COLUMBIA SPY

On Garfield Road . . .  Mr. & Mrs. Snowperson - and son (?) and their horse (complete with saddle and bridle)

Lawmakers have been criticized for racking up thousands of dollars in per diem payments in a year. Others have been exposed for collecting per diems that were  used to help pay for properties they bought in Harrisburg . MORE: http://www.witf.org/state-house-sound-bites/2015/01/another-stab-at-per-diem-reform.php

CANONSBURG – Sarris Candies confectioners are getting some "kicks" out of their latest creation. The "Bradie" ball is every bit as sweet as the other chocolate footballs they sell, but has a noticeable dip in its side. MORE: http://www.observer-reporter.com/article/20150127/NEWS01/150129505

He'll be heading to Lancaster County this weekend, for a three-part performance in Columbia, on Friday at Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen, Saturday at Columbia Kettle Works and Sunday at Garth Gallery. MORE: http://m.lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/ex-daughtry-drummer-joey-barnes-performs-in-columbia/article_b91d6e80-a71b-11e4-9d1f-a3ae7554c45a.html?mode=jqm

 Warthog hotdoggin' it low over Columbia  Ice sculpture down at the boat ramp The first robin of . . . winter?

"I can't understand why anyone who had tasted proper chocolate would ever buy Hershey's," said Gillon. "Hershey's is fine until you begin eating it. It's like eating plastic. It's the only chocolate we would consider using for making s'mores at camp fires because you wouldn't use good chocolate for that." MORE: http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jan/27/hersheys-lawsuit-ban-imported-cadbury-from-us?CMP=fb_gu

Pennsylvania has passed New York and California by earning the dubious distinction of having the  highest gasoline taxes  in the nation. MORE: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2015/01/pa_gas_taxes_are_highest_in_th.html#incart_m-rpt-2