Columbia Spy

This week’s photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images.

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

Cops and dogs . . .

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Raven Ridge brought their birds to Columbia Crossing on Saturday . . .

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This surveyor, sporting an Amtrak jacket, was working on the 100 and 200 blocks of Walnut Street for a couple of days. Surveyors were also on the Veterans Memorial Bridge. A project to revamp the first two blocks of Walnut is slated  to begin in about two months. A major rehabilitation project for the bridge is scheduled to begin in 2027.

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A train cab out for a ride

Air-drying the laundry 

Man at work 

When you can’t decide what lane you’re in, just go for the middle. 

There’s a guy drilling into the bridge. 

New store on the first block of North 4th 

Tiny tulips

New display at Columbia Curiosities 

*Two more doggos*

These two were running loose the other day until police caught them and returned them to their owners.

Yes, it’s crumbling. 

Here’s the evidence. 

Visitors on the 300 block of Chestnut 

Several people assembled at a pre-bid meeting at the former McGinness property on Tuesday. 

Part of the old canal system . . .

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Scene of a fatal motorcycle crash

Public works vehicle logo

Out for a trot

[Photo by Sharon Lintner]

Half-hidden bunny at Columbia Crossing 

A lone explorer at the former McGinness property 

Men at work at the Von Hess building 

Flowers and more flowers . . .

Thanks to Lancaster historian Randy Harris, the Civil War bridge piers – along with a nearby lock of the old Pennsylvania canal – have been recognized as an authenticated site on the National Underground Network to Freedom run by the National Park Service. Unfortunately, some people defaced this pier. Many stones are missing, also.

Sunset clouds 

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Dan Sahd 

[Columbia Spy file photo]

Dan Sahd, co-owner and team leader at Sahd Metal Recycling in Columbia, will receive the Small Businessperson of the Year award. The award will recognize Sahd as an individual whose vision, innovation and leadership drive not only the growth of their company but also strengthen the economic and social fabric of Lancaster County.

https://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/lancaster-chamber-to-honor-4-business-leaders-at-annual-dinner/article_86d14563-a2b3-4df6-8fc4-0843b29de0b8.html

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY 

Columbia Borough Council has decided to shelve discussions about switching to a single, borough-wide trash hauler, with members agreeing that now is not the right time to make the change.

The topic was kicked around again at the April 7 Columbia Borough Council work session — held without Mayor Leo Lutz, who was at an event at Columbia Crossing. The discussion began in January when Lutz urged council to look into trash collection under one contracted provider. Currently, residents and business owners choose their own hauler from a list of approved companies on the borough’s website.

Councilman Ethan Byers said feedback from residents is mostly against having a single hauler. However, councilman Kelly Murphy claimed there are potential upsides, including lower costs and more consistent service.

With a single-hauler, the borough would negotiate a contract with one designated trash company, but residents would give up the ability to choose their own provider.

Resident Frank Doutrich said, “I just want to know why you’re trying to fix something that’s not broke.”

Heather Zink, council vice president, suggested having an “opt-out” for residents who don’t want a borough-chosen hauler.

Former councilwoman Mary Barninger said, “This topic has many layers and more tentacles than you think.” She suggested that council meet with some of the top single hauler vendors it wants to do business with, to find out about issues such as pricing, dumping, pickup, etc. She also suggested putting the issue on a referendum to find out what residents really want.

After a nearly hour-long discussion, council decided to drop the idea. Byers said, “It’s a significant undertaking and we have enough stuff on our plate this year,” he said. “I don’t know if we want to add the complexity that it would require to do it well, on top of everything else this year.”

Councilman Tom Ziegler, who was previously “fairly supportive” of having a single hauler, said he changed his mind after hearing citizen comments. 

Lancaster Avenue and Barber Street closed as crash reconstruction team responds

A motorcyclist suffered cardiac arrest Saturday morning following a crash at the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and Barber Street, according to Lancaster County emergency dispatchers.

The call came in at 6:17 a.m. as a Class 1 vehicle accident — the highest priority designation for crashes involving life-threatening injuries. First responders arrived to find the rider not breathing and in cardiac arrest.

Dispatchers advised the public that the area around Lancaster Avenue and Barber Street would be closed for an extended period, as a crash reconstruction team was called to the scene to investigate.

