Year: 2017

Elanco, Columbia administrators look at what worked, what didn't in 1-year partnership sharing superintendent

The Elanco school board on Monday unanimously approved new shared services agreements with Columbia, extending each service except that of Superintendent Bob Hollister and Columbia's director of operations, Tom Strickler.

Columbia's finances are more secure than they were a year ago.

But with major changes coming down the pike, one question remains: Was it worth it?

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/insider/elanco-columbia-administrators-look-at-what-worked-what-didn-t/article_3b39efe0-9da2-11e7-a8ef-0f69350b20e3.html

Hempfield faces scrutiny for approved cell tower site behind Rohrerstown Elementary School

Columbia Borough also has an unspecified number of towers on their school properties, according to the district.
MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/hempfield-faces-scrutiny-for-approved-cell-tower-site-behind-rohrerstown/article_f1a96aa6-9cbe-11e7-989d-a7272cd91db7.html

About Town – Part 2

 Some more pics from around town…

Two officers apprehended three dogs loitering at the clock plaza at 5th & Chestnut last week. Fortunately, the owner responded before the hapless canines were taken away. One person owned all three dogs.
***
Speaking of the clock plaza at 5th & Chestnut, here’s the clock.
It is called “Doc’s Clock” and was paid for, and donated to the citizens of Columbia, by Dr. Stephen Perry and his wife Diane.
 It was dedicated to his – and his wife’s – parents on June 17, 2006.

 A councilperson tells Columbia Spy that the plaza, which includes a brick wall, was constructed by borough workers.

The clock was made by the Electric Time Company of Medfield, Massachusetts.

 An urban legend holds that a former Columbia councilperson’s dentures reside within the wall of the plaza.
***
It took over a week for the town to bounce back from a bad storm on September 5. Much damage was incurred, including downed utility wires (and, in some cases, poles), trees, and tree branches.
  

***
Here are some rims about town…

***
 The codes department has cracked down on the owner of the overgrown, and apparently abandoned, property at 229 North 6th. It was recently condemned.

The grass still has not been mowed and shows several weeks of growth.

Columbia Public Library breaks ground Oct. 1 on 3,400-square-foot expansion, including new 'reading terrace'

The library will break ground at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, on a $2.5 million expansion that will significantly grow their footprint.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-public-library-breaks-ground-oct-on–square-foot/article_b13f9d08-9cb6-11e7-8512-ffcbb2b106d1.html

Relief hearing held for Lancaster man on death row for 2010 slaying of musician in Columbia

Towles was convicted of killing Cornell “Young E-Z” Stewart, 20, following a performance at a Columbia fire hall in May of 2010 and was subsequently found guilty and sentenced to death in 2012.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/relief-hearing-held-for-lancaster-man-on-death-row-for/article_a8123460-9cb2-11e7-af1c-63a0ccade077.html

About Town – Part 1

Recent photos from around Columbia
Bumblebee butt-deep in glory

Hotel Columbia built 1892.
What will be its fate?

Must have been red.

The town needs more of these for smokers to deposit their butts instead of littering.

Decorative brickwork on a chimney on the 500 block of Locust

Ditto

Ghost sign near Plane Street

This building was also a tobacco warehouse about 40 years ago.

Now it’s the Wagon Werks Apartments.

Checking out Old Glory

Quitting time

That’s a mighty steep hill to mow.

 
Religious icon

Something disturbing is happening here.

Friday, September 8
There was an after-school disturbance at 7th & Walnut involving about 40 school kids. Several departments responded to quell the chaos.

Since then, extra personnel, including code enforcement officers, were assigned to monitor the area.

Kid express

On the run

Nice mailbox

Priorities

Indoor sky?

Baby on board

Bike boat?

The eagle has not landed.
(One of two that were flying together.)

Cool ride

Pineapple on the roof of NAWCC

Spying the Spy

Hang in there, Baby – Friday’s coming.

Just married

Someone cracked Rose’s window last week.

It’s right through those doors.

Cats conspiring in Avenue H

Idyllic scene

Praying mantis dining on a cicada.
Nature can be merciless – and disgusting!

Underside of the sky

There’s never time to do it right, but there’s always time to do it over.

All by his lonesome

Raising the flag

Tying it off

Borough Ordinance:

It shall be unlawful for any persons to engage in operating a skateboard, skates or scooter or to ride upon or propel any skateboard, scooter or skates at any time upon the following roadways, and the corresponding curbs and sidewalks located adjacent thereto, all within the Borough of Columbia:
[Amended 4-14-2008 by Ord. No. 789]
(1)
Locust Street from Second Street to Fifth Street;
(2)
Third Street from Cherry to Walnut Street
(3)
Fourth Street from Cherry to Walnut Street;
(4)
State Route 441; and
(5)
State Route 462.

The ordinance was recently amended to include hoverboards.

Look closely

It’s not Groundhog Day – yet, there he is.

Pine cones?

Bigger on the inside

The chameleon circuit must have gotten fixed.

Anywhere in time and space

Fuming at the mouth

The government did away with No Child Left Behind, and look what happened.

THE HILL.
Anyone who attended Columbia High School knows THE HILL.

We’re told a hawk got inside here this past Saturday, and Mass had to be held across the street.

Falcon Properties Holdings is requesting special exception(s) and/or variance(s) to convert a residential property into an independent living home at 108 S. Fourth Street in a High Density Residential (HDR) zoned district.
Bad message
(Submitted photo)

Feet in the Street Art Show features many activities

Columbia Borough Police Officer Holly Oster writes the name of the force’s new Instagram account.

                            And there it is.

The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce held the 4th annual Feet in the Street Art Show at Locust Street Park on Saturday. The free family event featured hands on art activites, dance instruction, student art displays, drum lessons, and entertainment.

The event’s featured entertainment and activities:

                       Street Beats drummers

                                      Painting

                                  Foot printing

                              Face painting

                           And drum lessons.

Market House holds birthday block party, will close at year's end

Gaming characters Fenris and Zelda made an appearance at Sunday’s Market House Birthday Block Party in Columbia.

The Columbia Market House held a birthday block party on Sunday, featuring activities, free hot dogs, and gaming characters. Part of the first block of South 3rd Street was closed off for the celebration.

The event was sponsored by Musser’s Market from Shoppes at Prospect Road, Berks Hot Dogs, Kat’s Sweet Shop, KiLoke, and Windy Lindy’s Old Pretzel Haus. CHI St. Joseph Children’s Health Dental Center and your Healthy Columbia Initiative were also part of the celebration.

The Market House’s last day of operation will be December 17, 2017, after which it will undergo renovations and reopen as a space for community events.

Fenris and Zelda were joined by (l-r) Kyler, Diablo, and Shay Carmac.