Friday, October 14, 2011

Please beware

Both police in Columbia and West Hempfield are investigating several home burglaries overnight between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m.
In Columbia, there were break-ins in the area of 13th Street and Central Avenue, 600 block of Union Street and South Fourth Street,
Police said cash was taken in the Columbia break-ins and people were in the home in two of the three break-ins.
In West Hempfield, a Samsung-Galax was taken during a break-in in the 600 block of South 16th Street, while they are also investigating a report where someone attempted to break into a home on Froelich Avenue in Mountville.
Police are asking residents to keep their doors and windows locked and if possible put on an outside light and report anyone unfamiliar in their neighborhoods to police, who feel it might be some young person looking for money to possibly purchase drugs.

Game is off

Tonight's football game at Columbia with Annville-Cleona has been postponed until Monday at 6 p.m. Third rescheduled game of the home season.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Lancaster woman dies in crash

Here's abn update on this morning's accident on Route across the river: http://www.ydr.com/crime/ci_19103872

West Hempfield Township police reports

A Lancaster resident reported the theft of her purse, while her vehicle was parked in the 3600 block of Marietta Ave., Oct. 11.

A Mount Joy resident reported the theft of money and medications, while her vehicle was parked in the first block of East Main Street, Mountville, Oct. 10.

Police are investigating a one vehicle accident in the 4400 block of Marietta Ave., Oct 8, where a vehicle struck a hosuse.

Isaac J. Vohta, 28, of Lancaster, was charged with DUI and driving under suspension, as the result of a traffic stop at Route 30 and Donnerville Road.

David Thomas, 20, of Columbia, was charged with retail theft for taking a small amount of cold medicine at Musser's Market, 3900 block of Columbia Avenue, Oct. 12.

Police qare looking for a white male with gray hair in his 50s or 60s, who broke out a window of a car parked in the parking lot of Musser's Market, Oct. 12.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 285-5191.

Steven C. Radtke, 47, of Mount Joy, was charged with retail theft and driving under suspension as the result of a gas drive off at the Turkey Hill store, Route 462 and Prospect Road, Oct. 5.

Urgent Care to open in December

There's a new occupant ready to move into the former M&T Bank building: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/478256_Urgent-care-center--apartments--coffee-shop-planned-at-site-of-former-Columbia-bank.html

Rainy Thursday chat

Hey folks, can't think of a better thing to do (ok note to self to get more of a life) than to have a live chat about Columbia on COLUMBIA TALK tonight around 7 o'clock. Sorry for the late notice.

Fatal crash closes Route 30

One person was killed in an accident this morning in Wrightsville: http://www.wgal.com/news/29473338/detail.html

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

This week's foe is A-C

Scouting report on this week's opponent, the Annville-Cleona Little Dutchmen: http://lancasteronline.com/pages/specialsections/llfootballpreview/

K-9 Campaign makes generous donation


The Cruisin Columbia Car Show is the biggest fund-raiser for the Columbia K-9 Campaign
There's no doubt that the K-9 program within the Columbia Borough Police Department has become an important part of its operation.

At Monday's borough council meeting, a gift was given to ensure the program's success for the future.

The Columbia K-9 Campaign, a community organization formed to assist with the funding for the program, announced they would fund the purchase of a 2011 Crown Victoria car for the program, to replace the current vehicle, which is constantly being repaired. The Campaign will pay $3,400 over the next four years as part of a municipal lease, which will cover half the cost of a vehicle. In addition, once current K-9 Officer Max retires in about two years, the Campaign will also fund the officer's replacement.

Councilmen Mike Beury, a member of the K-9 Campaign, made the announcement, which was met with deep appreciation.

“The work you (K-9 Campaign) do is incredible and we appreciate it,” said Jim Smith, councilmen.

“This is a generous offer,” said Mayor Leo Lutz.

The Crown Vics will no longer be made. Interim Police Chief Jack Brommer was able to find a model that could have all the current equipment transferred.

“Officer Ed Mann (Max' handler) is a big part of this and deserves a lot of thanks,” said Connie Beury, a key member of the K-9 Campaign.

“This is a huge plus for the borough,” said Mary Barninger, council woman.


Monday, October 10, 2011

Construction reduces eastbound Wrights Ferry Bridge on Route 30 to one lane

Construction reduces eastbound Wrights Ferry Bridge on Route 30 to one lane

After tonight's council meeting

join me for a live chat after tonight's borough council meeting, probably somewhere in the neighborhood of between 9:30 10 p.m. Find out first what happened tonight and we'll discuss other activities in the borough.

Tide girls fall to fourth

The Columbia girls' volleyball team is now fourth in the Class A power ratings: http://tripletdad33.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/d3-g-volleyball-a-week-6.pdf

Sunday, October 9, 2011

My angle on Friday's game

Through six games of the 2011 football season, there have been a lot of interesting things happen to the Columbia Crimson Tide football team Prior to Friday's Homecoming game with Northern Lebanon, the Tide had not played a home game on Friday night.

