Susquehanna River's poor health is killing smallmouth bass

LANCASTERONLINE
The collapse of the smallmouth bass fishery on the lower Susquehanna River may be the “canary in the coal mine,” presaging future health problems to more fish and animals in the river, as well as devastating a recreational economy, a new report says.

Since 2005, 80 percent of the bass have disappeared between Sunbury and the Conowingo Dam. Fingerling bass are dying, ugly lesions and splotches are appearing on adults and eggs are showing up in the testes of male fish.
The cause: A “perfect storm” of high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution, rising water temperatures believed to be at least partly due to global warming and a mix of chemicals from sewage plants, says the report, released Thursday by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
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Exhibit To Offer Perspectives On Local History

Thanks to a collaboration between the Mount Bethel Cemetery Company and the Columbia Public Library, assorted artwork by Gardiner Criswell will be on display at the cemetery during set hours on April 26 and April 28.  Approximately 15 to 20 of Criswell’s works, including oil paintings and sketches, will be set up inside the house located on the cemetery grounds at 700 Locust St., Columbia, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Fourth Friday, April 26, and from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28. Refreshments will be available. There is no cost to view the exhibit, but donations will be accepted.

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http://news.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=84444

DA seeks death penalty in Columbia fatal shooting

WGAL
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. –
The Lancaster County District Attorney is seeking the death penalty against Mario Casanova-Lanzo, 36, who is charged in a Columbia fatal shooting.

He pleaded not guilty.

In February, Casanova-Lanzo broke into his estranged wife's home on North Third Street and shot Parrish Thaxton several times, police said.

http://m.wgal.com/news/da-seeks-death-penalty-in-columbia-fatal-shooting/-/17430522/19888586/-/10phqftz/-/index.html

Columbia Wastewater – Special Meeting – April 25

Columbia Borough and its municipal authority will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 25, to discuss a possible deal with the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority to purchase Columbia's wastewater treatment system or have LASA provide services to the borough.
The borough is required to find a solution to comply with clean water regulations mandated by the state Department of Environmental Resources.
The public meeting will be held at the borough hall, 308 Locust St.

Quality of life to be addressed at April 30 town meeting in Columbia

LANCASTERONLINE
Columbia Borough will host a town meeting on quality of life issues at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 30, at the Columbia Borough School District Administrative Building, 5th and Chestnut streets.

The meeting will be hosted by Mayor Leo Lutz and Columbia Borough Police Department Chief Jack Brommer.

Ray D'Agostino and Jim Shultz from Lancaster Housing Opportunity Partnership will be on hand to discuss programs that may benefit Columbia property owners, including rental and owner-occupied properties.

The borough says it intends to have a discussion about things it and school district are planning as well as what residents and business owners would like to see happen in Columbia.

For questions, call Mayor Lutz at 684-7841 or Chief Brommer at 684-7735.

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/841593_Quality-of-life-to-be-addressed-at-April-30-town-meeting-in-Columbia.html

Fourth Friday Festivities This Friday

Fourth Friday festivities will take place in Columbia, Marietta, and Wrightsville on Friday, April 26, from 5 to 9 p.m. The local river towns invite residents to travel downtown and visit galleries, antique shops, local eateries, and specialty shops in the Columbia, Wrightsville, and Marietta areas. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view exhibits from local and visiting artists, enjoy refreshments, and discover the uniqueness of towns along the Susquehanna River.
For more information on specific gallery exhibits or shop offers, visit www.parivertowns.com or call 684-5249.

Columbia's new manager to start Monday

LANCASTERONLINE
Columbia Borough will have a new manager beginning Monday, April 29.

Sam Sulkosky, who is relocating from Blairsville, will join the staff and work side by side with departing borough manager, Norman B. Meiskey III, who announced his retirement last fall.
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Vendors sought for Columbia antique, art and craft show

LANCASTERONLINE
The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce will host the 33rd annual Antique, Art & Craft Show on June 29 in Columbia.

Slated to coincide with the sesquicentennial commemoration of the burning of the wooden covered bridge that spanned the river during the Civil War, this outdoor event is anticipated to receive increased foot traffic over previous years' shows.

Along with antiques, the show features, artwork, photography, crafters of jewelry, pottery, primitives, furniture and textiles.

Vendor spaces are available along Locust Street or in Locust Street Park. The event, which runs from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 pm, is held rain or shine.

Free parking and shuttle service are available to shoppers. Proceeds from the show benefit the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, a non-profit organization representing the river towns of Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville.

For a vendor application visit www.PaRivertowns.com or call 684-5249. Please note that no commercial food vendors are accepted; food concessions are handled by local non-profit organizations.

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http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/841621_Vendors-sought-for-Columbia-antique–art-and-craft-show.html

Columbia to be named a 'Tree City USA' on Arbor Day

LANCASTERONLINE
The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission and the Columbia Tree Society will hold their 22nd annual Arbor Day celebration at 6 p.m on Friday, April 26, at Janson Park, Sixth and Cherry streets in Columbia.

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