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…
Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead to an Exciting New Year As we wrap up an incredible year in Columbia Borough, we at ColumbiaPA.Online want to take a moment to celebrate the milestones of 2025 and share what’s coming in 2026. Our mission has always been to keep the community informed, connected, and inspired—and this…
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…
By The Columbia Chronicle Nearly a week after the devastating storm that tore through Columbia Borough, many residents and business owners are still assessing the damage, cleaning up debris, and trying to figure out what comes next. The storm left a path of destruction throughout the community, damaging homes, businesses, vehicles, and critical infrastructure. County…
Response Editorial: Accountability or Just Another Excuse to Sue? It’s interesting to watch how quickly some voices in town leap not toward solutions, but toward lawsuits. The latest editorial about the Chris Vera situation reads less like a call for transparency and more like a familiar pattern: stir outrage, demand legal action, and ultimately drain…
Columbia Borough Council Advances Key Projects Amid Financial Concerns — February 10, 2026 COLUMBIA, PA — Columbia Borough Council convened Tuesday evening, February 10, 2026, addressing a wide range of municipal issues including the long‑awaited McGuinness property RFP, significant public works equipment repairs, upcoming community events, and escalating financial pressures that may require a short‑term…
For The Columbia Chronicle | August 10, 2026 COLUMBIA, PA – There’s plenty happening around town this week as residents enjoy the final weeks of summer and take advantage of local community activities. One of the week’s notable events is the Borough Council Regular Meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, where local officials will discuss borough business and…
“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…
Columbia, PA — July 15, 2025 — Torrential rains swept through Columbia and surrounding areas in Lancaster County on Monday, triggering flash floods that shut down major roadways, stranded vehicles, and prompted urgent warnings from local authorities. According to the Columbia Borough Police Department, multiple streets in the borough were closed due to rising waters,…
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…
Audit Reveals Persistent Failures in Columbia Borough’s Non‑Uniformed Pension Plan A Conservative Review on Fiscal Accountability and the Need for Stronger Governance Published by ColumbiaPA.Online Introduction A newly released compliance audit of the Columbia Borough Non‑Uniformed Pension Plan, covering the period ending December 31, 2024, highlights ongoing issues in the borough’s financial oversight—problems that should…
WASHINGTON BORO, Pa. — A Lancaster City man has been charged in connection with a tragic crash that sent two vehicles into the Susquehanna River and claimed the life of a 20-year-old Columbia woman. Police announced Monday that Mikaail Fahim Cotton, 23, of Lancaster City, faces charges including leaving the scene of an accident involving…
Columbia Borough’s recent 4–3 vote to approve Chief Holly’s contract has done something impressive: it got just about everyone talking. Not shouting—this isn’t that kind of town—but definitely talking. At first glance, it looks like a typical local government decision. There was a process, a vote was taken, and a contract was approved. Case closed….
COLUMBIA, PA — April 7, 2026 — Columbia Borough Council held a wide‑ranging work session Tuesday evening, covering topics that touched on public safety, local business, affordability for residents, and long‑term planning. The meeting highlighted careful deliberation rather than final votes, with several issues set to return for further discussion. Sexual Assault Awareness Month Recognized…
By Jesse Sweigart | The Columbia Chronicle A proposed zoning ordinance authored by Columbia Borough council member Ethan Byers is being promoted as a measure to remove data centers from the former Columbia Airport property. But a closer look at the ordinance raises an important question: Does it actually stop data centers in Columbia, or…
Columbia Borough residents, brace yourselves: the sequel to last year’s tax hike might be coming soon, and it’s shaping up to be a trilogy. In 2024, borough council raised property taxes by 2 mills for the 2025 budget, bringing the total to a spicy 10 mills. That’s a 25% increase—basically the fiscal equivalent of ordering…
Columbia Deserves Clarity: Why One Person Shouldn’t Be Both Borough Manager and Police Chief By ColumbiaPA.Online Editorial Board Columbia is a community that shows up—at parades, fundraisers, school events, and public meetings. We look one another in the eye. We care about how our town is run. That’s why an important governance question deserves thorough,…
