Columbia’s Next Generation of Leaders Starts Here: Pack 35 Invites Local Families to Join the Adventure
By The Columbia Chronicle Ask almost any longtime Columbia resident about their childhood, and chances…
Columbia’s Next Generation of Leaders Starts Here: Pack 35 Invites Local Families to Join the Adventure
By The Columbia Chronicle Ask almost any longtime Columbia resident about their childhood, and chances are they’ll tell you stories about riding bikes until sunset, exploring the neighborhood with friends, camping, fishing, building things with their hands, and learning life lessons that couldn’t be found on a screen. Today, many parents worry that those experiences…
Columbia Borough Council Meeting Recap: Big Projects, Budget Questions, and a Little Licorice
The October 13, 2026, Columbia Borough Council meeting covered a wide range of topics, from traffic safety improvements and development projects to library funding, neighborhood concerns, and future borough planning. While the meeting stretched past the two-and-a-half-hour mark, residents who stayed the course were treated to equal parts public policy, spirited debate, and at least…
EDITORIAL: The Public Deserves Answers, So We’re Releasing the Records
Opinion | The Columbia Chronicle Editorial Board Transparency only works when the public has access to information. Over the past several months, The Columbia Chronicle submitted numerous Right-to-Know requests seeking information about Borough operations, Police Department administration, employment agreements, payroll records, leave balances, timesheets, departmental finances, and other matters involving local government. Those records were…
Columbia Police Chief Calls for Audit, Reveals Concerns Over Finances and Past Budget Cuts
COLUMBIA, Pa. — An emotional address from Chief Holly Arndt during a recent Columbia Borough Council meeting has sparked renewed public discussion about the finances, staffing, and future of the Columbia Borough Police Department. Speaking to council members and residents, Arndt painted a troubling picture of a department she says has been operating under significant…
Walnut Street Officially Set to Become a One-Way Street
COLUMBIA BOROUGH – One of Columbia’s busiest downtown corridors may soon see a significant traffic change as Borough Council considers an ordinance that would officially designate portions of Walnut Street as a one-way roadway. Under the proposal, the 100 and 200 blocks of Walnut Street would become westbound-only traffic. The change is tied to the…
Mayor Unveils Plan to Make Columbia Streets Safer
COLUMBIA BOROUGH – Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz is moving forward with a series of traffic and pedestrian safety improvements aimed at making borough streets safer for residents, students, and visitors. The mayor is scheduled to present details of his “Safe Streets” initiative during Borough Council’s October 13 meeting. While the presentation is still being finalized,…
Columbia Fire Department Seeks $1 Million Grant for New Ladder Truck
COLUMBIA BOROUGH – Columbia Borough Council is set to support a major grant application that could bring a new aerial ladder truck to the Columbia Borough Fire Department, replacing equipment that officials say is showing its age and nearing the end of its service life. Council is expected to consider Resolution 2026-22 during its October…
Why Is Today a Holiday? The Story Behind Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day
By The Columbia Chronicle Staff If you woke up this morning and wondered why the mail didn’t show up, the bank seemed unusually quiet, or your kids were asking if they had school, you’re not alone. Today, October 12, is a day with two names and a lot of history behind it: Columbus Day and…
End of Summer Market on the River to Celebrate Local Businesses and Community Spirit
(Wrightsville, Pa) As the leaves begin to change and another summer comes to a close, the End of Summer Market on the River is inviting the community to gather for a day of local shopping, great food, and family-friendly fun along the waterfront. The event will take place Sunday, October 18, from 10:00 a.m. to…
Open Letter to the Columbia Post Office: Is Recording a Mail Carrier From a Public Sidewalk Illegal?
The Columbia ChronicleColumbia, Pennsylvania October 9, 2026 Residents of Columbia deserve accurate information from every government agency that serves our community. That is why The Columbia Chronicle is publishing this open letter regarding an interaction that occurred during a recent livestream on a public sidewalk in Columbia Borough. The video in question can be viewed…
Questions Continue Surrounding Columbia’s Police Leadership Transition
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Borough officials sought to clarify questions surrounding the transition in leadership within the Columbia Borough Police Department during Tuesday’s workshop meeting. The discussion centered on the role of former Police Chief Jack Brommer and what involvement, if any, remains following his retirement announcement. Officials stated that Brommer is no longer involved in…
Route 30 Bridge Project Planning Returns to the Spotlight
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Although major construction may still be years away, Columbia officials say planning efforts related to the future Route 30 bridge project must begin now. The topic was discussed during Tuesday’s workshop meeting, with officials noting that previous planning initiatives may need to be revisited as the project timeline approaches. The Route 30…
Columbia Considers New Rules for E-Bikes and Scooters
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Safety concerns involving electric bicycles and scooters may soon lead to new regulations in Columbia Borough. During Tuesday’s workshop meeting, residents voiced concerns about riders operating on sidewalks, through parks, near schools, and in areas where pedestrian traffic is heavy. The growing popularity of electric transportation devices has created new challenges for…
Future of Homeless Services in Columbia Raises Community Concerns
COLUMBIA, Pa. — The future of homeless services became one of the most significant topics discussed during Tuesday’s Columbia Borough workshop meeting, highlighting ongoing concerns about housing insecurity and the availability of support resources within the community. Officials discussed challenges facing local assistance programs and the uncertainty surrounding future shelter availability. The conversation comes as…
Columbia Faces Questions as Data Center Regulations Remain Unfinished
COLUMBIA, Pa. — As technology companies continue building large-scale data centers across Pennsylvania and the nation, Columbia Borough officials are still working to finalize regulations that would govern where those facilities could locate within the community. The issue resurfaced during Tuesday’s workshop meeting, where residents and officials discussed the borough’s ongoing efforts to establish zoning…
Discussion Piece: What Should Be Done About Problem Properties?
WRIGHTSVILLE, Pa. — When a property becomes overgrown or falls into disrepair, what responsibility should local government have, and where should property rights begin and end? That question surfaced again during a recent borough meeting when concerns were raised about a neighborhood property that residents say has created ongoing problems. While borough officials explained that…
Borough Pursues Grants for Future Infrastructure Improvements
WRIGHTSVILLE, Pa. — Wrightsville officials continue seeking outside funding opportunities to address future infrastructure needs. Council recently approved actions related to upcoming Community Development Block Grant applications that could help fund road repairs, sidewalk improvements, stormwater management projects, and other infrastructure upgrades. Local leaders say grant funding remains one of the most valuable tools available…
