The meeting packet is HERE.
Columbia School District posts $1.1 million surplus; business manager recommends moving funds to capital Improvements
The Columbia School District ended the 2025-26 school year with an overall surplus of about $1.1 million, according to preliminary figures presented to the school board last week.
Business Manager Keith Ramsey shared the pre-audit financial balances at the board’s November 5 meeting. The numbers are subject to change once the district’s audit is complete.
Ramsey recommended that the board transfer the surplus cash to the district’s capital improvement fund, which would set the money aside for future projects.
Board members are expected to vote on the proposed transfer at their next meeting.
Columbia school board appoints Prospect Diner owner after Ziegler resignation
The Columbia Borough School Board appointed April Conroy on November 5, filling the opening left by Thomas G. Ziegler, who resigned last month.
Conroy, owner of the Prospect Diner, was interviewed by the board and was sworn in immediately after her appointment. She will serve for the remainder of the vacated term.
Conroy was the only candidate to submit a letter of interest to the board,
CCAT Meeting: Member will donate $10 to CCAT for every person who attends
An offer you can’t refuse… Columbia Cat Action Team member Frank Doutrich has announced that he will donate $10 to the CCAT organization for each person who attends the meeting this Wednesday, November 11, 2026. For example: If 20 people show up that’s a $200 donation to the Columbia Cat Action Team!
Not only will your presence generate a donation, you will learn about the Columbia Cat Action Team.
The meeting will be held 5:30-6:30 p.m. on the second floor of Columbia’s Watch and Clock Museum at North Fifth and Poplar.
Off-street parking is available in the lot.
About Town — November 8, 2026
See all the photos here:
https://columbiapa-17512.blogspot.com/2026/11/about-town-november-8-2026.html?m=1
Deeds Recorded — Columbia Borough — November 9, 2026
Leibfried Christine M., Waltz Stanley conveyed 223 S. Fourth St. to Integrity First Home Buyers LLC for $61,000.
The estate of Gregory M. Gipe conveyed 149 N. Seventh St. to Strine Investments LLC for $88,000.
Metzger Thomas C., Metzger Elizabeth A. conveyed 729 Chestnut St. to Jon Dracoules Investments LLC for $257,500.
Kyle Bulicz conveyed 821 Ridge Ave. to Valencia Jason K., Valencia Jolene T. for $319,900.
Leese Robert L., Leese Betty G. conveyed 231 Lawrence St. to 231 Lawrence LLC for $79,000.
92321 Madison LLC conveyed property on Avenue H to Walter E. Ali for $7,000.
South Walnut Ventures LLC conveyed 1125 Lancaster Ave. to Soloman Investment LLC for $65,000.
Provisional ballots appear to give Democrat Chambers win in 41st House District | Politics | lancasteronline.com
TOM LISI | LNP Staff Writer
A preliminary count of provisional ballots Friday in the race for Pennsylvania’s 41st House District put Democrat Brad Chambers ahead of incumbent Republican Brett Miller.
When polls closed on Election Night, Miller held a 41-vote advantage over Chambers, 14,225 to 14,184.
After adding 139 provisional votes to the tally Friday, Chambers led the contest 14,289 to 14,259.
Seven provisional ballots were challenged, and 14 overseas or military ballots are outstanding and have until Tuesday to arrive to be counted.
Chambers’ 30-vote margin appears to be insurmountable, meaning Democrats will add a third House seat in Lancaster County and grow their state House majority to at least 112.
Father and son Ziegler step down from Columbia government bodies
JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY
Two members of the Ziegler family have stepped away from Columbia’s government bodies within weeks of each other, leaving one vacancy on the Columbia Borough School Board and, pending a vote, another on Borough Council.
School Board
Thomas G. Ziegler’s resignation from the school board was approved and took effect October 9. He was appointed to the board in December 2025, according to the district’s website. His brief letter to the board gave no reason for leaving.
The school board must try to fill its vacancy within 30 days to comply with state law, according to the board’s website. (Letters of interest for the school board seat were due on Thursday, October 29.) The board plans to interview interested community members at a committee meeting Thursday, November 5.
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Borough Council
Councilman Thomas J. Ziegler, his son, has also resigned — from borough council — Columbia Spy reported October 29. Ziegler, a Republican, won a council seat in the November 4, 2025, municipal election and was sworn in January 5, 2026.
Council is scheduled to vote on the resignation Thursday, November 5, according to council’s workshop agenda. Council members then have 30 days to appoint a replacement by resolution at a public meeting.
An appointee must be a registered voter in the borough and must have lived in the borough continuously for at least a year immediately before the appointment. For more information, contact borough hall at 308 Locust Street, or call 717-684-2467.
Woman struck by vehicle while crossing street Wednesday afternoon
A woman was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street at Lancaster Avenue and Cherry Street at about 2 p.m. Wednesday.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene at the intersection The extent of the woman’s injuries was not immediately available.
Police closed the block of Lancaster Avenue between Locust Street and Cherry Street during the incident.
A black GMC Acadia SUV was seen stopped in the crosswalk at the intersection, with its driver’s door open.
