COLUMBIA SPY

Friday, April 24, 2020

COVID-19 Reopening Phases

Columbia school board applies for $10K in disaster relief funds

What happened: The district will apply for over $10,000 in disaster relief funds through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Because of the governor's stay-at-home order, the meeting was held via videoconference. It was livestreamed and can be replayed on YouTube.

Background: In accordance with the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, state and local governments can be reimbursed for expenses incurred as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Pennsylvania school districts and municipalities can apply for these federal funds through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, a state-run agency that specializes in disaster prevention and recovery.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-school-board-applies-for-10k-in-disaster-relief-funds/article_77e5a7b8-83c8-11ea-bc2d-c76c880c2332.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Facing millions in revenue loss due to COVID-19, Lancaster city furloughs 12% of staff

Lancaster city is furloughing roughly 12% of its employees for an indefinite period of time in an effort to save taxpayer money during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Already facing a nearly $3 million deficit in its 2020 budget, the city is projecting it will lose an additional $4.7 million in tax and fee revenue this year due to economic slowdown.

Mayor Danene Sorace delivered the news to the 69 full and part-time employees in a Zoom meeting earlier this afternoon, explaining the necessity given the financial challenges facing the city.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/facing-millions-in-revenue-loss-due-to-covid-19-lancaster-city-furloughs-12-of-staff/article_390c8a1a-8414-11ea-8a41-23646efbc6bf.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Two taken to the hospital, over $1.5 million in damages reported after fire in Columbia Saturday afternoon

A fire that began in a vehicle and spread to three buildings sent two people to the hospital and caused over $1.5 million in damages Saturday, fire officials said.

A man was working on his car when it caught fire around 11 a.m. in the 500 block of Union Street, Columbia Borough Fire Chief Douglas Kemmerly said. The fire spread from the vehicle to the garage, and then from the garage to three apartments and two buildings.

Saturday's winds enabled the

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/two-taken-to-the-hospital-over-1-5-million-in-damages-reported-after-fire-in/article_3cbdb2c4-8266-11ea-9570-33e38b1d695b.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Kayaker rescued after getting stranded on island along the Susquehanna River

A man and his kayak were rescued by emergency crews after being stranded on a small island on the Susquehanna River Tuesday afternoon.

A passerby called 911 around 2:43 p.m. after hearing calls for help coming from the river, radio dispatch said.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/kayaker-rescued-after-getting-stranded-on-island-along-the-susquehanna-river/article_a68f3bec-8404-11ea-b3c2-8bd5672fc025.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Union Street Laundromat is OPEN for business after Saturday's fire

Ron Fritz, Jr. and his family spent the last three days cleaning the interior of the Union Street Laundromat. The laundromat, which Fritz owns, needed the cleanup after Saturday's fire in a nearby garage. The business is open every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Union Street Laundromat is open for business after escaping damage from Saturday's fire in a nearby garage. Owner Ron Fritz, Jr. said that he and his family spent the last three days cleaning walls, floors and other surfaces to remove residue that accumulated when smoke filtered into the business. Fritz also said that three apartments in a small adjoining structure that he owns are salvageable, having suffered only moderate damage. The remainder of the garage where the fire started will be torn down. The laundromat is open every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.