Columbia Spy

JULISSA RODRIGUEZ | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE

What happened: [On April 13] Columbia resident Adam Copenhaver told Mountville Borough Council that water test results sampled at a tower operated by Columbia Water Co. at 224 Eagle Path, Mountville, exceeded the federal maximum contaminant level for total trihalomethanes by 36% at 109 parts per billion versus 80 parts per billion, on Oct. 14, 2025. Columbia Water provides Mountville, Columbia and several other communities in Lancaster and York counties with public water.

More: Copenhaver asserted TTHMs are a carcinogen. According to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, total trihalomethanes, or TTHMs, are a byproduct of a reaction between a disinfectant and natural organic matter in water.

Acknowledgement: Council members thanked Copenhaver for bringing this issue to their attention.

Public matter: The information Copenhaver provided is readily available on DEP’s website, where LNP | LancasterOnline found the most recent sample date for 224 Eagle Path, Mountville was Jan. 12 of this year when TTHMs were measured at 19.5 parts per billion.

For comparison: TTHM levels for the other dates in 2025 besides the October water sample Copenhaver referenced were the following, according to DEP: Jan 14 at 23.6 parts per billion; April 14 at 29.5 parts per billion; and July 14 at 91.5 parts per billion.

Columbia Water statement: “Recently, statements shared online have suggested that our water system is automatically in violation of federal drinking water standards because one TTHM sample result was above the maximum contaminant level. That is not how the federal compliance rule is applied,” Columbia Water posted on its website to explain how the annual average is calculated. EPA sets the maximum contaminant level of TTHMs based an annual running average at each monitoring station based on the most recent four quarters of sampling results at that location.

More: After the meeting, Copenhaver said he maintains that the human body does not consume TTHMs by the annual average; contaminants are consumed per day. David Lewis, president and general manager of Columbia Water Co., did not immediately respond to a reporter’s attempts to reach him for comment.

The promotion of Officer Jack Kopp to the rank of Corporal was recognized during the Columbia Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. The promotion was presented by Lieutenant Holly Arndt, who is set to assume the role of Chief of Police on May 1.

Corporal Kopp, who came to Columbia from the Harrisburg area, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus in Criminology, graduating with honors from Millersville University in 2022. He also minored in Psychology. Before joining the department, he briefly worked for the Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office as a booking agent.

Kopp began his tenure with the Columbia Borough Police Department in December 2022 and attended the 122nd HACC Municipal Police Academy, where he graduated near the top of his class. He was formally sworn in as an officer on March 11, 2025, and was recognized as the department’s Employee of the Month for December 2024.

Since joining the force, Corporal Kopp has become a certified bike officer, a certified field training officer, and serves as the department’s community anti-threat officer. He has also received specialized training in crime scene investigation and evidence collection, skills he regularly uses in major incidents in the borough.

In her remarks, Lieutenant Arndt praised Kopp’s development as both an officer and a leader. “Throughout his tenure with the Columbia Borough Police Department, Corporal Kopp has demonstrated strong work ethic, sound judgment, and a commitment to the community we serve,” she said. “Whether handling calls, supporting fellow officers, or stepping up in challenging situations, he has proven himself to be a dependable and professional leader.”

Arndt, who helped train Kopp at the police academy, said, “The rank of corporal carries a new responsibility — it’s a transition from being solely responsible for your own work to helping guide others, setting the tone on a shift, and mentoring younger, or older, officers, and leading by example.”

She remarked to Kopp: “Wear the stripes with pride. Stay grounded and continue to lead the way you always have — with integrity, professionalism, and respect. Leadership is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge.”

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

History was made Tuesday night as Columbia Borough Council voted unanimously to approve the promotion of Holly Arndt to Police Chief, making her the first woman to hold the position in the department’s 131-year history.

Arndt succeeds Jack Brommer, who is retiring at the end of April and will assume the position of Columbia Borough Manager on May 1.

Arndt is a graduate of York College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. She launched her law enforcement career in 2004 as a corrections officer at York County Prison, and in 2006 became a deputy sheriff with York County. She joined the Columbia Borough Police Department as a patrol officer in March 2008. 

Over the course of her 18-year tenure with the department, Arndt became the first — and only — female officer to achieve the rank of lieutenant in the department’s history when she was promoted from sergeant in 2025. She had been promoted to sergeant in November 2023 and corporal in 2019.

During her career, Arndt helped shape the department and was involved in developing a field training program and a defensive tactics program. For the past 11 years, she has served as the primary or secondary trainer for every officer hired by the department. She has also completed the FBI National Academy’s leadership certification program and the Penn State Criminal Justice Program’s police leadership series, and is a graduate of the Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command — an intensive 10-week program for command-level supervisors. 

