Columbia Officials Seek Community Feedback on Proposed Data Center Ordinance
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Columbia residents will soon have an opportunity to weigh in on one…
Columbia Officials Seek Community Feedback on Proposed Data Center Ordinance
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Columbia residents will soon have an opportunity to weigh in on one of the borough’s newest planning discussions as officials announced a special public meeting dedicated to a proposed data center ordinance. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. in the Columbia High School auditorium, and borough leaders…
Columbia Borough Approves Funding for Local Organizations and Community Partners
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Columbia Borough Council approved more than $31,000 in previously budgeted community contributions Tuesday night, reaffirming the borough’s financial support for several local organizations that provide cultural, educational, historical, and veterans’ services throughout the community. The funding approvals came during the council’s regular business agenda and were largely procedural, as the organizations had…
Columbia Cancels September Budget Meeting as Officials Await Key Financial Data
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Columbia Borough Council announced Tuesday night that a scheduled September budget meeting has been canceled, citing missing financial information that officials say is necessary to begin meaningful discussions about the borough’s 2027 spending plan. The announcement came during the borough manager’s report near the end of the Sept. 8 council meeting. Officials…
Columbia Catholic Housing Expansion Moves Forward With Council Support
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Columbia Borough Council took an early step toward a potential expansion of senior housing in the borough Tuesday night by approving a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Columbia Catholic Housing, allowing planning efforts for a future development project to continue. The proposal centers on the possible expansion of Trinity House and includes…
Columbia Advances $500,000 Museum Improvement Project
COLUMBIA, Pa. — The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) received another boost from Columbia Borough Council on Tuesday night as officials approved agreements tied to a $500,000 state grant package that will support significant improvements at the organization’s museum campus. Representatives from GMS Funding Solutions attended the meeting to explain the project…
Columbia Council Continues Work on Rental Enforcement and Neighborhood Quality-of-Life Issues
COLUMBIA, Pa. — While pedestrian safety dominated much of Tuesday night’s Columbia Borough Council meeting, another longstanding neighborhood issue resurfaced as resident Keith Williams returned to council seeking answers about ongoing disturbances near Third and Mill streets and the borough’s enforcement of its disruptive conduct ordinance. Williams told council he first raised concerns months ago…
Columbia Council Faces Tough Budget Decisions as 2027 Planning Begins
COLUMBIA, Pa. — As Columbia Borough officials begin preparing next year’s budget, council members are warning that difficult financial decisions lie ahead. During Tuesday night’s Borough Council meeting, several officials stressed the need to establish clear priorities as the borough faces limited financial flexibility and increasing demands on municipal resources. The budget discussion emerged during…
Columbia Approves Six-Month Ambulance Dispatch Pilot Program
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Columbia Borough Council voted Tuesday night to participate in a six-month emergency medical services pilot program designed to improve ambulance availability while helping emergency responders better manage limited resources. The initiative, known as the Alternative Dispatch Pilot Program, will be conducted in partnership with Penn State Health Life Lion and Lancaster County…
Residents Demand Action on Growing E-Bike and Scooter Safety Concerns
COLUMBIA, Pa. — While pedestrian safety dominated much of Tuesday night’s Columbia Borough Council meeting, a related concern quickly emerged as residents and officials voiced increasing alarm over the growing number of e-bikes and scooters being operated unsafely throughout the borough. During both public comment and council discussion, residents described what they believe is a…
Columbia Officials Outline New Strategy for Pedestrian Safety
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Amid growing public concern over pedestrian safety, Columbia Borough officials say a coordinated effort is underway to address dangerous intersections, improve school walking routes, and identify funding opportunities for future infrastructure improvements. The update came during Tuesday night’s Borough Council meeting, where pedestrian safety dominated much of the evening’s discussion. Council members…
Columbia Walks Expands Mission Amid Growing Push for Safer Streets
COLUMBIA, Pa. — What began as a grassroots effort to encourage walking and community engagement is evolving into one of Columbia’s most visible advocacy organizations. During Tuesday night’s borough council meeting, Columbia Walks founder Callie Thompson outlined the group’s future plans while emphasizing that recent pedestrian crashes and fatalities have transformed the organization’s mission. “I…
Supporters Rally Behind Robert Thompson Following Arrest
COLUMBIA, Pa. — What began as a regular Columbia Borough Council meeting quickly became a show of support for local pedestrian safety advocate Robert Thompson, as friends, family members, and community supporters filled the public comment period to defend Thompson following his recent arrest. Thompson was unable to attend the Sept. 8 council meeting due…
Columbia Teen to Stand Trial in Fatal July Stabbing Case
COLUMBIA, Pa. A 17-year-old Columbia resident charged in connection with a fatal stabbing earlier this summer will have his case move forward in Lancaster County Court after waiving his preliminary hearing on Tuesday. Joshua D. Flores, 17, is charged with criminal homicide and tampering with evidence in the July 8 death of Anthony Stoy-Velazquez, 26….
Columbia Borough Council to Consider Library Funding, Dispatch Pilot Program, and Halloween Event at Tonight’s Meeting
COLUMBIA, PA. Residents planning to follow local government developments will have several noteworthy items to watch during the Columbia Borough Council’s regular meeting tonight, September 8, beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Paul W. Myers Council Chambers. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Borough’s YouTube channel, allowing community members to stay informed on decisions…
Rep. Brett Miller to Take Part in Historic Pennsylvania House Session at Congress Hall
By The Columbia Chronicle Staff Columbia-area residents will have the opportunity to see their state representative participate in a unique moment in Pennsylvania history when Rep. Brett Miller joins fellow lawmakers for a special session of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives at Philadelphia’s historic Congress Hall on Sept. 9. The event is being held as…
Career Fair Brings Job Opportunities to Columbia Residents
By The Columbia Chronicle Staff Job seekers, students exploring career options, and residents considering a career change will have an opportunity later this month to connect directly with employers and community organizations during a Career Fair at the Columbia Market House. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 24, and is being sponsored by the…
Proposed Pennsylvania Health Regulations Draw Praise, Concern Across Commonwealth
By The Columbia Chronicle Staff A sweeping proposal from Pennsylvania’s Department of Health is generating significant debate among residents, lawmakers, parents, healthcare professionals, and privacy advocates across the Commonwealth. The proposed regulation, known as Rulemaking #10-242, would represent one of the most substantial updates to Pennsylvania’s disease-control regulations in decades. State health officials say the…
