News Staff

The Democratic Club of Kent County will take a look at the results of the November election during a meeting this Thursday, and the public is invited. Dan Nataf, professor of political science at Anne Arundel Community College, will offer an analysis and the program will be presented via the Zoom video conference platform.
DCKC members will receive the Zoom link prior to the meeting. Others should contact the Democratic Club of Kent County, at info@dckcmd.com, for an invitation to attend.

The Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff is aware of a recent incident at Matapeake Elementary School involving an unknown individual who requested entry into the building.
Thursday morning, an individual claiming to be a former student approached front office staff at Matapeake Elementary School, requesting to tour the building. Per school policy, the individual was not permitted beyond the front office and exited the building. While outside, the individual encountered the assistant principal, who reiterated the school’s request for him to leave the property. He then left the premises without further incident.

State officials are asking for input on the future of the Bay Bridge. Local economic experts say replacing the four-mile bridge that connects Anne Arundel and Queen Anne’s Counties is long overdue. The two main threats to the current spans are congestion concerns and aging infrastructure. MDTA officials are considering six design options for the bridge’s eventual replacement, each features variations in the number and configuration of traffic lanes.

In early November, RiverArts relocated part of its operations from the breezeway at 315 High Street to the Tish Gallery at 343 High Street. The move comes in response to reduced arts funding from the State of Maryland and rising rental costs. The Kent County News reports the transition is designed to support RiverArts’ mission and sustainability, cutting rental costs by nearly 50% and providing increased visibility for exhibitions and community programs. RiverArts Store will now operate from both the former Tish Gallery and a storefront beside the Clay Studio, keeping a presence on High Street’s main pedestrian thoroughfare.

A person suffered burns to the face trying to put out a fire that destroyed a 12-by-16-foot shed on Hillside Road Tuesday. The Evening Enterpise reports The property at 200 Hillside Road is located east of Truslow Road, just outside of Chestertown in Queen Anne’s County. Firefighters brought the blaze under control in 20 minutes, according to the notice of investigation. According to the preliminary report, the fire was accidental and caused by an “unspecified electrical malfunction.”

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office has charged a second suspect with armed robbery and related crimes in a home invasion this spring. The Evening Enterprise reports 32 year old Kimberly Bronte Wilson of New Castle, Delaware is being held in the Kent County Detention Center without bond. In addition to armed robbery and home invasion, Wilson is charged with first- and second-degree assault; use of a firearm in a felony or violent crime; first-, third- and fourth-degree burglary; theft, $1,500 to less than $25,000; and conspiracy to commit these offenses. A co-defendant was arrested back in September.

Washington College’s campus garden is asking community members to donate their unwanted pumpkins post-Halloween. Instead of sending pumpkins to the landfill, the college’s campus garden is collecting them to be salvaged for food. Ripe pumpkins are a great source of vitamins and nutrients and can be used in a variety of recipes, fed to the campus garden’s chickens and pumpkins can be composted to create a nutrient-rich soil that benefits the garden’s plants.

The count of nearly 1,000 mail-in votes on Thursday clinched seats on the Kent County Board of Education for Laura McKenzie and John Queen. The Evening Enterprise reports while the results are unofficial until the election is certified after a final canvass next week, the outcome will not change. The term is four years, beginning in January 2025. After Thursday’s count of 971 mail-in ballots, when she received 341 votes, McKenzie maintained a double-digit lead in the four-person race. Her total of 5,320 represents 37.5% of the votes cast.

In recognition of Economic Development week, Queen Anne’s County Economic and Tourism Development highlighted essential community collaborations that shape the economic future of shore living through Power of Partnerships at Chesapeake College recently. The Bay Times and Record Observer reports bringing together key stakeholders, industry leaders, and community partners, the Power of Partnerships explored the collaborative efforts shaping the future of the county.

Chestertown Ward 1 Council member Tim O’Brien submitted a letter of resignation to the Chestertown Town Council this week. The Chestertown Spy reports the letter follows a legal filing and ongoing litigation claiming O’Brien’s residential move from Ward 1 to Ward 4 immediately disqualified him from holding the Ward 1 seat as per the town charter and that the amended Resolution (No. 06-2023) only allows future candidates the allowance to move to a different ward after two years of service, not retroactively.