Restaurant Inspections – Columbia Borough – February 27, 2026

King’s Butcher Shop, 15 S. Third St., Columbia, Feb. 21. Pass. Prepackaged ground beef from the facility’s other retail store is not labeled properly with a distributed-by statement. A working container of sanitizer was stored with bagged pretzels.

King’s Country Flavorites, 15 S. Third St., Columbia, Feb. 21. Pass. Observed employee rinsing out a flowerpot in the designated hand-wash sink.

Li’l Stacks Pa, 15 S. Third St., Columbia, Feb. 21. Pass. Food employee (owner) observed preparing food and not wearing a beard cover. The hand-wash sink does not have water at a temperature of at least 85 F. The fuse for the hot-water heater had blown; fuse was replaced and hot water was restored.

Columbia Presbyterian Celebration, 360 Locust St., Columbia, complaint, Feb. 18. Pass. No violations.

Park Elementary School, 50 S. Sixth St., Columbia, Feb. 18. Pass. No violations.

Columbia High School, 901 Ironville Pike, Columbia, Feb. 17. Pass. No violations.

Taylor Middle School, 45 N. Ninth St., Columbia, Feb. 17. Pass. No violations.

Smoke N Chill, 353 Cherry St., Columbia, Feb. 17. Pass. New food facility in operation more than 90 days and has not employed a certified food employee as required. The food facility does not maintain Food Employee Certification records as required. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair: observed water leaking at the drainpipe of the hand-wash sink and the three-compartment sink.

Local business owner questions council about controversial email

Jesse Sweigart addressed council Tuesday night about allegations in an email sent to borough officials. 

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

An email sent to borough officials and others in recent weeks is raising questions about alleged misconduct, internal conflicts, and lack of transparency in Columbia Borough government.

Jesse Sweigart, local business owner and administrator of columbiapa.online, says that the email, which references incidents involving borough officials between 2024 and 2025, contains allegations  that point to ethical issues in the borough. He says officials have stayed silent despite being aware of the email, and asked for them to take action. 

Sweigart read from a prepared statement when he addressed council at the February 24, 2026 Columbia Borough Council meeting.  

“Why has nobody publicly addressed or called for an investigation into the troubling email that every news organization and several elected officials have already received?” Sweigart asked. “The public is aware that something is wrong. The silence only makes it worse.”

Sweigart said the email contains “graphic and disturbing” allegations about inappropriate images sent on borough-issued devices. He said the email also mentions missing records and internal pressure on employees. He asked for council’s acknowledgment that the email exists, as well as for an independent review. He noted, however, that none of the allegations have been verified. 

“No one is asking this council to declare guilt,” Sweigart continued. “What the community is asking is for acknowledgement, transparency and a commitment to due process.” He said that if the allegations are false, council’s admission would clear the air. “Why hasn’t anyone suggested even a preliminary inquiry? If the allegations are false, then why not say so we can clear the air?” 

“I urge this council to acknowledge the existence of this email and concerning nature, because I spoke to a few of you, and we know it exists,” Sweigart said.

Zink: “You’re demanding we tell you things…that we’re legally not allowed to discuss.”

Ultimately, officials ignored Sweigart’s concerns. Heather Zink, council vice president, reacted defensively. “You all act like you’re calling for investigation and this and that. How do you know we haven’t already done anything—because we haven’t told you?” Zink asked. “You said you’re not demanding action, but yet you are demanding action.” Zink said council cannot legally discuss the issues, because they’re personnel matters. 

Evan Gabel, borough solicitor, agreed, saying the borough cannot and will not comment on personnel matters. 

Columbia Borough School District board member resigns | Community News | lancasteronline.com

MORGAN HUBER | FOR LNP | LANCASTERONLINE

When: Columbia Borough school board meeting, Feb. 19.

What happened: The board approved the resignation of member Nathan Roach, effective Feb. 20. Roach, who has served on the board since February 2024, was reelected last November; he co-chaired the policy committee. In his resignation letter, Roach stated he will be moving out of Columbia, making him ineligible to serve on the board.

Quote: “It has been my honor and pleasure to work alongside you all. However, life has been taking me in another direction and a new chapter is beginning,” Roach stated in his letter. “I wish you all the best and will be cheering you on from a distance. CBSD will forever hold a place in my heart.”

What’s next: A spot now remains open on the school board. Columbia residents who are interested in serving may apply for the vacant position by Feb. 27 through the district website. All applicants must be at least 18 and have lived in the borough for at least one year. Letters of interest may either be delivered to the school district office or submitted by email to board President Charles Leader, Superintendent Ashley Rizzo, or Secretary Lindsey Blake.

More: The remaining eight active board members will hold interviews at their March 3 meeting. The newly appointed board member will serve through Dec. 6, 2027, the remainder of Roach’s two-year term.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/regional/columbia-borough-school-district-board-member-resigns/article_549b7091-d11a-4187-97db-904adef7eff5.html

About Town—February 22, 2026

This week’s photos of Columbia
Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Snowman, possibly laughing at us tonight 

February is Black History Month.

A unique use of a traffic cone

La Biblia

In the historic district 

Not much change from last time

(Habitat for Humanity Linden Street Build)

Tollbooth Antiques 

Bootleg Antiques 

The bell is still there on Chestnut Street.

Checking a hydrant 

Seagulls doing seagull things

A hawk was watching nearby 

The river at the beginning of the week

Police cars at Columbia Crossing 

When you don’t have an engine to pull the train cars, just use a truck. 

Heading out in the fog 

There they go!

Some fog photos from around town . . .

Saturday evening’s sunset . . .

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