About Town

Recent pics around Columbia...

 If you've a mind, keep it open, if you've a mind to.
(200 block of Locust)

Students cleaned up Locust Street Park recently.

 Repaired
The hole in the awning has been covered.

A tractor-trailer going the wrong way at Bridge and Route 441

The driver must have gotten confused and exited through the entrance to the 441 bypass.

It's a confused and confusing intersection.

After briefly blocking traffic on Bridge Street, the driver drove onto an adjoining property before continuing on 441.

Winter preview

 Santa with backpack full of gifts at Shupp's Barber Shop

 New this year: wreath atop the tree at Locust Street Park

 3 nutcrackers at Burning Bridge Antiques

 4 chimneys on North Second

 A flock of seagulls

 A murder of crows

 A pair of bald eagles on the hunt above River Park

 Here's one of them.

 Santa and helper at Hinkle's

 Waiting for a hookup

 Newly placed meters on porches

Wreaths at Mount Bethel

A ceremony was held last Saturday, but wreaths had not arrived.

Wreaths will be laid this coming Saturday, December 23, at 10 a.m.

"Veteran" from World War I, "The War to End All Wars."

 Downriver

 River ice

 Starting to freeze

 Hawk eyeing possibilities

 Some folks are using softener salt as ice melt. It'll work, but it takes longer than sidewalk salt and is more expensive.

Rocky's BBQ - Sold Out!!

First snowfall of the season

Tree lights on Chestnut

The Nutcrackers at night

Santa at Burning Bridge

 Snowflake

 Wreaths at 308 Locust (Borough Hall)

 Santa at Rose's Deli

 Betty Boop at Butcher's Tattoo Shop

Lying down, looking up

A slightly different representation

Night lights

State Police search for person who threatened to jump off bridge on Facebook Live

Via helicopter, Pennsylvania State Police searched for a person this afternoon who threatened to jump off a bridge on Facebook Live. According to emergency personnel, State Police picked up on the report and sent the helicopter to reconnoiter over the Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Wrights Ferry Bridge, to no avail. The helicopter then headed south to the Norman Wood Bridge. The Columbia Borough Fire Department and West Hempfield Police assisted, on standby. No further information is available at this time.

2 with Columbia addresses cited in separate incidents in Lancaster Township

LANCASTER TWP.: Francisco Damaso, 36, of Columbia, was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment after he grabbed a woman by the hair anssesd neck and pushed her to the ground during a domestic incident Dec. 9 in the 100 block of Jennings Drive, police said.

LANCASTER TWP.: Jasmin Melendez, 34, of Columbia, was charged after she provided a false name during a traffic stop Nov. 25 at Wabank Road and Judie Lane, police said.

Draft Agenda - School Board Meeting December 14, 2017

Missing 25-year-old Columbia man has been found

A missing 25-year-old Columbia man reported as missing Tuesday has been found, according to police.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/missing--year-old-columbia-man-has-been-found/article_654adcda-dfa7-11e7-ae44-23114129f36c.html

Susquehanna Valley EMS & Hellam Township Police Dept. to hold STOP THE BLEED Training

Public encouraged to attend tonight's safety meeting which will include Columbia Crime Watch, borough officials, and police

Tonight's meeting of the borough's safety committee will include members of Columbia PA Crime Watch, borough officials, and police. Rick Fisher, founder of the Crime Watch group, will also give a presentation.

The meeting will start immediately after the 6 o'clock legislation committee meeting at Borough Hall, 308 Locust Street.

 The public is encouraged to attend.

Biggie the Cat at the Library today, 12-13-17

Flagpoles installed, more to come

Six of the planned eight flagpoles have been installed at the bridge plaza at the Veterans Memorial Bridge.

The project was originally conceived by Philip Glatfelter in 2016 and will eventually include flags to honor those who served in the military. (Glatfelter, a veteran, died in October 2016.) The project will also include a brick memorial to honor veterans.

The project will feature eight flags, including two American flags and five service flags: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard; and a POW flag. There will be four flagpoles on each of the two islands adjacent to Route 462. All flags will be visible behind the two cannons at the site and will be uplit at night.

