News Staff

Queen Anne’s County announces that Parks and Recreation Ranger, Paolo Palumbo has been awarded the Life Saver Award from the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) for heroic actions that saved a life earlier this year. While conducting routine duties at the Kent Narrows Public Boat Landing in Grasonville, Palumbo observed a vehicle in the water near the boat ramp. The vehicle began to float, drawn toward the Kent Narrows channel by strong currents heightened by coastal flooding that day.
As the vehicle filled with water, the driver climbed onto the roof and called for help. Acting swiftly, Ranger Palumbo immediately contacted 911 and initiated a rescue effort.

Shore Strategies LLC gave an update recently on the Chestertown Recreation Commission 10-Year Master Plan for the parks around town. After several formal meetings, discussions, community surveys, including students at Kent County Middle School, and stakeholders, they are nearing the completion of the draft proposal.
The plan involves all Chestertown parks: Wilmer, Bailey, Gateway, Carpenter and Ajax.

On November 18th, Deputies responded to a business in Stevensville for a report of a past fraud. Upon arrival, Deputies learned the business had been advised by their banking institution that someone tried to cash a washed check from the business for an amount of over $10,000. The bank did not cash the check and is conducting an investigation.

Town Hall will be closed Thursday November 28, 2024, and Friday November 29, 2024, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. We will reopen on Monday, December 2, 2024, at 9 a.m.

Red Stag Fulfillment analyzed broadband speeds across Maryland and conducted a survey of 3,000 respondents to pinpoint the places most disadvantaged in securing top Black Friday deals, and Kent County sits atop the list. The reason? Because only 79% of households in the county have broadband access, reports DeepCreek Times. The survey revealed that for many, slow internet speeds can be a dealbreaker – literally. About 43% of people in the survey said they’ve missed out on a deal because of poor connectivity.

In Queen Anne’s County, last week, Deputies responded to a home in Chester for a report of fraud. Upon arrival, Deputies made contact with the victim who advised that someone posing as a police officer contacted him and stated that he had charges against him. To fix the charges, the victim needed to go to a Bitcoin machine and transfer money. The victim is out $2500. The investigation remains open.

Kent Reserve, the area’s first cannabis dispensary, is getting closer to opening. Set in the former BB&T Bank on Cypress Street in Millington, Kent Reserve will provide high-quality, affordable cannabis in a welcoming and inclusive space to medical and recreational customers aged 21 and over. The Chestertown Spy reports
Kent Reserve is led by longtime Millington resident Rahul Dutta and will proudly operate under a social equity license awarded to minority and women-owned cannabis businesses through the Maryland Office of Social Equity.

The annual holiday parade in downtown Chestertown is set for Friday, Nov. 29, stepping off at 5:30 p.m. The Evening Enterprise reports parade participants will gather in the Chestertown Business Park on Dixon Drive, and then follow the route down High Street to Cross Street. Judges will be seated on the reviewing stand in the 300-block of High Street, just off Fountain Park. Santa will take up residency in his Fountain Park house until about 7 o’clock the night of the parade.

The “dead zones” in the Chesapeake Bay—areas with little to no oxygen in the water—remain a significant concern for aquatic life, with recent reports indicating no reduction in their size. WBOC reports Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) revealed that dead zones in the bay have slightly increased compared to last year’s record lows. According to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, these zones, which harm marine and plant life, were about average this year, affecting roughly 10% to 13% of the bay.

On 11/16 at approximately 8:45PM, detectives responded to Beech Lane in Stevensville for a report of an assault that had just occurred at a party and an unconscious subject. A male subject, identified as 32 year old Joshua Bathras, had refused to leave the home despite being asked multiple times and had become angry when being asked again. Bathras then punched victim one in the face inside of the residence, knocking him unconscious. While outside he then punched victim two in the mouth and threw him into the ditch in the front yard. Victim one was transported by EMS due to the serious nature of his injuries. Batharas was placed under arrest and charged.