By The Columbia Chronicle Staff A delightfully spooky twist on the holiday season is arriving in downtown Columbia this weekend as CREEPMAS takes over the State Theatre Vintage Emporium on October 3. The unique event promises a mix of vintage shopping, local vendors, Halloween fun, and early holiday spirit, all under one historic roof at…
In government, authority is supposed to be visible. Who drafts.Who negotiates.Who approves.And who signs. But in Columbia Borough, a series of internal documents obtained through Right‑to‑Know requests reveal something very different: A process where contracts move through multiple hands—but final control appears concentrated in one place. Two Parallel Contracts—Two Different Voices The documents show that…
By ColumbiaPA.Online Editorial BoardApril 2026 There are moments when a community must decide whether money matters more than principle. The decision by Mountville Fire Company No. 1 to accept sponsorship from Field of Screams for a family-oriented fire company carnival is one of those moments. This editorial takes a clear position: communities should not support…
Columbia Man Charged After Early‑Morning Domestic Assault, Police Say COLUMBIA, PA — February 8, 2026 — A Columbia man is facing assault charges after borough police responded to an early‑morning disturbance that escalated into a reported domestic violence incident, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Columbia Borough Police Department. Officers were dispatched to…
If you’ve spent any time walking through downtown Columbia, chances are you’ve seen a familiar and welcoming face—Alyce—out and about, greeting neighbors and sharing a simple opportunity to make a big difference. Alyce is currently helping raise funds for Saint Paul Episcopal Church through their “Raise the Roof Fundraiser.” With determination and community spirit, Alyce…
“The Bid Was Stopped — But the Fight Has Just Begun” Columbia—you did something rare. You showed up. Hundreds packed the fire hall. People lined the walls. Some were turned away. For the first time in a long time, this town made it clear: We are paying attention now. And it worked. Borough Council rejected…
A Community Thank You to Columbia Borough’s Street Department The readers of ColumbiaPa.online would like to extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the Columbia Borough Street Department for their outstanding work during the recent winter storm. This storm brought heavy snowfall, bitterly cold temperatures, and strong winds, creating difficult and hazardous conditions across…
Saving Columbia’s Forgotten Dungeons: Rick Fisher’s Mission to Preserve History Beneath the bustling streets of Columbia, Pennsylvania, lies a hidden piece of American history—a series of six crumbling, windowless cells known locally as the Market House Dungeons. Built in 1836, these subterranean chambers were originally intended as storage for market vendors but were later converted…
As Columbia celebrates its 300th Anniversary (1726–2026) alongside America’s 250th Anniversary, our historic river town is preparing for a weekend filled with pride, community spirit, and celebration. Families, friends, and visitors are encouraged to gather throughout the borough to enjoy the festivities, honor our rich history, and celebrate the generations that helped shape Columbia into…
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,…
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…
EDITORIAL: It’s Time for Columbia to Turn the Page — Together The past several weeks in Columbia has been dominated by one thing: the email saga. The questions, the confusion, the accusations, and the borough’s response have divided neighbors and strained trust across our community. Regardless of where anyone stands, we are now at the…
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…
Kimberly Robinson | The Columbia Chronicle COLUMBIA, PA – Columbia Borough is pursuing additional funding to support a major rehabilitation project at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center. Council approved a resolution authorizing the submission of a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant application that would help finance needed repairs and improvements to the popular riverfront…
📢 Statement Regarding Recently Circulated Email Published by ColumbiaPA.online February 26, 2026 — Columbia, Pennsylvania ColumbiaPA.online is issuing this statement regarding a recently circulated email that has drawn community attention. The owner of the email has granted full permission for it to be published. However, it is important for readers to understand the following: Shortly…
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…
COLUMBIA, PA — Columbia Borough Manager Brommer has submitted a signed resignation letter with an effective date in November, according to a document obtained by The Columbia Chronicle. The resignation comes as a surprise and raises questions about the future direction of borough administration. At the time of publication, borough officials had not publicly announced…
