Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Prepare for a Celestial Spectacle as Five Planets Align - NYTimes.com


Five planets will parade across the dawn sky early Wednesday in a rare celestial spectacle set to repeat every morning until late next month.
Headlining the planetary performance are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter

Up to $1,000 reward for information on Raymond Lee wanted for Aggravated Assault. | Lancaster County Crime Stoppers

At 2:15 AM on December 25, 2015 Lancaster City Police officers responded to the 200 blk. of E. Chestnut St. for a report of an intoxicated male causing a disturbance. Upon arrival officers found an intoxicated 30-year-old male inside of the foyer of an apartment building on the north side of the street with injuries to his eye and lip. This male was arrested for Public Drunkenness and conveyed to the police station. While at the station, officers examined the male more closely and discovered a laceration to the back of his head. The man was subsequently conveyed to Lancaster General Hospital and admitted as trauma patient. The male was unable to tell officers how he sustained these injuries.

Lancaster Safety Coalition surveillance video for this date was reviewed and the victim was observed in the 200 blk. of N. Shippen St. in the area of Molly's Pub carry-out. (Molly's Pub, 253 E. Chestnut St., is approximately one-half block from the location where the victim was found in the apartment foyer.) The victim was observed being struck, punched and kicked by at least three people. One of these people was identified by Det. Michael Gerace as Raymond Lee, 39-year-old male.

Raymond Lee was charged with Aggravated Assault, Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, and Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution. A warrant was issued for his arrest. The 4 other conspirators in this case have been apprehended. Raymond Lee is the only suspect that has not been arrested in this case.



Anyone with information on this incident or the current location of Lee is asked to submit a tip here or by calling Lancaster Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-1913. Callers may remain anonymous and do not have to give their names.

Committee meeting dates and times

As of this month, Columbia Borough has discontinued Committee of the Whole meetings in favor of individual committee meetings. Meeting dates and times (as listed on the borough's website) are shown below:




Monday, January 18, 2016

Murder suspect - 7 roommates and one bathroom?

Ronald L. Sheetz

Columbia Borough Police apprehended murder suspect Ronald L. Sheetz Sunday morning and deserve the thanks of the community for a job well done. 

However, several facts stand out about the state of Sheetz's living conditions at 226 Lawrence Street. According to this LNP article, Sheetz lived at this address with seven other people. And according to information found at zillow.com and the Lancaster County Assessment Office, the residence has three bedrooms and one bathroom.  FOR EIGHT PEOPLE.

At this point, it's unclear whether or not the residence is owned and occupied by members of one family or is a rental property that was occupied by eight unrelated residents.

Columbia Spy was recently told by a borough official that rental units may not have more than three unrelated occupants, according to borough ordinance. 

The Spy will post further information as it is obtained.

From zillow.com




 From the Lancaster County Property Assessment Office



What's the speed limit on 441?

Vehicles often speed along the new Route 441 bypass, creating dangerous conditions - particularly near the pedestrian crossing at Bridge Street. It should be noted, however, that the speed limit along this stretch of 441 is between 25 and 35 mph, as shown in the photos below.

 The speed limit is posted as 35 mph at the "top" of the bypass.

 About three-quarters of the way down, right before Bridge Street, the speed limit falls to 25.

The speed limit remains 25 mph until 441 crosses the railroad tracks past Locust Street, beyond which it reverts to 35 mph.

How cold is it?

Cold enough for this seagull to have icicles on his belly this morning at Columbia River Park...


Temperatures were barely out of the teens today, with wind chills in the single digits.

Sunday, January 17, 2016

Police gather follow-up evidence at crime scene

Ronald Lee Sheetz, 41, was arrested Sunday morning at an undisclosed location in Columbia, according to Brett Hambright, spokesman for the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office. Sheetz is charged with the stabbing murder of Michael Oberdorff, Sr. of Columbia.  Columbia Borough Police and other officers gathered follow-up evidence and photographed the crime scene at 322 South Second Street this afternoon. Police had staked out the residence for several days.