Thursday, April 15, 2010

Tide swept in track

It was another rough afternoon for Columbia in track.
The Tide was swept on the home track by Hempfield, losing the girls' meet, 133-17 and the boys' meet, 138-12.
Some Columbia athletes will compete in the Shippensburg Invitational on Saturday.
Highlights of the day were Jeremy Daise, who finished first in the 100 and Shaday Frazier, who won the 100 and a leg of the winning 400-meter relay team.

The winning continues

Here is a report on the last two softball games from Columbia coach Brad Brubaker.
We took a 5-1 win over McCaskey in Lancaster. Emily Detz was again strong in the circle striking out 13, walking none and allowing just two hits. The run was unearned.
Freshman Jenna Plastino broke open a 1-1 tie with one out in the 6th inning by crushing her first career home run to deep centerfield. The bomb plated freshman Alexis Eckman, who was pinch running for Ashlyn Phillips, who had walked. The Tide broke it open in the top of the seventh when freshman Brit Germer, who was 2-3 on the day with an RBI, led off with a single. Pinch hitter Marina Benavente would bring her home from third on a drag bunt.

The non-league win over McCaskey runs Columbia's record to 7-1 overall, tying the record for most wins in a season. The 1995 Crimson Tide finished the season at 7-9.
On Wednesday, Detz went for 4-4 with two doubles, a triple, home run and scored 3 times in leading Columbia to a 6-2 win at Lancaster Mennonite.
Plastino also went 2-4 in that game. The Tide scored single runs in every inning but the second and closed the first half of the L-L League Section 4 schedule with a perfect 5-0 mark.
 Detz was dominant in the circle, allowing three hits and striking out 18 while walking none.

Fourth Friday is upcoming

Fourth Friday is set to roll once again on Friday April 23 from 5-9 p.m. with after hour entertainment available at Perfect Settings.
“The March event was the best turn out yet and with the change of the seasons I am sure the number of patrons will increase,” said Chris Davis of Modest Gallery.
“ I am having a blast organizing this event and working with the other galleries and specialty shops, the feedback from the Columbia community and beyond has been positive and encouraging .Archway Arts,” she said.

Participating galleries are:
Archway Arts, 28 North Third St.
Garth Gallery, 22 South Second St.
Jonal Gallery, 653 Locust St.
Modest Gallery, 427 Locust St.
Participating shops are:
Burning Bridge Antiques Market, 304 Walnut St.
Global Time Wizard 515 Locust St. (A) 28 North Third St.Lady Bug Keepers, 477 Locust St.
Mackie’s Mercantile, 262 Locust St.
Menagerie, 301 Locust St.
Rivertowne Antique Center, 125 Bank Ave.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Looking down the road

Most coaches and players prefer to have the motto of "playing them one at a time."
Looking ahead is for everyone else. So, with the Columbia girls' softball unbeaten through the first five games of the league season, let's look ahead as those ever dangerous crossover games begin.
The Tide is scheduled to play McCaskey in a make-up game tomorrow before opening crossover play against Section 3 on Friday.
That's when the Tide will entertain L-S, who brings a 3-2 record into the game.
It will be "Big Friday" around the L-L League in softball. In addition to that game, Section 3 leading and also unbeaten Donegal will travel to Annville-Clrona (3-2) and Manheim Central, who the Tide will play Monday puts its 3-2 record on the line against Pequea Valley (3-1).
Donegal leads Section 3 with a 5-0 record, followed by Central and L-S at 3-2. Northern Lebanon is 2-2.
Columbia has 11 league and 2 non-league games left.

Burke homers in loss

It was a beautiful afternoon to sit out and watch baseball at Glatfelter Field. Unfortunately, the Tide baseball team wasn't feeling the love from the weather gods, losing to Lancaster Mennonite, 15-1 in a game called after five innings because of the 10-run rule.

The lone highlight of the game for the Tide came in the fourth inning. With the Tide trailing13-0, Michaael Burke launched a fast ball toward the deepest part of the yard at Glatfelter Field and once it got over the head of the Mennonite centefielder,  Burke just sprinted around the bags, making it home well before the relay throw.

The Tide got off to a rough start. Mennonite's first two hitters had solid singles up the middle off Tide starter Chris Aruda. Following two sacrifices and another single, the Blazers, coached by former Tide coach Steve Robinson, had a 2-0 lead.

