​Students and staff in both Queen Anne’s and Caroline County Public Schools will now attend a full day of classes on Monday, February 16 (Presidents Day).

School officials say the change was approved as part of calendar adjustments due to recent weather-related closures. Using the holiday as a make-up day will help both districts meet the required number of instructional days without extending the school year further into June.
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Students and staff should plan to follow their normal schedules and attendance requirements that day.

Students at Queen Anne’s County High School are gaining real-world emergency response experience through the school’s long-running Homeland Security program, which features hands-on simulations and training designed to prepare them for careers in public safety and national security.

Instructor Jason Woodward said the multi-year program includes four courses, ranging from introductory homeland security concepts to advanced research and a senior capstone. The track was created to give students interested in the military, law enforcement or emergency services a practical pathway after graduation.
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Now in its 12th year, the program regularly graduates more than 20 students annually and is considered one of the most popular offerings in the district’s Career and Technology Education program.

Students take part in realistic, scenario-based exercises similar to those used by emergency management and law enforcement agencies. Through a partnership with the Queen Anne’s County Department of Emergency Services, students get up-close experience with equipment and learn from professionals working in the field.

Training includes Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) instruction, Stop the Bleed techniques, improvised first aid, fire suppression and other bystander response skills.

Emergency Services Director Scott Haas said the exercises help students build teamwork, problem-solving and decision-making skills while preparing them to respond confidently in emergencies.

Both Woodward and Haas say the goal is to create a culture of preparedness and give students the knowledge and confidence to help themselves and others when seconds matter most.

The Church Hill Volunteer Fire Department recognized member achievements and installed new officers during its annual banquet Jan. 3, celebrating another year of service to the community.

Brett VanZant received life membership for 20 years of service. Tyler Meekins and Catherine King were honored for 10 years, and Kevin Grinder for five years. Ladies Auxiliary members Jane Jensen, Alice Collins and Peggy DeMoss were also recognized for their years of service.

Michael Campbell was named Firefighter of the Year and received the training award, while Cameron Hurlock earned Young Firefighter of the Year and Top Responder honors with 230 calls. Other awards recognized Kevin Grinder, Joseph Grinder, Mike Carroll Jr., Ty Nelson-Smith and Francis Jester for their contributions.

The department responded to 439 calls in 2025.

New officers were installed for 2026, with Tyler Williams serving as president and Steve Hurlock as fire chief.
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The Town of Church Hill presented the fire company with a $10,000 donation and the Ladies Auxiliary with $2,000. The auxiliary also raised $7,500 for new scene lighting and gas detection equipment. Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company provided coverage during the event.

​The Queen Anne’s County Board of Education has unanimously appointed Dr. Matthew Kibler as the next superintendent of Queen Anne’s County Public Schools.

The decision was made during the board’s February 4th meeting. Dr. Kibler will begin a four-year term starting July 1, 2026.

Dr. Kibler has served as interim superintendent since June 2025, leading the district through ongoing efforts to strengthen student achievement, improve operations, and increase community engagement. Before stepping into the interim role, he served as assistant superintendent and director of accountability and implementation, helping guide the local rollout of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

Board of Education President Alexis Capes praised Kibler’s leadership and collaboration with families, staff, and the community, saying his approach will help move the school system forward.

Prior to joining the district, Kibler spent nine years at Washington College in Chestertown, most recently as assistant vice president for institutional effectiveness and analytics. He began his career as a high school math teacher.

Kibler holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Wilmington University, a master’s degree in applied statistics from Penn State, and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Washington College.

In a statement, Kibler said he is honored by the board’s confidence and looks forward to continuing to work with students, families, and staff to support success across the district.
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Kibler and his family live in Church Hill, where his two sons attend Queen Anne’s County Public Schools.

​The Maryland Transportation Authority has announced a series of public hearings for the Chesapeake Bay Crossing Study, giving residents an opportunity to review plans for a new Bay Bridge crossing and provide public input.

The hearings, scheduled for February 2026, will focus on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the agency’s recommended preferred option, known as Alternative C, which was announced in December. The Federal Highway Administration is expected to issue a final decision in Fall 2026 after reviewing public and agency comments.

One of the in-person hearings will be held in Queen Anne’s County on Thursday, February 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Kent Island High School. An open house will begin at 5 p.m., followed by live public testimony starting at 6 p.m. A virtual public hearing will also be held on February 9, with another in-person session scheduled in Anne Arundel County on February 10.

