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A house and most of its contents were destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 20 in Chestertown. The Evening Enterprise reports no injuries were reported. The fire in the 100-block of Poplar Street was discovered at about 2:30 p.m. by one of the house’s occupants. She was able to safely exit the house along with her mother, according to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal. The fire originated on the back deck and then spread to the interior of the house. The cause is under investigation.

A former Washington College student who called police Tuesday evening threatening to commit mass violence on campus was arrested hours later at his Cecil County home after a multi-agency response that placed the college on lockdown. Kent County News reports Grafton Steele Howard, 25, of Chesapeake City, called Chestertown Police around 7 p.m. Jan. 20 and asked what would happen if he went onto the Washington College campus and shot members of the school’s administration and public safety officers, according to Chestertown Police Chief Ron Dixon. “The caller provided detailed and specific information that led to the threat being deemed credible,” Dixon said.

A suspect is in custody following the report of a threat made to Washington College. Kent County News reports around 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, Jan. 20, due to a credible threat received by Chestertown Police, lockdown procedures were implemented to ensure the safety of students and staff. Students and staff were notified via text and email through the school’s alert system. Shortly after 10 p.m. the college issued a statement confirming the lockdown had been lifted and students were no longer required to shelter in place.

Are you interested in learning about homelessness in Kent County? These topics will be discussed Thursday, Jan. 22 at a community meeting hosted by The Shelter Alliance from 5 to 6 p.m. at Christ First United Methodist Church, 401 High St. in Chestertown. Also, the public will have an opportunity to meet the nonprofit’s Executive Director Kimrose Goodall as well as members of its board of directors. The Evening Enterprise reports according to a news release, Goodall will provide organizational updates and new board structure; vision and priorities for 2026, including a preview of the proposed year-round shelter; opportunities for involvement and board expansion; and announcement of a full-time position that is currently available.

Kenneth Bradley has filed an appeal after receiving a maximum life sentence without the possibility of parole last month for the murder and kidnapping of Tiyavauna Britt. The Star Democrat reports Bradley, 43, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus an additional 30 years on Dec. 19. In September, a jury found Bradley guilty of first-degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment and assault for beating the 31-year-old Britt to death at a Cambridge park on Feb. 7, 2024. Bradley’s attorney, Brian Zavin, said that it is too early to comment on the specific details of the planned appeal, but emphasized the focus is on protecting his client’s rights throughout the pr

Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s deputies took a report recently regarding suspected real estate fraud in Grasonville. The complainant advised he was contacted by an unknown subject who claimed to be a private landlord looking to rent his residence in Grasonville for $1,300 a month. The suspect persistently requested a $70 application fee prior to meeting in person. No money was exchanged. Contact was made with the homeowner who advised the home was for sale only and not being rented. She reported similar concerns and suspected her property had been falsely advertised. An on-site check of the property was conducted and revealed no signs of squatters or forced entry.

More than 9.2 million acres of land across the Chesapeake Bay watershed are now permanently protected from development, according to newly released data collected through 2024. WBOC reports the figures, released by partners with the Chesapeake Bay Program, show protected lands now account for about 23 percent of the watershed’s total land area. The milestone puts the region close to a long-standing conservation benchmark. While partners are expected to fall short of the original target set under the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, they’ve still achieved roughly 90 percent of the goal, conserving about 1.8 million additional acres between 2010 and 2024, a 21 percent increase, according to the Chesapeake Bay Program.

ShoreRivers is accepting applications from college students and recent graduates for two Easton-based summer internships, the Elizabeth Brown Memorial Internship and a communications internship. The Evening Enterprise reports the application deadline for both internships is the end of January. The Elizabeth Brown Memorial intern will gain experience in a variety of activities including restoration, scientific water quality monitoring, outreach and enforcement, while the communications intern will focus on organizational communication, public relations and event promotion.

Public concern deepened at the January 13 Oxford Commissioners meeting as town officials laid out the circumstances that led to the condemnation of the Robert Morris Inn at 314 North Morris Street, and residents warned that delays could result in permanent damage to one of Oxford’s most historic buildings. According to the Talbot Spy, Town Manager Holly Wahl, in her report to the council (video highlight), said the town had been tracking worsening conditions at the property for months after repeated property maintenance notices went unanswered. A town inspection found significant deterioration, including ceiling damage from ongoing water intrusion, pooled water on interior floors, visible staining, and peeling ceiling materials. No corrective action was taken by the property owner.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service is providing Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 55 volunteer fire departments in 17 counties across the state. The funded projects help volunteer fire companies enhance wildland fire protection in rural communities. The Evening Enterprise reports among the grant recipients are Galena Volunteer Fire Company in Kent County, which received $3,400 [of a total project cost of $6,800] and Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Company in Queen Anne’s County, which received $3,500 [of a total project cost of $10,547].