WCTR News

A two to two vote prevented the passing of an ordinance that would ban single use plastic bags in Queen Anne’s County. The Bay Times and Record Observer rports at the May 27 meeting, Commissioners Jim Moran and Phil Dumenil voted in favor of the ban while Commissioner Patrick McLaughlin and Chair Chris Corchiarino voted against. With the absence of Commissioner Jack Wilson, there was no tie-break vote cast. According to county regulations, when votes are taken by a quorum of commissioners, a tie fails to pass.

The Talbot County Sheriff’s Office recently investigated a domestic assault, which took place in Easton. Deputies were dispatched to the 25000 block of Royal Oak Road, where they found a victim with visible injuries consistent with an assault. The suspect, identified as Richard Traver Dunkerly Jr., a 27-year-old resident of Centreville had fled the scene before authorities arrived. Dunkerly was located, apprehended and subsequently handed over to Talbot County deputies. He was charged with both first- and second-degree assault.

Galena Mayor John Carroll, the immediate past president of the Maryland Municipal League, is the invited speaker for the June 19 meeting of the Democratic Club of Kent County. The Evening Enterprise reports the public is invited. According to a news release, Carroll will talk about his travels across the state visiting every incorporated municipality in Maryland. He will discuss what a municipality is, why historically municipalities were incorporated, and why they are centers of growth, jobs and community.

Sunday, a structure fire occurred at a two-story mixed-use property located in the 100 block of N. Main Street in Galena. The incident took place at approximately 12:47 P.M. and was discovered by the building’s occupants. The primary responding fire department was the Galena Volunteer Fire Company, which dispatched 25 firefighters to the scene, with the assistance from surrounding fire departments
The fire originated from the exterior balcony on the second floor of the building. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Kyri De’Sean Brown, 32, of Chestertown is charged with robbery; theft, $1,500 to less than $25,000; and second-degree assault, stemming from an alleged incident at about 11 p.m. April 17 in the 300-block of Washington Avenue. The victim, identified as a Washington College student, reported that he was assaulted and robbed of his backpack as he was walking to campus from the downtown area of Chestertown.
According to the charging document, the backpack contained a laptop valued at $1,600; earbuds valued at $120; a camera and multiple lenses valued at $5,280; eyeglasses; and an EpiPen.

Update on a story we told you about last week; Chestertown Police apprehended a Fairlee area man suspected of robbing the clerk of a convenience store at knifepoint the night before. Nytre Nickael Green, 24, was served an arrest warrant charging him with robbery; armed robbery; first- and second-degree assault; and theft, $100 to less than $1,500. He is being held in the Kent County Detention Center without bond.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 2 in the District Court for Kent County.

The Chestertown Town Council passed its budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 at a regularly scheduled meeting this week totaling more than $6 million. The new budget includes a slight increase in revenue, rising from $4,848,243 in FY25 to $4,936,182 in FY26. However, expenditures will also rise, from $3,673,365 to $4,745,809, reports the Kent County News. The budget maintains key allocations for public safety, including fire and EMS, and law enforcement, which will receive $1.9 million. Public works, which covers highways and streets, will receive $1.1 million.

The Chestertown Police Department is investigating a robbery that occurred at the 7-Eleven convenience store, located at 212 Maple Avenue, on the night of June 4. Kent County News reports at approximately 11:23 p.m., officers responded to the scene after the on-duty clerk reported a Black male entered the store and engaged in conversation with the clerk. The suspect then walked behind the counter, brandished a knife, and threatened the clerk. He forced the clerk to open the cash register and stole an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing the store in an unknown direction. The suspect has been identified through investigative efforts, and criminal charges have been filed.

The RiverArts Clay Community will host its annual Empty Bowls event on Saturday, June 14, to support the Kent County Food Pantry. From 8 a.m. to noon at the Chestertown Farmers’ Market, unique, handmade bowls will be available for $20. A donation drop box for canned or boxed food will also be on-site. All proceeds, including both monetary donations and food items, will benefit the Kent County Food Pantry. Kent County News reports those wishing to contribute a handmade bowl for the fundraiser may drop it off at the RiverArts Clay Studio, located at 204 High Street, open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Police Chief Ron Dixon has extended an open invitation to Chestertown residents to discuss their concerns about crime in the area and share ideas on how to make the community safer. The Evening Enterprise reports what Dixon is calling a “community conversation” is set for Thursday, June 5 in town hall, 118 N. Cross St., beginning at 6 p.m. Lt. Steve Linz of the Chestertown Police Department also will be there, as well as Kent County Sheriff Dennis Hickman.