Month: April 2018

Can you ID this woman? Suspect in Retail Theft | Columbia Borough Police Department

On 04-17-18 at approx. 2:30PM, the Columbia Borough Police were called to the Genuine Tobacco Store at 960 Lancaster Ave. for a retail theft complaint. Just prior to arrival the pictured female suspect fled from the store and was last seen in the area of Smith’s Hotel. If anyone recognizes the female they are asked to submit a tip below or call the police department at 717-684-7735. Any information on the suspects identity is greatly appreciated.
Date: 

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Case Status:

Case Type:

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/retail-theft-3

Veterans Memorial Bridge project to start a few years later than announced

The Veterans Memorial Bridge rehabilitation project will start a few years later than originally announced, according to information recently received from PennDOT by Columbia Spy. In an April 13 letter, PennDOT spokesman Mark Malhenzie said bridge construction won’t begin until 2022 at the earliest, because the project is only now in its beginning stage. This date contradicts the timeline provided by Mayor Leo Lutz at last month’s Columbia Borough Safety Committee meeting, where he announced that the bridge could be shut down in 2020-21 for construction. Optimistic estimates now put the project’s completion date at 2025, possibly even into 2026.

According to Malhenzie, initial planning phases will begin in a few months and will take several years to complete. The project will bid out to a contractor in January 2022 at the earliest, and actual construction is expected to take more than three years, due to the bridge’s length and unique character. Much of that work timeline, however, will not have any significant effect on traffic, and two lanes will be open as much as possible, especially when work is being done on the underside.

A limited full closure of the bridge is being considered as the most efficient way to perform key work stages, in which case, traffic would be detoured to Route 30. Incident management plans would be developed and coordinated with key local/county/state EMS services, and innovative techniques to reduce the risk of incidents on Route 30 and limit their impact will also need to be implemented. More public involvement will occur in the future to allow feedback and to provide further information.

Columbia Spy previously reported on the bridge project HERE.

Columbia High students provide soundtrack at Reinventing Learning Showcase

The music, mixed and edited by Columbia High School students, provided a soundtrack to one of the IU’s signature annual events highlighting the innovative techniques and programs school districts in Lancaster and Lebanon counties have adopted to redefine learning.
MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/hip-hop-makerspaces-and-virtual-reality-how-are-school-districts/article_7a36e12e-3f89-11e8-a709-3780beb9da53.html

Construction to Begin on Route 23 Bridge over Chickies Creek | West Hempfield Township Police Department

Harrisburg, PA – Construction for the Route 23 (Marietta Avenue) bridge spanning Chickies Creek in West Hempfield and East Donegal townships, Lancaster County, is scheduled to begin during the week of April 30 as part of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. Replacement of this bridge will allow PennDOT to remove it from the list of structurally deficient bridges in Lancaster County.

During construction, drivers will be directed to follow a detour along Route 441 (Chickies Hill Road), Route 30, and Prospect Road (State Route 4001). The new bridge should be completed in late August.

In the event of unfavorable weather or unforeseen activities, this schedule may change. 

This bridge is referred to as JV-253 and is one out of the 558 bridges being replaced under the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project. JV references the joint-venture partnership between Walsh/Granite, which is leading construction for the entire project.

The Rapid Bridge Replacement Project is a public-private partnership (P3) between PennDOT and Plenary Walsh Keystone Partners (PWKP), under which PWKP will finance, design, replace, and maintain the bridges for 25 years. The P3 approach will allow PennDOT to replace the bridges more quickly while achieving significant savings and minimizing impact on motorists.

To see the bridges included in the statewide initiative and to learn more about the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project, visit www.parapidbridges.com. Additional information on P3 programs in Pennsylvania can be found at www.p3forpa.pa.gov or by calling the project hotline at 877-444-9990 or email info@parapidbridges.com.   

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/westhempfieldpd/11465/post/construction-begin-route-23-bridge-over-chickies-creek

RAPANT, Paul William – Possession of Firearm Prohibited and 1 additional charge | Columbia Borough Police Department

Paul William Rapant
On 04-15-2018 at approx. 1:53 PM the Columbia Borough Police were called to the 600 blk. of Manor St. for a trespassing complaint. Information reported to police stated that a Paul Rapant was on scene, refusing to leave and had a handgun in his waistband. Rapant fled the area and was taken into custody in the 600 blk. of Ave. W. The victim stated that Rapant came to her house to retrieve a handgun that he had hidden at her house. When the victim attempted to call 911, Rapant charged at the victim and grabbed her around her neck and pushed her to the ground. Rapant was advised multiple times on 04-15-18 to not be at the address on Manor St.
Paul Rampant (25) of Quarryville was charged with Possession of Firearm Prohibited and Strangulation. Rampant was taken to Central Booking and Committed to Lancaster County Prison after failing to post $50,000.00 cash bail.
Arrest Date: 

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Case Number: 

