News Staff

Over the years, Queen Anne’s County has faced various hazards, prompting proactive measures aimed at reducing risks and future losses. The Department of Emergency Services in Queen Anne’s County is inviting public input on the Hazard Mitigation Plan, which identifies potential hazards and outlines projects designed to mitigate or prevent damage before disasters strike. There’s a survey of twenty questions officials are also urging the public to complete. You can find a link to it at qac.org.

Recently, the Town of Chestertown was informed that a supplemental grant award of up to $3,870.00 from the FFY2023 Certified Local Government grant program was approved for Historic District Commission and commission staff education and training purposes. Funding will support a one-day conference held in town hall on October 25, 2024. The conference will look at common points of interest for built infrastructure preservationists and those working on climate challenge resiliency. More information will be forthcoming on the Town of Chestertown Facebook page.

In Kent County, Tuesday, Sept. 3 is the first day of school for grades 1-6 and 9.
Wednesday, Sept. 4 starts the school year for students in grades 1-12, and Thursday, Sept. 5: is day one of the school year for prekindergarten and kindergarten.

The Queen Anne’s County Department of Emergency Services, in partnership with the Queen Anne’s County Department of Health and with funding from the CDC Health Disparities Grant, is proud to announce the launch of a new AED Donation Program. This initiative aims to enhance community safety by providing 10 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to nonprofit organizations within Queen Anne’s County.Nonprofit organizations interested in participating are encouraged to apply online through the AED Donation Program Application. The deadline for applications is September 23, 2024.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is advising rural residents to anticipate a rise in low-flying airplanes, helicopters, and drones through Oct. 10. Kent County News reports farmers participating in Maryland’s Cover Crop Program are using aerial seeding to plant cereal grains and other qualifying cover crops in their fields to protect local waterways from nutrient runoff and enhance their soil’s health for spring crops.

This weekend marks the final days of the US 50/301 Ramp Management Pilot Program, with ramp closures set to be in effect on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Duke Street (Exit 38): Closed at the intersection with Island Plaza Court (Cleet Street). Traffic exiting US 50/301 can still access the gas station at 101 Duke Street and return to US 50/301 westbound. However, traffic from US 50/301 will not be able to access local destinations on MD 18 or beyond. MD 8 (Business Parkway/Romancoke Road, Exit 37): Closed for westbound access. Drivers exiting US 50/301 onto MD 8 and MD 18 will not be able to re-enter westbound US 50 from these locations.

A Queen Anne’s County woman has been arrested on multiple charges in connection to a serious crash on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge earlier this year. The crash, which occurred on January 27th just before 8 a.m., involved 23 vehicles and left one victim hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. 11 other patients were also taken to local hospitals. WBOC reports on Thursday, police announced the arrest of 48 year old Gwendolyn Persina of Chester as the driver of the blue 2018 Honda Civic in question. Authorities say they believe Persina was driving at high speeds under the influence when she hit another car, causing the chain-reaction crash on the bridge. Persina faces various charges including driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

A Kent County man is hospitalized with multiple stab wounds, while his alleged assailant is facing charges. According to the Evening Enterprise, 39 year old Damontrall Jerry Miles is charged with attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment. The attack, say police, happened at the home of the victim on Tolchester Road over the weekend, where a witness said she came out of her bedroom to find Miles on top of the victim and stabbing them. Miles fled the residence on foot and was found later in a residence in the 20000-block of Persimmon Drive, which is about a half-mile from where the stabbing occurred.

The Kent County Office of Emergency Services has partnered with the University of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, the Maryland Environmental Service and the Maryland Department of Health to use a newly activated Maryland Mesonet weather monitoring station on the grounds of Kent County Behavioral Health’s Whitsitt Center. According to the Evening Enterprise, the weather station located off Scheeler Road provides real-time, live weather data. Find out more at https://mesonet.umd.edu.

The Queen Anne’s County Library system will contract with an outside agency to conduct a feasibility study for a new branch in northern Queen Anne’s County. It will also use funding to purchase dispensers and products for public restrooms, specifically period products, to support those who live in poverty and students who walk to library locations after school. Kent County News reports In Kent County, the public library will fund its Cultivating Community series, which aims to engage community members from different generations through hands-on gardening and related educational programs.