Brick sidewalks will be installed in front of the flag area with bricks containing veterans' names.

Waiwada, Mary Elizabeth - (1) count of Retail Theft (F-3) | Columbia Borough Police Department

On December 5, 2017 at approximately 1:57 pm Columbia Borough Police Officers responded to CVS Pharmacy located at 615 Locust Street Columbia, PA 17512 for a report of shoplifting.  Officers learned that a female suspect had fled the store after being confronted by employees.  Officers located a female matching the description in the 400 Blk of Locust Street and she was detained.  As a result, Mary Waiwada, 35, no known address was arrested.  Waiwada was positively identified by employees and surveillance.  She was found in possession of merchandise from the store that she did not pay for.  She was charged with one count of Retail Theft a Felony 3rd degree.  She was arraigned by MDJ Bixler and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $5,000 bail.  All parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case Number: 

5075-12-05-17

Arrest Date: 

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Charges:

• (1) count of Retail Theft (F-3)

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/waiwada-mary-elizabeth-1-count-retail-theft-f-3

CITATIONS | Columbia Borough Police Department

PATRICK ONEAL FOUST, AGE 35, OF BROGUE, WAS CITED FOR HARASSMENT FOR AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED ON SOUTH 5TH. STREET, 01 DECEMBER 2017.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS WERE CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION:  TROY MICHAEL WELSH, AGE 25, OF MOUNTVILLE, WAS CITED AT 41 WALNUT STREET, 1452 HRS., 09 DECEMBER 2017;  ALEXANDER RAMON EXIA, AGE 21, OF LANCASTER, CITED IN THE 500 BLOCK OF NORTH 3RD. STREET, 1603 HRS., 10 DECEMBER 2017;  SAMARA JENAE MONTANO, AGE 26, OF LANCASTER, CITED IN THE 1100 BLOCK OF LANCASTER AVENUE, 1451 HRS., 10 DECEMBER 2017.

BENJAMIN F. GILLETTE, AGE 47, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, 1940 HRS., 09 DECEMBER 2017, AT UNION & 6TH, STREET.

SHAWN MICHAEL ZIEGLER, AGE 28, OF READING, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, ON NORTH 3RD. AND LINDEN STREETS, 1319 HRS., 09 DECEMBER 2017.

SAFAA ABD EL SHAHID, AGE 44, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR RIGHT OF WAY OF PEDESTRIANS IN CROSSWALK, AT 9TH. AND CHESTNUT STREETS, 1641 HRS., 08 DECEEMBER 2017. 

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/citations-14

Crossing Guards needed | Columbia Borough Police Department

The Columbia Borough Police Department is seeking applicants for the position of Crossing Guard.  Crossing Guards work mornings and afternoons when School is in session.  The current rate of pay is $12.71 per hour.  All applicants should possess a clean background and a PA Driver's license.  For more information, contact Chief Jack Brommer at 717/684-7735 or pick up an application at the Borough Office. 

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/crossing-guards-needed

Draft Agenda - Borough Council Meeting December 11, 2017

Leaf Collection Ends 12/15/17 | Columbia Borough Police Department

Leaf Collection will end in Columbia Borough on December 15, 2017.   The Columbia Borough Yard Waste Facility will continue to be open on the second Saturday of each month (year round) from 8am-12pm for Borough Residents to drop off yard waste. 

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/leaf-collection-ends-121517

New animal shelter in Columbia seeks executive director

A new animal shelter is coming to Columbia. The Harold and Judy McKonly Family Foundation was established by the late Judy McKonly, who passed away in August of this year. Judy’s vision was to open the best cat shelter (with some dogs) in the country, and hopefully this dream will be fulfilled in 2018. Her son Mike McKonly and business partner, Keith Lutz, purchased the 8,000 square foot Vigilant Fire Hall on 10th St. in Columbia (known as the Viggie’s to Columbians) in 2016 with that repurpose use in mind.

Zoning has been approved, architectural drawings have been rendered, and the next thing needed is a qualified, charismatic executive director with a heart for animals, who can participate in this project from the beginning.

