Sports Hall of Fame honors two

In addition to honoring six former athletes and coaches at its banquet on Saturday night, the Susquehanna Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame honored two others.
Rich Gerfin, a longtime member of the Hall received the Jimmy Sheckard Award for community serivce.
Gerfin, the hall's treasurer is also a member of the Sunsnappers and Lions Club, the Columbia Education Foundaation and the Columbia High School Athletic Hall of Fame, among his many civic minded activities.
Former Solanco football player Matt Gibson, who was presented the William Mable Courageous Athlete Award.
Gibson is battling Asperger's Syndrome.
Inductees were:
* Jerry Brooks, former administrator in the Penn Manor School District and coach and longtime official and former District 3 committee chairman.

* Robert Derr, current field hockey coach at Warwick High School and top high school and college wrestling official.
* Jim Dougherty, former Columbia Raider and cable television personality.
* Scott Martin, football and wrestling standout at Lancaster Catholic and current Lancaster County Commissioner.
* Bernie Santaniello, former football player at Lancaster Catholic and longtime coach at McCaskey.
* Carmine Taglieri, former athletic director at Lancaster Catholic and longtime PIAA official.

Detz crowned May Queen

Emily Detz was crowned May Queen at Columbia High School on Saturday night. Other members of the court were:  Kerri Sawyer escorted by Cain Warfel, Jenna Geesey escorted by Byron Germer, Karley Simms escorted by Cody Danks, Kalyna Rodriquez escorted by Nicky Dietz, KaBrinna Splain escorted by Jed Steele, Erin Laird escorted by John Markley, Katie Will escorted by Dominique Johnson  and Rachael Bowers escorted by Chris Detz. The 2011 May Day Princess was Brittany Leese escorted by Oulijahwan Michael. Miss Detz was escorted by Daniel Kilp.

Pool for sale

Noticed this "For Sale" sign this morning on a trip downtown at the former CA Herr Annex, also known as the downtown swimming pool. Another realtor is attempting to sell the eyesore.

Taking a swim

Today at the River Park, this furry critter took a dip in the calm Susquehanna.

School leader passes suddenly

It's a sad day for two school districts in Lancaster County.
Joseph Kurijaka, the chief financial officer of the Manheim Township School District and board member of the Hempfield School District, suddenly passed away last night at the age of 48.
He also served the Columbia School Disttrict.
Here is his biograhy from the Hempfield School District website:
Joe was elected to the Hempfield Board of School Directors in November 2009. Joe has been a resident of Hempfield School District for 37 years. He is currently employed by Manheim Township School District as their Chief Operating Officer and has been with Manheim Township for nearly 19 years.
Prior to working for Manheim Township, Joe worked for Columbia School District as their Business Manager and also worked for the PA Office of Auditor General where he performed audits of school districts. Joe is a graduate of Lancaster Catholic HS and Penn State where he earned a BS in Accounting.
Joe has been married for nearly 20 years to Lynn who is a graduate of Hempfield. They have two daughters, Kari and Kristin, who currently attend Hempfield schools.

Joe is honored to have the opportunity to serve and contribute to the Hempfield community in his role as a school board member.

Traffic shift on 30

From lancasteronline.com: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/387922

Council gets tough

At Fourth and Locust streets, where a former restaurant/apartment building once stood, the area has become a parking lot.

Shortly after the building was torn down several years ago by its owner David Doolittle, a curb was cut out and parking meter removed as an access area for the parking. At a council meeting, again a few years back, the meter was ordered replaced.
At Monday's council meeting, the borough took a major step that will return the area to a vacant lot. Council approved a motion to stop the lot from being used as a parking lot and also instructed its highway department to repair the curb on the Fourth Street side and lien the property for the cost of the repair.

Makle Park gets "makeover"

During council's property committee report, Jim Smith reported that recently about 100 people, most not from Columbiaa held a work detail to spruce up Makle Park for the summer.
Councilman Smith said 75 emloyees from Comcst and 25 volunteers from SACA in Lancaster, spent a Saturday cleaning up debris, mulching and making other repairs to the park.
"The park now looks like something out of Home and Garden," Smith said.
Others assisting were McCarty's Seal Coatinbg and Kreider's Mulch, Smith said.

River Park gets rental area

At its meeting Monday night, borough council approved a six-month seasonal lease with Chiques Rock Outfitters, Front and Locust streets, to place a canoe and kayak rental facilty at River Park.
The rental fee will be $100, $40, of which will go to the Old Columbia Puiblic Grounds Company and thr remainder to the borough.
"This will be a welcome addition and will generate significant business," Mayor Leo Lutz said.
The mayor also noted that by having a building at the park, it would deter vandalism such as the bridge pier painting and the breaking of the light fixtures.

Police warn residents to lock cars

The Columbia Police Department is asking all residents to lock their car doors and remove all valuables following a recent rash of car break-ins throughout the borough.


Tonight, Mayor Leo Lutz said within the past week, someone has been going around town “popping locks” on vehicles and taking items from these vehicles. Those items include change, phones, IPods and GPS systems.

“We found books that were taken from school bags, but the bags themselves were missing,” Lutz said.

Lutz said in at least two cases, the school books were found along the road.

“The break-ins are happening in different areas within blocks of major roadways,” the mayor said at Monday's council meeting.

The mayor said residents need to report any break-ins.

“We are developing times and patterns and if you see suspicious people in your neighborhood, call,” Lutz said.

The police department's number is 684-7735.

