Early Monday morning, a vehicle fire was reported in the area of Hickory Hill Road and Guard Road in Federalsburg.  A passerby found the burned SUV while on a rural dirt road.  The vehicle was a 2026 Infinity GX-60 crossover SUV, reportedly stolen in Baltimore County. It is considered a total loss, with damage estimated at $50,000.  Investigators say the fire started inside the passenger compartment. The preliminary cause is listed as incendiary. The Upper Eastern Regional Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal is investigating this incident. Anyone with information is asked to call the office at 410-819-3500. 

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration has started resurfacing part of westbound US 50 in which covers 2.5 miles of Ocean Gateway in Trappe.  Crews will mill and pave the road and also add new striping, new reflective pavement markings, and edge line rumble strips. All of the work is on the westbound side.  Drivers should expect single lane closures between 9AM and 6PM, Monday through Friday, depending on weather.  The project is expected to be completed by mid-November. Drivers who use this stretch of US 50 should plan a little extra time, and also follow all posted speed limits in the work zone.   

Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman wants the state’s electric companies to pass a large tax refund on to their customers. The refund is expected to be more than $250 million.  Lierman made the request last week, at the Maryland Board of Revenue Estimates meeting. Her comments follow a ruling made by the Supreme Court of Maryland in July.   In the case, the court ruled that some of the equipment electric companies use to move and deliver power qualifies for Maryland’s sales and use tax exemption.  Because of that ruling,  refunds must be made to the energy companies.  It is not yet clear if or when the energy companies will issue any credits to customers.