Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Monday, May 5, 2025
[LNP | LancasterOnline] Ex-Hempfield Fire Department firefighters headed to court on firestarting charges
Two of the three former Hempfield Fire Department volunteer firefighters charged with deliberately setting fires last year will have their cases decided in Lancaster County court.
Joshua Lightcap, 23, of Columbia, and Mason Howard, 21, of Akron, waived their preliminary hearings on Friday.
A 16-year-old junior firefighter from Columbia was also charged, and that case is being handled in juvenile court. That case is still pending.
In a preliminary hearing, prosecutors must present sufficient evidence that a crime was committed and that the person charged probably is responsible and, therefore, a jury or judge should hear the case at the county court level. The hearings often are waived.
According to prosecutors, two of the fires were set to sheds and the rest to fields and brush. All fires occurred between late October and late November in 2024.
No one was injured in any of the fires.
A Nov. 9, 2024, fire in Penn Township destroyed 220 corn fodder bales, causing more than $15,000 worth of damage.
Lightcap's most serious charges include arson and conspiracy to commit arson, and agricultural vandalism, which are felonies. One of his arson conspiracy charges relates to a Nov. 2, 2024, fire set at an Amtrak building in Landisville.
Howard's most serious charge is agricultural vandalism.
Other charges Lightcap and Howard face are reckless endangerment, dangerous burning, conspiracy and possession of an instrument of crime.
MORE:
https://lancasteronline.com/news/ex-hempfield-fire-department-firefighters-headed-to-court-on-firestarting-charges/article_64612bd8-d727-4e98-9ada-568235119548.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough - May 5, 2025
Knighton Blake H., Knighton Cole F. conveyed property on a public road to Knighton Blake H., Carroll Thomas, Carroll Rachel for $115,000.
Rittenhouse Dennett, Anderson Dennett, Rittenhouse Dennis conveyed 705 Chestnut St. to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC for $123,000.
Sunday, May 4, 2025
About Town - May 4, 2025
This week's photos of Columbia
Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.
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Free landlord/tenant guides detailing renters rights and other topics are available at the municipal building, 308 Locust Street. The Spanish version (left) contains 97 pages, and the English version has 93.
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On March 26, 2025, Manor Street Apartments LLC conveyed 745 Manor St. to WG Sponsor LLC, WG Manor I. LLC, WG Manor II LLC, WG Manor III LLC for $1,500,000. In the sale listing, Bennett Williams described the building as "a workforce housing apartment community..." - whatever that means. The listing also stated "the Property consists of 14 units with an opportunity to build an additional 36-60 new apartments."
Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.
The SPCA was in town this week.
They left notices at a residence.
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Workers used a giant crane to hoist materials onto the roof of the National Watch & Clock Museum.
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Trucks at the 4th Street truck terminal
Saturday morning at the Market House
Signs down!
Historic house on Chestnut
This is still in effect.
Lights on at the bridge plaza
Cannon, partially hidden
Bricks, partially hidden
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It's that time of year.
Please don't litter.
Possum, not playing possum
Shawnee Run in the morning
Hidden in plain sight
Out in the open
A formidable doorway at the former Cookman Church
Now on the 600 block of Chestnut
Five units are planned near 4th & Linden.
Meeting at Columbia Crossing
Advertisement along Route 441
Black snake, apparently right after a meal
Two boneheaded beanie buddies
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The Cathouse, Columbia, PA
Borough council members
Collection day
Up the highway and onto the sidewalk
3-wheeler
This structure at 1020 Manor is slated for demolition.
It's wise to be prepared.
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Here are a few from Todd Stahl:
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Low-hanging branches on South 4th
[Photo: Bull Warfel]
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Saturday, May 3, 2025
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County Offers Diverse Anti-Poverty Programs
The Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County (CAP) continues to expand its range of initiatives aimed at addressing poverty in the region.
Recognizing that poverty is complex and its contributing factors vary, CAP has worked in recent years to develop innovative, person-centered initiatives to augment our many long-standing and successful anti-poverty programs.
Among CAP's service offerings is the Crispus Attucks Community Center, which focuses on improving quality of life for youth and families in Lancaster through programs that promote community prosperity and health while preserving African American heritage through cultural events.
For victims of domestic violence, CAP's Domestic Violence Services provides critical support including emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, free legal services, children's programming, and 24/7 phone and text helplines.
Families with young children can access Thrive to Five (formerly Head Start), which delivers comprehensive birth-to-5 programming throughout all Lancaster County school districts. The Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) supplements these efforts by providing child care subsidies for income-eligible working parents or those in training programs, along with referrals to quality, affordable child care options.
Other family-focused initiatives include Parents as Teachers, a home-visiting program promoting positive child development through parenting education, and RISE (Resilience, Inspiration, Strength, Empowerment), which coaches individuals and families in assessing needs, setting goals, connecting to communities, and celebrating progress.
CAP also offers targeted support through Reentry Connections for individuals returning to the community after incarceration, and Senior Centers providing free meals, educational activities, financial education and wellness programming for members over 60 in Lancaster City and Columbia.
Additional services include Utility Assistance for income-qualified customers of PPL, UGI, and Lancaster City water, and the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Nutrition Program, which offers nutrition education, healthy foods, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services for pregnant and post-partum women and children up to age 5.
For more information about these programs, residents can visit www.caplanc.org or call 717-299-7301.
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