Arndt is a member of the Lancaster County Crash Investigative Unit, the Lancaster County Forensics Team, and the Lancaster County Crisis Intervention Team. In addition, she coaches girls basketball for the CBAA, mentors youth through the Big Brothers Big Sisters “Bigs and Blue” program, serves as a lead instructor at the Harrisburg Area Community College Municipal Police Academy, and contributes to the development of annual in-service training for the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission.

Arndt’s promotion takes effect May 1 at an annual  salary of $123,497.

Lieutenant Holly Arndt

Council will vote on it at Tuesday’s meeting.  Here’s the agenda:

The meeting packet is HERE.

GPS LLC conveyed 1001 Spruce St. to Alexander Farver for $295,000.

The estate of Burg Vivian Louise conveyed 745 Walnut St. to Ashworth Stephen D., Ashworth Cynthia D., Ashworth Abigail B. for $195,000.

The estate of Haug Carole A. Est., Haug Carole Ann conveyed 45 S. Sixth St. to Murphy Becky L., Kashner Lisa A., Sumpman Christine M., Haug Stephen M. Sr. for $1.

Michael H. Leary conveyed 497 Norwood Road to Hurst Camden, Hurst Chase for $600,000.

Valley View Capital LLC conveyed 714 Plane St. to Cordero Maricella Porfiria for $200,000.

This week’s photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Columbia is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year. Actually, Wright’s Ferry/Columbia is.

The Old Columbia Public Grounds Company is celebrating 200 years.

Some folks are celebrating recovery.

New door murals by anndope at the State Theatre Vintage Emporium 

And some theatre seats outside 

More artists around town . . .

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More progress at the South 9th Street project 

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Iron Eagle was back at the former McGinness property.

Aren’t they supposed to be done out there?

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C.S. Davidson was checking out the area around Shawnee Run. 

There’s their truck.

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Remodeling at the smoke shop 

Progress at the Wright’s Ferry Mansion/Von Hess project 

When you want that pole to stay in place, just tie it to another one with an old piece of rope.

It’s always a good time for a selfie. 

Yes it is.

How many crows constitute a murder?

Google says it’s three or more — up to tens of thousands.

Two crows are sometimes referred to as an “attempted murder.”

Volunteers cleaned up around town Friday morning. 

Let’s hope they find whatever this is.

(By the way, where’s Riverside Park?)

Workers cut a tree from a house on Poplar Street and pulled it up with a crane over that warehouse building — and cut it up in the parking lot next to Avenue F. Good job.

[Submitted photos and video]

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U-turn

Would you call this defensive driving?

[Submitted]

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Gene Sweeney with Kathleen Scheydt, Hearing Instrument Specialist, at the HearingLife Presidents Club 2026, on April 19.

Gene Sweeney traveled to Texas recently to tell his story in order to help others like him who are hearing impaired. Speaking at HearingLife Presidents Club 2026 at the Gaylord Texan Resort, Gene, accompanied by Hearing Instrument Specialist Kathleen Scheydt, shared the following story.

Gene’s Story

Gene Sweeney grew up in Camden, New Jersey amid drugs, violence, and instability — and did so largely in silence. He suffered six ear surgeries by age 5, and went without hearing aids until he was 41 years old. Unable to hear, he was isolated at school, constantly bullied, labeled “the bad kid,” and unable to defend himself. Without family support, he found refuge with drug dealers who provided food and shelter.

One of his earliest memories captures the heartbreak of his condition: as a young child, he tried to clean up what he thought was a finished meal — not realizing it was his father’s drugs on the table. He simply couldn’t hear what was happening around him.

The Road to Hearing Aids

Gene first approached HearingLife in February 2018 — not by his own initiative, but brought in by a friend. Skeptical and guarded after a lifetime of hearing “no,” he didn’t expect help and didn’t particularly want it. The clinic couldn’t fit him that day, but they didn’t give up on him. They continued calling him back every six months for hearing tests. In 2022, after years of annual nominations, Gene was selected for hearing aids through the Campaign for Better Hearing.

Hearing for the first time as an adult was overwhelming — the sound of running water confused him, turn signals startled him, and his seatbelt alarm was entirely new. But it changed everything.

Paying It Forward

With his hearing restored, Gene threw himself into community service. Currently, he rescues and trains German Shepherds, and donates them to veterans with PTSD. He volunteers at feeding programs in Los Angeles (serving 500 homeless people at a time), and participated in Tony Robbins’ Dream Center relief efforts in California, distributed aid to wildfire victims.