18078-04-15-18

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/rapant-paul-william-possession-firearm-prohibited-and-1-additional-charge

Haines, Damian Todd – Simple Assault (Domestic Violence) and 1 additional charge | Columbia Borough Police Department

Damian Todd Haines
On 04-13-18 at approx. 12:15AM, the Columbia Borough Police were called to an address in the 1st blk. of N. 8th St. for a domestic. Police were advised that Damian Todd Haines (26) of Columbia had punched the victim in the face multiple times. Police were able to observe injuries and arrested Haines for Simple Assault (Domestic Violence) and Harassment. Haines was taken to Central Booking and committed to Lancaster County Prison after failing to post bail of $5,000.00.
Arrest Date: 

Friday, April 13, 2018

Case Number: 

14794-04-13-18

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/haines-damian-todd-simple-assault-domestic-violence-and-1-additional-charge

Falcon, Michael Lee – Unlawful restraint and 2 additional charges | Columbia Borough Police Department

Michael Lee Falcon
On 04-12-18 at approx. 5:09PM, Michael Lee Falcon (39) of Columbia was arrested for Unlawful Restraint, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Harassment after police were called to an incident in the 600 blk. of Walnut St. Police were called about a domestic and observed Falcon restraining a female against a wall. Falcon was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia when he was arrested. Falcon was taken to central booking and released on $50,000.00 unsecure bail.
Arrest Date: 

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Case Number: 

14343-04-12-18

Source: 

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/falcon-michael-lee-unlawful-restraint-and-2-additional-charges

Brookline Builders at HARB meeting this Wednesday night to discuss former Bigler building

208-210 Locust Street

The Columbia Borough Historical Architectural Review Board will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, in council chambers of Borough Hall, 308 Locust St., Columbia. Agenda items include:

223-225 Cherry St., Our Home of Hope Inc., owner. Replace paneled front entry door with a new entry door with glass panes. 

208-210 Locust St., Brookline Builders Inc., owner. Reconstruct second- and third-story facade with new bricks. Install new cast-concrete window headers. Replace metal roofing panels with new standing-seam metal roofing. Reconstruct ground-floor storefront cornice.

About Town

 Photos from around town…
Under the protection of the Black Panther

 Detour signs sprang up along Route 462 last week.

 The detour will redirect traffic due to a portion of Route 441 being closed off between Plane and Mill Streets.
***

 These white vans have been zipping around the area recently.

 According to “the internets,” the vans are performing 3-D mapping for Apple.

They were stationed last week at the self-storage facility along Front Street.

Whatever’s up there, birds find it fascinating.

 Mack the bulldog

 Ford Country

 Double-crossed

 Another painted rock from the Columbia PA Rockz group

 Welcome to Columbia

 Hoppers after an all-night binge?

No, not a bombed-out building in Syria.

 It’s what’s left of a duplex at Locust Street and Bank Avenue.

 Workers are demo-ing it to make way for a proposed apartment building.

 A lot of working by hand is involved.

 They took advantage of the weather on Saturday to get some work done.
***
 Last we heard, Brookline Builders might be moving into the former Bigler building at 208-210 Locust.

***

 Double-crossed again

 Some of Columbia’s exquisite architecture from times past

 Likewise

 Here’s a close-up of the above.

As it was in 2010: the entrance walkway to 254 Locust Street

 And how it looks today. Another historic building going to hell.

 Here’s the old Columbia Telephone Company building (or is it “COLVMBIA”)?

 It’s now part of Stover’s at North 3rd and Avenue H.

 Rivertowne Antique Center just got this new sign to replace the dilapidated one. 

 Skateboarding up hill

 Free

 Tending the garden

 Low rider

***

 This residence along Route 462 was recently rezoned to permit retreats periodically throughout the year.

 The retreats will offer counseling for those who have had abortions.
***

 A call came in for a brush fire on 7th Street on Saturday. Firefighters arrived to find smoldering mulch in the parking lot of the LGH facility.

 They used a fire extinguisher…

 … and “outened” the fire.

 If they ever need water, here it is at the “secret” water storage tanks.
***
 Wonder if the video security system caught who stole this sign.

 Arriving soon: Spring.
(We’re still holding out hope that it’s coming.)

 Along the yellow line

 No parking here to corner?

 Along the yellow line – again

 800 block of Locust, newly “paved” with steel plates

Further down on River Road

Lancaster County Police Log: Saturday, April 14, 2018 | Police Log | lancasteronline.com

LANCASTER TWP.: Lindsay C. Donovan, 27, of Columbia, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop April 8 in the 1200 block of Millersville Pike, police said.

LANCASTER TWP.: Zachary D. Ritchey, 29, of Columbia, was charged with possession of heroin and drug paraphernalia after a traffic stop April 8 in the 1200 block of Millersville Pike, police said.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/policelog/lancaster-county-police-log-saturday-april/article_aaeb1a72-3f90-11e8-87cd-ffe4517ba50c.html