ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF SUSPECT RELEASED IN ROBBERY AT FOURTH AND LOCUST STREETS | Columbia Borough Police Department

On 9/13/18 at approximately 3:50am the Columbia Borough Police Department was dispatched to the first block of North Fourth Street for a robbery that just occured. The victim stated that a white male wearing an orange shirt exited the passenger seat of a late model blue and gray Ford F150 pickup truck with a sunroof and running boards, swung a crowbar at him and threatened to hit him if he did not give him money.  The victim did give the suspct an undisclosed amount of money.  The incident was captured on various surveillance cameras in the area.  The suspect is described as a white male, shaved head, with multiple tattoos.  Anyone with information regarding this robbery should contact the Columbia Borough Police Department at 717-684-7735 or text LANCS to 847411.

Date: 

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Case Status:

• Current

Case Type:

• Criminal

Case Region:

• Northeastern

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/robbery-fourth-and-locust-streets

Public works director argues with resident, walks out of meeting while using derogatory term

Public Works Director Ron Miller abruptly left the Public Works and Property Committee meeting in anger last night after a resident directed several comments and questions to him. Upon exiting, he used a derogatory term, apparently aimed at the resident.

Miller seemed resentful of continued questioning by resident Frank Doutrich about highway department equipment and borough road conditions. Tensions came to a head when Doutrich complained about the poor state of borough roads, characterizing them as "unbelievable."  Miller asked, "How many times was that brought up? Fifty!"  Exasperated, Miller said, "I gotta go. I ain't listening to no more." Miller rose, and upon exiting, said, "Retard," which was apparently directed at Doutrich.

Committee member Pam Williams made a sudden motion to adjourn, but two residents insisted that citizen comments be heard, which committee chair Fran FitzGerald allowed. One of the residents, Sharon Lintner, said she was disappointed that Miller left the meeting, and pointed out the derogatory remark made by Miller. FitzGerald said that Miller should not be talked about in his absence, and Lintner replied, "Well, why did he leave? Why did he storm out of here?" None of the committee members replied, and the issue was left unresolved at meeting's end.

COLUMBIA BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT - COFFEE WITH COPS | Columbia Borough Police Department

Everyone is invited to "Coffee (and cookies) with Cops" on Friday, October 19, 2018 at 10:00am in the Columbia Borough Office located at 308 Locust Street.  Coffee with Cops brings police officers and community members together-over coffee-to discuss issues and learn more about each other.  The topic for this session is "Crime Watch".  A brief presentation will be given after which attendees with be able to ask questions and mingle with the police officers.  We hope to see you there!

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/columbia-borough-police-department-coffee-cops

CHI's proposal for Market House includes food vendors, restaurant, social venue

The Columbia Historic Market House

[Part of this article was published previously on Columbia Spy.  NOTE: Another proposal for the Market House, from Royal Square Development & Construction, will be presented at a special meeting on Tuesday, September 18 at 6 p.m. before the Public Works and Property Committee meeting.]

At the September Columbia Borough Council meeting, Philip Goropoulos of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) presented a proposal for use of the Columbia Historic Market House, which has been vacant since December of last year.

During the hour-long presentation, Goropoulos said CHI’s proposal focuses on four main areas: Food, Restaurant, Social, and Gathering.

• Food: 9-20 vendors would provide fresh food at custom-built stands Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; an “after-market” Thursdays and Saturdays. Vendors who sign on must be there at least 75% of the time the market is open. 
• Restaurant: Seating for 40-50 people, lunch and dinner, open Tuesday through Saturday; breakfast might be an option, as would “Pay-What-You-Can Tuesdays,” to be underwritten by CHI. 
• Social: Venue for events, activities, movies. 
• Gathering: Hub within the community, town halls, large meetings, safe spaces, etc. 

The building will remain the property of the borough, and CHI will be responsible for management and operations. Goropoulos foresees using a management agreement, similar to that used for the operation of Columbia Crossing. The borough will be responsible for restoration of the building.

Goropoulos said the proposal was worked on by committee for about a year to “revitalize and re-energize” the Market House. CHI will equip it and get it set up for operation. Once the equipment is placed in the Market House it will become assets of the borough. CHI will also cover all utilities.

 

The proposed management agreement calls for the initial term to be for five years, after which it becomes a year-to-year. Within those five years, the structures, market traffic and consumer base will be created, with the focus on the needs of residents. If all goes as planned, the operation will be financially self-sufficient within that time, after which the borough may decide whether to assume operations of the facility. If the borough is not ready, it can decide to continue the agreement with CHI, according to Goropoulos.

All profits made while CHI is participating in the operation will be deposited into a trust specifically for the Market House. When operations are finally transferred to the borough, the funds will also be transferred in order to continue the operation.

Major renovations to the building will be the responsibility of the borough, but CHI will be responsible for renovations for the restaurant. Revenues will be written to CHI, and lease agreements with vendors will come to CHI. CHI would absorb up to $65,000 of losses per year. If losses exceed $65,000 per year, CHI will meet with the borough and report that. “If everything goes badly, you’re still talking about $400-500,000 dollars coming into the borough from CHI,” Goropoulos said.

“There’s a buzz that we’re generating in Columbia.” he added. “I think the combination of the hotel project, child care center, other activities in Columbia are starting to create an excitement in the town and in the community that's going to create kind of a wave that I think the market can help ride and bring more people in.”

Councilman Cle Berntheizel was also optimistic about the proposal: “I remember a time - being on council in the 90s - when realtors in Lancaster would say you don’t want to go to Columbia; don’t buy in Columbia. But that has now changed 100%. And some of the top real estate agencies are saying if you’re smart, you’ll look at Columbia.”

Goropoulos did admit, however, that CHI has never undertaken a project like this anywhere before, prompting resident Frank Doutrich to ask him why he thinks it will work here. Goropoulos replied, “I have faith.”

Longtime director of Columbia's Watch & Clock Museum resigns, takes post at Ohio railroad museum | Local News | lancasteronline.com

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/longtime-director-of-columbia-s-watch-clock-museum-resigns-takes/article_4859c222-b624-11e8-a6a4-17ca89f6979b.html

PARKING ENFORCEMENT FOR STREET SWEEPING SUSPENDED ON SEVERAL BOROUGH STREETS DUE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION | Columbia Borough Police Department

Parking Enforcement for Street Sweeping has been suspended on 6th and 7th Streets from Locust Street to Chestnut Street and on the 500 and 600 Blocks of Walnut Street due to road construction beginning immediately and until further notice.  

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/parking-enforcement-street-sweeping-suspended-several-borough-streets-due-road

Confused mayflies wreak havoc on a Pennsylvania bridge | Science News

But that bridge, with those lamps, is breaking that path of polarized light, luring the mayflies up to the structure and causing the confused insects to perform their "drop, deposit and die" routine on the road.

MORE:

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/confused-mayflies-wreak-havoc-pennsylvania-bridge