Earlier this year, Queen Anne’s County Animal Control responded to a home in Centreville for a report of a dog going after a neighbor’s chickens. That call led to a criminal case that has now ended with a local man going to jail. When the animal control officer arrived, they found a brown and white pit bull that was severely underweight, so much so that its ribs, spine and hip bones could be seen. The officer then launched an investigation into who was caring for the dog. That led to John Forbes, who said he was the one taking care of the dog. Forbes told the officer he was only watching the dog for a friend and agreed to give the dog up to the animal shelter. Last month Forbes was found guilty of one count of animal cruelty, and was sentenced to 20 days at the Queen Anne’s County Detention Center. Those 20 days are active jail time, meaning he will serve them behind bars. Forbes will also be placed on probation once he is released during which time he is not allowed to own or have animals of any kind. Assistant State’s Attorney Caitlin Taylor prosecuted the case for the Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.  

Beginning January 1, 2027, drivers who pull a trailer on Maryland toll roads will see a change in how tolls are collected. The Maryland Transportation Authority will begin using pictures of the rear license plate on towed trailers and semitrailers to make sure tolls get paid. The MDTA says this is not a new toll, and rivers will not be charged twice for the same trip. The change comes from a new law passed during the 2026 General Session which allows the MDTA to bill the registered owner of a towed trailer or semitrailer by using a picture of the trailer’s rear plate. There is one important condition: the trailer’s plate will only be used if the cameras cannot get a picture of the front or rear plate on the vehicle doing the towing. The new law does not change Maryland toll rates which are still set by the number of axles on a vehicle.