Sunday, March 25, 2018

About Town

56 photos from the last two weeks...


The borough has been notifying residents of the upcoming street sweeping season with these yellow warning tickets. Next time (starting March 26, 2018) will be the real deal, and it'll cost you.

Even the codes car got a warning ticket.

 Good thing the street sweeper is running again. Here's a view of the 400 block of Locust a week or two ago. The sweeper hadn't been operating since late last year. The borough should have issued corn brooms and dust pans in the interim.

 Anyway, here's a line of jeeps at River Park.

 And here's a posterior view.

 These two were tethered to a parking meter in front of Stover's. Hopefully, the owner plugged the meter with a quarter. Or would it be two quarters in this case?

 They terrorized people going in and out of the store.

 But quickly got their act together when they spotted the paparazzi.

 Cannabis - not just for stoners anymore.

 A miracle crop?

 Who says there's no free ride?

 Lady harpsichordist at 5th & Cherry...

 accompanies a lady on the flute.

Seen at a local gas station 

[From Wikipedia]:
Since November 2000, the standard Washington, D.C. license plate design has featured the slogan "Taxation Without Representation," referring to the unique circumstance that the district's residents face, in which they must pay federal income tax but cannot elect a voting member of the United States Congress.
Unfortunately, many other elected officials don't really represent their constituents.


 One order of seagull, over light

 A possible Apache helicopter flying over
[Follow-up: We're told it's a Blackhawk.]

 On Bank Avenue - Ghost signs, evidence of the Columbia that once was

 The former Columbia No. 1 Fire Department building along Front Street
The borough has been trying to unload this, although it may become construction headquarters for the upcoming Veterans Memorial Bridge project.

 It was built in 2003.

 PA State Police helicopter flying over

 More work from our local junk artist

 He arranges found objects down at the railroad tracks.

 Some of which include shards of glass, pieces of bricks and rusted metal objects.

Other materials include dried-out plants and metal strips.

Here's another example, piled high.

 A dead possum was incorporated into this piece.

Immortalized...temporarily

 Sliver of green cheese


On Bank Avenue, an old microwave has been added to the trash pile.

Is this the varmint that's been molesting the trash?

 Behind the abandoned trailer, most of the tires have been moved.

 They've been piled into a dumpster.

 As seen here

 Speaking of tires, here are two more for the dumpster.

 This accident occurred last Friday at Short 6th & Union. No one was seriously hurt.

 That's one way to keep your bike's essentials dry.

 A white-breasted nuthatch(?) with something in its beak at Laurel Hill

 This is what happens when you throw your money around.

 Furry feral felines

 Here comes the thaw after Mother Nature's gut-punch last Wednesday.

 And here's a photo of a photo of the bridge in a window on the 400 block of Locust.

 A Picassoesque glass head peers out of the window at Through the Fire Studios.

 Gone fishin'

 A grinch in bunny's clothing?
(Tacos to Go)

 Mardi Gras beads at Lazy K

 Free furniture, gently used

 So much for the sign

 Apartment 1 must be OK.

 But Apartments 2, 3, and 4 are unlawful.
This is the building with the French Quarter wrought iron railings.

 Easter's on the way.

 Amazing Spider-Man poster at Cooper's Comics at North 5th & Locust.
(Johnny Romita Sr. was the best Spider-Man artist.)

 Hours of operation

 Here's a joyful fellow waiting for something to die.

 And here's an eagle that has turned to stone.

 Even NO PARKING signs get cold in the winter.

A Chinook flying over

Hit and Run of a residence | Columbia Borough Police Department

400 block of Union Street
On Saturday, March 24, 2018 at approximately 7:30 pm Officers from the Columbia Borough Police Department responded to a vehicle accident involving a car into a house.  Officers arrived and learned that a silver Ford sedan occupied by an older white male had fled the area south on S. Fourth Street.  Witnesses stated that the male was attempting to parallel park and was backing into a space when the vehicle struck the vehicle behind it and  drove up onto the sidewalk striking two separate houses.  There appeared to be no structural damage and only cosmetic damage to both residences.  The suspect vehicle will have damage to the right rear tail light assembly which was collected at the scene.  Columbia Borough Police are asking for assistance with locating the vehicle.  Any information can be forwarded to the Columbia Borough Police (717)684-7735 or text LANCS to 847411.
Date: 
Saturday, March 24, 2018

