Contractors stopped from making unapproved changes on historic buildings

Earlier this week, a contractor tried to remove a dormer from atop 147-149 Locust Street.  Said contractor did not have a permit to perform any such work within the historic district, of which this address is a part. A code enforcement officer stopped the procedure and posted a STOP WORK notice on the property.  The notice is shown below.

 A contractor attempted to remove the dormer shown above.

 The work was halted, and a STOP WORK notice was posted by Code Enforcement Officer George Weis.

The very next day, a contractor began work - again, without a permit  - at 212-214 Locust Street, another property in the historic district, this one owned by Samuel Bigler. The work was halted, and a STOP WORK sign was posted on this property as well. Any such work in the historic district must first be reviewed by the Historic Architectural Review Board to maintain the integrity of structures with historic value in the borough.

The STOP WORK notice at 212-214 Locust that no longer appears on the property.

The Columbia Borough Historic District

Clown threat to Columbia schools found to be bogus

Shown below is a notice from Columbia Borough School District regarding a supposed "clown threat" to Columbia schools. The district also notified residents via an automated phone call. The threat was found to be bogus. 

Bridge Bust postponed until Oct. 15 | Local News | lancasteronline.com

The 28th annual Bridge Bust, scheduled for Saturday Oct. 1, has been postponed until Saturday Oct. 15, due to the weather forecast for showers.
MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/bridge-bust-postponed-until-oct/article_6eec404e-8747-11e6-9ad0-a343a34b1b0b.html

Columbia Borough Blighted Properties Report

The following Columbia Borough properties are determined to be in various stages of blight. Owners and stages of blight are shown below: 

Doolittle property at 10-12 N. 2nd to be auctioned

A public auction for the property at 10-12 North Second Street will be held on December 6, 2016.  The auction notice describes the structure as a "3-story Historic Warehouse." Terms are $10,000 down on the day of sale with settlement within 45 days.  The property was recently listed for sale for $350,000. The building was formerly home to Becker's Potato Chip Factory and is currently owned by David and Suzanne Doolittle.

Bridge Bust postponed until October 15

Family First Health to hold open house and ribbon cutting October 6

Join Family First Health on Thursday, Oct. 6 for an open house and ribbon cutting at its new Columbia Center.

Get a tour and meet the staff from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ribbon cutting will be at 4 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided at that time.

Coloring sheets and a photo booth will be available for kids (and kids at heart). 

Family First Health - Columbia Center
369 Locust St., Columbia
717-342-2577
FamilyFirstHealth.org


Hours of operation startingMonday, Oct. 10:
Monday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Thursday: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Black Olive to have ribbon cutting, 20% discount

Black Olive Family Diner, 1506 Lancaster Avenue, will have a ribbon cutting next Tuesday, October 4, at 9 a.m.

20% of your entire bill 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Family First pre-registration Thursday and Friday

Family First Health at 369 Locust Street will hold pre-registration Thursday and Friday, September 29 & 30. There will be a ribbon-cutting on Thursday, October 6.

Recent citations from Columbia Borough Police

Police arrest man for taking light fixture cover from Veterans Memorial Bridge

SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

JOSE ANGEL PEREZ, AGE 51, FROM COLUMBIA, WAS CHARGED WITH THEFT BY UNLAWFUL TAKING OR DISPOSITION, M-2 AND CRIMINAL MISCHIEF-DAMAGE PROPERTY-SUMMARY CASE, FOR AN INCIDENT THAT HAPPENED 07/21/2016.  LOPEZ UNLAWFULLY TOOK OR EXERCISED UNLAWFUL CONTROL OVER A MOVABLE BRASS PLATE, (LIGHT FIXTURE COVERING), FROM ONE OF THE LIGHTS ON THE ROUTE 462, VETERAN'S MEMORIAL BRIDGE.  THE BRASS COVER IS VALUED AT APPROX. $200.00. CHARGES WERE FILED 09/19/2016.

CHARGES WERE FILED, 9/19/2016, ON ARIES A. DRUMM, AGE 20, OF LEOLA, FOR THEFT OF CASH FROM KEAGY'S PRODUCE, ON OR ABOUT 16 SEPT. 2016.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF TO AUTOMOBILES WAS REPORTED BY A MOUNTVILLE RESIDENT, WHILE SHE WAS TRAVELING ON WEST ON THE IRONVILLE PIKE, ON THE 20TH. OF SEPTEMBER 2016, WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE AND THEN FOUND HER REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WAS DAMAGED.   POLICE ALSO RECEIVED A REPORT OF CRIMINAL MISCHIEF TO A VEHICLE IN THE 200 BLOCK OF SOUTH 5TH. STREET, 25 SEPTEMBER 2016, WHEN THE OWNER FOUND DAMAGE TO HIS WINDSHILED.  THERE WERE ALSO FRAGMENTS OF BLUE PAINT & SMALL SPLINTERS OF WOOD  FOUND NEAR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.  ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE COLUMBIA BOROUGH POLICE DEPT., AT (717)684-7735.

