Columbia bypass groundbreaking ceremony

(Click on the pic for a larger view.)

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Columbia bypass project was held today at 9 a.m. at Cedar and Second streets in Columbia. 

State, county and local officials, including Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz, Borough Manager Sam Sukolsky, Former Borough Manager Norm Meiskey, State Representative Dave Hickernell, State Senator Mike Brubaker and others, spoke at the ceremony.

When completed, the bypass will reroute heavy truck traffic along the borough's perimeter. Currently, trucks travel along Route 441 through Third Street and down Locust Street, essentially cutting though the center of town.

The total cost of the project is almost $20.4 million, according to PennDOT spokesman Greg Penny.

Groundbreaking Friday for Route 441 project in Columbia

A groundbreaking ceremony for the relocation project will be held Friday at 9 a.m. in the borough.

The public event will be held at Cedar and Second streets. In case of rain, the ceremony will be held at the River Park pavilion.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/columbia/news/groundbreaking-friday-for-route-project-in-columbia/article_8ad5dfce-06cd-11e4-8a64-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

Jerry King Musser took the following photographs today showing the progress of the bypass project.

(Used with permission)

Fox43 reports on mayflies

http://fox43.com/2014/07/10/mayfly-invasion-a-good-thing-experts-say/

Fox 43's Melissa Nardo did her five o'clock report from the Veterans' Memorial Bridge.

The topic: mayflies, whose carcasses have accumulated in large piles on the bases of the new bridge lights.

Lancaster man dies after jumping from moving car in West Hempfield

In the area of 15th and Manor streets just southeast of Columbia, Beattie jumped from the left rear of the SUV while it was moving.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-man-dies-after-jumping-from-moving-car-near-columbia/article_286ffbbc-0835-11e4-9597-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

'Like a hail storm.' Mayfly blitz from new lights swarm drivers on bridge between Columbia and Wrightsville

The intensity of the swarms amazed even those who have long lived along the river and are used to such phenomena.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/like-a-hail-storm-mayfly-blitz-from-new-lights-swarm/article_2071152c-06e1-11e4-a8d5-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

Should Lancaster County firefighters be sworn to secrecy before learning about oil train locations?

Lancaster County's emergency management director is balking at forcing fire chiefs and volunteer firefighters here to sign confidentiality agreements before they can learn when trains carrying flammable crude oil pass through their communities.

Randy Gockley, the county's emergency management coordinator, calls the requirement "overkill" and has sought guidance from the county solicitor.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/should-lancaster-county-firefighters-be-sworn-to-secrecy-before-learning/article_a3423c44-056d-11e4-9551-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm

Lancaster County firefighters won't have to swear secrecy to learn about oil trains

Firefighters in Lancaster County won't have to sign confidentiality agreements to learn the location of trains carrying flammable crude oil in their communities.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-county-firefighters-won-t-have-to-swear-secrecy-to/article_afa674d4-0601-11e4-9f6c-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm