Restaurant Inspections – Columbia Borough – May 9, 2025

Hinkle’s Restaurant, 261 Locust St., Columbia, May 1. Pass. Observed totes of food stored directly on the floor in walk-in cooler No. 2, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required. Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous foods (raw shell eggs) without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. Observed static dust accumulation on the fume hood in the middle food preparation area. The inner walls of the ice maker in the basement are cracked and broken and no longer smooth and easily cleanable. Observed a plastic container being stored in the hand-wash sink in the preparation room in the basement. Observed old food residue on the underside and spindles of the milkshake mixer.

Parma Pizza & Grill, 232 Locust St., Columbia, May 1. Fail. The person in charge did not demonstrate adequate knowledge of food safety in this food facility as evidenced by this noncompliant inspection; prior violation. Observed in-use knives stored between edges of a spice holder and the cooling unit, an area not easily cleanable & sanitized. Observed static dust and a grease buildup on the fume hood, Ansul system, and the lights. Commercially processed, refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature-control-for-safety food (hot dogs), located in the walk-in cooler, and held more than 24 hours, is not being marked with the date it was opened; prior violation. Meatballs and sauce were held at 116 F, in the front service area, rather than 135 F or above as required.
Observed a package of turkey meat thawing on top of a hot pizza oven, which is not an approved thawing method. The hand-wash sink in the front preparation area was blocked by a chair and not accessible at all times for employee use. The hand-wash sink in the employee restroom is filthy. Observed a nonfood-grade paint brush, being used to apply and oil on a pan for baking items. Time in lieu of temperature being used in the food facility to control ready-to-eat, potentially hazardous foods (assorted pizzas) without written procedures or documentation to verify disposition of food. There were five different times displayed ranging between noon and 1 p.m., displayed above 11 items, which according to the person in charge were all taken out at 11 a.m. Salami, tomatoes, cheese, steak meat, (pizza toppings) were held at 51-58 F, in the pizza prep unit, rather than 41 F or below as required. The doors to this unit do not seal properly and remain partially open, leading to the temperature increase inside and on the top. Time control for temperature safety foods are not permitted to be stored in this unit until it is maintaining a temperature of 41 F or colder. The ceiling in the back storage area is not finished, observed plastic draped in some areas due to ceiling leakage, and holes observed in the insulation sheets. Exposed insulation hanging from the open ceiling tiles in that food storage area in the back; repeat violation. Prepackaged cookies are not labeled properly with the name of product, ingredient statement, and distributed by statement. Prepackaged cookies are not labeled to clearly indicate any “Big 9” allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement. Back door located in the storage area of the food facility has a gap and does not protect against the entry of insects, rodents and other animals. Blade of the slicer, a food contact surface, was observed to have food residue and was not clean to sight and touch. The food facility does not maintain food employee certification records as required. The food facility has 90 days to enroll an employee in a state-recognized food safety course. Food facility does not have a certified food manager certificate to display.

Pennsylvania State Police to stop using shotguns

HARRISBURG, Pa. —

News 8 continues to look into the use of shotguns in police departments in the Susquehanna Valley.

This comes after the York County district attorney revealed last week that Officer Andrew Duarte was killed by pellets from a fellow officer’s shotgun when law enforcement opened fire on a gunman at UPMC Memorial Hospital in West Manchester Township in February.

MORE:

https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-state-police-will-stop-using-shotguns/64692006

Columbia Borough to hold public hearing on community needs and planned projects

Columbia Borough has announced a public hearing to discuss community needs and planned projects under Lancaster County’s Fiscal Year 2025 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. The hearing will take place during the regular monthly Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

Columbia Borough Council invites affected residents, property owners, and other stakeholders to attend the meeting, which will begin at approximately 7:15 PM at Columbia Borough Hall at 308 Locust Street. The Borough Council will present their proposed project and gather community input on additional needs that should be addressed.

The primary project under consideration is a $200,000 rehabilitation of the 300 block of Union Street. This initiative would include installation of new curbs and sidewalks on both sides of the street, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and complete street repaving.

The public can submit comments or questions for consideration until 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting via email at skaufhold@columbiapa.net or by phone at (717) 684-2467. For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be streamed live (provided the borough’s system works) on the borough’s YouTube Channel at LINK.

The proposed project aligns with priorities outlined in Lancaster County’s Fiscal Years 2021-2025 Consolidated Plan. Following the public hearing, the project will be submitted to the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Lancaster for consideration.

[LNP | LancasterOnline] Ex-Hempfield Fire Department firefighters headed to court on firestarting charges

Two of the three former Hempfield Fire Department volunteer firefighters charged with deliberately setting fires last year will have their cases decided in Lancaster County court.

