Carol Powell named superintendent for Columbia School District; takes post July 1

Columbia School District's long search for a new superintendent came to a close on Thursday when the school board approved the hiring of Carol Powell as the district's new leader. 

Powell will begin her term at Columbia on July 1 at a salary of $115,000 for a three-year term.

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Columbia named one of "20 best small towns to visit" in U.S.

Columbia has earned recognition by the Smithsonian Magazine as a top U.S. town for visitors, being named as one of “The 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2014.”

The magazine, in its April issue, cites Columbia’s historic areas, attractions like the National Watch & Clock Museum and its access to nearby recreation.

Smithsonian listed Columbia as the 13th-best town to visit.

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Former Columbia police dog Max dies at age 9

Columbia Borough Police Department's former K-9 officer, Max, died on Tuesday, March 18, said Connie Beury, chairwoman of the Columbia K-9 Campaign.

Max retired at age 9 in January.

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What I Saw - March 20, 2014

 A seagull who knows how to use the crosswalk.  

That makes him smarter than some of the people I see around town, who disregard the lines, walk in front of moving cars, ignore traffic signals and are all-around oblivious. 

And this bird's not jaywalking.  Gull-walking maybe, never jaywalking.

Speaking of birds, there are chickens on 7th Street.  Yes, chickens.  Is this even legal?

I thought keeping livestock within borough limits is not permitted.

 An idea whose time has come?

Columbia Plaza parking lot - The water keeps flowing, and the potholes keep growing.

Chad's story

Chad Noll, manager of The Cycle Den, succumbed to a rare disease and passed away recently.  Family members have written a Letter to the Editor to Lancaster Newspapers detailing his struggle.  The letter can be found HERE.

When will Spring arrive?

Taste of River Towns set for March 30 in Columbia

The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual "Taste of River Towns" restaurant fair on Sunday, March 30, at St. John's Herr Estate, 200 Luther Lane, in Columbia.

This year's event is sponsored by St. John's Herr Estate, a Luthercare Community, and by the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority. The fair, which will run from 4 to 7 p.m., features samplings of food and beverages from area restaurants such as Bully's Restaurant and Pub, Café Garth, Columbia Chicken Shack, Columbia Historic Market House, Columbia Kettle Works, Hinkle's Restaurant, Keagy's Produce, Nissley Winery, Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen and St John's Herr Estate.

Tickets cost $15 per person and are available at the SVCC Visitor Center, 445 Linden St., Columbia, and at St. John's Herr Estate. You also can call Mary-Jo Liskey at 684-0678.

Directions to the event and parking locations are available with the purchase of your ticket or at the SVCC website, PaRivertowns.com.

Proceeds benefit the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.

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