Author: SPY

Was trick-or-treat candy tampered with?

Columbia Borough Police received one report of possibly tainted candy that was received during trick-or-treating last night. The candy in question is a miniature Nestle Butterfinger bar in a yellow and blue wrapper. A parent noticed an apparent puncture in the packaging and upon opening the package, saw a hole in the bar with a dark red substance around the hole. The parent believes the candy bar was received while trick-or-treating between 6th St. and 9th St. and between Locust and Chestnut St. People are encouraged to carefully inspect all candy for damaged packaging or suspicious substances.

Source: Columbia Borough Police Department

Help the Library with Extraordinary Give

Your support can help the library renovate, expand and redefine the operation into a vibrant community hub for all who have a passion for lifelong learning, creativity and the sharing of knowledge.

New Worlds Await at the Columbia Public Library – where visitors of all ages are welcome to read, learn, relax and connect. 

The Columbia Public Library is an Extraordinary Give participant organization, so please consider it in your giving!

Seafood Feast at CBFD November 4

Help our volunteer firefighters…

Support the Columbia Borough Fire Department by attending their upcoming “All you can eat” seafood feast on November 4 at 10th & Manor Streets. Doors open at 4 p.m. and dinner is served 5 to 8 p.m.

Includes a steak and a baked potato – plus all the steamed crab legs and steam shrimp you can eat.

Tickets are $30 each.
Call Jean C. Rummel: 717-203-6914

100 Years of Columbia Basketball to be Celebrated

This season, the Columbia Boys’ Basketball program will be celebrating its 100th year of existence. 

As part of the celebration, plans have been finalized to honor the program’s rich history. On Saturday, Jan. 13, the celebration will take place with a special day planned for the Elmer Kreiser Gym, beginning at 2 p.m. That’s when the Crimson Tide girls basketball team will take on Pequea Valley. At the conclusion of that game, a special ceremony will be held recognizing the boys’ basketball programs’ 100 years. All past teams, players an coaches will be introduced and asked to walk around the gym.

Following the ceremony, the Crimson Tide boys’ basketball team will take on Pequea Valley beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Following the completion of the boys’ game, the celebration will move to the Columbia Fire Department, 10th and Manor Streets, for a reception until 10 p.m.

Invitations have and will continue to go out to former players and coaches. If you are a former player and have not received an invitation, please send your contact information to kkreiser@columbia.k12.pa.us.

For the two games and celebration at the gym, each former player and coach along with one guest will be admitted free of charge. They are asked to enter the school via the main entrance. All others must purchase a ticket for the game in the gym lobby.

For the post-game reception, there will be a $10  donation asked. Those planning to attend the reception should email the number of people attending to kkreiser@columbia.k12.pa.us or send their checks made out to the “Columbia Boys’ Basketball 100 Anniversary Committee” and mailed to Charles R. Gerfin, 1019 Locust St., Columbia, 17512.

The deadline to RSVP is Dec. 15. Only players and coaches over the age of 21 will be admitted to the post game reception.

In addition to the celebration, the committee is running a contest to vote on the top five players in school history and the five most memorable games. That information can be emailed to 100bball@columbia.k12.pa.us. Those winners will be announced at the ceremony.

Also being sold are t-shirts ($15), hats ($20) and a 32-page yearbook, which can be ordered by mail at a cost of $15. It will feature teams pictures and other information covering the 100 years of the program.

The goal of the celebration is to raise $25,000 to purchase and replace the current scoreboards in the gym. Crimson and Gold sponsors will be recognized with a banner in the gym when the new scoreboards are installed.

Committee members are Karl Kreiser, Steve Wisler, David Mountz, Mike Burke, Donna Kreiser, Toni Pittman, Jeff Deascenti, Mark Wisler, Barry Ford and Charles Gerfin. 

SVCC to host 5K run this Saturday, November 4

The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, a non-profit organization, will host the 8th Annual MAG Memorial 5k Fall Flash on Saturday, November 4, 2017. Named in memory of Melissa A. Glenn, former executive director of Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, this run provides an opportunity to run the Veterans Memorial Bridge crossing the Susquehanna River. This year’s annual event is made possible through the Gold Sponsorship of Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority and the sponsorships of additional businesses listed on our website.

The course for this event crosses the Susquehanna River via the Veterans Memorial Bridge (Rt. 462) between Lancaster & York County which is closed to vehicular traffic during the event. Runners may enjoy the scenic course against the fall foliage of the river valley. The Fall Flash begins in Wrightsville at 8:30 am and finishes against this autumn backdrop.

Pre-registration is available through the SVCC Visitors Center and includes a T-shirt with runner registration while supplies last. Participants may also register on the day of the run beginning at 7:30 am at Wrightsville Elementary School (300 Chestnut St.) 
Following the race, medals will be awarded to the top male and female overall champions as well as to the top three male and female finishers in thirteen age groups. Door prizes donated by local businesses will complete the awards ceremony. The Fall Flash is held rain or shine. Timing services are furnished by Ron Horn of Pretzel City Sports of Reading. 
 For more information or a registration form, visit www.PaRivertowns.com or call 717-684-5249. Walkers are welcome. Please, no pets or backpacks.

Tom Strickler to be named new district superintendent?

The Columbia Borough School Board Committee of the Whole meeting agenda for this coming Thursday, November 2, includes a motion to approve the hiring of Tom Strickler as District Superintendent effective January 1, 2018.

Strickler was hired amid controversy in August of 2016 by the Eastern Lancaster County School District as director of operations for the Columbia Borough School District. ELANCO Superintendent Dr. Robert Hollister has been acting superintendent for Columbia since 2016.

In a recent email, Hollister stated that he fully endorses the decision to consider Strickler as the next superintendent, citing his commitment to the Columbia Borough School District.

Tom Strickler
[Columbia Spy file photo]