About Town

Recent pics from around Columbia...

Half lit down at the Creative Factory

The City of Lost Children?

(No, it's not a metaphor for Columbia!)

(Is it?)

Strung out and all lit up

Sticker shock

At Columbia River Park

The next generation of air conditioning?

This is part of the problem at 5th & Chestnut - drivers jumping the gun.

Broom at Laurel Hill.

But who left it - the crypt keeper or the the crypt occupant?

Some folks don't follow the frenzy of the crowd.

***

The following photos of recent river flooding, etc., are not necessarily in chronogical order:

The power of the Susquehanna

Water water everywhere, and a little bit of ice, too.

Bench...benched

Even a "disaster area" can be beautiful.

Floatin' down the river on an iceberg - with a two-headed gull in front?

This used to be a lamp post.

Stuff washed up from the flood

Sinking fast

Down and out

Lot of ice to mess with at River Park

What could be better than ice and snow and a sturdy stick?

Refugees?

Doggin' it

Like son, like father

Derailed derailleur?

Reflecting 

There's gold in them there waves!

Bald cypress trees trying to bounce back

Safety cone atop a lamp post base

Sunset - with the sun looking like an exploding nuke

Lost in the fog

Washington Borough

Signs down

***

A Hazmat team was at Washington Borough Park last Saturday for some undisclosed reason...

***

Down in Avenue H:
"The (Short) Adventure of the Vulture and the Cat"

A black vulture was wandering along, searching for snacks...

...when suddenly - an interloper!

Plan B- a quick exit!

Surveying the scene from safety

***

The Canada geese were flying over.

And so were the tundra swans.

A parking lot-to-be at Walnut and Commerce

There's good ol' "Two-Face" again.

Construction continues at the library.

Formerly blighted, then renovated, now on the market.

A private cemetery in Washington Borough

The stone says "Herr-1800."

A house reportedly hit by a tree on Route 441.

This property used to be known as the "Wagon Wheels" due to the wheels that were mounted on a concrete wall in front.

According to Google, there's a small shop on Cherry Street, next to the former Prudhomme's building.

But it seems to have disappeared.

This open space is all that's left.

Hard at work or hardly workin'?

(Pipeline construction employees near Ironville Pike)

"Don't look now, but there's a big shovel behind you."

(Norwood Road)

Creeping through the weeds

Looming

Apparently, those STOP/SLOW signs can also be used to scrape dirt onto a shovel. Who knew?

Gnarly tree on Laurel Hill Road

Meanwhile, down at 301 Locust...

New windows!

Summer Beats, Summer Heat: Life in the Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps

Jersey Surf was at Columbia High School last June. Columbia Spy reported on them here:

http://www.columbiaspy.com/2017/06/jerseysurf-rehearses-at-chs.html?m=1

http://www.columbiaspy.com/2017/06/jersey-surf-plays-at-chs-saturday.html?m=1

MORE:

http://flathatnews.com/2018/01/29/summer-beats-summer-heat-life-in-the-jersey-surf-drum-corps/

Still more citations

MICHAEL RAY SWINEHART, AGE 58, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, (EXPIRED JULY OF 2017), IN THE 300 BLOCK OF WALNUT STREET, 29 JANUARY 2018.

TERRENCE OSLEY TIM DIAZ, AGE 34, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS, AFTER AN ACCIDENT AT 5TH. AND CHESTNUT STREETS, 29 JANUARY 2018.

JOHN D. MARKLEY, IV, AGE24, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, (EXPIRED DECEMBER 2017). AND FOR OPERATION FOLLOWING SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION, AT RIDGE AVENUE AND SOUTH 9TH, STREET, 29 JANUARY 2018.

JOSHUA DERICK WALTER, AGE 32, FROM MIDDLETOWN, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, ON ROUTE 441 AND ROUTE 30 WEST, 29 JANUARY 2018.

CASSANDRA LYNN GAUS, AGE 34, OF WRIGHTSVILLE, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION AND FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT 2ND. AND CHESTNUT STREET, 29 JANUARY 2018.

LLOYD J. WRIGHT, SR., AGE 61, OF MARIETTA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION AT 5TH. AND CHESTNUT STREETS, 29 JANUARY 2018.

WILLIAM R. HOUCK, III, AGE 20, OF ELIZABETHTOWN, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED AND FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF AVENUE I, 29 JANUARY 2018.

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

How much can school property taxes increase in your area in 2018-19?

