Editorial: Columbia Schools’ $782K Surplus — Time to Put Taxpayers First By ColumbiaPA.online Columbia Borough School District has reported a $782,383 surplus at the close of the 2024–25 fiscal year. As we previously covered on ColumbiaPA.online, this is a rare moment of financial breathing room for a district that has long operated under tight margins….
“He’s Done This Before”: Columbia’s Pedro Vega-Rivera Sparks Statewide Manhunt After Infant Abduction in York YORK CITY, PA — November 13, 2025 Pedro Luis Vega-Rivera, 31, is no stranger to violence—and now, he’s no longer just a threat. He’s a fugitive. On Wednesday evening, Vega-Rivera abducted his 6-month-old daughter, Amiyah Rivera, during a domestic dispute…
The Government’s Back, Baby—and Columbia’s Got Questions, Coffee, and School Cash After 43 days of bureaucratic limbo, the federal government has finally reopened, and Columbia Borough is breathing a cautious sigh of relief—while still clutching its coffee and muttering, “Well, that was a ride.” President Trump signed the funding bill late Wednesday night, ending the…
Calling All Young Republicans: Step Up for Columbia Borough Columbia Borough has always been a community built on grit, tradition, and the belief that everyday people can shape the future. Now, more than ever, that spirit is needed in our local Republican Committee. We’re calling on the next generation of leaders—young Republicans across Columbia Borough—to…
Columbia Borough School District Should look at Transportation Options, Let’s look to Lancaster for Inspiration Columbia, PA — Columbia Borough School District (CBSD) has long been designated a walking school district, meaning it does not provide bus transportation for its general student population. Students are expected to walk or bike to school, with transportation only…
Veterans Day Feature: ColumbiaPa.Online Honors Our Heroes On this Veterans Day, ColumbiaPa.Online proudly honors the men and women of Columbia Borough, Lancaster County, who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Columbia’s story is inseparable from America’s military history — from the Civil War to Afghanistan, our community has always answered the call. Columbia’s…
Leafageddon 2025: Columbia Borough Braces for the Great Sweep-Off COLUMBIA, PA — Residents of Columbia Borough, grab your rakes, move your cars, and prepare your souls. The annual showdown between man, machine, and Mother Nature is upon us. That’s right: leaf collection and street sweeping notifications are back, and they’re coming for your curbs. According…
From Runways to Rollercoasters: Why McGinness Isn’t the Bermuda Triangle of Development (November 10th, 2025) Columbia, Pa. If you read Joe Lintner’s latest piece on the McGinness Airfield, you’d think Columbia Borough had just purchased a cursed plot of land where developers vanish into thin air and zoning laws are written in invisible ink. Rick…
Can You Live in Your Business? Columbia Borough’s Zoning Rules and a Real-World Example In Columbia Borough, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the idea of living in your business space may seem practical or even appealing—but it’s not as simple as moving in. According to Columbia Borough’s zoning ordinance, residential occupancy within a commercial property is generally…
From Runways to Revenue: Columbia Borough’s Bold Bet on the McGinness Innovation Park By ColumbiaPa.Online | November 7, 2025 In a move that could redefine Columbia Borough’s economic future, local officials have transformed a long-abandoned airfield into a launchpad for innovation, jobs, and revitalization. The 58-acre McGinness Airport site, once a quiet patch of land…
The Real Reason Columbia Borough Doesn’t Bus Its Students — And Why the Mayor Isn’t to Blame In Columbia Borough, Pennsylvania, one question echoes through school hallways and neighborhood sidewalks: Why don’t our kids have buses? For years, many residents have pointed fingers at local leadership — especially the mayor — blaming them not only…
Mayor Leo Lutz: A Legacy of Stability and Community Investment Mayor Lutz has served Columbia for over two decades, making him one of the longest-tenured mayors in the region. During his tenure, he has overseen: In a pre-election interview, Lutz emphasized his commitment to representing the people of Columbia: “If I think something needs to…
James Stover, beloved owner of Stover’s News Agency in Columbia, PA, passed away at age 81. His legacy is one of community, humor, and decades of dedication to the town he loved. Remembering James Stover: Columbia’s Cornerstone of News and Wit Columbia Borough lost one of its most recognizable and cherished figures today with the…
Why Voting in Columbia Borough Matters More Than You Think This morning, I was voter number 26 at my polling place in Columbia Borough, PA. That number isn’t just low—it’s alarming. Columbia Borough has a population of approximately 10,000 residents, yet in recent municipal elections, only a few hundred voters have shown up to cast…
In the quaint borough of Columbia, Pennsylvania—where the Susquehanna River flows and the gossip flows faster—Election Day 2025 has turned into a political cage match between Leo “The Legend” Lutz and Jasmine “The Challenger” Preston. One’s been mayor longer than some TikTokers have been alive. The other might become one of the first out transgender…
Why Jasmine Preston May Not Be the Right Choice for Columbia’s Next Mayor As Columbia, Pennsylvania prepares for a pivotal mayoral election, voters are weighing the merits of candidates who promise to shape the borough’s future. Jasmine Preston, a local activist and member of the Zoning Hearing Board, has emerged as a progressive challenger to…
Why Leo Lutz Deserves to Continue as Mayor of Columbia, PA Columbia, Pennsylvania, once teetering on the edge of economic and social decline, has experienced a remarkable resurgence over the past two decades. At the heart of this transformation stands Mayor Leo Lutz, a lifelong resident and dedicated public servant whose vision and leadership have helped…
