COLUMBIA SPY

"Columbia (Pennsylvania) was the sweetest place," Smith says. "I just loved the architecture in that town. I liked the old buildings. I was sad to hear that Hinkle's Pharmacy went out of business. I loved that place. It was so Americana — a pharmacy with the lunch counter. I liked the vibe there." MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/features/photographer-explores-towns-in-the-united-states-named-columbia-/article_7179aad0-e159-11e9-871e-cfba15aa8cd2.html

Download the council packet  HERE .

Brian Long, 76, is familiar with the issue because of his role as Lancaster, Lebanon and Berks county coordinator for the Pennsylvania Link to Aging and Disability Resources. Long told the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging that Medicare not covering such care makes it difficult to help the many seniors who have hearing or vision loss or dental issues. “A 76-year old woman I know lives on minimum Social Security and needs cataract surgery,” he said, noting that Medicare won’t cover the surgery and she can’t afford it. He added that the woman “is fearful of surgery because she plays piano for several churches and doesn’t want to have to miss the services that pay $50 a week.” Long also said dental, hearing or vision problems can keep people from socializing, exercising and doing other things that have been shown to help long-term health. MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/should-medicare-cover-dental-vision-hearing-care-lancaster-county-man/article_f06f8...

Floyd Landis (left) speaks with attorney Michael Grab at Wednesday night's zoning hearing board meeting. Grab represented Landis at the hearing, which was held to consider allowing a CBD oil processing facility in the borough. Columbia Borough will be getting a cannabis oil processing facility in the near future. The zoning hearing board voted 4-1 Wednesday night to allow Floyd's of Leadville to set up operations at 185 North Front Street, which is owned by Doolittle Investments LLC. Floyd Landis, of cycling fame, is a principal of the Colorado-based company, which sells hemp-derived products throughout the U.S. Landis told the board he already has a lease agreement with the owner for the property which sits adjacent to the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Attorney Michael Grab represented Landis at the hearing. Under questioning by the board, Landis said the facility will allow locally grown hemp to be processed through an operation involving freezing, drying, extracting, a...

What happened: A controversial project to finish painting a brick building in Columbia's historic district got a go-ahead from Borough Council, which voted 4-3 to override a recommendation from the borough Historical Architectural Review Board to deny a permit for the project. Why it matters: Council members allege the building's owner violated a borough law by beginning the work without a permit. The decision will allow William R. Pflumm, the owner of the complex at 155 Bridge St., to complete the painting project begun June. Council members who voted in favor of the permit argued there was little choice at this point because so much of the building was already painted, and it would be unattractive to leave it unfinished. MORE: https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-council-overrides-historical-architectural-review-board-on-painting-of/article_5d1e2c6a-dfe6-11e9-b6c1-234d75fe9e49.html