Columbia Spy

About Town

Recent pics about town . . .

Snowflakes now line Locust. They’re the new, smaller ones.

At St. John’s Lutheran.

Was it vandalism?

Night flier

There’s somethin’ happenin’ here.

What it is ain’t exactly clear.

One of those rocks.

“Gangsta” graffiti

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Empty cigarette cartons lining the 300 block of Avenue G

Many cigarette cartons

Many, many cigarette cartons

And more cigarette cartons – all behind the Chestnut Street Turkey Hill

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A few different views of “The Bridge”…

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Here’s a fence across Locust Street (extended).

Ghost signs

Bird brains.

One seems to be landing sideways.

Line-up

There’s another rock.

Newly installed “security fence” along Heritage Drive.

Trees will be planted along here soon.

The proverbial Golden Calf

Mighty tight

Even tighter

New porch on North 5th

Stringing the lights

Lunch

UGI

Abandoned

Time for a chat

Lair of the hidden gas cans in Avenue H…

Could these be the ones used to light the trashcan the other week?

Missing

Dayflake

Borough kicks in $70K to give troubled building a second chance

208-210 Locust Street

The troubled building at 208-210 Locust Street might be getting a new lease on life thanks to an agreement between Columbia Borough and Brookline Builders of Lancaster. Borough Council recently approved $70,000 for the Lancaster County Land Bank to assist Brookline, a historic preservation company, with restoration of the property. Brookline’s budget for the project is $232,000. According to the agreement, the company will purchase the building for the token fee of $1 with the intent of restoring the facade and performing structural repairs. Brookline will then move its sister company, Lancaster Lime Works LLC, into the building where it will use the first floor as a showroom and offices. The top two floors will be rented out as a large, single apartment. Brookline has also requested that the borough set aside two parking spaces during regular business hours for use by Lancaster Lime.

The agreement, which is subject to solicitor review, stipulates that funds provided by the borough must be repaid in entirety if the property is sold within five years of occupancy. Council President Kelly Murphy said that the Land Bank estimated the cost of an alternative plan – tearing the building down and rebuilding – to be $350,000. Borough officials agreed that no developer would be willing to invest that amount to rebuild on the property.

The building, which was thought to be in danger of collapse in 2015, was later shored up and reinforced and the facade covered in Tyvek, for a total cost to the borough of $51,911.17. The borough placed a lien on the property for that amount, which it subsequently forgave in exchange for possession from owners Sam and Cynthia Bigler of Millersville.p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 36.0px Helvetica} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 36.0px Helvetica; min-height: 43.0px}

The backstory on the borough’s acquisition of the property is HERE.

Hit and Run Investigations | Columbia Borough Police Department

Columbia Police are investigating two hit and run accidents where parked vehicles were struck.

On 11-17-17 a parked vehicle was struck in the 200 block of North Fourth Street causing damage to the driver side mirror and front fender. Passenger side mirror parts from the suspect vehicle were found at the scene and are believed to be from a Chevy or GMC truck.

On 11-19-17 a parked vehicle was struck in the 300 block of North Seventh Street causing damage to the driver side mirror and door.

Anyone with information on either of these hit and run accidents is encouraged to contact the Columbia Police (717)684-7735 or text LANCS 847411..

Source:

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/hit-and-run-investigations

Myers, Sherri Ann – (1) count of Retail Theft (S) | Columbia Borough Police Department

On November 19, 2017 at approximately 11:53 am Columbia Borough Police responded to a shoplifter in custody at the Dollar General Store located at Columbia Plaza, 960 Lancaster Avenue Columbia, PA 17512. As a result, Sherri A. Myers of Marietta was arrested for attempting to steal $35.50 worth of merchandise from the retail store. She was observed by employees concealing several packs of socks and one pack of men’s underwear in her handbag. She was cited and released from Police custody. All parties are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case Number:

21291-11-19-17

Arrest Date:

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Charges:
(1) count of Retail Theft (S)
Source: Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/myers-sherri-ann-1-count-retail-theft-s

Found property to be returned. | Columbia Borough Police Department

We have several items in our lost and found that we know who the owners are. We are unable to get in touch with the following people. If you know them please tell them to call and ask for Officer Austin Miller. 717-664-1180.

Anney C. Togneri

Karissa Lynn Spitler

Kenneth W. Story

Jason J. Rollman

Michelle Alexander

Source:

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/found-property-be-returned

Vehicle Accident/Hit and Run | Columbia Borough Police Department

Columbia Borough Police are investigating an overnight hit and run involving 3 parked vehicles in the 300 Blk of Linden Street. The incident occurred in the over night hours of Friday, November 17, 2017 and discovered on Saturday morning at 6:57 am. The suspect vehicle is a red vehicle and should have sustained moderate right front end damage to include a broken right side headlamp. Police collected car parts at the scene and are in the process of checking part numbers and reviewing local surveillance. One vehicle was deemed inoperable from the scene. Anyone with information can call the Columbia Police at (717)684-7735 or text LANCS at 847411.

Case Status:

Current

Case Type:

Criminal

Source:

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/cases/vehicle-accidenthit-and-run

Second suspect arrested in Avenue G robbery – Ulmer, Trenton Anthony – (1 count) Robbery/(1 count) Conspiracy to Robbery | Columbia Borough Police Department

UPDATE FROM NOVEMBER 6, 2017 ROBBERY

On November 15, 2017 the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office certified and approved adult criminal charges on 15 year old Trenton A. Ulmer and 15 year old Savion Allen for Robbery and Criminal Conspiracy to Robbery. Both are residents of Columbia Borough. The incident was reported on November 6, 2017 at approximately 8:41 pm in which Ulmer and Allen followed a adult and juvenile victim from the Turkey Hill located in the 300 Blk of Chestnut Street to the 500 Blk of Ave G and “pointed a gun” at a adult and juvenile victim. The juvenile victim was struck in the head and face. Items and cash were taken from the victims. Initially Ulmer and Allen were charged as juveniles and taken to the Lancaster County Youth Intervention Center. Juvenile charges were withdrawn on November 16, 2017 and refiled as adult criminal charges. The two were transferred to the Lancaster County Prison and arraigned by MDJ Sponaugle for Robbery and Conspiracy to Robbery, both felony counts. They were committed to the Lancaster County Prison in lieu of $250,000.00 bail. All actors are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Case Number:

6845-11-06-17

Arrest Date:

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Charges:

(1 count) Robbery/(1 count) Conspiracy to Robbery

Source:

Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/arrests/ulmer-trenton-anthony-1-count-robbery1-count-conspiracy-robbery

Retail Theft at Stover's News Agency – Can you ID the suspect?

On November 17, 2017 at approximately 2:45 pm the pictured female walked into Stover’s News Agency at 24 N Third Street and stole a bag of cigarette tobacco valued at $31.50. The female is described as a white female, with brown hair, approximately 30-40 years, wearing a maroon zip up sweatshirt and blue jeans. She walked into the store and concealed the item in her black, white and red pocket book and left the store. She walked towards Hinkle’s. If anyone has information on her identity please call the Columbia Police at (717)684-7735 or text LANCS at 847411.