News Staff

Maryland Natural Resources police say all four men aboard a boat that capsized in the Bay near Ferry Park on July 2 avoided serious injury. The Evening Enterprise reports the men, all from Rock Hall, were thrown overboard when part of the boat’s hull separated. None was wearing a life jacket. The incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. July 2. It’s unclear who rescued the men, but they were brought to Gratitude Marina.

Queen Anne’s County Public Schools Board of Education approved a 15-cent per meal price increase and 5-cent per milk carton price increase for the 2024-2025 school year at their June 26 meeting. The board cited cost increases for the higher prices. For kids not on a reduced meal program, Breakfast will cost $1.75. Elementary Lunch is $2.75 and Middle / High Lunch is $3.00. Reduced lunches are free.

The Town of Chestertown is out with its Consumer Confidence Report which looks at water quality issues. The report, found at the Town of Chestertown website addresses such as Is my water safe? Do I need to take special precautions and also examines sources of drinking water for the town, plus it includes the phone number for the Safe Water Drinking
Hotline which is 800-426-4791.

The investigation continues into a fire late last weel at the Federalsburg Manor Apartments which displaced 14 people. According to the Star Democrat, the Office of the State Fire Marshal reports no injuries in the blaze which took 30 firefighters about 30 minutes to control. The blaze resulted in an estimated $400,000 in damages. The fire started in a bedroom and was discovered by the apartment’s occupant, who attempted to extinguish the blaze with a bucket of water but was unsuccessful. The occupant then called 911. The American Red Cross is assisting those who were displaced by the fire.

Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Company reminding you of the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke as temperatures rise this weekend. Heat exhaustion consists of heavy sweating, fatigue or confusion, also nausea and headache. When suffering from heat stroke, there will be a lack of sweating, red, hot and dry skin and rapid heart beat.

A public hearing is happening July 11th to discuss building a solar panel farm on Morgnec Road. Kent County News reports
Urban Grid is located in the central portion of Kent, east of Chestertown. Morgnec Solar LLC, an Urban Grid subsidiary, is looking to interconnect to the power grid via an existing Delmarva Power Substation adjacent to the project site. The State recently approved of the project against County and Chestertown’s wishes.

A Chestertown volunteer firefighter used what he could find to put out a large vehicle fire this week. Justin Parsons arrived in his personal vehicle to the 300 block of Maple Avenue just as the fire was being dispatched and found a concrete mixer withe fire coming from the brake area. Parsons had the driver set him up with the hose the truck itself uses and kept the fire at bay until back up arrived and also kept water on the extremely hot brake surfaces.

The new budget for Queen Anne’s County Public Schools includes an additional $1.2 million allocation by the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners, the majority of which will go toward teacher salaries and tutors. The Bay Times And Record Observer reports noting the work put in and the financial struggle the district has seen the last several months, Board President Helen Bennett voiced appreciation that specialists will be available throughout the district even if they have to split positions. Board Vice President Richard Smith said more help from the state will be imperative with future budget discussions.

Investigators are still searching for the cause of a structure fire Tuesday night in downtown Chestertown. Crews were called out just before midnight to the 300-block of Cannon Street, between Cross Street and South Mill Street, reports the Evening Enterprise. Arriving firefighters found one shed fully involved and a second partially consumed by flames. Damage estimated at about $10,000.

Maryland State Highway Administration announces they’ll be closing the MD 405 median crossover at US 301 in Queen Anne’s County on Monday, July 15. The closure restricts all movements through the median and will remain in effect until further notice. More information on the Queen Anne’s County Facebook page.