Police presence on Avenue J

A heavier police presence has been noted on Avenue J below South Second Street lately.  The fate of Avenue J was a topic of discussion at the last two Columbia Borough Council meetings which have occasionally turned contentious, as residents of South Second voiced their opinions.   Councillors Kelly Murphy and Jim Smith recently toured Avenue J to examine possibilities for its future. 

This photo shows the avenue being blocked temporarily this morning.

Columbia teachers need dose of reality - Letters To The Editor

GO HERE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/columbia-teachers-need-dose-of-reality/article_edde8096-f586-11e4-9c53-2399894dedea.html?mode=jqm

PennDOT to close Route 30 in Columbia area for brief stretches the night of May 17-18

Crews are planning to close Route 30 for brief overnight stretches in the Columbia area the week of May 16.

The move is needed so workers can install beams for an overpass carrying Columbia's long-awaited truck bypass over Route 30.

The effort is planned tentatively for overnight Sunday, May 17, into Monday, May 18.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/penndot-to-close-route-in-columbia-area-for-brief-stretches/article_8a5e4072-f5b0-11e4-8f8c-8f48af043e01.html?mode=jqm

Columbia is getting excited about new "truck bypass" that will take big rigs around its town

THE STORY IS HERE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/columbia/news/columbia-is-getting-excited-about-new-truck-bypass-that-will/article_756fd1cc-f5af-11e4-af08-cb323ccc7213.html?mode=jqm

Despite Act 1, school tax hikes have exceeded inflation

"The eight-year millage increases in other local districts ranged from a high of 50.2 percent in small, cash-strapped Columbia Borough to 18.6 percent in Ephrata."

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/despite-act-school-tax-hikes-have-exceeded-inflation/article_0ab62694-f4d6-11e4-96bc-c37e8534dbca.html?mode=jqm

Hit and Run at Third and Poplar

A hit-and-run vehicle accident occurred shortly after 5 o'clock this afternoon at Third and Poplar. Reportedly, a pickup truck collided with the vehicle shown below.  According to a witness at the scene, the pickup, a silver Toyota Tundra with three middle-aged male occupants initially stopped after the accident. The truck driver parked in front of the car after the car had pulled over, but then sped away, traveling west on Poplar Street and then south on Second.

Bicycle hit on Veterans Memorial Bridge

The Veterans Memorial Bridge was shut down for several hours today after an early afternoon vehicle accident in which a bicyclist was hit. The bicyclist was taken by ambulance, and traffic was temporarily re-routed over the Wrights Ferry (Route 30) Bridge. Columbia Borough, West Hempfield, and East Hempfield Police Departments responded, as well as Columbia Fire Police and other emergency personnel.

(These photos were shot by Columbia Spy despite resistance from West Hempfield Police.)