Case Status:

Case Type:



https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/hit-and-run-residence

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Walker, Clarence Malik - Arrest Prior to Requisition - Fugitive from Justice | Columbia Borough Police Department


Clarence Malik Walker
On 03-24-18 at approx. 4:32AM the Columbia Borough Police were called to 50 N. 4th St. for a possible burglary in progress. During the investigation into the call police discovered that the male involved, Clarence Walker, 24 of Maryland was wanted out of Allegheny County on a felony warrant. When Walker was taken into custody he was found in possession of a Bluetooth credit card reader/writer as well as other possible items related to stealing credit card information. Walker was taken to central arraignment on the warrant out of Allegheny County and the investigation is ongoing.
Arrest Date: 
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Case Number: 
27649-03-24-18

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department


https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/walker-clarence-malik-arrest-prior-requisition-fugitive-justice

Davis, Heather Lynn - (1) count Theft By Unlawful Taking (M-3) | Columbia Borough Police Department

Heather Lynn Davis

Docket No.: 
MJ-02103-CR-0000434-2017




Date Issued: 
Monday, January 29, 2018

Warrant Type:

Issuing Authority: 

MDJ Honorable Miles K. Bixler

Holding Dept: 

Columbia Borough Police Department


https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/warrants/davis-heather-lynn-1-count-theft-unlawful-taking-m-3

Thursday, March 22, 2018

SNOW EMERGENCY TO BE LIFTED THURSDAY AT NOON IN THE BOROUGH OF COLUMBIA

The Snow Emergency that exists in the Borough of Columbia will be lifted today, Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Noon.

Residents are reminded not to throw snow in the streets and the placing of items to reserve parking spaces is prohibited.
The Borough will post and contact residents to remove vehicles if necessary during clean-up.
Proclaimed this 22 Day of March 2018
Leo S. Lutz, Mayor
Borough of Columbia
(717) 449-0921

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Hargrove, Nathan J - (4) Counts Theft From Motor Vehicle and 2 additional charges | Manheim Township Police Department

Wednesday, March 21, 2018


Snow Emergency in Effect

A Snow Emergency will be in effect in the Borough of Columbia beginning at 12:00 Noon, Wednesday, March 21, 2018. The Snow Emergency will remain in effect until further notice. The Snow Emergency will be to facilitate clean-up efforts in the Borough.

Vehicle travel on Borough Streets marked as "Snow Emergency Routes" shall be in accordance with the Borough's "Snow Emergency Ordinance" except for emergency situations. No person shall operate a vehicle on any Snow Emergency Route in such a manner or in such condition as to allow or permit such vehicle to become stalled on a "Snow Emergency Route" either by reason of the fact that the driving wheels are not equipped with chains or proper tires, by the exhaustion of the fuel supply to the vehicle, or by abandonment of the vehicle.

Parking on "Snow Emergency Routes" shall be prohibited. Parking is available in Borough Parking Lots located at Front and Locust Street, next to Borough Hall on Locust and in the former telephone company lot in Avenue H between 2nd and 3rdStreet. Parking will be permitted after the street has been cleared. Residents are reminded it is illegal to throw snow in the street and to place various items along Borough Streets to reserve parking.

The Borough shall have the authority to remove and impound, or to order the removal and impounding of any vehicle parked or abandoned on a "Snow Emergency Route" during the Snow Emergency and to remove any items left on the streets. During clean-up residents will be notified to move their vehicles on a street by street basis.

Residents are further reminded to remove snow from sidewalks per Columbia Borough Code.

