Its getting icy

The mighty Susquehanna is starting to ice over: http://www.wgal.com/slideshow/news/26142296/detail.html

Fall sports might start earlier in 2012

The PIAA football championships are this weekend in Hershey. That might change: http://www.rodfrisco.com/

Welcome Home Ben

Ben Zeamer returned home last night: http://www.fox43.com/news/wpmt-lancaster-county-soldier-home-for-the-holidays,0,1139943.story

Star Eastern guard out

When Columbia travels to Eastern on Saturday, the Golden Knights will be missing a key player: http://www.yorkdispatch.com/ci_16855776

Fire merger concerns Mountville

http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/324344

Holiday concert at CHS

Columbia High School will hold their annual holiday concert on Sunday: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=43936

Sunsnappers and Lions plan holiday food baskets

The Sunsnappers and Lions Club are planning to help the needy for the holidays: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=43940

West Hempfield store sells winner

The Weis Market on Stony Battery Road has sold a power ball winning ticket: http://www.wgal.com/money/26118199/detail.html

Game time changed

Tonight's varsity and junior varsity games with Mount Calvary will start at 6:30 and 8  p.m.

Good start for winter sports

The winter sports season started Thursday at Columbia High School.

Thursday, the bowling team opened its season with a 5-2 win over Elco.
David Wissler was the top roller for the Tide with a three-game series of 228-182-227, followed by Zach Jones with a three-game series totalling 628.

Friday, the first event in the renovated Elmer Kreiser Gym was a wrestling match between the Tide and Hanover.
The match came down to the last bout involving the Tide's Nate Warner. Columbia led the match 42-36 entering Warner's bout at 171, The Tide grappler needed overtime and scored a 6-4 victory getting a takedown with 29 seconds left in overtime.
Scoring pins for the Tide were Josh Elliot, Marcus Fischer, Byron Germer and Bryan Flory. Derek Zercher and Jordan Halter won by forfeit.
Prior to the match, the wrestling program honored the late Jerry McCauley from the Columbia Foresters and recognized former PIAA runner-up Jerry Afari as honorary captain.
The Tide will host Donegal on Wednesday.

In boys' basketball, the Tide split its games at the Hanover Tournament. Friday, the Tide lost to Delone Catholic, 61-49. Michael Burke led the Tide with 15 points.
Saturday, the Tide rallied in the second half to beat Somerset from District 5, 67-53. Tre Simms and Nick Nobile scored 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Tuesday, the Tide plays its first home game of the season against Mount Calvary before traveling to L-S on Friday and Eastern on Saturday.

In girls' basketball, the two-year plus losing streak for the Tide is over. The Tide won for the first time since the end of the 2008-09 season Saturday, beating Donegal, 56-31 in the consolation game of the Elizabethtown Tournament. Soph Jenna Plastino had 31 points.
Friday, the Tide lost to Brandywine Heights, 60-22.

Things that make you think

Read this story about a big school district trying to save some bucks: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/323424

Guiles named captain at LVC

Columbia's Ben Guiles will be one of the captains next season at LVC: http://godutchmen.com/news/2010/12/10/FB_1210100017.aspx

Lawsuits equal insurance issues

Wrightsville Borough is having insurance issues caused by lawsuits: http://www.ydr.com/ci_16834468

Win at the Columbia Market

West Hemmpfield Township police reports

A 14-year-old boy was charged with aggravated assault as the result of a fight in the 70 block of Kinderhook Road, Dec. 9.
The 14-year-old was involved in a fight with two other 14-year-olds and left the scene and returned with a six-inch knife. Police said he cut the other two boys on the arms and hands, requiring medical treatment at the scene.
The boy was turned over to juvenile detention.

Forgrave out at Hempfield

COLUMBIA TALK has learned Hempfield High School is advertising for a new varsity football coach until Dec. 23.
Bob Forgrave, who coached the Black Knights for the last four seasons, apparently resigned earlier this week. He had a record this year of 3-7 and was 19-22 overall.
The ad says Hempfield is looking for someone of at least five years of high school coaching, with at least three years at the varsity/junior varsity level.
To comment, I think with the size of the Hempfield School District, this could be a plum job in District Three. Already heard a few "big time" names.