Guilty plea in traffic death

From lancsteronline.com: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/387699

Truck crash on Route 30

A truck ws involved in an accident on Route 30: http://www.wgal.com/slideshow/news/27823659/detail.html

Columbiia wins SL opener

It was a good trip to Stewartstown: http://www.ydr.com/sports/ci_18019119

Update on Dairy Queen robbery

Police will be releasing a photo later today of a suspect wanted in last night's robbery at Dairy Queen.
The armed robbery happened shortly after 10 last night when the suspect knocked on the rear door of the store at 16th and Lancaster Avenue and demanded money.
The suspect fled on foot toward the Columbia Bowling Center.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 684-7735.
There were no injuries.

Night time armed robbery

There are reports that the Dairy Queen at 16th and Lancaster Avenue was robbed at gun point shortly after 10 p.m.
More details when they become availablr.

Strikeout for Cancer

When the Columbia girls' softball team faces Eastern tomorrow at Glatfelter Field, the team will hold its second annual Strikeout for Cancer game.
It starts at 10 a.m. Pre-game ceremonies are expected to begin around 9:30.

Also, tomorrow's baseball game has been rescheduled for Wednesday.

Banquet is tomorrow

The Susquehanna Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame has announced its list of inductees for its May 7 banquet.

The annual banquet will be held at the Suusquehanna Fire Company. 10th and Manor streets, starting at 6 p.m. The cost is $15 per person and tickets are available by contacting Rich Gerfin at 684-4772 after 6 p.m.
he inductees are:
* Jerry Brooks, former administrator in the Penn Manor School District and coach and longtime official and former District 3 committee chairman.
* Robert Derr, current field hockey coach at Warwick High School and top high school and college wrestling official.
* Jim Dougherty, former Columbia Raider and cable television personality.
* Scott Martin, football and wrestling standout at Lancaster Catholic and current Lancaster County Commissioner.
* Bernie Stananiello, former football player at Lancaster Catholic and longtime coach at McCaskey.
* Carmine Taglieri, former athletic director at Lancaster Catholic and longtime PIAA official.

May Day tradition continues at CHS

67th Annual May Day Celebration, Saturday May 7th, 2011
starting at 7 pm, doors open at 6:30 tickets are $5, senior citizens are $3
 2011 May Day Court
Emily Detz escorted by Daniel Kilp
Kerri Sawyer escorted by Cain Warfel
Jenna Geesey escorted by Byron Germer
Karley Simms escorted by Cody Danks
Kalyna Rodriquez escorted by Nicky Dietz
KaBrinna Splain escorted by Jed Steele
Erin Laird escorted by John Markley
Katie Will escorted by Dominique Johnson
Rachael Bowers escorted by Chris Detz
2011 May Day Princess
Brittany Leese escorted by Oulijahwan Michael

Susquehanna League opens season

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/localsports/ci_17996098

Here is a link to the team's schedule: http://www.leaguelineup.com/schedules.asp?cmenuid=6&url=susquehannaleaguebaseball&sid=358699637

Bank sale becomes final tomorrow

Both have branches in Columbia: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/385830

CHS Athletic Hall of Fame seeks nominees

The Columbia High School Athletic Hall of Fame is seeking nominees for its 2011 induction ceremony, which will be held Friday, Sept. 9 when the Crimson Tide hosts Northeastern in football.


The Hall of Fame, now in its fourth year, will induct former athletes, teams, coaches and contributors to the CHS programs at halftime of the football game.

Anyone interested in nominating a former Crimson Tide athlete, coach, team or contributor, can email a resume and the nominee's information to Charles Reinhart at cfreinhart@comcast.net

The deadline for nominations is June 29.

Updated CHS schedule

Baseball and Softball games for Columbia for the remainder the 2011 spring season.

Wednesday 5/04/11 All games cancelled
Thursday 5/05/11 Varsity Baseball vs. Pequea Valley @ Home 3:45 p.m.(location change and early start time due to CHS band concert at 7:00 p.m.)
Friday 5/06/11 No baseball or softball games due to it being LMH’s prom. Games moved prior to the start off the season.
Saturday 5/07/11 Baseball vs. Annville-Cleona @ Home 10:00 a.m.
Softball vs. Eastern York @ Home 10:00 a.m. Strike Out Cancer game
Monday 5/09/11 Baseball vs. Pequea Valley - Away 4:15 p.m. (location change cited above)
Softball vs. Pequea Valley - Away 4:15 p.m.
Tuesday 5/10/11 Baseball vs. LMH - Away 4:15 p.m.
Softball vs. LMH @ Home 4:15 p.m.
Wednesday 5/11/11 Softball vs. Annville-Cleona - Away 4:15 p.m. (this game will most likely decide the section championship)

CBAA to hold tournament

http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=50346

CHS sports update

As posted yesterday, the Tide softball team is ranked number two in the District Three Class AA softball power ratings. Here is a link, which also includes the District Three playoff schedule. http://piaadistrict3.org/

The Tide girls have also clinched one of the two playoffs spots out of Section 4 in the L-L League. They have three games left and are in first place, leading Annville-Cleona by two games. The two teams were expected to play today.

Also, Friday's games with Lancaster Mennonite have been moved to Tuesday, with the softball team playing home.
Saturday, the team will hold its second Breast Cancer Awareness Day, at 10 a.m. with a non-league game with Eastern. Donations will be forwarded to the American Cancer Society for strikeouts recorded by Tide pitcher Emily Detz. Last year, the event raised more than $1,110.

On the radar

Bowling Green was in yesterday and he received a letter from the U: http://blog.pennlive.com/westernpafootball/2011/05/recruiting_notes_columbia_wrdb.html