More than 160 Canadian forest fires around Quebec are sending a torrent of smoke and smog to the northeastern United States — including Lancaster County — according to the Associated Press.
The National Weather Service out of State College has issued hazardous weather outlooks for more than 30 Pennsylvania counties, including Lancaster, saying the smoke from the wildfires will result in unhealthy air quality and elevated risk of wildfire spread. The outlooks run through Tuesday of next week.
Lancaster’s air quality has been rated as very unhealthy by the national air quality index AirNow. It recommends older adults, children, teens and those with lung or heart conditions to avoid physical activity outdoors. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends a tight-fitting respirator mask, either a N95 or P100, to protect vulnerable populations from exposure to smoky or ashy environments.
Shown below is the front page of the June 6, 1863 edition of The Columbia Spy (less than a month before the Battle of Gettysburg). A somewhat more legible version of the page, as well as four other pages and the text of this edition can be found HERE.
79 years ago today, on D-Day, the invasion of Normandy began. Columbian Raymond C. Wallace, Jr. was there. Sharon Lintner’s LNP feature article on Wallace is HERE.
The National Weather Service in State College has issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening.
AFFECTED AREA…Northern Clinton, Northern Centre, Southern Centre, Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata, Bedford, Fulton, Franklin, Northern Lycoming, Sullivan, Southern Clinton, Southern Lycoming, Union, Snyder, Montour, Northumberland, Columbia, Perry, Dauphin, Schuylkill, Lebanon, Cumberland, Adams, York and Lancaster Counties.
TIMING…From 11 am until 8 pm on Tuesday.
WINDS…Northwest 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph, especially over the higher terrain. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY…As low as 20 to 25 percent. *
TEMPERATURES…Ranging from the the mid 70s to lower 80s. * IMPACTS…Rapid wildfire growth and spread expected. Outdoor burning is not recommended.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur due to a combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels. A Red Flag Warning may be issued. For more information about wildfire danger, burn restrictions, and wildfire prevention and education, please visit the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website at http://dcnr.pa.gov/Communities/Wildfire. &&
Visit http://www.weather.gov/ctp for more information from the National Weather Service office in State College.
What happened: Council members voted 4-2 to sell 400 Locust St. to Cimarron Investments for $60,000, preempting a $60,500 offer from Habitat for Humanity. Several council members and Mayor Leo Lutz said they thought Cimarron was a better fit for downtown Columbia.
Details: Both entities presented plans to build a multiuse development with commercial tenants on the first floor and residences slated for the second and third floors of what is now a vacant lot.
Differences: Cimarron will build two retail establishments and between four and six market-rate apartments at the site. The development would be worth about $1.5 million when completed. Habitat for Humanity offered one retail space and two 1,200-square-foot condominiums that would have been valued between $1.2 and $1.3 million.
For: Vice President Eric Kauffman and members Barbara Fisher, Todd Burgard, Peter Stahl and Joanne Price voted in favor of selling the land to Cimarron.
Quotables: “I’ve seen the effect that Cimarron has done in the last 10 years in the borough,” Burgard said. “It’s incredible.” Fisher pointed to Columbia’s commitment to support businesses as a reason to sell to Cimarron. “We need to focus on Locust Street,” she said.
More: “This is in the heart of downtown,” Lutz said. “Putting two homes there doesn’t do what we want in our business district.”
Against: President Heather Zink and member Sharon Lintner voted against the motion, because they want to increase home ownership in the borough.
Quotable: “The comp plan said encourage different housing opportunities for all people and all incomes,” Zink said, referring to the borough’s comprehensive growth plan. “I love the fact that this (Habitat for Humanity’s offer) would encourage home ownership.”
More: “I believe Habitat presented a better plan for the property, and they actually offered slightly more,” Lintner said in a text message after the meeting. “Habitat said their homes would be 1,200-square-feet each, which to me sounds pretty good.”
Question: Brad Chambers, a Democratic borough council candidate, asked council to require Cimarron to offer apartments with lower-rate rents. The borough is unable to put any deed restrictions on the property, Zink said.
Valley View Capital LLC conveyed 308 Union St. to Donald L. Hanes for $85,000.
Ruth Ann Freed and Eldercare Solutions Inc. conveyed property on a public road to Matthew McCormac and Brittany McCormac for $126,500.
The estate of Kevin E. Boris conveyed 510 Manor St. to Valley View Capital LLC for $88,500.
The estate of John P. Dicostanzo Sr. conveyed 1205 Walnut St. to Allison M. Yarrow for $255,000.
Columbia Mennonite Mission, Trustees of The Columbia Mennonite Mission, Nelson R. Habecker, Devon E. Groff and Clifford L. Charles conveyed property on a public road to Concilio Iglesias Evangelicas Shalom for $1.
Columbia Spy 