Sunday, June 13, 2021

Columbia Borough Council won't make donation to Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce

Council members plan to deny a donation request from the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce by not putting the matter on any agenda. Jeanne Cooper, the chamber's president, virtually asked council for money to operate. She also is asking Wrightsville and Marietta for contributions.

"We are not going to fund the chamber," council President Heather Zink said after the meeting. "Area businesses need to support the chamber." State guidelines say which organizations may receive money from Columbia, and chambers of commerce aren't on the list, Zink explained.

The chamber may have to cancel its annual Bridge Bust festival  Oct. 2 and file for bankruptcy, Cooper said.
[MORE AT LINK]

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-borough-council-wont-make-donation-to-susquehanna-valley-chamber-of-commerce/article_efe13a5a-caf5-11eb-ac89-3fa47b4b0c4e.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

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."]
 

Friday, June 11, 2021

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

Thursday, June 10, 2021

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