News Staff

A $68,692 proposal to implement student-led learning programs at three Queen Anne’s County schools failed to gain traction after heated debate at the Board of Education meeting Jan. 15. The Bay Times and Record Observer reports the program, aimed at benefiting about 2,000 students through teacher training at Queen Anne’s County High, Sudlersville Middle and Sudlersville Elementary schools, sparked concerns from board members and teachers about effectiveness and transparency.

Kent Cultural Alliance is announcing the 2025 Independent Artist Grants program, which will provide $25,000 in funding to support artists living and creating in Kent County. The Evening Enterprise reports a total of 50 individual grants of $500 each will be awarded as one-time financial support for artists working in a variety of disciplines. The application period opened Feb. 1 and will close March 2 at 11:59 p.m. Eligible applicants must reside and actively create work in Kent County.

Deputies with the Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff have arrested a 21-year-old Sudlersville man, Noah Leager, after a confrontation in a park turned violent. According to police, on Jan. 17, deputies with were dispatched to Sudlersville Park where they met with the victim who stated he had been shot at by a male subject, later identified as Leager. The victim said the two had gotten into a fight which culminated with Leager alletedly sending several incriminating messages to the victim referencing the shooting, including the statements “I’ll kill you” and “Missed that time next one won’t miss”, as well as photos of ammunition.

It’s still going on so the Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff is still warning you about a scam in which an individual posing as a Sheriff’s Deputy by the name of “Sgt. Christian Woods” is attempting to extort money from citizens. The scammer will call from a blocked or spoofed number, appearing to be from our office, and falsely claim you have warrants for missed court or jury duty, demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest. In some instances, to sound real, they will claim to be calling on a recorded line, and you will hear a beep in the background.

Friday will feel a little frigid for area first responders. They’ll be taking the plunge into the cool waters of the Chesapeake Bay around 10 a.m. at Sandy Point, participating in the annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge that raises money for the Special Olympics. Kent County News reports
Chestertown Police Chief Ron Dixon and many other first responders have formed an online campaign to raise funds. Team Kent, as they are called, with Dixon as captain, combined with law enforcement and first responders from across the region, has set a goal to reach $315,000 — they are well on their way, with just over 80% of that raised.

Portions of Ferry Point Park will undergo maintenance and may be closed periodically through February 4, between the hours of 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Trail users are urged to exercise caution and remain mindful of workers during this time. These closures are part of our continued efforts to improve the park system using best practices to control invasive vines, shrubs and trees. These plants are non-native to the region and outcompete the native species to which wildlife have adapted and rely upon for shelter and food.

The QAC Goes Purple Opioid Awareness Commercial Competition is back and open through February 14th, 2025! This contest is open to ALL Queen Anne’s County youth groups. Among the prizes being awared:
airing of your commercial across multiple platforms, a $500 stipend award to your organization to purchase needed equipment or materials, and an invitation to a County Commissioners’ Meeting for recognition. Find out more through a link on the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.

The Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office investigated a fraud case in which a person reported that his elderly family member told him that he had received a phone call that he would be receiving $5.5 million and a new Chevrolet truck. The person on the phone told him that all he needed to do was to cash a cashier’s check they would send him, and to send them back $80,000 to cover the taxes on his money. The victim sent a $15,000 check that was cashed before the family member was made aware of the scam; the family member was able to stop other payments sent from being processed.

Chestertown Mayor David Foster is continuing his lobbying for a tax differential or tax rebate. Foster has asserted that town residents are typically required to pay both for their local police and for their county sheriff’s office even though the primary responsibility for the sheriff’s office is for residents living outside of town. Foster has announced two “special public meetings” to discuss the issue: Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. at Chestertown Town Hall, 118 N. Cross St., and Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. with the Kent County Commissioners at the R. Clayton Mitchell Jr. Kent County Government Center, 400 High St.

Washington College is calling for proposals for the inaugural group of Innovation Plant curriculum fellowships. The Evening Enterprise reports the $15,000 fellowships, funded by a $1.846 million grant from the Philip E. & Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation, will support educators in developing and implementing innovative courses and programs that leverage the resources of the upcoming Innovation Plant.