17512 Columbia

today’s news … Tuesday, January 15

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

Quote for today … “This was not a full-blown emergency. This was a controlled-emergency. We are developing protocols now to deal with these type of emergencies.” – Robert Philbin, Harrisburg’s Mayor Linda Thompson’s spokesperson during a meeting in which residents sounded off about the municipality’s failing infrastructure, notably a huge sinkhole. – Harrisburg Patriot-News.

  • Another one gone! “The Manheim Township commissioners decided ‘that the cost was not commensurate with the benefit we receive’” and have decided to withdraw from the Lancaster Inter-Municipal Council. – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • POLICE LOG: “COLUMBIA: Police have released information about a Jan. 4 wreck at Third and Chestnut streets that knocked out power for more than 1,000 people. Scott Reisinger, 33, of Columbia, failed to stop for a steady red light and his 2009 Chrysler SLX struck an oncoming tractor-trailer, borough police Officer Brent Smith said. His vehicle spun out of control and struck a utility pole. Reisinger was transported to Lancaster General Hospital for treatment and was later released, Smith said. The truck driver, whom police did not identify, was not injured. Charges are pending against Reisinger for multiple violations, Smith said.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • County cuts contribution to students with drug, alcohol, emotional problems program – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • LEGAL NOTICE published in the Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era, January 15, 2013 – “The Zoning Hearing Board of the Borough of Columbia will meet on Wednesday, January 30, 2013, at 7:00 P.M., in the Municipal Building at 308 Locust Street, Columbia, PA, to consider the following application(s) and/or appeal(s): Catholic War Veterans Home Association is requesting special exception(s) and/or variance(s) to operate a membership club at 250 North Seventh Street in an Institutional Residential (INSR) zoned district. If you are a person with a disability wishing to attend this meeting and require an accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact the Columbia Borough Office at 684- 2467 to discuss how the Borough may accommodate your needs. Jeffrey Helm, Zoning Office.”
  • “The following area students were named to the dean’s list for the fall term at Central Penn College: Marietta — Alexandra Roden, physical therapist assistant and Mountville — Roger Rudolph, business administration.” – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era
  • “CLASS: Amateur radio licensing classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on seven Fridays, beginning Feb. 1, at Moravian Manor, 300 W. Lemon St., Lititz. Amateur Radio Operators, also called HAMS, communicate with other licensed HAMS using a variety of modes of operation. Anyone wanting to become a licensed operator must pass a 35-question multiple-choice test. The informal training classes will be lead by members of the Southern PA Amateur Radio Club. No prior background in radio or electronics is required. At the conclusion of the classes, arrangements will be made for the exam. There is no charge for the classes; however, the test is administered by volunteer examiners who require a fee to cover their expenses. Fees generally are less than $15. Registration is required by Friday, Jan 25. To register or for more information, contact Jackie Holzel at 625-7984 or jackieh@moravianmanor.org.”
  • Some views on Spooky Nook. Jack Brubaker’s The Scribbler column in today’s Lancaster Intelligencer Journal/New Era offers a few conflicting perspectives on this unusual name. “Reaves Goehring Jr., of Columbia, says the old ‘Spuk Haus” still stands: it’s a plank house at the corner of Spooky Nook and Shenck roads in East Hempfield Township.As Goehring has heard it, a fellow who lived in that house over a century ago raised sheep. He took the sheep outside during the day but herded them into the house’s attic at night. ‘People would hear the sheep up there at night and would think they were ghosts,” Goehring says. Well, ‘baa” does sound a bit like ‘boo.’”- “But, no, that’s not right, writes Robert Griffith, of Mountville. On a foggy night, many years ago, a fireman on a passing train saw a reflection in the windows of an abandoned house at the Reading Railroad crossing at Spooky Nook and Shenck roads.’ The fireman remarked to the engineer, ‘That’s a spooky place!’ Griffith relates. Later this was referred to as ‘The Haunted Crossing.’”

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