Welcome to the Complaint Dept.
Have a pet peeve about your community? A quality of life issue that's driving you nuts? Terrible roads? Nasty potholes? Crime problems? Improve York County by flagging problems for us to investigate and help resolve. We can't promise your problem will be fixed, but we can shine a light make to sure local officials are aware of it. Use the map at left to report issues. Or email us at letters@ydr.com.
How it works
Use this interactive map to notify neighbors and local officials about problems such as potholes, broken street lights, flood-prone dips and road hazards, as well as graffiti and other eyesores.1. Click the "Report" tab on the left side of the map below. Enter the address or use the map marker to navigate to the area where the issue you want to report is located on the map below. (Use the controls in the upper left corner to move the map around the window or zoom in and out.).
2. Once you have mapped the location of your issue, click next to start step 2.
3. Enter a summary of your issue, such as "Large pothole" or "Broken streetlight". Once you've entered a summary, you can then fill out a more detailed description of the issue and even attach a photograph. After this is complete, enter a display name, such as "John" or "Anonymous,” as well as a valid email address. After you've completed all the fields, press submit to create a public report of your issue.
Go mobile
Download the SeeClickFix app from the Android Market or iTunes to report issues as you are out and about.Local problem-solving resources
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Recent Posts
- Maryland commuters: New law will make it easier for police to stop drivers using cell phones
- YAUFR provides hundreds of smoke alarms through grant program
- Stewartstown Railroad leases locomotive to Steam Into History Inc.
- Has the Post Office called you back lately?
- Driver: More signs needed to warn motorists about closure on Springwood Road in York Township
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- best golf gps 2012 on Use this map to report problems in York County – see posts below for stories on efforts to resolve issues
- kate on Driver: More signs needed to warn motorists about closure on Springwood Road in York Township
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Use this map to report problems in York County – see posts below for stories on efforts to resolve issues
Maryland commuters: New law will make it easier for police to stop drivers using cell phones
Maryland commuters: If you’re still haven’t put down the cell phone while you’re driving, you’ll need to know that it will soon be easier for police to stop and ticket you for the violation.
The law is changing this fall.
Maryland’s current cell phone ban is a secondary offense, meaning that police have to stop the driver for another violation before a ticket can be issued for the cell phone infraction.
But starting Oct. 1, the ban becomes a primary offense, meaning that police simply can pull over drivers officers see using a cell phone, said Buel Young, spokesman for the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. No other offense is needed.
The law does permit drivers to make a call while stopped at a traffic light, he said. But a call is not allowed while in motion.
However, drivers can use a hands-free device, Young said.
It will give some teeth to the enforcement element, he said.
If you get caught, the ticket is $75 for the first offense, $125 for the second offense and $175 for the third or subsequent offense, Young said. There are no points.
Do you travel to Maryland? What do you think of the cell phone ban?
YAUFR provides hundreds of smoke alarms through grant program
Jerry Stroble, a firefighter with York Area United Fire and Rescue, shows the variety of water rescue equipment the department has on hand. Stroble is holding a ResQ Disc, which can be thrown like a frisbee with a 20-foot rope attached. ( YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS–JASON PLOTKIN)
A Fire Prevention and Safety Grant awarded to York Area United Fire and Rescue in 2009 has helped supply Spring Garden and Springettsbury township residents with more than 400 free smoke alarms, according to a news release issued Wednesday.
The funding was to support the Proactive Residential Information Distribution Effort (PRIDE) program to ensure a working smoke alarm in every single family residence.
Since then, firefighters have gone door-to-door to check for smoke alarms, provide a new alarm or battery if required, and hand out fire safety literature. If occupants were not home, the literature provided information to contact the fire department for a return visit.
The fire department’s goal was to visit every home within five years but completed it in three. Firefighters visited 12,114 homes, leaving fire safety literature at every home and distributing 490 smoke alarms and 182 batteries, the news release states. Continue reading
Stewartstown Railroad leases locomotive to Steam Into History Inc.
The Stewartstown Railroad Company is leasing one of its locomotives to Steam Into History Inc. (YORK DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS — PAUL KUEHNEL)
The Stewartstown Railroad hasn’t been in the news lately, but it will be again soon as one of its locomotives will be put to use in New Freedom.
Stewartstown Railroad is leasing its No. 10 locomotive — a 44-ton diesel-electric made by General Electric – to Steam Into History Inc. for its use with its steam train, said David Williamson, president of the railroad.
The company has been working steadily on the locomotive to get it ready, Williamson said. It should move to New Freedom in mid-May.
Steam Into History will be running a replica of a Civil War era steam train along the Northern Central Railway between New Freedom and Hanover Junction. A steam locomotive built in Illinois could arrive later this month.
The nonprofit has plans to build turntables for the train, but that work will not be done until later. In the meantime, the train will be pushed and pulled by locomotives.
Meanwhile, the Stewartstown Railroad continues to work with the estate of George M. Hart to negotiate a settlement. The railroad owes $350,000 to the estate.
“We are collecting money from our new investors to make the final payment,” Williamson wrote in an email. “We are looking for a couple more investors to finish this up.”
