Here's how much Lancaster County school districts can raise property taxes in 2020-21

Lancaster County school districts can raise property taxes as much as 2.6% to 3.9% next year, based on limits recently released by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

For now, that is.

Every fall, the state issues its Act 1 index, which limits how much each of the commonwealth’s 500 public school districts can raise property taxes.

2020-21 Act 1 Index

The Pennsylvania Department of Education each year sets limits on how much school districts can raise property taxes. The percentages, known as the Act 1 index, are calculated using percent increases in the Pennsylvania statewide average weekly worker wage and the federal employment cost index for schools.

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/here-s-how-much-lancaster-county-school-districts-can-raise/article_c5362afa-e617-11e9-a3ca-477c724e8484.html

Police seek public's help in identifying person of interest in shots fired incident

Columbia Police responded to a report of shots fired in the 200blk of South Third St. around 0930hrs on 10-03-2019. Officers located several spent shell casings and determined that a car and house were damaged by gunfire. No-one was injured in the shooting, but there were residents outside and in nearby buildings. 

Police are reviewing surveillance video and request assistance identifying a person of interest seen leaving the area at the time of the shooting. One of the attached photographs include a blurred out portion of a person already identified by police. Police are attempting to identify the person in the gray sweatshirt and gray pants. 
Any residents, especially those on  on S. Third St., S. 4th St., Union St. and Perry St. are encouraged to check home surveillance cameras for any footage between 0900 and 0930hrs. that may show those involved. 
Anyone with information should call the Columbia Borough Police at 717-684-7735 or submit a tip below.   
Date:  Thursday, October 3, 2019 Reference ID:  CB-19-04003 Case Status: Current Case Type: Criminal Source:  Columbia Borough Police Department

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/shots-fired-200-block-s-third-st

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/shots-fired-200-block-s-third-st

2 roundabouts to open in Lancaster County next week; how popular are they in Pa.?

Columbia Borough officials hope a temporary roundabout being installed Monday at the intersection of South 12th Street and Central Avenue will help reduce speeding and accidents along a stretch of South 12th Street.
Mayor Leo Lutz said he hopes the roundabout will reduce speeding.
“I want to drive it myself. The biggest thing is for people to get used to the directions they have to go,” Lutz said.
Traffic at the roundabout will be monitored for three to six months, borough police Chief Jack Brommer told LNP in May.
“This is our first attempt. If it works it probably won’t be our last (roundabout),” Lutz said.
MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/roundabouts-to-open-in-lancaster-county-next-week-how-popular/article_b5feba16-e617-11e9-895e-43afa2169002.html

Join Ms. Lisa for Stuffed Animal Sleepover & Story Time at the Library

An message from the library:
Our operations manager, Heather Beury, is once again hosting a stuffed animal sleepover!
Children of all ages are invited to bring their favorite stuffed animal to the library on Wednesday, October 9, at 6 PM
After a story time, the children and their caregivers will be presented with a special announcement!
Children may return the next day to pick up their stuffed animals – Heather will be posting the animals’ nocturnal adventures in a Facebook video!  We will also be able to share the video on our library’s webpage:  www.columbiapubliclibrary.org 
Tell your friends and pass the word – we hope to see you there!

THEFT OF A FIREARM – 200 BLOCK OF SOUTH FIFTH STREET | Columbia Borough Police Department

On 9/30/19 at approximately 9:22am the Columbia Borough Police Department was dispatched the 200 Block of South Fifth Street for a report of a stolen firearm from a vehicle.  Upon arrival the officer spoke with the caller who stated that his firearm had been stolen from his vehicle sometime between 11:00am on 9/28/19 and 9:22am on 9/30/19.  The missing firearm was described as a Hi-Point C9 pistol with a desert digital camouflage coating, serial no. P1967834.  The victim also said that an 8 round magazine, which was filled to capacity, was stolen with the pistol. 

Anyone with information regarding this crime or the location of this firearm should contact the Columbia Borough Police Department at 717-684-7735 or text LANCS to 847411. 
Date:  Monday, September 30, 2019 Reference ID:  CB-19-03922/1909035339 Case Status: Current Case Type: Criminal Case Region: Central Source:  Columbia Borough Police Department

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/theft-firearm-200-block-south-fifth-street

Police respond to shots fired call on the 200 block of South 3rd Street

Columbia Borough and West Hempfield Police Departments responded to a call of shots fired this morning on the 200 block of South 3rd Street. A witness told Columbia Spy that four shots rang out at 9:21 a.m. Police blocked off the street from Union to Perry as the investigation continued. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Columbia Borough Police at 717-684-7735 or text tips LANCS to 847411.

NOTICE: TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGES AT SOUTH 12TH STREET AND CENTRAL AVENUE BEGINNING MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019 | Columbia Borough Police Department

A Traffic Circle will be installed as a traffic calming measure due to issues with speeding, vehicle accidents and pedestrian safety.

Effective on Monday, October 7, 2019 there will be a new traffic pattern at the intersection of South 12th Street and Central Avenue.  A Traffic Circle will be installed as a traffic calming measure due to issues with speeding, vehicle accidents and pedestrian safety.  Yield signs will be placed near each corner and a 19′ X 8′ barrier will be placed in the center of the intersection.  Please see the attached diagram to view detail regarding the new traffic pattern.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/notice-traffic-pattern-changes-south-12th-street-and-central-avenue-beginning-monday

Residents push back on Council's idea for single trash hauler

Any notions Council may have had about switching the borough to a single trash hauler got a serious pushback from residents, business owners – and the mayor – at Tuesday night’s Columbia Borough Council work session. Those in attendance overwhelmingly rejected the idea, preferring instead to stay with their own haulers.

Councilman John Novak said Council was merely opening a discussion to weigh the pros and cons of the idea. Novak offered some potential positives:

  • Less impact on roads 
  • Less traffic 
  • Reduced cost 
  • Recycling improvement 
  • Reduced noise pollution
Mayor Leo Lutz opposed the single hauler idea, saying it would put local trash haulers, some of whom are residents, out of business. Lutz said that in many cases, those companies also employ borough residents. He added that a single hauler would not be available for special jobs like picking up mattresses or TVs, etc. Lutz also cited volunteer work that haulers do for Columbia Borough and organizations in the borough. “You’re not going to get a big hauler to do that kind of work, that kind of assistance, for you,” Lutz said.

Several residents also commented, all of whom opposed using a single hauler:

JoAnn Fritz: “Just because you’re going to get a cheap estimate – cheap is not the best.”

Shirley McBride: “I’ve been through the single hauler, and it was an absolute nightmare.”

Council candidate Sharon Lintner: “Gamby is the best. As long as you pick him, I’m for it.[joking]”

Kelly Kline of River Valley Disposal: “Cheaper is not better. You’re not going to be able to control the quality of what you get with a single hauler.”

Council candidate Howard Stevens: “Mr. Gamby and River Valley – You couldn’t ask for anything better.”

Frank Doutrich: “Myself, I’m happy with my hauler.”

Robin Gamby of Gamby’s Disposal Service: “There’s a lot that’s been given back to this town by the trash haulers that are represented here.”

Council candidate Heather Zink: “Let us enjoy the good service that we enjoy.”

Follow these links to see what council candidates are saying about the issue on their Facebook campaign pages:

Sharon Lintner