The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is seeking public comment on proposed regulations that would restrict the collection, possession and trade of native reptiles and amphibians.  The changes are intended to address conservation concerns, including pressure from collection, disease transmission and illegal trade. The regulations would apply to species native to Maryland, including diamondback terrapins, box turtles, most native snakes and frogs.  Under the proposal, collecting these animals from the wild would be prohibited. Possession, breeding, sale and trade also would be restricted without a special permit.  The public can review the proposed regulations and submit comments online at dnr.maryland.gov, by phone at 410-260-8540, by fax at 410-260-8596 or by mail to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service, 580 Taylor Ave., E-1, Annapolis, MD 21401 through November 27th. 

Last weekend, the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 11000 block of Holly Road in Ridgely, for a reported burglary.  A Cambridge man is now facing eight charges in the case, including Home Invasion.  The resident of the home, who was not there at the time, called police and said a man who was known to her had broken a window and gotten in the home, that a family member was in the home,  and she believed the man might still be there.  When deputies got to the home, they searched and found the man lying on a bed in an upstairs bedroom.  He was taken into custody and brought in for processing where he was later identified as Donald Hill, 45, of Cambridge.  Hill is charged with home invasion, third-degree burglary, malicious destruction of property, reckless endangerment, as well as assault, resisting arrest, intoxicated endangerment, and failure to obey a lawful order.  Hill went before a District Court Commissioner, who ordered him held without bond.