Columbia Borough police officers and citizens commended for heroic and selfless acts

 

At Tuesday's Columbia Borough Council meeting, Chief Jack Brommer oversaw the swearing-in of new officers and presented awards and commendations to officers and citizens for "heroic and selfless acts."

Officers Rebecca Blatt, Zachary Throne, and Jack Kopp were formally sworn in at Tuesday’s meeting. 

MiselBerger employees (Mason Misel, Stoudamire Campbell, Mason McClair, and Shawn Lindbeck) were commended for aiding a gunshot victim in the 100 block of Avenue H on December 5, 2024. Each employee received a Citizen Recognition Award.

Officer Bryan Keyser and resident William Schnaekel were recognized for saving an elderly woman from a dwelling fire at 118 North 8th Street on August 16, 2024. Keyser received a Lifesaving Award.

Corporal Andrew Snyder and Officer Jack Kopp saved a suicidal male from the Route 30 bridge on April 21, 2024. Each received a Letter of Commendation for Lifesaving. 

Corporal Brent Keyser and Officer Brent Smith (not at the meeting) were recognized for handling a shots fired incident on the 400 block of Avenue K on November 1, 2024. Officer Smith charged three suspects in the incident. Each officer received a Letter of Commendation, a Unit Citation.

Sergeant Adam Miller received a Community Policing Award for developing and managing a kindergarten reading program.

Sergeant Holly Arndt, Officer Frank Ember III, Officer Zachary Throne, and Officer Rebecca Blatt were recognized for apprehending a fugitive homicide suspect on February 15, 2024. Officers received a Letter of Commendation for a Unit Citation.  

 

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

 

[LNP | LancasterOnline] Author Stephen King shouts out Columbia bookstore on social media

Horror author Stephen King recently shouted out a Columbia bookstore, saying he wants to visit.

His son, Owen King, had an event alongside author Clay McLeod Chapman at Vortex Books & Comics, at 477 Locust St. in Columbia, March 1.

Owen King was there in support of his graphic novel miniseries, "Self Help," which was co-authored by Jesse Kellerman and illustrated by Marianna Ignazzi. It released as an anthology volume on Feb. 25.

Stephen King posted to social media app Bluesky on Monday, saying, "My son Owen did an event at Brian Keene & Mary SanGiovanni's Vortex Books & Comics. He speaks very highly of that shop. Made me want to visit."

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/features/entertainment/author-stephen-king-shouts-out-columbia-bookstore-on-social-media/article_10bfb940-ff6d-11ef-984c-ff51820072f2.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

A letter from Chris Vera to friends and supporters of the Columbia Market House

Former Market House Manager Chris Vera spoke with Columbia Spy Wednesday afternoon at the Columbia Historic Preservation Society, where he serves as president. 

The following is a letter that Chris shared with Columbia Spy for publication:

Hello Friends and Supporters of the Columbia Market House,

Please do not be upset about the recent release of my employment at the Columbia Market House last Wednesday. My wish is for you to still support the vendors that I worked so hard to install for your enjoyment, and space to meet friends and family to enjoy.

When I took over in July 2022, it was a passion that my mother, Renae Sears, instilled in me for many years. With all the negative repercussions from the last management, it was an uphill climb to get it running again. Putting the right vendors in place and keeping them affordable for families was my main goal.

Then in September of 2022, I decided to rent out the space for baby and bridal showers, birthday and retirement parties, and wedding receptions. By the end of 2022, I recorded 12 private events, which exploded with referrals and reservations in 2023. I helped with four weddings and receptions that year and ended the year with 58 private events. One of my favorite events was 80 women from Perry County for a baby shower. The word was out, and the venue was climbing the ranks of one of the best in Central Pennsylvania.

Then came 2024, when I booked 65 private events, which sometimes were a Friday, Saturday and Sunday in a row. The clients came from all over Central Pennsylvania and several from out of state. On the site Eventective that I used for most of my bookings for the market house, I climbed to the "Most Popular and Recommended in Lancaster County" out of 58 venues. The market house was ranked in the top five in Dauphin, Lebanon and York Counties.

On the early morning of July 28, 2024, l had a very bad asthma attack that almost killed me and was rushed by ambulance to Penn State Hospital. While I was in the emergency room, the single most important thing was a bridal shower from Philadelphia at 11:30 a.m. that morning. With no one to contact, at 9:30 a.m. I signed myself out and went home to shower and get to the market by 11:00 a.m. In the meantime, I was contacted by Penn State that I may have a damaged heart and blood clots due to no oxygen for two hours. After letting the party in to set up and do my paperwork, I readmitted myself at Penn State and was admitted into the ICU for three days. My possible heart condition was not severe, and I was released that Wednesday. I went right back to work after being released.

My dedication to this market house was above and beyond anything in this world, to make people happy when visiting Columbia, Pennsylvania. Working by myself to keep the market house clean after every event and market day was a task, sometimes packing 20 to 30 trash bags per week, moving all the chairs and tables multiple times per week and also cleaning the bathrooms several times per week. Many Saturdays I worked 15 to 17 hours straight, getting back in on Sundays to prepare for another event.

Maintenance was also on my list on keeping the kitchen clean so that we were in compliance with the Pennsylvania Agriculture on food safety.

My love is for ALL the clients, customers and vendors that have grown to be part of my family. After almost three years, working most of the time by myself has taken its toll on my body and mind. My frustrations with such a large workload with no support had gotten to the point that I had to go into the borough manager's office and spill out my frustrations. This of course is why I was released from my duties, and my actions were uncalled for but were a cry for help. I had been recently contemplating resigning from my position for the last month due to fatigue.

I am going to take a much-needed rest, since I never got to enjoy a true day or week off from this position as market manager. My true happy place is the history of Columbia and back at the museum, where I'm going into my 17th year. 

I hope the borough council makes a wise decision to hire a full-time manager and part-time assistant that can keep this beautiful gem of our town viable for our citizens.

Keep our history alive!

Chris Vera 

Agenda - Columbia Borough Council Meeting - March 11, 2025

 

Download the 115-page meeting packet HERE.

Street sweeping begins Monday, March 10, 2025

 

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - March 10, 2025

Daniel M. Schratz conveyed 544 Walnut St. to Gomez Lisbel Delcarmen Rodriguez for $240,000.

Landsman Alan Michael conveyed 255 N. Second St. to Santiago Phillip Javier Ramos for $190,000.

Proverb Realty LLC conveyed 216 S. Fifth St. to Matos Martinez Belisa A, Martinez Belisa A. Matos for $175,000.

Rsm Management LLC conveyed 174 S. Eighth St. to Djadjou Finey Afansime for $233,000.

Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau, Antz Charles conveyed 349 N. Second St. to Hudhaifa Badri for $4,400.

Bouchebti Sabah El conveyed 247 N. Second St. to Lampeter Homes LLC for $102,000.

Lancaster County Tax Claim Bureau, Good Ray conveyed 553 N. Fifth St. to J. C. Bohleman for $500.

The estate of Patrick M. Donan conveyed 170 S. Eighth St. to Scott Ethan, Scott Evelyn for $185,000.