COLUMBIA SPY

PLCB agents and State Police raided the 717 Social Club at 401 South 2nd Street about 10 a.m. Tuesday and spent several hours loading alcoholic beverages and other items onto a truck parked out front. Signs were posted on all entrance doors, declaring that the club is permanently closed. The venue, a non-profit private club, was denied a liquor license by Columbia Borough at a public hearing a few months ago. According to Bruce L. Murray II, co-owner of the building, the non-profit donated over $22,000 to the community last year. He expressed disappointment at the PLCB decision to close the club permanently. Murray provided Columbia Spy with letters of thanks and support for the club, which are shown at the end of this article. Bruce Murray provided the following letters of support and thanks from individuals and organizations that received donations from 717 Social Club last year.

Sunshine Week is a national initiative spearheaded by the American Society of News Editors to educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of excessive and unnecessary secrecy. (Wikipedia)

This week's photos from around Columbia (Click/tap on photos for larger, clearer images.) Giant cat face at the animal shelter-to-be Here's a long view.  Earlier this week  Yep - snow again  Part way down that sidewalk at the high school  The work week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday  The great thaw Looks like Living Stones Masonry got its zoning application approved for 53 North Front Street. Columbia Spy reported on it  HERE . Skids full of stones were unloaded on Friday at the former home of Take Away Refuse.  Here's a look inside the building.  And a look outside  That can't be right - a downspout but no gutter to empty into.  Mr. and Mrs. Merganser  Backside (Hotel Locust)  Parley  Giving the evil eye in a sidewise glance  Photo of a photographer  Giant fruit fly invades town.  Happy...

An out-of-control pickup truck demolished a storage shed at the Visitors' Center shortly before 9 a.m. Sunday. The truck was reportedly being pursued by Columbia Borough Police traveling east on Route 30 when the driver lost control near the exit ramp at Linden Street, and the truck slid across a small grass field into the shed. According to a witness, the pursuing officer handcuffed the driver as he exited the truck. [Above photos by Howard Stevens] Howard Stevens posted a video of the crash on Facebook: LINK