About Town—August 31, 2025

 This week's photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Fun in the sun

Iron Eagle Excavating continued with the Innovation Park project. 

But they sure kicked up some dust.

They also stacked up many piles of dirt in preparation for sifting.

At one point, they filled up the water truck to keep the dust down. 

A worker ran a hose from the hydrant at 9th & Manor. 

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Exceed!

Run!

The Veterans Memorial Bridge isn't looking too good.

The 10-ton weight limit is still in effect. 

[Photo: Todd Stahl]

This face appears underneath the bridge. 

So does this door, which won't open. 

Someone tried to draw a swastika. 

Meanwhile, on top:

Many weeds 

The bridge inspectors were back yet again. 

[Photo: Todd Stahl]

[Photo: Todd Stahl]

AEG was taking some measurements. 

Later in the week, this area was closed off.

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The Habitat for Humanity Linden Street Build is moving forward. 

There was evidence of a hot air balloon, but none was sighted. 

But there was a low-lying plane.

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The State Theatre Vintage Emporium 

The start of a murder

A CCAT candidate 

Morning at Our Home of Hope 

The skeletons at Columbia Curiosities are ready for Halloween. 

This was there, too.

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Sign about to be hidden 

A different type of flagpole

The Columbia United Methodist Church 

Lions in wait

Ready for Halloween 

Private catfishing trips available 

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And a few more from Todd Stahl. Thanks Todd!

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Columbia Park Rangers invite downtown businesses to be part of their Flag Project

 

(Click to enlarge)

The flyer shown above and an accompanying letter (the text of which is shown below) were distributed to downtown businesses recently:

Columbia Park Rangers
Since 2001
August, 2025

Dear Business Owner and Community Partner:

Each year, the Columbia Park Rangers take pride in honoring our nation by placing American flags along the streets of our town on key national holidays. These displays bring our community together in a visible celebration of patriotism and unity.

We invite you to be a part of this tradition by subscribing to our Flag Project. With your annual subscription of twenty dollars ($2O.OO) per flag, we will display beautiful, American flags in town on the thirteen recognized holidays. Specifically, we are providing businesses and community organizations an opportunity to sponsor one ornmore flags in the 100-400 blocks of Locust Street and the 100 block of N. 3rd St. Businesses are invited to sponsor a flag in front of or near their place of business. Community organizations are invited to sponsor one or more flags in a block of their choice.

Your support helps cover the cost of flags and maintenance needed to make these displays possible. lt's also a great way to show your pride in both our country and our community.

To subscribe, simply complete the attached form and return it with your payment to the address provided.

Thank you for helping us keep this tradition alive. Together, we can fill the Columbia downtown with the red, white, and blue for all to see.

With gratitude,
Columbia Park Rangers

"The Columbia Park Rangers is an all-volunteer organization, which is dedicated to the maintenance and enhancement of Columbia's parks and public areas. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the flag project is returned to the community in the form of improvements and enhancements to our parks, downtown and public spaces."

Restaurant Inspections—Columbia Borough—August 29, 2025

 

Prince Street Cafe - Columbia, 301 Walnut St., Columbia, Aug. 21. Pass. Food facility has an original certificate posted, but the location is not conspicuous for public viewing.

Agenda—Columbia Borough Council Meeting—August 26, 2025

 

The meeting packet is HERE.

Teen charged with Columbia shooting over missing phone sentenced up to 5 years in state prison

Caelan Natrell Brown [Columbia Borough Police Department]

JACK PANYARD | LNP Staff Writer

One of three people charged in a 2024 Columbia shooting over a missing cellphone pleaded guilty Monday and was sentenced to up to five years in state prison.

Caelan Natrell Brown, 19, of Columbia, entered a plea deal before Lancaster County Judge David Ashworth for his role in the Nov. 1, 2024 incident where he and two other people were accused of shooting into an occupied house.

Eleven charges were dropped as part of the plea deal including aggravated assault and reckless endangerment. Brown pleaded guilty to charges of criminal conspiracy, possession of a firearm with an altered manufacturer number, receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm without a license and possession of a firearm.

Ashworth sentenced Brown to two to five years in state prison.

Police said Brown, J'vian Mendez-Gonzalez, 19, of Lancaster, and Isaiah Diaz, 21, of Columbia, all shot at the house on the 400 block of Avenue K after tracking two men to the home following a fight at a smoke shop. During the fight Brown dropped his cellphone, which Brown, Mendez-Gonzalez and Diaz believed was taken by one of the men.

Brown, Mendez-Gonzalez and Diaz surrendered to police and were charged. Brown explained their motive and Diaz told police he supplied the guns, saying Mendez-Gonzalez fired three shots at the building before they went back to his apartment and hid the guns in the ceiling, according to charging documents.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/teen-charged-with-columbia-shooting-over-missing-phone-sentenced-up-to-5-years-in-state/article_bd78baab-6cd4-4b8f-85f5-9b1647a79fd4.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Deeds Recorded—Columbia Borough—August 25, 2025

The estate of Julie Hoak conveyed 328 Walnut St. to Jamie Anderson for $150,000.

Daniel K. Mullins conveyed 114 Walnut St. to Walter E. Ali for $205,000.