Easton
GOVERNMENT
Beloved school crossing guard retires after 54 years
EASTON — For 54 years, when school let out, Charles Jenkins worked his magic, directing traffic and ensuring Easton Middle School students walked home safely. Tuesday morning was unique, though, as the longtime crossing guard was honored for his last day on the job, waving to hundreds of cars, trucks and buses at the intersection of S. Washington Street and Peachblossom Road. “I’m gonna miss every bit of it because...
Talbot County Council balks at Route 662 closure
EASTON — The Talbot County Council advanced the prospects of a new hospital in Easton during its meeting Tuesday, passing a resolution to amend a development rights and responsibilities agreement. The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is preparing to build a new regional medical center off Longwoods Road, next to U.S. Route 50 and just north of the Easton Airport. However, as construction nears, the council heard for the first time of what could be a major road closure. ...
Trappe council, developers address questions
TRAPPE — Trappe residents recently used a Town Council meeting to voice concerns over fee increases. In the public comments during the meeting, town officials said residents offered misinformation about Lakeside that the council and Lakeside developers attempted to clear up. The public hearing was held during a June 5 meeting on Ordinance 3-2024, an ordinance to increase the monthly water and sewer fees. Many residents asked why there was...
Letter opposing Resolution 338 discussed during council meeting
EASTON – A letter by the town of Trappe and Trappe East Holdings Business Trust was sent to the Maryland Department of the Environment opposing Resolution 338, a resolution amending the Talbot County Comprehensive Water and Sewer Plan and requiring any future expansion of the new Lakeside wastewater treatment plant to be approved as an amendment to the comprehensive plan. Pete Lesher, vice president of the Talbot County Council, brought the 37-page letter to the council's attention and requested that it be discussed further on...
Oxford commissioners thank Lewis before her retirement as town manager
OXFORD — Applause broke out more than once in the meeting room of the Oxford Community Services Building Tuesday night as the Commissioners of Oxford thanked outgoing Town Manager Cheryl Lewis for her 12 years of service to the town. Lewis, who is retiring, was hired as town clerk in 2012 and was later promoted to town manager. June 30 will be her last day as a Town of Oxford employee. ...
Talbot County Council introduces capital project bills
EASTON — A long list of bills was read and introduced at the Talbot County Council’s meeting Tuesday evening, most including amendments to reappropriate fiscal year 2025 funds for capital projects around the county. In all, 21 pieces of legislation were introduced, some outlining improvements to county roads, bridges, St. Michaels’ branch of the Talbot County Free Library and Chapel District Elementary School. “This is exciting for the people out...
Darling Ingredients fined $15K for pollution violations
LINKWOOD — The Maryland Department of the Environment fined Darling Ingredients $15,000 for repeated pollution violations at its Linkwood facility. According to a news release from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, MDE inspections revealed 51 violations made between August 2023 and March 2024 by the owner of Valley Proteins, an animal waste rendering facility in Dorchester County that processes poultry byproducts. The company violated a requirement that it must leave at...
CWDI, YMCA say there is no Cambridge Harbor deal after email hints at YMCA move
CAMBRIDGE — Although a June 7 email sent by the YMCA of the Chesapeake made people think the organization had reached a deal with Cambridge Waterfront Development Inc. to build a new YMCA on the Cambridge Harbor site, both CWDI Executive Director Matt Leonard and YMCA of the Chesapeake CEO Robbie Gill confirmed Tuesday that there is no deal. “There has not been talk of a deal with the YMCA,” Leonard said in an interview with the Star Democrat, adding that the two groups do...
Letter to Editor: Delmarva Pride Festival: Fun, Food, Support and Free Advice
The four-day Delmarva Pride Festival, running Thursday through Sunday, June 13-16, got a huge publicity lift at the last Easton Town Council meeting on June 3 with an outpouring of support for the local LGBT+ community from ordinary tax-paying residents who were upset about comments by two members of the council at its previous meeting. (Video is still posted on talbotspy.org).
Juneteenth Heralding Heroes program honors Dorchester County's 563 Black men of the Civil War Black Men in Blue Civil War Veterans
While serving on the Nanticoke Historic Preservation Alliance or "Handsell" Board, Betsy Malkus felt greatly honored to work with and help research the family history roots of the late Shirley Jackson, "one of Dorchester's true treasures," Malkus said. Jackson's family tree had already been traced to an ancestor who had been enslaved at the Handsell plantation. While looking at her tree, Malkus spotted ancestors who had served in the Civil War. Her knowledge of that topic was limited, but Malkus promised Jackson that she would continue searching to find any ancestors who had served.
Two candidates run for Oxford commission seat
OXFORD — Two candidates will vie for the open Commissioners of Oxford seat in the town’s election on June 18. Candidates Norm Bell and Josh Coder are running to fill the seat of Commissioner Susan Delean-Botkin’s, whose term is expiring. Delean-Botkin, who did not seek re-election, was appointed to the commission seat in June 2023 following the resignation of former Commissioner Brian Wells. The person elected to the position will...
Regional Detention Center on track for Church Hill location
The proposed Center which would support Caroline, Kent and Queen Anne’s County, is planned to be located at the former Eastern Pre-Release Unit site at 700 Flat Iron Square Road near Church Hill. The project includes a significant investment for renovations and expansions, with a proposed budget allocation of $12.5 million for FY2024. Additional funding projections include $20.6 million in 2025 and $1.2 million in 2026, focusing on updated medical facilities, specialized housing, and enhanced inmate services. ...
FEMA grants city $1.7 million for flood mitigation project
CAMBRIDGE — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded the City of Cambridge $1.7 million for a flood mitigation project along the shore of the Choptank River. According to a news release from the city, the "Make Cambridge Resilient Flood Mitigation Project" will stretch from west of city limits, near Gerry Boyle Park at Great Marsh, to the mouth of Cambridge Creek. The project will create a flood barrier along...
Caroline Board of Education recognizes student representatives
DENTON — The Caroline County Board of Education recognized Vanessa Odidika and Kadeen Belle as Student Board Representatives for the 2024-2025 school year. Derek Simmons, superintendent of schools for Caroline County, described Odidika and Belle as outstanding students and said the board was excited to have their input on future decisions. Each year, both Caroline County high schools select a student board representative who will serve their schools and their...
Centreville cottage community ordinance rescinded, barely
What's Going There in Delaware is Delaware Online/The News Journal's development newsletter, tracking what's coming to the First State. If you like what you’re reading, tell your friends it’s free to sign up here. Email tips, questions and brilliant story ideas to Matthew Korfhage at mkorfhage@delawareonline.com. Centreville cottage community ordinance rescinded... barely ...
Oxford Election Profiles: Norm Bell
One of the two candidates running for Oxford agreed to participate in our election profile project for the upcoming election for the open Town Council Commissioner seat. Norm Bell agreed to our format, which, for more than a decade, has been our special way to help inform the community about each candidate’s qualifications, background, and priorities. His opponent, Josh Coder, in an email to the Spy, said that he would “politely decline as my schedule is too busy.”
Grasonville Health Services aims to meet range of opioid related treatment needs
GRASONVILLE — Grasonville Health Services celebrated their grand opening this month with a vendor fair featuring other local services in the area. Clinic sponsor, Moshe Markowitz explained, “We have been welcomed with open arms here in Queen Anne’s County! There is nothing like this supporting the local community.” The Program’s mission is to provide a range of treatment services to adults residing in Queen Anne’s County and surrounding counties, whose health and well-being has been impacted by the use of drugs. “It’s a service that...
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