WCTR News

Dr. Bryan Matthews ’75 has been appointed as Interim President of Washington College. After graduating and working in a number of positions outside the school, e returned to Washington College in 1994 as Director of Athletics, and over the following two decades, he served in a variety of leadership roles, including Associate Vice President for Administrative Services, Assistant to the President for Special Projects, and Interim Vice President for Student Affairs (2004–2006). His tenure officially begins Tuesday.

The newly formed Citizens Connect will host its first meeting Monday, Aug. 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 914 Gateway Drive in Chestertown. The Evening Enterprise reports the topic will be whether Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge can survive federal budget cuts. The speakers will be Bill Burton and Bonnie Ford, president and vice president, respectively, of Friends of Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge
The public is invited.

Kent County Public Library invites residents to participate in One Maryland One Book, a Maryland Humanities program that brings together diverse communities across the state through shared reading experiences. Myeasternshoremd.com reports the 2025 selection is “Kin: Rooted in Hope” by Carole Boston Weatherford, which chronicles their family’s history from their earliest enslaved ancestors to the founding of Maryland, featuring the Chesapeake Bay, plantation life, Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.
Starting Aug. 18, free copies will be available at all Kent County Public Library locations on a first-come, first-served basis.

A zoning bill for cannabis facilities in Talbot County failed to pass Tuesday after months of consideration, sending the County Council back to square one. The Star Democrat reports since recreational cannabis was legalized in Maryland in 2023, local jurisdictions have been tasked with creating zoning regulations for different types of cannabis operations. Talbot County planners have worked nearly a year on drafting a cannabis processing and growing bill, outlining rules on setbacks from homes, odor mitigation and more.
On Tuesday, council members voted down two proposed amendments to the cannabis bill and, eventually, the bill itself.

Following lengthy discussion and community considerations, the Centreville town council announced intentions to demolish the old mill building at 2647 Centreville Road. The Bay Times and Record Observer reports presenting its findings of fact following a recent public hearing, the council on Aug. 7, identified the structure to be a dangerous building that poses a risk to public safety. Presenting the demolition order, the council stated the property owner has 10 days from the Aug. 7 meeting to demolish the building and in the event of failing to do so, the town may cause the structure to be demolished.

The initial public hearing on a proposed solar project in Betterton has been pushed back from next week to next month, according to the Public Service Commission. The developer proposes to build a 5-megawatt alternating current capacity community solar energy generating system using solar photovoltaic modules on single-axis racking with associated interconnection facilities in the town limits of Betterton. The initial public hearing which was to be a virtual meeting, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m., also a virtual meeting.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has launched a new mobile app aimed at providing outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and anglers with resources. WBOC reports the new mobile app, “MD Outdoors”, will replace the current “AccessDNR App”. Users are encouraged to uninstall the previous app because it will no longer be supported. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, MD Outdoors integrates a new and improved licensing system, allowing users to easily purchase hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and boat and off-road vehicle registration renewals.

A Grasonville woman is facing arson and fraud-related charges after investigators accused her of setting her own home on fire. WMDT reports on November 18th, 2024, fire crews responded to 311 Perrys Corner Road, finding smoke coming from the house. Firefighters were able to quickly douse the flames, which caused about $85,000 in damage. No smoke alarms were present. For months, investigators worked the case, concluding that the blaze was set intentionally. 40-year-old Appollonia K. Ryans was arrested Friday, and charged with nine crimes, including first- and second-degree arson, and attempted insurance fraud and theft.

A Church Hill woman was arrested for attempted kidnapping on the opening night of the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Fair in Centreville on Aug. 11. The Bay Times and Record Observer reports according to authorities, a family member and bystanders intervened to prevent the suspect from fleeing the scene before law enforcement arrived. Attendees, a family member of the child, bystanders, and 4-H Fair employees all played a key role in stopping the suspect and ensuring the child’s safety. The attempt was random, and the child was not known to the suspect. Witnesses identified 28 year old Alexandra Kay Dawson of Church Hill, as the primary suspect in the alleged kidnapping attempt.

A highlight of the Caroline-Dorchester Fair this year was the official opening and dedication of a much-needed building extension last week in the 4-H Park on Detour Road outside Denton. The Caroline Review reports local dignitaries cut the ribbon to open a 1,200-foot extension on the east end of the exhibit barn sponsored by Preston Automotive Group and Tri Gas and Oil.