Final signs go up on Walnut Street as project nears completion

A worker uses a core drill to create holes for signposts.

By Columbia Spy-

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Crews installed signage Tuesday afternoon along the 100 and 200 blocks of Walnut Street, the final step in the Walnut Street project.

To install the signs, a worker used a core drill to bore holes into the new sidewalk. The holes will hold the signposts.

Among the signs installed were a one-way sign and a combination of a “No Right Turn” sign with a supplemental “No Parking” sign restricting parking on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The no-parking signs were posted along the street and near the intersection with Front Street. 

Workers with Atlas Flasher & Supply Co., Inc., carried out the work. 
This sign was placed in a tree well.
Some signs, like this one, stand well above eye level.

Mayor Lutz declares 100 & 200 blocks of Walnut Street one-way westbound

By Columbia Spy-

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Mayor Leo Lutz has declared the 100 and 200 blocks of Walnut Street one-way westbound, according to an official notice from the Borough of Columbia dated October 8, 2026.

The declaration follows completion of construction and line-painting on the two blocks that narrowed the roadway to a single vehicle lane and a two-way bike lane. In the notice, Lutz said the change was made so the corridor can be traveled safely.

The one-way designation is temporary. It remains in effect until borough council ratifies it within seven days. The October 13, 2026 council meeting agenda lists “Ordinance 2026-968 One-way Walnut Street” under New Business. If council approves the ordinance, the one-way designation will become permanent. 

In the meantime, drivers who use Walnut Street should expect westbound-only travel on the 100 and 200 blocks while the declaration is in effect.

Columbia school board rejects changing stadium name to honor coaches Jack Yohe and Mike Burke

By Columbia Spy-

CHRISTY RAE AMMONS | | For LNP | LancasterOnline

When: Columbia Borough School Board committee meeting, Oct. 6.

What happened: Board members discussed a prior request to name the football field and stadium after two former coaches, John “Jack” Yohe and Michael Burke. Member Thomas Zeigler spoke in support of the naming; however, President Charles Leader, Vice President Lauren VonStetten and other members opposed it, noting that other requests to name buildings and fields had been denied.

Quotable: “I respect the work that Jack and Mike put into the program. There’s no question they should be honored,” said Leader, adding, “Once we do it (name a facility), then somebody’s going to want us to do it again and again and again …. There’s an end line somewhere and we’re trying to draw that now.”

Details: Since a majority of the board was against the request, a consensus was reached. Rather than naming the football complex after the coaches, several board members proposed finding other ways to uphold their legacy, such as creating a scholarship in their names.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-school-board-rejects-stadium-naming-proposal-considers-other-ways-to-honor-coaches/article_262fee35-3a66-4722-8325-cc86395a7fd2.html

Deeds Recorded — Columbia Borough — October 12, 2026

By Columbia Spy-

The estate of Grace E. Sholly conveyed 228 Cedar St. to Vero Homes LLP for $40,000.

Desanctis Christopher, Morris Kylie L. conveyed 755 Locust St. to Aziz Samy Tawfik for $140,000.

Tynes Sherie L, Weaver Cathy A. conveyed 314 Perry Street to Ewing Ashley N, Ewing Robert Russell for $160,000.

Barley Matthew F, Barley Ellen R. conveyed 419 Chestnut St. to Jacqueline N. Morales for $270,000.

Second two-vehicle crash in a week at 5th & Chestnut Sunday afternoon

By Columbia Spy-

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

A two-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of North Fifth and Chestnut Streets around 2:10 p.m. Sunday. No injuries were reported. Rain was falling at the time, and the roadway was wet.

 A white Nissan sedan and a gray Toyota Prius were involved in the crash. Both drivers immediately moved their vehicles out of the intersection to the curb along Chestnut Street, in front of the Columbia Borough District Administration Center building. The Prius sustained front-end damage. The Nissan was also damaged.

Columbia Borough Police officers responded with three patrol vehicles. A Hellam Fire Co. duty officer’s vehicle also stopped at the scene. The Prius was towed by Patriot Towing & Transport. The Nissan was driven from the scene. An officer cleared debris from the intersection. 

Sunday’s crash is the second at the intersection in just over a week. A similar accident occurred there on the evening of  October 3.

Legislation would make window tint an inspection issue [Lancaster Watchdog] | Local News | lancasteronline.com

By Columbia Spy-

Rep. Pat Gallagher, a Democrat serving Northeast Philadelphia, introduced legislation in April 2025 that would require inspection stations to measure how much light tinted windows allow to pass through using a tint meter.

Windows blocking more than 70% of light — the limit set by Pennsylvania law — would fail.

House Bill 1142 would also require window tint businesses that install darker-than-legal tint to inform customers that they will be in violation of state law. Failure to do so would be a violation of the Pennsylvania Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/legislation-would-make-window-tint-an-inspection-issue-and-a-jarring-journey-on-dillerville-road/article_700134fe-361c-465f-813d-11a739633f02.html

Geraldo Maldonado Jr. Dies In SCI Huntingdon Prison | Daily Voice

By Columbia Spy-

Geraldo J. Maldonado Jr.

[Photo: Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office]

Geraldo J. Maldonado Jr., 43, was found unresponsive in his cell at the State Correctional Institution at Huntingdon on Monday, Oct. 5, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

MORE:

https://dailyvoice.com/article/geraldo-maldonado-jr-dies-in-sci-huntingdon-prison/

Third Street Bridge Inspection over Rt 30 in Columbia | October 13 & 14

By Columbia Spy-

Expect lane restrictions and travel delays on Route 30 during daylight work hours.

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that upcoming inspections will be conducted on the Third Street (Route 3441) bridge over Route 30 in Columbia Borough, Lancaster County. Expect lane restrictions and travel delays on Route 30 during daylight work hours.

Weather permitting, work will be performed in the eastbound lanes of Route 30 under Third Street between mile markers 254.2 and 254.4 on Tuesday, October 13, from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

Work will be performed in the westbound lanes of Route 30 under Third Street between mile markers 254.4 and 254.2 on Wednesday, October 14, from 9:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

https://www.pa.gov/agencies/penndot/news-and-media/newsroom/district-8/2026/third-st-bridge-inspection-over-rt-30-in-columbia-borough-lancas