Good Sunday morning to all readers,

This past week has been extremely eventful for one of our Rivertowns.

Columbia saw more than its share of excitement, beginning with a Sunday wake-up call on September 11.

A shooting occurred in the 200 block of Locust Street.  The shooting happened just as Venues, a new event space was closing at 3::00 a.m.

One neighbor reported seeing patrons running from the building outside to the street.  When police arrived no victims were found.  Reportedly two people were shot and apparently taken to the hospital in private vehicles.  One supposedly was treated at LGH and the other is in Hershey Medical Center.

Oddly enough one week later no names have officially been released.  One victim went public saying that he was shot.  The second victim's name has not been made public.  No word either on the gunman.

Nathan May along with a few Venues supporters attended Monday's Borough Council meeting.  May spoke in defense of the business.  Mayor Leo Lutz said the trouble with venues like this is that there are no rules and regulations.

Lutz spoke about making changes to legislation, saying this is not a personal matter, but rather municipal and legislative.  He said an entertainment license may be enacted.  The license would require compliance with a set of stipulations.  Also the three-strike residential rental regulation may be expanded to include commercial.  If police are called for three legitimate incidents the business would be evicted.

This took another twisted turn when Columbia Mayor Leo Lutz presented the media with a proclamation that cited zoning violations.  The enforcement notice along with the proclamation were posted on the door of  Venues 237 Locust Street, ordering it to cease business.
A few hours later, the mayor recinded the proclamation, after consulting with an attorney.

A group of Venues supporters led by Nathan May, operations manager, attended the Community Development meeting on Thursday night.  The topic of the shooting and/or the Mayor's proclamation were not brought up during that meeting.

Venues was open for business on Friday evening.  About a half dozen staff members were out front on the sidewalk awaiting patrons.

That was only one-third of Columbia's week of excitement.  The other stories will follow...