Police were called to the 100 block of Flatland road in the are of Hilltop Lane in Chestertown for a report of a person barricaded in a house with possible shots fired yesterday evening.  The area was closed off and police asked residents to avoid the area.  As of about 10:30 one subject was in custody, and  the road was still blocked from High Street to Devon Drive as they removed heavy equipment. 

Several parks and recreation projects across Maryland’s Eastern Shore are set to receive state funding after the Maryland Board of Public Works approved millions of dollars for projects across the state Wednesday.   The Board approved $4.6 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources for trails, playgrounds and land conservation projects in 11 counties Several of those projects are on the Eastern Shore, including new playgrounds, trails, athletic facilities, and a skatepark.  In Caroline County, funding through the state’s Community Parks and Playgrounds program will go toward new playground equipment at Sharp Road Park in Denton and James T. Wright Park in Preston.  In Talbot County, San Domingo Park in St. Michaels is slated to receive new trails, parking, and a pier. 

Some Talbot County Public Schools students won’t be bringing home the traditional letter grades this year.  The district is rolling out an updated grading policy for the 2026-2027 school year, expanding “standards based grading”, more formally known as competency-based standards, to students in third through fifth grade. The model has already been in place for Pre-K through second grade.  Under the new system, students are scored on individual skills using a proficiency scale rather than a single letter grade.  The district is preparing staff to answer parent questions at back-to-school events and has posted additional information on its website and social media.