Train rolls through

A special Norfolk Southern passenger trained, with a large number of historic cars and engines rolled through Columbia this morning around 11 a.m., en route from Washington to Harrisburg.

Cleaning out

For the past few weeks, the Strube building, which was subject to a federal and state government for illegal dumping, in the 200 block of Locust Street is being cleaned out. Also noticed a few doors up, a minority grocery store in the former Motter's Hardware has also closed.

A new coat

Borough highway workers were busy the last two days putting a new coat of asphalt on the 1000 and 1100 blocks of Grinnell Avenue.

Update on youth football incident

Here is an update on the York incident where a gun was pulled at a youth football game: http://www.ydr.com/premium/ci_15939670

2010 Crimson Tide football roster

Seniors                            Number               Position
Marcus Fischer                 54                         OL-LB
Byron Germer                   51                         OL-LB
Ronald W. Gilbert             18                         WR-DB
John Markley IV               81                         WR-DB
Felix Mendez                    24                      QB-WR-DB
Casey Rapp                     65                          C-DL
Kevin Simms                    50                          OL-DE
Dominic Trout                  40                           FB-DE
Johnny Vasquez               8                             FB-OLB
Cain Warfel                     55                           OL-LB
David “DJ” Wells            7                              RB-DB
Juniors
Michael Burke IV            4                              WR-OLB
Jeremy Daise                   20                             RB-DB
Zachary Donnan              69                              OL-DL
Joshua Elliot                    84                           WR-OLB
Kristofer Evans               68                             OL-DL
Benjamin Hank              62                               OL-DE
Tyler Harrison                10                               QB-S
Seth Lefever                  12                             WR-OLB
Dion Matthews              56                                 OL-LB
Victor Rivera                 82                             WR-OLB
Julius Brock Taylor        21                                   RB-DB
Sophomores
John Bosley                   71                                  OL-DL
Andrew Combs             28                                   RB-DB
Tyler Dietz                    66                                   OL-DL
Bryan Flory                  32                               TE-OLB
Alec Hooper                 80                               WR-DB
Will Kreiser                  85                                WR-OLB
Quincy Mancotywa       60                                    OL-DL
Adam Mowrer              79                                    OL-DL
Christopher Murray        9                              WR-DB                     
Nicholas Nobile             2                                 WR-DB
Trevor Powers              77                                OL-DL
Nick Williams              11                                   WR-S

Head Coach: Michael R. Burke III
Assistant Coaches: Mike Burke II, Danny Seasock, Tom Burke, Justin Steiner, Ryan Strickler and Darren Schultz
Head Junior High Coach: James Burke
Assistant Jr. High Coaches: John Moody, Sebastian LeFever
Equipment Manager: John “Tink” Lutz
Assistant Manager: Ed Colin
Video Team: Oz Mathiot
Statistician: Barry Ford

A new beginning

There's no one doubting the fact that the 2009 football season at Columbia High School was the worst ever.
Take away games against Pequea Valley, Annville-Cleona and the first half of the Eastern game, the Crimson Tide never had a chance.
They were outscored 375-111 last season and gave up 40 or more points in seven of its 10 games. Sixty-six of their 11 points were scored in three games and they were shutout in two of their last three games.
Add to that, the Tide lost for the first tie ever to Pequea Valley, the second time ever to Eastern and the first time in a decade or longer to Donegal and one can easily see why it was a disaster.
But as I watched the Crimson Tide practice and scrimmage over the two plus weeks, I see a lot of things I like. Practices are very organized and for the most part crisp and there is a lot of work being done on the little things. It's my belief and others that you can't do the big things without being able to do the little things.
The Tide has hit two other teams so far -- York Suburban and Hanover in scrimmages. They done well and seem to be on track to make last season a distant memory.
There's a new coaching staff and all of them have been hard workers during their high school careers and in previous coaching duties on the hill.
For the most part, the team has taken to an entire new system, but at times lapses into its former mode of "hey we didn't win a game" last year, but are quickly turned around.
The off-season has been filled with football and more football and one thing that will help this team believe in itself will be a win Friday against cross-river rival Eastern. That will go a long step toward turning around the attitude and doubters.
Here's an invitation to everyone in Columbia to make the trek up the hill Friday night, partake in the pre-game tailgate (5:30 p.m.) and venture down the driveway for what I think will be a great night of football.
Roll Tide!

Tide blanked in tennis

Singles

Nicole Lapp, Solanco def Kelsey Ulrich, CHS: 6-0, 6-0
Leah Holzhauer, Solanco def Jenna Geesey, CHS 6-0, 6-0
Shira Kauffman, Solanco , def Alex Lydon, CHS 6-0, 6-0
Krsytin Miller, Solanco, def Cody Barton, CHS 6-0, 4-2
Beth Raebeck, Solanco, def Amanie Beshara, CHS 6-0, 1-5
Doubles
Robinson/Lewis, Solanco def Ulrich/Geesey, CHS 7-3
Rineer/Kir, Solanco def Lydon/Barton, CHS 8-4

Weekly Columbia police reports

TAIDJE B. MULLEN, AGE 22, OF YORK, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS AND YIELD SIGNS, AT ROUTE 30 AND LINDEN STREET, AUG. 24.
ROGER DALE RANDALL, AGE 39, OF CONESTOGA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, IN THE 300 BLOCK OF CHESTNUT STREET, AUG. 23.