Sheena’s Story

While volunteering at a homeless shelter, Gene recognized a woman named Sheena who was being screamed at and couldn’t understand why — the same body language of confusion and withdrawal he knew from his own life. Using pen and paper, he communicated with her, kept her from being thrown back onto the streets, and connected her with HearingLife. He also separated her from her abusive partner by getting them placed in different facilities far apart.

Sheena went on to receive hearing aids through the Campaign for Better Hearing. She is now on the Dean’s List in college, has her own home, is starting a business, and has been reunited with her children. She also fought and survived cervical cancer — crediting her hearing as essential to advocating for herself through that battle.

Gene was joined by good friend Jr.

Gene’s Message

When asked what he would say to his former self, he reflected:

“I’m sorry and thank you for all the struggles and all the things I had to go through — they made me who I am today. Get up, stand up, and never give up. Help the people. Help your people.”

As a surprise, HearingLife presented Gene with new Oticon Intent hearing aids, replacing a pair that had broken just before the eveinformation.

Final thoughts

Gene was the first winner of hearing aids for the Campaign for Better Hearing.  He and Kathleen have now gotten 10 people hearing aids.

A video of Gene’s Hearing Testimonial is HERE.

HearingLife is a major North American hearing care retailer that operates over 600 locations across 42 U.S. states and roughly 350 stores in Canada. It is owned by the Demant Group, a global leader in hearing healthcare and the world’s second-largest hearing aid manufacturer. 

[Photos: Gene Sweeney]

Weaver Patricia A, Weaver P. conveyed 321 Perry St. to Maverick Equity LLC for $30,000.

William C. Gochenauer conveyed 343 N. Third St. to Robert Reyes for $170,500.

Karen Derr conveyed 305 Cherry St. to First Choice Home Buyers LLC for $100,000.

Heaps Amanda, Bedwell Amanda M. conveyed 292 S. Fifth St. to Heaps Amanda, Heaps Chris for $1.

Santiago Jose A, Murillo Jolinda A. conveyed 170 S. Fifth St. to Allen Tyrone A, Frey Allen Chasity, Allen Chasity Frey for $295,000.

Halterman Corey S, Halterman Corey conveyed 138 S. Sixth St. to Galicia Diana Emperatriz Arevalo for $220,000.

The estate of Eugenia L. Clinton conveyed 531 Manor St. to Olivia Clinton for $1.

Awakened Properties LLC conveyed 852 Blunston St. to FMJ Real Estate LLC for $144,000.

Valley View Capital LLC conveyed 30 S. Fifth St. to Kauffman Property Group LLC for $205,000.

Brothers Brothers Properties LLC conveyed 495 Manor St. to Krystal L. Campbell for $185,000.

Alec Cannon conveyed 46 S. Eighth St. to Luttman John, Yarnall V, Yarnall Kayla for $220,000.

This week’s photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Enjoying the view 

Also at the river was this 3D camera that operators were using to take photos of the bridge, in preparation for the upcoming rehabilitation project. The camera is similar to the one on the Google car used for photographing street views.

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Working on the railroad: Workers unloaded this prefab track switche.

It arrived by rail. Well, of course it did.

This structure, which has been sitting there for over a decade, most likely figures into the project somehow. 

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There’s some artfully done sidewalk graffiti.

Victoria’s Cleaning and Maintenance drove by. The phone numbers are on the car. 

More dirt is being moved at the South 9th Street project. 

Exclusive offers out along the highway 

Those unsightly trailers at the former Cycle Den have finally been removed. 

Don’t forget to set your yard waste bags out in the morning. 

State Senator James Malone was at Tuesday’s borough council meeting. 

One of the topics discussed was e-bikes. Mayor Lutz said bicycles are not permitted on the sidewalk.

This chart has been posted on the Columbia Borough Police page and differentiates between a motorized pedalcycle and an e-bike. It also states that e-bikes and bicycles are permitted on sidewalks, except in the business district. 

However, a Columbia Borough ordinance states this: 

§ 86-11 Regulations for riding bicycles.

Code/Ch 86: Bicycles

[Amended 7-9-1979 by Ord. No. 555; 12-16-2003 by Ord. No. 726] No person shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk, park, schoolyard or other public place so as to obstruct pedestrian traffic or endanger another person’s safety. No person shall park or let a bicycle stand upon any sidewalk, park, path or any public place where it is an obstruction to pedestrian traffic. No person shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk.

Electric scooters, such as the one on the right shown above, are not permitted anywhere on public property.

Scooters on roadways are dangerous, especially when riders veer into the opposing lane, between oncoming traffic and parked cars.

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