The following Streets have been designated "Snow Emergency Routes":

Locust Street, Front to Fifth Street                             

North Third Street, Locust to Cedar Street

Chestnut Street, Second to Fifth Street                      

North Fifth Street, Chestnut to Locust Street

Lancaster Avenue, Locust to Malleable Road           

Kinderhook Road

Ironville Pike, Ninth to Borough Limit                      

Ninth Street, Ironville Pike to Lancaster Ave

Declared this 21st Day of March, 2018

Leo S. Lutz, Mayor

Borough of Columbia

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 - Columbia Borough offices closed, HARB meeting postponed

Due to continuing snow and unsafe travel conditions today, Columbia Borough offices are now officially closed. The HARB meeting scheduled for tonight is also postponed and information regarding the reschedule will be posted as soon as it is available. Please be safe in your travels today.
- Columbia Borough Council President Kelly Murphy

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Little's Retail Theft Solved | Columbia Borough Police Department

The retail theft at Little's Beverage has been solved. Thank you to those that submitted tips.



https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/littles-retail-theft

Multiple victims, Route 441 closed on Chickies Hill after icy accident

Route 441 between Columbia and Marietta is closed because of an icy vehicle accident with multiple injuries.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/multiple-victims-route-closed-on-chickies-hill-after-icy-accident/article_9113e0be-2c8c-11e8-a585-ab929bbb1dd4.html

Howard granted continuance, has no attorney

Randy Howard (crouching, third from left) attempts to evade cameras as he is taken into District Judge Miles Bixler's office building this morning. 


Randy Howard's scheduled preliminary hearing today at District Judge Miles Bixler's office was continued because he doesn't have an attorney. A public defender cannot be appointed, because it would create a conflict of interest due to the fact that he would be represented by the same group that represented a person recently convicted in the incident. A pro bono private attorney will be appointed instead. The hearing will most likely be rescheduled in two to four weeks when all attorneys clear their schedules and are available on a "block day," several of which are held each month.

Howard is charged with aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy in connection with the September 3, 2017 wolfpack attack on a Columbia man on the 600 block of Walnut Street.

According to a source, a person was recently picked up by police for allegedly harboring Howard.  

Coffee With LNP postponed until April 2

Because of the snow, the Columbia edition of CoffeeWith LNP planned for today has been rescheduled for 6-8 p.m. April 2.

Public Works & Property Meeting Rescheduled

Due to the weather, The Public Works & Property Committee Meeting scheduled for tonight has been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 6:00 pm.

CVS RETAIL THEFT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED | Columbia Borough Police Department

Thank you to all who provided tips.  The individual pictured earlier in connection with the CVS retail theft has been identified.

The Columbia Borough Police Department Appreciates your willingness to help.



https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/cvs-retail-theft-has-been-identified

Retail Theft: 2 Cases of beer from Little's Beverage| Columbia Borough Police Department

Suspect in beer theft at Little's Beverage


On 03-19-18 at approx. 7PM the pictured male took a case of beer from Little's Beverage at 1224 Lancaster Ave. The male in the photograph also took a case of beer earlier in the day at approx. 9:20AM as well. The male was described as a black male wearing blue jeans, black sneakers, a black jacket and a red hat. In the morning the male had black colored Nike back pack with him. If anyone knows the identity of the pictured male they are asked to contact the police department at 717-684-7735 or submit a tip below. The male was last observed travelling west through Ave V to the Holy Trinity Cemetery then into Ave W towards Plane St.
Date: 
Monday, March 19, 2018

Case Status:

Case Type:



https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/retail-theft-2

Retail Theft at CVS - Can you ID this woman?

Suspect in baby formula theft at CVS

On 03-19-18 at approx. 7PM a retail theft occurred at the CVS located at 615 Locust St. The pictured female took baby formula from the store without paying for it. The female was last observed in the area of 4th and Locust St. She is described as a white female wearing blue sneakers, gray sweatpants and a leopard print jacket. If anyone has any information on who the person may be, they are asked to contact the police department at 717-684-7735 or submit a tip below.
Date: 
Monday, March 19, 2018

Case Status:

Case Type:



https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/retail-theft-1

Monday, March 19, 2018

Major reconstruction project could shut down Veterans Memorial Bridge in 2020-21

The Veterans Memorial Bridge might be shut down during a major reconstruction project.


A major reconstruction project currently underway might shut down the Veterans Memorial Bridge in 2020-21. Mayor Leo Lutz made the announcement at last Wednesday's Safety Committee meeting.

