PennDOT cleans bridge, but no rehab in store until at least 2027

PennDOT workers have been cleaning the Veterans Memorial Bridge for the last two days to remove salt and gravel, but the public shouldn't expect the planned rehabilitation project any time soon. According to Columbia's borough manager, PennDOT has delayed construction until the beginning of 2027 so the state can find money for the project, estimated at more than $230 million.

In 2018, the project was slated to begin in 2020-21 at a cost of $54-60 million, as Columbia Spy reported HERE.

[LNP | LancasterOnline] Pythons and lizards up for emergency adoption after owner in Columbia dies

Nine pythons, two lizards and a scorpion are in urgent need of new homes after their owner, a Columbia resident, died unexpectedly.

The Elm-based Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary, which is offering the animals emergency housing, reported that the reptiles were all well cared for and that the owner's family told his building manager he would want to see them sent to good homes.

The sanctuary is hosting an adoption event on Saturday at That Fish Place - That Pet Place, 237 Centerville Road, in East Hempfield Township from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Updates on the adoption event can be found at lanc.news/pythonadoption.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/pythons-and-lizards-up-for-emergency-adoption-after-owner-in-columbia-dies/article_8f62931e-c051-11ee-ba23-3f934769826a.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

3 arrested on Perry Street on various charges Wednesday morning

 

On 01/31/24 at 6:30 a.m. the U.S. Marshalls' Fugitive Task Force and the Columbia Borough Police served arrest warrants for three suspects at a residence on the 300 block of Perry St. 

The suspects, Destiny Delgado-Diaz, Sammie Lane, and Alexander Delgado-Diaz were wanted in connection with a robbery of a motor vehicle which occurred on 12/31/23 in Columbia Borough. 

All three suspects were located at the Perry St. residence and taken into custody without incident. Officers with the US Marshalls Service, PSP, Lancaster County Sheriff's Department, and Columbia Borough PD conducted the warrant detail. 

In addition, Columbia Police provided overwatch with an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) to better protect the officers and residents. 

Destiny Delgado-Diaz, Sammie Lane, and Alexander Delgado-Diaz were arraigned before MDJ Miles Bixler and committed to Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail. 

All Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty by a Court of Law.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/delgado-diaz-alexander-e-1-count-robbery-motor-vehicle-f1-and-3-additional-charges

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[LNP | LancasterOnline] Homelessness Coalition conducts Point-In-Time homeless count in Lancaster County

Volunteers last year counted 526 people experiencing homelessness in Lancaster County. The Jan. 24, 2023, PIT count found 107 unsheltered people and 419 staying in shelters. That was an 11% increase from 2022, when 472 people were counted. Of the 472 people counted in the Feb. 23, 2022, PIT count, the number of unsheltered people was 20 and the number of people staying in shelters was 452.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/homelessness-coalition-conducts-point-in-time-homeless-count-in-lancaster-county/article_68df2e5c-bfa5-11ee-ba62-83e03c1b1f95.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Campaign kick-off for Columbia's Brad Chambers Friday, Feb 2, at the Columbia Market House

 

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Lancaster County municipalities consider tax credits to boost firefighter recruitment [Lancaster Watchdog] | Local News | lancasteronline.com

In November 2023, Fire Chief Scott Ryno and volunteer firefighters from the Columbia Borough Fire Department thanked the Columbia School Board for passing a tax credit program that benefits firefighters and their families.

Columbia Borough started offering property tax credits to firefighters in 2018. (The Columbia School District did so in 2023.) Volunteers are required to respond to calls, attend department meetings and participate in fundraisers to receive either a 10% or 20% rebate from the borough's 8.0 mill property tax. (One mil equals $1 in property tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. So the owner of a $200,000 home in the borough would pay $1,600 in property taxes.)

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-county-municipalities-consider-tax-credits-to-boost-firefighter-recruitment-lancaster-watchdog/article_9ed3b21e-bfad-11ee-917c-27f24857fec2.html 

Police activity reported on Perry Street Wednesday morning

Columbia Borough, PA:

The 300 block of Perry Street was temporarily closed due to Police activity. Police cleared the scene and the roadway is now open to traffic.

6:59 AM, January 31, 2024