Columbia Spy

The Columbia Borough Fire Department recently received one of the two trucks it ordered last fall –  a fire suppression engine featuring updated controls and equipment, and a state-of-the-art suspension system that provides extra safety for drivers. The other vehicle, a rescue engine is due next week.

The department deemed the purchase necessary since its current trucks are aging and becoming increasingly costly to maintain. Those two engines are currently up for sale.

Columbia Spy reported on the purchase of the vehicles HERE. Columbia Spy also reported on the recent purchase of the new fire police vehicle HERE.

CBFD President Mark Fritz explains features of the new truck, more of which are shown below.

The Columbia Life Network donated 63 smoke detectors to the Columbia Borough Fire Department on Wednesday morning. According to Fire Chief Doug Kemmerly, who spoke at a recent Borough Council meeting, CBFD routinely installs detectors in residential homes but was running low. In response, CLN released $1000 from its Fire Fund to purchase the detectors for the fire department, according to CLN Executive Director Jamie Widener.

Sparrow Websites announced Hope Schlenkrid, @river_life_love on Instagram, the winner of their #DiscoverColumbia Instagram contest, held May 1 through May 31, 2019, earning herself a grand prize of $500.

Hope’s photo of the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Columbia was creative and original. It captured some of the ‘only in Columbia’ elements that make the rivertown an exciting place to live, work, and play. The photo portrays the “old” in a new and innovative way – something that is currently happening across the historic rivertown as new businesses open, entrepreneurs move in, and exciting changes happen all around!

When Hope got a camera for Christmas, she had no idea it would land her $500. She was given a glass ball and got creative and started snapping photos of Columbia. One day her mom mentioned to her that there was a contest to show what’s unique and exciting about Columbia… and the rest is history.

“Not every 13-year-old gets a chance to win $500 – but we hope that Hope will be inspired in her new creative endeavors and will continue to share our how she likes to #DiscoverColumbia,” said Justin Rule, owner of Sparrow Websites.

For all of the details and to view Hope’s winning photo, visit www.sparrowwebsites.com/discovercolumbia, and watch for new #DiscoverColumbia contests coming your way from your friends at Sparrow Websites.

Samuel S. Lewis State Park’s Environmental Educator, Curtis Sherwood, will offer a free weekly nature series at Columbia Crossing this summer. All ages are welcome. This program is best for families and for children to participate with their caretakers. Large groups should call Columbia Crossing to make accommodations.