Year: 2023
Come out for the Columbia Halloween Parade | TownLively
John Meshey has been involved in the Columbia community for more than 45 years, so it’s fitting that he’s the grand marshal of the 2023 Columbia Mardi Gras Halloween Parade. The parade will step off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26.
John, a 1975 graduate of Columbia High School, recalled that he first became involved in the community when he entered a fundraiser to win a prize through the Jaycees when he was 21 years old. “I won one of the prizes, but instead of giving me the prize, they paid my membership dues,” he noted. It was the first of many commitments John has made to Columbia over the decades.
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Deeds Recorded – Columbia Borough – October 16, 2023
Justin W. Koehler and Summer Lynn Koehler conveyed property on North Eighth Street to William Michael Schnaekel for $180,000.
About Town – October 15, 2023
He’s not afraid.
Columbia’s EMA trailer
Hermansader’s Victorian Mansion
Birdhouse for religious birds
The leaves are changing, and the signs of Halloween are everywhere . . .
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At Columbia Crossing
Unfortunately, the bridge isn’t as sturdy as it looks.
It might be strong enough to hold this pigeon, however.
Go USA!
“Lincoln Highway” half-hiding
The rear of the General Edward C. Shannon Armory
(200 block of Avenue G)
Still no progress at this lousy field on Manor Street
But there is progress at the old drive-in site.
Here’s what’s supposed to be going in there:
“A planned development that will include 18,000 square feet of retail space, a 3,000 square foot restaurant, a 3,500 square foot bank, 163 mid-rise apartments, and 9 low-rise townhomes, according to West Hempfield Township Planning Commission meeting minutes of May 16, 2019. The project was also discussed at the February 2, 2021 and October 5, 2021 West Hempfield Township Supervisors’ meetings.”
There’s progress at the Wright’s Ferry Mansion.
It’s getting a new roof.
According to a worker at the mansion last year, the roof tiles are handmade.
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On the 100 block of Locust Street
According to Wiktionary, this means: “Here we will remain most excellently.”
Looking skyward . . .
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Yet another logo at the former Colonial Metals building
Last year, Bedford, Ohio-based red metals ingot maker The Federal Metal Co. acquired the assets of the former Colonial Metals ingot production facility in Columbia, Pennsylvania. Federal becomes the third owner of the plant since it was idled in 2018 by its long-time family business owners, the Serls family.
In a notice to customers and suppliers posted to its website, Federal Metal states it has “acquired the assets of SA Alloys in Columbia, Pennsylvania, from parent company SA Recycling.” That sizable scrap processing firm acquired the former Colonial plant earlier this decade from California Metal-X, another ingot-making company that purchased the Columbia facility in early 2019.
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Seen last week at Mount Bethel Cemetery . . .
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Brickwork!
Green man!
Canoemobile!
Part of Gordon Waste’s roof fell in recently.
Destination: Columbia
Reflecting
Sign awaiting a message
Alley cat?
No Parking – Not even on the sidewalk!
Sounds good!
Read these instructions carefully if you plan to vote by mail
Restaurant Inspections – Columbia Borough – October 13, 2023
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 866-366-3723, uses a risk-based inspection reporting process for restaurants and other food handlers.
Smoke & Chill, 353 Cherry St., Columbia, follow-up, Oct. 5. Fail. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety as evidenced by this noncompliant inspection. An employee’s open beverage container (twist-cap variety) was on a table in the food preparation area; repeat violation. Food employees in the food preparation area not wearing a beard cover; repeat violation. Boxes of potato chips stored directly on the floor in the customer area rather than 6 inches off the floor as required; repeat violation. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration of quaternary sanitizer; repeat violation. Old food residue on a whisk, metal food containers, two tongs and a drip rack all stored as clean on the shelf above the three-compartment sink; repeat violation, April 6. Old food splatter and spillage inside the microwave. An accumulation of static dust on the fume hood; repeat violation. Single-service, single-use articles (napkins, deli wrap papers, cups) stored in the storage room directly on the floor, and not 6 inches above; repeat violation. Milk crates being stored in the restroom, a prohibited area; repeat violation. The faucet of the three-compartment sink leaking profusely; repeat violation. Ceiling tiles missing in the back and need to be replaced; repeat violation. Working containers of Ajax cleanser, Formula 409 and Windex stored on a table and shelf with food items; repeat violation.
