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. — Residents and visitors will have plenty to do in Columbia on Saturday, July 18, as two unique events bring shoppers, families, collectors, and horror enthusiasts into the borough for a day of fun and community engagement. The day begins with Yuletide in July, taking place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at…
COLUMBIA, PA — Columbia Borough Police, along with the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office, are investigating what authorities are describing as a suspected homicide near the intersection of North Third and Linden Streets early Wednesday morning. Police were dispatched to the area at approximately 1:05 a.m., and multiple streets surrounding the scene were immediately closed as…
COLUMBIA, PA – As family and friends continue to mourn the heartbreaking loss of Anthony Stoy-Velazquez, loved ones are inviting the community to come together this Saturday to celebrate his life, share memories, and offer support during an unimaginably difficult time. Anthony, 26, was remembered by those closest to him as a beloved son, nephew,…
This Saturday, October 5th, Columbia, PA, will host its 11th Annual Albatwitch Day, a celebration steeped in local folklore and paranormal intrigue. The event will take place at the scenic Columbia River Park, located at 21 Walnut Street, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. What is Albatwitch Day? Albatwitch Day is named after the legendary Albatwitch,…
When news of the Borough Manager’s resignation became public, attention should have been focused on the future of borough leadership and the transition ahead. Instead, reports suggest that energy has been spent trying to determine who spoke to the press and, in some cases, placing blame on a borough employee without publicly presented evidence. That…
COLUMBIA, PA — More than a week after a devastating fire tore through a portion of South Fourth Street, the scars remain painfully visible. What was once a row of homes and small businesses now sits silent—boarded, condemned, and empty—as the community prepares for the next difficult step: demolition. The massive three-alarm blaze broke out…
Columbia, PA — April 2026 Several criminal complaints were recently filed in Magisterial District Court 02-1-03 and related jurisdictions, according to affidavits of probable cause released through court records. The cases involve separate incidents occurring in late 2025 and early April 2026 and were investigated by local and regional law enforcement agencies. Arrest Made During…
By The Columbia Chronicle COLUMBIA, PA — Local residents are being encouraged to take a close look at their phone and internet bills after a Columbia customer reported receiving a $203.41 late fee from Brightspeed, an amount that exceeded the customer’s normal monthly bill of approximately $180. While every account situation is different, unusually large…
Teacher’s Arrest in Child Exploitation Case Sparks Outrage and Calls for Stronger Safeguards Lancaster, PA — The arrest of David Sean Burkhart, a longtime Manheim Township High School teacher and former girls’ basketball coach, has ignited outrage across Lancaster County. Burkhart, 45, is accused of sending nude photos to what he believed was a 14‑year‑old…
Columbia, PA — Community interest is surging ahead of an important public meeting scheduled for Monday, May 26th at 7:00 PM, now being held at the Columbia Borough Fire Hall on Manor Street. Following a wave of public response and growing concern online, we spoke directly with Borough Manager Jack Brommer yesterday. As a result…
By Kimberly Robinson | The Columbia Chronicle (8/14/2026) There is something almost comical about watching grown adults in both our communities argue over a four-foot-tall hairy creature that steals apples over a cup of coffee. Yet here we are. The Albatwitch, Lancaster County’s legendary “apple snitch,” has become one of the most beloved pieces of…
🧾 **Court Filings Roundup: The Signs Were Disobeyed, The Speed Was Optional, and The Court Was Busy**Magisterial District Judge Miles K. Bixler | April 14–15, 2026 ⚖️ All information below comes directly from public court dockets. Charges are allegations unless otherwise noted. Presumption of innocence still applies — even if traffic signs are feeling ignored….
Jesse Sweigart | The Columbia Chronicle COLUMBIA, PA – What began as a discussion about Right-to-Know requests and legal expenses quickly turned into one of the most heated exchanges of the night Monday as resident Robert Thompson, Mayor Leo Lutz, Borough Manager Jack Brommer, and borough solicitor officials sparred over transparency, government accountability, and the…
🌟 Mayor Leo S. Lutz — “Leading With Love for Columbia” For more than two decades, Mayor Leo Lutz has been a steady hand and a familiar smile in Columbia, PA. First elected in the early 2000s and currently serving a term that runs through December 31, 2029, he is recognized as one of the…
The Columbia Chronicle The Columbia Borough Planning Commission held a productive September meeting that focused on three major topics with long-term implications for the community: expanding affordable senior housing, pursuing major improvements at Columbia Crossing, and advancing a comprehensive review of the borough’s zoning ordinance. The commission also recommended two new residents for planning commission…
