Sunday, May 11, 2025

About Town - May 11, 2025

 This week's photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 


On Tuesday, workers from Land Studies sprayed herbicide on the banks of Shawnee Run to ward off poison hemlock, mugwort, japanese hops, and other invasive plants, according to a spokesman.  




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The Pennsylvania Furniture Mission is located at 341 Chestnut Street. According to their website: "The Pennsylvania Furniture Mission is a 501(c)3 non-profit serving Pennsylvania residents experiencing challenges related to living near or below the poverty line. We work to redirect gently-used, donated furniture to families in need, keeping usable furniture out of our landfills."

No telling where they went

Big clouds

A pseudoscience from back in the day

Time to mow the astroturf at Columbia Curiosities 

On Monday, workers installed a huge HVAC unit on the roof of the National Watch & Clock Museum. 








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Different styles 


A recent addition to the grounds of the Buddhist temple 

Line work on the 700 block of Locust 


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Gas in the grass

On South Front Street 

Pothole becoming a sinkhole?
(Avenue I)

Hope on Locust

Cactus in Avenue G 

Drop Zone Danger

At the historic society 



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Checking out the rails and switches 



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Batman hanging on

They're not there anymore. 

An egret in Shawnee Run 

Completing the mural

Signs down at 4th & Chestnut 

The water level was four feet above normal Thursday into Friday. 

The public works department put up barriers and caution tape.





The geese didn't seem to mind the high water, though.






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Friday, May 9, 2025

Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - May 9, 2025


Hinkle's Restaurant, 261 Locust St., Columbia, May 1. Pass. Observed totes of food stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler No. 2, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous foods (raw shell eggs) without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. Observed static dust accumulation on the fume hood in the middle food preparation area. The inner walls of the ice maker in the basement are cracked and broken and no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Observed a plastic container being stored in the hand-wash sink in the preparation room in the basement. Observed old food residue on the underside and spindles of the milkshake mixer.

Parma Pizza & Grill, 232 Locust St., Columbia, May 1. Fail. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this noncompliant inspection; prior violation. Observed in-use knives stored between edges of a spice holder and the cooling unit, an area not easily cleanable & sanitized. Observed static dust and a grease buildup on the fume hood, Ansul system, and the lights. Commercially processed, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature-control-for-safety food (hot dogs), located in the walk-in cooler, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened; prior violation. Meatballs and sauce were held at 116 F, in the front service area, rather than 135 F or above as required.
Observed a package of turkey meat thawing on top of a hot pizza oven, which is not an approved thawing method. The hand-wash sink in the front preparation area was blocked by a chair and not accessible at all times for employee use. The hand-wash sink in the employee restroom is filthy. Observed a nonfood-grade paint brush, being used to apply and oil on a pan for baking items. Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous foods (assorted pizzas) without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. There were five different times displayed ranging between noon and 1 p.m., displayed above 11 items, which according to the person in charge were all taken out at 11 a.m. Salami, tomatoes, cheese, steak meat, (pizza toppings) were held at 51-58 F, in the pizza prep unit, rather than 41 F or below as required. The doors to this unit do not seal properly and remain partially open, leading to the temperature increase inside and on the top. Time control for temperature safety foods are not permitted to be stored in this unit until it is maintaining a temperature of 41 F or colder. The ceiling in the back storage area is not finished, observed plastic draped in some areas due to ceiling leakage, and holes observed in the insulation sheets. Exposed insulation hanging from the open ceiling tiles in that food storage area in the back; repeat violation. Prepackaged cookies are not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, and distributed by statement. Prepackaged cookies are not labeled to clearly indicate any "Big 9" allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement. Back door located in the storage area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents and other animals. Blade of the slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The food facility does not maintain food employee certification records as required. The food facility has 90 days to enroll an employee in a state-recognized food safety course. Food facility does not have a certified food manager certificate to display.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

AGENDA - COLUMBIA BOROUGH PARKS & REC ADVISORY BOARD MEETING - MAY 8, 2025

 


Columbia Borough to hold public hearing on community needs and planned projects


Columbia Borough has announced a public hearing to discuss community needs and planned projects under Lancaster County's Fiscal Year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The hearing will take place during the regular monthly Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Columbia Borough Council invites affected residents, property owners, and other stakeholders to attend the meeting, which will begin at approximately 7:15 PM at Columbia Borough Hall at 308 Locust Street. The Borough Council will present their proposed project and gather community input on additional needs that should be addressed.

The primary project under consideration is a $200,000 rehabilitation of the 300 block of Union Street. This initiative would include installation of new curbs and sidewalks on both sides of the street, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and complete street repaving.

The public can submit comments or questions for consideration until 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting via email at skaufhold@columbiapa.net or by phone at (717) 684-2467. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be streamed live (provided the borough's system works) on the borough's YouTube Channel at LINK.

The proposed project aligns with priorities outlined in Lancaster County's Fiscal Years 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan. Following the public hearing, the project will be submitted to the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster for consideration.

Pennsylvania State Police to stop using shotguns


HARRISBURG, Pa. —
News 8 continues to look into the use of shotguns in police departments in the Susquehanna Valley.

This comes after the York County district attorney revealed last week that Officer Andrew Duarte was killed by pellets from a fellow officer's shotgun when law enforcement opened fire on a gunman at UPMC Memorial Hospital in West Manchester Township in February.
MORE:
https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-state-police-will-stop-using-shotguns/64692006