In the second, three walks and an infield hit made way for a bases clearing double for Mennonite early in the inning followed by another bases loaded hit later in the inning. At that point, Mennonite was blazing, leading 10-0.

With lefty Jimmy Lee now on the bump, Mennonite added two more runs in the third and a single run in the fourth before Burke has some fun running the bases.

Mennonite scored twice more in the fifth and finished the game with 13 hits and they also walked six times.

Council moves forward with market position

The ever changing make up and discussion concerning the position of Market Manager in Columbia took another turn at Monday's borough council meeting.

While borough council approved to begin the hiring process of a new manager at $18.50 an hour for a part-time position up to 25 hours a week, debate again centered on the previous manager, Renae Sears, who was fired late last year and is now a member of the council.
The vote to begin the hiring process was a 6-1 vote with Mary Barninger, council woman voting against the plan. That was the easy part of the discussion.
First, council, management and citizens needed to discuss the "hot bell" topic of ringing a bell in the Market House by Tim Brown of Rap's World following a successful sale.\It has been debated at council meetings for the past few months.
Frank Doutrich, a former member of the council, was the first to speak. He brought his own bell to the meeting to use as an example and asking what the problem was.
"I think it adds to the market and I like it. I don't know why anyone would have a problem with it beause it gives the market soe class," Doutrich said.
"It is not an annoyance. It indicates custoer satisfaction," said Norm Meiskey, borough manager.
"There is no issue with the Market House bell," said Councilman Kelly Murphy, who chairs the council's market committee
Murphy also said its times to move forward with the market position, which is now being done by Meiskey.
"The bell is also not an issue for me," added Council President Mary Wickenheiser.
Next, council and others turned their attention toward Sears. At last month's meeting, Vern Detz, another former member of the council, asked Sears to resign her post on council after she allegedly cursed at a citizen during a March market committee meeting.
The incident was centered around Doutrich and he said he wanted a public apology from Sears. He took it one step farther saying he contacted two agencies in Harrisburg, telling the council, they could legally censor Sears for her comments.
"But, she already did that (by swearing) and now you will get people in here using the entire alphabet (while swearing)," Doutrich said.
He also objected to the salary planned to be paid to the new Market Manager, adding if the salary was lower, the borough could sae money and allow the new manager to show they were worth the higher salary.
Council President Mary Wickenheiser told Doutrich there would be no censorship of Sears.
"We don't have the power to do that," Wickenheiser said.
Detz said he was at the market meeting when the incident happened, but left before the alleged incident.
"I did leave but when I got home, I got numerous phone calls tlling me what happened. I believe it happened and you are opening up a can of worms by allowing this,: Detz said.
"She should stand up and apologize to Mr. Doutrich, if not she should resign from the council," Detz said.
Wickenheiser said the issue has been put to rest. She also said she observed some type of incident, but did not hear anything.
"The person in question wasn't sitting at the table and got up and left and went out the door," Wickenheiser said.
Two others defended Sears.
"I've known Renae Sears for 50 years and I never heard her swear," said "Cubby" Spiese.
Shirley McBride also defended Sears.
"I've never heard her say the four letter word she is accussed of. It is not inher character," McBride.
She then turned her attention to Detz telling him "not to bring issues" to council."
"You didn't get your way on council. Why don't you (Detz) just go away, sell your home and move out of Columbia,"McBride said.
"Just leave," ahe said.
"The market is good, sell your home and move out of Columbia. Columbia is a good place to live," McBride said.
"Renae," McBride said to Sears, "keep your head up and smile. You work for Columbia and I am glad to have you on council. It's horrible for someone to do this."
And in an interesting turn of events, Howard Stevens of Columbia, told the council, he had nothing to do with Sears getting fired as the Market Manager and would like to have the comments made to him about the issue stopped.
Stevens said he did work at the market.
"I ran into people in the market you told me that I was the reason Renae lost her job. I've been verbally attacked,. Can you plus address the people at the market and tell them it wasn't me," Stevens said.
Everyone on the council said they were surprised to hear of the comments.
"I do not condone this behavior," Council President Mary Wickenheiser said.
"I never accused you of anything and I am sorry people are saying that," Sears said,.
"What you have been subjected to is unfortunate," Mary Barninger, another member of the council said.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

West Hempfield Township Police reports

Dergon Spickler, 50, of Columbia, has been charged with harassment as the result of a domestic dispute in the 2200 block of Oak Hollow Drive at 8:20 p.m., April 10.

