They work to restore Columbia cemetery, tell stories of Black soldiers, citizens buried there

Chris Vera, of the Columbia Historic Preservation Society, and others interested in the cemetery's history want to raise $50,000 to renovate the area, build a walking path and create memorial wall panels that will tell the stories of those soldiers and other African American citizens who lived in Columbia's Tow Hill neighborhood, an early settlement where donated land from Quakers in 1823 harbored escaped or freed slaves. In addition, organizers plan to feature 17 to 20 loose tombstones embedded in a brick wall display.

Ground-penetrating radar, used in 2011, indicated 66 bodies buried there, Vera says, but no one can be sure. Records say that more than 180,000 African American solders joined the Union army or navy during the Civil War.

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Auditor warns Columbia Borough about spending down capital fund

Borough Council publicly received the results of its 2021 audit with a warning. The independent accountant who presented the report noted the municipality consistently is reducing its cash position by spending down its capital fund. However, Columbia officials mentioned unique circumstances they say mitigates the decline.

More info: The borough's cash assets were $2.9 million at the end of 2021, down $1.8 million since 2020. This result continues a four-year trend of declining cash balances, said Michael L. Reiner, CPA with Sager, Swisher & Co. "That is concerning," Reiner told council members. The borough's capital fund pays for projects that could include buildings and roads. A separate general fund pays for running the municipality.

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Flag Day Ceremony in Locust Street Park on Sunday, June 12

 

Gypsy Kitchen closes, leaving Columbia Market House without an anchor restaurant

Just over a year after it reopened following a $3.5 million renovation, the beleaguered Columbia Market House can now add "anchor restaurant" to a list of needs that includes a new market manager and a slate of new vendors.

Gypsy Kitchen, the 100-seat restaurant that operated out of the Market House at 15 S. 3rd St. in Columbia announced Thursday that it is closed for good.

"We could not sustain our business any longer,' read a statement posted on Gypsy Kitchen's Facebook page.

The departure of Gypsy Kitchen leaves Columbia Borough officials with a big space to fill at the Saturday-only market house they will soon need to manage itself. CHI St. Joseph Children's Health, which helped lead the reopening of the market and had agreed to manage it for five years, will leave its management role June 30.

Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz said Gypsy Kitchen, which offered a rotating menu of American and international dishes, was "a great business, and we're really sorry to see them leave."

"But at the same token, I will recognize the fact that it just didn't go over in the market," Lutz said. "You may have a product that's wonderful, but if it's not what the folks coming in want, you won't succeed."

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Pennsylvania state lawmakers move to restrict fireworks

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania state lawmakers are advancing proposed new limits on fireworks in response to growing complaints after a 5-year-old state law greatly liberalized their sales and use.

The House of Representatives voted 160-38 on Wednesday for legislation that would restrict their use to 10 a.m.-10 p.m. except during July 2-4 and Dec. 31, when they could be used until 1 a.m. There would be greater penalties for improper sales or illegal use.

“It sounds like a war zone the week of July 4th,” said the sponsor, state Rep. Frank Farry, R-Bucks. “We get a lot of complaints from pet owners, veterans and parents of young kids.”

MORE HERE.

Gypsy kitchen is now permanently closed

 

LANCASTER COUNTY MAN CONVICTED OF DELIVERING FENTANYL/COCAINE RESULTING IN DEATH, POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER FENTANYL/METH

A Columbia man was convicted of drug delivery resulting in death, possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine with intent to deliver, and criminal use of a communication facility in Lancaster County Court on June 8. The jury found Jeffrey Shackelford, 47 of the 500 block of Goldfinch Road, guilty on all of the felony offenses after a three-day trial before Lancaster County Judge Jeffery Wright that concluded Wednesday. Shackelford had been arrested on the possession with intent to deliver charges after the Lancaster County Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at his residence in August 2021 and found 87 grams of meth, 15 grams of fentanyl, packaging materials, scales, and $7,930 in cash.

MORE HERE.