Columbia Public Library Holds "Topping Off" Ceremony to Mark Halfway Point of Expansion Project

Capital campaign member Robin Gamby adds a line to the outdoor library sign showing fundraising progress.

Despite blustery winds, the Board of the Columbia Public Library held its “Topping Off” ceremony today, March 3, to mark the halfway point of the library’s $2.5 million expansion and celebrate progress of the project. Dozens gathered at the library to hear updates on construction and to sign a truss that will be placed on the building. Construction is being undertaken by CH&E Construction Company and the Capital Campaign.

A truss ready for signing.

After trusses are installed, the next phase will focus on finishing the library’s interior. So far, almost 60% of funds have been raised to pay for the project. The expansion marks the library’s first major update since 1973. When renovations are complete, the facility will feature an expanded children’s area, an enlarged circulation area, improved handicap accessibility, and enlarged areas for new books. There will also be additional space for increased program growth, enhanced support facilities for staff, defined spaces for artwork displays, and a reading terrace overlooking Locust Street Park.

For information on how to support the venture, contact Robin Gamby at rgamby@columbia.lib.pa.us or 717-575-9032.

Mayor Lutz offers thoughts on the project.
Robin Gamby gives an update.
Almost 60% of the funding goal has been reached.
Pete Egan of CH&E Construction says the construction deadline is June 6, 2018. 
 Markers are lined up and ready to go.

 Dozens gather in the chilly wind to hear updates and sign the truss.

And away they go….

***

Pictorial desk ornaments showing the library old and new will be sold as fundraisers for the project.
The ornaments were created by John Nitroy.
Last but not least – library mascot Spencer is escorted by library administrator Lisa Greybill to oversee the ceremony.

Columbia man wanted after police find stolen gun, drugs in Lancaster Twp.

Darryl D. Roman
Police issued an arrest warrant for a Columbia man after a vehicle search last month revealed drugs and a stolen gun in Lancaster Township.
Darryl D. Roman, 24, was charged with firearms not to be carried without a license, receiving stolen property, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance, police said Friday. 
MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-man-wanted-after-police-find-stolen-gun-drugs-in/article_2ee456ee-1e63-11e8-ace0-2b9b12b0f48f.html

citations | Columbia Borough Police Department

GREGORY D. TOBIN, AGE 66, OF HERSHEY, WAS CITED FOR UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES, IN THE 400 BLOCK OF SOUTH FRONT STREET, 28 FEBRUARY 2018.

CHRISANIE ESPADA, AGE 23, OF MOUNT JOY, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED AND FOR DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A SUSPENDED REGISTRATION, IN THE 500 BLOCK OF NORTH THIRD STREET.  ESPADA WAS GIVEN A FIVE DAY WARNING CARD  JANUARY 18TH., 2018, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND, RESULTING IN THE CHARGES BEING FILED, 01 MARCH 2018.

ADRIAN PERDOMO, AGE 27, OF FLORIDA, WAS CITED FOR UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES, ON THE RAMP OF ROUTE 30 WEST & ROUTE 441, 01 MARCH 2018.

ERIN M. NISSLEY, AGE 35, OF MARIETTA, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED, ON NORTH 11TH. AND CHESTNUT STREETS, 02 MARCH 2018.

BRANDON MICHAEL TRESSLER, AGE 28, OF MAYTOWN, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT 4TH. AND CHERRY STREETS, 02 MARCH 2018.

JACQUELINE S. MAPSTONE, AGE 43, OF WRIGHTSVILLE, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATE OF TITLE REQUIRED;  OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION;  AND FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, ON SOUTH FRONT STREET & BLUE LANE, 02 MARCH 2018.

DOMINIC SEBASTIAN ORTIZ, AGE 22, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT, 02 MARCH 2018, AS A RESULT OF A FIGHT BETWEEN ORTIZ AND A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD MALE, IN THE 1000 BLOCK OF AVENUE H, ON THE 27TH. OF FEBRUARY 2018.

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/citations-19

STILL AT LARGE: RANDY HOWARD

Randy Howard

Randy Howard, 22, of Columbia, is wanted for his alleged involvement in a September 3, 2017 wolfpack attack on a 61-year-old Columbia man. Howard is charged with aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy in connection with the attack.

Howard is also wanted by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole for violating terms of his parole from a previous offense.

 He is considered one of Pennsylvania’s “Most Wanted,” according to PennLive HERE.

Another man, Shakim McIlwain of Columbia, was convicted on March 1, 2018 for his involvement in the attack.

Anyone with information about Randy Howard’s whereabouts should call Columbia Borough Police at 717-684-7735.

Randy Howard docket sheet, filed 9/7/17:

PUC lets Columbia Water Co. raise rates, but not as much as requested

Columbia Water Company will see a revenue increase of 12.4 percent under rate hikes approved Thursday by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

That’s about two-thirds of the 17.8 percent increase the company requested.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/puc-lets-columbia-water-co-raise-rates-but-not-as/article_f9f474b8-1d73-11e8-87ca-07f508eb0c8b.html

ONE FOUND GUILTY OF 2 CHARGES IN WOLFPACK ATTACK – FACES UP TO 10 YEARS

Shakim N. McIlwain

One of two men charged in a wolfpack-style attack of a 61-year-old man last year was found guilty of two charges related to the incident. Shakim N. McIlwain, 23, of Columbia was convicted of aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy in the September 3, 2017 attack and will face up to 10 years in prison as a result. Assistant District Attorney Andrew Gonzales prosecuted the case at the Lancaster County Courthouse today where the victim and his wife testified. During the proceedings, an enlarged photograph of the victim, showing the severity of his injuries after the incident, was shown to the jury. The victim now has permanent damage to his right eye.