Qualified applicants should have strong management experience (preferably in pet rescue), excellent organizational skills, past success with dealing with boards, with strong marketing, public relations, fundraising and grant writing skills. They will be responsible for developing and maintaining sound financial practices seeing that the organization operates within budget guidelines. Most importantly, they must be mission-driven and self-directed, with a positive attitude and a passion and heart for helping animals.

Qualified applicants can send their resume and cover letters to

patty@kleen-ritecorp.com

Cub Scout Pack 35 providing wreaths to honor vets

Columbia Cub Scout Pack 35 is providing wreaths to honor military veterans in a Wreaths Across America fundraiser. Wreaths can be sponsored for a $15 donation by contacting Matt Sliger at 717-419-1635 or matt3584@yahoo.com

A National Remembrance Ceremony will be held at noon on December 16, 2017 at the Mount Bethel Cemetery in Columbia

Consider the Library in your giving

Hello Friends of the Columbia Public Library,

As the year draws to a close, we would like ask you to consider the Columbia Public Library in your annual giving. A gift to the Library will help us renovate, expand and redefine the library into a vibrant community hub for all who have a passion for lifelong learning, creativity and the sharing of knowledge. Our project will expand the library by 60%, provide greater online connectivity, new handicap accessibility, and enhance our space for our book and artwork collections.

As a valued champion of the Library, we thank you for past and future support. If you know of someone else who would be interested, please feel free to share the attached appeal letter with them. There are many ways to help the Library! To discuss how you can help, feel free to reach out to us atrgamby@columbia.lib.pa.us

ARRESTS | Columbia Borough Police Department

DECEMBER 7, 2017

MARIE EDITH AURELE, AGE 36, OF NEWARK, DELAWARE, WAS CHARGED WITH HARASSMENT BY COMMUNICATION, AFTER CONTINUING TO SEND MESSAGES TO A PERSON IN COLUMBIA, VIA PHONE TEXTS, AFTER BEING TOLD OR ADVISED BY A COURT, NOT TO DO SO. 

VICTOR DODSON, JR., AGE 52, OF EAST PROSPECT, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATE OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT 3RD. & CHESTNUT STREETS, 02 DECEMBER 2017.

AMANDA MARIE YOUNG, AGE 27, OF MARIETTA, WAS CITED FOR STEADY RED SIGNAL AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT LOCUST AND FOURTH STREETS, 04 DECEMBER 2017.

STEVEN DAVID JOHNS, AGE 50, OF LEWES, DELAWARE, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, ON ROUTE 30 EAST, 05 DECEMBER 2017.

LAWRENCE H. WISE, JR., AGE 42, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE  INSPECTION AND FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATE OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT 3RD. AND WALNUT STREETS, 05 DECEMBER 2017.

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/arrests-1

More on those ugly gas meters

City officials, such as Columbia Borough Manager Greg Sahd, said the phraseology they hear most often from residents is they're "ugly."

"What homeowner would want to see their home's value decrease as a result of something the homeowner has no control over?" said Sahd.

MORE:

http://fox43.com/2017/12/05/several-municipalities-planning-lawsuit-over-gas-meters/

Columbia Borough might join lawsuit over gas meter placement

Property owners and critics have said the meters are a “desecration” and are being installed without any input from property owners.

"If you have a historic property, you should have some say … as to what someone puts on your property," said Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz, who is supporting an ordinance for the borough to join the "intergovernmental agreement."

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/pennsylvania/lancaster-takes-step-toward-lawsuit-over-gas-meter-placement-columbia/article_253a50b0-d937-11e7-9b64-cf103fc5838e.html

Columbia School Board Re-Organization/Committee of the Whole Meeting Thursday, December 7

Donate a gift for the mitten tree at the library

Free college planning workshop at the library Thursday, December 7

New Pa. law makes leaving dogs outside in freezing weather illegal

Dog owners could face fines and even jail time for tethering their pets for longer than half an hour in temperatures below 32 degrees (or above 90 degrees in the summer), according to a law that went into effect in August.

MORE:

http://www.ydr.com/story/news/2017/12/04/new-pa-law-makes-illegal-leave-dogs-outside-freezing-weather/919136001/