Month: July 2017

Lancaster County SPCA to go out of business, citing 'failed business model & lack of funds'

The shelter said it will cease operations in stages over the next few weeks, with today — Tuesday, July 25 — the last day it will it will accept owner-surrendered pets and stray cats.
MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-county-spca-to-go-out-of-business-citing-failed/article_7d87d3c8-7136-11e7-84bd-ab0efd2a42fa.html

No more homework? Lancaster County students can keep wishing

Bob Hollister, who serves as Eastern Lancaster County and Columbia Borough superintendent, said he doesn’t plan on “entertaining a ‘no homework practice.' “

He said homework has two main benefits: to reinforce or preview learning, and to help parents stay involved in what their children are learning in school.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/no-more-homework-lancaster-county-students-can-keep-wishing/article_6a19f50e-6d86-11e7-9f84-e7a9251c4286.html#comments

PFA VIOLATION AND 2 ADDITIONAL CHARGES

RUTTER, SHIRLEY VALERIA –  Shirley Rutter (35) of Columbia was charged with violating a Protection from Abuse (PFA) order on 07-22-17 after an incident in the 400 blk. of Locust St. Rutter was charged separately on this day also with a theft of services charge after placing an order of delivery food for $115.70 and attempting to send it to the person who had a PFA against her. Rutter admitted to police that she ordered the food as a prank.

Rutter was also recently charged with possession of marijuana on 07-18-17 after an incident in the 400 blk. of Locust St.

Rutter was arraigned at central booking on the PFA charge and committed to prison.


Arrest Date: Saturday, July 22, 2017

Charges:
PFA Violation
Theft of Services
Possession of Marijuana
Source: Columbia Borough Police Department

Council nixes McGinness "Airfield" deal

In a 6-0 vote, Columbia Borough Council voided the agreement of sale with Peggy A. Knoll and James G. McGinness, trustees of the McGinness property at 1020 Manor Street. Council voided the agreement at a special meeting Monday night, because “environmental and/or subsurface conditions of the property are unacceptable to the borough.” At its April 10, 2017 meeting, council voted to consider approval of the sale, pending the outcome of an investigation of the property during a 90-day “due diligence” period.

Councillor Cleon Berntheizel was present via phone at Monday’s meeting, and Councillor Fran FitzGerald was absent.

The backstory of the pending sale of the property is HERE:

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Let's talk about weeds

We’d like to talk about weeds.
In view of all the discussion of the topic lately, we’d like to present Exhibits A and B below:
 Somewhere…in there…is a mailbox.

There it is! 
A relay mailbox at North 5th & Chestnut is safely shrouded among the billowing sumac. Although some folks don’t consider sumac to be a weed, it’s unsightly nonetheless and will quickly take over an area if not attended to – plus, some people are allergic.

Lately, weeds of all kinds have been taking over the town. If the trend persists, our theme song may very well become “Welcome to the Jungle.”

Workers take down dying tree at Mount Bethel

Workers from Doug’s Tree Service spent the afternoon sawing apart a rotted tree at Mount Bethel Cemetery. A few weeks ago, a large limb fell from the aging tree. Also on scene was a 120-foot crane from Bob’s Crane. At $200 an hour, the crane allowed workers to reach extreme high points of the tree. A representative of the cemetery reckoned the tree’s age to be about 100 years old. The bill from Doug’s Tree Service is estimated at $1,900, in addition to costs of operating the crane. Several trees have been removed from the cemetery within the past year due to rot and storm damage.

Hundreds say good-bye to Mary Loreto

Cars line Union Street next to Saint Peters Catholic Church this morning.

Hundreds paid their last respects today to Mary Loreto, who passed away last Wednesday at the age of 91. A Mass of Christian Burial with five concelebrants was held at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church this morning. Mrs. Loreto was buried at Saint Peters Catholic Cemetery on Old Chickies Hill Road.