COLUMBIA BORO SD AMONG THOSE SEEKING REFERENDUM EXCEPTION TO RAISE MILLAGE

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/how-much-can-school-property-taxes-increase-in-your-area/article_08cb76bc-0537-11e8-a256-93eb1a1e9f4e.html

Police presence at Hempfield High School Tuesday as police investigate possible threat

A potential threat circulating on social media will result in a police presence Tuesday at Hempfield High School.

The potential threat involves a video and comments attached to the clip.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/police-presence-at-hempfield-high-school-tuesday-as-police-investigate/article_cf51b78a-0571-11e8-93aa-9f34b41a3c6b.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Columbia is #22 on the list of the 50 worst school districts in PA

22. Columbia Borough School District(Columbia, Pa.)

Students: 1,347

Student/teacher ratio: 14:1

24 Percent proficient in math

43 Percent proficient in reading

62 Percent graduation rate

Spending per student: $16,115

MORE:

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/01/the_50_worst_school_districts.html#incart_river_home_pop

Even more citations

HAROLD HESDTHEL HERRERA, AGE 26, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED JANUARY 26, 2018, ON ROUTE 30 EAST, FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED.

GLENN SAUDER, SR., AGE 55, OF MAYTOWN, WAS CITED FOR TRAFIC-CONTROL SIGNALS, AT 3RD AND CHESTNUT STREETS, JANUARY 26, 2018.

SARAH MAE GRAYBILL, AGE 29, OF MANHEIM, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED AND FOR RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF NORTH THIRD STREET, 26 JANUARY 2018.

MARYLLIN RIOS-MORALES, AGE 47, OF LEGANON, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AND FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLEL REQUIRED, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF NORTH THIRD STREET, 27 JANUARY 2018.

JESUS LEBRON,  AGE 48, OF MOUNT JOY, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT ROUTE 30 EAST AND LINDEN STREETS, 27 JANUARY 2018.

HEATHER ANDERSON, AGE 30, OF LEOLA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF NORTH 3RD. STREET, 27 JANUARY 2018.

EMILY L. HOLMES, AGE 27, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED AT 12TH. AND IRONVILLE PIKE, FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS, 27 JANUARY 2018.

ROSEMARY REYS-VALENTIN, AGE 47, OF MOUNTVILLE, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS AND FOR RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, AT 12TH. STREET AND IRONVILLE PIKE, 27 JANUARY 2018.

DAQUAN JOSSE DUARTEZ, AGE 22, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED GOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF NORTH THIRD STREET, 27 JANUARY 2018.

MANNY SANTOS, AGE 44, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET, 28 JANUARY 2018.

KATHY L. SMITH, AGE 49, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION AND EMISSIONS, THEY WERE EXPIRED SEPTEMBER 2017, SHE WAS GIVEN A FIVE DAY CARD AND FAILED TO CORRECT THIS VIOLATION.  29 JANUARY 2018

.DEVON L. LINTNER, AGE 26, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY, AFTER AN ACCIDENT IN THE 1500 BLOCK OF LANCASTER AVENUE, 29 JANUARY 2018.

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

Sunday morning: Roads are open

With juvenile crime on the rise, Columbia Borough School District adopts new programs to keep kids out of trouble

In 2017, the Columbia police department reported 147 juvenile crime arrests. That's 63 percent more than the 90 reported in 2016 and 37 percent more than the 107 reported in 2015.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/insider/with-juvenile-crime-on-the-rise-columbia-borough-school-district/article_9b7e2674-02e6-11e8-9e0a-e363b1b64ab9.html

2:49 p.m., January 26, 2018

More Citations | Columbia Borough Police Department

BARRY E. LEWIS, JR., AGE26, OF WRIGHTSVILLE, WAS CITED FOR REQUIRED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY;  DRIVERS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED;  OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION;  AND FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, ON ROUTE 30 WEST, ON JANUARY 22, 2018.

RONALD JAMES LEBO, III, AGE 30, OF MOUNT JOY, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION ON ROUTE 30 EXIT RAMP & LINDEN STREET, JANUARY 25, 2018.

JOAN STEPHENS BLACK, AGE 38, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE LWITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION IN THE 100 BLOCK OF SOUTH 5TH STREET, JANUARY 25, 2018.

RAHSAAN J. CONGO, AGE 41, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION & DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF UNION STREET, JANUARY 25, 2018.

