[LNP | LancasterOnline] Man charged with raping woman in Manor Township at large, considered armed and dangerous: police

Police are searching for a man charged with rape who they say is armed and dangerous after assaulting a female in Manor Township Thursday.

Manor Township police charged Efrain T. Mateo Jr., 49, with rape and eight related offenses for an assault on the 3500 block of Blue Rock Road in Manor Township. The department said he frequents Manor, West Hempfield townships and Columbia Borough.

Police said if anyone has information on Mateo's location they should call 911 and not approach him.

Mateo is male, has light brown skin, is 5 foot 7 inches tall and 180 pounds. He is known to drive either a white Ford Escape SUV, grey Honda Pilot SUV or grey Chrysler Town and Country minivan.

Mateo previously pleaded guilty to terroristic threats and simple assault in 2021 and was sentenced to probation.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/man-charged-with-raping-woman-in-manor-township-at-large-considered-armed-and-dangerous-police/article_0cda7b3e-8246-11ef-be81-c70a3b17b7bd.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Lending a hand at the Columbia Dream Center

The Columbia Dream Center provide opportunities for people through a variety of programs, as well as resources such as a food pantry and a shelter for men and women. The center moved its shelter into the Columbia Presbyterian Church in April of 2023.

"Columbia has the second-highest homeless rate in the county," Jenn Hollinger, outreach coordinator for the center, said. "Lancaster city is first, and then here. It's a dream to be able to do a family shelter, because there is a great need here, and we are looking for a shelter building. It just hasn't manifested itself yet."

Read more about the center's work at https://townlively.com/lending-a-hand-at-the-columbia-dream-center/

#townlively #community #news #church #columbiadreamcenter #shelter #foodpantry #freelunch #clothingbank #homelessness #volunteers #blessingsofhope #handsacrossthestreet #dinners #powerpacks #columbiapa #Pennsylvania

More short-term closures scheduled for Veterans Memorial Bridge | Local News | lancasteronline.com

Additional short-term closures of the Veterans Memorial Bridge between Columbia in Lancaster County and Wrightsville in York County (Route 462) are scheduled to take place Monday beginning at 11 a.m., according to the state Department of Transportation.

The closures, which are expected to last about 15 minutes each, are needed so a contractor can install jacks beneath the Wrightsville side of the bridge. Delays are expected.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/more-short-term-closures-scheduled-for-veterans-memorial-bridge/article_a96112fc-81c3-11ef-87dd-5ff925b3e5ac.html 

Albatwitch Day October 5, 2024 at Columbia River Park

 

Safety concern over use of e-bikes on river trail resurfaces at Marietta Council meeting | Community News | lancasteronline.com

When: Marietta Council meeting, Sept. 10.

What happened: A safety concern over use of e-bikes alongside pedestrians on the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail resurfaced again — an issue that has come up for discussion during the past several meetings.

Quotable: "Without regulation you might as well put a brown tent over the town and make a circus of it," resident Harold Kulman said.

Potential solution: Brandon Harter, borough solicitor, had suggested posting signs about possible lofty punishments should accidents result from speeding e-bikes. Council members continue to discuss and seek the most effective solution to the continued rise in the use of e-bikes, particularly on the river trail.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/safety-concern-over-use-of-e-bikes-on-river-trail-resurfaces-at-marietta-council-meeting/article_2c559ed2-77a9-11ef-b2b7-1358bf718fca.html 

Columbia School Board appoints two new school directors

District Justice Miles Bixler (left) swears in new school board directors Elena Young and Lester Putt.

The Columbia Borough School Board appointed new school board directors at its October 1, 2024 committee meeting. Elena Young and Lester Putt will take seats vacated by Ryan Sexton and Michael Burke, respectively. Both terms run through Dec. 1, 2025. District Justice Miles Bixler swore in Young and Putt.

Scott Ryno and Thomas Ziegler also applied for the open positions. 

Left to right: Lester Putt, Scott Ryno, Elena Young, and Thomas Ziegler interviewed for the open positions at Tuesday’s Columbia Borough School Board meeting. 

The votes

The board nominated Young and Ryno to replace Sexton. Young received four votes to Ryno's three.

Ryno and Putt were nominated to replace Burke. Putt received four votes, and Ryno three.

Reasons for the open positions

The school board voted unanimously to dismiss member Ryan Sexton in September 2024, citing his absence as the reason for his termination. Sexton missed six meetings, including three workshops and three full board meetings.

Michael Burke, who was elected for a two-year term in November 2023, resigned in September 2024.

Columbia Dream Center goes to LA

 The following article is based on a recent mission trip to Los Angeles by the Columbia Dream Center. Photos were provided by Dream Center team member Gene Sweeney. 

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Here are several photos of Skid Row, showing the conditions there. Skid row extends for 50 city blocks and contains over 4,000 people.

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The team visited the historic parsonage of Sister Aimee McPherson, a pioneering evangelist who played a significant role in shaping the Christian landscape of Los Angeles. Remarkably, she acquired the land for just $500, a strategic move that allowed her to establish a stronghold for her ministry. 

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This is the LA Dream Center.

Sweeney says that Hollywood officials offered about $16.7 million for the property, but the owners sold it for $2.9 million to the Dream Center.

According to the LA Dream Center, their mission is to empower individuals in rebuilding and transforming their lives by offering a range of tools, education, community support, and various programs—all at no cost.

Each week, the Center reaches out to approximately 30 neighborhoods across LA County, delivering resources and fostering connections within the community.

Residential programs, which accommodate over 500 individuals and families, provide a safe and structured environment for personal growth and renewal.

Team members, including Pastor Dave Powers (shown above) prepared food and carried out other activities at the Dream Center. 

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These photos show MacArthur Park. According to Sweeney, people who were pushed out of Skid Row in an attempt to "clean up" the area ended up in the park. He said many ODs have occurred in the park, and people are fighting over small areas of turf. In one instance, Pastor Powers prayed over a man who OD'd and stopped breathing, and the man's eyes opened. 

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These photos show the aftermath of a vehicle accident in which a motorcyclist hit the side of the team's van. None of the team members was seriously injured. 

With mission accomplished, the team recently returned to Columbia, safe and sound.

You can see more photos from the trip HERE.