Joshua Lightcap, 23, of Columbia, and Mason Howard, 21, of Akron, waived their preliminary hearings on Friday.

A 16-year-old junior firefighter from Columbia was also charged, and that case is being handled in juvenile court. That case is still pending.

In a preliminary hearing, prosecutors must present sufficient evidence that a crime was committed and that the person charged probably is responsible and, therefore, a jury or judge should hear the case at the county court level. The hearings often are waived.

According to prosecutors, two of the fires were set to sheds and the rest to fields and brush. All fires occurred between late October and late November in 2024.

No one was injured in any of the fires.

A Nov. 9, 2024, fire in Penn Township destroyed 220 corn fodder bales, causing more than $15,000 worth of damage.

Lightcap’s most serious charges include arson and conspiracy to commit arson, and agricultural vandalism, which are felonies. One of his arson conspiracy charges relates to a Nov. 2, 2024, fire set at an Amtrak building in Landisville.

Howard’s most serious charge is agricultural vandalism.

Other charges Lightcap and Howard face are reckless endangerment, dangerous burning, conspiracy and possession of an instrument of crime.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/ex-hempfield-fire-department-firefighters-headed-to-court-on-firestarting-charges/article_64612bd8-d727-4e98-9ada-568235119548.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

About Town – May 4, 2025

This week’s photos of Columbia

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.

The SPCA was in town this week.They left notices at a residence.
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Workers used a giant crane to hoist materials onto the roof of the National Watch & Clock Museum. 




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Trucks at the 4th Street truck terminal 

Saturday morning at the Market House 

Signs down!

Historic house on Chestnut 

Free landlord/tenant guides detailing renters rights and other topics are available at the municipal building, 308 Locust Street. The Spanish version (left) contains 97 pages, and the English version has 93. 

This is still in effect. 

Lights on at the bridge plaza

Cannon, partially hidden 

Bricks, partially hidden 

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It’s that time of year.

Please don’t litter.

Possum, not playing possum

Shawnee Run in the morning 

Hidden in plain sight

Out in the open

A formidable doorway at the former Cookman Church

 Now on the 600 block of Chestnut 

Five units are planned near 4th & Linden.

Meeting at Columbia Crossing 

Advertisement along Route 441

Black snake, apparently right after a meal

Two boneheaded beanie buddies

The Cathouse, Columbia, PA

Borough council members

Collection day

Up the highway and onto the sidewalk 

3-wheeler

On March 26, 2025, Manor Street Apartments LLC conveyed 745 Manor St. to WG Sponsor LLC, WG Manor I. LLC, WG Manor II LLC, WG Manor III LLC for $1,500,000. In the sale listing, Bennett Williams described the building as “a workforce housing apartment community…” – whatever that means. The listing also stated “the Property consists of 14 units with an opportunity to build an additional 36-60 new apartments.” 

This structure at 1020 Manor is slated for demolition.  

It’s wise to be prepared. 

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Here are a few from Todd Stahl:

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Low-hanging branches on South 4th

[Photo: Bull Warfel]

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Columbia’s Hometown Hero banners return

Borough worker Chuck Wallick hangs a Hometown Hero banner on North 2nd Street Friday afternoon. 

It’s that time of year, and Hometown Hero banners are going up around town again.

The current batch, from an order that closed in January, will bring the total to over 660. The banners honor Columbia’s military veterans and active-duty personnel. 

On Friday afternoon, Columbia Spy caught up with Bob Smith and Chuck Wallick hanging a banner on North 2nd Street. Bob, who leads the project, notes there’s a small challenge this year: PPL is in the process of replacing utility poles around town. That means that banners already hung on poles slated for replacement must be removed, and then rehung on the new poles. PPL has plans to replace several poles this year and routinely notify the borough of which ones will be replaced. “They call Jake [Graham, Columbia’s public works manager] and give him the numbers of the poles they’re replacing,” Bob says.

Bob Smith gets components from the work truck. 

Bob, who’s been with the project for almost three years, says he’s winding down his participation and that this year will be his last. He’s thankful that the borough embraced the initiative from the beginning. “I’d like to thank borough workers and others for all their help on this project,” he said.

Renters: Know Your Rights – Free guide available at Borough Hall

 
(English version)

Local renters and others can pick up a copy of the Landlord & Tenant Guide at Borough Hall (Columbia Municipal Building, 308 Locust Street).  The free guide provides information on such topics as fair housing, rights and responsibilities, rent increases, and eviction. There is an English edition and a Spanish edition. 

(Spanish version)