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/citations-15

Lancaster County Police Log: Friday, Jan. 26, 2018 | Police Log |

THEFT CHARGES

COLUMBIA: Joseph A. Burgos, 23, of Columbia, was charged with retail theft Jan. 24 at Andy's Market on Cherry Street, police said.

http://lancasteronline.com/news/policelog/lancaster-county-police-log-friday-jan/article_413702b6-024c-11e8-8ccd-6718bb0a48bd.html

Wrap Up! Project scarf-bombs Lancaster and Columbia with warmth

Wrap Up! Project scarf-bombed Lancaster and Columbia Wednesday night, the third time this winter volunteers left hundreds of handmade items for anyone in need.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/features/together/wrap-up-project-scarf-bombs-lancaster-and-columbia-with-warmth/article_66b9985e-0202-11e8-8d1a-a386a4b9a2a5.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Volunteers needed to retire wreaths at Mt Bethel Cemetery

Volunteers are needed to pick up the wreaths from Wreaths Across America at Mount Bethel Cemetery. Scheduled clean up is JANUARY 27th at 10AM. For more information contact jmoore1115@gmail.com or 717-575-9760.

Roads blocked (Routes 441 & 999) in Washington Borough due to flooding

UPDATE 4:30 PM: A FIRE OFFICIAL HAS CONFIRMED FLOODING IS DUE TO HIGH WATER LEVEL IN SUSQUEHANNA, NOT WATER MAIN BREAK.

UPDATE 11:35 AM: WGAL REPORTED THIS MORNING THAT THE WATER ON THE ROADWAY WAS DUE TO ICE JAMS ON THE RIVER. THE REPORT OF A WATER MAIN BREAK WAS FROM EMERGENCY PERSONNEL SCANNER CHATTER.

FRIDAY JANUARY 26, 2018, 4:17 AM: REPORTED WATER MAIN BREAK AT INTERSECTION OF ROUTES 441 & 999. VEHICLE IN WATER; PERSON TRAPPED.

A Streetcar Named DISASTER!

Columbia Police issue citations

ADAM AMER, AGE 41, OF HELLAM, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED AND FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, AT LANC. AVENUE AND CHERRY STREET, 1/24/2018.

CHRISTINA M. DAVIS, AGE 42, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF NORTH 3RD. STREET, 1/25/2018.

EDWIN J. RIVERA-COLON, AGE 25, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES & REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT LINDEN STREET AND NORTH 3RD. STREET, 1/24/2018.

DAQUAN JOSE DUARTEZ, AGE 22, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED AT 13TH. AND MANOR STREETS, 1/24/2018, FOR RESTRAINT SYSTEMS; DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED; AND FOR STOP SIGNS AND YIELD SIGNS.

CELEIDA PARKER, AGE 61, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED AT UNION STREET AND LANCASTER AVENUE, FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, 01/24/2018.

SHANNON LYN RAMOS, AGE 32, OF WASHINGTON BORO., WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, ON NORTH 2ND. STREET AND LINDEN STREET, 01/24/2018.

JOSEPH ANTHONY BURGOS, AGE 23, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR RETAIL THEFT AT ANDY'S MARKET ON CHERRY STREET, 01/24/2018.

ERIC WILLIAM SATHER, AGE 30, OF MOUNTVILLE, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATE OF TITLE REQUIRED, AT 3RD. AND LINDEN STREETS, 01/24/2018.



Source: Columbia Borough Police Department

Open Letter to the Spy

LNP is like the cable company in that it's basically the only game in town.  A monopoly.

LNP has touted themselves to be pro-transparency, open and fair-minded, yet they are censoring what is presented to the public.  Quite possibly the public is not even aware of this.

I recently submitted a letter to the editor regarding two road rage cases and I questioned the decisions made by the DAs office with regard to filing charges.  LNP refused to print it. 

If the DAs office is picking and choosing cases based on maintaining a winning record for election purposes, that needs to be addressed.  LNP's decision to suppress any mention of this has to bring into question their ties. 

Where else do Lancaster County residents go for local news?  TV stations lack the time to go into detail on any story. The Merchandiser is nothing more than an advertisement rag, they won't report on any crimes, trials, accidents, etc.  Facebook is a sea of misinformation posted by those too lazy to attend local meetings and gather accurate information. 

"We, the people" are not being properly informed and LNP controls what they want the public to know. 

