Wednesday, March 16, 2022

AG: Former Drug Task Force chief 'abused his position of public trust to scam and defraud the citizens'

The former head of Lancaster County's Drug Task Force secretly pocketed more than $200,000 in cash seized from suspected criminals over five years and used the money to "support his own lifestyle," a statewide grand jury found. 

Detective John Burkhart, 56, who was fired from the position by newly-elected District Attorney Heather Adams in 2020, deposited at least $170,000 into his personal bank account from 2015 to 2020 as he struggled financially, the grand jury alleges.

Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced today that his office had filed charges against Burkhart alleging theft by unlawful taking or disposition, theft by deception, theft by failure to make required disposition of funds, forgery, tampering with records or identification, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/ag-former-drug-task-force-chief-abused-his-position-of-public-trust-to-scam-and/article_d07f0e88-a486-11ec-bc5c-cf909bc0caec.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Monday, March 14, 2022

Deeds Recorded - Columbia Borough- March 14, 2022

Awakened Properties LLC and Dan Zecher conveyed 210 S. Fourth St. to Christian A. Reese for $203,400.

Donna M. Budesheim and Donna M. Hill conveyed property on Franklin Street to Donna M. Hill and Jeffrey D. Hill for $1.

Brian R. McLaughlin conveyed 112 Commerce St. to Kevin Michael Mullen, Diana L. Marshall Boyle and Diana L Marshall Boyle for $89,000.

Jeffery A. Clawson conveyed 134 S. Fourth St. to Samuel E. Esh for $130,000.

Douglas J. Unangst II and Jessica Unangst conveyed 632 Franklin St. to Tomas A Berroa Espinosa for $162,000.

Susan M. Gager and Thomas A. Goldsborough IV conveyed 1022 Cloverton Drive to Lindsey M. Brenner and Timothy M. Hess for $75,000.

Antonio Santos conveyed 902 Spruce St. to Adam Preis Boyer for $175,000.

James L. Kriner and Gary L. Kriner conveyed 321 S. Third St. to Mulberry Investments LLC for $72,000.

Columbia Area Ministerium to hold Prayer Vigil for Ukraine Monday, March 14

 


Columbia Water Company to take down tower near Little's Beverage

 
This water tower at 1249 Avenue V may be dismantled soon.

The Columbia Water Company plans to dismantle the water tower at 1249 Avenue V (near Little's Beverage), according to a recent Demolition Permit Application submitted to the Columbia Borough Planning Commission. 

A cover letter with the application states that only the tank will be removed, but all fences, drainage systems, etc. will remain. No earthwork is proposed, and no other structures will be removed. The demolition is projected to take 1-2 days.

The project will be discussed at the March 15, 2022 Columbia Borough Planning Commission meeting.


Cover letter explaining details of the demolition plan


Sunday, March 13, 2022

About Town - March 13, 2022

Recent photos of Columbia 

(Click/tap on images to see larger, sharper images.)


Looks like the moon's right on time.

Borough workers removed the arborvitae trees at Columbia Crossing on Thursday, some of which will be taken to the borough farm. According to borough documents, the trees were crowding and hiding the building and might be replaced with evergreen shrubs or native plants that tie in with Columbia history. In addition, a dedication ceremony is planned there for Clarissa Wolcott who bequeathed $45,000 to the Shade Tree Commission.





********************


CHI St. Joseph Children's Health is pulling out of its agreement with Columbia Borough to manage the Columbia Market House, effective June 30, 2022. The announcement was posted on the Columbia Market House Facebook page on March 9, 2022. This action will leave a hole in funding for operation of the market. The original Professional Services Agreement between the Borough of Columbia and CHI St. Joseph Children's Health can be found HERE






********************


A foggy morning at the former McGinness property, now owned by the borough

On Friday, more probing was underway. Columbia Borough plans to spend $1.2 million to remediate problems with the soil. That's in addition to the $1.5 million purchase price and about $200,000 in testing and legal fees. The borough is counting on grants and loans to pay for development, estimated at over $10.5 million.



********************


Some people try to preserve the town's history, others trash it.

This plaque is located at South 5th Street and Avenue N. Stephen Smith was once the richest black man in the U.S., according to this article.

The Columbia Water Company replaced the broken hydrant at Plane and Manor on Monday.
It was out of operation for several months.



********************


The water tower at Little's Beverage

A cleat that was broken out of Route 462 at 5th & Chestnut.
It was lying in the road and created a potential traffic hazard.

It was turned over to the proper authorities.

The history of Columbia River Park

Stove in the window of the municipal building

Mary's not looking too good at the Holy Trinity Cemetery.

This one on the 400 block of Cherry looks better.

Night lights at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church



********************

The library at night

CVS

Kraft Funeral Home

Amish at work at Riverview Terrace

They don't wear hard hats.

A rare Tom Jones sighting

A moose at the Moose

Construction at St. Peter Apartments. Two houses were demoed there recently.

Keeping a watchful eye or two

Signs down!

Bell on the 400 block of Chestnut

Foggy morning



********************

Creeping ivy on the bridge

Striking a pose at Columbia River Park

And there's the ambulance.

Guys staring at a wall in the 300 block of Avenue H

Blocks for safety

Cargo plane banking

Lights on the 600 block of Locust

Hope remains.

Spring can't be far behind.

Flags

The latest at Majik

Saturday's weather left a few traces.