Veronica Rivera of Allentown, reported the theft of music equipment from her vehicle parked in the 300 block of Primrose Lane at 9:28 p.m., April 10.

Corey White, 53, of Manheim, was charged with driving under the influence, as the result of an incident on Stony Battery Road at Route 30 at 1:24 a.m., April 12.
A 14-year-old boy from Mount Joy was charged with simple assault, terroristic threats and criminal mischief as the result of an incident in the 4000 block of Laurel Lane, Mount Joy, involving his parents, at 9:27 a.m., April 9.
Albert Shaub of the 3600 block of Hempland Road, reported the theft of a GPS unit from his vehicle at 3:57 p.m., April 9.
Matthew Timblin, 30, of Washington Boro, was charged with driving under the influence, careless dri ving and disorderly conduct, as the result of an incident in the first block of College Avenue, Mountville, at 2:37 a.m., April 10.

Arbor Day is planned

The Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission and the Columbia Tree Society will hold their 19th annual Arbor Day celebration on Friday, April 30 at Locust Street Park, located at Fifth and Locust Streets, starting at 6 p..m.


Andy Ohrel, president of the Old Columbia Public Grounds Company, which maintains and oversees the park, will serve as master of ceremonies. Rev. Dominic DiBiccardo of St. Peter’s Catholic Church will offer the invocation and benediction. Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz and Council Vice-President Mary Barninger will make remarks. Rick Hartlieb, representing the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will present Columbia with its 18th consecutive National Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA Award.

Local citizens will be recognized for their contributions to the Shade Tree Commission in 2009, including the presentation of a Life Membership to Jack and Robin Gamby.

Three $25 cash prizes will be awarded to second grade students from Columbia’s three elementary schools as winners of the tree coloring contest. A $25 gift card will be awarded to the winner of the “My Favorite Tree” photo contest.

Musical selections will be provided throughout the ceremony by the Columbia High School Music Department under the direction of Rick Jensen.

Columbia High School Senior Hillary Marie Glenn will recite Joyce Kilmer’s poem Trees. Hillary is the daughter of Kerry D. Glenn and the late Melissa A. Glenn. She plans to attend Millersville University and although her major is undeclared, she is hoping to become either a secondary school history or a translator. Her studies at Columbia High School this year include English with Harrisburg Area Community College, French IV, Anthropology, Psychology, Chorus and Music Appreciation. Since the age of 10 she has sung soprano solo’s at the Columbia United Methodist Church.

Hillary was the Columbia Rotary Club’s Student of the Month for January and will be reciting the Gettysburg Address following the annual Columbia Memorial Day Parade in May. She has been volunteering in her community since she was a child, starting with Columbia Pride Day and now volunteers regularly at events sponsored by the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce in honor of her mother.

Her hobbies include writing, singing, reading, supplementary French, and cultivating her musical palate.

Members of the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission are Mike Beury, Jr Chairman, Tom Mimnall Secretary, Mark Zeamer Treasurer, Kerry Glenn and Ronald Fritz.

Fire talks take a new turn

Calling it a hiccup along the road, Columbia Borough will first look at a consolidation of its three fie companies before pursuing the regionalization of services.
 Mary Barninger, who chairs the council's safety committee, made the announcement at Monday's borough council meeting, upon questioning from resident Ron Fritz.
Barninger said the borough is still looking to regionalize services, bit was told by at least two fire companies, Mountville and West Hempfield, they would consider regionalization, but not until Columbia had a plan to consolidate its three departments into one.
Fritz, a 48-year member of the Susquehanna Fire Company, said he was caught off guard by the consolidation effort after attending last week's safety committee meeting.
He said no letter was ever sent out to neighboring fire companies to gauge their interest and there was only positive verbal contact made concerning the regionalization.
"I don't understand whywe are going back (to consolidation)," Fritz said.
Fritz' comments upset Barninger.
"It amazes me you come here tonight and act like you  don't know what is going on," Barninger said.
She continued by saying consolidation and then regionalization of the fire service is needed for many reasons.
She said the effort to regionalize will still happen but only after Columbia gets its act together and consolidates its three departments and that the current three Columbia companies couldn't agree on how to get to the table on regionalization.
The local consolidation before regionalization, Barninger said, was a recommendation from the state's Department of Community and Economic Development as well as two of the neighboring fire departments interested in a regional effort.
"Mountville and West Hempfield indicated they will not come to the table until Columbia Borough has its act together first," Barninger said. "When potential partners say you don't have a plan, yo get one."
"The borough has no abandoned regionalization because that is where we need to be. We want to get a plan together first on how we will consolidate and this is what we will do," Barninger said.
"It is sad that our mutual aid companies have this opinion of us and we have to get our sandbox together first," Barninger said.
"This is not council's doing, this is just a hiccup in the road," she said.