The $54-60 million reconstruction and rehabilitation project will include a refurbished deck with an 8-foot-wide walking lane, two 8-foot bicycle lanes (on the north and south sides), and two 9-foot traffic lanes in the center. The narrower traffic lanes will be a deterrent for speeders, Lutz said. All lanes will be separated with white traffic lines.

Additional construction will bring the bridge into compliance. Of concern is a bridge arch that has "frozen" into place above its bearing and caused a significant crack. (All bridge arches rest on bearings, allowing expansion and contraction.) Despite the cracking, the bridge is rated "fair" and is considered safe. The underside of the bridge will be completed before deck work begins, Lutz said. Lights might also be added to the underside to help keep mayflies off the road surface and to beautify the bridge.

Two options are being considered for construction: closing off one lane of the bridge and having traffic flow in one direction in the remaining lane; or shutting down the bridge entirely, allowing the project to be completed more quickly (in about a year), since workers would not have to interact with traffic. Lutz said the second option is unfavorable because a traffic accident on Route 30 could shut down the Wrights Ferry (Route 30) Bridge also, preventing all traffic from crossing the river. He added, however, that the four lanes of the Wrights Ferry Bridge could quickly be converted to two in such a case, using existing median barriers as "gates."

A portion of Rotary Park will be used to stage construction equipment and materials, and the former Columbia #1 Fire Company building along Front Street could serve as offices, Lutz said. RK&K Engineering, PennDOT, and the Lancaster County Planning Commission have already met to discuss the project. Preliminary engineering design work is scheduled for the next year and a half.

Columbia Spy previously posted these related articles: 


Part 1 – Columbia to Chickies Rock: Explore the geology of Chickies Rock, other areas on trail along Susquehanna River

Columbia is located within the Piedmont Lowlands Section or locally known as the Conestoga Valley.

MORE:

https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/columnists/2018/03/15/take-geological-tour-northwest-lancaster-county-recreational-trail/427794002/

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Resident asks why Columbia doesn't have a police dog

Frank Doutrich posted a banner on his 9th Street property about Columbia's need for a police dog.


A long-standing controversy surfaced once again at Monday night's borough council meeting when resident Frank Doutrich asked Mayor Leo Lutz why Columbia doesn't have a police dog. Doutrich said he saw that two other municipalities just got police dogs.

"I never heard it from the chief, why we don't have a police dog. I'm tired of hearing, 'It's the kids.'" Doutrich said, referring to the mayor's stated concern about the dog intimidating children. "Isn't there kids in any of these other municipalities?"

Lutz replied, "But they're not using the dogs on the kids like you suggested."

"Other municipalities are using it [a K-9 program]." Doutrich said. " Why aren't we?" Doutrich said the program was funded.

"In order to have a K-9 assigned to the police department you have to have an officer that's willing to take on the K-9," Lutz said. "We do not have an officer willing to take on the K-9. So, therefore, we cannot have a dog." Doutrich replied that Columbia does have an officer available, but Lutz heatedly replied, "That officer will never have a dog in Columbia Borough."

Doutrich accused the mayor of being political about the issue. Lutz denied the claim and said the issue is about liability.

According to a February 26, 2014 LancasterOnline article, the issue was visited in a heated back-and-forth at that month's borough council meeting. At the meeting, Lutz said the reason for discontinuing the K-9 was due to the officer's concern about having a dog in his home that is trained to bite. One council member said he had spoken to the officer and Lutz's assertion was incorrect. According to the article, Lutz said that a second officer considered taking on the role of handler but was also concerned about having such a dog in his home.

In a comment following the article, a Columbia resident stated, in part: "Seems as though someone is hiding something and now the Borough is without an asset in its crime fighting arsenal. The lack of a handler is pure balderdash."

Engraved bricks to honor military personnel are available now - Dedication to be held May 26

Order form for bricks


The public is invited to purchase bricks in honor/memory of individuals who served, or are currently serving in, the armed forces. Bricks are available to honor military personnel from any area, not just Columbia Borough.

The cost is $50 per 4” x 8” brick, each of which may have up to three lines of text, with up to 15 characters per line. Bricks will be engraved in all capital letters and will be placed in a walkway at the Veterans Memorial Bridge plaza to honor veterans and provide a grand entranceway to Columbia Borough from the bridge.