McIlwain was remanded directly to Lancaster County Prison after being found guilty but unable to post the $250,000 bail (monetary). The original bond of $30,000 monetary, posted three days after his arrest, was terminated today. Interestingly, McIlwain had been able to post the original amount and was recently employed by Ace Hardware in Columbia. Sentencing will be in mid-May. Randy Howard, also charged in the incident, is still at large.

Columbia Spy reported on the September 3, 2017 incident HERE.

MORE TO FOLLOW

Shakim McIlwain docket sheet, filed 9/5/17:

 Columbia Borough Police report from the incident:

Perez, Daniel Angel Jr. – One count of Possession of Marijuana section 780-113 A 31 i (M) and 2 additional charges | West Hempfield Township Police Department

Daniel Angel Perez, Jr.
On Thursday, February 22, 2018, at 1:34 AM, an officer from the West Hempfield Township Police Department conducted a vehicle stop after observing a black Dodge Durango traveling west on Columbia Avenue with an expired vehicle registration.
The officer learned that the driver, 26 year old, Daniel Angel Perez, of 579 Cherry Street, Columbia, PA 17512, did not have a current PA driver’s license. During the stop the defendant admitted to the officer that he had smoked marijuana and that there was a small amount of marijuana inside the vehicle. The officer did find a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle. 
Perez was placed into custody without incident, processed at the West Hempfield Township Police Department, then released.
On Thursday, February 22, 2018, Perez the West Hempfield Township Police Department filed the following charges against Perez at MDJ Miles Bixler’s Office: One count of Possession of marijuana, Section 780-113, a, 31, i, (M); One count of Driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, Section 1543 a, (S); and One count of Registration and certificate of title required, Section 1301 a, (S). 
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 
Arrest Date: 

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Case Number: 

2018-WH-00390

Source: 

West Hempfield Township Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/westhempfieldpd/11465/arrests/perez-daniel-angel-jr-one-count-possession-marijuana-section-780-113-31-i-m-and-2

citations | Columbia Borough Police Department

ROBERT LEWIS CASWELL, SR., AGE 61, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS, ON BARBER STREET, 24 FEBRUARY 2018.

ERIK A. GRAHAM, AGE 34, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR RESTRAINT OF DOGS REQUIRED, 25 FEBRUARY 2018, AFTER HIS DOG MANAGED TO GET OUT OF HIS YARD ON THE 20TH. OF FEB. 18.

GABRIEL CRUZ, AGE 38 AND TRISTY LEE PRIDGEN, AGE 27, BOTH OF COLUMBIA, WERE CITED FOR HARASSMENT, AFTER POLICE HAD TO RESPOND TO THEIR RESIDENCE FOR A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE CALL, ON THE 18TH. OF FEBRUARY 2018.

ORLANDO SAEZ, JR., AGE 22, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR A BOROUGH ORDINANCE, FOR NOT HAVING A TRANSIENT LICENSE AND GOING DOOR TO DOOR, ATTEMPTING TO SELL ENERGY PLANS ON CLOVERTON DRIVE, 21 FEBRUARY 2018.

MONICA LYNN MILLER, AGE 21, OF POTTSTOWN, PA., WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS AT FIFTH AND MAPLE STREETS, 22 FEBRUARY 2018.

JOSE CENTENENO-VILLEGAS, AGE60, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED; AND FOR STOP SIGNS & YIELD SIGNS, AT BARBER AND 11TH. STREETS, 23 FEBRUARY 2018.

LISANDRA TRINIDAD-ROLDAN, AGE 40, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNALS, AT LANCASTER AVENUE AND COLUMBIA PLAZA ENTRANCE, 24 FEBRUARY 2018.

SEAN DAVID LORAW, AGE 29, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS IN THE 200 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET, 20 FEBRUARY 2018.

SYDNEY M. FRIDAY, AGE 26, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR REGISTRATION & CERTIFICATION OF TITLE REQUIRED;  DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED;  AND OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, ON UNION STREET AND LANCASTER AVENUE, 26 FEBRUARY 2018.

KYLE A. STATES, AGE 26, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR TRAFFIC-CONTROL SIGNALS, AT 3RD. AND LOCUST STREETS, 27 FEBRUARY 2018.

JENNIFER A. ATHERHOLT, AGE 36, OF ELIZABETHTOWN, WAS CITED IN THE 100 BLOCK OF SOUTH FOURTH STREET, FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, 27 FEBRUARY 2018.

JOHN C. SCHREINER, III, AGE 43, OF HARRISBURG, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES AT 5TH. AND CHESTNUT STREETS, 27 FEBRUARY 2018.

DARRYL MICHAEL WILSON, AGE 29, OF LANCASTER, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, ON LANCASTER AVENUE, 28 FEBRUARY 2018.

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/citations-18