News Staff

A man in Rock Hall suffered burns to both hands and his face while removing a fire-engulfed chair from a shed on Saturday night, March 1. He was airlifted by a Maryland State Police helicopter to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore, according to a news release from the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal.
The incident occurred in the 21000-block of Harrington Park Road when John Murphy, discovered a chair on fire inside a 12×16-foot shed at 10:22 p.m. The fire’s cause is under investigation.

Twelve years have passed since the tragic and still unresolved death of Robin Pope in Queen Anne’s County and law enforcement continues to seek answers in the case. The Maryland State Police Homicide Unit in Easton says if you have any information—no matter how small—please contact them at 410-822-3101 or reach out to the office to share your tip.

Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller, along with the Office of Overdose Response, has announced the award of $12.4 million in grants to numerous programs and organizations to address substance use and overdose across the state. According to Miller’s office, the Opioid Restitution Fund was created in 2019 and is maintained through money awarded to Maryland through prescription opioid-related lawsuits. Among the recipients; Queen Anne’s County Detention Center – $507,226 for opioid use disorder screening services for incarcerated individuals.

Last week again, the Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff took multiple reports of various types of fraud, and they remind you to never send money to unknown individuals or to make payments under pressure. Law enforcement will never call to demand payments for a warrant, and legitimate business will not request gift cards or cryptocurrency to resolve an outstanding bill or fee. Scammers often target the elderly, using fear and urgency to trick them into sending money.

Early Monday morning, a structure fire broke out in the 21000 block of Kansas Avenue, in Chestertown.
A shed located on the property was the center of the fire and unfortunately sustained significant damage. The fire reportedly caused an estimated $8,000.00 in damages to the shed and a further $2,000.00 to its contents. A total of 33 firefighters worked tirelessly to bring the fire under control in approximately 45 minutes. The origin of the fire has been traced back to the interior of the shed, although the exact cause remains under investigation.

Three people facing charges following a traffic stop that turned up weapons in Kent County recently. A sheriff’s deputy was patrolling in the area of Rt. 213/ Truslow Road when he initiated a traffic stop for a vehicle violation. One occupant had an open arrest warrant out of Kent County. A Kent County Deputy and his K9 partner responded to the scene for a K9 scan, resulting in a positive alert.
A probable cause search of the vehicle was conducted, and a loaded .45 caliber handgun was located. The three occupants of the vehicle facing charges are 25 year old Jalen Morris, 27 year old Marcquan Greene, both of Chestertown, and 25 year old Takai Caulk of Worton.

No word as yet on the cause of Friday’s early morning structure fire on the main street of Kennedyville.The Evening Enterprise reports investigators have determined that the fire in the 11000-block of Augustine Herman Highway originated in the rear of the two-story, single-family home that was unoccupied, according to a news release. Anyone with information is asked to contact the fire marshal’s Upper Eastern Regional Office at 410-819-3500.

The Maryland Public Service Commission heard residents’ concerns Tuesday over a proposed community solar project on 41 acres of a 199-acre property at 10066 Peacock Corner Road in Millington, owned by David Chance. The project is being developed by Turning Point Energy (TPE), a renewable energy firm that has spearheaded several solar initiatives in Maryland, including a second proposal in Kennedyville. According to company information, Turning Point focuses on sustainable, ground-mounted solar projects designed to expand clean energy access in the region.

Kent County Public Schools is asking everyone to support its efforts to seek more money from the state to build a new Kent County Middle School. The Evening Enterprise reports there is a bill being heard in the Maryland General Assembly that would do this. Senate Bill 843 would direct more state funding toward the replacement of Kent County Middle School. A hearing on SB0843 is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4 in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee.

Delmarva Power is extending several customer-friendly measures in response to soaring utility bills this winter.
Late payment fees will now be waived through March, and disconnections for non-payment are also suspended through next month. Also, disconnected customers will not be required to pay a deposit for restoration of service. More information is available at www.delmarva.com/billsupport