Field trip to Sahd's Tuesday, July 31
About Town
This week’s photos from around town…
(Tap/Click photos for larger, sharper images.)
Mayor Leo Lutz and Officer Brent Keyser discussed opening Columbia River Park Saturday morning after a week of flooding due to heavy rains.
The park was opened to vehicle traffic, but the boat ramp wasn’t opened until Sunday morning.
Mud remained on the steps at the kayak launch, and of course someone walked in it.
Borough workers cleaned up mud and debris at the park’s cul-de-sac.
Unfortunately, this shovel wasn’t big enough to help.
A few days earlier, one of several storms brought heavy rains to the area.
Here’s the view through a car windshield during one of them.
Even birds sought higher shelter as waters began to rise.
The rising river levels even brought news crews to River Park.
WGAL 8 surveyed the scene.
All manner of objects washed down the river including this gas can.
This Fox 43 reporter really got into it.
A drone operator launched this drone to take a look around.
It stayed fairly close to shore.
During the aftermath, this green heron took the opportunity to find whatever he could find.
He strolled along near the shore, eating bugs and whatnot.
This seagull took up temporary residence on this utility pole and looked around the park as things returned to normal
*****
These guys cut open the street at 7th & Maple.
There’s been a lot of that going around lately. Here’s some heavy artillery on the 700 block of Locust the other day.
Looking nonchalant
Wrangling the heavy beast
*****
Cardinal without a crest
Crazy legs
Official Pace Car
Visitors at the Turkey Hill Experience
Yup, stuff’s still goin’ on out there.
A van full of cell phone chargers?
Outside toilet
Outside sinks
Somebody, please mow this sidewalk!
For a fleeting moment, Heritage DRIVE had an identity crisis and thought it was Heritage STREET.
But it finally got itself together and remembered what it is.
Speaking of Heritage Drive, is there a new marina forming there?
Here are some spray-painted lines on Riverfront Drive. (Or is it Riverfront STREET?)
And a few more
Half a beetle with a freeloader on the back
This church (one of Columbia’s historic buildings) was beginning to turn blue. (See the paint on the left side.)
Thank goodness this notice appeared on the door.
Good advice
Over at 5th & Cherry: commemorative plates noting places and events in Columbia history
First National Bank at 2nd & Locust
Burning of the bridge on the Susquehanna River…
Civil War historians Shelby Foote and Bruce Catton mention this event only in passing, if at all, but it directly precipitated the Battle of Gettysburg, the turning point of the war.
(The five Columbia bridge burners are buried in Mount Bethel Cemetery.)
The Opera House, which burned in 1947
New sign at Andy’s Market at Spruce Street and Ironville Pike
CBFD helped hang the sign.
The store might open this week.
Here’s a photo of the work in progress.
[Photo: Shaun Jordan]
Santa sighting!
(Does that portend Christmas in July?)
This is just wrong somehow.
August 4th . . .
Decoy Show
At work at Hinkle’s
Climbing
Old-time brickwork in Avenue G
There’s another one of those painted rocks.
Rusty old gear at Bootleg Antiques
Not a stairway to heaven…but a ladder to purgatory?
Open-air shutter
Burlap-covered barrel with a handle in the middle
Collectibles at Tollbooth Antiques
Peppermint-colored spindles
Free plant – already planted
Changing prices
As Grouch Marx would say, “Whatever it is, I’m against it”
Sunday morning, July 29: River Park boat ramp now open
Columbia River Park reopens to vehicles, boat ramp still closed
Officer Brent Keyser and Mayor Leo Lutz move barricades Saturday morning to reopen Columbia River Park to vehicles. The boat ramp remains closed.
Susquehanna River Basin Commission collects samples after high waters
The Susquehanna River Basin Commission was in town this morning to collect water samples from the Susquehanna River. According to the Commission’s website, “The mission of the Commission . . . is to enhance public welfare through comprehensive planning, water supply allocation, and management of the water resources of the Susquehanna River Basin.”
Two workers from the commission used a fish-shaped receptacle to collect river water.
They took several samples by lowering the receptacle from the Veterans Memorial Bridge.
Water levels at Columbia River Park this morning had receded slightly compared to last night.
RIVER PARK NOW CLOSED
Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz said despite the barricades, he noticed people putting themselves in the water and in dangerous situations.
“Columbia Borough has made a decision that if something is going to happen it’s not going to happen because we allowed people just to come in and do whatever they felt like,” Lutz said.
MORE:
https://www.abc27.com/news/local/lancaster/river-park-closed-in-columbia/1326466561
"Peter and the Wolf" at Park Elementary Friday, July 27
Police tape and barricades are set up at River Park as river continues to rise
This afternoon at about 5 o’clock, the river level at Columbia River Park was at least a foot higher than it was this morning. Police tape had been moved up to the pavilion to keep visitors safe and prohibit them from entering the water.
The river had edged its way further up into the park.
Most of the steps at the kayak launch were underwater.
Barricades were set up inside the park and also at the entrance to discourage vehicles from entering.
Water surrounded trees and benches.
Somewhere along the line, Heritage Drive, which became Heritage Street for a short time, became Heritage Drive once again.
Water covered the Union Street boat ramp.
The first block of Locust Street was also flooded.
Thursday morning, July 26 – River level is more than 7 feet above normal
Partnership brings Fresh Express to Columbia, aims to put healthy food on families' tables
A program in Columbia kicks off Friday at Park Elementary School, where food will be distributed between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Distribution will be every fourth Friday year-round at the school (except for November, when it will be held on the fifth Friday).
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