News Staff

The Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff advising residents of a recent phone scam circulating in thecommunity where individuals impersonating Sheriff’s Deputies are extorting money from citizens. These scammers call from a spoofed number, making it appear to come from the sheriff’s office and falsely claim that recipients have warrants for their arrest, often citing missed court or federal jury duty. To avoid arrest, they demand immediate payment over the phone.
In some cases, scammers may also send emails that appear legitimate, further convincing victims by using official-looking logos and language.

Health education classes are being offered this year by the Rural Health Care Transformation initiative at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. Three classes will be offered in a series of sessions that begin this month, beginning with, “Don’t Worry, Be Healthy,” a five-session class beginning Jan. 13 that offers tips for infection prevention, fire and burn prevention, medication safety, diabetes prevention and fall prevention.

Washington College’s Academy of Lifelong Learning is offering deep dives into politics, philanthropy and literature to kick off the January term. The Evening Enterprise reports the headliner on Thursday, Jan. 16 is international affairs expert Bruce Riedel, a senior fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution who previously worked for the Central Intelligence Agency. He will lead a table talk on current events in the Middle East.

During the holiday season, Region IV encompassing Kent and all other Eastern Shore Counties in Maryland, experienced a concerning increase in influenza cases, surpassing other regions and the state in prevalence. Kent County News reports Norovirus can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. The rates for Norovirus in Region IV have spiked, reaching a high of 160 per 100,000 residents.

A suspect has been identified in the smashing of glass windows and a door along Cross Street in Chestertown during New Year’s celebrations. The act of vandalism occurred around midnight, Jan. 1, on three businesses: Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company, Empty Hangers and Boyer’s Jewelers, where their glass door was smashed. Flag poles were damaged by the same perpetrator at Sultana Education Foundation. Police say charges are forthcoming.

A decision was reached recently to keep current recrational fishing regulations in place for this year during an Atlantic State Marine Fishery Commission meeting. Capt. Rob Newberry, chair of the Atlantic Fishery Association who has appeared before Kent County Commissioners numerous times over these issues, is not convinced the commission needs to take any action now or in the future. Ultimately they will reduce limits in recreational and commercial, adjusting seasons, setting limits and no-harvesting or no-targeting closures.

The Town of Rock Hall will hold a municipal election on Saturday, March 1, 2025, to elect two (2) Councilmembers. Voting will take place at St. John’s Catholic Church Hall, 5621 South Main Street, Rock Hall, Maryland, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. There is an ongoing registration until Monday, February 3, 2025, of qualified persons not registered to vote

The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is increasing work zone speed violation penalties with a new tiered fines system to be put in place in 2025. Part of the Maryland Road Worker Protection Act passed in Maryland designed to protect highway workers went into effect in June of 2024, with speed cameras placed in more work zones across the state. Larger work zones may have more than one camera, according to SHA.
The new law also increased speeding fines from $40 to $80.

A 25-year-old Glen Burnie man was transported to the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown for treatment of injuries suffered in a single-vehicle crash Saturday morning, Dec. 28 in the 300-block of Maple Avenue. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office says lost control of his 2004 Chevrolet Blazer in the area of the Super Soda Center, ultimately striking a utility pole and gas pumps. Utz was treated at the Chestertown hospital and then released. He’s facing charges in the crash.

Recently, Deputies responded to a home in Chestertown to check on the welfare of an individual whose family member hadn’t heard from them for a number of hours. Upon receiving no answer at the door despite signs of occupancy, Deputies checked windows and doors and saw the individual on the floor. Deputy Mills made entry into the home with minimal damage to a door, and provided assistance to the person until EMS transported them for medical care.