About Town

 Read Local

 We investigated the road condition shown above after we received this comment:

"check out the street and gutter at 320 s 2nd street it has been like this for at least 3 years . didn't we have a wheel barrel of paving left when we paved the road along the rail road tracks? how much does cold patch cost , it could have been put in with the 40,000 dollar fence...."

 The Grinch, apparently contemplating some deviltry.

 (He's in the window of Tacos to Go.)

A missing awning at Hinkle's?

Not to worry - it's being replaced with another one with the new logo - in burgundy instead of the traditional blue.

Opening soon:

City Gate

237 Locust Street

 They're having a Coffee, Tea and Paint event on Friday February 23rd (Fourth Friday) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

 Night lights on North Third

Night lights at Columbia River Park

All lit up on a Saturday night

(400 block of Locust)

Here's a close-up.

  Broken window at Kettle Works

Under the table

(Near Avenue H)

 Ghost sign:

LUCAS MANUFACTURING CO
(Maude Lucas was the wife of Columbia's greatest general, Edward C. Shannon, who was also the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania in the 1930s.)

***

Heron on a Civil War-era bridge pier next to the Veterans Memorial Bridge

Hunkered down

 But suddenly with an urge to fly

***

 Here's more of that traffic-stopping activity along Route 441 last week.

 Doing what they've been doing there for the past few months.


***

Over at 301 Locust: The elevator is being installed by the Otis Company. Installation should be finished in about two weeks.  The elevator shaft is shown above.

 The elevator arrived in many pieces, seen here and below.

***

 Crews responded to two calls concerning gas leaks this past weekend.

 The first was on Saturday near 7th and Walnut.

 Part of Walnut street was shut down while emergency crews and UGI personnel investigated.  A source tells us the leak was definitely due to gas meter installation.

___

 A second call came in on Sunday afternoon on the 100 block of South 5th.

 Personnel investigated but dispersed fairly quickly.

***

 The building housing the Creative Factory on the 300 block of Locust is now for sale. 

(It's right next to Hinkle's restaurant.)

Here's a quick look inside.

 Here are some curious items on display in the show window.

And here's a light-headed Kewpie doll

***

 Further down the way, on the Susquehanna -  a frozen catfish dinner, with a side of blood spatter.

 This gull decided to have a taste.

 But apparently didn't like the flavor.

 He quickly hopped on out of there.

 And got a quick gulp of river water to flush out the aftertaste.

***

 The Susquehanna near sundown

 And here comes a quartet of ducks.
 According to Google, these might be "lesser scaups."

 The leader of the pack (flock?)

 Still life with fog and flying and floating seagulls

Library's "Topping Off" event to mark halfway point of construction

Draft Agenda - Borough Council Meeting February 12, 2018

Keller, Chelsea Lynn - Warrant Pick Up | Columbia Borough Police Department

On 02-08-18 at approx. 9:04PM officers from the Columbia Borough Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 100 blk. of S. 4th St. The passenger in the vehicle was known to officers to have a warrant issued by the sheriff's office and was taken into custody. The passenger was Chelsea Keller (28 years old) of Columbia. Keller was turned over to the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office.

Case Number: 

9123-02-08-18

Arrest Date: 

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Charges:

• Warrant Pick Up

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/keller-chelsea-lynn-warrant-pick

Columbia Borough School District staff receive active shooter training | Columbia Borough Police Department

On 01/29/18 the Columbia Borough Police Department conducted an active shooter training called ALICE at the Columbia Borough School District.  Over 150 employees to include teachers, cafeteria staff, maintenance personnel, office staff and administrators were trained by Columbia Borough Police officers in the principles of ALICE.  ALICE is a widely recognized active shooter training, started after the Columbine tragedy, which "provides staff and students with an option-based response to an active shooter gaining entry into a school…" (ALICE website).  According to the ALICE website, more than 3,000 Law Enforcement Agencies and over 4,000 schools have received similar training.

In addition to the ALICE program, all staff members were trained in the Stop the Bleed program.  Stop the Bleed campaign was launched in October of 2015.  According to the Homeland Security website, the program, "is intended to encourage bystanders to become trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency before professional help arrives."  Training for the program was provided by a trauma team from Penn Medicine-Lancaster General Health.