CARLTON MAHADEO, AGE 40, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION IN THE 600 BLOCK OF UNION STREET, AUG. 23.

LISA J. SMITH, AGE 41, OF ASPERS, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS ON ROUTE 30 WEST, AUG. 24.

PATRICK MICHAEL MULLIKIN, AGE 26, OF MANHEIM, WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS IN THE 300 BLOCK OF CHERRY STREET, AUG. 25.
RONALD ALANIZ, AGE 38, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR STOP SIGNS AND YIELD SIGNS AT FOURTH AND UNION STREETS, AUG. 27.
TERESA PALOMBO SMITH, AGE 35, OF HANOVER, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS, AT ROUTE 30 EAST, AUG. 29.

TODD BRION KELLER, AGE 54, OF WRIGHTSVILLE, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS, AT ROUTE 30 EAST, AUG. 28.
MANNY SANTOS, AGE 37, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 800 BLOCK OF LANCASTER AVENUE, AUG. 27.

KWANZA K. BRAGG, AGE 20, OF NEW YORK, WAS CITED FOR MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS, ON ROUTE 30 WEST AND ROUTE 441,  AUG. 28.

JUSTINE ANN ROBERTSON, AGE 35, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, IN THE 100 BLOCK OF SOUTH  FIFTH STREET, AUG. 29..

RANDY BLASDELL, AGE 49, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, AT FRONT AND PERRY STREETS, AUG. 29.
SHAWN PAUL DEITZEL, AGE 22, OF WASHINGTON BORO., WAS CITED FOR OPEN CONTAINER, AT ROUTE 441 AND MILL STREET, AUG. 28.

State Supreme Court to hear case

This is from the York Dispatch: http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_15939937

Gun pulled at youth football game

From the York Daily Record: http://www.ydr.com/ci_15939670

Cell phones at school

Students get to use cell phones in school: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/08/cumberland_valley_high_school_3.html

Wrightsville man busted in bank job

A Wrightsville manhas been charged in connection with a Lancaster County bank robbery: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/282321

Friday's commentary

It's been a while since I have actually sat down and wrote some commentary. It's not that I haven't had time because that's all I got.
First and foremost, I am not going to change the comment portion of COLUMBIA TALK. I am still going to be watching everything that is going on in this town as usual. After a week of touring town, I can tell you there is a lot happening. Some good things and some bad things.
Among the good things are that a couple of art galleries are planning to move to the 400 block of Locust Street as Fourth Friday continues to take off and grow. The recent find of historical documents by CHIPS  at the former M&T Bank and the dig at Rotary Park, with donations with the Wright Mansion are two more examples.
The bad things, well, I am just not right now at liberty to say too much, but there are a lot of people watching  our town. And that's even with the good things too.
Yes, Columbia has a vacancy on borough council. Anna Gerlitzki's resignation hasn't even officially been accepted by council. I've heard from both sides on this and one thing I think is necessary is some type of program needed to educate first-time people, not only on borough council, but school board as well. It's a lot more than attending meetings. I know with school board, its either the IU or PSBA that runs an orientation program. And also, if you are not sure about a project or an issue, ask.
As for a replacement, which should only be until the end of next year, I agree there is a need for new blood. And since it has been suggested on here and on another site, that I might be interested in seeking a seat on council, I will tell you I have thought about it and if I would do it, I would do it for the best interests of all 10,300 citizens in this borough. I wouldn't do it for me or any group.
Yes, sometime Brian Long, who resigned last month as market manager, will be leaving. He's been willing to stay on as an interim manager. I was at market yesterday as I am every Thursday (was told last Thursday I wasn't there, however on Facebook, there was a photo posted and I was in the background, so unless I have a brother I don't know about, I was there) and I thought the traffic was good. Today, however, when I stopped in briefly, there was no need to put an alert on Traffax.
As for what I think Columbia should look for in a new market manager, is a person with a marketing/sales background; one who will go to other markets, try to recruit new stand holders and be a public relations person for the town. And I also believe it should be someone with no ties to the market (and I didn't say not from Columbia).
The parking situation in Columbia continues to be a discussion around town. Do I think Columbia should be collecting from meters until six o'clock or nine o'clock? No. But until things are changed, it is the law. When these new meters were put in several years ago, as some of you may have noticed, there's a place to put in a key, but nothing has ever happened in that regard. I also think too that perhaps we should keep the cost of the meters at 25 cents for an hour. We need to get people into our town and the change to 25 cents for 30 minutes is not business friendly.
I do hope when they change the meters, they do had a coat of paint to them. I know its a small thing, but it will be an improvement.
I could go on and on, but I won't. I will end with this, we are a small town of 10,300 people. We have a mix of cultures in our town and we really need to get a long. Getting a long will go a long way toward making our town what we once had and dream of having. As the theme song on the television show Cheers said, "a place where everybody knows your name." It's just not that way in town.

