WCTR News

After a passionate public comment period, the Greensboro Town Council declined to change water billing for residents from quarterly to monthly. According to the Star Democrat, residents will still have the option to pay their bills either quarterly or monthly. However, the town will no longer offer payment plans for those on quarterly billing starting Dec. 15. During the town’s meeting Thursday, Mayor David Spencer said he could not remember the last time the council had denied a measure.

A former Easton Town Council president has thrown his hat in the ring for the Talbot County Council. The Star Democrat reports 37 year old Frank Gunsallus announced his intention to run for County Council on social media Nov. 13. Gunsallus previously served a term as Town Council president and ran for reelection to the town body this spring but was beaten. Now, Gunsallus is shifting to a County Council bid.

A Delaware man entered a guilty plea earlier this month in connection to a theft scheme against an Easton couple.
The Star Democrat reports 81 year old Allen Andres of Hartly, Delaware, pleaded guilty on Nov. 4 to conspiracy to commit financial exploitation of an adult over 68 in the amount of $25,000 to $100,000. Twenty-seven other charges against Andres, including theft, forgery and impersonating a police officer, were dropped by prosecutors. Talbot County Circuit Court Judge Phil Cronan handed down a fully suspended 18-month sentence.
Andres was ordered to pay two victims, both Easton residents, a total of $29,000. He also was issued a no-contact order with the victims.

The Chestertown Environmental Committee is exploring several new wildlife and conservation initiatives as it pursues a $10,000 Sustainable Maryland grant that would support habitat restoration, bird-friendly projects and community education. The funding would strengthen efforts already underway to improve natural spaces throughout town. If the grant is awarded, the committee plans to create a “Slice of Life” pollinator garden at Town Hall — a small habitat featuring native plants and flowers designed to support bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

In Talbot County, the Commissioners of Oxford announced Nov. 18 that Oxford Police Chief Christopher Phillips had been terminated effective immediately. The Star Democrat reports Phillips’ termination was a unanimous decision by the commissioners, who met in closed session on Nov. 17. In a statement released by the town, commissioners said they made the “difficult” decision “for cause.” No specific cause was stated. Commissioners will provide additional statements at their Nov. 24 meeting.

The investigation of a homicide earlier this month near Chestertown is “moving forward,” according to a spokesman for the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. The Evening Enterprise reports Lt. Sean Maloney, commander of the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigation Division, said no arrest has been made. At about 3:35 p.m. on Nov. 4, the sheriff’s office responded to a 911 call about a car stopped in the roadway on Lovers Lane — near the S-bend not far from where Lovers Lane intersects with Quaker Neck Road. The male driver, subsequently identified as Jermaine Lafel Miles, 50, of Grasonville, was deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has arrested a man following a burglary attempt on Friday night. WMDT reports at 11:00 p.m. on Nov. 14, officers responded to the 400 block of North Academy Street in reference to an attempted burglary and assault. While deputies were en-route to the scene, they were informed that the suspect had been confronted by a local resident, and an altercation subsequently broke out. Deputies arrived on scene and arrested Cody Michael Casper. He was charged with fourth degree burglary, second degree assault, two counts of reckless endangerment, and failure to obey a lawful order. Casper was transferred to the Caroline County Detention Center where he is being held on no bond.

Rock Hall residents are invited to a free Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, November 26, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the American Legion on Sharp Street. The event will offer a buffet-style, sit-down meal. All local residents are welcome, and no registration is needed. The annual dinner is supported by the Town of Rock Hall, the Rock Hall American Legion, and a private donor. The event provides a holiday meal and a chance for community members to gather.

Queen Anne’s County Government invites residents to attend A Community Conversation about Land Use and the Queen Anne’s County Development Process on Thursday, November 20, at the Kent Island Library, located at 200 Library Circle, Stevensville. The event will begin at 6:00 PM with welcoming remarks by County Commission President Chris Corchiarino, followed by a presentation of several videos regarding development topics. This will be followed with a question-and-answer session and open house where attendees can engage directly with county staff. Representatives from Planning and Zoning and the Department of Public Works will be available to discuss how development occurs in Queen Anne’s County and how residents can participate in the process.

Deputies from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office arrested Makhyla Ondrea Jenkins, 21, of Easton following the issuance of a warrant by the Talbot County Circuit Court on October 31st. The warrant revoked Jenkins’ bond on 35 charges, which included armed robbery, first-degree assault, handgun violation, neglect of a minor, multiple counts of reckless endangerment and several counts of theft. Jenkins was transported to the Talbot County Central Booking facility for processing.