Woman to sue borough

The borough of Columbia is being sued.
Chris Leonard of Second Street during a 20 minute address to borough council Monday night announced the borough has violated her civil rights and will file a law suit in federal court.
Leonard claimed Monday night that the borough violated her civil rights by not assisting her in claims she made against Borough Manager Norm Meiskey and Code Enforcement Official Jeff Helm, saying they didn't assist her in problems she had with her landlord and others.
"You can defend this in federal court," Leonard said to the council.
The Columboa woman, who has filed numerous requests with the borough under the Right to Know law, lives in an apartment building in the Second Street area and has numerous cats and has also caused numerous problems not only for the borough but other organizations in town over the last year.
Monday night she claimed as far back as last August she addressed borough officials that her landlord violated property maintenance laws by not properly addressing heating problems in her building. In December, she claimed a gas leak in her building was not properly fixed on at least two occasions and even after an inspection by the state Departent of Labor and Industry.
During this time, Leonard said she filed numerous requests under the Right to Know law to see what the borough had done with her multiple requests for information.
"There were two serious gas leaks that may have killed someone," Leonard told the council Monday night.
She also said she filed another RTK request to get copies of inspections the borough ade of the vacant store fronts on Locust Street and also wanted to see under another RTK request the outcomes if disruptive conduct reports filed by the borough.
She also told the borough to go ahead and "threaten her and video tape her" because she will not stop.

The residents speak

Here is a sampling of what residents who spoke to the borough council on Monday night spoke about and the responses they got.


The citizen comment portion took two hours at Monday's meeting.

Frank Doutrich, a former member of the council, addressed the council concerning the status of the boat access area at the River Park; why Police Chief Joe Greenya doesn't stay at council's safety committee meeting; why council waited until the final "minute" at meeting last month to determine it needed to purchase two police vehicles; who does maintenance on borough vehicles and how the borough came to consider those who were appointed to a Bulding Code of Appeals.

Council President Mary Wickenheiser said the Thursday before Easter, borough employees were working on an access area to the river at Union Street and there is adequate parking until River Park opens May 1.
Wickenheiser also told Doutrich the information on the police vehicle purchase was not done at the final minute and the purchase will be reviewed at the next meeting of the council's property committee.

Vern Detz, another former member of the council, wanted an update on the settlement of the property at Third and Linden streets, site of the planned Turkey Hill Experience; whether or the non-uniformed workers and police have signed their new contract; the status of 12 hour shifts for the police department; requested financial reports and wanted to know if Columbia ever had a deputy tax collector.

Herbert Spiese thanked the council for its use of Roberts Rules of Order when running a meeting and said he was down at the River Park recently and doubts if it will be done by May 1.

Council President Wickenheiser said things are moving forward at the park and it should be ready by May 1.

Heather McDonald asked the council is they could re-arrange the street sweeping schedule in the 100 block of Locust Street and if the borough could help change the look of that area because there is a chain linked fence around a business that takes away from the area.

Detz and Doutrich, along with Spiese and other residents Shirley McBride, Ron Fritz, Chris Leonard and Howard Stevens commented on other issues at the meeting on issues involving the Market, the fire service and code enforcement issues, which will be posted in three other stories.

What is the status of police regionalization?

Last week, according to the York Newspapers, Wrightsville Borough apparently is backing away from police regionalization talks with several municipalities in Lancaster County. Earlier this month, it was also reported that other muncipalities in western Lancaster County aren't too keen on the idea.
But at Monday's borough council meeting, Mayor Leo Lutz said its full speed ahead with the regionalization of police services, despite the setbacks.
"Wrightsville is still considering it," Lutz said Monday night,
The mayor said Wrightsville wanted to get information to those involved in the regionalization effort that certain things such as radio frequencies and courts are different in York County.
Lutz said he gave Wrightsville a copy of an agreement between Columbia and Wrightsville that was in place from 1999 through the early 2000s tnat answered those questions.
"We don't know how many will join," said Lutz.
Lutz said the only information given to those involved has been a leter of intent to do a feasability study at no cost to those involved.
"There might be two, three, four, five or six who might sign the letter of intent," Lutz said.
Lutz said those involved in the talks will meet again in May and are also discussing joint services and purchases. He said recently, Columbia shared s speed enforcement detail with West Hempfield and truck weighing with West Hempfield and East Hempfield.
"We don't know where it is going to end up but in the next two months to move forward on a feasability study," Lutz said.
"We are going to continue to look at regionalization," Lutz said.