By the way, National Train Day is this weekend, and the station will be open both days, Williamson said. Hours will be 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Rides on small railcars will be offered; fare is $6 per seat. For more information, visit National Train Day.
Has the Post Office called you back lately?
I thought it would be easy to get in touch with the York City Post Office — they are, after all, in the business of communication. But it’s my first couple of weeks on the job, and I guess I was just being naive when I thought a quick Google search would solve it all.
I started with York City Post Office. I called a number listed on hoursmap.com. That number is no longer in service. I called the U.S. Postal Service and searched through their automated system. I got a number. I called it. That number is no longer in service. Continue reading
Driver: More signs needed to warn motorists about closure on Springwood Road in York Township
Roxanne Wisnewski and her husband recently were trying to get from Springettsbury Township to Red Lion only to run into a roadblock.
They used Camp Betty Washington, then turned onto Springwood Road to head to Chapel Church Road. Near Chapel Church Road, they saw a sign that the road is closed 1,000 feet ahead.
Springwood Road closed April 1 so crews can remove a bridge and replace it with a concrete box culvert, according to a news release from the state Department of Transportation. The road will remain closed for up to 90 days.
PennDOT sent out a news release about the closure before it happened.
The Wisnewskis of York Township had to turn around and travel the whole way back to Springettsbury Township to get around the closure.
“There’s no short, easy way around it,” Roxanne Wisnewski said.
She wondered why officials didn’t put up a sign at the intersection where Camp Betty Washington and Springwood roads meet to warn drivers of the upcoming road closure.
Wisnewski also mentioned that the owner of the Red Lion restaurant where she and her husband went also said customers have been complaining about the closure.
Have you run into the same problem or similar problem?
What’s the grossest thing you have found while cleaning a roadway?
These volunteers from York Traditions Bank cleaned up Eastern Boulevard a few years ago as part of the Great American Cleanup. Left to right: Lisa Wilkins, Victoria Ermakov, Maddy Gingerich, Deb Dixon, Kathy Eveler, Shawna Wagner. (Submitted)
Nearly 10 years ago, I wrote a story about what state Department of Transportation employees find while “spring cleaning” the roads.
Ladies’ underwear, discarded guns, needles, briefcases, and money is just a sampling of what have picked up.
Many volunteers participate in the annual spring cleaning of the roads, and it’s not too late to join in. The Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania effort runs through May 31, according to a PennDOT news release.
Those interested in helping can find a listing of cleanup events, resources for organizing a cleanup and other information about the effort online at the Great American Cleanup of Pennsylvania.
My co-worker, Rebecca LeFever, wrote earlier this month about how the Heritage Rail Trail County Park in the York area could use a little spring cleaning, too. She also saw some ladies’ undergarments.
Have you ever participated in one of these cleanups? What is the grossest thing you have ever found?
Memorial service to be held for York County officers who died in the line of duty
To the right of the recent 911 wall is the memorial garden where firefighters and police officer who died in the line of duty are honored. DAILY RECORD/SUNDAY NEWS — FILE
The York County Police Heritage Museum and the York County Department of Emergency Services will host a memorial service 11 a.m. May 17 for local officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The service allows members of law enforcement, emergency services and the public to remember and recognize the York County officers who have been killed, according to a news release.
The service will be in front of the county’s memorial wall at the York County Department of Emergency Services Center, 120 Davies Drive in Springettsbury Township. Continue reading
Northern York County Regional Police to participate in Drug Take Back
Photo made available by DEA
Northern York County Regional Police and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public the opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications for disposal between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to the Giant Food Store at 2130 Palomino Road in Dover Township. The service is free and anonymous.
According to a news release, “Last April, Americans turned in 376,593 pounds—188 tons—of prescription drugs at nearly 5,400 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners. Continue reading
Why a quarry in Hellam Township looks reddish in the spring
Why has a quarry in Hellam Township turned reddish?
That’s what Janett Wilson recently wondered on the York Daily Record/Sunday News Facebook page. She wrote that it has been that way for about two weeks.
“I don’t think I’ve seen it this color EVER … maybe I wasn’t paying attention?” she wrote.
The color comes from an algae bloom that happens every year, said Jeffrey Hines, president and chief executive officer of the York Water Company.
As the water temperature warms up, it will fade away and become clear, he said.
“It’s a natural occurrence,” Hines said.
The color varies from year to year, he said. But it’s in the range of normal.
York Water Company does not use water from the quarry for the water supply, Hines added.
What will record bee die-offs mean for York County farmers?
Across the U.S., beekeepers are opening their hives to find dead and missing bees — again. And in even greater numbers than before. Scientists have reported the highest number of bee die-offs ever this winter, surpassing 2006 when the new and deadly disease dubbed Colony Collapse Disorder caused bees to mysteriously disappear from hives everywhere.
“Reports of it being a bad year for honey bees appear to be true,” Mark O’Neill, media relations director for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau said in an email. The New York Times reported that many beekeepers lost between 50 and 70 percent of their hives.
Continue reading
