Norfolk Southern hosts training, few responders attend, Republicans vote against railway transparency bill

Late last month, Norfolk Southern hosted three days of safety training in Harrisburg for emergency responders from across central Pennsylvania. The training provided by the company, which owns railroads stretching across the state and Lancaster County, is designed to familiarize firefighters and other responders with the types of railroad cars and other equipment that they may encounter in an emergency situation.

No responders from Lancaster County were at the Harrisburg training on the day that an LNP | LancasterOnline reporter and photographer were there. Only a handful of responders from the county attended on one of the other two days, according to emergency response officials who spoke with The Watchdog.

“The more we can learn about, in this case train cars, enhances our ability to be able to respond better to an emergency,” said Jay Barninger, emergency management coordinator for Columbia. “The more you know about something, the better equipped you'll be when the time occurs.”

The Watchdog called around and found only two people from the county who attended the July training in Harrisburg — the police and fire chiefs from Columbia.

Representatives of four other agencies, including the Lancaster County Emergency Management Agency, said they did not attend.

Barninger, who did not attend the late July training, said he is in discussion with Norfolk Southern about trying to schedule a training in Columbia so more Lancaster County responders can attend.

Gockley [Randy Gockley, the county’s former emergency management coordinator] said he did not attend the July training in Harrisburg but echoed Barninger’s description of how valuable the safety train sessions are in giving responders the opportunity to see the train equipment up close and work with the valves and cars they may see in an emergency.
[Excerpted from LNP, Aug. 13, 2023]


In Harrisburg, Pennsylvania House Bill 1028 proposes the creation of a database of hazardous material being transported through the state on railways; that database would be accessible to emergency management agencies.

Appallingly, four Lancaster County Republicans — state Reps. David Zimmerman, Keith Greiner, Brett Miller and Tom Jones — were among 62 votes against the bipartisan bill.

They should explain their “nay” votes to the Lancaster County residents who live near the railway lines on which hazardous materials are transported. And to the emergency responders who will rush to the scene should a train carrying those materials derail or crash.
[Source: LNP, July 30, 2023]

Fete en Noir will return to Columbia's historic Mount Bethel Cemetery in September

The Friends of Mount Bethel Cemetery will host the fifth Fete en Noir fundraising event for the Mount Bethel Cemetery from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8. 

The event recalls the Victorian era tradition of picnicking in the cemetery with the added attraction of live music by the Todd Fulginiti Trio. Fulginiti is a multi-instrumentalist who has shared the stage with legendary artists like Ray Charles and Maceo Parker.

Guests are invited to bring their own picnic meals. Tables of various sizes will be arranged along the cemetery's macadam pathways. Admission for the event is $20 and must be prepaid by Aug. 31. Reservations are limited. If the event isn't sold out by Aug. 31, tickets will remain on sale for $25 while available seating lasts. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. In the case of rain, the event will move to the Columbia Market House.

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https://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/fete-en-noir-will-return-to-columbias-historic-mount-bethel-cemetery-in-september/article_73f32ce0-3787-11ee-ac42-63d880e5ea87.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - August 11, 2023

 

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 866-366-3723, uses a risk-based inspection reporting process for restaurants and other food handlers.

Prince Street Cafe - Columbia, 301 Walnut St., Columbia, Aug. 2. Pass. Food utensils in the food preparation area stored in a container of water that is not maintained at 135 F. Static dust on the exhaust above the bain-marie.

Turkey Hill No. 68, 342 Chestnut St., Columbia, Aug. 3. Pass. Consumer self-service display of apples without sneeze guards or other effective protection. Display is lacking a sign advising customers to wash the apples prior to consuming. Single-service, single-use articles (cups) stored in the walk-in cooler directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above the floor. The food facility does not have the original certificate for the certified food employee posted in public view. Dog in the food facility in the customer area.

COLUMBIA BOROUGH COUNCIL MEETING - AUGUST 8, 2023

 

PA State Police enforcing weight restrictions on Veterans Memorial Bridge

 

Pennsylvania State Police are enforcing weight restrictions on the PA 462 Veterans Memorial Bridge - August 10, 2023.

The state Department of Transportation limited vehicle weight to 10 tons on July 17 after inspectors found more damage than expected during a routine inspection.

All Pa. students will get free breakfast, a centerpiece of Shapiro’s budget - pennlive.com

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2023/08/free-school-breakfast-for-all-pa-students-a-centerpiece-in-gov-shapiros-education-budget.html 

PA 462/LANCASTER AVENUE RESTORATION TO BEGIN THURSDAY, AUGUST 10

 

Columbia Borough, PA: NOTICE - Road restoration work on PA 462 / Lancaster Ave will begin on Thursday August 10. Road will be down to one lane during this work. Please avoid this area if possible.

[Source: textmygov]