Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Study: hormone-disrupting chemicals, herbicides, pathogens and parasites likely behind bass collapse in Susquehanna

Herbicides, hormone-disrupting chemicals, as well as pathogens and parasites in the water, are the most likely causes for the decade-long decline of prize game fish in the Susquehanna River, a new study by state and federal agencies says.

MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/study-hormone-disrupting-chemicals-and-herbicides-pathogens-and-parasites-likely/article_6c8a49f8-a29c-11e5-8a64-13519297f421.html

The bypass- When will it open?

According to borough officials at last night's council meeting, no definite date has yet been announced for the opening of the Route 441 bypass. There are some hopeful signs, however: Workers were testing traffic signals and addressing other issues at Front and Walnut Streets recently, and signage along North Third Street was changed yesterday in advance of the opening.

The purpose of the new bypass is to divert truck traffic around Columbia and keep it out of the center of town. Once the road is finally opened, however, some truckers might have a hard time of it, especially in winter weather. Those traveling east on Route 30 will need to get off at the Columbia exit as a first step in connecting with Route 441 South.  From there, the driver will follow a convoluted route by turning right onto Linden Street, then right again onto North Third (near the Turkey Hill Experience), then up the hill to the Route 30/441 intersection, then left onto the new bypass, following it to the lower part of Bridge Street, and then onto Front Street. Since there is currently a No Turn on Red sign at the Third and Linden intersection, traffic is likely to back up on Linden, from Third Street to the exit ramp. If that's the case, then the plan to keep trucks out of town might be trading one problem for another.

Whatever the case, it is imperative that tractor-trailers be prevented from using the Third and Locust Street intersection, which was never intended for such large vehicles, as evidenced in these recent photos:






Monday, December 14, 2015

Agenda - Borough Council Meeting December 14, 2015



New borough manager sworn in



Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz swore in Gregory Sahd as Columbia's new borough manager at Monday's borough council meeting.
Columbia Spy has more information on Gregory Sahd HERE.

Bypass to open, 3rd Street to be turned over

Work continued on the Route 441 bypass project this afternoon, as workers changed out signs on North Third Street in anticipation of the street being "turned over" to the borough in the near future when the bypass is opened. North Third will no longer be a state road with the designation Route 441.



More from Mittens and Mufflers

The Mittens and Mufflers event was held Sunday, December 13 in Columbia and featured the Columbia Market House, a tour of historic homes, carriage rides, and other attractions, followed by a Christmas tree lighting at Locust Street Park. Some of the sights on the tour are shown below:


 A look inside Cafe Garth


 Two dapper fellows greeted visitors at 105 South Second Street.

 A 10-foot Christmas tree stood inside.

 A vintage piano, as well

 This chandelier was salvaged from the former Brunswick Hotel in Lancaster.

 A young musician played "Ode to Joy" on the vintage piano.

 Ornate wall panel inside the front door at 105 South Second Street



Doors at House of Pagan (Perfect Settings)


25-27 South Second Street held the offices of the original Columbia Spy.

Back at it at the tracks

Workmen were on the scene at Front and Walnut again today to resolve issues related to that intersection, which is part of the Route 441 bypass project.  Road paving was finished well over a month ago. Sources tell Columbia Spy that the road could be opened within the next two weeks, possibly as early as this Thursday.
Stay tuned . . .






The two workmen shown below installed No Pedestrian Crossing signs at the intersection today to prevent crossing on one side of the street.  Pedestrians headed to Columbia River Park are expected to cross on the same side as the Eastern Drillers building to the opposite side where the ADA access is located. Unfortunately, the ADA access exits onto the tracks, as can be seen HERE. This issue, which may involve removal of a section of track, will need to be resolved before wheelchair riders can safely cross.