See Birds of Prey from Raven Ridge - Saturday 'til 4 at Columbia Crossing

 

Come and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of birds of prey up close. Get ready to meet Quest, the Lanner Falcon or Fable, the Boobook owl and have one of these majestic creatures perch on your gloved hand. 

This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and it's too good to be missed. By making a $10.00 donation, you will be supporting rehabilitation efforts of birds of prey and giving them a second chance.

Lancaster County had two back-to-back earthquakes in 1984

Many area residents reported feeling the 4.8 earthquake that hit New Jersey on Friday morning, April 5. 

In 1984, however, two back-to-back earthquakes hit too close for comfort for many Lancaster Countians. The first occurred just before midnight on Wednesday, April 18, followed four days later, on Easter Sunday, by a second, more intense, quake.

April 19, 1984, Lancaster New Era

According to the Lancaster New Era, the first earthquake had a magnitude of between 2.7 and 2.8 on the Richter Scale, with the epicenter in the Susquehanna River hills near Marticville. (A New Era graphic states that it registered 3.0.)

Area residents reported hearing a loud bang followed by about five seconds of tremors. The noise was so intense that residents as far away as Wrightsville were awakened by it.

April 23, 1984, Lancaster New Era

The second earthquake, which occurred on Easter Sunday, April 22, measured 4.1 on the Richter Scale and was felt in at least seven states.

The epicenter of the quake was thought to be along the Martic Fault, at a weak section between Martic Forge and Marticville. Although causing only minor damage, the quake was the most powerful felt in the county in two decades.

In the previous 30 years, numerous similar earthquakes were felt in the eastern United States, including Lancaster County. The strongest quake recorded in the county was in 1954, measuring 4.5 on the Richter Scale.

USGS wants to know if you felt Friday’s earthquake

 

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) wants to know if you felt Friday’s earthquake.  You can report it HERE.

Columbia River Park - Friday 1 p.m.

 

The public works crew placed barricades to discourage people from approaching the high, turbulent water. 

The water level is at 234, which is 7 feet above normal. 

Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - April 5, 2024

Columbia Mini Mart, 26 N. Fourth St., Columbia, March 27. Pass. Facility is offering for sale JUST CBD Honey Sticks Just Brands LLC, Hollywood, Florida, that contains an unapproved additive as specified in 21 CFR 170-180 relating to food additives. Such products are under U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation and at which time CBD is not recognizable as a safe substance to be added to food.

Smoke & Chill, 353 Cherry St., Columbia, March 27. Fail. The food facility operator shall be the person in charge or shall designate a person in charge and shall ensure that a person in charge is present at the food facility during all hours of operation. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this noncompliant inspection. An employee's open beverage container was observed on the food preparation table; repeat violation, Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, 2023. Observed nine 1-pint bottles of strawberry milk and one half-gallon of whole chocolate milk beyond the sell-by date being offered for sale. Food facility is offering for sale Truemoola Fun Cube Tropical Love, Fruit Punch, and Blueberry Raspberry, Delta 8 and 9 gummies, Riverdale, N.J., contain an unapproved additive as specified in 21 CFR 170-180 relating to food additives. Such products are under U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation and at which time CBD is not recognizable as a safe substance to be added to food.

Cooked chicken was held at 122 F and 129 F in the hot hold cabinet, rather than 135 F or above as required. Observed packaging tape being used to repair a drainage pipe of the three-compartment sink. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration of quaternary sanitizer; repeat violation, April 6 and Oct. 5 and 13, 2023. Observed old food residue and grease, on several plastic food containers, ladles, lids, and whisks, stored as clean on a shelf above the three-compartment sink; repeat violation, April 6, Sept. 28 and Oct. 5, 2023. Observed a residue buildup on the fume hood. Observed old food splatter inside the entire microwave.

Food facility has a certified food employee, but a certified food employee was not available during all hours of operation, as evidenced by an inability to talk with the certified food employee during this inspection. Observed filth and dried dirt in the hand-wash sink, indicating nonuse; repeat violation, Sept. 28, 2023. The hand-wash sink in the food preparation area was blocked by a large, stainless-steel table and not accessible at all times for employee use. The hand-wash sink in the food preparation area does not have single use towels, continuous towels, or air-drying device. Observed a container of soap being stored on the shelf next to food equipment above the three-compartment sink.

Starview Brews, 224 Locust St., Columbia, March 27. Pass. Observed black and brown residue up inside the ice maker.

River rises 6 feet from recent heavy rains, projected to crest Friday

 

On Thursday afternoon, the Susquehanna River at Columbia River Park was elevated by more than six feet above normal, a result of the recent heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service anticipates that the river will crest on Friday afternoon.

Mattresses, chairs, and other furniture dumped overnight in Columbia

Items dumped along South Front Street

Sometime between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, mattresses, chairs, and other furniture items were dumped along roadways in Columbia Borough. 

Mattresses, box springs, and various furniture items were found along South Front Street, while a mattress, box spring, and chairs were left next to Bank Avenue. The borough's public works crew removed the items. 

More items along South Front Street 

Items left on Bank Avenue 

Anyone with information regarding the dumping is encouraged to reach out to Columbia Borough Police at 717-684-7735, or the borough office at 717-684-2467.