BRIAN A. NAPOLI, AGE 36, OF PHILADELPHIA, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS, ON ROUTE 30 & ROUTE 441, 25 SEPTEMBER 2016.

WILLIAM VAUGHN MORANT, AGE 25, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED AND FOR CARELESS DRIVING, IN THE 100 BLOCK OF MILL STREET, 21 SEPTEMBER 2016.

GREGORY ALAN BOWLING, AGE 62, LAST KNOWN ADDRESS, DAYTON, OHIO, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF CHERRY ST., 24 SEPTEMBER 2016. 

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

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ARE CLOWNS TERRORIZING THE TOWN?

The following article is about clowns in Lebanon County, but they're running around Columbia too:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/police-in-lebanon-county-neighborhood-to-increase-patrols-after-clown/article_fefdbdd4-83ff-11e6-a599-3b268755404e.html#comments

Individuals dressed as clowns are running around Columbia tonight, trying to scare residents, according to social media reports. Police and others are said to be chasing them down.

New recycling bins available to residents

FOR SALE: BIGLER PROPERTY AT 208-210 LOCUST - $74,900

For more information, go HERE.

The following notice appeared on Lancaster Online at the beginning of this year. It's not clear what steps, if any, were taken to correct the blighting conditions.

In the summer of 2015, the building was determined to be in danger of collapse.

What changes do you want to see in Columbia?

Bring your ideas on Wednesday.

Pre-School Pals at library today

3 meetings in store for Monday, Sept. 26

5 p.m. A Special Meeting of the Columbia Borough Council will be held for candidate interviews for Market House Manager.

6 p.m. Special Borough Council Meeting / Joint Meeting of Columbia Borough Council and Columbia Borough School Board regarding the Land Bank.

7 p.m. Meeting of the Finance Committee.

The meetings will be held at Borough Hall, 308 Locust Street.

About Town

Some shots about town this weekend . . .

At some point on Friday or Saturday, a vehicle took out a NO PARKING sign along Front Street, near Locust:

The Bigler property at 208-210 Locust is up for sale:

There's another sign down (near the River Park entrance):

On Saturday, the river was about three feet below normal:

Market manager candidate offers proposal for position

At 5 o'clock on Monday afternoon, September 26, Columbia Borough Council will hold a special meeting to interview three candidates for the position of market house manager for the Columbia Historic Market House. A proposal by Christopher Vera, a candidate for the position, is presented HERE.

Kat Oliver reception at SCCA on 4th Friday

4th Friday offers a wealth of activities

This evening is Fourth Friday. Visit one of the participating galleries or venues between 5 and 9 pm. Enjoy the exhibits and artist receptions planned at the galleries.

Help us celebrate the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Rebellious Rose Wax Company (408 Locust St, Columbia). The ribbon cutting will be held at 5:30 pm but the festivities will extend beyond that.  Help SVCC greet this new business.

Make an evening of it! Stop by Locust Street Park and the 500 block of Locust St in Columbia between 5 and 7:30 pmto take part in the third annual Feet in the Street Art Show.  

Enjoy a variety of fare from participating food trucks, then linger to enjoy the magic of Daniel Clemente by the gazebo.  Bring the whole family to enjoy the art activities including an art display by CHS students.  Leave your footprint or handprint, create a chalk drawing in the street, participate in a string art creation, decorate a mask or bookmark, help with a mural, or take advantage of the face painting. Food trucks will linger until 8 pm. 

Feet in the Street Art Show is made possible through the sponsorships of Paul W Zimmerman Foundries, St John's Herr Estate, and Covanta.

Feet in the Street at 4th Friday Celebration

Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce invites the public to participate in the Feet in the Street Art Show, a free community event coordinated by SVCC. Hands-on art activities for all ages, magic, and food trucks will be located in the 500 Block of Locust Street and in Locust Street Park. The event will be held on Friday, September 23, from 5-7:30 p.m., with the food trucks staying until 8 p.m.

 

Hands-on activities such as chalk drawing in the street, make and take crafts, and giant string art may be enjoyed by the young and young at heart.  Our guests may meander to the Feet in the Street foot painting area to leave their footprint in paint. Willing attendees may dip one or both feet in various buckets containing different colors of paint to leave a personal imprint on the newsprint provided.

At 6:30, attendees are invited to join in the wonder of The Magic of Daniel Clemente.  The interactive magic show for all ages will take place by the gazebo in the park from approximately 6:30-7:30 p.m.  Throughout the evening, the public is invited to enjoy art displays from Columbia High School which will be found in Locust Street Park.

