Author: SPY

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker on Wednesday voted against impeaching President Donald Trump for the second time in 13 months, rejecting Democrats’ argument that the president’s role in inciting the angry mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol last week demanded his removal from office. 

Smucker and Pennsylvania’s eight other Republican House members voted against the single article of impeachment. Just 10 Republicans broke from their party and voted with Democrats for impeachment, making Trump the first president in U.S. history to be impeached twice.

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LANCASTER, Pa. (WHTM) — A man from Columbia Borough was arrested Saturday evening when he threatened to kill victims in their sleep as he held up a knife.

47-year-old Paul Clark was taken into custody by the Columbia Borough Police Department after his victims told police that Clark had thrown one of them across the room.

Clark was arrested and charged with Harassment and making terroristic threats.

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Dollar General employees are being offered an incentive to get the COVID-19 vaccination – the company will give them four hours pay.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the retailer is among the first large U.S. employers who have offered incentives to encourage their employees to take the COVID-19 vaccine – Dollar General employs 157,000 people. Its move to incentivize staff could be interpreted as a sign that companies with essential workers view “mass inoculation” as crucial in crushing the pandemic.

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Gov. Tom Wolf said Thursday 450 Pennsylvania National Guard members have been placed on active duty around the state to bolster security efforts in the wake of the attack at the U.S. Capitol last week.

Wolf said the mobilization of the guard troops will coincide with heightened security measures leading up to the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. More than 1,000 Pennsylvania National Guard troops have already deployed to Washington, D.C. to aid local authorities in security efforts for the inauguration.

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When: Columbia Borough Council meeting, Jan.12.

What happened: The borough now has a functioning Historical Architectural Review Board after council members approved four new members: Brian Brandt, a code official, Matthew Barley, an interior designer, and Althea Ramsey Carrigan and Jonathan Lutz, who both live in the Historic District. They join Jeff Siebert, a licensed real estate broker.

Background: Four review board members resigned in early September after the council voted to let developer Cimarron Investments use composite material instead of wood on four balconies in an apartment building at 24-26 S. Second St. The architectural board previously denied the developer’s request, but Cimarron brought the matter to council members, who voted 4-3 to approve it. Mayor Leo Lutz cast the deciding vote. Councilwoman Pam Williams didn’t vote because she lives in the building.

Why it matters: Borough Manager Mark Stivers said officials are “very happy” the board can function. The architectural group advises the council on any external improvements to existing buildings.

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WEST HEMPFIELD TWP.: Julius Brock Taylor, 28, of Columbia Borough, was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a prohibited firearm, attempting to elude law enforcement and other traffic violations after intentionally hitting a police vehicle with his car in an attempt to avoid a traffic stop on Dec. 15, police said. Taylor, who was captured after a foot chase, was also found with a 9mm handgun and ammunition in his vehicle, police said.

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WASHINGTON (WJLA) – The FBI is releasing more information about planned protests in D.C. and other U.S. cities leading up to Inauguration Day.

Aaron Katersky, an ABC investigative reporter, says a Monday bulletin from the FBI states: “Armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols from 16 January through at least 20 January, and at the US Capitol from 17 January through 20 January.”

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