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A Chestertown man charged with multiple counts of malicious destruction of property stemming from a New Year’s Day window- and door-shattering spree on South Cross Street now has a preliminary hearing February 7th in Kent County District court. 32 year old Brandon Phillips is accused of damaging the front window at Empty Hangers consignment shop, the glass door and alarm system at Boyer’s Jewelers and the front window at Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company, all in the 100-block of S. Cross Street. He also allegedly destroyed two flag poles at Sultana Education Foundation located at 200 S. Cross St.

A staff report from the Chestertown Town Manager to the Mayor and Town Council, originally proposed for the (postponed) January 2, 2025 town council meeting, will now be submitted to the town council at their January 13, 2025 meeting. According to the Chestertown Spy it defines past and current initiatives, and states that the town will provide weekly updates through its website

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.