WCTR News

A Texas doctor who served as a traveling cardiologist in Easton is no longer facing rape and sex offense charges after a plea agreement was reached Friday in Talbot County Circuit Court. The Star Democrat reports Dr. Aman K. Patel, 44, of Keller, Texas, pleaded guilty on Friday to three counts of second-degree assault for incidents in Easton in 2024. The majority of charges against Patel — over 70, according to his lawyers — were dropped, including first- and second-degree rape, fourth-degree sex offense, false imprisonment and harassment.

Several Eastern Shore counties have withdrawn from an appeal of Maryland’s recertification for the Conowingo Dam, a challenge that the state feared could jeopardize a $340 million settlement with Constellation, the dam’s owner. The Cambridge Spy reports the deal resolved years of legal wrangling between the dam owner and the state, plus waterkeeper groups that intervened in the litigation. In exchange for recertification — which is needed for Constellation to get a 50-year license from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to keep operating the hydropower plant at the dam — Maryland is set to receive $340 million from Constellation for environmental projects at the site. Dorchester and Kent counties opted to abandon the administrative appeal.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal announced the arrest of Marshall Allan Murphy, 26, of Sudlersville, after Deputy State Fire Marshals assigned to the Upper Eastern Region Office served an arrest warrant on Friday. Daily Voice Silver Spring reports Murphy was indicted on 16 charges, including second-degree arson and three counts of attempted second-degree arson, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison, officials said.
The arrest followed a six-month investigation into an attempted arson at Murphy’s Transport in Ridgely. Investigators determined the business was targeted due to an ongoing dispute between Murphy and the owner, authorities said.

Preliminary testing has confirmed a positive case of H5 avian influenza, or commonly known as the “bird flu,” in a commercial broiler farm in Queen Anne’s County, the Maryland Department of Agriculture announced Saturday. ABC 7 News reports this marks the second case of the highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza (HPAI) on a commercial poultry farm in Queen Anne’s County this year and the 10th case in Maryland in 2025, according to officials.

Maryland State Police on Thursday, Dec. 18 charged a Queen Anne’s County man with five counts each of possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography. The Evening Enterprise reports police identified the man as Michael Paul Lane, 50, of Crumpton. Lane’s arrest came after MSP received a CyberTip by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The subsequent investigation led to the identification of Lane. He is being held without bond. Lane has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 15 in the District Court for Queen Anne’s County.

A handful of residents and business owners expressed concerns Monday with proposed amendments to Easton’s parking regulations, as some said the changes could hurt local restaurants and shops. The Star Democrat reports at this week’s Easton Town Council meeting, a public hearing opened on Mayor Megan Cook and Town Manager Andy Kitzrow’s proposed slate of parking changes. The town leaders presented an ordinance earlier this month that, if passed, would implement QR code signs across town for drivers to scan and pay on mobile phones. Notably, free off-street parking would be reduced from three hours to two on many downtown streets.
The town will wait for additional feedback, including a continued public hearing on Jan. 5, before making any changes to the original proposal.

Radcliffe Creek School hosted a community celebration and plaque unveiling recently to recognize the State of Maryland and local leaders whose support made the school’s new roof possible. The event honored Jay Jacobs, Kent County’s delegate to the Maryland General Assembly, and his team for their advocacy and leadership in securing the funding. Founded in 1996, Radcliffe Creek School is a K-8 private school in Chestertown that focuses on students with learning differences. Earlier this year, Radcliffe Creek School received a $100,000 capital grant from the State of Maryland to replace the aging roof on its school building.

A Virginia State Trooper, along with numerous unidentified Good Samaritans, helped rescue a 34-year-old Maryland man from a burning Tesla on Friday, Dec. 5th. The crash occurred at 7:00 a.m. on Interstate 95 northbound in Caroline County when a 2024 Tesla Model Y went off of the left side of the road and struck a tree. A state trooper stopped to check on the driver, just as the Tesla caught fire. The Tesla’s doors were locked and would not open. The trooper broke the window of the vehicle, cut the airbag, and with the help of others, pulled the man to safety. He then checked the car for any additional occupants, confirming the driver was the only person in the vehicle. The driver, Foday Kanu, 34, of Upper Marlboro, Md, suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to an area hospital.

Horizons of Kent & Queen Anne’s, a leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing academic and enrichment opportunities for under-resourced students in grades PreK-8, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new member to its board of directors. The addition of this accomplished individual will further strengthen the organization’s mission and enhance its efforts to build capacity, expand programming, and continue to make a positive impact in the community. According to the Bay Times and Record Observer, joining the board is Isabel Hardesty, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Horizons of Kent and Queen Anne’s. Her professional background and commitment to the community make her a valuable asset to the organization.

In Kent County Sunday, the ceremonial lighting of the first Hanukkah candle on a 6-foot menorah at sundown in Chestertown’s downtown Fountain Park. The Evening Enterprise reports an additional candle will be lit on each successive night until, on the eighth night of Judaism’s winter festival of lights, Dec. 22, the menorah is fully illuminated. Sunday’s event, which began at 5 p.m., was sponsored by Main Street Chestertown, Chestertown Havurah and Washington College Hillel. The ceremony was abbreviated because of the bone-chilling cold.