COLUMBIA SPY

Dr. Robert Hollister will be leaving Columbia School District early next year as superintendent. But questions remain, and Thursday’s committee of the whole meeting yielded a bit of confusion on the matter in that the board offered no official announcement of Hollister’s exit - only two subtle clues. First, renewal of services was a listed item on the agenda, prompting a resident to ask the board if it had explored hiring a superintendent instead of continuing to share services with Elanco. Board President Keith Combs replied that although technology and business services will be extended for three years, the executive services portion of the contract with Elanco will continue only until January 31, 2018, after which other options will need to be explored - with no further explanation given. The relevant agenda item stated the following: 7. Action Item for tonight a. A motion is requested to approve Technology Service, Business Service and Executive Service extension agreem...

                   Marquell Robert Rentas The trial of a teenager accused of  trying to kill Columbia police officers with a rifle  last summer is scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection at Lancaster County Courthouse. Marquell Robert Rentas, 18, of 244 Walnut Street, Columbia, faces 37 charges in the case including three counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and one count of conspiracy to murder a law enforcement officer. His alleged accomplice, Trenton Nace, 19, of 116 Lancaster Ave., Columbia, will be tried separately in October. MORE: HERE

On Monday, August 21, 2017, officers from the West Hempfield Township Police Department were dispatched for a domestic. The female victim reported that while operating a vehicle in the area of Rt30 and Prospect Road, the defendant, 26 year old, Kyle Anthony States, of the 700 blk of Chestnut Street, Columbia, PA 17512, began poking at the victim's face, and while the victim was trying to defend herself, he grabbed her head by the hair and repeatedly slammed her head into the steering wheel of the vehicle. The victim reported that once they reached the traffic light at Rt 30 and RT 441, the victim was able to grab the keys to her vehicle and run from the vehicle. Officers reported that the victim had a significant amount of dried blood on one of her ears. On August 21, 2017, the West Hempfield Township Police Department filed the following charge against Kyle States at MDJ Miles Bixler's Office: One count of Simple assault, (Domestic violence related), section 2701 (a)(...

A two-part series to teach awareness and empowerment to those touched by addiction is being held in Columbia this month. The series will be held Sept. 13 and 27 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Mt. Zion AME Church, 222 South 5th Street, Columbia. MORE: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/seminars-on-opioid-treatment-will-be-held-in-columbia-sept/article_50997da0-93fd-11e7-a0b8-97d8f3eb6204.html

                         Dr. Robert Hollister                     [Columbia Spy file photo] The Eastern Lancaster County School District will no longer share its superintendent with Columbia's schools, ending  the first such partnership of its kind in the state. Superintendent Bob Hollister will return to Elanco full-time beginning in January, officials in the Columbia School District announced at a school board meeting Thursday night. MORE: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/elanco-columbia-school-districts-will-no-longer-share-superintendent-ending/article_c322a3c0-94f6-11e7-a5db-d74c7572a213.html

Family First Health’s Center of Excellence provides patients with substance use disorders the support they need to reach, and maintain recovery. The team links patients to community resources and support services, and then walks alongside each patient to ensure that critical needs are met and that the patient remains in care for as long as needed. The goal – to give each patient the supports needed to get, and stay healthy. The program began in 2016, with Family First Health’s Hanover Center and George Street Center offices. On September 12, 2017, Family First Health will begin offering these services to patients in our Columbia Center office. Services at these three locations include: Support and medical care coordinated with the primary care provider. Access to a comprehensive care management team comprised of case managers, recovery support specialists, and a licensed clinical social worker. Customized support to navigate the care system and get to/maintain recovery. ...

Expecting families within the 17512 zip code now eligible to receive free Baby Box to promote safe sleep practices for infants Healthy Columbia, a community-driven initiative under the fiscal sponsorship of CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health, is proud to announce the launch of Columbia’s Baby Box Program for expecting parents throughout the Borough. The program provides eligible parents with a safe place for infants to sleep (a cardboard bassinet with a firm mattress and fitted sheet), onesies, bibs, wash cloths, socks, a sleep sack, burp cloths, and parent education about safe sleep. “The goal of this program is to offer a combination of face-to-face and technology-based parent education and some basic essentials to give the baby a healthy start within the first few weeks of life,” said Philip Goropoulos, president of CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health. “As an organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children, we’re proud to provide access to this program for f...