By The Columbia Chronicle Walk around Columbia on any summer afternoon and you’ll see them everywhere. Electric scooters zip down sidewalks. Teenagers ride them to friends’ houses. Children cross intersections on them. Some riders wear helmets. Many don’t. It’s become such a common sight that most people barely notice anymore. The problem? According to Pennsylvania…
COLUMBIA, Pa. — A 17-year-old Columbia resident has been charged in connection with a fatal stabbing that occurred earlier this month in the borough, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office. Joshua D. Flores was taken into custody Sunday evening and is facing charges of criminal homicide, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence in…
(Columbia, Pa) By: Jesse Sweigart & Kimberly Robinson Over the past several days, we have had to deal with several incidents involving inappropriate and unacceptable comments posted on our Facebook platform. These comments included racist remarks, personal attacks, and other statements that clearly violated the standards of respect and decency we expect from members of…
COLUMBIA, PA (July 25, 2026) – Downtown Columbia is buzzing with activity today as residents and visitors gather to enjoy a full day of community events, local shopping, family fun, and small-town charm. One of the day’s biggest attractions is 4th Saturday in Columbia: Summer in the Streets, taking place downtown along Locust Street and…
By Jesse SweigartThe Columbia ChronicleJuly 24, 2026 COLUMBIA, Pa. — A Columbia native and former U.S. Marine has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison following a child exploitation investigation that federal authorities described as one of the most disturbing cases they have encountered. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District…
Planning Commission Recommends Changes to Data Center Zoning as Community Debate Continues COLUMBIA, Pa. — The Columbia Borough Planning Commission voted Tuesday evening to recommend approval of a zoning amendment that would significantly limit where future data centers can be located within the borough, while public discussion highlighted growing concerns over the impacts of large-scale…
COLUMBIA, Pa. — The Columbia Borough Planning Commission is set to review a proposed zoning amendment Tuesday night that would prohibit data centers in the Borough’s Light Business (LB) zoning district and limit future projects to industrial areas through a conditional use approval process. The proposal follows a closely divided 4-3 vote by Columbia Borough…
COLUMBIA, Pa. — A juvenile male was killed Saturday night in a shooting in Columbia Borough, marking the latest violent incident to draw the attention of local investigators and residents concerned about public safety. Authorities say the investigation remains active, and they are asking anyone with information to come forward. According to the Lancaster County…
July 19, 2026 | The Columbia Chronicle Another week is in the books here in Columbia, and as always, there was plenty to talk about. From exciting community events and local achievements to ongoing concerns about crime, development, and the future direction of our borough, here’s our weekly look at The Good, The Bad &…
COLUMBIA, Pa. — A Columbia man sought by police in connection with a stabbing in West Hempfield Township was taken into custody Saturday after authorities say he was involved in a second stabbing and a sexual assault in Columbia Borough. According to police, Jared Gower, 21, was already being sought by law enforcement following a…
COLUMBIA, Pa. — State Rep. Brett Miller, who represents the 41st Legislative District and maintains a district office in Columbia, voted in favor of Pennsylvania’s newly approved 2026-27 state budget, citing significant benefits for local schools, public safety, and infrastructure. According to Miller, one of the biggest winners in the budget package is public education,…
By The Columbia Chronicle Staff COLUMBIA, Pa. — Columbia’s own Kayla Hess is once again proving that hometown talent can compete with the best in the country. The accomplished young disc golfer is currently competing in the 2026 United States Women’s Disc Golf Championship in the Salt Lake City, Utah region, one of the sport’s…
COLUMBIA, PA – For those who have ever dreamed of serving their community and making a difference, the Columbia Borough Police Department is preparing for its next round of police officer recruitment and is encouraging qualified candidates to take the first step toward a rewarding career in law enforcement. As communities across Pennsylvania continue to…
COLUMBIA, Pa. — Concerns about public safety and police response times dominated public comment at the Columbia Borough Council meeting on July 14, as borough officials addressed staffing shortages within the police department while also approving several community-related initiatives and infrastructure payments. The meeting opened with the addition of a new business item concerning a…
By Jesse Sweigart Columbia Borough Council will hold its regular meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the Paul W. Myers Council Chambers, where members are expected to consider a variety of community, infrastructure, financial, and administrative matters. The meeting is open to the public and provides residents an opportunity to hear directly from borough officials…
For months, we’ve watched something incredible happen. What started as a simple idea to provide honest, community-focused local news has grown into something much bigger than we ever imagined. Today, we are proud to officially welcome you to The Columbia Chronicle, the next chapter in our journey to serve Columbia and the surrounding communities. Our…
Your weekly look at the biggest stories impacting Columbia Borough and the surrounding river community. Columbia Mourns Following Homicide Investigation The biggest story this week was the tragic homicide of 26-year-old Anthony Stoy-Velazquez of Marietta. Police discovered Stoy-Velazquez suffering from a fatal stab wound near Third and Linden Streets during the early morning hours of…
