News Staff

Robert Bell is the new executive director of the Kent County Public Library. Bell’s hiring was announced in a news release Friday, Oct. 18. He succeeds Arnessa Dowell, who served from January 2021 to April 2024 when she stepped down for another job opportunity. The Evening Enterprise reports Bell previously worked in academic and public libraries across the United States and abroad in China and Thailand for a total of about 20 years.

Queen Anne’s County High School has recently been awarded $70,000 to pursue the hiring of the district’s first School Security Employee (SSE), according to Joe Saboury, coordinator of school safety and security. The Star Democrat reports as of August, the district received funding from the Maryland Center for School Safety School Resource Officer (SRO) Adequate Coverage Grant under the 2018 Maryland Safe to Learn Act.
This funding allows school districts to hire an employee to serve as a supplement to the SRO already in place, he said. Resource officers already serving the school district fall under the direction and budget of the county sheriff’s office.

The Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff is requesting the public’s help in identifying a shoplifting suspect caught on surveilance at the Queenstown Premium Outlets. Deputies accuse the suspect of stealing a handbag and keychain worth $558 after entering the Kate Spade outlet around 5:20 p.m. on Oct. 6.
The Sheriff’s Office alleges the suspect placed the stolen merchandise into a larger bag and exited the store without paying.

Candidates seeking a seat on the Kent County Board of Education in next month’s election have confirmed their attendance at a forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Kent County on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The Evening Enterprise reports the forum, which gets underway at 6 p.m., will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Chestertown, 905 Gateway Drive. There are four candidates for the two open seats: Piers Heriz-Smith, Laura McKenzie, John Queen and incumbent Francoise Sullivan.

Main Street Historic Chestertown is encouraging donors to take advantage of the organization’s remaining allocation of $14,250 in Maryland state tax credits before they expire at the end of the calendar year.
The Evening Enterprise reports the tax credits offer donors an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution while receiving a 50% tax credit for donations of $500 or more. They’re available until the end of December 2024.

A health and wellness expo will be held at the Kent County Family YMCA from 3 to 7 p.m, Thursday, Oct. 17. The YMCA is located at 200 Scheeler Road, Chestertown. The Evening Enterprise reports offerings will include free health screenings; flu and COVID vaccines (bring your insurance cards); more than 50 exhibitors; free refreshments; and entertainment.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office found a 7-year-old boy who was abducted from his elementary school in Churchville. The alert had been issued for Khalil Rodney Ringgold Monday morning. Authrorities issued a release reading, “Khalil has been safely located and is being reunited with his father. The investigation is ongoing and will be reviewed with the Harford County State’s Attorney to determine if any charges are appropriate.” The child disappeared for a time after getting into a car with a male driver at Churchville Elementary School.

Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred early Tuesday morning in Queen Anne’s County. The pedestrian, whose identification is being withheld pending next of kin notification, was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver of a passenger vehicle involved in the crash was reported uninjured and remained at the scene. Shortly after 6 a.m., troopers from the Centreville Barrack responded to the area of Maryland Route 213 at Maryland Route 544 for a report of a crash involving a pedestrian, struck while crossing the roadway.

A woman was found deceased near her home on Saturday after being reported missing by her husband. A heavy search by ground and air was joined by members of the community. The Bay Times & Record Observer reports the 82-year-old woman left her home in the morning to go on a walk and never returned. Police were dispatched around 2 p.m. to Quinn Road for the missing person report. Multiple law enforcement agencies, K-9 units and first responders contributed the search. She was later found in a ditch on Galena Road in the area of Bramble Way around 8:30 that evening.

The Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office has obtained an arrest warrant charging a Millington man with first-degree murder and related crimes in the death of his stepfather. According to the Evening Enterprise, 48 year old Brian Joseph Sykes has been identified as the suspect. He was apprehended Sunday night, Oct. 13 during a traffic stop in Philadelphia’s Juniata Park section, according to a news release from the QACSO and media reports in the area. The victim in the case is David Teat, 67, of Millington.