News Staff

A lightning strike is believed to have caused a house fire Tuesday evening that left a dog in cardiac arrest before it was rescued and revived by first responders. The Kent County News reports Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company was dispatched to a structure fire at 10199 Augustine Herman Highway. A dog removed from the home was unresponsive and in cardiac arrest when she was handed off to personnel from Kent and Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad. Crews performed CPR and administered oxygen using a pet-specific oxygen mask. She eventually revived and was treated on scene for smoke inhalation.

Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Wednesday morning in Kent County. The deceased, a 25-year-old male, whose identification is being withheld pending next of kin notification, was the driver and sole occupant of a Ford van involved in the crash southbound on Route 301 near Galena Road. He was pronounced deceased on the scene. According to a preliminary investigation, a tractor-trailer was slowed and stopped at a railroad track, when for unknown reasons, was struck in the rear by the Ford.

Jennifer Schrecongost is Queen Anne’s County Public Schools’ interim assistant superintendent for the 2025–2026 academic year, the school system announced in a news release Monday, July 7. She’ll be serving with Matt Pinder, who last month was named the interim superintendent for 2025-26. Schrecongost’s appointment was approved during the Board of Education’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

Washington College announced Monday that President Michael J. Sosulski will step down later this summer to become president of Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois. Sosulski will continue to serve through July. Trustee emeritus and former Board Chair Steve Golding ’72 will assume the role of provisional Chief Operating Officer while the Board of Visitors and Governors finalizes interim leadership plans and prepares for a national search for Sosulski’s successor. Sosulski was appointed as the College’s 31st president in the summer of 2021.

Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Dollar General in Stevensville for a report of a theft that had just occurred. While en route, dispatch advised that an unknown female had exited the store with a shopping cart full of merchandise. A vehicle matching the suspect vehicle’s description was located shortly after in the area of Fallen Horse Circle. A woman, later identified as Sha’mira Butler, was found at the scene and matched one of the suspects seen in the video footage. While on scene, deputies made contact with a second woman, identified as Shayquan Sampson, who was also positively identified from the surveillance footage. Sampson later admitted to her involvement in the theft. Butler and Sampson were also identified as being sisters.

Two toddlers drowned in Caroline County recently, according to the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies from the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 12000 block of Greensboro Road for a report of a possible drowning. Upon arrival, deputies located two pediatric victims, a 2-year-old male and a 3-year-old male, being provided medical treatment from the Caroline County Department of Emergency Services and the Greensboro Volunteer Fire Department. Both children were transported to Shore Regional Health in Easton for further medical treatment. Despite all efforts, both children tragically succumbed to their injuries.

The Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office is advising you to be aware of a fraudulent text message scam impersonating law enforcement and traffic agencies. The message claims you have an unpaid traffic citation and threatens license suspension, fines, and legal action unless immediate payment is made via a suspicious link.
Authorities are labeling this a scam and say do not click the link or respond. If you have clicked the link and paid, please contact your banking institution immediately.
If you’re unsure if a message you’ve received is legitimate, please contact the sheriff’s office at 410-758-0770.

Theresa Snyder has retired as executive director of Kent Association of Riding Therapy, the Evening Enterprise reports. KART was founded in 1984 to help children and adults with special needs enhance their social and developmental growth. According to its website, the nonprofit uses a multi-faceted program involving therapeutic horseback riding, grooming and caring for the horse, and comprehensive classroom instruction.

The Easton carnival unexpectedly closed Thursday due to stolen amusement ride wires, though organizers said it would be back on Friday for the event’s Fourth of July finale. The Star Democrat reports six major cables valued at a total of $30,000 were stolen before the carnival opened Thursday. The owner called Easton police and filed a report. The carnival is expected to return Friday, opening at 6 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7 p.m. and fireworks are slated to go off after dusk, weather permitting.

Centreville Town Council approved an ordinance to allow the cost of repair, vacating, and/or demolition by the town to be assessed against the property as a lien collectable in the same manner as real estate taxes. MyEasternShoreMD.com reports under the ordinance, town officials or a designated code official may request a warrant from a judge in either the District Court or the Circuit Court for Queen Anne’s County who may issue a warrant if the town is denied access after reasonable notice or it cannot locate the property owner, tenant, or responsible party.