News Staff

Washington College has increased security measures and issued a no-trespass order after a former student arrested for threatening mass violence on campus was released on bond by a Cecil County judge. The Kent County News reports Grafton Steele Howard, 25, of Chesapeake City, was released last Thursday on a $5,000 unsecured bond, two days after calling the Chestertown Police Department and threatening to shoot members of the college’s administration and public safety officers. In a message to students, faculty and staff, the college said Howard was never near campus at the time of the incident, but that “active measures are in place to prevent him from accessing our campus.”

Here are the unofficial totals from Wednesday’s Special Election for Wards 3 & 4.

Ward 3 John James Beloved 40

(37 in person votes, 3 absentee ballots)

Andre DeMattia 58

(52 in person votes, 6 absentee ballots)

Ward 4 Marcus Goldman 31

(27 in person votes, 4 absentee ballots)

Stephen J Lozar 34

(28 in person votes, 6 absentee ballots)

Ryan McGuire 22

(20 in person votes, 2 absentee ballots)

There are 4 provisional ballots that still need to be verified with the County Board of Elections which may or may not change the outcome for ward 4. These ballots are sealed until registration status has been verified with the County Board of Elections.

Due to hazardous road conditions, the result of a snow and ice storm over the weekend, the Town of Chestertown has pushed back its special election for two council seats from Tuesday to Wednesday, Jan. 28. The Evening Enterprise reports the polling locale is the Chestertown firehouse, 211 Maple Ave. Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The candidates are John James Beloved and Andre DeMattia in Ward 3 and Marcus Goldman, Stephen J. Lozar and Ryan McGuire in Ward 4. Absentee ballots will be available in person only Tuesday at the town office, 118 N. Cross St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office is calling on neighbors to help them find a suspect believed to be responsible for a string of wallet thefts at Stevensville grocery stores. According to WBOC, Police say the numerous thefts occurred on separate occasions and involved elderly victims at grocery stores. In some of those cases, the suspect approached the victims offering assistance with reaching items or casually speaking with them before stealing their wallets, according to the sheriff’s office. The suspect is described as an older African American woman often seen with a navy-blue purse. Surveillance footage showing multiple thefts has been captured at the Stevensville Food Lion and Safeway, police say.

A house and most of its contents were destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 20 in Chestertown. The Evening Enterprise reports no injuries were reported. The fire in the 100-block of Poplar Street was discovered at about 2:30 p.m. by one of the house’s occupants. She was able to safely exit the house along with her mother, according to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal. The fire originated on the back deck and then spread to the interior of the house. The cause is under investigation.

A former Washington College student who called police Tuesday evening threatening to commit mass violence on campus was arrested hours later at his Cecil County home after a multi-agency response that placed the college on lockdown. Kent County News reports Grafton Steele Howard, 25, of Chesapeake City, called Chestertown Police around 7 p.m. Jan. 20 and asked what would happen if he went onto the Washington College campus and shot members of the school’s administration and public safety officers, according to Chestertown Police Chief Ron Dixon. “The caller provided detailed and specific information that led to the threat being deemed credible,” Dixon said.

A suspect is in custody following the report of a threat made to Washington College. Kent County News reports around 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, Jan. 20, due to a credible threat received by Chestertown Police, lockdown procedures were implemented to ensure the safety of students and staff. Students and staff were notified via text and email through the school’s alert system. Shortly after 10 p.m. the college issued a statement confirming the lockdown had been lifted and students were no longer required to shelter in place.

Are you interested in learning about homelessness in Kent County? These topics will be discussed Thursday, Jan. 22 at a community meeting hosted by The Shelter Alliance from 5 to 6 p.m. at Christ First United Methodist Church, 401 High St. in Chestertown. Also, the public will have an opportunity to meet the nonprofit’s Executive Director Kimrose Goodall as well as members of its board of directors. The Evening Enterprise reports according to a news release, Goodall will provide organizational updates and new board structure; vision and priorities for 2026, including a preview of the proposed year-round shelter; opportunities for involvement and board expansion; and announcement of a full-time position that is currently available.

Kenneth Bradley has filed an appeal after receiving a maximum life sentence without the possibility of parole last month for the murder and kidnapping of Tiyavauna Britt. The Star Democrat reports Bradley, 43, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus an additional 30 years on Dec. 19. In September, a jury found Bradley guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment and assault for beating the 31-year-old Britt to death at a Cambridge park on Feb. 7, 2024. Bradley’s attorney, Brian Zavin, said that it is too early to comment on the specific details of the planned appeal, but emphasized the focus is on protecting his client’s rights throughout the pr

Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s deputies took a report recently regarding suspected real estate fraud in Grasonville. The complainant advised he was contacted by an unknown subject who claimed to be a private landlord looking to rent his residence in Grasonville for $1,300 a month. The suspect persistently requested a $70 application fee prior to meeting in person. No money was exchanged. Contact was made with the homeowner who advised the home was for sale only and not being rented. She reported similar concerns and suspected her property had been falsely advertised. An on-site check of the property was conducted and revealed no signs of squatters or forced entry.