Mayor signs proclamations

At Monday's borough council meeting, Mayor Leo Lutz signed the following proclamations:
* Friday, April 30, Arbor Day.
* April 18-24, National Volunteer Week.
* Saturday, April 24, Earth Day.
* May 2-8, International Compost Awareness Week.

Borough Council also approved the following facility requests:
* The Columbia United Veterans Council, Sunday, May 23 for the annual Memorial Day Parade.
* The Risk Watch Safety group for its annual Bike Event on Poplar Street between Sixth and Seventh streets, Saturday, May 22 from 9 a. m.-noon.
* The Columbia Consolidated Fore Department for its annual July Fourth Carnival and Firewoeks, July 13-17 for streets near the department.
* The Ashley Tabernacle Church and the Mount Zion AME Church for street closures in conjunction with the Juneteenth celebration.
* The Susquehanna Valle Chamber of Commerce for use of the Market House fro 8 a.m.-9 p,m., Saturday, Sept. 21 for its annual Business Expo and Job Fair.

Borough Council also:
* Approved the use of a $500 debit/credit card to be used by Georgianna Schreck, Ron Miller and Joseph Greenya.
* Announced the trademark for the Market House logo has been approved.
* Approved the loaning of two Keeley Stoves presently in the Market House to the Columbia Historic Preservation Society.
* Removed borough owned properties at 21 South Third St., 27 South Third St., 29 South Third St., 70 South Market St. and 106 Locust St. from borough tax rolls to make way for future parking lots.
* Appointed Borough Manager Norm Meiskey as agent regarding any financial assistance the borough would receive from the Robert T/ Stafford Disaster Relief Fund in connection with the 2010 snow storm.
* Received word the borough received the Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence for its River Park expansion project.
* Appointed Steve Wise, William Sauders, Barney Aston, Mark Goodman, Chris Stover and Dan Laird to the Property Maintenance Code Appeals Board.
* Appointed Janet Wood as deputy tax collector.
* Approved a title search by the solicitor for the title of Cedar Street East.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Council approves new hires

Here are a list of new hires approved at Monday's borough council meeting.
* Melissa Elliot promote dto part-time parking enforcement officer at $11.92 an hour for a maximum of 19 hours a week.
* Approval to hire one summer employee for the sewer plant and one summer employee for the highway department from May 1 through Sept. 3, through a temp agency at a salary of $9.50 an hour.
* Approved changes to the borough's Human Resources Policy anuel changing the number of hours a non-union worker can work during a week from 20 to 26 hours a week.
* Approved the hiring of a part-time code enforcement officers at $18.48 an hour for up to 25 hours a week.
* Approved the hiring of a part-time parking enforcement officer at a rate of $10.73 an hour for up to 19 hours a week.
* Approved the hiring of three part-time crossing guards at $9.73 an hour for a 19-hour work week.
* Appointed Donna Kreiser as bond council for Columbia Borough and the Colunbia Municipal Authority.

Beware of the vehicle following the sweeper

Street sweeping has been under way here in Columbia for a few weeks, but not on a regular basis and the little police vehicle, which follows the sweeper, hasn't been seen.
It was explained at Monday's borough council meeting, the person who normally follows the street sweeper has been assigned to other duties, but that is changing.
At Monday's meeting,  council responded to questioning about the vehicle after being questioned by resident Frank Doutrich.
"He is doing work as a parking enforcement officer and crossing guard," said Council President Mary Wickenheiser.
But Monday, council took steps to hire additional employees so that the eployee, who follows the sweeper can resume work.
Mayor Leo Lutz said the vehicle should resume following the sweeper either later this week or early next week. For the first week, the borough will issue warnings for those vehicles not moved for sweeping, after that grace week, they will be ticketed.
Lutz said the borough is considering changes in the sweeping rotation, but nothing definite has been finalized/

Tide beaten in baseball and track

While there is plenty of good news for Columbia in softball, the news is not good for the Tide in baseball and softball.