The recommended alternative includes construction of two new four-lane bridge spans across the Chesapeake Bay, removal of the existing Bay Bridge spans, widening portions of U.S. 50/301 near the bridge approaches, and potential transit improvements. An optional bicycle and pedestrian shared-use path is also being evaluated.

Residents can review the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and register to provide testimony at baycrossingstudy.com. Public comments will be accepted through March 9, 2026, and may be submitted online, by mail, email, phone, or during the hearings.
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Officials say all public input will be considered as part of the final environmental review and decision-making process.

County officials say Queen Anne’s County continues to make progress expanding high-speed internet access to unserved and underserved areas.

An update on the effort was presented at the recent 2026 Economic Outlook event by Megan DelGaudio, IT Support Manager for Queen Anne’s County. Officials say the county has worked with state and federal partners, internet service providers, and local stakeholders to close connectivity gaps since adopting its Broadband Strategic Plan.

More than $7.8 million has been invested in broadband infrastructure within the county, including county, state, federal, and private provider funding. Officials noted this total does not include an additional $3.6 million regional investment through partnerships with Choptank Electric Cooperative and the State of Maryland that also benefited parts of Queen Anne’s, Caroline, and Somerset counties.

Several broadband projects are currently in various stages of construction and permitting. County leaders say coverage maps show approximate service areas and will continue to be updated as projects move forward.

Residents are encouraged to help identify remaining unserved locations by checking their address on the Federal Communications Commission National Broadband Map. Officials also point to assistance options such as the Long Driveway Grant, which may help offset connection costs for homes far from existing infrastructure.
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More information is available through the county’s Broadband Advisory Council, and residents with questions are encouraged to contact [email protected]

​A spring election will be held to fill the seat of Sudlersville Town Commissioner Keith Griffith, who was charged in December with multiple offenses related to an alleged theft scheme.

The missing funds were discovered during an audit conducted as part of Queen Anne’s County’s acquisition of the Town of Sudlersville’s water and sewer system.

According to Town Clerk Faith Rossing, the town’s attorney, Lance Young of the MacLeod Law Group, reviewed the Sudlersville town charter and determined that it does not provide a mechanism to remove a sitting commissioner from office.

Young said Griffith’s term is scheduled to end this spring, at which time an election will be held to fill the position. Town commissioners serve three-year terms.
Minutes from the November meeting of the Sudlersville Town Commission indicate that Griffith stepped down as commission president, citing work-related pressures, and nominated Commissioner E.T. Kimble to serve as president for the remainder of the term. The motion was approved, with Kimble abstaining, and Kimble presided over the remainder of the meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Sudlersville Town Commissioners is scheduled for February 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Town Hall, located at 200 South Church Street. A work session focused on budget discussions is also scheduled for January 21 at 6:30 p.m.

Town officials also addressed recent rumors regarding potential development in Sudlersville, stating that no formal or informal proposals related to a Dollar General store have been submitted to either the Town Commissioners or the Planning Commission.
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The Sudlersville Town Commissioners meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., and the Planning Commission meets on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

T​he Maryland Farm Bureau testified Tuesday, January 21, before the Maryland House Environment and Transportation Committee, outlining major challenges currently facing agriculture across the state.

Testifying on behalf of the Farm Bureau was Kimmi Lyons, a Harford County cattle farmer and member of the organization’s board of directors. Lyons told lawmakers that while agriculture plays a vital role in feeding communities, preserving open space, and supporting Maryland’s economy, farmers are facing increasing financial and regulatory pressures.

Among the key issues raised were the need for consistent funding for cover crop programs and the Maryland Agricultural Cost-Share Program, which help improve soil health, protect water quality, and support Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts.

Lyons also highlighted concerns over land preservation, noting that demand for the Maryland Agricultural Land Preservation Foundation continues to exceed available funding, putting productive farmland at risk of being lost to development.

Other priorities included balancing the state’s renewable energy goals with food security, with concerns raised about large-scale solar projects being built on limited farmland, and strengthening wildlife management tools to address crop damage caused by growing deer populations.

The hearing was chaired by Marc Korman and Vice Chair Michele Guyton. Additional testimony was provided by representatives from the Delmarva Chicken Association, Horizon Farm Credit, the Maryland Grain Producers Association, and the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts.
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The Maryland Farm Bureau says it will continue working with state lawmakers throughout the 2026 legislative session to advocate for policies that support the long-term viability of Maryland’s farming industry.