The Queen Anne’s County Office of the Sheriff is seeking information regarding the whereabouts of 40-year-old Andrew “Drew” Hobby. Hobby has not been seen or heard from since March 22.Hobby was last seen at the Chester River Medical Center in Chestertown while seeking medical treatment. He was discharged from the medical center a few hours later and has not made contact with his family or friends since. The Kent County News reports Hobby is described as being of very thin build and with a goatee. He has a large blue cross tattoo on his left forearm, and a sizable motorcycle burn on his right leg. Police said Hobby has previously been known to be in Queen Anne’s County, Kent County and Baltimore City.

EASTON — Mayor Megan Cook introduced a $30.4 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the Town Council on Monday. According to the Star Democrat, the budget, Cook explained, was constructed around four main “puzzle pieces”: safety, services, amenities and finances. While delivering the budget, Cook touted different services and departments throughout the town, recognizing the Easton Police Department, public works, and parks and recreation for positive progress so far in 2026.Some main spending areas in a draft version of the budget include:Police: $9.2 millionPublic works: $7 millionEngineering: $1.4 millionEconomic development: $518,000Fire: $329,000Parks and recreation: $203,00

Ridgely commissioners voted to continue the town’s memorandum of understanding with the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office at their monthly meeting Monday. The Star Democrat reports Ridgely has maintained a contract with the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office to have assigned officers covering the town since 2024. In March 2024, the town suspended the entirety of its police department amid a state investigation. The cost for the services of the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office would be $481,246 on the fiscal year 2027 budget.

One person died in a serious crash just outside St. Michaels on Monday night, according to fire officials. According to the Star Democrat, the St. Michaels Fire Department said in a Facebook post it responded to St. Michaels Road at Old Martingham Road around 10:40 p.m. Monday.First responders found a vehicle off the roadway with a person trapped. The person was pronounced dead at the scene, the fire department said. According to the post, it was a single-vehicle crash. No other injuries were reported as of Tuesday evening.

A large fire at a recycling facility along Ocean Gateway continued burning into Sunday after igniting Saturday evening, drawing a massive multi-agency response, according to officials.Emergency crews were dispatched around 6 p.m. May 2 to Dependable SSR LLC for a reported garage fire. A passerby first reported the blaze. According to a statement Monday from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the fire escalated to three alarms, ultimately bringing about 120 firefighters to the scene from multiple jurisdictions. An excavator was also requested to assist with operations.

Volunteers across Kent and Queen Anne’s counties came together in April to complete critical home repairs for local residents as part of National Rebuilding Month. Kent County News reports Rebuilding Together Eastern Shore partnered with community volunteers to complete four projects, helping transform homes into safer and healthier spaces. In Worton, a single mother received a new fence, providing a safer place for her children to play. Near Crumpton, volunteers installed an aluminum wheelchair ramp for a senior resident, replacing what had been a hazardous entryway.

Kent County announces the appointment of Hilary Siakor‑Sirleaf as the new Warden of the Kent County Detention Center. Siakor‑Sirleaf brings more than 30 years of experience in correctional leadership, spanning service in Maryland and the Republic of Liberia, and is widely recognized for his strategic approach to criminal justice administration and operational reform.Siakor‑Sirleaf has spent his career strengthening correctional systems, improving security operations, and advancing rehabilitative programming. Most recently, he has served as Deputy Director for Administration for the Baltimore County Department of Corrections, where he oversaw key operational areas

The investigation continues into a Saturday night fire at Dependable Sand and Gravel along Ocean Gateway, prompting a multi-agency response and a second alarm. First-arriving units reported a two-story structure with heavy fire showing and exposure concerns. Officials said the blaze was being fought defensively, with multiple mulch piles also burning.A large column of smoke was visible from a distance, with some reports indicating it could be seen as far as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Initial reports had 16 fire companies from Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Caroline were called to the scene, with additional tanker support requested from neighboring jurisdictions, including Delaware

Choptank Electric Cooperative held its 88th Annual Meeting on April 23 in Salisbury with over 350 guests in attendance. During the meeting, Choptank President and CEO Mike Malandro announced that the Board of Directors voted to retire $3 million to members in May. BayToBay News reports the amount received during a capital credit retirement is based on the amount of electricity a member purchased during the retirement years, in this case, 1997 and 2024. The average capital credit issued will be $67 per eligible member and will be applied as a credit to May electric bills.

Brad Sears won another three years on Ridgely town’s commission after winning by 16 votes in Monday’s election. The Star Democrat reports Sears, the incumbent, won the election with 115 votes. Jamie Romph came in second with 99 votes and Allison Morris earned 20 votes, according to town clerk Stephanie Berkey. This year’s town election brought forth a crowded field, a candidate forum and more heated competition among candidates than years past. One of four initial candidates, Ralph Hurley, withdrew his name just days before the election, citing an election environment filled with personal attacks.