At Annville-Cleona, the Tide boys were beaten by the Little Dutchmen, 8-1.
The Tide scored its lone run in the top of the third and was limited to four hits for the game. A-C had just six hits, but benefitted from four Columbia fielding errors and six walks by Tide pitchers.

On the hill, the Tide was swept by Elco in track, winning the boys' meet, 139-11 and the girls' meet, 141-9. Kelsey Ulrich was the only Columbia first place finisher for the Tide, winning the discus.

The Tide will run Hempfield on Thursday on the hill and participate in the annual Shippensburg Invitational on Saturday. This will be the Tide's last home meet of the season.

Tide girls continue their dominance

Emily Detz threw a two-hitter and struck out a career-high 19 batters as the Tide downed previously unbeaten Annville-Cleona 1-0 at Glatfelter Field.

Columbia's lone run came in the second when freshman DP Marina Benavente drew a two-out walk, then freshman Valessa Carolla smashed a double to the right center field gap and scored Benavente.


Detz yielded a leadoff double to A-C shortstop Chris Ditzler, then struck out the side to move the Crimson Tide into sole possession of first place in Section 4 of the Lancaster-Lebanon League. Columbia improves to 4-0 in Section 4 and 5-1 overall, while Annville-Cleona drops to 3-1 in Section 4 and 5-1 overall.

On Wednesday, the Tide closes out the first half of the League season with a game at Lancaster Mennonite.

Tide softball team is featured

Jeff Reinhart of LancSports.com has posted a story on the Columbia softball team.
blogs.lancasteronline.com

Rotary Club golf informarion

Chamber Night at the Barnstormers

The Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce will host Columbia Night at the Lancaster Barnstormers.
For more information, call 684-5249.

Trailer Dog to host chamber breakfast

Breakfast with Brian Roche
Coordinated by the
Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce
Sponsored by


Trailer Dog, LLC
2615 Joppa Road
York, PA 17403

\When: May 25, from 7:45 to 9 a.m.
Where: Columbia United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
510 Walnut St.
Columbia, 17512
What: WGAL News Anchor/Consumer Investigator Brian Roche will be on hand to discuss Electric Choice and Rate Caps.
\Schedule: 7:45 – 8 a.m., Sign in and fill your plate
8-9 a.m., Presentation by Brian Roche
Cost: FREE for SVCC members or $10 for non-members.
RSVP before Friday, May 21, by contacting Kathy Hohenadelat 684-5249 or at svcc@PaRivertowns.com.

Get your taste buds ready!

A Taste of River Towns promises to be a fun evening, with samples available from these establishments: Ascot House, BF Hiestand House, Bully's Restaurant and Pub, Cafe Capriccio, McCleary's Public House, Nissley Winery, Prudhomme's Lost Cajun Kitchen, Prudhomme's on Fourth, Shank's Tavern, St. John's Herr Estate, The Flour Child, Vogt Farm Bed and Breakfast, and Whiff Roasters.
The event will be held at the Union Meeting House in Marietta from 6-9 p.m., Friday, April. 16.
Taste the fine food available in our region while socializing with friends and family.
Tickets costing $15 per person can be reserved by contacting the chamber at 684-5249.
Cash, checks and credit cards are all welcome.

Weekly Columbia Police reports are posted

ROMEO J. AZONDEKON, 24, of Marietta, was charged with operating a vehicle without official certificate of inspection, as the result of an incident at Fifth and Locust strreets at 11 a.m., April 6.AGE 24,
SHANNA MCGILL, 26,  of Columbia, was charged with operating a vehicle without official certificate of inspection, as the result of an incident in the 500 block of Locust Street at 7:17 p.m., April 7.
KEITH LEE RANKIN, 18, of Conestoga, was charged with speeding, as the result of an incident on Route 441 south at 5:20p.m., April 8.
MELISSA CYNTHIA LOWE,  19, of Columbia, was charged with speeding, as the result of an incident on Route 441 south at 5:43 p.m., April 8.

