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

Quote for today … “Traffic tickets….that’s all the crime in Columbia, no thefts, burglaries, no arrests for crimes?” – Steve’s comment at this news site. [Editor’s Note: What about the listings in the daily newspaper’s POLICE LOG? Nope nothing there today.]

• Interestingly, in other communities listed at the POLICE LOG, a guy in Strasburg Township “shot out the window of his car” – Yahoo! And who’s been accused of taking things from Wal-Mart and Gabes. But this is the kind of news that folks want to know about their communities. Columbians just do not get to see this kind of info at the CrimeWatch page (as promised) or the Police Department’s facebook page (as promised so many times). They do, though, get to buy pink renditions of the department’s shoulder patch. Wonder where that revenue stream is listed at the department’s budget … and where is listed as an expense item?

• And this “news” from the facebook page “You know you’re from Columbia PA if … ” – “I heard today that the bridge bust may be cancelled. Did anybody else hear this?”

• “The event is held rain or shine.” according to the definitive source, the Chamber of Commerce’s Website.

• Other rumors: PPL does not provide carbon monoxide detectors free for everyone. PPL’s Winter Relief Assistance Program (WRAP) is a “PPL Electric Utilities energy-efficiency program designed to help income-eligible customers reduce their energy use and improve their living comfort.” Though a comment at the Columbia facebook page does say that the Columbia Fire Department does “supply and install … ”

• A search at the fire department’s Website shows this.

Smack dab in the middle of the bargain counter ads … what everyone wants: an antique domed drunk!

• Man “takes more than $60,000” from non-profit – Lancaster Online

• County firefighter arrested for assaulting junior firefighters – Lancaster Online

• Privatization is Coming to the American Fire Service