New species of mayfly invades Columbia

A new species of mayfly has recently invaded Columbia. The colorful creatures, measuring several inches in length, have been spotted on various signposts around town. So far, there's been no word from borough officials about their sudden appearance, or if more are predicted to arrive in the near future. June is typically the month when mayflies hatch and begin to appear in town and on the Veterans Memorial Bridge, so these new arrivals are right on schedule.

[Photo by Bill Zell - 

and thanks to Bill for the "heads up."]

 

Columbia school spending up nearly $5 million, with no tax increase

The board reviewed changes to its proposed general fund budget for the 2021-22 school year. Although the district now estimates a $4.84 million rise in total spending, there will be no tax increase.

[MORE AT LINK]

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-school-spending-up-nearly-5-million-with-no-tax-increase/article_c98ea438-cad6-11eb-a14f-8f577add226f.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

ORGANIZATIONS GET GRANTS FOR DEMOLITION IN COLUMBIA

The PHARE funding announcement comes two weeks after the Lancaster County Land Bank Authority and the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority each received grants for demolition projects in Columbia through the Blight Remediation Program at Department of Community and Economic Development.

The land bank’s award of $49,000 will help fund demolitions at South Fifth Street and Avenue H in Columbia. The redevelopment authority’s $39,000 grant will help pay for a demolition at 323 Locust St. in Columbia.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/the-8-lancaster-county-groups-that-got-affordable-housing-funding/article_8c9b2b8e-ca2f-11eb-9ae2-8b736141af44.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

ETOWN, NORTHWEST REGIONAL POLICE TO RECEIVE GRANTS FOR BODY CAMERAS, BUT NONE FOR COLUMBIA

Elizabethtown police and Northwest Regional police will join East Cocalico, Lititz, Manheim Borough, Strasburg, Northern Lancaster County Regional and Lancaster city police in using body cameras. The city was the first law enforcement agency out of the roughly two dozen in the county to begin using them in May 2019.

[MORE AT LINK]

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/elizabethtown-northwest-regional-police-to-receive-grants-for-body-cameras/article_df559cfa-c8aa-11eb-938c-2711d88aa116.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Tails and Tales Thursday, June 10, at the Locust Street Park Gazebo

 

Another vehicle into a porch - in the same block as before

 

A vehicle crashed into a small concrete porch on the 1100 block of Lancaster Avenue shortly after 4 o'clock this afternoon. Based on tire tracks, the BMW 323i was apparently heading west on Lancaster Avenue when it crossed into the eastbound lane and onto the sidewalk. According to the dispatch sheet (shown below), there were no injuries. Three weeks ago, a similar accident occurred when a vehicle took out two porches on the same block, as Columbia Spy reported HERE.

SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON VERGE OF BANKRUPTCY; ASKS WRIGHTSVILLE FOR $15K, WILL ALSO ASK COLUMBIA

The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce is on the verge of bankruptcy, and its president asked Wrightsville Borough Council on June 7 for approximately $15,000 "as a gift, as a donation, as a grant" to help keep the chamber afloat.

Jeanne Cooper spoke at council's regular meeting and said that the chamber has been unable to hold events that generate revenue because of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. And without any income, she said, they can't pay executive director Rachel Stebbins, who resigned.

Cooper is seeking $45,000 to $47,000 from the municipalities the chamber represents — Wrightsville, York County, and Marietta and Columbia — and is asking them each to pay one-third. She plans on visiting each town's borough council to make an official request.

[MORE AT LINK]

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/susquehanna-valley-chamber-of-commerce-on-verge-of-bankruptcy-asks-wrightsville-for-15k/article_8c81c576-c87d-11eb-ad21-bf2f2f61948e.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share