Thursday, May 19, 2011

Just a bad decision

I don't want this to sound like I am crying, or being a homer, but the decision to start Monday's Lancaster-Lebanon League softball playoff game between the Columbia Crimson Tide and Donegal Indians was a huge error in judgment.


I'd be saying the same thing whether or not Columbia was playing. For these girls and their coaches, it was a chance to possibly play for a league championship. How many chances does a team get the opportunity to do so? Well, in the Tide's case, it was their first chance.

I got to Willow Street about 15 minutes before the first pitch and it was already raining. And it just got worse. By the time the game was called, Columbia pitcher Emily Detz had dropped a pitch on the mound and to use an expression by Chris Wheeler, fired a 100 hopper to the plate. And the puddles were visible on the infield.

By the time the umpires called the game, Donegal led 4-0. As anyone knows, in high school softball, that's a huge lead to overcome.

Both teams deserved a chance to play under better circumstances. It was a huge error in judgment by the L-L League even starting the game. Not just because of the weather, but player safety as well.

I understand there was an attempt made to ask for the game to be restarted, which was turned down by a higher power (PIAA), which again is a shame.

I do think I know what I am talking about regarding this issue. Until a few years ago, I was active in youth sports not only Columbia but in Lancaster County as well. I coached, umpired and ran a well respected youth baseball tournament. I understand the rules as far as who is in charge before a game or tournament starts; who is in charge once a game begins, etc.

Again, I don't want to make this sound like sour grapes or for someone to say “its just Columbia, who cares” and if that's how people think, so be it. But I disagree with the decision to start this game because of what was at stake.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Estate sale is Saturday

There willl be an estate sale in Columbia at 613 S. 13th St., Saturday, starting at 7 a.m.
Various types of furniture, paintings and kitchen items will be available for sale.

It's official, Catholic movin on up

Like the Jeffersons, the Lancaster Catholic football program is movin on up: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/392121

Fourth Friday upcoming

Fourth Fridays in Columbia is offered each month and will be held on Friday, May 27, from 5 to 9 p.m. Attendees may experience Columbia's art galleries, antique shops, participating specialty shops, and local eateries during this at-your-own-pace tour. Participants may view exhibits from local and visiting artists and enjoy refreshments.


For more information, visit www.fourthfridays.org, check out the Fourth Fridays in Columbia page on Facebook, or email fourthfridayscolumbia@gmail.com .

Church to sponsor dog walk

The Columbia United Methodist Church will sponsor this event: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=51082

Just another reminder

Risk Watch will hold a bike event Saturday: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=51293

Mountville Days ready to go

It's time for Mountville Days: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=50976

Changing hands

if you haven't heard, Columbia's lone coffee shop, the Daily Griind will close its doors on Friday. Here is the sign posted on the window about the shop and the future occupant of the building.
It will become a sandwich shop/deli called WeeWichery.

Upcoming event: HT Fair

Upcoming event: Cruisin' Columbia Car Show

Washington Boro man charged

Manor Township Police have charged Kevin Ortman, 27, of Third Street, Washington Boro, with fleeing and attempting to elude police as the result of an incident on Blue Rock Road at Penn Street, Msy 17.
Police said Ortman was wanted on outstanding warrants.

Police seek help in copper thefts

Columbia Police are seeking help in solving a number of copper thefts from churches and homes in the borough.


Thefts are copper down and rain spouts.

Police said they have received reports of people checking out vacant homes, breaking into them to steal copper pipes from outside air conditioners.
If you see someone that does not belong in your area, call police at 684-7735 or 911.

There were also reports of a white truck seen in the area of the thefts.

West Hempfield police reports

Marlene Lynn Eldridge, 48, of Lancaster, was charged with retail theft, as the result of an incident at Musser's Market, 3995 Columbia Ave., May 12.
She was placed in Lancaster County Prison.

Kevin Ortman 27, of Columbia, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia the result of an incident in the parking lot at Weis Market, 1786 Columbia Ave.,  May 13.

