February Calendar of Events - Columbia Market House

Geesey sworn in as school board director

Jenna Geesey is sworn in as school board director by District Judge Miles Bixler at Thursday night's Committee of the Whole meeting.

Jenna Geesey was sworn in as school board director by District Judge Miles Bixler at Thursday night's Committee of the Whole meeting at the District Administration building. The board voted unanimously to appoint Geesey to fill the vacancy at a special meeting last Wednesday night. Geesey had previously interviewed before the board for the position. The vacancy was created when Leo Lutz, Jr. resigned in December.

Wickenheiser appointed to council at special meeting

Mary Wickenheiser is sworn in by Mayor Leo Lutz.

Mary Wickenheiser was appointed to Columbia Borough Council tonight, filling a vacancy left by Stephanie Weisser's resignation in December 2016.

Interviews for the vacant borough council seat were held this evening during the special meeting. Frank Doutrich and Mary Wickenheiser, both of whom previously served on council, had submitted letters of interest.

Doutrich took the podium first and rescinded his bid for the seat telling council, "I don't feel I can work with you people." He also told council that he has a better chance of being hit by lightning than being appointed to fill the vacant seat.

Mary Wickenheiser was next to be interviewed and told council that she would be required to resign her position as tax collector if she were appointed to the seat. She had a letter of resignation prepared, and gave it to council. Wickenheiser said that she does a significant amount of volunteer work and knows what's going on in the borough. She said that she supports what this current council is doing.

Councilwoman Dr. Sherry Welsh made the motion to appoint Mary Wickenheiser to the seat with a second from Councilman Cleon Berntheizel. The motion carried unanimously and Wickenheiser was sworn in by Mayor Leo Lutz. Wickenheiser will fill the seat left by Stephanie Weisser in December 2016 with a term to expire December 31, 2017.

Police looking for assistance with vandalism | Columbia Borough Police Department

The Columbia Borough Police have responded to numerous vandalism reports in the downtown section.  Reports started around 8:00 am on Wednesday, February 1, 2017.  Several school buildings, a public building and a monument in the Locust Street Park in the 500 blk. of Locust Street, and various private out buildings throughout the downtown section have been targeted.  Purple spray paint was used in all of the incidents.  Police are asking for assistance in identifying any actor(s) that may be involved.  Tips can be called in to the Columbia Borough Police Department at (717)684-7735 or tips can be sent to the Lancaster County Crime Stoppers text "LANCS" to 847411.

Case Status:

• Current

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/police-looking-assistance-vandalism

Rep. Saylor says he'll file subpoenas if governor's administration doesn't have answers in budget hearings

HARRISBURG — Rep. Stan Saylor, the new chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said Wednesday he will, if necessary, use subpoenas for information from Gov. Tom Wolf's administration during budget hearings that begin later this month.

MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/insider/rep-saylor-says-he-ll-file-subpoenas-if-governor-s/article_673bf8a8-e8ea-11e6-8f6b-cb85091de16a.html

Incident: Fight/Stabbing

On Tuesday, January 31, 2017, Officers from the West Hempfield Township Police Department, responded to the Speedway located on 1792 Columbia Avenue, Columbia, PA 17512, for a fight.

Officers learned that an adult male, Walter Smith, had kept asking the Speedway clerk for her phone number, and asking her wheither or not she liked him. The clerk became nervous due to Smith's persistence.

The clerk then called a friend and the friend's husband, Clarence McMinn, had responded to the store. Clarence arrived at the store and tried to get Smith to leave. A physical altercation broke out between Smith and McMinn, in the store, and during the struggle C. McMinn slashed Smith's arm with a survival knife that he was carrying on his person.

The officers reported that Smith was found sitting near the gas pumps bleeding when they arrived on the scene.

The officer reported that both males involved in the altercation were transported to the LGH for treatment of non life threatening injuries.

The West Hempfield Township Police Department, after consulting with the Lancaster County District Attorney's Office, will file Simple assault charges against both parties, at MDJ Miles Bixler's Office, in Columbia, PA 17512.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Incident Date: 

Wednesday, February 1, 2017 - 10:19pm

Case Number: 

2017-WH-00216

Location: 

1792 Columbia Avenue

Columbia, PA 17512

Source: 

West Hempfield Township Police Department

Good Samaritan offers man a ride, winds up getaway driver in Columbia bank heist

A good Samaritan was an unwitting getaway driver in a bank robbery after offering a ride home to a man he met in a Columbia tavern Monday.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/good-samaritan-offers-man-a-ride-winds-up-getaway-driver/article_ffc789a4-e8cf-11e6-af3f-5f2b7bfa5560.html