Columbia Sunoco, 1414 Lancaster Ave., Columbia, Oct. 3. Pass. Hemp Bombs CBD Gummies, distributed by Global Widget, Hemping Live Green CBD Infused Gummies, Num Distribution LLC, South Plainfield, N.J., contain an unapproved additive as specified in 21 CFR 170-180 relating to food additives. Such products are under U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation; CBD is not recognizable as a safe additive. Raw shell eggs stored above drinks in the reach-in cooler; repeat violation, March 29, 2021, and April 1, 2022. A black residue on the white flap inside the ice machine of the self-service soda machine.
Stover’s News, 24 N. Third St., Columbia, Oct. 2. Fail. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this noncompliant inspection. Food employee donning single-use gloves without a prior hand-washing. Food employee preparing food wearing bracelets, a watch, and rings. Food employees preparing food not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Hemp Bomb CBD Gummies by Global Widget Tampa Fla, contain an unapproved additive as specified in 21 CFR 170-180 relating to food additives. Such products are under U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation; CBD is not recognizable as a safe additive. A food employee was touching ready-to-eat foods with bare hands. Bags of bread stored directly on the floor in the kitchen rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. Beef barbecue in the refrigerator was beyond the use-by date and requires discarding. Bologna and several cheese were date-marked by the facility but was beyond the seven-day use- or sell-by date and requires discarding; repeat violation, March 11, 2021, and March 31, 2022. Prepackaged subs, sandwiches, seafood salad, chicken salad and dirt pudding are not labeled to clearly indicate any “Big 9” allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement; repeat violation, March 31, 2022. Those foods as well as sliced ham, sliced cheese and packaged ice are not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, and distributed-by statement; repeat violation, March 31, 2022. Food facility does not have available sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration of the quaternary sanitizer in the three-compartment sink. The inner lid of the chest freezer is missing leaving exposed insulation, risking food and ice to possible physical contamination. Food facility is reusing plastic bags from another facility, which is intended to be a single-service or single-use article. A slimy, black residue inside the ice maker. The hand-wash sink in the food preparation area was blocked by towels, bags, single-use cups in bags and not accessible at all times for employee use.
Agenda (Revised) – Columbia Borough Council Meeting – October 10, 2023
Celebrating the Albatwitch | TownLively
He’s short, covered in hair and very elusive. He’s the Albatwitch, known as a “baby Bigfoot,” and you’ll have a chance to celebrate him at the 10th annual Albatwitch Day. The event will be held at Columbia River Park, 41 Walnut St., from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14.
The day will feature live music, vendors, food, guest speakers and more.
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Columbia parts ways with Planning and Zoning Manager
Sharon Cino [Columbia Spy file photo]
When: Columbia Council meeting, Oct. 3.
What happened: Columbia parted ways with Planning and Zoning Manager Sharon Cino Sept. 26, less than two days after council members approved her project, Columbia 2040. The borough’s new 130-page comprehensive document replaces one from 1995 and should guide the municipality’s growth for the next 15 to 20 years.
Why it matters: The borough has new plans for the zoning department, Mark Stivers, borough manager, said via phone Oct. 4. He declined to explain any details during the meeting after a resident asked about the matter.
Quotable: “Nothing triggered it,” Stivers said Oct. 4. “The borough is going in a different direction and turning that position into more of a zoning officer instead of a community development leader.”
By the numbers: Cino joined Columbia Dec. 7, 2020, with a $65,000 annual salary. She was earning $68,985 when she left.
[Source: LNP/lancasteronline.com]
Columbia man hikes the Appalachian Trail through 4 states in 1 day
Do you remember the weather two weekends ago — how it rained almost constantly, and heavily, until it felt almost as if it was raining inside your head?
How would you have liked to walk over 47 miles, up hills and down, in dark and light, over rocks and through streams, in 19 hours during that mess?
Matt Barley, who lives in Columbia, and Jeff Dagen, of Landisville, did that. They say the trek often was miserable. But they wouldn’t have missed the experience for anything.
“We wanted to test our physical and mental limits,” explains Barley. “To me, it’s amazing how fast you forget the misery of the experience and joy takes over.”
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Columbia Spy 
