​Queen Anne’s County Commissioners have released the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, highlighting investments in education, public safety, infrastructure, and community services while also lowering the county property tax rate.

The proposed operating budget totals approximately $230.9 million, with an additional $63.5 million planned for capital projects.

One of the major highlights includes a proposed reduction in the county real property tax rate to 80 cents per $100 of assessed value. County officials say that would make it the lowest property tax rate in Maryland.

Education funding makes up the largest portion of the budget, with approximately $91.4 million allocated to Queen Anne’s County Public Schools. Officials say that amount is nearly $9 million above the state-required maintenance of effort funding level.

The budget also includes funding for a new EMS crew to support emergency response services, along with investments in road projects, school upgrades, parks, libraries, public housing, and county facilities.

Capital funding will also continue planning and design work for a new Centreville Middle School.

County leaders say the budget reflects continued fiscal stability, noting Queen Anne’s County remains one of only six counties in Maryland — and the only rural county — to maintain a triple-AAA bond rating.

Residents can review the full proposed budget online at qacbudget.org.

Public information sessions are scheduled for:

May 18 at the Kent Island Library
May 19 at the Liberty Building in Centreville
May 20 at Sudlersville Middle School

All meetings begin at 7 p.m. and will include opportunities for public comment.

County Commissioners are expected to consider final adoption of the budget in June.

​Queen Anne’s County Commissioners have approved the installation of speed monitoring cameras in several school zones after officials reported hundreds of speeding violations in a single day.

The cameras will be placed near:

Grasonville Elementary School
Kent Island Elementary School
Matapeake Middle School
Kent Island High School

According to the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, the locations were selected due to ongoing concerns about speeding and unsafe driving in heavily traveled school areas.

Officials say speed trailers recorded more than 667 violations over a recent 24-hour period involving drivers traveling at least 12 miles per hour over the posted speed limit.

The highest speed recorded near Matapeake schools was 89 miles per hour in a 40 mph zone. Near Kent Island High School, the top recorded speed was 82 mph in a 40 mph zone.

County officials say the goal of the program is to slow drivers down and improve safety for students, families, pedestrians, and school staff.

For the first 30 days after activation, warning notices — not fines — will be issued to drivers. Officials also plan to publicize the changes ahead of enforcement through signs, social media, and community outreach.

The cameras can operate during school hours Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Installation is expected to take at least 180 days, with vendors still being selected.

County officials also say they are exploring possible red-light cameras at certain intersections to help reduce crashes.

​Several projects in Queen Anne’s County are set to receive federal funding as part of a larger infrastructure package announced by Maryland Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks.

The funding is included in the fiscal year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill and supports transportation, infrastructure, and economic development projects across Maryland.

Among the local projects, more than $1.4 million has been allocated for the Thompson Creek Connector Road and Trail Extension project in Stevensville. The project includes plans for a new roadway and a pedestrian and bicycle trail along Route 8 aimed at improving traffic flow near the Route 50/301 interchange.

An additional $8 million will go toward upgrades to freight rail lines serving Kent and Queen Anne’s counties. Officials say improvements to the Centreville and Chestertown rail lines are expected to support local businesses while helping reduce truck traffic on area roads.

The Eastern Shore also received funding for other transportation projects, including improvements to Easton’s Rails to Trails system in Talbot County.
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Overall, nearly $69.5 million in federal funding was announced for dozens of projects statewide.

​Governor Wes Moore and Maryland State Police leaders joined families, troopers, and fire marshals Tuesday to honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty during the annual Maryland State Police Fallen Heroes Ceremony.

The ceremony, held at Maryland State Police Headquarters in Pikesville, recognized 43 state troopers, two troopers killed while serving in World War II, and one deputy state fire marshal who died while serving Maryland.

Governor Moore praised the fallen heroes for their sacrifice and service, while Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Michael A. Jackson said the ceremony honors the courage and dedication of those who answered the call to serve others.