They had not had their starting quarterback since the first half of the season opener.

And they were really only not in one game this season, their first loss of the season three weeks ago against Class AAAA power Daniel Boone. There was the dramatic comeback against Boiling Springs two weeks ago and a dominating performance last week against Elco.

Those were the team highlights. The individual highlights have been many as well. Far too many to list.

Friday night in the second Section 3 game of the season, there were the first 23 minutes, 59 seconds and the final 24 minutes and one second. It all added up to a 42-26 by the visiting Vikings.

The Tide, who won their league opener a week ago over Elco, was one of three unbeaten teams (standings-wise) in Section 3. Northern Lebanon was the other and the team, which will take a huge effort to beat, Lancaster Catholic, is the other.

Columbia dominated most of the first half.

It was senior leadership and the stellar play of two of their big guns that got the Tide off to a big start. Those two big guns are seniors Seth Lefever and Michael Burke. On the Tide's first 11 plays, which was a 70-yard scoring drive, the two had their hands in all 11 plays. Lefever (11-13-0, 145), completed three passes to Burke and one to Will Kreiser and ran six plays. Burke also ran the ball once for 16 yards and a score that put the Tide ahead 6-0 as the PAT was blocked with 5:59 left in the opening period.

And on the Vikings' first series as they were most of the first half, the Tide defense did its job and NL punted. Three plays later, Lefever and Burke combined for a 54-yard catch and throw and then Burke caught a two-point conversion from former starting QB Tyler Harrison, who was seeing his first action since the Eastern opener. With 3:21 left in the first quarter, the Tide was rolling, 14-0.

On the kickoff, Nick Nobile recovered a Viking fumble, but the Tide couldn't convert and punted. Again, the Tide defense came up big and on their next possession, the Tide fumbled, their first turnover of the night.

Northern Lebanon again had trouble moving the ball, thanks to a couple of major penalties. It looked like the Tide had another scoring opportunity wiped out by a series of penalties. Columbia's next score was set up by a Lefever interception of Tanner Dresch, which began a Harrison to Lefever score covering 26 yards to give the Tide a 20-0 lead with just under three minutes left in the first half. And for the second time in the first half, Columbia had its PAT blocked.

That's when Northern Lebanon got a little momentum. Behind the running of Dresch, Ryan Daub and Colton Ryan, the Vikings got on the scoreboard when Dresch fired the first of his two touchdown passes to Oscar Maysonet, this one covering 27 yards and at the break, it was a 20-7 score.

The second half was a much different story. The Vikings scored on their first possession of the half on a second throw and catch from Dresch to Maysonet. The big play on the drive was a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty against the Tide on a third down incomplete pass, which allowed the Viking drive to continue.

Now a 20-14 game with a little more than eight minutes left in the third quarter, things were getting a little tight. After being forced to punt, the Tide's defense came up big again. Burke picked up a fumble and scampered 35 yards for a score. After missing their third PAT of the game, the Tide again was up two scores.

But on the ensuing kickoff, Daub sprinted 87 yards with the football for a score and all the sudden, the Tide's lead was down to 26-20 with five minutes still left in the third quarter.

Still no problem as the Tide, back on offense moved right down field. They were faced with a third and two at the Viking 25 and got one yard. On fourth down with 11.3 seconds left in the quarter,. Lefever was stopped just short of the first down, giving the ball back to the Vikings.

Fifty-four seconds into the fourth quarter, Daub broke off a 69-yard run, up the middle and for the first time in the game, the Vikings led, 27-26.

It still wasn't much of a problem, until the Tide coughed up the football on a pass completion, giving the ball back to NL near midfield. And, with every play on the ground, the Vikings went up nine points Another second half turning point was on the ensuing kickoff. The Vikings opted for a pooch kick, which caught the Tide flat-footed and they recover. Three plays later, Ryan busted one 39 yards for the final score of the game with 3:46 left.

Columbia tried again to score, but had a pass picked off with two minutes left.




Tide still leads power ratings

Despite its loss Friday, the Tide still has a big lead in the Class A power ratings: http://tripletdad33.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/fb-1a-wk6.pdf

Guiles honored by MAC

Columbia grad Ben Guiles receives another honor at the Valley: http://godutchmen.com/news/2011/10/9/FB_1009115236.aspx

Friday, October 7, 2011

Welcome Football Friday

WGAL's Football Friday will feature Columbia TONIGHT and broadcast from the Turkey Hill Experience beginning at 11:35 p.m.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Fire Prevention Night

