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… ” “If you don’t read the newspaper you are uninformed.  If you do read the newspaper you are misinformed.” – Mark Twain

• Are you kidding me? “A Manheim Township man has filed a complaint against a Columbia restaurant for offering a 10 percent discount for diners who present a church bulletin on Sundays. John Wolff, who is an atheist, filed the complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission against Prudhomme’s Lost Cajun Kitchen in Columbia.” – LancasterOnLine

• Cycle Den damage exceeds $2,500,000 – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• Interesting properties listed for sale in Columbia according to this Website – LoopNet.com

• Rebecca Bowers, daughter of Jay and Nancy Bowers, Columbia, and Andrew Kauffman, son of Richard and Sharon Kauffman, Columbia, were awarded Presidential Academic Fitness Awards at the Lancaster Mennonite High School Class of 2012 awards recognition this spring. – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• Two Columbia graduating seniors received awards at the Brownstown campus of Lancaster County Career & Technology Center’s certificate ceremony on May 29. Jennifer Marcello, Columbia — LCCT Foundation Scholarship, $1,000 and Marrissa Loreto, Columbia — Brownstown Faculty Award, $200 book/tool scholarship. – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• Letters to the editors in today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• Catholic schools changes – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• Evaluating teacher and principal effectiveness: “House Bill 1980, sponsored by state Rep. Ryan Aument of Landisville, will rate the effectiveness of teachers and principals based on a combination of observations and student performance measures.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• Lancaster New Era editorial: Stolen Valor decision is wrong. From Columbia news, views & reviews on Friday, June 29, 2012: Supreme Court ruling says it is OK to violate US service men and women by lying about service awards:“The Supreme Court upheld lower court rulings that also found Stolen Valor unconstitutional.” – The Hill and“The Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a federal law that made it a crime to lie about having received military medals. The Stolen Valor Act of 2005 makes it a crime to falsely claim to have been awarded military honors and decorations. It imposes increased penalties for lying about certain awards, including the Medal of Honor.” – Washington Post

• LEGAL NOTICE, published in the Sunday News, Lancaster, PA on July 1, 2012: “SALE OF REAL ESTATE INVITATION TO BID The Borough of Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, shall accept sealed bids for the purchase of certain real estate owned by the Borough of Columbia until 11 A.M. on August 3, 2012 , at the Borough Office, 308 Locust Street, Columbia, Pennsylvania 17512 at which time such bids shall be opened and read aloud in a public meeting. The two real properties being offered for sale are: 1) 1020 Blunston Street which is a Light Industrial zoned parcel of approximately 1.1 acres and is identified as Tax Parcel Nos. 110-58624. The minimum acceptable bid is $122,800.00. 2) 215 Lawrence St. which is a residential zoned parcel of approximately .07 acres and is identified as Tax Parcel Nos. 110- 66893. The minimum acceptable bid is $18,000. The successful bidder shall receive fee simple title to the property and shall be liable for the payment of any taxes, including realty transfer taxes, fees or other expenses of transfer and recording. The Borough of Columbia makes no warranties or other representations as to condition of the property. The successful bidder shall take the property under and subject to all restrictions and agreements of record and all existing easements and rights-of-way, and will purchase the property “AS IS”. Arrangements can be made to inspect the property or examine any reports and documents in the Borough’s possession by contacting the Borough Manager’s Office at (717) 684-2467 Ext. 218. All bids shall remain open for a minimum of sixty (60) days from the date they are opened. Payment of the purchase price to the Borough shall be made in full within sixty (60) days after formal award of the bid by Borough Council of the Borough of Columbia. The bid shall be made only by an executed bid form (the “Bid Proposal”) furnished by the Borough, and shall include a deposit in the form of a bank check or money order payable to the Borough of Columbia in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the proposed purchase price. Prospective bidders may obtain the Bid Proposal at the Borough Office, 308 Locust Street, Columbia, Pennsylvania 17512, Monday through Friday, except holidays, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m or from the Borough’s website, www.columbiapa.net under forms. The Borough of Columbia expressly reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Norman B. Meiskey, III, Borough Manager.”

• A Susquehanna fishing report – The (Towanda) Daily Review

• With hospitals and banks, it’s get bigger or get bought! That’s what’s happening in York as Memorial Hospital has been bought by Community Health Systems. – York Daily Record