Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - February 14, 2025

China Inn, 3985d Columbia Ave., Columbia, Feb. 5. Fail. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this noncompliant inspection. An employee's open beverage container was observed on a food preparation table in the back; prior violation, Dec. 7, 2023. Food employee (owner) observed preparing food while not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats; prior violation, June 27, 2024. Chicken observed thawing in standing water in buckets, which is not an approved thawing method. Refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature-control-for-safety food prepared in the food (pork and eggs rolls) facility and held for more than 24 hours, located in the walk-in cooler, is not being date-marked. Food facility is reusing single-service bags, which is intended to be a single-service article, for storing prepared food inside rather than a food-grade container. Potential rodent harborage areas inside the food facility observed in the back food preparation due to observed mouse feces on shelving around food equipment and the floor perimeter.

Columbia Mart, 890 Lancaster Ave., Columbia, Feb. 5. Pass. Facility is offering for sale: Hemp Bombs CBD Gummies, Wunder Mushroom THC Delta 9 Gummies, Mellow Fellow m-fusions THC Delta 9 Gummies, Hometown Hero Day and Night THC Delta 9 Gummies, Looper Sour Belts Assorted flavors THC Delta 9 Gummies, Hazy Mary THC Delta 9 Gummies, Hemp Wellness THC Delta 9 Gummies, Flying Horse THC Delta 9 Gummies and Zombi Death Drops THC Delta 9 Gummies, which contain an unapproved additive THC and Delta 9 as specified in 21 CFR 170-180 relating to food additives. Such products are under U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation and at which time are not recognizable as a safe substance to be added to food. Soap was not available at the hand-wash sink in the restroom. Paper towels were not available at the hand-wash sink in the back.

Agenda - Columbia Borough Parks & Recreation Advisory Board Meeting - February 13, 2025

 

[LNP | LancasterOnline] Columbia Borough school administration unveils 5-year facilities improvement plan

MORGAN HUBER | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE

When: Columbia Borough school board meeting, Feb. 4.

What happened: Columbia Borough school board will vote Feb. 20 on whether to spend $1.48 million over the next five years to make renovations recommended by district administration.

Background: Business Manager Keith Ramsey presented to the board regarding these renovations, which would improve the district's facilities and properties through the capital improvement fund. Proposed projects include repairing the interiors at Hill Campus, replacing the lights at the football stadium, installing new soffits, playground fences and an underground storage tank at Taylor Middle School, and installing new soffits and exterior doors in addition to repairing the interiors of Park Elementary School.

Next steps: If approved, work would commence this summer. The district would still have $1.68 million left in its capital improvement fund to direct toward renovations, repairs and construction.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-borough-school-administration-unveils-5-year-facilities-improvement-plan/article_cbd61d46-ea14-11ef-bf33-4bc3ec6aabe9.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

[LNP | LancasterOnline] Marietta official criticizes Columbia and other nonmember municipalities on using MESA ambulance service

When: Marietta Borough Council meeting, Feb. 11. Council member Steven DeBottis and Mayor Rebecca Carroll-Baltozer were absent.

What happened: Vice President Jeffrey Hudson voiced concern about the ambulance service covering the borough, the Municipal Emergency Services Authority of Lancaster County, or MESA, and usage by boroughs and townships outside their coverage area.

Background: Emergency management services must operate on a principle of mutual aid. If ambulances are busy in one area, then ambulances in nearby areas can be called to assist.

By the numbers: Over the past year, MESA has been dispatched to 950 calls in Columbia and Mount Joy boroughs, and Rapho and West Hempfield townships. Ambulances transported patients in those areas 652 times. However, MESA is supposed to cover member municipalities: Elizabethtown and Marietta boroughs and Conoy, East Donegal, Mount Joy and West Donegal townships. Hudson explained that ambulances are responding to calls outside the designated service area 14% of the time. Residents of member municipalities are required to pay $85 per household every year.

Solutions: Hudson will send a letter to the municipal boards in Columbia and Mount Joy boroughs and Rapho and West Hempfield townships with statistics. He said his ultimate goal is to keep costs down or ensure that ambulances are available for Marietta residents.

Quotable: "It's a financial problem, but I also think it's an ethical problem. You should cover the area that you say you're going to cover," Hudson said. "First, I want an ambulance to show up if (a Marietta resident) gets hurt. The second thing is it is expensive stuff, and I want to keep the costs down."

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/marietta-official-criticizes-nonmember-municipalities-of-using-mesa-ambulance-service/article_8a9281ba-ea25-11ef-b531-a7485ae9c5e9.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Agenda - HARB Meeting - February 12, 2025

 

Bringing history to life in Columbia | TownLively

The Rev. Stephen Smith may not be a household name, but the Rev. Dr. Patricia S. McAllister believes that will soon change. McAllister, who is the pastor of Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church at 222 S. Fifth St., Columbia, is working on bringing The Stephen Smith Community Development and Multicultural Center (CDMC) to life.

MORE:

https://townlively.com/bringing-history-to-life-in-columbia/

 

COLUMBIA BOROUGH SCHOOLS - 2-HR DELAY - WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2025