WCTR News

A man has been sentenced to a combined 50 years in prison for shooting a co-worker outside a Trappe gas station last year. The Star Democrat reports Antonio Bolden, 37, received consecutive 35- and 15-year terms in Talbot and Dorchester counties, respectively, after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree murder and armed carjacking. Bolden shot a man in the face and arm at the Freedom Fuel gas station and food mart off of U.S. Route 50 on Sept. 17, 2024.

State transportation officials say the Chester River Bridge is safe following a malfunction last month that left motorists waiting more than an hour on both sides of the river. According to the Kent County News,
Will Pines, state highway administrator, and District Engineer Kent Fender of the Maryland State Highway Administration told the Kent County Commissioners on Oct. 7 that the bridge remains structurally sound and in good condition. During the Sept. 23 incident, technicians were unable to fully lower the drawbridge following a scheduled test lift, backing up traffic for more than an hour.

Queen Anne’s County is moving forward with a year-long moratorium on processing or approving certain new residential and mixed-use developments. WMAR reports the 12 month pause includes projects in Kent Narrows, Stevensville, Grasonville, Prospect Bay, Cloverfields, Bay City, and Southern Kent Island, all of which are served by the Kent Narrows/Stevensville/Grasonville Wastewater Treatment Plant that’s currently at capacity.
Developments with sewerage allocation exceeding 1,750 daily gallons are specifically subjected to the temporary policy.

Ahead of next month’s municipal election here for mayor and the First Ward council seat, the League of Women Voters of Kent County will sponsor a candidates forum open to the public on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room of Chestertown town hall. The Evening Enterprise reports the candidates are Nikita Beck-Burt, Meghan Efland and Mark Mumford for mayor and Shelia Austrian and Dwight Zilinskas for the First Ward council seat.

After public backlash over a Facebook post concerning a town-wide trashcan policy, Greensboro Town Manager Cindy Yost said the town is putting the policy “on pause” while officials decide how to proceed. The Caroline Review reports on Thursday, October 9, the Town of Greensboro posted to their Facebook page a reminder that “All trash receptacles must be removed from the street within 24 hours after collection. Failure to comply will result in the following: 1st offense – Warning, must have receptacles removed within 24 hours of notice. 2nd offense – $100 fine per day until receptacles are removed.” After a number of complaints, the town says the policy is now on pause.

The Caroline County Planning Commission’s October 8 public meeting was meant to focus on the upcoming update to the county’s Comprehensive Plan, but much of the discussion quickly shifted to a topic that has dominated many local conversations in recent years: solar development on farmland. Caroline Review reports the Comprehensive Plan, which guides the county’s long-term growth and land use decisions, is being updated for the first time since 2010. It is intended to reflect the community’s vision for the future, addressing areas such as housing, infrastructure, natural resources, transportation, and economic development.

The League of Women Voters of Kent County will host a public forum for candidates running for Chestertown mayor and the Ward 1 Town Council seat on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 118 N. Cross St. Kent County News reports Mayoral candidates Meghan Efland, Nikita Beck-Burt and Mark Mumford, along with Ward 1 candidates Dwight Zilinskas and Shelia Austrian, will introduce themselves before answering two questions provided in advance by the League. Audience members will then have an opportunity to ask questions.
The forum will conclude with closing statements from each candidate. Attendees are asked not to wear or display items supporting any candidate.

Cheryl Beulah, executive director of Aaron’s Place, discussed the food pantry’s potential new location with the Caroline County Commissioners on Tuesday. The Star Democrat reports the proposed location on Meeting House Road will allow Aaron’s Place to work in partnership with His Hope Ministries and the Chesapeake Culinary Center to provide a year-round homeless shelter and multiple different classes, additions and food storage locations. Plans for the location have been in the works for the past two years while volunteers from Aaron’s Place and His Hope Ministries have resolved issues with the Environmental Protection Agency resulting from a covenant on the property.

A Queen Anne’s County woman has been sentenced to a decade in prison after being found guilty of reckless endangerment and criminal neglect of a minor in connection to a child’s drowning last year. WBOC reports first responders were called to Station Lane in Grasonville on Oct. 4, 2024 on reports of a child under two years old being found face-down in an inflatable pool. Despite life-saving efforts, the child died several days later.
The ensuing investigation revealed Marina Castanon Tomas, of Grasonville, was babysitting the child and had gone inside to paint the walls of her home while the child played in the inflatable pool with several other small children, according to the Sheriff’s Office. After about ten to fifteen minutes, Castanon Tomas told police she went back out to check on the children and found the toddler face-down in the water. Castanon Tomas called 911 and then attempted live-saving efforts.

The Bay Bridge Run will take place on Sunday, Nov. 9. Participants will run or walk the 6.2 miles from Northrop Grumman on the western shore, across the eastbound span of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, along Pier One Road and up Route 8 to the finish line in Chesapeake Bay Business Park. The Bay Times and Record Observer reports the eastbound span of the Bay Bridge will be closed at 12 a.m. Sunday morning to prepare for the runners and is expected to reopen by 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. During this time frame, the westbound span will be in two-way traffic operations, carrying both east and westbound traffic. The southbound lane of Route 8 will be open from Main Street to Thompson Creek Road, but the exit to westbound Route 50/Bay Bridge located on the Route 8 overpass will remain closed.