Month: April 2017

Little lost ducklings at River Park – No mother duck in sight!

 Two ducklings were hiding in the weeds at Columbia River Park this afternoon.

 They looked like they’d lost their way and didn’t know what to do.

 Mother duck was nowhere to be found. They were all alone.

But there’s a happy ending!
Columbia Spy corralled the young ‘uns and then called ORCA, the Organization for the Responsible Care of Animals. An employee drove from Lancaster and placed the ducklings in a carrier. He said he was expecting such a call, because pet owners often dump ducklings near the water around Easter, thinking they will adapt to the environment. He identified these two as Khaki Campbells and said they instead would have died slowly from starvation – or quickly from predators. He said these two were literally “sitting ducks” at the mercy of this kind of environment. 
It’s possible they will be taken to Chloe’s Creek in Mount Joy, a domestic water fowl rescue, to live out their lives in safety and tranquility.

Sample a Taste of the River Towns at April 23 restaurant fair in Columbia

Sample a Taste of the River Towns at April 23 restaurant fair in Columbia. 

Tickets for food and beverage samples at the tasting event, scheduled from 4-6:30 p.m. at St. John’s Herr Estate, 200 Luther Lane, Columbia, cost $20 per person. The event is limited to 200 people.

Easter Sunday fire at 2nd & Walnut

Multiple units responded to a one-alarm fire at 200 Walnut Street today just before 6 p.m. The fire was quickly knocked down.

According to the Columbia Fire Department Station 80 Facebook page:

Columbia Borough Fire Department Station 80 and mutual aid departments where dispatched to the area of Walnut and North 2nd street around 6pm. Caller reporting smoke filling the upstairs. Crews arrived to find fire in the attic area of a home at the end of a row. Command requested working fire assignment and crews went to work to knock the fire down. I believe the fire was contained to the attic area. Correct me if we are wrong please.

Columbia Borough Fire Department Station 80 was assisted by crews from Wrightsville Fire & Rescue Company 41, Fire Department Mount Joy, West Hempfield Fire/Rescue, Maytown-East Donegal Township Fire Department, Pioneer Fire Company No. 1 Marietta, PA., Rohrerstown Fire Company, Mountville Fire Company No. 1, Susquehanna Valley EMS and fire police from Columbia and Marietta.

Photos below: Angel Rodriguez

Librarians Across America Are Using Their Powers For Political Good

“The current administration’s early stances on civil liberties are troubling. There are indications that they would support changes that could curtail free expression, whether it’s ending net neutrality or changing libel laws to make it easier to sue someone for saying unpleasant but true things about you.”
MORE:

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_58efe607e4b0bb9638e2a409?ncid=NEWSSTAND0001

Which brochure is which?

The brochure shown on the left was mailed recently to Columbia residents. The one on the right was created by the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and is available at various locations in the borough.

Due to confusion regarding the new “Historic Columbia” brochure that residents received in the mail recently, Columbia Spy spoke with a representative of the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber did not create the new brochure (shown above left). Their brochure (right) is aimed at visitors and is not mailed to residents.

Columbia Spy also contacted the borough manager and passed on complaints received directly from residents. Some residents said the list of businesses and map in the new brochure were incomplete.

Seasonal code info on outdoor burning & garage/yard sales

Outdoor Burning on Private Property (Fire Pits)

Permit/Application
A permit is required for any outdoor burning. Applications are available on the Borough’s website (www.columbiapa.net) or at the Borough Office (308 Locust Street). Application fees are set by resolution and an Outdoor Burning Permit is currently $25.00.

Inspection
The Fire Chief or his/her designee will contact the Applicant to make an appointment to inspect the proposed burn area and will approve or deny the application based on his/her findings.

Once approved, the outdoor fire device shall not be relocated or replaced without reapplication, inspection and approval.

Rules Regarding Outdoor Burning
Every outdoor fire shall be burned in, and confined to, a noncombustible, ventilated container covered with a screen of 1/2 inch or smaller mesh or with other noncombustible containers or incinerators.

Every resident must have an approved extinguishment agent on-site and operational at all times when the fire is burning.

No such fire shall be closer than 10 feet from any building or structure.

No fire is allowed to burn upon any day except between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST.

No such fire shall be allowed to burn unless attended by an adult.

Garage/Yard Sales
Permit
No permit is required for a resident to have a Garage/Yard Sale
Restrictions regarding Garage/Yard Sales:
Items to be sold
Items to be sold at garage sales must belong solely to the household where the sale is held. It shall be unlawful to bring in and sell goods belonging to others or to purchase items specifically to sell at a garage sale, with the exception of such sales conducted on behalf of charitable or service organizations.
Hours of operation
All such sales may be held only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Signs
Only one four-square-foot sign shall be permitted advertising the sale. Such sign shall be located upon the premises where the sale occurs and shall be removed promptly upon the completion of the sale.  ABSOLUTELY NO SIGNS SHALL BE POSTED ON TREES/TELEPHONE POLES/STREET SIGN POLES
Limitations
Garage/yard sales shall be limited to two per calendar year per residence.
No garage sale shall extend beyond a two-day period.

Upcycle at Columbia Crossing Saturday, April 15

Upcycling is all about reusing the items you are about to toss in the trash and turning it into something beautiful. There are great ways to reuse simple items like toilet paper tubes or magazines. 

Get messy and creative on Saturday, April 15, from 10 am to 4 pm at Columbia Crossing. Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority will help you make a seed starter to take home. Plus, design your own beads out of magazines to create a cool keychain. 
Activities are available throughout the day and are great for all ages. Suggested donation of $2 per person to help support programming at Columbia Crossing.