We also encourage the public to venture out to the Fourth Friday participating galleries and shops. Fabshop (26 N Fourth St) will be celebrating their last night at their current location with a moving sale and their "Trilogy of Artists" exhibit, Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen (50 Lancaster Ave) is offering live music and specials in honor of their upcoming retirement and Susquehanna Center for the Creative Arts (224 Locust St) will host "Kat Oliver's Fine Art Photography.  Visitors can find a complete listing of locations at our website, http://parivertowns.com/m/events/view/Fourth-Friday.

Our food truck vendors include the following: Rt 30 W Seafood (crab cakes, shrimp, clam strips), Crave (burgers, pulled pork, grilled Panini), Rocky's BBQ (brisket, pulled pork, ribs, mac & cheese), Scoops Ice Cream & Grille (cheese steak, chicken tenders, french fries, hand dipped ice cream, milkshakes), Sven's Café (pork tacos, shrimp tacos, Cuban food), and Half Nuts Popcorn (flavored popcorn and caramel corn).

This year's event is sponsored by Paul W Zimmerman Foundries, Covanta Lancaster, and by St. John's Herr Estate, a Luthercare Community. Money raised benefits the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, which coordinates Fourth Friday.

Garth Gallery to host two artists on 4th Friday

500 block of Locust to be closed 4-9 pm Friday, Sept. 23

Mayor Lutz honors Columbia general at hall of fame ceremony

Annville, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs today inducted two new members into its Hall of Fame, recognizing their exceptional service to the department, the Pennsylvania National Guard and Pennsylvania veterans. 

Honored today were the late Maj. Gen. Edward C. Shannon, who served in the Pennsylvania National Guard and as Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 1930 to 1935; and The Honorable Jessica L. Garfola Wright, who retired as an Under Secretary with the Department of Defense and served as Pennsylvanias 50th adjutant general.

"Whether you call them Pennsylvania patriots, citizen soldiers or public servants, they both have one thing in common. They have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania National Guard and the United States with military and public service careers that have spanned decades, said Brig. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania adjutant general. So today, we honor their legacy of service as they take their rightful place in the DMVA Hall of Fame. 

Shannon, of Columbia, Lancaster County, was born in 1870. He began his military career in 1889, when he enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard. He advanced through the noncommissioned officer ranks and obtained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1893. During World War I, he earned the nickname "Two Yard" because of the reputation he developed for leading his men from the front ("two yards" ahead) during their attacks on German positions. After WW I, Shannon was promoted to Brigadier General. From 1930 to 1935, he served as Lieutenant Governor and from 1933 to 1939, he served as Major General and commander of the 28th Infantry Division. Shannon died in Columbia, Pennsylvania, on May 20, 1946, and is buried at Laurel Hill Memorial Gardens in Lancaster County.  

The Borough of Columbia has been the home to many brave men and women who have served their country, some who have paid the supreme sacrifice and some who have distinguished themselves in service to their country, said Leo Lutz, Columbia Borough mayor. The citizens of the Borough of Columbia are honored to have Major General Edward Caswell Shannon as one of its distinguished generals and greatly appreciate the honor you have bestowed on him today." 

Wright, of Shermans Dale, Perry County, served as the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness with the Department of Defense (DoD) from Jan. 2013 until her retirement in April 2015. In this position, Wright was the senior policy advisor to the Secretary of Defense on recruitment, career development, pay and benefits for 1.4 million active duty military personnel, 1.1 million Guard and Reserve personnel, 748,000 DoD civilians, and was responsible for overseeing the overall state of military readiness. Her distinguished 35-year career of military service culminated with her final assignment as The Adjutant General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania where she retired as a Major General in 2010. In this Cabinet-level position, she was responsible for command, control and supervision of all Air and Army National Guard units allocated to Pennsylvania, six state-owned veterans' homes, and programs for Pennsylvania's one million veterans.

Prior to this assignment, she served as Deputy Adjutant General for the PA Army National Guard. Her firsts include becoming the first female Army aviator in the Army National Guard and the first female maneuver brigade commander in the Army.

"No leader at the Department of Defense was more respected than Jessica Wright, said former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. She effectively led one of the most complicated and vital departments in the DoD with commitment and precision."‎  The DMVA Hall of Fame, established in 1998, recognizes unique and exemplary contributions to the department and the Pennsylvania National Guard. This award not only recognizes significant achievements, but also the honor and prestige an individual has brought upon the department, the Pennsylvania National Guard and Pennsylvania veterans. It is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the department. 

Columbia's Edward C.Shannon named to military hall of fame

GO HERE:

http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/09/pa_department_of_military_and.html