Former Columbia company is sold

Anderson Metals, which use to be at the foot of Locust Street was sold: http://www.ydr.com/business/ci_16815738

From the Market House weekly newsletter

This was in the Columbia Market House manager's weekly newsletter:
At the end of 1995 the last Calvin and Hobbes comic strip appeared in American newspapers. Creator Bill Watterson informed the newspapers of his decision to discontinue Calvin and Hobbes with these words: “I will be stopping Calvin and Hobbes at the end of the year. This was not a recent or an easy decision, and I leave with some sadness. My interests have shifted however, and I believe I've done what I can do within the constraints ... . I am eager to work at a more thoughtful pace, with fewer artistic compromises. I have not yet
decided on future projects, but my relationship with Universal Press Syndicate will continue.”
At the end of this year, I will be leaving the post of market manager at the Columbia Market House. I am thankful for the the many extraordinary people who have supported the efforts we expended on behalf of this community treasure.
My “future projects” are undecided, too; I hope my relationship with those who champion advancement for all Columbia’s citizens, rather than special interest factions, will continue.

Columbia football team honored

The annual Columbia High School football banquet was held Tuesday night at the Susquehanna Fire Company.
Awards were presented at the varsity and junior high levels.
Former Columbia basketball coach and administrator Rick Bentley was the speaker, Former assistant coach Steve Burke served as master of ceremonies, while the Rev. Ron "Ball Boy" Bachman gave the invocation.
Receiving Spirit of the Tide awards from Joe McGrath, trainer were junior high players Robert Jackson, Andrew Plastino, Nathan Nikolaus and Thomas Phillips and at the varsity level Tyler Dietz, Ben Hank, Dion Matthews and Bryan Flory.
Helmet plaques for participating in the football program in grades 9-12 were given to Cain Warfel, Casey Rapp, Felix Mendez, Jeremy Daise, Marcus Fischer, Roger Walton, Johnny Vazquez, Byron Germer and John Markley.
Coaches Awards were given to Cain Warfel, DJ Wells, John Markley, Casey Rapp and Byron Germer.
Nick Nobile was named Rookie of the Year.
John Elliot received the Scout Team Award.
Jeremy Daise received the Special Teams Award.
Lineman of the Year went to Marcus Fischer.
Defensive Players of the Year were Dominic Trout and Seth Lefever.
The Triple Effort Award went to Bryan Flory.
Offensive Back of the Year went to Tyler Harrison.
Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year went to Michael Burke IV.
Captains for 2011 were announced. They are Seth Lefever, Tyler Harrison and Michael Burke.

West Hempfield Police reports

Police have charged Aline Barilar, 49, of Lititz, with DUI as the result of an accident on Route 30 East at Stony Battery Road where Barilar was seen driving on just two rims after hitting the guard rail, Dec. 7.
Police are investigating the possibility that the suspect may have also been involved in a hit and run accident on Prospect Road at Columbia Avenue earlier.
Anyone with any information on the accidents are asked to call police at 295-5191.

Police charged Anthony James Whitson, 23, of Columbia, for taking mail out of mailboxes in the 2400 and 2500 block of the Ironville Pike, Dec. 7.
Police with the assistance of Columbia Borough Police found Whitson walking and in possession of ail from more than 12 locations.
He was charged with numerous counts of theft and attempted theft.

Wanted man

Columbia Police are looking for this person: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=164250&id=106423482721568#!/pages/Columbia-PA/Columbia-Borough-Police/106423482721568

West Hempfield Police

Katrina Nagle, 26  of Columbia, was charged retail theft for taking $40 in Christmas lights from Kmart, 3975 Columbia Ave., Dec. 6.

Columbia Police report

JESSICA MAE HEAGY, AGE 21, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, ON LOCUST STREET, DEC.5.

Former Columbia administrator steps down

Frank Herron was an administrator in the Columbia School District: http://www.ydr.com/ci_16793924

Marietta man is charged

An elderly Columbia man was robbed and threatened: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/322074