Columbia Spy

A steel expansion joint that recently was replaced as part of a $9.4 million reconditioning of the Wrights Ferry Bridge failed Tuesday, officials said.

The expansion joint was on the westbound side of the bridge, which carries U.S. 30 over the Susquehanna River between Lancaster and York counties.

At least one westbound lane was closed between 3:20 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. Wednesday as workers replaced the four six-foot segments of the expansion joint and an epoxy filler was allowed to dry, said Mike Crochunis, a spokesman for PennDOT District 8, which includes Lancaster County.

The closure resulted in westbound traffic being delayed during Wednesday morning's rush hour as far from the bridge as the Prospect Road interchange, Crochunis said.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/836562_Problem-slows-traffic-on-Wrights-Ferry-Bridge.html

Columbia Borough could see approval soon of a major addition to River Front Park, but officials say they need time to amend funding requests to close about a half-million dollar gap.

The lowest bid for the project came in at $2 million, but it was expected to cost $1.4 million, officials revealed Monday. Officials said they have 120 days to act on the bid.

With plans in jeopardy to build the visitor hub including bathrooms and increased parking along the Susquehanna River, half a dozen members of the River Park focus group urged borough council Monday to move forward with construction.

MORE HERE:
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/836196_Susquehanna-River-trail-hub-lacks-funding-.html

Some shots from around our beloved borough over the past week or so . . .

This summer, Columbia expects to grab more attention than usual with its June 28-30 “Flames Across the Susquehanna” commemoration of its biggest moment in Civil War history. Town planners hope to snare visitors heading for Gettysburg's July 1-3 observance of the battle's 150 th anniversary with a dramatic re-creation of the burning of the town's bridge.

MORE HERE:
http://www.mcall.com/travel/daytrips/mc-columbia-pa-travel-0407-20130406,0,6486841.story

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — It’s that time again.

After a 17-year slumber, cicadas will be making their unwelcome debut throughout the Tri-State Area in about a month.

Experts said the cicadas will not be out until mid to late May.

And as CBS 2’s Lou Young reported, scientists said the spring and summer will bring record numbers of the noisy insect.

“In places where they’re going to be present, it’s going to be spectacular. There could be as many as one billion cicadas emerging per square mile,” Michael Raupp, a professor of Entomology at the University of Maryland, told 1010 WINS. “This is really a spectacular opportunity for children, for adults, for students to go out and learn about one of Mother Nature’s rarest, most interesting events.”

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/832407_Egg-hunt-delights-crowd-in-Columbia.html

Discovery Channel’s hit “Amish Mafia” bills itself as a reality show, but local historian Brad Igou says it’s anything but real – and he can prove it. Igou is opening a new attraction called the “Amish Mafia Tour” that will show visitors the shooting locations. Much of the show was shot on the farm of the Silverstone Inn just off of Route 30, including the barn that housed main character Lebanon Levi’s office.

MORE HERE:
http://fox43.com/2013/03/29/amish-mafia-tour-aims-to-disprove-shows-claims/

Roger Dorsey is a heavy metal artist.

He finds inspiration in scrap yards. In fact, he's a regular at Frank Sahd Salvage Center in Columbia, where workers sometimes set aside interesting pieces of — well, let's be honest, most people would consider it junk — for his use.

“I'm like one of the family,” he says. “They treat me really well.”

MORE HERE :
http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/831652_Found-metal-sculptures-forged-from-scrap–imagination.html

To say that Millersville University has picked a controversial speaker for its spring commencement this year is putting it mildly.

Students, faculty and alumni in Marauder Nation have signed a petition to oppose the university's choice. A group has set up a Facebook page voicing their outrage. Emails are pouring into the university administration's offices. Students are meeting this afternoon to organize some kind of response.

So who is generating this reaction?

None other than Pennsylvania’s 46th governor – Tom Corbett.

MORE HERE:
http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/03/millersville_university_studen.html#incart_m-rpt-1