Boss Lady Sweets Bakery, 28 N. Fourth St., Columbia, opening, April 3. Pass. No violations.

The meeting packet is HERE.

Bigler Julie, Bigler Julie A. conveyed 1250 Staman Lane to Koch Matthew J, Koch Sarah L. for $125,000.

Morales Crystal M. Roldan, Rios Tayari Acevedo conveyed 1126 Lancaster Ave. to Faller Sandra, Milliron Mason for $224,900.

Lancaster Area Habitat For Humanity Inc., Lancaster Lebanon Habitat For Humanity conveyed 237 S. Fifth St. to Hashimi Said Massoud for $325,000.

This week’s photos of Columbia 

Click on photos to see larger, sharper images. 

JOE LINTNER | COLUMBIA SPY

The Columbia Water Company is getting ready to do a project on the 600 block of Locust Street.

Cool cats with their eyes on the prize. 

Glowing sky

Lone jet trail at sunset 

Bridge in the fog 

Markings on Walnut Street, most likely for the upcoming project on the 100 and 200 blocks, set to begin in about two months 

REGULATIONS 

SMOKED & LOADED

Henry the Horse is still hanging on Chestnut.

Piano at Columbia Crossing 

Sharing the view

Fresh coffee at Front  & Walnut 

Park Ranger staking out

Whoa Buddy, that’s a helluva wide turn!

Inside Tollbooth 

At the Legion 

More work is being done at the new outbuilding behind the Wright’s Ferry Mansion, next to the Von Hess building.

Speaking of the Von Hess building, there it is – newly painted.

Work on Bank Avenue, as seen from Locust Street 

The borough thinks this is ok for the historic district.

Car storage at 2nd & Linden 

Donate your car.

The Gifted Church of God will take it.

Tree on the tracks near Malleable Road

Gas prices, as of Saturday afternoon . . .

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Flowers for Easter . . .

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https://cbfd80.com/news/740/2026-Lancaster-County-Firefighters-Parade?fbclid=Iwb21leAQ8quhjbGNrBDyq22V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHuKDK9n41O68i8iRv_otDRGA7Jf8eKv7dozQGjVPS9gra_8z0oQBflBHS6Dv_aem_ogKaR76aukIGLDCUE20d3g

Two teenagers from Lancaster County are facing serious charges following a midday shooting and high-speed police pursuit along Route 30 in early March.

Emilio A. Medina-Aponte, 16, and Anthony Marin Gonzalez, 17, have been charged as adults in connection with the incident, which spanned from West Hempfield Township to East Hempfield Township. As of Thursday afternoon, neither suspect was in custody.

The Shooting

On March 2, West Hempfield Township police responded at approximately 12:30 p.m. to reports of shots fired near Oswego and Oak Hollow drives, close to the Rivercrest Apartments. Arriving officers recovered roughly 30 shell casings along with two live rounds of .40-caliber and 9mm ammunition.

Investigators say the two teens had been driving through the area since at least 11 a.m., searching for two individuals they were targeting. Surveillance footage placed them at a nearby McDonald’s at 1788 Columbia Avenue before the shooting occurred.

According to charging documents, the intended targets were seated inside a dark Volkswagen Jetta on Oswego Drive when they spotted Gonzalez and Medina-Aponte, triggering an exchange of gunfire. The Jetta then fled the scene.

Following the shooting, the teens ran to a parked vehicle on Oak Hollow Drive. When they were unable to enter, they smashed the driver-side window, got inside, and drove away.

The Chase

Northwest Regional Police later located the vehicle and pursued it to a business in the 2900 block of Columbia Avenue in East Hempfield Township. The suspects abandoned the car and fled on foot toward the nearby Arbor Park mobile home community.

Authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for the Arbor Park area as the search unfolded — a precaution taken as children were returning home from school. Police ultimately identified the suspects through witness accounts and security footage.

The Charges

Medina-Aponte faces four counts of aggravated assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm by a minor, two counts of fleeing police, carrying a firearm without a license, and conspiracy.

Gonzalez faces one count of aggravated assault, one count of reckless endangerment, one count of fleeing police, and two counts of conspiracy, among other related charges.

West Hempfield Township police have not released information regarding the occupants of the Jetta.

[Source: LNP/LancasterOnline]