Pre-season is over

There's no denying that the 2009 football season was very un-Columbia like. The 2009 Crimson Tide was 0-10 and blown out of perhaps all by three games
But as they say, that was last year.
The 2010 season is a new beginning for the program as Michael Burke III takes over the reigns of the football program, which completed its pre-season tonight with a 75-minute scrimmage under the lights at Hanover's Sheppard-Myers Field.
Outside of a couple of long plays by Hanover on missed Columbia assignments, things are looking up for the Tide, who opens its season next Friday night with a home game on the hill with cross-river rival Eastern.
Tonight, the Tide moved the ball pretty good, scoring three times.
There wee two series of 10 and 10 plays, before the Tide and Nighthawks played a couple of series of down and distance.
In the first series of 10 and 10, the Tide moved the ball to the Hanover 24 before running out of plays. When the Nighthawks got their 10 plays, they scored midway through the series on a play set up by a 39-yard pass reception. The pass play was a breakdown on defense by the Tide, which went from the 45 to the Tide 16.
Columbia came right back on their next 10 and 10 series on a 3-yard run by Brock Taylor.
On the first series of game conditions (down and distance), Columbia moved the ball to the Hanover 9, before an interception near the end zone negated the threat.
Hanover then got the football and were faced with a 4th and 12th from their own 12. The didn't punt but ripped off a huge gainer on a fullback dive to the Columbia 35. But Hanover could not score and the Tide got the ball back.
The Tide needed three plays to score on a 73-yard pass and run from Tyler Harrison to Michael Burke IV. Seth Lefever converted the PAT.
But on the first play on offense, Hanover ripped off a 70-yard run, but badly missed the PAT.
There was one more offensive series for the Tide. This time it was a 71-yard pass from Harrison to D.J. Wells for a score.
NOTES: Columbia played the scrimmage without starting center Casey Rapp. Cain Warfel and Dion Matthews were the fill ins. Matthews was injured at the end of the first 10 and 10 series.

The tale of the missing pet

This is a rather unique pet story: http://www.wgal.com/news/24784269/detail.html

Police seek help

West Hempfield Township Police are looking for this woman: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/282245

Crimestoppers needs help

A man believed to be in the Columbia area is wanted: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/282069

Wanted man

Matthew Adams is wanted for leading police on a vehicle pursuit through several jurisdictions exceeding speeds of 100 miles-per-hour.
There is an active Felony warrant for Adams arrest.
Anyone with info is asked to contact Columbia Police at 684-7735.

Two injured in fall

Two teenagers were injured in a fall at Chickies Rock this afternoon: http://www.abc27.com/Global/story.asp?S=13046170

Shopping center evacuated

The bomb squad was called to the Shoppes at Prospect today: http://www.wgal.com/news/24759646/detail.html

Booted

This car was parked in the 200 block of Walnut Street.

Council woman resigns

COLUMBIA TALK has learned Anna Gerlitzki, who was just sworn in as a member of borough council in Januaury, submitted her resignation to Council President Mary Wickenheiser on Monday.

Plan to be unveiled

The Columbia Economic Strategic Plan will be presented at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 30, at the Columbia High School auditorium.
The plan, which will serve as a blue print for Columbia's economic revitalization, has been in the works for two years. Municipal, school, non-profit organizations and local business leaders made up the committee.
Copies of the plan will be available at the meeting.

Event is postponed

NOTE: Event has been postponed until a later date.

Mark Thursday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. on your calendars.
There will be a tree planting in Locust Street Park to recognize Columbia citizens, who were instrumental in the burning of the wooden bridge that connected Columbia and Wrightsville during the Civil War back in 1863.
The Columbia Shade Tree Commission is putting together the program, which will include the planting of a Liberty Tree Elm in honor of John Q. Denny, John Lockhard, Jacob Miller and Jacob Ruth.
The program is still in the planning stages but representatives from the Columbia Shade Tree Commission, the borough, Columbia Historic Preservation Society and Rivertownes PA USA are expected to speak.

Kitchen fire in Columbia

A major fire was adverted today in the East end of Columbia.
With firemen from the Susquehanna Fire Company on stand by at their fire station because of a major fire in Rapho Township, they were able to respond quickly late this morning to a structure fire a block from their station.
Crews from all three Columbia fire companies, along with Wrightsville and Maytown-East Donegal were called to a fire at Plane and Manor streets shortly before noon.
When the first crew from the Susquehanna arrived, a kitchen fire was found and quickly put out. Had the firemen not been on stand by at their station, several houses could have been damaged  by the blaze.
No damage estimate was available.