COLUMBIA SPY

LANCASTERONLINE This year Earth Day began an entire week of green fun and spring cleaning for Columbia residents. Mayor Leo Lutz proclaimed that Columbia borough would celebrate Earth Day, now in its 43rd year, on Monday, April 22. But the real festivities don't get going until Friday when PPL will once again send 40 volunteers to clean up and make repairs to facilities in borough parks. MORE HERE: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/841422_Columbia-celebrates-Earth-Day-all-week.html

This rotting possum has been lying near the Herbert "Cubby" Spiese Bridge for about two weeks.  Originally, it was lying in the middle of the highway after most likely being hit by a car.  A few days later, it had been moved to its present location.  As can be seen from the photo, the carcass is attracting flies and will soon start "growing" maggots.  Besides, it looks undignified lying there among the cigarette butts and other debris, although the dandelion seems somehow appropriate.  Do we have a critter control officer to take this away before it becomes more of a nuisance or a public health issue?

Sunday, April 21, 2013: Heritage train travels through Columbia on the NS Port Road, pulling oil tanker cars, after embarking from Georgia. Trainspotters gathered along the tracks near River Park to watch and record the passing train. Click  HERE  to see a video.

A man threatened to jump from the Druid Hill overpass. http://m.wgal.com/news/Route-30-open-after-police-incident/-/17430522/19860902/-/hi05l7z/-/index.html

KEYSTONE PROGRESS Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) has introduced legislation that would require universal criminal background checks for firearms purchases in Pennsylvania. "Right now in Pennsylvania, criminals may lawfully purchase an assault rifle even though it is illegal for that same criminal to purchase a handgun," Santarsiero said. HB 1010 would close a loophole that allows private, non-licensed sellers to sell long-barrel guns, including assault rifles, without conducting a criminal background check on the buyer. Santarsiero's legislation would close this loophole by requiring all sales and transfers, escept transfers between family members, to undergo a criminal background check. This common sense legislation protects PA's families by preventing east access to guns by criminals. The choice is simple--either you want to protect PA's families or you think criminals should be able to buy guns without a background check. Our representative, Dav...

ARS TECHNICA Your tax-free days of online shopping are numbered. If S743, also known as the Marketplace Fairness Act, becomes law, the millions of Americans who have been able to avoid sales tax online will have to start paying it. Given the broad support shown by today's US Senate vote, some version of it is likely to come to fruition. MORE HERE: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2013/04/senate-passes-online-sales-tax-by-74-20-vote/

LANCASTERONLINE Before Hempfield School District closes two buildings for a final time in June, the public is invited to celebrate 60 years of heritage at an open house. Officials will welcome visitors to East Petersburg Elementary from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and to Farmdale Elementary from 1 to 3 p.m. May 11. MORE HERE: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/841072_Open-houses-offer-last-hurrah-for-2-Hempfield-schools.html