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… “Curse war, pray for peace, and may the Lord have mercy on our souls..” – Anonymous.

• “A former Columbia student was killed Tuesday when the car he was driving struck a tree in Windsor Township, York County. Tyler Helton, 19, of West Market Street, Hallam, died of multiple blunt-force injuries, York County deputy coroner Steve Cosey told the York Dispatch.” – LancasterOnLine

• Borough manager announces retirement: In response to a question from a citizen at Monday night’s meeting, Columbia Borough Manager, Norman B. Meiskey, III, stated that he has announced his intention to retire to the Council; he said his planned date of retirement is May 3, 2013.

• “May not be the final name” Drive. At Monday night’s council meeting, the council agreed to “temporarily” name the “unopened road” (as identified on the Agenda in paragraph III, (I)). No identifying street signs will be erected. According to a councilor’s comment, the Borough has been billed for real estate taxes by the Columbia Borough School District for this property. By naming the road, it allows the opening for an appeal process.

• “West Hempfield police, club prepare to launch Project Lifesaver” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• Tobacco Free Parks: “Mount Joy Borough Council  Monday unanimously approved the Mount Joy Borough Tobacco Free Parks and Playgrounds Policy for all public parks and playgrounds owned by the borough.” – MyDonegalNews

• Personalizing death: York County soldier dies in Afghanistan. [NOTE: This is an editorial comment – While the young man pictured above is not a local resident, Columbia news, views & reviews wants to put a face on the impersonal headlines that tell of yet another war death in yet another senseless war in yet another country. Why do we allow our elected “public servants” voting to send our nation’s sons and daughters; husbands, wives and fathers into these frays that benefit none but those who gain financially from war?

• Fluids From Marcellus Shale Likely Seeping Into PA Drinking Water: “New research has concluded that salty, mineral-rich fluids deep beneath Pennsylvania’s natural gas fields are likely seeping upward thousands of feet into drinking water supplies. Though the fluids were natural and not the byproduct of drilling or hydraulic fracturing, the finding further stokes the red-hot controversy over fracking in the Marcellus Shale, suggesting that drilling waste and chemicals could migrate in ways previously thought to be impossible.” – ProPublica