Family members of the fallen, along with active and retired state troopers, civilian employees, and deputy state fire marshals, attended the event.
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The ceremony took place at the Maryland State Police Memorial Garden, which features monuments dedicated to troopers and fire marshals who died in the line of duty. The memorial honors those who gave their lives protecting and serving communities across Maryland.

​A house fire in Caroline County Friday afternoon displaced three people, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

Firefighters were called around 1:51 p.m. to a home in the 12000 block of Oakland Road in Ridgely. Crews from the Ridgely Volunteer Fire Department responded with 43 firefighters and brought the fire under control in about 45 minutes.

Officials say the fire started on the exterior of an attached garage at the one-story home. The exact cause remains under investigation.
No injuries were reported.

The fire caused an estimated $80,000 in damage to the structure and its contents.

Smoke alarms were present and activated, and additional alarms were provided to the occupants following the incident.
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The three displaced residents are being assisted by the American Red Cross.

​More than 180 high school students from Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties recently took part in a Hiring Fair aimed at connecting them with real-world job and career opportunities.

The event, held at the Centreville YMCA, brought together more than 60 local businesses and organizations offering information on part-time and full-time jobs, summer employment, and post-graduation pathways.

The hiring fair was made possible through a partnership between Queen Anne’s County Public Schools, Talbot County Public Schools, Queen Anne’s County Economic and Tourism Development, Centreville Rotary, Kent Island Rotary, and the YMCA.

Students had the chance to speak directly with employers, including representatives from military branches and skilled trades, gaining insight into a wide range of career options.

Organizers say the event continues to grow each year, helping students better prepare for life after high school while strengthening connections between schools and the local workforce.
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This marks the second year the Hiring Fair has been held at the Centreville YMCA, with plans to expand opportunities for students in the future.

A serious motor vehicle crash involving a rollover prompted a large emergency response in northern Queen Anne’s County.

The crash happened just before 11:30 a.m. along Teats Branch Road near Sudlersville, where multiple first responders were dispatched.

Initial reports indicated the possibility of a person being ejected from the vehicle, but that information has not been confirmed. Maryland State Police Aviation Command was requested to the scene for one patient. The extent of injuries has not been released.

Early reports also suggested the vehicle may have caught fire after striking a tree, but that has not been confirmed.

According to the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office, Teats Branch Road was closed between Busic Church Road and Racetrack Road for several hours due to the crash. The road reopened at 3:32 p.m.
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No additional official details have been released.

​A state audit has uncovered what officials describe as misuse of public funds and weak financial oversight at the Marydel Volunteer Fire Company.

The investigation, conducted by the Delaware Office of Auditor of Accounts, reviewed the department’s finances from fiscal years 2021 through 2023, focusing on operations under former leadership.

According to the report, auditors found that a lack of proper internal controls allowed certain individuals to make significant financial decisions without adequate oversight. Officials say this created risks including financial instability and potential impacts on the department’s ability to serve the community.

The investigation was launched after allegations were made to the Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission and the state auditor’s hotline regarding possible misuse of funds and authority.

Auditors confirmed several issues, including unauthorized use of credit cards and bank accounts, poor financial recordkeeping, and problems with expense reimbursements. The report also cited broader concerns about organizational management and governance.

Officials noted that similar problems had been identified in a previous audit conducted in 2014, with little evidence that corrective measures were fully implemented.

Not all allegations were substantiated. Investigators did not find sufficient evidence to support claims involving misuse of funds for personal business activities or failures to respond to emergency calls.

The audit also revealed a high volume of transactions tied to a small number of individuals, along with questionable purchases and insufficient documentation to support some expenses.

In response, auditors issued several recommendations, including strengthening financial controls, improving oversight, separating financial responsibilities, and conducting regular independent audits.

Officials say these steps are necessary to ensure funding is properly managed and that the fire company can continue to provide reliable service to the community.

The Marydel Volunteer Fire Company has not publicly commented on the findings.