About Town - May 7, 2023

 This week's photos of Columbia

(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)

Here's a crew crossing the bridge, perpendicular to the usual direction.

They're from the United States Geological Survey, and they were out on the bridge, taking water samples.

Here a look at the bridge.

Meanwhile, on the other bridge - Wright's Ferry (Route 30) . . .

PennDOT was doing inspections. Lane restrictions will continue to be in place weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and as needed during daylight hours on weekends, until May 13.

anndope painted this mural on the window at Fragments of the Past in honor of Star Wars Day, May 4.

Tollbooth Antiques has this . . . watering trough? Heavy duty rain gutter?

When you don't feel like stopping

(1200 block of Manor Street)

These two properties on the 100 block of South 5th Street are slated for demolition due to a fire there last year.

The Habitat for Humanity project on the 200 block of South 5th Street has begun.

Several houses are planned for there.

A lot of progress has been made already.

An information panel was installed recently at the Wright's Ferry Mansion.

Stretching the legs at Columbia River Park

Sitting a spell

New sidewalk about to be poured near Locust Street Park -

Update: It's finished.

This is moments before last Wednesday's raid, which Columba Spy reported on HERE.

Humongous cargo plane flying out of frame

Alan S. clearing debris from the boat ramp

Thanks Alan S.!

 There's a collection of debris at the bridge pier

An ominous cloud

At 3rd & Chestnut - Looks like it's open.

Harvey T. Makle, near Makle Park

Do not enter this vehicle.

Roadwork on South 2nd

This bell tower would look good with a new coat of paint, a new roof, new spindles - basically everything. 

This lot at 4th & Locust will be discussed again, at Tuesday's Columbia Borough Council meeting. 

The first block of Barber Street: This train has been parked here for a while.

It was previously parked on the other side of Mill Street.

Vandals have taken a toll.

It might belong to Rail Mechanical at 380 South 4th Street.

Here's another view.

Dummy, but why?

If you tread here, you might find it's a stairway to heaven.

At 4th & Manor: This FedEx van appears to be delivering a train car.

It sits on the property of Rail Mechanical.

The door is TARDIS Blue.

Seal of the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society. 

Down along 441, here's a message being conveyed by train.

These rails are being transported by rail.

Candidate in the weeds

Councilman in the weeds

Lots of signs but no ideas

Seen on the 200 block of Walnut Street -

Is it part of a traffic study for the upcoming Walnut Street project?

Free stuff, seen Sunday afternoon on the 100 block of North 3rd

Former Head of Lancaster County Drug Task Force Jailed, Ordered to Pay Back $140K in Stolen Funds | Lancaster County District Attorney's Office

Attorney General Michelle Henry announced today that the former Officer in Charge of the Lancaster County Drug Task Force was sentenced to 8 to 22 months in prison for stealing funds seized by the agency between 2014 and 2020. As part of sentence, John Burkhart will also serve four years of probation and was ordered to pay back $140,000 in restitution owed.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/da/11617/post/former-head-lancaster-county-drug-task-force-jailed-ordered-pay-back-140k-stolen-funds

Fugitive apprehended on 100 block of South Third Street | Columbia Borough Police Department

Taleek Perez

May 3rd, 2023 On 05/03/23 at approximately 1:40 p.m. the U.S. Marshal's Fugitive Task Force, assisted by the Columbia Borough Police Department, apprehended Taleek Perez on an outstanding warrant.  Perez absconded while on State Parole for robbery and burglary charges. 

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/fugitive-apprehended-100-block-south-third-street 

Columbia Borough Police and U.S. Marshals execute warrant Wednesday afternoon

 

Officers from the Columbia Borough Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force executed a warrant in the borough this afternoon, according to Columbia Borough Police Chief Jack Brommer. The incident occurred on the 100 block of South 3rd Street at about 1:45 p.m.

Go HERE for further information. 

PLAYING A DANGEROUS GAME | Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department

Cases have been reported of teenagers dressing in dark clothing and "sneaking" through residential areas as part of "the game".  This behavior, though intentionally innocent, could easily be perceived, reported, or confronted as suspicious behavior by unknowing persons and outcomes could have serious consequences.

MORE:

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/nlcrpd/8795/incidents/playing-dangerous-game

 

Columbia kids playing 'Senior Assassin' TikTok game could be putting themselves in danger

A new TikTok prank came a little too close to home recently.

Sunday afternoon, I was folding laundry when I heard kids screaming near the area of my backyard in Columbia, Pa. I stepped out onto my balcony to see several teenagers crouched down in the alleyway behind my yard. They were all wearing dark clothing and hoodies, hoods up, and carrying what looked to be guns from my distance.

MORE:

https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/2023/05/02/senior-assassin-tiktok-game-could-lead-to-tragedy-police-warn-columbia-pa-lancaster/70173611007/ 

Columbia homeless shelter temporarily relocating to church, seeking permanent facility - One United Lancaster

Until recently, Hands Across the Street provided its shelter and day program at another building, "Vision Columbia," at 291 S. Fourth St., which is owned by Columbia Mennonite Mission. But that building is being made available to another congregation, and there's no longer room there, said the Rev David Powers, Hands Across the Street's director.

Hands Across the Street's day program, the Restart Day Center, moved from 291 S. 4th St. into Columbia Presbyterian Church in November. It operates from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

As of May 1, the overnight shelter will be squeezed in as well.

In October, the group reached out to Columbia Borough for help in finding a new shelter space.

"I presented the plight," Powers said. "We had a good discussion. … We have continued to talk to the borough and keep them apprised," he said.

Powers said state Rep. Brett Miller toured the 291 S. Fourth St. site, and several Columbia council members have come down to volunteer.

Borough officials did not respond to One United Lancaster's requests for comment.

MORE:

https://oneunitedlancaster.com/nonprofits/columbia-homeless-shelter-temporarily-relocating-to-church-seeking-permanent-facility/