This week’s photos of Columbia
(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)
This scooter rider was going with the flow on Walnut Street.
Some clouds after the storm
The Second Street lions were decked out in red, white, and blue for July 4.
Tanker on the tracks.
Columbia is known for its antiques, like this one at Tollbooth.
Goin’ fishin’
Time to paint
Watch out for that wake!
Was it a “rescue mission”?
Time for a pit stop
Ready to party or party over?
When there’s no tree well . . .
Turn off the lights
One of the easiest ways to help fireflies is also free. Turn off outdoor lights. Light sources from people make it difficult for fireflies to signal each other. Keep the lights off at least during firefly season: late June through mid-July. If you need lights in specific areas, point them down and at spots like steps. Adding motion detectors or timers also helps reduce light pollution.
Cut down on mowing
Mowing frequently can disturb fireflies, which stay close to the ground during the day. You don’t need to turn your entire lawn into a meadow but keep at least a small area with tall grass to provide habitat. Or keep your entire lawn 3.5 or 4 inches tall, according to University of New Hampshire’s Extension.
Leave leaves
Some firefly larvae spend up to two years in leaf litter. Leaving leaves gives them a chance to grow into flying, flashing adults.
Provide a water source
Most fireflies like being close to water. Even if you don’t have a pond, create a wet habitat with a bird bath or water feature.
Stop using pesticides
Pesticides that kill things like grubs and slugs can also kill fireflies. If you worry about snails, slugs and caterpillars, remember that fireflies eat insects like these.
Research fireflies
You don’t need a yard to join a community science project. The Butlers suggest Firefly Watch (lanc.news/fwatch). While organized by Mass Audubon, anyone in North America can track fireflies. To help, spend at least 10 minutes once a week during firefly season watching fireflies in one location. Count the fireflies. Watch for flash patterns and submit your results.https://lancasteronline.com/features/home_garden/6-ways-to-help-pennsylvanias-at-risk-firefly-population/article_e53b3e6e-1c35-11ee-9f76-df80443195ad.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share
The York County Coroner’s Office identified the inmate as Haywood Dixon Jr., 39, of Columbia Lancaster County.
“It is reported that Dixon had declined medical staff’s assistance when they were attempting to provide routine medical care yesterday. Later in the evening, Dixon began complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath and then became unresponsive,” a statement from the coroner’s office said.
EMS was called and attempted to resuscitate Dixon. He was pronounced dead at 12:06 a.m. Friday.
An autopsy has been scheduled.
The coroner’s office said, as per protocol with inmate deaths, Pennsylvania State Police is the investigating agency.
Dixon had been in prison since Wednesday after being arrested Tuesday for possession of a firearm without a license, four drug possession charges, resisting arrest, and three driving offenses. Dixon was unable to post the $75,000 bail.
https://www.wgal.com/article/pennsylvania-york-county-prison-inmate-death/44475713
So far this year, Mayor Leo Lutz said there have been some flies, but the public works department hasn’t been called upon to clean them up yet. With the current warm temperatures, he believes more of the insects could be arriving in the coming days.
“We’re watching every day,” he said.
The borough typically turns the bridge lights off from mid-June until August, and this year the lights went off June 16. That practice started after summer 2015, when the bridge closed due to its deck being covered with flies, causing motorcycle crashes and making national headlines. Columbia cleans up flies on the bridge when they begin to collect.
The swarms have been blamed on art deco-style lights installed in 2014, mimicking the original lights from when the bridge opened in 1930. Despite the mess and potential danger, biologists say overall the mayflies are an encouraging sign of the river’s quality.
The meeting packet is HERE.
Many Columbia residents reported hearing and feeling a loud boom this morning, the origin of which appears to be from a building explosion in Rapho Township.
[Video: WGAL]
[Submitted photo]
Customers line up for 50% off gas at the 400 Columbia Avenue Sheetz.Sheetz’s July 4 gas special has caused long lines and long waits for customers. If you haven’t heard, Sheetz has cut its gas prices by 50% to $1.776 a gallon to commemorate our country’s 247th birthday. The special began at 12.01 a.m. Tuesday.Regular, E85 (flex fuel), Unleaded 88, mid-grade and premium fuel grades all fall under the promotion. The deal doesn’t apply to diesel or Ethanol Free fuel, according to cnn.com.
July 4th is Independence Day in the United States, a federal holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.
The Second Continental Congress voted in favor of independence on July 2nd, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration of Independence asserted that the thirteen colonies were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states.
The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence took place on July 8, 1776, in Philadelphia. From that day on, Independence Day has been celebrated annually in the United States with parades, fireworks, concerts, picnics, and other public events.
Independence Day is a significant holiday in American history because it marks the birth of the United States as a sovereign nation. The Declaration of Independence is a foundational document of American democracy, and its principles of liberty, equality, and self-government continue to inspire people around the world.
Here are some of the traditions and activities associated with Independence Day:
Fireworks: Fireworks displays are a popular way to celebrate Independence Day. The largest fireworks display in the United States is held over the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Independence Day is a day for Americans to come together and celebrate their country’s independence. It is a day to reflect on the sacrifices that have been made to ensure the freedom and democracy that Americans enjoy today. It is also a day to look forward to the future and to renew one’s commitment to the American dream.
Sources
www.scarsdalelibrary.org/blog-entries
www.autoyas.com/US/Saint-Albans/158104440887765/Trainer%27s-Automotive-Center
This week’s photos of Columbia
(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)
Some flags for the 4th
The first 2 photos are from Centerville Road, where Fairway Independent Mortgage set up the flags.
Roadwork at 3rd & Poplar, the aftermath of a water main break last week.
And a few days later, it looked like this.
Can you do the math?
We get the message: You really don’t want anyone in there.
A few more photos from this week’s beer vat event
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JUNK ON CALL
Ready to paddle
Out for a ride
Leaving the Watch & Clock Museum car show
The giant crane currently at Park Elementary
Workers were replacing HVAC units there.
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More movement on the Habitat for Humanity project on South 5th
This tub was sitting at River Park for most of the week.
Here are a few more smoke photos.
There must not be any trees left in Canada.
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Meanwhile, at the ol’ airfield – more testing?
Doesn’t the borough have this figured out yet?
Two towers
Bob Snyder out on the highway is retiring.
What happened to the back half?
Jimmy Jones added edging and more mulch at Mount Bethel.
But the sign says . . .
This killdeer was doing the “broken wing dance” to divert attention away from its offspring.
There’s the offspring.
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Giant bee attack!
A reaction to a recent Supreme Court decision?
A few more such decisions and we’ll be in Taliban territory.
This van was parked on the 300 block of Locust.
E-bike riders are weak.
True or False?
Columbia Spy 