Uncategorized

Kent County’s Local Management Board is seeking board members. The Evening Enterprise reports they serve three-year terms, with a maximum of two terms. To find out more, call 410-810-2673 or fill out the online form, www.kentcounty.com/committees/interestform. Successful applicants are approved by the Kent County Commissioners.

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a routine traffic stop for a significant speeding violation. The driver, Vontaye Lamonte Gilbert, was observed traveling at a speed well above the limit, 102 MPH in a posted 55 MPH zone. A K9 officer gave an alert and indicated a positive alert, suggesting the odor of an illegal substances.
The driver, Vontaye Lamonte Gilbert, aged 45, was released after being issued criminal and traffic citations.

A proposed ordinance regulating plastic bags in Queen Anne’s County drew community members to the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners on May 13 to voice their opinions. The Star Democrat reports if enacted, the county ordinance would require customers to bring their own bags to retail locations and prohibit establishments from providing plastic carryout bags. Additionally, it would impose a fee of at least 10 cents on each paper bag and reusable carryout bag provided to a customer. Environmental groups such as Queen Anne’s Conservation Association, ShoreRivers, Plastic Free QAC, and the Chesapeake Watershed Semester at the Gunston School highlighted the excess of plastic bags as a major source of litter and its detrimental effects on health, wildlife, and the environment.

Sky Abruzzo has been named the winner of the 2025 Sophie Kerr Prize, an annual literary award bestowed upon a graduating senior at Washington College. The Chestertown Spy reports the announcement was made at a ceremony this evening, following readings by six finalists. Now in its 58th year, the prize continues to be the nation’s largest literary award for a college student and totals more than the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award combined. This year’s prize totaled just over $74,000.

Local watermen along with numerous other charter boat associations from other East Coast states have filed a federal lawsuit against the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) over tightened restrictions on fishing for striped bass, or rockfish. WBOC reports plaintiffs in the lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, May 13, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, include the Delmarva Fisheries Association and associations from Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. Along with the ASMFC, the suit names numerous state and federal agencies as defendants.

Rock Hall’s mayor updates constituents on projects and improvements. Plans include upgraded administrative offices, flexible public meeting spaces, and welcoming areas for community events and engagement. The Town of Rock Hall Mayor & Council will conduct a Public Hearing on its “Comprehensive Plan: 2040” on Thursday, June 12, beginning at 6:00 pm. at the St. John’s Catholic Church Hall, 5621 South Main Street, in Rock Hall, Maryland.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal says a troubling social media trend is spreading through Maryland schools.
WBOC reports authorities say there have been multiple instances recently of what’s being called the “Chromebook Challenge.” They say students are putting pencils and other metallic objects into the charging ports of electronic devices. Its lead to sparks, smoke, and even fires, according to the fire marshal’s office, prompting emergency evacuations and disciplinary actions at schools.

Centreville Middle School teacher Thomas Hayman of Chestertown is a 2025 National History Day Teacher of the Year nominee. According to the Evening Enterprise, National History Day staff worked with local program staff to select up to one middle school teacher and one high school teacher to represent each affiliate for this award. In addition to celebrating outstanding history scholarship and innovative classroom instruction, the 2025 Teachers of the Year will receive a $5,000 cash prize.

A fire originating from roof-mounted solar panels damaged a two-story home in Chestertown last Friday. The Bay Times & Record Observer reports the Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company responded to a structure fire in the 22000 block of Great Oak Landing Road around 5:30 p.m. on May 2, finding flames visible from the roof area surrounding solar panels. First responders initially used garden hoses from the property and a neighboring home to combat the flames before additional units arrived. A second alarm was called due to staffing needs and the size of the house, bringing in additional resources including a tanker task force,.

A fire ravaged a two-story residence early Sunday morning in Church Hill, causing an estimated $810,000 in damages, reports the Bay Times & Record Observer. The blaze broke out shortly before 1 a.m. at 123 Walnut St. and took 53 firefighters approximately 90 minutes to control. According to the State Fire Marshal, the fire originated at the rear of the structure. Three adult occupants, identified as Stephen and Lisa Darley and one other resident, were displaced by the fire but escaped without injury after being alerted by functioning smoke alarms.