News Staff

The annual Sensory Holiday Celebration is being held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the media center of Kent County Middle School. The Evening Enterprise reports it’s the seventh edition of the holiday party for students and their siblings who receive special education or related services or have a 504 plan.
There will be games, crafts and food, plus a visit from Santa, who will be available for photographs.
Registration closes on Friday, Dec. 13.

Washington College’s Academy of Lifelong Learning’s (WC-ALL) invites the public to preview its spring semester courses ahead of the opening of the registration portal. 2025 will kick off with a bevy of classes that cover nearly every interest. The public is invited to Hynson Lounge in Hodson Hall to attend the Spring Showcase happening on Monday, Dec. 16 to meet instructors and hear more about the more than 40 courses being offered in the new year. Doors open at 3 p.m.

A Strategic Planning Gathering is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at The Mainstay in Rock Hall. Organizers call it an opportunity to come together, share ideas, and lay the groundwork for the next chapter in The Mainstay’s journey. They says they’re adopting an alll-hands-on-deck approach. Whether it’s through financial support, volunteering your time and expertise, or simply spreading the word about the work they do, every action makes a difference.”

Tuesday, it’s the Queen Anne’s County Holiday Open House and Last County Commissioner Meeting. The Holiday Open House runs 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm in the Vincit Building. The County Commissioners host this event for employees to stop in at their convenience and meet with County Commissioners and fellow employees. This event is open to the public. The regular County Commissioner meeting will begin at 5:30 PM at 107 N Liberty Street in Centreville. This will be the last meeting for 2024.

With a number of large projects on the horizon, the county finance department provided a head-start to the budget process with an overview to the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners. The Bay Times and Record Observer reports Jeff Rank, director of budget and finance presented data from a Capital Budget Work Session including a preview of major capital projects currently in the planning stages for the upcoming five years.
The total capital project expenditures programmed for the current year and planned for the next five years is about $285 million, according to Rank.

The State Fire Marshal has ruled that Tuesday’s structure fire in the 300-block of Union Church Road was accidental. The cause was determined to be failure of heat tape that had been applied to a water line in the crawl space. The Evening Enterprise reports the fire, which originated in the crawl space, was brought under control in five minutes, according to a news release from the fire marshal’s office. No injuries were reported.

Molly’s Mart at 12503 Augustine Herman Highway in Kennedyville, is closed until further notice due to a fire originating in the kitchen area. Kent County News reports the gas pumps will remain open, also the adjacent Molly’s Place Sporting Goods and Molly’s restaurant will remain open at their regular hours. The fire originated in the kitchen and did not extend out to other areas of the store. No injuries, no word yet on a cause.

Rock Hall residents showed up to offer support for their local liquor store, Rock Hall Liquors & Deli, an establishment serving the area for several years. Kent County News reports following two hours deliberation, the Kent County Commissioners decided unanimously to grant the requested Class A liquor license for beer and wine, but not liquor — to the Rock Hall One Stop Shop — a compromise between both establishments.

Dwight Wilmot of the Chestertown Lions Club has been named a Melvin Jones Fellow by Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) in recognition of his commitment to serving the world community. Named for the founder of Lions Clubs International, Melvin Jones, the fellowship is one of the Foundation’s highest recognitions, honoring a commitment to humanitarian service.

Queen Anne’s County announces that longtime County Attorney Patrick Thompson has transitioned from contractor to full-time employee, effective November 6, 2024. This change coincides with Thompson’s decision to close his private practice. Thompson, who has been practicing law since 1975, has served as the Queen Anne’s County Attorney since 1980. Over his distinguished career, he has also served as the attorney for the Town of Centreville and Chestertown. This new role will enable Thompson to continue his invaluable service to the County, with a renewed focus on addressing county matters exclusively.