WCTR News

A day-long law enforcement operation on Flatland Road ended peacefully Friday when a man experiencing a mental health crisis surrendered after firing multiple gunshots and prompting widespread community response.
The incident began around 5:45 a.m. March 28, when Chestertown Police Department and Kent County Sheriff’s Office responded to shots fired in the 100 block of Flatland Road. Witnesses, including neighbor Todd Hughes, reported hearing gunshots around 5 a.m., followed by someone knocking on a nearby door.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., the subject voluntarily exited the residence and surrendered without incident. He was taken into custody and transported to a local medical facility for a mental health evaluation. Criminal charges are pending, Chestertown Police Chief Ron Dixon, lead agency on the incident, said.

A single-alarm fire broke out at a two-story, wood-frame, single-family dwelling located in the 5400 block of Eastern Neck Road in Rock Hall, Kent County, Maryland. The fire inflicted an estimated $30,000 in damage to the structure and its contents. The incident, reported at approximately 6:30 PM, was discovered by the homeowner. The fire originated in the interior first-floor kitchen, with preliminary investigations indicating the cause as accidental due to unattended cooking.

Will Kent County police cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement when and if they call? More specifically, will they participate in the 287(g) program, which allows local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with ICE to detain immigrants?
Kent County Sheriff Dennis Hickman acknowledges this is a complicated issue, based on recommendations from the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office. A 2018 guidance memorandum states that law enforcement agencies can cooperate, but are not required to do so and could be liable in certain situations.

Household hazardous waste drop-off, electronics recycling and latex paint collection are scheduled for Saturday, April 5 at the Nicholson Drop-off Center. Hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, at 23750 Larney Nick Road, near Chestertown. Maryland Environmental Service is the host. The event is only for residents of Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties. There is no charge. This event is specifically for household wastes that are toxic, corrosive, ignitable or reactive. There is a limit of 20 gallons or 250 pounds of acceptable waste per residence.

In an effort to streamline costs and increase efficiency, Kent County officials have brokered a deal to share soil between two major construction projects underway in Millington — the $16 million wastewater treatment plant and the Millington Senior Village housing development. Both projects require major earthwork: the housing development needs fill to elevate the site, while soil must be removed from the future treatment plant property to lower it to the correct grade. County officials saw an opportunity to save taxpayer money by using the excavated soil from one site to supply the other.

Kent County High School Principal Kris Hemstetter has been named Principal of the Year by the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals in collaboration with the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Chris Truffer, executive director of the Maryland Association, was on hand to present the award to Hemstetter, noting that out of 255 high schools in Maryland, she was the Principal of the Year for the state. She is now in the running for the National Middle Level and High School Principals of the Year awards.

Washington College’s Starr Center for the Study of the American Experience has been awarded $257,000 in grants to begin historic preservation and climate resiliency work on the c. 1746 riverfront Custom House Chestertown, MD. Originally a colonial private home and business, with powerful connections to African American history, the building is home to the Starr Center, which now, in its 25th year, provides a wealth of programs exploring American history in all its complexities.

37 year old Troy Michael Sellman of Queenstown, has been added to the Queen Anne’s County Animal Abuse Registry after pleading guilty to animal abuse charges, according to Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney Lance Richardson. Sellman entered a guilty plea in Queen Anne’s County District Court on Nov. 24, 2024, for failing to provide proper shelter for a Cane Corso dog, violating Maryland Criminal Law Article 10-604, Richardson said. The offense is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

Last week, deputies from the Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence in the 400 block of Melvin Avenue in Grasonville in connection with an on-going assault investigation. During the operation, deputies encountered and secured 18-year-old Ryan Bless.
While searching the residence, Deputies located a loaded shotgun. Bless was arrested and charged with possession of a rifle/ shotgun as a disqualified person, as well as illegal possession of ammunition.
Bless was processed, held without bond, and transported to the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center.

Queen Anne’s County is kicking off the Fiscal Year 2026 budget process, emphasizing transparency and community involvement. The County Administrator will present the proposed budget to the County Commissioners on March 25, launching a series of public work sessions and discussions. Residents are encouraged to follow along and engage in the process. Upcoming Budget Work Sessions include:
March 27, 5:00 PM, April 1, 5:00 PM and April 10, 5:00 PM.