" by Columbia Borough Police. If anyone knows his whereabouts or has seen him please call Columbia Borough Police (717)684-7735 or Lancaster County Wide Communications at 1(800)957-2677.

Case Status:
Current

Case Type:
Missing Person

Source: Columbia Borough Police Department

MORE INFO:
https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/missing-child

Draft Agenda - Borough Council Meeting October 9, 2017