today’s news and information gleanings from here and there! 

• Today’s Weather! 
• Today in History!
• Traffic Cam Rts. 30 & 441
• The Official Time! – Population Clock (U.S. and World)

Quote for today… “All through the long winter, I dream of my garden. On the first day of spring, I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar.” – Helen Hayes

• “Wells Fargo in June will begin charging a $7 checking account fee to customers in Georgia, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania, the bank said Thursday.” – Fox43 WPMT-TV

• “Follow the yellow brick road to Columbia High School as it stages the classic story of “The Wizard of Oz” tonight through Saturday.
  The performances will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and at 1 and 7 p.m. on Saturday.” – MyColumbiaNews

• January’s Council meetings agendas and minutes now posted at the borough Website

• Here’s something curious … Yesterday, a citizen, who happens to be a property owner and tax payer, mentioned to us that when the citizen tried to pay his property tax to the borough’s tax collector, the tax collector refused to accept the payment. When the citizen asked why, the citizen was told there was an issue with the borough centering on the substantiation and codification of collecting “certain fees.” According to the borough code, “§ 194-30. Definitions. The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context or language clearly indicates or requires a different meaning: COLLECTOR – The person, public employee or private agency designated by the political subdivision to collect and administer the tax herein imposed.” The borough Website also addresses where property owners may pay taxes at the “Resident Information” page. We scanned through the borough codes (and you may want to as well) to find references about taxing fees but were unsuccessful in finding any reference to the situation. Here’s the Lancaster County tax collectors listing. Here’s a listing from a private-source information provider; interestingly, it appears to have better contact information for councilors and some borough personnel than the borough’s’ Website does. [NOTE: Want more information; here’s the link to The Pennsylvania Tax Collector’s Manual.]

• A visual photowalk in Columbia on May26. – craigslist

• … and this business opportunity: “New space being remodeled on Locust street in Columbia. Call now and the space can be modified for your specific need. Rent one room office space for $250 or rent the whole 15,000 square feet space. $.50 /sq ft. Call 717-449-8303 for more information or questions.” This Locust Street property, too. – craigslist

• “Columbia will be selling tickets for Saturday’s PIAA game at South Philadephia High School today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Advance tickets are $3 for students and $6 for adults. All tickets at the game will be $6. Also, the Columbia Basketball Booster Club will be sponsoring a fan bus for this game. Seats will be $10 that will be collected when boarding. The bus will board at 2:45 p.m. in the high school gym parking lot. People may sign up for the bus when they purchase their tickets.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• The Historic Columbia Market House is open today and tomorrow (Friday)! First opened in 1869, the majestic structure that is the Market House retains the charm of another era as it delivers delights from the fields, orchards, ovens, kitchens, hands and hearts of local stand holders.

• POLICE LOG: “MANOR TWP.: Police said a 74-year-old man was scammed out of $6,000 after he received a phone call from a man pretending to be his grandson. The caller said he was in a foreign country and had a vehicle accident for which he needed money. The man wired money on three separate occasions before contacting police.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• “Mayor: Council member can serve despite prostitution charge” – York Daily Record

• “The River of Hope Relay for Life team will hold its fifth annual Gumbo Cook-off Saturday, March 24, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Shank’s Tavern, 36 S. Waterford Ave., Marietta. Spaces are still available for anyone who would like to enter the competition. Cost to enter is $20. Cost to attend the event, which includes gumbo tasting, snacks and door prizes, is $10. A cash bar will be available. Music will be provided by Minivan and there will be dancing. For a registration form to enter as a gumbo cooker or for more information or tickets, call Pam Danhoff at 567-224-8514 or email her at pdanhoof@yahoo.com.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• Around here, it is all about the $$$’s