Nicky Israel Cruz, 25, of Lancaster, was charged with making a false ID to police, driving under suspension and a seat belt violation as the result of a traffic stop on Prospect Road at Route 462, May 13

Columbia police reports

CHARLES E. ECHTERLING, AGE 67, OF MARIETTA, WAS CITED FOR ONE-WAY ROADWAYS AND ROTARY TRAFFIC ISLANDS, ON BARBER STREET, MAY 12.

THE FOLLOWING PERSONS WERE CITED FOR OBEDIENCE TO TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES ON SOUTH FRONT STREET, MAY 12: PAUL RICHARD BRENEMAN, AGE 70, OF LITITZ; LARRY A. ROGERS, AGE 59, OF WRIGHTSVILLE; AND RHODA F. NELSON, AGE 52, OF WRIGHTSVILLE.

DELICIA ANN SWARR, AGE 32, OF WASHINGTON BORO., WAS CITED FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS, ON LINDEN STREET, MAY 15.
KENYETTA L. MCILWAIN-TORRES, AGE 34, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR THEFT OF SERVICES AND FOR PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS AT SOUTH 12TH AND BARBER STREETS, MAY 14.

JAMES THEODORE SWAN, III, AGE 34, OF COLUMBIA, WAS CITED FOR DRIVING WHILE OPERATING PRIVILEGE IS SUSPENDED OR REVOKED ON SOUTH FIFTH. STREET, MAY 14.
TONY M. WAGSTAFF, JR., AGE 37, OF MARYLAND, WAS CITED TWICE FOR UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES, IN THE 200 BLOCK OF LINDEN STREET, MAY 16

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Police/Crime Stoppers seek help

Lancaster City/County Crime Stoppers is offering to pay up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person who robbed the Columbia Dairy Queen on May 7.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male about 5'7" tall and 185 pounds.
Anyone with information about the robbery may call Columbia Borough Police at (717) 684-7735, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-322-1913.
Callers are not required to give their names.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Where to vote

Tomorrow is Primary Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m.and close at 8 p.m.
Here's where to vote in Columbia:
First Ward: Columbia Fire Police, 19 South Second St.
Fourth Ward: School District Administrative Center, 200 North Fifth St.
Fifth Ward: St. Peter Apartment, 400 Union St.
Sixth Ward: SVEMS, 610 Poplar St.
Seventh Ward: Consolidated Fire Department, 10th and Mifflin streets.
Ninth Ward: Susquehanna Fire Company, 10th and Manor streets.

Game is suspended

Rain, rain go away, come back again another day. Well add the two teams, who are coming back another day.
The L-L League softball semi-final between the Tide and Donegal was suspended by heavy rain in the top of the first with Donegal leading 4-0.
The game will be resumed, weather permitting Tuesday night at Garrett Park at 5:30.
The game started in a light rain and quickly became downpour and caused Tide pitcher Emily Detz some problems, controlling the ball.

Times and pairings for district tournament

District Three has released the times and sites of its Class AA playoff games: http://tripletdad33.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/softball-aa-brax.pdf

Directions to the various fields: http://tripletdad33.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/sb-direx.pdf

Sunday, May 15, 2011

District Three posts track lists

The District Three track and field championships are this weekend. Here are the performance lists: http://district3.piaa.org/track/2011/perflists/perflists.htm

Section champs move on

The Columbia girls' softball team moved into the semifinals of the Lancaster-Lebanon League softball playoffs with a 6-3 win over Cedar Crest. Prior to the game, the Tide received their Section 4 championship trophy. The Tide will play Donegal Monday night at Garrett Park. First pitch is 5:30 p.m.

Columbia student awarded scholarship

This was on the backpage of the Intell/New Era earlier this week: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/389325

Bike auction and safety event

The Columbia Risk Watch Collition will hold a bike safety event and auction, Saturday, May 21 from 9 a.m.to noon in thr 600 block of Poplar Street, outside of the Susquehanna Valley EMS building.
There will be a bike auction at 10 a.m.
For more information, call 684-3959.
There will be bike licensing available as well as other events.

What others are saying

From PennLive.com: http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/news/article/4949493391502803251/columbia-knocks-cedar-crest-out-of-lancaster-lebanon-league-softball-quarterfinals/

From Lebanon Daily News: http://www.gametimepa.com/ci_18063538?source=rss

Fro Sunday News: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/390035