COLUMBIA SPY

Just seen at Laurel Hill

• Symptoms of the canine flu are similar to those of kennel cough and include persistent and lingering cough, lethargic behavior, poor appetite and a fever, says Dr. Douple. • There is no evidence the virus can be transmitted to humans, the Associated Press reported, although it can sicken cats. • People are urged to wash their hands after touching dogs to prevent transmission to other animals. MORE HERE: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/midwest-outbreak-of-deadly-dog-flu-is-cause-for-caution/article_8aa97344-e47b-11e4-802f-9b30e46494e6.html

I had the privilege of meeting Mary Loreto today.  While Mary has an extraordinary personal history as well as a long association with Columbia, she requested that this article remain focused and committed to the issue at hand, Avenue J. Mary recollected how two cousins living at 106 South Second Street maintained the lower section of Avenue J, which runs adjacent to the property, from Second Street to Bank Avenue.  She stated that the majority of that work in the avenue was done by Ralph McBride.  The cousins pulled weeds and maintained the bricks and cobblestones, keeping everything intact and clean.  Mary added that her children also helped pull weeds there.  (Jeanne Fisher currently owns this property.) Since the McBrides no longer maintain Avenue J, it has deteriorated.  There have been reports of weeds and trash.  Most noteworthy is a piece of concrete curbing that may have been removed, presumably to allow for off-street parking. ...

Redevelopment experts hired by the nonprofit Columbia Economic Development Corp.  presented a plan last  week aimed at revitalizing the borough's downtown. About 75 people attended the presentation held April 8 at a Columbia banquet hall. The  experts'  key recommendations are to: revitalize Market House, the borough's 146-year-old farmers market; entice more antiques and art dealers and get them together to add murals and outdoor seating; and  encourage upscale housing. MORE: http://m.lancasteronline.com/opinion/editorials/columbia-deserves-our-support/article_a934cc28-e3b3-11e4-b0ca-4bd1d95b8407.html?mode=jqm

http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-teen-witnessed-lincoln-assassination-years-ago/article_34ba1888-e3bf-11e4-95c1-736413055821.html?mode=jqm

 The construction scaffolding at the new water company building appears to be listing a bit.  Not only is the right side adjusted down a few notches, but the metal support pillars themselves are leaning.  Is this the culprit? A steel plate serving as a footing (orange arrow) at the bottom of the right rear pillar is almost completely off the concrete slab on which it is resting. As a matter of fact, the whole assembly looks rickety.

See the previous post for the back story on this.