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Lancaster city's police chief will retire at the end of the month, mayor says
Jarrad Berkihiser is retiring as Lancaster's city's police chief, Mayor Danene Sorace announced during a Friday afternoon press conference.
Berkihiser's last day will be Oct. 31.
Berkihiser, of Millersville, had been with the department for 26 years, starting as a patrol officer and rising to captain before being named acting chief in October 2017. He succeeded Keith Sadler, who left that fall to take a job with the state attorney general's office.
When Sorace named Berkihiser chief in May 2018, she called him “in many ways … Lancaster’s best-kept secret.” She described him as quiet and unassuming and a leader “with integrity, vision, and a deep commitment” to Lancaster.
Sorace declined to answer questions after the press conference, which lasted less than four minutes. When asked if Berkihiser voluntarily retired or if he was asked to leave, Sorace said, “thank you,” and left.
Berkihiser was hired following a nationwide search by a 10-person committee that included police, community and city council representatives. Berkihiser was one of its two recommendations.
Green Dreamz organizers charged in July for blocking roadways during Columbia protest continue to court: DA's office
Organizers of Green Dreamz, a self-described non-profit civil rights group, will have their charges bound to Lancaster County Court after a judge ruled enough evidence was presented during a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney's office.
Carlos Jimenez Jr., 22, Alaak Deu, 21 and Justin Pitt, 19, are charged with third-degree misdemeanors for obstruction of highways.
According to the district attorney's office, the the three men obstructed traffic on several Columbia roadways during a July 28 demonstration.
A Columbia Borough police detective and an officer testified that police met with the group a week before the protest and told them they would be charged if they blocked public roadways, the district attorney's office said.
The group was also told that they couldn't congregate for the demonstration in Makle Park unless they got a permit from the borough, according to the district attorney.
“The group told police they would not be abiding by the directives,” the district attorney's office said, adding that the office doesn't object to peaceful protests, so long as it is done “lawfully and with respect for other people and property.”
MORE:
Columbia Public Library Calendar of Events – October 2020
Mid-Week Update: A clock gets a facelift, a panel gets ignored, and a tree gets a ribbon
Recently seen about town . .
A clock gets a facelift . . .
A clock at the National Watch & Clock Museum just got a facelift. Stained glass was reinstalled in an exterior mounted clock at the NAWCC Museum at 5th & Poplar. The glass, which was recently reconditioned, was reinstalled by Bob Desrochers and Lee Davis. The clock is a 3-sided model with chimes, and is manufactured by the O.B. McClintock Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is mounted on the southwest wall of the building and was installed there in 1992-93.
[Photo: Sarah Gallagher]
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A panel gets ignored . . .
Down by the railroad tracks, this control panel was found unlocked and left open late Tuesday afternoon.
The panel, located at Front and Walnut, coordinates the traffic lights and barricades at the intersection, which is adjacent to several sets of railroad tracks. An open padlock can be seen in the photo above.
A plastic bag, which appears to hold keys, can be seen in the lower right corner of the panel case.
No railroad vehicles or workmen were in the area.
An alert citizen, concerned about the possibility of electric shock and tampering, called in the issue using the telephone number posted at the panel.
Despite the phone call, the panel was still open Wednesday morning at about 8:30.
It’s unknown if Tuesday night’s rains caused any damage.
The panel was finally closed and locked by 11 a.m.
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A tree gets a ribbon . . .
Two blue ribbons like the one shown above were tied to trees in front of borough hall this week.
Apparently, the ribbons were placed there to show support for police.
About Town 9/27/2020
This week’s photos of Columbia
(Click or tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)
More faces about town . . .
(Continued from last week)
8th & Walnut
Here’s a slightly longer view.
At the Buddhist temple on South 2nd
(Shown above and below)
CONDEMNED
It’s at 125 Walnut Street.
Apparently, there’s an open-door policy.
Line painting along Route 462 . . .
Work continues on the Shawnee Run restoration project
(Between Mill Street and 4th Street)
This squirrel seems unimpressed.
Maybe he didn’t read the sign.
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You matter.
Light in shade
New paint job at borough hall
“The corn is as high as an elephant’s eye . . .”
(Avenue X)
Another open-door policy
Statements
Workers inspect the front of Hotel Columbia
Fancy tree well on the 400 block of Locust
Electric flag
Front end passenger
Albatwitch Day – Saturday, October 17, 2020
There’s an albatwitch now.
Blue lights to back the blue
Dusk on the river
Night flight
They’re still doing it.
Right through the center of town.
Someone damaged the hornets nest at Laurel Hill Cemetery, apparently by throwing stones at it.
(Note the stones in front of the gravestone.)
Hopefully, the marks on the gravestone aren’t permanent.
