Police activity at 700 Franklin (probably training)
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Speaking of 700 Franklin, Farhat Excavating submitted the low bid to demolish it, at $52,780.
Fashion statement at Columbia Curiosities
The DAC
Curious cat
5th & Chestnut at night
Drooping Star of Bethlehem
Cannon parts at the bridge plaza
Really?
The new smoke shop at Plane & Manor is moving right along.
Seen in the wild
Jesus in a vacuum tank?
Bridge lights on in the daytime
Tree City USA
Pansy
Is this still in effect?
Happy Easter!
Emergency personnel and county coroners responded to Columbia River Park on Friday for a report of a body found between the Veterans Memorial Bridge and the Wrights Ferry Bridge. Officials have not released any further information at this time.
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Roofing problems at Columbia Crossing?
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Todd Stahl submitted these photos of signs, signs, everywhere signs . . .
Emergency personnel responded to Columbia River Park this afternoon at 2:28 p.m. for a water rescue.
Shortly before 4 p.m. two unmarked black SUVs arrived, each carrying a uniformed individual who appeared to be from the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office.
One of the individuals subsequently departed on a rescue boat that went upriver toward a location between the two bridges (Route 462 and Route 30). The nature of the operation and what prompted the coroner’s involvement remains unclear at this time.
Authorities have not yet released official details about the incident. This story is developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Firefighters from local departments salute the funeral procession for firefighter/paramedic Anthony Helsel at Mount Bethel Cemetery on Saturday (4/12/25).
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Birds’ nest, protected from weather
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Truck turning into the truck terminal at 4th & Manor
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Signs lying down on the job
Barrels and a bike
Downtown signs
The former Poplar Street School
Welcome
Datestone at the former telephone company building
Chickies Rock Moose Lodge No. 307, 219 Locust St., Columbia, April 3. Pass. Observed raw shell eggs stored above drinks in the walk-in cooler. Coleslaw, a refrigerated, ready-to-eat, time/temperature-control-for-safety food in the walk-in cooler, was date-marked by the facility, but was beyond the seven-day use- or sell-by date and requires discarding. Food facility preparing pulled pork using reduced oxygen packaging without the required written procedures and HACCP plan. Observed a pink slimy residue on the cuber of the ice maker and a black mold on the inner wall of the ice maker. Ice will not be used until the unit is washed, rinsed and sanitized. Mold observed on the underside of the shelving in the walk-in cooler.
Columbia Sunoco, 1414 Lancaster Ave., Columbia, April 3. Pass. Food employee observed in the food preparation area wearing a wristwatch. Observed boxes of food stored directly on the floor in the walk-in freezer, rather than 6 inches off of the floor as required.
Stover’s News, 24 N. Third St., Columbia, April 3. Pass. Food employee observed changing tasks that may have contaminated hands without a proper hand-washing in between. Food employee was on cellphone. An employee’s open beverage container (twist-cap variety) was observed on the food preparation table with food and food equipment. Food employee observed in the food preparation area not wearing proper hair restraints, such as nets or hats. Hemp Bomb CBD Gummies by Global Widget contain an unapproved additive as specified in 21 CFR 170-180 relating to food additives. Such products are under U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulation and at which time CBD is not recognizable as a safe substance to be added to food. Prepackaged food: all sandwiches, all desserts, packaged cheese and bologna ends are not labeled to clearly indicate any “Big 9” allergen ingredients and/or the allergen warning statement. Prepackaged food: all sandwiches, all desserts, packaged ice, packages of cheese ends and bologna ends, are not labeled properly with the ingredient statement, net weight and distributed-by statement. Observed an accumulation of static dust on the fan guard of the walk-in cooler. Observed a plastic food container in the hand-wash sink, indicating uses other than hand-washing. Observed an extreme amount of peeling paint in the storage room.
St. John Neumann School for Children and Families, 401 Locust St., Columbia, April 1. Pass. An irreversible registering thermometer or thermal labels were not available for monitoring the rinse temperature of the high temp mechanical dishwasher.
During Tuesday night’s borough council meeting, Mayor Leo Lutz addressed concerns about the recent removal of the Locust Street bus shelter. According to Lutz, the South Central Transit Authority (SCTA) made the decision following reports of unsanitary conditions and safety issues.
Police Chief Jack Brommer explained that while he had requested SCTA conduct a site survey due to reports of human waste and excessive litter, “it was ultimately the bus authority’s decision to remove it,” Brommer noted.
According to an April 8, 2025 LNP/LancasterOnline article:
“Greg Downing, SCTA executive director, said the shelter was removed at the borough’s suggestion. He said a cleaning service stopped by the shelter once a week, but the conditions would become so bad in the interim that people wouldn’t wait inside of the shelter unless it was raining.”
“I don’t care how it was removed, I do care that it was removed,” Lutz stated during the meeting. He emphasized that the shelter’s design, which included a back wall where people could hide from view, contributed to ongoing maintenance challenges.
Lutz explained that the shelter was originally installed through a federal grant in conjunction with Red Rose Transit Authority (RRTA) and an advertising company. Initially, the advertising company was responsible for maintaining the structure, but those duties eventually fell to SCTA, with borough employees often assisting with cleaning.
“We can’t ask our employees to clean up those kind of messes,” Lutz said, referring to the unsanitary conditions found at the site. Since the removal, though, Lutz said,”I have not heard any comments from those that ride the bus. I think they’re glad that there’s a sanitary place there now for them, and a clean place for them. It had to go.”
The mayor was careful to note that he doesn’t believe the issues stemmed from Columbia’s homeless population. “I don’t think it came from those folks that are in our shelter seeking help,” he said. “I think it comes from transients or people who just live like animals. It’s a shame that some people have to lose because of the acts of others, but we’ll try to make it better.”
Borough Council President Heather Zink said of the removal, “Council had no knowledge that it was happening before it happened,” but expressed support for the decision.
Currently, the bus stop remains active with two benches available for waiting passengers. Mayor Lutz mentioned that during inclement weather, people are welcome to take shelter in the lobby of the borough office when it’s open. The borough also maintains a public restroom at borough hall for bus passengers, according to Lutz.
No definite plans for a replacement shelter have been announced, though officials have indicated openness to future options, including relocating it.
The Columbia Borough Parks and Recreation Board will hold its monthly meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall, 308 Locust Street. The board is set to discuss several programs and upcoming events for the community.
Night Wonder of Astronomy Program
The board will discuss the “Night Wonder of Astronomy” program, which aims to bring stargazing opportunities to Columbia residents.
Upcoming Events for 2025
Planned events for the remainder of 2025 will be presented, including summer concert series, holiday celebrations.
Go Green Columbia Event Participation
The board will discuss the “Go Green Columbia” event at Columbia River Park.
Makle Park Groundbreaking Ceremony
The board will discuss the groundbreaking ceremony at Makle Park.
Digital Sign at River Park
The board will discuss an update on the progress of a digital sign at River Park.
Trail Front Program at River Park
An update on the Trail Front Program at River Park will be discussed.
Columbia’s 300th Anniversary
The ad-hoc committee working on Columbia’s upcoming 300th anniversary celebration will provide an update.
Calendar of Year’s Events
A calendar of parks and recreation events for the year will be reviewed.
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The public is encouraged to attend this meeting. For more information, please contact the Columbia Borough office at (717) 684-2467 or visit the borough website at http://www.columbiapa.net.
Columbia Spy 
