Columbia Spy

By TODD STAHL

❄️ ICE SAFETY AWARENESS ❄️

Frozen lakes, ponds, and rivers may look safe—but appearances can be deceiving. Ice conditions can change quickly due to weather, currents, and underwater obstacles. What looks solid today may be dangerously thin tomorrow.

✅ Before You Go on the Ice:

• Remember: No ice is ever completely safe

• Check thickness (minimum 4” for foot traffic)

• Wear a life jacket or flotation suit

• Carry ice picks and a throw rope

• Go with a partner—never alone

• Let someone know your plan

⚠️ If Someone Falls Through:

• Call 911 immediately

• Do NOT run onto the ice

• Use Reach, Throw, or Row—never Go

• Use a pole, rope, jacket, or flotation device

• Keep low and spread your weight

🧊 Cold Water Danger:

Cold water can cause rapid breathing, muscle weakness, and exhaustion in minutes. Quick, smart actions save lives.

Your safety matters. Think before you step. 

Todd Stahl brings over 30 years of experience in Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services. He is a certified Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Technician and has served in multiple leadership roles, from Lieutenant through Fire Chief. Since 1997, Todd has been dedicated to providing Water Safety Education, earning instructor credentials through the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission at all levels of instruction. He has conducted more than 1,400 training programs and educated over 15,000 students. Stahl earned an Associate’s Degree in Public Safety & Security Administration.

This week’s photos of Columbia

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Saturday sunset (enhanced)

Art: @anndope

State Theatre Vintage Emporium 

Robins hanging around 

The clock tower’s backside 

Lions emerging from the snow

Ice-covered downspout at the Market House 

At the bridge plaza 

Tractor in the snow on Bridge Street 

More snow

Hydrant in the snow

Onward to the bridge!

Another lion emerging 

Another victim of PennDOT?

Yet another robin

Cedar waxwing

Even more robins

Down at the ramp

Wheelbarrows with wood

Highway workers are still at it . . .

*****************

At the town square 

Ready for next time

Also ready for next time

Work has resumed at the former Columbia Drive-in site. The work had stalled for a couple of years.

One assumes that this is still the plan for the site:

“A planned development that will include 18,000 square feet of retail space, a 3,000 square foot restaurant, a 3,500 square foot bank, 163 mid-rise apartments, and 9 low-rise townhomes, according to West Hempfield Township Planning Commission meeting minutes of May 16, 2019. The project was also discussed at the February 2, 2021 and October 5, 2021 West Hempfield Township Supervisors’ meetings.”

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Units responded to a vehicle fire on the 200 block of Perry Street at about 5 o’clock this afternoon.

Photos: Bull Warfel

Videos: Nathan Roach

Photo: Bull Warfel

Traffic was disrupted this morning after an Amazon delivery truck became wedged at the intersection of South 5th and Cherry Streets. The incident occurred just before 8 a.m. when the truck driver attempted to negotiate a turn there.

Columbia Borough Police responded to the scene to manage traffic and assist with the situation. The trapped truck caused delays for parents dropping off students at Park Elementary and Our Lady of Angels School. The driver was eventually able to move the truck from the scene.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

The borough highway department is continuing snow removal operations in the borough with crews working on Cedar Street this morning.

The department is facing setbacks after three vehicles experienced problems due to the demands of the operation. The recent snowstorm “took its toll on three pieces of equipment,” Highway Department Manager Jake Graham said at the February 3rd Columbia Borough Work Session. 

One vehicle, a 2005 Freightliner dump truck, suffered transmission failure. A replacement transmission will cost $14,000, while a replacement vehicle of the same type will run $250,000, Graham said. The borough paid $75,000 for the truck 16 years ago.

In addition, the department is currently down two employees. 

The meeting packet is HERE.

Gobran Guirguis conveyed 128 N. Seventh St. to Manoucheka Louis for $290,000.

SARAH NICELL | LNP Staff Writer

Ellie Winslow, Mik Trapp and Mel Buckley usually spend their Friday afternoons tattooing walk-in clients at their Columbia shop.

But things looked a little different at Clover Tattoo on Jan. 30. For one: They had free desserts and no walk-ins. 

The trio of tattoo artists huddled on the bench of Clover’s sun-streaked window. They made collages and hand-scrawled encouraging notes to stick on the glass, advertising free coffee, water and snacks. In a box beside them sat free cupcakes, which had gone mostly to delivery workers.

They chatted about an upcoming Beatles biopic and the dog groomer across the street as Buckley scrounged almost enough letters to finish a sentence: “ICE is a terrorist organization.”

“Pass me a big capital T,” Buckley said. Winslow quickly found one in the pile of entertainment magazines.

Activists nationwide called for a strike against work, school and shopping Friday to protest recent activity by federal agents, including the recorded shooting and killing of two civilians in Minneapolis. The strike coincided with protests and vigils across the country, including in Lancaster city, on Friday night.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/lancaster-county-city-businesses-take-action-in-support-of-national-strike-against-ice/article_ce6f8275-c7ab-4c06-a40a-d9ac6563baee.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share