About Town - March 3, 2024

This week's photos of Columbia

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

There were shots fired last Sunday night in the 500 block of Avenue H.

It was the fourth such incident this year.

Contrails converging?

Lighting

The ever-changing rock sculpture at Columbia River Park

Mennonite Feeding Station

Yield

Lost plate at 2nd & Walnut

Lights at the post office entrance

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Remnants of Universal Techs at 4th & Chestnut

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The head of "Flow," the community rock snake

The morning after the rain

"Gonna get my banjer and put it on my back"

- John Hartford, "The Julia Belle Swain"

Elephant in a pickup

See-through duck

Cuter than Cupid

The bridge on a van, instead of the other way around

On the lookout

Clean coal?

He didn't make it.

A flag

Another flag

Morning fog

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Moons and stars

Not in service

Maintenance personnel fixed the broken fence at River Park.

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Harcon backed their boat in, but they didn't stay this time.

Two years ago, they used the crane on the boat to inspect the bridge.

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All sorts of oddities have been roaming the tracks lately.

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Shot glasses in the form of camera lenses, from a friend of Columbia Spy

A few from this afternoon:

Plenty of those around

Free chairs

Flying over

The sunset was deserving of more than one photo.

[LNP | LancasterOnline] Former state Sen. Noah Wenger, longtime Lancaster County farming advocate, dies

Former Lancaster County Republican state Sen. Noah Wenger, who served for 30 years in the state Legislature, died Wednesday. He was 89.

During his tenure in Harrisburg, Wenger, of Stevens, built a legacy as a loyal advocate for the agriculture industry and was known among fellow lawmakers as a skilled mediator.

A funeral service will be held for Wenger at Reamstown Church of God on Saturday, March 9, at 11 a.m., according to a family member. Visitations will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday.
MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/politics/former-state-sen-noah-wenger-longtime-lancaster-county-farming-advocate-dies/article_98ce1c3c-d7e1-11ee-a08a-7b724df37f24.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Gun violence in Columbia Borough: "It's going to keep escalating"

The following is excerpted from a 3/2/24 LNP/lancasteronline article by Gayle Johnson:

When: Columbia Borough Council meeting Feb. 27.

What happened: Columbia needs its residents to step forward with information to help the police department investigate several unsolved shooting incidents, police Chief Jack Brommer said.

Quotable: “I wanted to acknowledge the frustrations and concern about the violence we’re seeing on our streets right now,” Brommer said.

Shots fired: Officers are working on a report of shots fired Sunday, Feb. 25 in the 500 block of Avenue H at 7:59 p.m.

Details: This marks the fourth shooting incident in the borough during the first two months of 2024, Brommer confirmed in a Feb. 29 phone call. Police made an arrest in only one case, Brommer said, because witnesses refuse to cooperate with police. However, Brommer noted that citizens have offered tips and contributed video.

Reluctance: “We’re dealing with individuals who do not want to cooperate with the police department, and it’s unfortunate,” Brommer said during the meeting. “These investigations are top priority for us.”

More info: Sometimes witnesses or gunshot victims don’t want to talk because they are related to a suspect, the police chief said Feb. 29. Other times, witnesses or victims may stay silent because they are involved in the incident.

Heather Zink, council president, urged witnesses to talk to police officers. “This is a major concern for me,” she said during a Feb. 29 phone call about the shootings. “It’s going to keep escalating.”

Lower Susquehanna Valley Modular Railroaders are back at the National Watch & Clock Museum

 

The Lower Susquehanna Valley Modular Railroaders are back at the National Watch & Clock Museum. The club has set up their display in the museum's atrium after taking off a year.

There’s no admission charge for visitors who want to see the train setup only. 

The display is available this week (Saturday,  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday) and will be taken down next Saturday, March 9.

[Photos and videos provided by the National Watch  & Clock Museum]

Columbia man who raped, killed 12-year-old girl gets life in prison

Jason Shackleford

A Columbia man who raped and strangled to death his ex-girlfriend's 12-year-old daughter and then raped and sexually assaulted her mother will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty Friday.

In exchange for his plea, Jason Shackelford avoided the possibility of a jury sentencing him to death, even though the state currently has a moratorium on it. 

During the hearing before Lancaster County Judge Jeffery Wright, Shackelford, 40, admitted raping Elaina Smith, strangling her, then placing her body in a freezer overnight Feb. 8-9, 2023.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-man-who-raped-killed-12-year-old-girl-gets-life-in-prison/article_bd935a2a-d7d5-11ee-b73b-d3d8d04e21ae.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - March 1, 2024

Borinqueneer's, 438 1/2 Locust St., Columbia, change of owner, Feb. 23. Pass. No violations.

Why is the month of March named after the god of war?

The month of March was named for the Roman god of war, Mars, because in ancient times, it was the month in which military campaigns would typically resume after the winter break. Mars was revered as a powerful and fearsome deity who embodied the qualities of strength, courage, and aggression, making him a fitting choice to lend his name to the month associated with the return to battle. Additionally, March was also the first month of the Roman calendar, and it was believed that Mars had a strong influence on the start of the agricultural and military seasons.

Throughout history, March has been associated with several significant events. One notable date is the Ides of March, March 15th, which marks the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. This event was a turning point in Roman history and is still remembered to this day. Additionally, March is recognized as Women's History Month in the United States, celebrating the pivotal roles women have played in shaping the world.

Notable dates during March include St. Patrick's Day on March 17th, an Irish cultural celebration in honor of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Another significant event is the vernal equinox, which falls on March 20th or 21st and marks the official beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere.