WCTR News

A Talbot County woman and her family made a record $25 million gift toward Easton’s in-construction medical center, University of Maryland Shore Regional Health announced Tuesday. The Star Democrat reports it’s the largest private donation in Shore Regional Health history and one of the largest ever across the statewide University of Maryland Medical System. The woman, who has requested to remain anonymous, was born over 90 years ago at the former Memorial Hospital in Easton.

Rock Hall has a full slate of events scheduled to mark July 4th. The fireworks display to be held on Thursday, July 3 at Rock Hall Harbor. The parade will be held in Rock Hall on Friday, July 4 at 10 a.m. to feature local bands. Join the celebration afterward for midway games, talent show, and other family-friendly activities. Also, the annual Waterman’s Day celebration takes place on July 6 from noon – 2 p.m., held at the Rock Hall Bulkhead.

Maryland’s Transportation Authority announced the best travel times for drivers crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge during the July Fourth travel period.

The following times are recommended for eastbound drivers:

Wednesday before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
Thursday before 7 a.m. or after 8 p.m.
Friday before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Saturday before 8 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Sunday before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Monday before 12 p.m. or after 7 p.m.
The following times are recommended for westbound drivers:

Wednesday before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Thursday before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Friday before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Saturday before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
Sunday before 9 a.m. or after 10 p.m.
Monday before 6 a.m. or after 4 p.m.
Those traveling the bridge outside of recommended times should expect significant delays, according to MDTA.

Queen Anne’s County Public Schools started running its own in-house food service program in July 2024, meaning it no longer contracts with an outside company. Despite running a deficit in its first year, the program is expanding and aiming to feed more students through improved offerings and new initiatives. Food Services Coordinator Julie Hickey highlighted program details, expansions and budget expectation to the Board of Education June 18. Myeasternshoremd.com reports the food service program serves nutritious, affordable meals for nutritional standards and promotes healthy eating habits.

The Town of Chestertown, in partnership with Washington College, will soon add composting — the natural process of recycling organic matter into fertilizer — to its services for residents. Jenny Lee Freebery, chair of the Chestertown Environmental Committee, announced the project during a March town council meeting. Between the Chestertown Armory and the Semans-Griswold Environmental Hall at Washington College, 485 S. Cross St., two 95-gallon bins will be placed, courtesy of Shore Soils, a composting company in Stevensville.

ShoreRivers’ swimmable bacteria testing program is underway, with weekly results available in both English and Spanish. Every summer, ShoreRivers deploys a team of community scientists to monitor bacteria levels at popular swimming and boating sites to provide important human health risk information to the public.
The samples are then processed, using standard scientific protocols, in ShoreRivers’ in-house labs.
Results are posted every Friday, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, at shorerivers.org/swim

The Town of Chestertown, in partnership with Washington College, will soon add composting — the natural process of recycling organic matter into fertilizer — to its services for residents. Jenny Lee Freebery, chair of the Chestertown Environmental Committee, announced the project during a March town council meeting. Between the Chestertown Armory and the Semans-Griswold Environmental Hall at Washington College, 485 S. Cross St., two 95-gallon bins will be placed, courtesy of Shore Soils, a composting company in Stevensville owned

An application for a 365-unit residential development near the in-construction regional medical center in Easton has been submitted to the town’s Planning Commission for review, though it’s drawing criticism from some town and county officials. The Star Democrat reports the project, Fox Chase Estates, is proposed on 112 acres of land off of Airport Road nestled within the Easton Technology Center. Developers are seeking town approval through Easton’s planned unit development process, which would allow the homes to be built on the commercial-zoned land.

Heather Tarr, 30, from Arnold, Maryland, has been arrested and charged in connection with a theft scheme at the Target store in Stevensville. The total value of the reported thefts exceeds $4,500. On June 18, at approximately 3:48 p.m., Deputy Meehan responded to a report of theft at the Stevensville, Maryland, Target. Dispatch informed him that the suspect had left the store and was seated in a vehicle in the parking lot. Tarr was allegedly found with about $500 worth of stolen goods, but that other thefts of the same store in May by Tarr had netted about $4,500 in stolen goods.

With a major heat wave the past few days, Maryland’s new heat safety standards for workers are being put to the test, including in Easton. Dustin Otto, construction division manager for the Town of Easton, helped create a health safety and prevention plan for Easton’s public works employees. It outlines the steps the town will take to protect its outdoor workers during periods of extreme heat, incorporating the state’s new standards.