Please join the Columbia Borough Risk Watch Coalition,
for a fun filled and exciting learning experience
focusing on Fire Prevention & Safety
 Apparatus & Equipment Displays
Fire Truck Rides
STOP, DROP & ROLL
Columbia Police K-9 Unit
Search & Rescue Unit
Susquehanna Valley EMS & QRS
Fire Extinguisher Demonstrations
Free Prizes & Give-aways
Free Food & Refreshments
Fire Safety
OPEN HOUSE
“Learn Not
To Burn”
Susquehanna Fire & Rescue Company #4.
Columbia Borough Police Department
TIME: 6:00 PM—8:30 PM
10 & Manor Streets
Columbia, PA 17512
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
JAY BARNINGER: 717.684.3959
JERRY WASCHE: 717.285.7999
Susquehanna Fire & Rescue Company
Phone: 717.684.5844
Fax: 717-684-6456
www.susquehannafire.org
Susquehanna Valley EMS
DATE: 10/12/2011

Coffee, chat and some football

It was suggested earlier on one of my chats to do one Saturday morning, when folks have off work. So this Saturday, let's chat around 10 a.m.

Get there early

For those venturing to the hill for the game tomorrow -- there are three class reunions going to be at the game, its also Homecoming and Football Friday will also be in attendance. so what I am saying without drawing a picture -- don't wait till the last minute to get there -- you might find parking tough and in the ticket line to get in. Plus. you'll miss a pretty good football game and perhaps Homecoming!

Top county official visits

Former West Hempfield Township manager Charlie Douts, now a top official with Lancaster County, was among the many visitors to the Columbia Market House this morning.

Lebanon Daily News preview of week six

They are calling it a can't miss game tomorrow: http://www.gametimepa.com/lebanon/ci_19050271

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Northern Lebanon previrw from Lebanon Daily News

HS FOOTBALL: Northern Lebanon: Loaded with options - GameTimePA.com

Columbia Police reports

REGINA ROMAINE SANTIAGO, AGE 50, OF
COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS
SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, AT SECOND AND WALNUT STREETS, SEPT. 27.

ALBA IVELISSE MOLINA, AGE 27, OF MOUNTVILLE,
WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENED
OR REVOKED, D.U.I. RELATED, ON LANCASTER AVENUE, SEPT. 27.

KEITH A. FAUTH, AGE 37, OF BAINBRIDGE, WAS
CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR
REVOKED AND FOR RESTRAINT SYSTEM, AT 15TH AND LANCASTER
AVENUE, SEPT. 27.

JOANNE FAYE HERSHEY, AGE 66, OF WILLOW
STREET, WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES
ON SOUTH FRONT STREET, SEPT. 27.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS WERE CITED FOR DRIVING
WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED SEPT. 29: ELIZABETH R. AULT, AGE 24, OF COLUMBIA, ON
HOUSTON STREET; BENNIE R. JOHNSON, AGE 41, OF READING, AT
ROUTE 441 AND ROUTE 30; MATTHEW F. MOTTER, AGE 39, OF COLUMBIA,
IN THE 600 BLOCK OF WALNUT STREET. MOTTER WAS ALSO CITED
FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL CERTIFICATE OF
EMISSIONS AND FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL
CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION.

MICHELE KNAPPENBERGER, AGE 32, OF LITITZ,
WAS CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES AT
LINDEN AND THIRD STREETS, SEPT. 29 .

THEODORE R. ORTMAN, III, AGE 29, OF COLUMBIA,
WAS CITED IN THE 400 BLOCK OF LOCUST STREET, FOR PUBLIC
DRUNKENNESS,OCT. 2.

MICHAEL JAMES LESCHKE, III, AGE 19, OF COLUMBIA, WAS
CITED FOR DISORDERLY CONDUCT; PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS; AND
FOR PURCHASE, CONSUMPTION, POSSESSION OR TRANSPORTATION
OF LIQUOR OR MALT OR BREWED BEVERAGES, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF
WALNUT STREET,SEPT. 27.

ROBERT LEE GARBER, II, AGE 34, OF MOUNT JOY,
WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS IN THE 400 BLOCK OF UNION
STREET, SEPT. 30
.
KEVIN ANDREW DISHART, JR., AGE 24, OF MIDDLETOWN,
WAS CITED FOR OPERATION OF VEHICLE WITHOUT OFFICIAL
CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION, IN THE 300 BLOCK OF LINDEN STREET,
OCT. 1.

DONALD L. MICHAEL, III, AGE 46, OF COLUMBIA,
WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS
SUSPENDED OR REVOKED, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF SOUTH FIFTH. STREET,
SEPT. 29.

Tide's Flory is honored

SECTION 3
BACK OF THE WEEK – Donegal RB-DB Johnnie Martin had 16 carries for 258 yards and 3 touchdown runs and 2 catches for 40 yards and a score on offense, and on defense he had 5 tackles and an interception in the Indians’ 28-21 win at Pequea Valley.

LINEMAN OF THE WEEK – Columbia OG-LB Bryan Flory had a high blocking grad on film on offense, and on defense he had 16 total tackles – 3 for losses – in the Crimson Tide’s 34-7 victory at Elco.