Robber hits Columbia bank; police looking for vehicle

By RYAN ROBINSON
Columbia
Updated Jun 04, 2013 09:58
A bank was robbed in West Hempfield Township Tuesday morning, according to county radio communications.

It happened just outside Columbia Borough at Union Community Bank, 10 S. 18th St., at about 9:20 a.m.

Police were trying to track down a silver Hyundai with a partial license plate number of YZW that may have been involved.

It was reported to have been traveling east on Columbia Avenue toward Mountville after the robbery.

A female was driving the car and there may have been a male in the car with her.

Check Lancaster Online later for updates to this story.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/857485_Robber-hits-Columbia-bank–police-looking-for-vehicle.html

3 charged with driving vehicles off-road, damaging Riverfront Park

LANCASTERONLINE
Police have accused three people of causing nearly $2,000 worth of damage at a popular park in East Donegal Township.

They are: Ryan J. Miller, 18, of 124 W. Market St. Marietta, John N. Haupt, 27, of 2 Essex St. Marietta, and Brianna V. Kriner, 21, of 428 Manor St., Columbia, Susquehanna Regional police Lt. Stephen Englert said.

On various occasions in March, they drove vehicles off-road, causing extensive ruts and deep tire tracks at the township's Riverfront Park at 551 Vinegar Ferry Road, Englert said.

Damage was estimated at $1,856.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/857119_3-charged-with-driving-vehicles-off-road–damaging-Riverfront-Park.html

What I Saw – Monday, June 3, 2013

Police activity at 5th and Maple . . .

Meanwhile, down at River Park:
Is the bridge falling apart?
A picnic table under the Veterans Memorial Bridge had been moved and the area cordoned off with caution tape.
The area contained concrete debris.
The debris appears to have fallen from the underside of the bridge.
 Here’s a closer look.

Several large cracks have been apparent on the bridge for quite some time.

 I wonder how often the structure is inspected and how safe it is.
(Talk about crumbling infrastructure!)

Murals at Saint Anne's Retirement Community pay tribute to heritage

LANCASTERONLINE
Brightly colored murals began popping up in the lobby, halls and other public spaces at St. Anne's Retirement Community in the fall of 2011 as part of an overall project to redecorate the Columbia retirement community.

Painter/artist Bob Brinser, the retirement community's first full-time painter, has worked with a committee to create a new look for the community.

This spring, Brinser worked with Sister Bernice Klostermann, ASC, to create a series of murals that pay homage to St. Anne's heritage.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/856211_Murals-at-Saint-Anne-s-Retirement-Community-pay-tribute-to-heritage.html

What I Saw Recently

Some recent sights from around town . . .

 The sign says KEEP OFF THE GRASS.  
Yes, keep off, because it needs to GROW some more.
(It’s only about a foot high.)

 Still dangling.  Or should I say, dangling even more?

 Car with a lot of messages.
(I agree with the one about dissent.)

 Hose practice

 Trying to beat the recent heat wave

 Meanwhile, on Second Street . . .
This place is trashed.

Oh, I see – it’s been condemned.  Both sides of it.

 But it’s also for sale ???!!!

 Further down on Locust Street.  How many units in this building?
There’s far too much of this sort of thing in town.
 Here’s something good about the town.
Coming soon!

Saw this on the road today.  It speaks for itself.

Explore Lake Grubb Nature Park

LANCASTERONLINE
The debut hike in the “Let's Hike Lancaster County” series is Lake Grubb Nature Park in West Hempfield Township. As a man mentioned under his breath while following the trail, “It's a little muddy.”

Found on Hempfield Hill Road, Lake Grubb Nature Park features a manmade lake in the ore pit of the old iron mine excavated on the site in the 1800s, according to Ron Youtz, West Hempfield Township manager.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/856169_Explore-Lake-Grubb-Nature-Park.html