Columbia Spy

Pedro Luis Vega-Rivera

https://www.wgal.com/article/lancaster-county-man-arrested-ohio-alleged-abduction-infant-daughter/69823100

A walk to raise money to help a York County police officer battling cancer made its way Monday from the Hellam Township municipal building in York County to the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute in East Hempfield Township. The ruck walk, which refers to walking while carrying a weighted backpack, benefited Hellam Township police officer Sgt. Justin Golder, who is being treated at the institute for colon cancer, according to a gofundme page created to raise money for medical expenses and to help Golder’s family and a Facebook Events page. Walk participants were expected to travel a total of 26.3 miles to represent Golder’ badge number, 26-3. Golder was scheduled to begin therapy on Monday

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/walk-from-york-county-to-east-hempfield-twp-benefits-york-county-police-officer-photos/collection_e65b4274-c653-416e-bbf2-e42491cdba00.html

Frey Jonathan C., Frey Andrea L. conveyed 820 Plane St. to Emily Laughlin for $172,000.

Graybill Eugene E. II, Graybill Tracy S. conveyed 495 Manor St. to Brothers Brothers Properties LLC for $66,000.

Christina Chan conveyed 125 N. Fourth St. to Ted O. Boucard for $265,000.

Jeremy K. Beckley conveyed 907 Walnut St. to Zachary Keller for $180,000.

Hamaker Jonelle M., Hamaker Jonelle conveyed 419 N. Third St. to James Hamaker for $1.

The estate of Gregory J. Benic conveyed 305 Perry St. to Dawson T. Ressler for $100,000.

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/street-sweeper-will-not-run-remainder-2025

This week’s photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

It’s beginning to look a lot like . . .

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Meanwhile, elsewhere . . .

Man on the roof

Someone ground off the surface of the stop sign.

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There was a shots fired incident early Tuesday morning on the 200 block of Walnut Street in which houses and vehicles were struck. Police later responded to the same location for a report of a drug overdose, in which a man was found dead in a residence. Multiple departments responded, and police shut down the block for several hours while they investigated.

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Iron Eagle is still at McGinness, but they appear to be wrapping things up.

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The Cycle Den held an auction on Saturday.

They’re moving to Glen Rock.

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The Flour Child, 646 Union St., Columbia, Dec. 5. Pass. Observed residue build-up on top of the mechanical dishwasher. Observed old food crumbs in the black totes used to store utensils.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Columbia Borough Council adopted its 2026 budget with no tax increase but with a considerable drawdown of reserves.

Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt the $17.80 million budget, using $1.1 million from reserves. The approximately $300,000 remaining is considerably lower than the recommended minimum of 15% of expenditures in general fund reserves. 

Council also voted to keep the millage the same—at 10 mills—although council members Kelly Murphy and Joanne Geesey voted against the measure, without explanation.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Columbia Borough has lost yet another finance manager, the fourth departure from that position since 2024.

Brian Christensen

Brian Christensen, who was hired by the borough at the end of August, has tendered his resignation, it was announced at Tuesday’s borough council meeting. Council gave no explanation for the resignation, citing personnel issues.

Council approved Christensen’s hiring at its August 26, 2025 meeting, at a salary “up to $75,000 a year,” pending completion of background check and drug screening. Council also agreed to make available additional training in municipal accounting, before he came on board in September.

● A previous finance manager, Michelle Jenkins, was hired in November 2024 at $72,000 a year but was terminated in May 2025, leaving a 3-month gap before Christensen was hired.

● In September 2024, the borough hired Karen Weiss as finance manager at $72,000 a year. Weiss abruptly quit after a short time.

● In June 2021, council hired Tammy Bennett for the position at an annual salary of $65,407. Bennett served for three years before announcing her resignation in July 2024.

● In February 2021, the borough employed the accounting firm BGA&F. Accountants Peter Barsz and Amanda J. Gattuso from BGA&F managed borough finances in early 2021.

● In January 2021, Amanda Lubold from Tri Star Temp Services was hired as a full-time accountant for a term of three months. After three months, consideration was to be made whether to hire her as a permanent employee. 

● In December 2020, accountant Quetsy Perez-Yates departed, followed quickly by Finance Manager Kyle Watts in January 2021. Watts had served in the position for two years.