Harley-Davidson
Ribbed sky
Spotted lanternfly
Bird in the bush
The family invited itself over.
(The one in the middle must be the mother-in-law.)
Aspiring heavenward
Out in the fog
[LNP | LancasterOnline] Columbia Council approves historic marker for Market House
When: Columbia Borough Council virtual meeting, Sept. 22.
What Happened: Borough Council approved the placement of a historic bronze plaque on the Columbia Market House by the Columbia Economic Development Corporation.
Why it’s important: The Columbia Market House at 15 South Third St. was built in 1869. It is a focal point of a project recognizing Columbia’s historic sites, co-sponsored by the Columbia Economic Development Corporation, Columbia Historic Preservation Society and Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. Selected buildings are located primarily in the 100-400 blocks of Cherry, Locust and Walnut streets plus the first block of South Second Street. The project includes research on the borough’s historic structures, placement of historic markers, a brochure, a walking tour and a digital virtual map.
Union Street properties: Council approved the demolition of structures at 422 and 424 Union Street to make room for a parking lot for residents of Columbia Catholic Housing for the Elderly’s Saint Peter Apartments at 400 Union St. Several residents expressed concern, citing the borough’s loss of taxable properties.
Permit database: Council approved a purchase of a subscription to a municipal database system called Permit Manager for $16,000 plus an $1,850 annual fee. This will allow digital storage and access to data on the borough’s zoning/building, historic architectural, outdoor fire and stormwater permits.
Fresh Express is back – Friday, Sept. 25, 3:30-5:00 pm at Glatfelter's Field
Columbia Borough school considers options for spectators, fall sports; school board director resigns
When: Columbia Borough school board meeting, Sept. 17.
What happened: The board unanimously approved a motion to allow student-athletes districtwide to play sports this fall with or without spectators in attendance.
Background: The district, according to a statement from the school board, will proceed with fall sports while “following current guidelines from PIAA, LGH, District 3, and the L-L League.” In accordance with current state regulations, this means the district would limit in-person attendance to 25 for indoor and 250 for outdoor events. The board, however, continues to discuss various measures meant to deter or bar spectators from attending athletic events hosted at its schools.
Livestreams: Superintendent Tom Strickler said plans are underway to livestream events on YouTube over the fall semester. The public would access these streams with data provided on the district website. The board also will consider an option to livestream games in classrooms with a 25-person attendance limit per room.
Resignations: The school board accepted the resignation of Cole Knighton, who abruptly resigned as a board member via letter Sept. 7. To fill this open seat, the district will announce a vacancy on its website and welcome members of the community to apply for the position by Oct. 9.
Appointments: Last month, Michael Smith resigned as principal of Columbia High School, effective Sept. 30. Robert Kedney, who served as assistant principal at both the middle and high schools, will succeed Smith as interim principal. He will serve until Jan. 31, 2021.
MORE:
About Town 9/20/20
This week’s photos of Columbia
(Tap/click each photo to see a larger, sharper image.)
Faces about town:
Laurel Hill Cemetery . . .
Jesus #1
Jesus #2
Holy Trinity Cemetery . . .
Jesus #3 and father
And mother
Mount Bethel Cemetery . . .
John Houston Mifflin, father of Columbia poet and artist Lloyd Mifflin
Tiny angel
This is apparently a Statue of Hope, which is explained HERE.
Here’s the full Statue of Hope at Mount Bethel.
(From a previous post)
The Weeping Angel
(From a previous post)
Locust Street Park . . .
The Returned Soldier
(The backstory of this statue is HERE.)
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The neighborhood vagabond
The Columbia Market House project continues.
Bridge (south side)
Bridge (North side)
Another “proper” boat ramp could be installed here at the bottom of Union Street.
Andy’s Market at 4th & Cherry is closing at the end of October, but the Ironville Pike location (shown above) will stay open.
A new sign in town (400 block of Locust)
Another new sign
Hambones bell tower
Gate at Holy Trinity Cemetery
Cross
Trees are being removed along Shawnee Run in preparation for an upcoming project.
Some sort of humongous cargo plane
Reflection of York County
The sign was recently placed at Columbia Presbyterian due to loiterers and trespassers.
An Air Force One-looking plane up in the fog
The 800 block of Locust is almost back to normal.
Due to ongoing dumping, this collection box on the 600 block of Poplar has been removed.
Evening meeting
The 441 bypass was constructed to keep big trucks like this out of the center of town.
Looks like they’re still coming through.
On Tuesday, a short stretch of Front Street was closed due to pieces of the bridge falling off.
(Note the debris on the far right in the second photo.)
This sign still appears at River Park . . .
but so does this one.
A live spotted lanternfly
And a dead one.
Traps like this one are being used in the hope of reducing the infestation.
Columbia Spy 