911 center dispatches increase for 9th consecutive year in 2017; EMS overdose calls jump 35 percent [data]

Seventy-five percent of the 439,691 dispatches were for police. Nineteen percent were for EMS, and six percent were for fire.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/center-dispatches-increase-for-th-consecutive-year-in-ems-overdose/article_013aac10-007d-11e8-9c29-47607385c2be.html

Red Rose Access bus in accident at N. 5th & Chestnut

 A Red Rose access bus was involved in a two-vehicle accident at North 5th and Chestnut Street this afternoon at about 4:15. According to Columbia Borough Police, the bus, which was heading west on Chestnut, collided with a car heading north on Fifth. The bus sustained front end damage and had to be towed from the scene. No reports of injuries. No information available on the make, model, and condition of the car involved.

Another two-vehicle accident occurred at the same intersection this past Sunday.

Seasonal part-time trolley drivers sought

EMPLOYMENT NOTICE

The Borough of Columbia is accepting applications for Seasonal Part-time Trolley/Bus drivers. Must have high school diploma or Ged, valid Class A or B CDL license with passenger endorsement, a clean driving record, experience as a school bus driver or public transit operator preferred. The successful candidate(s) will be required to obtain a CDL Medical examination/certification every two years by a specified physician. Current pay rate is $15.00/hour. Applications and job descriptions are available at the Columbia Borough Municipal Building, 308 Locust Street, Columbia, PA 17512.








Borough Offices: 308 Locust Street, Columbia PA 17512 | Phone: 717-684-2467

Hempfield residents 'extremely disappointed' as school board permits Verizon to build cell tower behind elementary school

Columbia Borough school district also leases school property for cell towers.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/hempfield-residents-extremely-disappointed-as-school-board-permits-verizon-to/article_36b2e98a-008b-11e8-8b85-cbfe10e3ecde.html

How will the Lancaster-based 16th district lines, candidates be affected when congressional district map is thrown-out, redrawn?

Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district

The case was brought by voters who alleged state lawmakers had unfairly gerrymandered congressional district boundaries in 2011 to produce a map favorable to Republicans. The GOP holds 13 seats to the Democrat's five even though registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans statewide.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/insider/how-will-the-lancaster-based-th-district-lines-candidates-be/article_73140004-008a-11e8-9717-c302e42d0835.html

Columbia's hyperbaric facility helps in fight against Lyme disease

The hyperbaric chamber is at the Robert Lombard Hyperbaric Center in Columbia.

MORE:

http://wkbn.com/2018/01/23/oxygen-therapy-used-as-weapon-in-fight-against-lyme-disease/

Columbia man arrested on drug and firearm charges

Nehemiah Ishmael Kemp

Nehemiah Ishmael Kemp, age 28, of the 600 block of South 12th Street, Columbia, PA was charged with 2 Firearms violations and Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin by Officer Colleen Tatara after she conducted a traffic stop in the area of Franklin Road and Seitz Road on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 2315 hours.

 Officer Tatara was on patrol when she observed 2 vehicles being operated in a careless manner. Officer Tatara was able to stop both of the vehicles and Nehemiah Kemp was the operator of one of the vehicles. The other vehicle was operated by his brother, Elijah H. Kemp, age 21, of the 5600 block of Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA who was also arrested for Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While Operating Privilege is Suspended or Revoked. Nehemiah was found to be in possession of a loaded 45 caliber handgun which had it's serial number altered by scratching it off and covering it with a permanent marker. He also had in his possession Marijuana and Heroin that were packaged for sale. Nehemiah had a 13 year old passenger in his vehicle who was released to a family member. Both subjects were committed to Lancaster County Prison after failing to post bail.

Case Number: 2018-MN-00075
Arrest Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Charges:
Persons Not to Possess
use
Manufacture
control
Sell or Transfer Firearms
Possession of Firearm with Altered Manufacturer's Number
and Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin
Source:

Manor Township Police Department

Our flag was still there

Despite a tumultuous Susquehanna that's claimed several trees and light posts at River Park, an American flag further down the shoreline has so far been able to withstand the onslaught of ice and water.

PA Supreme Court says gerrymandered maps violate the state constitution

In brief order handed down on Monday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court held that that state's gerrymandered congressional maps violate the state constitution. That state's map is so aggressively gerrymandered that Republicans won 13 of the state's 18 congressional districts in 2012, despite the fact that Democrats won a majority of the popular vote — and Republicans have held those districts ever since.

MORE:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thinkprogress.org/breaking-pa-scotus-republican-gerrymander-671163474bb1/amp/#ampshare=https://thinkprogress.org/breaking-pa-scotus-republican-gerrymander-671163474bb1/