Sunshine Week - March 13-19 - Your Right to Know

In observance of Sunshine Week - March 13-19, 2016 - Columbia Spy will be posting news articles, opinion columns, and other materials related to the occasion.

Sunshine Week is a national initiative to promote a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. Participants include news media, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and others interested in the public’s right to know.

According to Wikipedia:

Sunshine Week is a national initiative spearheaded by the American Society of News Editors to educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy. It was established in March 2005 with funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.[1]

Sunshine Week occurs each year in mid-March, coinciding with James Madison's birthday and National Freedom of Information Day on the 16th.

Caleb Brown performs at Market House

Musician Caleb Brown, accompanied alternately with violin and guitar, played and sang various classically influenced compositions, and folk and popular songs Saturday at the Columbia Market House. The Market has been featuring a variety of weekend entertainment over the past few months.

Two-vehicle accident snarls traffic near Rt 30 & 441

A two-vehicle collision caused traffic problems on North Third Street near the westbound Columbia exit ramp of Route 30 on Saturday about 10 a.m.  The accident involved a Volvo V70 station wagon and a Ford Freestar minivan, both of which sustained front-end damage. Northbound traffic on North Third was diverted left onto Cedar Street. Two vehicle occupants suffered minor injuries but neither was hospitalized.  Emergency crews initiated spill control measures due to fluids leaking from both vehicles, which were then towed from the scene.  Airbags deployed in both vehicles.

Spring forward this weekend

Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend - Sunday at 2 a.m. Set your clocks one hour forward.

Coroner identifies 1 of 2 bodies found in Susquehanna River this week

Donald Findley, 60, of Columbia, died as a result of drowning. His death has been ruled a suicide.

The coroner is still working to identify a second body that was also found on Wednesday.

MORE HERE:

http://m.wgal.com/news/coroner-identifies-1-of-2-bodies-found-in-susquehanna-river-this-week/38460890

Commission Seeks Comments on 717 Area Code Relief Plan

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today voted to defer an implementation plan that would result in a new area code in the 717 service area, pending receipt of comments.

The Commission voted 5-0 to hold in abeyance and seek comments on the petition filed by Neustar Inc. (Neustar), the North American Numbering Plan Administrator (NANPA). Neustar, acting on behalf of the Pennsylvania telecommunications industry, filed a petition on Oct. 23, 2015, requesting approval of its plan to alleviate numbering exhaust for the 717 Numbering Plan Area (NPA or area code) upon its predicted exhaustion in 2018 through the use of a distributed overlay.

"Because we need input from consumers, the industry and other interested parties involved regarding this decision, we direct that the consensus relief plan for the 717 NPA shall not be implemented at this time," the Commission Order states.

MORE HERE:
http://www.puc.pa.gov/about_puc/press_releases.aspx?ShowPR=3673

AUTOPSIES FRIDAY TO ESTABLISH IDS, CAUSE OF DEATH FOR 2 MALES FOUND IN SUSQUEHANNA RIVER

MARCH 10, 2016

Officials are investigating the deaths of two males found Wednesday afternoon in the Susquehanna River, about two miles apart, near Safe Harbor Power Plant.

The first male was found about 2:30 p.m., along a skimmer wall at the power plant. A deputy coroner, along with teams from Blue Rock Fire Rescue and Columbia River Rescue, responded to the scene.

The male was removed from the water and pronounced dead.

About 5 p.m., a member of the rescue teams found a second body along a shoreline, about two miles north of the power plant.

That male also was pronounced dead at the scene.

Autopsies are planned for Friday to determine identities of the males and what caused their deaths.

No identification cards were found with the bodies. Their ages couldn't be determined or estimated.

Manor Township police are assisting in the investigation to determine if a crime occurred regarding either male's death.

Source: 

Manor Township Police Department