COLUMBIA SPY

Daylight saving time ends Sunday, November 5, 2017 at 2 a.m.

Columbia went for the gold - and got it, at least on a new sign at 301 Locust Street. The sign, which formerly read CLOTHING, now reads COLUMBIA in bright gold letters. It was painted by Chris Redding and Jeff Moore, as just one more facet of the ongoing renovation there.  Go  HERE  and  HERE  for the backstory on the renovation project.

The 11-11-11 Club will host its annual banquet and memorial service at the Red Rose Memorial Post #2435 on Saturday, November 11, 2017. Guest speaker is Lieutenant General Dennis L. Benchoff. Born in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, in 1939, Dennis L. Benchoff graduated from the U. S. Military Academy in 1962. He holds Masters degrees from Michigan State University in Operations Research and Systems Analysis and from New York University in Economics Analysis.  He held numerous commands, including the 101st Airborne Division's 20th Chemical Detachment in Vietnam; the 707th Maintenance Battalion at Fort Ord, California; the 59th Ordnance Brigade in U.S. Army Europe; the Red River Army Depot at Texarkana, Texas; and the Industrial Operations Command at Rock Island, Illinois. The final assignment in Lieutenant General Benchoff's distinguished career was as Deputy Commanding General, U. S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), from July 1996 to August 1998, where his leadership and tec...

In a 6-3 vote Thursday night, the Columbia Borough School Board voted to hire Thomas Strickler as superintendent, effective January 1, 2018. Following is the tally of votes on the motion to approve the hiring of Strickler as district superintendent, with a 3-year contract at a salary of $102,100, subject to compliance with all PDE requirements, and conditioned upon execution of a written contract approved by the district solicitor: Kedney - yes Schwert-yes Combs-yes Anspach-yes Ford-yes Knighton-yes Hohenadel-no Leader-no Geesey-no MORE TO FOLLOW

OPEN LETTER TO COLUMBIA BOROUGH SCHOOL BOARD At the Columbia Borough school board’s committee of the whole meeting tonight to approve Tom Strickler, its current director of operations as the district’s next superintendent;  please VOTE NO! Assuming board approval, Tom Strickler would replace Bob Hollister, who has presided over Eastern Lancaster County and Columbia Borough school districts since the 2016-17 school year. The move would go into effect Jan. 1, one month before the superintendent agreement between Elanco and Columbia officially ends. “CBSD and the community are fortunate that Tom is willing to step into the role in a district that is fraught with challenges.” said Hollister.  if you do not look for a more qualified candidate of course you will not find one.  Bottom line qualification for this position is teaching experience and then administrative experience.  This is not the way a functioning board hires a superintendent. Sep 20, 2017, Holiste...

Tom Strickler [Columbia Spy file photo]  The Columbia Borough school board is expected to vote during its committee of the whole meeting tonight to approve its current director of operations as the district's next superintendent. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the District Administration Center, 200 North 5th Street, Columbia. MORE: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/tonight-columbia-school-board-may-approve-tom-strickler-as-district/article_64b0e5e0-bf3f-11e7-a238-4b29a12bf7e1.html

Marquell Rentas A Columbia man will serve up to 62 years in prison for shooting at a police officer – one of several cops in the area as gunshots rang out in a Columbia neighborhood. Marquell Rentas, 18, will serve 30½ to 62 years in prison for the events of July 29, 2016, as ordered by Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker. Assistant District Attorney Travis S. Anderson said a local jury in September concluded Rentas “tried to kill” a 27-year veteran officer, who was one of many officers who responded to a shots-fired call on Bethel Street. A jury convicted Rentas of attempted murder of a law-enforcement officer, conspiracy, assault of a law-enforcement officer and reckless endangerment. Anderson discussed the shooting, but also statements Rentas made to police afterward, both at the scene and during an interview with Columbia police Detective Matthew Leddy. Anderson called Rentas “entirely remorseless” for his actions and the “shocking callousness of his statements.” P...