News Staff

Update on a story we told you about last week. The Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff and Queen Anne’s County Public Schools are aware of a social media post featuring misinformation, which claims that the unknown individual who visited Matapeake Elementary School on Thursday returned to Matapeake Middle School on Friday in a different vehicle and spoke with a school administrator before leaving.
The allegation was thoroughly investigated by both QACPS and the Office of the Sheriff. Through interviews and a review of the circumstances, it was determined that this claim was a rumor only.

Health Community Alliance is moving The location inside the Rock Community Church is now closed and they will be reopening in our a location December 8th, 21920 Civic Center Road next to the tennis courts. HCA will still be handing out Thanksgiving meals on the 24th, but out of the new location. They also need volunteers to help them move and to hand out the meals on November 24th. If interested in volunteering please go to www.HCAkent.org.

Local environmentalists are expressing concern about the future of the Chesapeake Bay Program under the incoming Trump administration. In the past, President-elect Donald Trump has proposed ending funding for the program, sparking worry among advocates dedicated to restoring and protecting the Bay. WBOC reports during his first term, Trump suggested cutting funds to the Chesapeake Bay Program, along with other ‘geographic’ environmental initiatives, arguing that redirecting these resources would allow the Environmental Protection Agency to focus on national efforts.

The Democratic Club of Kent County will take a look at the results of the November election during a meeting this Thursday, and the public is invited. Dan Nataf, professor of political science at Anne Arundel Community College, will offer an analysis and the program will be presented via the Zoom video conference platform.
DCKC members will receive the Zoom link prior to the meeting. Others should contact the Democratic Club of Kent County, at info@dckcmd.com, for an invitation to attend.

The Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff is aware of a recent incident at Matapeake Elementary School involving an unknown individual who requested entry into the building.
Thursday morning, an individual claiming to be a former student approached front office staff at Matapeake Elementary School, requesting to tour the building. Per school policy, the individual was not permitted beyond the front office and exited the building. While outside, the individual encountered the assistant principal, who reiterated the school’s request for him to leave the property. He then left the premises without further incident.

State officials are asking for input on the future of the Bay Bridge. Local economic experts say replacing the four-mile bridge that connects Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s Counties is long overdue. The two main threats to the current spans are congestion concerns and aging infrastructure. MDTA officials are considering six design options for the bridge’s eventual replacement, each features variations in the number and configuration of traffic lanes.

In early November, RiverArts relocated part of its operations from the breezeway at 315 High Street to the Tish Gallery at 343 High Street. The move comes in response to reduced arts funding from the State of Maryland and rising rental costs. The Kent County News reports the transition is designed to support RiverArts’ mission and sustainability, cutting rental costs by nearly 50% and providing increased visibility for exhibitions and community programs. RiverArts Store will now operate from both the former Tish Gallery and a storefront beside the Clay Studio, keeping a presence on High Street’s main pedestrian thoroughfare.

A person suffered burns to the face trying to put out a fire that destroyed a 12-by-16-foot shed on Hillside Road Tuesday. The Evening Enterpise reports The property at 200 Hillside Road is located east of Truslow Road, just outside of Chestertown in Queen Anne’s County. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in 20 minutes, according to the notice of investigation. According to the preliminary report, the fire was accidental and caused by an “unspecified electrical malfunction.”

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office has charged a second suspect with armed robbery and related crimes in a home invasion this spring. The Evening Enterprise reports 32 year old Kimberly Bronte Wilson of New Castle, Delaware is being held in the Kent County Detention Center without bond. In addition to armed robbery and home invasion, Wilson is charged with first- and second-degree assault; use of a firearm in a felony or violent crime; first-, third- and fourth-degree burglary; theft, $1,500 to less than $25,000; and conspiracy to commit these offenses. A co-defendant was arrested back in September.

Washington College’s campus garden is asking community members to donate their unwanted pumpkins post-Halloween. Instead of sending pumpkins to the landfill, the college’s campus garden is collecting them to be salvaged for food. Ripe pumpkins are a great source of vitamins and nutrients and can be used in a variety of recipes, fed to the campus garden’s chickens and pumpkins can be composted to create a nutrient-rich soil that benefits the garden’s plants.