No-cost children's dental service opens in Columbia - News - LancasterOnline.com

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/836539_No-cost-children-s-dental-service-opens-in-Columbia.html

Problem slows traffic on Wrights Ferry Bridge - News - LancasterOnline.com

A steel expansion joint that recently was replaced as part of a $9.4 million reconditioning of the Wrights Ferry Bridge failed Tuesday, officials said.

The expansion joint was on the westbound side of the bridge, which carries U.S. 30 over the Susquehanna River between Lancaster and York counties.

At least one westbound lane was closed between 3:20 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. Wednesday as workers replaced the four six-foot segments of the expansion joint and an epoxy filler was allowed to dry, said Mike Crochunis, a spokesman for PennDOT District 8, which includes Lancaster County.

The closure resulted in westbound traffic being delayed during Wednesday morning's rush hour as far from the bridge as the Prospect Road interchange, Crochunis said.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/836562_Problem-slows-traffic-on-Wrights-Ferry-Bridge.html

Susquehanna River trail hub lacks funding - News - LancasterOnline.com

Columbia Borough could see approval soon of a major addition to River Front Park, but officials say they need time to amend funding requests to close about a half-million dollar gap.

The lowest bid for the project came in at $2 million, but it was expected to cost $1.4 million, officials revealed Monday. Officials said they have 120 days to act on the bid.

With plans in jeopardy to build the visitor hub including bathrooms and increased parking along the Susquehanna River, half a dozen members of the River Park focus group urged borough council Monday to move forward with construction.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/836196_Susquehanna-River-trail-hub-lacks-funding-.html

What I saw recently

Some shots from around our beloved borough over the past week or so . . .

I see a lot of these train cars passing though town.

They're labeled LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS.  They're also labeled NON ODORIZED.  I can only speculate why the gas would be NON ODORIZED (as in NON DETECTABLE?)

Meanwhile on Avenue H: Either one of the ladies couldn't get in through the LADIES ENTRANCE, or the broken window is a newly installed GENTLEMEN'S ENTRANCE.

Upcoming road work on Avenue H?

Renovations continue at Second and Locust.

I realize these things take time, but someone might want to get around to fixing the back of the building soon.

And along Barber Street, what's with all the bent over signposts?

This is one.

And here's another several feet away.

This is the same one as pictured immediately above, with the first one in the background.

Further down the street, yet another.

Caught'cha . . . showin' off?

Over the weekend, a lot of out-of-town walkers passed through town.

Here's what some of them saw along Front Street: blocks of concrete that have been lying there, seemingly forever, where the slab was cut to allow for installation of a utility pole guy wire.  Very shoddy.

Further along . . . lotsa trash

And here. 

At the same intersection - a pyromaniac's dream?

A little further uptown, the blight of rental properties continues to grow.

As I said.

So, who put their mirror in the sidewalk trash can?  This presents a potential safety hazard.  

Incredibly, there are still several phone books lying on doorsteps around town.

I guess this is cool looking, but without a hood, is it street legal?

Oh well, at least this cardinal was content to just sit and sing.

Lancaster County town of Columbia is a hidden gem - mcall.com

This summer, Columbia expects to grab more attention than usual with its June 28-30 "Flames Across the Susquehanna" commemoration of its biggest moment in Civil War history. Town planners hope to snare visitors heading for Gettysburg's July 1-3 observance of the battle's 150 th anniversary with a dramatic re-creation of the burning of the town's bridge.

MORE HERE:
http://www.mcall.com/travel/daytrips/mc-columbia-pa-travel-0407-20130406,0,6486841.story

One billion cicadas per square mile?

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — It's that time again.

After a 17-year slumber, cicadas will be making their unwelcome debut throughout the Tri-State Area in about a month.

Experts said the cicadas will not be out until mid to late May.

And as CBS 2's Lou Young reported, scientists said the spring and summer will bring record numbers of the noisy insect.

"In places where they're going to be present, it's going to be spectacular. There could be as many as one billion cicadas emerging per square mile," Michael Raupp, a professor of Entomology at the University of Maryland, told 1010 WINS. "This is really a spectacular opportunity for children, for adults, for students to go out and learn about one of Mother Nature's rarest, most interesting events."

Until next year . . .