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 the day: “Only politics and the desire for local politicians to control their police keeps many of these communities from merging the police forces and saving money on duplicate functions. Communities need a target cost of $x per resident for police. If they exceed that they should consider merging.” – anadvocate, commenter to Harrisburg Patriot-News article about Middletown’s discussion about consolidation of police resources.

• “Public hearing set on Conoy Township Perdue plant – in York County; supervisors miffed because it’s same night as board meeting” – LancasterOnLine

• Eastern standout, Andrew Nicholas, keys Monmoth College win – SportsPageMagazine

• Big 10 Coach of the Year – “Nittany Lions’ Bill O’Brien was named the Hayes-Schembechler and Dave McClain Coach of the Year.” – BigTen.org

• Winning “open” communication style (and he’ll be back next year!) – “Leading Penn State out of the desert started with Bill O’Brien’s loyalty and honesty.” – York Blog: Nittany Nation

• Middletown considers “police regionalization” to cut costs – Harrisburg Patriot-News

• More on last week’s council meeting: “Columbia drafts budget, hiring plan: Tax rate maintained in proposal to add sewage, police officer” – MyColumbiaNews

• School taxes increase, however: This Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era article in June affirmed “Columbia Borough’s school board is sticking with its proposed property tax increase of 2.48 percent.”

• LEGAL NOTICES, published in the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era on November 28, 2012 – “LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Borough Council of the Borough of Columbia, at its scheduled regular meeting on December 10, 2012, at 7:00 pm in Council Chambers of the Borough Municipal Building located at 308 Locust Street, Columbia, will consider for adoption Resolution No. 2012-22 adopting the budget for the Borough of Columbia for the year 2013 and will consider for adoption Ordinance No. 833 fixing the real estate tax millage rate for 2013 at 8.0 mills, which is $.80 of tax for each $100 of assessed real estate valuation. This action will result in no increase from the 2012 real estate tax rate. Any persons with a disability wishing to attend the meeting may contact the Borough Office at 717-684-2467 for necessary accommodations. Notice is further given that the proposed budget for the year 2013 referenced above is available for public inspection at the Municipal Building, 308 Locust Street, Columbia, Pennsylvania. Business office hours are 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, except holidays. Norman B. Meiskey”

• This notice is included on the LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF ASSESSMENT APPEALS REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING MINUTES September 12, 2012 – “BOROUGH OF COLUMBIA/ A motion was made by Mr. Bechtold and seconded by Mr. Fry to approve exemption for the following properties: Three properties located on newly named Heritage Drive, located in Columbia Borough, parcel numbers 110-72579-0-0000, 110-66820-0-0000 and 110-62952-0-0000. These parcels are being used as a Borough maintenance road. The 10.8 acre tract located at 200 North Heritage Drive, parcel number 110-53157-0-0000 is being developed as the River Park extension and will continue as park usage. The exemption will be effective beginning with the 2013 County and Municipal and 2013-2014 School tax years. Motion passed”

• And this notice is included on the October 10 minutes: “COLUMBIA & READING RAILWAY COMPANY/ A motion was made by Mr. Fry and seconded by Mr. Bechtold to approve exemption for the property purchased April 19, 2012, located in Columbia Borough, parcel number 110-76271-0-0000. The property will be used for railroad operations. The exemption will be effective beginning with the 2013 County and Municipal and the 2013-2014 School tax years. Motion passed.”

• Current tax schedule in Lancaster County – Lancaster County Website
  

• “School districts statewide will begin administering new standardized tests next week in math, English and science, exams that eventually all students will have to pass to earn a high school diploma. – CBS Philly [NOTE: The Pennsylvania Department of Education states: “The Keystone Exams are end-of-course assessments designed to assess proficiency in the subject areas of Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Literature, English Composition, Biology, Chemistry, U.S. History, World History, and Civics and Government.”]

• $2 buck Powerball works! – York Daily Record

• “Powerball win likelier as ticket sales skyrocket” – The Seattle Times

• Pennsylvania “Failing Schools” List For the 2012-2013 school year. – Keystone State Education Coalition

• Can you see it?: 2016 $antorum/Ryan ticket – OMG! – Santorum won’t rule another run out – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• $antorum against disabled people? That’s what Washington Post columnist, Dana Milbank, says, “President-unelect Rick Santorum made his triumphant return to the Capitol on Monday afternoon and took up a brave new cause: He is opposing disabled people.”

• Tough to find housing: “Lancaster County has the second-fewest housing vacancies in the nation, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era

• A Columbia news, views & reviews caller asked this question about the legal ad posting yesterday: Does that place (Club Good Times) have a liquor license? According to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Website, here are the establishments in Columbia registered to sell alcohol.