According to Chief Jack Brommer with Columbia Borough Police, "The Police Department is grateful to Superintendent Tom Strickler and the Columbia Borough School District staff for allowing us to conduct this most important training.  Both the ALICE training and Stop the Bleed program will better prepare our School District if faced with an active shooter incident.  Preventing an incident through communication and prompt action is most important, however the knowledge gained through both trainings will help to prevent injuries and save lives."

Tom Strickler, Superintendent with Columbia Borough School District, stated "Columbia is fortunate to have active and involved police officers and the leadership of Chief Brommer in being proactive for our employees and most important, the safety of our students.  Our team looks forward to working with the police department in the future as we continue ALICE training in each of the District facilities."   

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/columbia-borough-school-district-staff-receive-active-shooter-training

citations, etc. | Columbia Borough Police Department

POLICE RECEIVED A REPORT OF CRIMINAL MISCHIEF TO A VEHICLE IN HE 300 BLOCK OF SOUTH 3RD. STREET, 06 FEBRUARY 2018, WHERE SOMEONE OR THING DAMAGED THE HOOD OF A 2012 CHEVY SONIC.  IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD JUMPED ON THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, FROM THE DENT ON THE HOOD.  THE OWNER WAS GOING TO CHECK SOME OF THE SURROUNDING CAMERAS THAT ARE IN THE AREA.  ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE COLUMBIA BOROUGH POLICE DEPT. AT 717-684-7735.

DEON MARCUS GREGGS, AGE 21, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION;  PROHIBITION ON EXPENDITURES FOR EMISSIONS INSPECTION PROGRAM;  AND FOR GENERAL LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS, REAR LIGHTING, AT 2ND. AND WALNUT STREETS, 17 JANUARY 2018.

JESI LEE TOME, AGE 19, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVER'S REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED, AFTER A MINOR ACCIDENT IN THE 400 BLOCK OF MANOR STREET, 07 FEBRUARY 2018, WHERE HE STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE.

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

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

Columbia Public Library "Topping Off" Event | Columbia Borough Police Department

The Board of the Columbia Public Library is pleased to announce that they are ready to mark the halfway point of the library's expansion project with a "Topping Off" ceremony.  The community is invited to attend the event on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 1:00pm at the Columbia Public Library, 24 South Sixth Street, Columbia, PA 17512. (Rain-date:  March 3, 2018 at 1:00pm).  Those attending the event will have the opportunity to sign one of the roof trusses before it is placed on the building.

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/columbia-public-library-topping-event

Citations, etc. | Columbia Borough Police Department

DANIEL PAUL STERBA, AGE 52, OF INDIANA. WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES, AT 3RD AND LINDEN STREETS, 04 FEBRUARY 2018.

JONATHAN DONELL McKNIGHT, AGE 36, OF COLUMBIA WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, AT NORTH THIRD AND CHESTNUT STREETS, 03 FEBRUARY 2018.

KALEB TEKEDA BERHANV, AGE 37, OF MARIETTA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION AT NORTH 3RD. STREET AND AVENUE H, 03 FEBRUARY 2018.

MATTHEW BOOSE, AGE 48, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS, AT FIFTH AND CHESTNUT STREETS, 02 FEBRUARY 2018.

LEONARDA MENDEZ-ROMAN, AGE 49, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, IN THE 600 BLOCK OF SOUTH 9TH STREET, 03 FEBRUARY 2018.

BREANNE J. HALTEMAN, AGE 26, OF MARYLAND, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF LINDEN STREET, 03 FEBRUARY 2018.

TRABON AMIR MASSEY, AGE 20, OF STEELTON, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, AND FOR DRIVERS REQUIRED TO BE LICENSED, IN THE FIRST BLOCK OF NORTH FOURTH STREET, 03 FEBRUARY 2018

JOSHUA PAUL PITTENGER, AE 37, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT IN THE 1000 BLOCK OF WALNLUT STREET, 04 FEBRUARY 2018.

RONALD E. JOHNSON, AGE 48, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED IN THE 300 BLOCK OF CHERRY STREET, 05 FEBRUARY 2018.

MICHAEL J. HESS, AGE 43, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR ABANDONMENT OF VEHICLES, FOR PARKING AN INOPERABLE VEHICLE FOR MORE THAT 48 HOURS IN THE 900 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET.

