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.

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.

An undercover operation targeting child predators led to the arrest of three men.44-year-old Jason Towers of Denton, 27-year-old Selvin Miranda-Miranda of Chester and 26-year-old Andrew Jenkins were arrested as a result of the operation and were charged with one count of Sexual Solicitation of a Minor. WMDT reports according to the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, starting the week of April 12th, an undercover operation targeted predators who were sexually exploiting children online. Each of the individuals arrested engaged in sexually explicit and harmful communications with undercover officers.

A Stevensville man is facing serious assault charges after allegedly pepper spraying his neighbor over a disagreement about picking up after his dog. Eastern Shore Undercover reports on April 23, 2026 at approximately 6:16 PM, Queen Anne's County deputies responded to a Stevensville residence after a report of an assault that had just occurred. While deputies were on their way, dispatch updated them that the victim had been pepper sprayed in the face and chest.When deputies arrived, they spoke with the victim and a witness at the scene. Both told deputies that the suspect, later identified as Stanley Ostazeski III, had called the victim out to the street before pepper spraying him.

The 2026 Bay Bridge Boat Show wrapped up a successful weekend at Safe Harbor Narrows Point in Grasonville, drawing steady crowds, strong dealer activity and an encouraging start to the Chesapeake Bay boating season. Eye On Annapolis reports the show brought together boaters, manufacturers, dealers and marine businesses for one of the region’s major spring boating events. Attendance started strong Friday and built through the weekend, with Saturday bringing the largest crowds as spring weather helped draw visitors to the docks. More than 250 boats were on display, and dealers reported serious conversations with buyers, qualified leads and completed sales during the weekend.

A 14-year-old boy from Marydel, is facing theft charges after deputies say he stole a wallet from an unlocked vehicle last week. The incident happened on April 24, 2026, in the 18000 block of Harmon Road in Marydel. Eastern Shore Undercover reports Caroline County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to the area after receiving a report of a theft from a vehicle. When deputies arrived, they learned that someone had entered an unsecured vehicle and taken a wallet from inside. The victim gave a description of the suspect and actually followed the person before deputies got there. Deputies were able to locate and identify the suspect as a 14-year-old male. The juvenile returned a portion of the stolen money to the victim.

One of four candidates for an open seat on the Ridgely commission has withdrawn his name just days before the election, citing an election environment filled with personal attacks.Ralph Hurley, a retired sergeant major in the U.S. Army, made the announcement to residents Friday afternoon via social media. The Star Democrat reports Hurley’s decision leaves three candidates to vie for the open spot on the town’s commission: incumbent Brad Sears and challengers Allison Morris and Jamie Romph. Voting is open on Monday, April 27 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp hosted a ceremonial ribbon-cutting this week to open its new location in Queenstown on the Eastern Shore. WMAR reports the camp's aim is to bring joy, connection, and “a different kind of healing” to children with serious illnesses and their families.The opening is just phase one of the renovations at the Queenstown location. Key updates include a family gathering space, a parent relaxation room, a barrier-free theater, accessible residential rooms with climate control, and a modern medical center with three overnight observation rooms, a reception area, and a pharmacy.

In recent weeks, several developments have emerged that will shape funding for construction of a new Kent County Middle School. According to the Kent County News, Kent County Public Schools Superintendent Mary McComas and Director of Finance Kreigh Kirby updated county officials, including Chief Financial Officer Pat Merritt, on progress ahead of the fiscal year 2027 budget during a regularly scheduled commissioner’s meeting. School officials said they are getting closer to a clearer understanding of that cost share, with construction project costs estimated at about $70 million.

Two pedestrians were injured Wednesday, April 22 after being struck by a vehicle in a crosswalk in downtown Chestertown, police said. According to the Kent County News, it happened in the 300 block of High Street at Cross Street. Police said an 80-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman were legally crossing High Street in a crosswalk when a 2011 Buick Enclave turning left from South Cross Street into the northbound lane struck them.The woman sustained minor injuries to her lower extremities, while the man suffered more serious injuries to his upper and lower body. The driver, identified as Amanda Marie Wilson, 43, of Queenstown, was cited for failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk and driving on a suspended license, police said.