Animals get blessed on Feast of St. Francis

Father Stephen Kelley of Holy Trinity Catholic Church led the Blessing of Pets during the Feast of Saint Francis today on the grounds of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School. Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals.

Among the animals blessed were several breeds of dogs, a cat, a turtle, a cockatiel, a rabbit, and two chickens: a barred rock and a leghorn.

Catholics in the United States bring their pets to church to be blessed on this day because of Saint Francis's love for animals.

Cub Pack 35 providing wreaths to honor vets

Columbia Cub Scout Pack 35 is providing wreaths to honor military veterans in a Wreaths Across America fundraiser. Wreaths can be sponsored for a $15 donation by contacting Matt Sliger at 717-419-1635 or matt3584@yahoo.com

A National Remembrance Ceremony will be held at noon on December 16, 2017 at the Mount Bethel Cemetery in Columbia

CBFD Open House this Wednesday!

Today marks the beginning of National Fire Prevention Week.

In recognition, the Columbia Borough Fire Department will hold its annual open house this Wednesday, October 11, from 6-8 p.m. at the fire hall, 726 Manor Street.

Don't forget the highlight: fire truck rides! There'll be free food, too. Lots of other reasons to show up, including the fire safety trailer, police department, and emergency vehicles from QRS and SVEMS.

Our firefighters volunteer to put their lives on the line for our community. Come out Wednesday and tell them how thankful we are for their service.

Man faces multiple charges after punching vehicle and two victims

On Friday, October 6, at about 6:26 p.m., Columbia Borough Police were called to the 100 block of S. 4th St. for a fight complaint. Upon arrival officers observed Nelson Rodriguez in the middle of the street. Rodriguez was agitated and had blood on his pants, face and hands and was not wearing a shirt. Officers spoke to two victims who stated that they were assaulted by Rodriguez when they asked him to get out of the road. 

Rodriguez had punched the victim's vehicle and punched both victims, causing minor injuries. Rodriguez was taken into custody, and a small amount of marijuana was located on him. Rodriguez was charged with two counts of Simple Assault as well as Possession of Marijuana and Public Drunkenness. Rodriguez was taken to central arraignment. A detainer was issued for him by probation.

Case Number:
7189-10-06-17

Arrest Date:
Friday, October 6, 2017

Charges:
Simple Assault (2 Counts)
Possession of Marijuana
Public Drunkenness

Source: 
Columbia Borough Police 

MORE:
https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/rodriguez-nelson-rafael-simple-assault-2-counts-and-2-additional-charges

Columbia man charged with assault in stabbing incident

On Friday, October 6, at about 11:09 p.m., Columbia Borough Police were called to the police station to meet with a stabbing victim. Officers arrived to find a female with a cut on her hand. It was reported to the police that Herman Williams Jr. had stabbed the victim in her hand after an argument in Columbia Borough. Herman Williams Jr. was taken into custody and charged with simple assault.  Williams was taken to central arraignment and a detainer was issued by probation.

Case Number:
7492-10-06-17

Arrest Date:
Friday, October 6, 2017

Charges:
Simple Assault (Domestic Violence Related)

Source:
Columbia Borough Police Department

MORE:
https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/williams-herman-lee-jr-simple-assault-domestic-violence-related

Bridge Bust to offer fun and food this Saturday

The Route 462 Historic Veterans Memorial Bridge spanning the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville will be the site of the 29th annual Bridge Bust on Saturday, October 7, 2017. All proceeds will benefit the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.

The Bridge Bust is coordinated by the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and is sponsored by The Turkey Hill Experience, Clyde W. Kraft Funeral Home, and the Columbia-Middletown Elks Lodge #1074.  Hours are 8 AM to 4 PM.  The rain date is Saturday, October 14, 2017 only if there is an extreme weather event.  

Close to 300 vendors are scheduled to participate in this year's event. Commercial food vendors will offer crowd-pleasing fare such as soft pretzels, fries, tacos, crab cakes, pit beef and pulled pork, egg rolls … and plenty of other food and drink items that tempt your taste buds. Individual vendors will offer items such as crafts, artwork, homemade dog treats and clothing for people and pets.  Look for goods ranging from home or country décor to garden or specialty food items, with a wide variety of products. 

Local nonprofit organizations will be on hand to raise awareness of their organizations and to raise money for their causes.  Other sponsors of this event include Columbia Fraternal Association, Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, Engle Printing and Publishing Company, St. John's Herr Estate and Family First Health.

Live entertainment by Sneakers the Clown will be featured on the bridge throughout the day.  This entertainment is brought to you through the sponsorship of Workman Funeral Homes and Sahd Metal Recycling.  Local sister radio stations FUN 101.3 and ESPN 92.5/92.7 are the exclusive radio sponsors.  Look (and listen) for the stations which will be located on the Columbia side of the bridge.

The Bridge Bust features free parking and shuttle service from Glatfelter Field (located at Rt. 462 and 12th Street) in Columbia and Eastern High School (Cool Creek Road) in Wrightsville.   Patrons who wish to cross the bridge in only one direction may do so by pre-planning use of the various shuttles.  For details, visit the SVCC website www.PaRivertowns.com. Donations will be accepted for this service.

Admission to the Bridge Bust is $2 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12 while children under 6 years of age enter free of charge.  Please remember that absolutely no pets, bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, or scooters are permitted on the bridge. 

The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven organization dedicated to preserving and strengthening the Susquehanna Valley's business and tourism environment by providing programs and services which promote civic, cultural, business and economic growth and development.  The Visitor Center greets over 10,000 guests to the region annually.  The Center welcomes visitors from nearly every state and from an average of 14 countries per year.

Bridge Bust Saturday, October 7