MICHAEL J. LESCHKE, JR., 40, of Columbia, was charged with driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked, as the result of an incident in the 800 block of Ridge Avenue at 8:40 a.., April 8.
ROBERT N. LEWIS, JR., 28, of Columbia, was charged with public drunkenness and criminal mischief, as the result of an incident at Fourth and Cherry streets at 11:06 P.M., April 9.
A 17-year-old boy from Columbia, was charged with obedience to traffic control devices, as the result of an incident on Lancaster Avenue at 9 p.m., April 10.
THOMAS WAGNER, 69, of Columbia, was charged with a stop and yield sign violation, as the result of an incident at Routes 30 and 441, at 11:06 p.m., April 9.
MICHAEL JOHN HOFFMAN, 27, of East Petersburg, was charged with obedience to traffic control devices, as the result of an incident at Route 441 and Perry Street at 4:15 p.m., April 10.
The following were charged with speeding as the result of incidents, April 10 and 11 on South Front Street.
Charhged were KEITH G. LENKER, 54, of Columbia; TRACY L. MENDENHALL, 40, of Conestoga; DONNA MARIE MENTZER, 61, of Lancaster.
The following were charged with obedience to traffic control devices as the result of incidents at Third and Linden streets  April 11.
Charged were MATTHEW TODD GROFF, 34, of Manheim; BURNELL R. DOLL, 61, of Glen Rock; MATTHEW B. GALLOWAY, 36, of York.
DEAN LLOYD BILLINGS, 30, of Columbia, was charged with protective equipment for motorcycle riders, as the result of an incident in the 200 block of South Second Street, April 11.
JOB B. DOUGLAS, 23, of Columbia, was charged with operating a vehicle without official certificate of inspection, as the result of an incident on Lancaster Avenue, at 10:24 a.m., April 11.
AUDREY L. SHENK, 33, of Washington Boro, was charged with driving an unregistered vehicle, as the result of an incident in the 100 block of North Third Street at 9 a.m., April 12.

The balls will be blessed

John DeBella is hoping that one again he can bring good luck to the Phillies and their balls.

At 8:30 this morning, the 102.9 WMGK morning host will supervise as West Lawn United Methodist Church Pastor Jeff Raffauf, the Rev. Joe Campellone, of Father Judge High School, and Rabbi Gregory Marx, of Congregation Beth Or, say a blessing over the baseballs that will be used in today's home opener.

The ceremony takes place on the patio at McFadden's at Citizens Bank Park. DeBella and the clergymen blessed the Phillies balls before the start of the 2008 and 2009 seasons, so the ritual has proven successful so far. Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy, Stephenie LaGrossa, wife of pitcher Kyle Kendrick, and Comcast SportsNet's "Daily News Live" host Michael Barkann will be part of the festivities.

Raffauf is the former pastor of the Columbia United Methodist Church.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Four straight for the Tide girls

No one will deny this probably has been one of the worst years athletically in the history of Columbia High School sports.


Two teams went winless on the season and heading into the spring season, the only team that enjoyed success has been the Crimson Tide wrestling team. They finished with a winning record and did well in their tournaments and invitationals.

But overall, success has been few and far between.

Welcome to the end of the 2010 spring sports season and some reason to be proud to wear the crimson and gold again.

With wins this week over Pequea Valley, Eastern York, Lebanon Catholic and Lancaster Catholic, the Crimson Tide softball team is as hot as the weather was last week until Friday.

The Tide girls won all four games, three impressive fashion, to improve their overall record to 4-1.

Columbia has been playing high school softball since 1984 and in those 26 years never had a four-game winning streak.

And, the Tide girls have never been in the upper echelon of Section 4 in the L-L League and find themselves tied for first place with unbeaten Annville-Cleona with a 3-0 record. And Monday, the Tide and A-C faceoff for first place at Glatfelter Field.

It’s the biggest game ever in school history and the biggest high school game played at Glatfelter Field since some District Three and state playoff games were played on the field in the 1990s.

Friday, the Tide girls became the first Columbia team to beat Lancaster Catholic this season, turning back the Crusaders on their home field, 10-1.

Junior Emily Detz had her fourth big game of the week. She didn’t allow Catholic a hit the sixth inning with two outs and wound up with a one-hitter and fanned 14 Catholic hitters along the way. She didn’t walk anyone.

Columbia made the most of seven hits in the game, scoring five times in the sixth. Catholic also helped the cause walking five Tide batters and committing five errors in the field.

Detz has 63 strikeouts in five games and just four walks. This week alone, the fireballer has struck out 63 batters and pitched three one-hitters.



For more on the Columbia softball program, check out Jeff Reinhart’s View from the Press Box later this weekend. You can link it to the right on this page.