Plans for the "Veterans Memorial Bridge Island Gateway Project" call for a number of additional improvements: an array of flags representing all branches of the military, lighting, and updated landscaping. The fundraising portion of the project includes the development of brick walkways at the bridge plaza. Part of the project's backstory can be found HERE.

A dedication is planned for May 26, 2018, the day before Columbia’s Memorial Day parade. The deadline for ordering bricks to be included in the May 26 dedication is April 15.  There is also a deadline of July 2 for an August  install, and a deadline of October 1 for a November install.

Completed purchase forms along with payment should be sent to:
VFW Veterans Memorial Flag Project
c/o Kevin Kraft
PO Box 231,
Columbia PA 17512
Questions should be directed to Kevin Kraft at 717-684-2370.





Friday, March 16, 2018

Randy Howard unable to post $250,000 bail - Hearing set for next week

Randy Cornell Howard

Randy Cornell Howard, who was apprehended by Columbia Borough and West Hempfield Police yesterday, is now in Lancaster County Prison. Bail was set at $250,000 (monetary), which he was unable to post. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday, March 20, at 9 a.m., at Magisterial District Judge Miles K. Bixler's office. He is charged with aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy in connection with the September 3, 2017 wolfpack attack on a Columbia man on the 600 block of Walnut Street.


Docket Sheet:





Court Summary:




Thursday, March 15, 2018

Borough reports that 75% of its streets are excellent to good, a 12% increase from 2014

The following information is reprinted from the Columbia Borough website.

2014 Map

2018 Map

Above are links to street mapping that compare how far the Borough has come with the maintenance of streets within the last few years. The 2014 map contains the rating assigned to each street when a conditions assessment was completed in October 2014. The 2018 map captures all of the projects completed within the Borough between 2015 and 2017 and those projects scheduled to be completed in 2018.

The Borough is happy to report that 75% of Borough streets are currently rated in Excellent or Good categories. That is an increase of 12% since the initial assessment in 2014. Another impressive stat is the mileage of streets categorized as poor fell from 8% to 3%. Poor streets are the most expensive to repair considering they typically require extensive base work.

The Borough is also happy to report by the end of 2018 12% of all streets will have been paved with 62% being the worst streets in the Borough.

(note: a visual re-assessment of streets was not completed for this mapping. Any street that may have deteriorated (dropped a category) since 2014 was not factored. )

APPREHENDED! RANDY HOWARD | Columbia Borough Police Department



On March 15, 2018 at approximately 1900 hours, members of the Columbia Borough Police Department along with West Hempfield Township Police Department arrested Randy C Howard a 22 year old Columbia resident for an outstanding felony warrant.  Howard was wanted for a aggravated assault and conspiracy charge which occurred on September 03, 2017 in the 600 Blk of Walnut Street.  Howard attempted to flee by jumping out a second floor rear window and was quickly apprehended in an adjoining rear yard.  His co-conspirator Shakim McIwain was convicted of the same crime by a jury in the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas last month and is awaiting sentencing.  Howard was taken to Lancaster County Central Booking awaiting arraignment.  Parties are to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  
Incident Date: 
Thursday, March 15, 2018 - 7:10pm

Incident Type:

Case Number: 

2471-09-03-17
Offenders: 

Location: 

146 Locust Street
Columbia, PA 17512


https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/incidents/warrant-service

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Man beats quick ticket, charges dropped due to errors

A Summary Trial Notice shows an incorrect name for the defendant.  The mistake was initially made on the quick ticket that was issued.


A Columbia man successfully beat a quick ticket charge due to mistakes by the officer who wrote the ticket. At a March 13 hearing before District Justice Miles Bixler, the defendant, Angel Rodriquez, said the name on the ticket - "Angela" Rodriguez - was incorrect. Rodriguez also said he does not own or rent property at the Union Street address listed on the ticket. According to Rodriguez, he entered a plea of "Not Guilty," and charges were dismissed based on the errors. The quick ticket was issued for a small TV placed on the sidewalk outside the address.