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/citations-etc-13

About Town

Recent photos from around Columbia...

 An attempt at shooting the superblue blood moon. Unfortunately, as the lunar eclipse began, the clouds moved in, as is often the case with trying to watch celestial events from town.

 Sticker shock!

 Still more sticker shock!

Invasion of the yellow dumpsters!

 There they are - right off Lawrence Street.

Fortunately, the cavalry has arrived - the gray dumpsters over on Florence!

***

This past Saturday at River Park - The river was freezing again...

***

 Saturday afternoon: A medical incident on the Veterans Memorial Bridge caused this car to end up in the opposing lane. Several departments responded - Columbia Borough, West Hempfield, Wrightsville Borough.

***

Sunday morning at the bridge plaza...

Sign down!

 Broken off at the base

 A clean break

 Meanwhile, on the other side...

 A flat tire?

 The one on the other side is looking kind of flabby, too.

 Good thing the other cannon has wooden wheels. They're not flat, just weathering badly.

***

Back down at River Park (Sunday morning). Mother Nature has left a lot of damage in her wake...

 This bald cypress might never be the same.

 Debris, ice, and mud

 Signpost

 And a lot of seagull footprints

 There they are.

Another sign down

***

 On the first block of Walnut - The parking lot project is progressing.

 Right up the street, there's a hubcap...

 ...in a tree.

 February is heart month.

 Coming soon at 301 Locust

 Be a hero.

 The crypt keeper left a dust pan this time.

 This signpost along Route 441 (near the bottom of Plane Street) once held the metal sign shown below. The sign went missing at least five years ago. Columbia Spy did a post in 2013 HERE that linked to a lancasteronline article. A similar sign stands in Locust Street Park along Route 462.

This is the sign that went missing at least five years ago.

 Call maintenance.

 On the wing of the weeping angel

 Near 2nd & Mill...

...the big red choo-choo!

Hempfield secretary bemused by mention in viral Paul Ryan tweet; Ryan removes it

Ryan, linking to the AP story, presented Ketchum's quote as benefit of the Republican tax overhaul, but then deleted the tweet after online criticism that touting such a small amount made him look out of touch.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-woman-bemused-by-mention-in-viral-paul-ryan-tweet/article_f8ab36d0-0957-11e8-bfdb-3f04b443783f.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

CITATIONS | Columbia Borough Police Department

TY PAXTON LEESE, AGE 31. FROM LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR CARELESS DRIVING, IN THE 100 BLOCK OF SOUTH FRONT STREET, AFTER AN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED HIS VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER ON HIS ROOF, CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO RAILROAD PROPERTY, 28 JANUARY 2018.

YADIRA A. RODRIGUEZ, AGE 31, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR RIGHT TURN ON RED AND FOR OPERSTION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, AT THIRD AND LINDEN STREETS, 02 FEBRUARY 2018.

JENNIFER LYNN STILES, AGE 30, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVLEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED;  REQUIRED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY;  AND OPERATION OF VEHICLEL WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, AT 3RD. AND LOCUST STREETS, 02 FEBRUARY 2018.

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/citations-16

Shultz Transportation remains silent as School District of Lancaster comes under fire for using bus drivers with criminal records

Special needs students traveling from Columbia Borough School District to the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13 ride STA buses.

"It starts with the bus company," said Janet Hagel, terminal manager for the Mount Joy location of Student Transportation of America, commonly referred to as STA.

MORE:

http://m.thecourierexpress.com/news/state/shultz-transportation-remains-silent-as-school-district-of-lancaster-comes/article_b465127d-0869-51a6-b7ae-ad4efef69866.html

Pennsylvania GOP Leader Defies Court Order in Attempt to Preserve Partisan Gerrymander

Pennsylvania Senate President pro tempore Joseph Scarnati announced on Wednesday that he will not comply with a state supreme court order to redraw Pennsylvania's congressional lines. His open defiance of a court order raises the serious possibility that he may be held in contempt for brazenly violating the law.

MORE:

http://amp.slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/pennsylvania-gop-leader-defies-court-order-to-preserve-partisan-gerrymander.html?wpsrc=sh_all_dt_tw_ru&__twitter_impression=true