Year: 2015

What's the speed of a Sunday afternoon? Two accidents per hour

The Jeep Cherokee shown below was traveling in the westbound lane on the Veterans Memorial Bridge (Route 462) at about three o’clock this afternoon when it was struck by a Chevy Cavalier traveling east. The Jeep, which was reportedly just purchased yesterday, lost a rear driver’s side wheel, while the Chevy sustained front end damage, including a severely damaged front driver’s side wheel. The accident occurred just beyond the plaza near the entrance to the bridge on the Columbia side. Both vehicles were hauled away by Midway Collision Shop within the hour.

50 minutes later, at about 4 p.m., officers left the scene to respond to another accident a block away at Third and Poplar Streets, where a Hyundai Elantra had apparently “T-boned” a Chevy Trail Blazer.  Air bags deployed in both vehicles.

About Town

Recent pics . . .

 This truck was spotted in the Turkey Hill Experience parking lot on Saturday.
 Just painted – the border of the new BB&T sign

Work in progress at Fourth and Locust – 
A worker said the “walls” will actually be planters.

Allentown police help arrest alleged Lancaster city shooter

Julius Craig, 18, formerly of Columbia, was arrested in Allentown Thursday based on an attempted homicide warrant issued in Lancaster in September. (Lancaster City Police / Submitted photo)

Borough looks to collect on sewer liens

Columbia Borough is currently collating information on properties with sewer liens, with an eye towards collecting on those debts. Since Lancaster Area Sewer Authority (LASA) recently assumed responsibility for collecting quarterly sewer fees, regular billing will no longer be done by the borough. Columbia Spy has obtained information through a Right-to-Know request on properties, owners, and outstanding lien amounts.  Several liens have accumulated interest, and some are over 10 years old. According to the document PROPERTIES WITH LIENS 11/10/15 provided by the borough office, lien amounts total $14,810.66, with the total amount due with fees listed as $35,189.94. It was noted at last Monday’s Columbia Borough Council meeting that total uncollected fees eight years ago were $150,000.

The document below lists current outstanding liens, with individual amounts and totals.  47 properties are listed. Columbia Spy has redacted names, addresses, and account numbers at this time.

Click/tap image for sharper view.

SCCA offers painting class November 14

The Susquehanna Center for the Creative Arts is offering another painting class with Angel Bentivegna at their location at 224 Locust Street, Columbia.

For more information and to sign up, go here:

http://sccaartstore.com – Go to classes and sign up thru Eventbrite or call 717-576-9628.

Ange’s first workshop on Monet was a great success!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153252609785665&set=pcb.10153252612380665&type=3&theater

ADA access? That's just plain crazy!

The ADA access to nowhere that we reported on previously HERE has recently become even more absurd.  A small section of fence has been added to prevent pedestrians from exiting onto Norfolk Southern property and walking near the railroad tracks. 
 And yet, the rear egress opens to an area a few feet from the tracks. So what’s the point of the fence?

The placement of this ADA makes no sense. Pedestrians crossing from the Eastern Drillers building to this ADA will either exit “out the back” onto Norfolk Southern property next to the tracks – or go forward and then right onto Front Street (into traffic), then make another right onto the crossing to Columbia River Park. 
And what use is the pedestrian push button shown above?

Here’s another view of the rear egress. (Part of the new fence can be seen on the right.) 
Although this structure is probably compliant with regulations governing ADA at traffic lights, it doesn’t adhere to common sense. In fact, unless some sort of modifications are made, it will remain downright absurd.