News Staff

Easton town officials have asked state legislators to consider a number of capital funding requests, including an ambitious initiative aimed at connecting town residents east of Route 50 to Easton’s core. The Bay Times and Record Observer reports town leaders met with three local lawmakers — Sen. Johnny Mautz and Dels. Chris Adams and Tom Hutchinson. They spent part of a Thursday morning breakfast session discussing a potential expansion of Easton’s Rails to Trails system. A long-term expansion project amounting to $20 million includes a nearly $10 million pedestrian bridge, which would be placed at the Dutchmans Lane and Route 50 intersection.

Cambridge City Commissioner Brett Summers (left) addresses Wednesday evening’s meeting of the Cambridge Association of Neighborhoods (CAN) while association president Chuck McFadden listens. The Cambridge Spy reports Cambridge City Commissioner representing Ward 1 Brett Summers says a set of new tools now under consideration could help reverse years of neglect and vacancy in the city’s neighborhoods and business district.
Summers, a real estate developer himself who owns multiple downtown properties, pointed to proposed new taxes on vacant storefronts and undeveloped properties, a city-funded land bank, and the creation of a tenants’ rights advocate as part of a comprehensive effort to clean up and restore the town’s appearance and vitality.

The Sultana Education Foundation’s Downrigging Festival will open with a frightfully fun Halloween Costume Party on Friday, Oct. 31, beginning at 4 p.m. at the historic Chestertown waterfront. Kent County News reports the evening kicks off the weekend’s maritime celebration, combining tall ships, live music and Halloween flair. Costume judging will begin as participants enter the Downrigging Festival Village, with more than $500 in cash and merchandise prizes to be awarded at 6:45 p.m.

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) arrested a man in connection with a dispute that involved a stolen vehicle on Tuesday morning. The Star Democrat reports deputies responded to a residence in reference to a fight going on between two men. Upon arrival on the scene, officers determined that 32-year-old Phillip James Rue of Greensboro, had stolen a work vehicle from a neighbor’s driveway. Rue reportedly drove the vehicle a short distance before causing damage to three tires using a knife. When the owner of the vehicle confronted him, Rue allegedly brandished his knife at the victim and made several verbal threats. A physical altercation ensued, but no injuries were reported. Rue was subsequently placed under arrest and taken to CCSO for processing.

As Queen Anne’s County kicks off negotiations with Breezeline to renew its cable television franchise, it asks the community, “Where would you like the future of your cable television to go?” The Bay Times and Record Observer reports residents, businesses and community organizations are invited to share feedback about cable television service provided by Breezeline Cable as Queen Anne’s County gathers public input to evaluate performance and identify needs as part of a cable franchise renewal process. Officials discussed governmental and educational access television and local community television provided by Queen Anne’s County during a public information meeting Oct. 21.

The Caroline County Commissioners have discussed the sale of Daysprings Townhomes throughout 2025, now the sale looks like it may happen. The Star Democrat reports at the Caroline County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, County Administrator Kathleen Freeman said that paperwork with legal teams are being prepared and negotiations are ongoing on the potential sale of Daysprings Townhomes. The complex is located just outside Ridgely on School Street. The initial property was built in 1994 by Interfaith Housing Development, a former local nonprofit that worked with the county.

Frustrated residents demanded more immediate safety solutions at a Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration public meeting Oct. 20, where officials discussed the deadly U.S. 301 and Maryland 405 intersection in the Price area of Queen Anne’s County. The Bay Times and Record Observer reports the highway administration reopened the U.S. 301/Maryland 405 median crossover Oct. 13 after closing it in late July to evaluate roadway conditions following two fatal crashes in one week. A Queen Anne’s County study indicated U.S. 301 traffic volume has increased more than 30 percent since the Middletown bypass opened in 2019.

A man has been sentenced to a combined 50 years in prison for shooting a co-worker outside a Trappe gas station last year. The Star Democrat reports Antonio Bolden, 37, received consecutive 35- and 15-year terms in Talbot and Dorchester counties, respectively, after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree murder and armed carjacking. Bolden shot a man in the face and arm at the Freedom Fuel gas station and food mart off of U.S. Route 50 on Sept. 17, 2024.

State transportation officials say the Chester River Bridge is safe following a malfunction last month that left motorists waiting more than an hour on both sides of the river. According to the Kent County News,
Will Pines, state highway administrator, and District Engineer Kent Fender of the Maryland State Highway Administration told the Kent County Commissioners on Oct. 7 that the bridge remains structurally sound and in good condition. During the Sept. 23 incident, technicians were unable to fully lower the drawbridge following a scheduled test lift, backing up traffic for more than an hour.

Queen Anne’s County is moving forward with a year-long moratorium on processing or approving certain new residential and mixed-use developments. WMAR reports the 12 month pause includes projects in Kent Narrows, Stevensville, Grasonville, Prospect Bay, Cloverfields, Bay City, and Southern Kent Island, all of which are served by the Kent Narrows/Stevensville/Grasonville Wastewater Treatment Plant that’s currently at capacity.
Developments with sewerage allocation exceeding 1,750 daily gallons are specifically subjected to the temporary policy.