A Lancaster County judge dropped attempted homicide and related charges against a man charged in a 2021 assault that fractured a Columbia man’s skull after determining the attacker will likely remain incompetent for some time.
Judge Thomas Sponaugle also on Wednesday ordered Michael Newport, 39, be involuntarily committed to Wernersville State Hospital in Berks County, where he will undergo involuntary treatment and yearly evaluations to determine whether he becomes competent.
The judge found Newport, who was homeless at the time of the attack, a danger to himself and others if released.
Newport was charged with attempted homicide, burglary and aggravated assault after police said he walked in through the back door of the victim’s home on July 8, 2021, chased the man around and beat him, breaking his skull.
Drop off at the Columbia Fire Company at the corner of 10th and Manor Streets or the Columbia Borough Yard Waste Center on Blue Lane from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 13.
• When: Council meeting, Dec. 28. Council member Peter Stahl was absent.
• What happened: Council members, who unanimously approved a zoning amendment at the Dec. 12 meeting, reintroduced the topic and voted 5-1 to approve it again after Mayor Leo Lutz failed to sign the document because he disagrees with the amendment for safety reasons.
• More: Council member Sharon Lintner changed her vote to no Dec. 28 because she researched safety concerns, she said.
• Background: Oaktree Outdoor Advertising of Lancaster asked council Nov. 9 to approve an amendment that would allow the company to seek permission from the state Department of Transportation to replace an existing billboard on 0.5 acres south of Route 30 and north of Linden Street with a much-larger digital billboard. The property formerly housed the borough’s visitors center and is visible from Route 30.
• More: Lutz said he failed to sign the amendment because he wanted a statement read into the minutes of the Dec. 28 meeting. Under state law, a governing body must vote again on a matter if the mayor doesn’t sign off on it.
• Quotable: “I do not feel that this ordinance addresses the safety problems that may exist with the placement of the sign close to the westbound exit of Route 30,” Lutz told council members, explaining that drivers who look at the billboard may become distracted. “I also believe the erection of this sign will be a nuisance to adjacent property owners.”
• Details: The Lancaster County Planning Commission and the borough’s planning commission previously recommended approving the amendment.
• Pay raises: The starting salary for a new police officer will jump by about $14,000 per year, under a new contract between council members and the borough’s police association.
• Quotable: “We were having a hard time attracting new officers,” Mark Stivers, borough manager, explained during a Dec. 29 phone call.
• More: The current contract offered a $45,929 starting salary, about $10,000 lower than some municipalities in the area, Stivers said. The new salary of $60,000 should bridge that gap. In addition, officers who stay with the borough six years will receive 5% raises during years seven and eight and 4% raises during years nine and 10.
Budget: Council members adopted a $17.17 million budget for 2024, up from $16.73 million for 2023. Major expenses include $4.1 million for the police department and $1.1 million for public works on highways.
• Details: The spending plan, which does not include a tax increase, is predicted to use about $8.5 million from the borough’s general fund and roughly $8.6 million from other accounts including two capital funds, a liquid fuels account and one that contains federal pandemic relief money.
• What’s next: Council will hold a reorganization meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 2 at 308 Locust St. The meeting also will be available on the borough’s YouTube channel the next day.
The crew from Henkels & McCoy worked around town for several months installing fiber optic cable this year.
Dusk as seen through the Holy Trinity Cemetery
This cherub bundled up against the cold.
The Vet 21 Salute Honor Guard performed a 3-volley salute at the funeral of Charles R. “Bud” Heim at the United Methodist Church.
Morning in Columbia
Frank Doutrich displayed a “blow-up” of a check to prove to council that he had made a payment.
For some strange reason, the bell tower and trim on the former Manor Street School were painted black in the recent past.
A section of Route 462 roughly from Cherry Street to 16th Street was finally repaved this year after having been a nightmare for drivers for over a year.
Cliff Logan, Jr. of AE Balloon Flights made several flights over Columbia this past summer.
Bridge inspectors checked the Veterans Memorial Bridge several times in 2023.
A weight limit was imposed for vehicles on the bridge.
This is one the many cats who live at the Lloyd Mifflin House.
Many artists participated in this year’s Plein Air event.
Some people might recognize this Market House standholder.
Over 30 volunteers honored the fallen at Mount Bethel Cemetery on Saturday, April 22, by cleaning veterans’ headstones. Almost 700 veterans from the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War are buried there.
Habitat for Humanity made great strides this year on the housing project on South Fifth Street.
Bob Smith, who spearheaded the Columbia Hometown Hero banner program, was the Grand Marshal for the 2023 Memorial Day Parade.
Raymond C. Wallace, Jr., who parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, gave his trademark “thumbs up” at the 2023 Memorial Day Parade.
Many women in the military are represented on banners throughout town.
About 35 people attended today’s Annual Flag Day Ceremony in Locust Street Park, which was presented by the Columbia-Middletown Elks #1074. Veteran Ryan Sexton was the guest speaker. Mayor Leo Lutz, the Frontier Girls, Columbia Cub Scout Pack #35, Boy Scout Troop #35 and others also participated.
Thunder on the River drew many participants and spectators.
Albatwitch Hard Cider was available at the Columbia Market House.
This sign was posted on North Front Street.
Ashley Tabernacle COGIC held its annual baptism at Columbia River park in August.
Wilderness Inquiry canoemobiles at Columbia River Park in October
Halloween came and went.
Santa and helpers down at the bridge collected Toys for Tots.
Foggy morning at the Holy Trinity Cemetery
Sometimes a good scratch is all it takes to have a good day.
Raymond Clifford Wallace, Jr., 98, passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Day, December 25, 2023. Ray was a decorated veteran who served in WWII with the 507th PIR of the 82nd Airborne Division. He participated in the D-Day Invasion June 6, 1944 and later was captured becoming a POW until March 1945.
COLUMBIA, Pa. — From the large to the small and the old to the new, the National Watch and Clock Museum in Columbia, Lancaster County has a little bit of everything.
That’s what happens when you have the largest collection of timepieces in not just the area, the state, or the country, but in all of North America.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 866-366-3723, uses a risk-based inspection reporting process for restaurants and other food handlers.
Markethouse Coffee Corner, 15 S. Third, St., Columbia, Dec. 23. Pass. Food employee preparing food wearing a wristwatch. Prepackaged muffins and cookies are not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement and distributed-by statement. Prepackaged muffins and cookies are not labeled to clearly indicate any “Big 9” allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement. Food facility does not employ a certified food employee as required. The facility has 90 days to enroll an employee in a state-recognized food safety course for managers. Food facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP-accredited certified food manager program. The facility has 90 days to enroll an employee in a state-recognized food safety course for managers.
The Golden Whisk Bakery, 245 Locust St., Columbia, Dec. 19. Pass. Food facility has an employee that has taken food safety training program; however, the food safety program was not an ANSI/CFP-accredited certified food manager program. The food facility has a person enrolled in the class for managers. The receiving door at the back of the food facility has a gap at the bottom and in the middle and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents and other animals. Container of espresso machine cleaner stored on a table with food.
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