WCTR News

The public is getting a chance to weigh in on the Maryland Transportation Authority’s plan to rebuild the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and learn more about the environmental impact study. Three virtual and in-person public hearings have been announced, allowing people to review the alternatives and environmental impacts draft, learn about the MDTA’s recommended plan, and offer testimony. The Queen Anne’s County Public Hearing happens from 5p to 8p, Thursday at Kent Island High School in Stevensville. The new spans would have four lanes and 12-foot-wide shoulders. There’s also the possibility of a shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians, though that isn’t required under this approval.

An 80-foot Maryland Department of Natural Resources icebreaker fought through up to twelve inches of ice on Monday to free watermen who had been stuck in Rock Hall Harbor for more than two weeks. ABC 7 News reports the icebreaker, A.V. Sandusky, was dispatched to the Eastern Shore town after frigid temperatures locked in dozens of boats and brought the local commercial fishing industry to a standstill. Once the harbor was cleared, the Sandusky planned to head south toward Kent Narrows, where another group of watermen had been unable to reach open water.

One person is in critical condition and four others, including three first responders, were treated following a carbon monoxide incident in Cambridge on Sunday. WBOC reports according to the Rescue Fire Company of Cambridge, volunteers were dispatched to a home on Pine Street on Feb. 8 after a concerned person contacted them about a possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Upon arrival, firefighters say they found extremely high CO levels and two critically ill people inside the home. Volunteers were able to remove the two occupants and immediately treat them at the scene.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, founded by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, will open its new Queenstown location in spring 2026 and is seeking energetic, compassionate and creative seasonal weekend program specialists for upcoming Family Camps.
These positions will provide hands-on experience for individuals pursuing careers in education, human services, healthcare, recreation or related fields. Available roles include staff in archery, arts and crafts, theater and music, maker’s space and nature, as well as lifeguards. Staff help create a fun, inclusive and supportive environment while bringing the magic of Camp to life.

Kent Center, Inc. operating in Chestertown, has been served with an order of summary suspension as confirmed the Maryland Department of Health Friday morning. This means that the license is now suspended. According to the Kent County News, Department of Health officials noted this is not a license revocation at this time; per the order, Kent Center is entitled to a hearing to appeal the decision within 15 working days of the summary suspension. The future of the Center is at this time unclear, but while the suspension is in place residential residents will need to seek other housing.

At its recent meeting, the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education unanimously appointed Matt Kibler as superintendent of schools. His four-year contract begins July 1. The Evening Enterprise reports Kibler has been the interim superintendent since June of 2025. Before that, he served as assistant superintendent and as director of accountability and implementation for Queen Anne’s County Public Schools, leading the local implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Kibler lives in Church Hill with his wife Bryn and their two sons, who both attend Queen Anne’s County Public Schools.

Accumulated snow and ice following the region’s first major winter storm caused access issues for businesses, residents and road crews across Chestertown and Kent County, prompting both town and county officials to acknowledge challenges while highlighting extensive cleanup efforts. According to the Kent County News, several Chestertown businesses reported that snow and ice blocked entrances, sidewalks and roadways, particularly in the downtown area where limited space made snow removal more difficult. During the town’s regularly scheduled meeting Monday, Mayor Meghan Efland addressed snow removal concerns and staffing limitations, noting that equipment needs would be discussed during the upcoming budget workshop.

Four parents spoke at the February 3 Caroline County Board of Education meeting about the school system’s decision not to allow spring sports teams to use the NCHS stadium field for home games. The Caroline Review r eports CCPS originally announced the decision in November 2025, explaining that the stadium field had undergone extensive improvements over the summer through a combination of donations and school system funds. CCPS stated the field was planted with Bermuda grass, which becomes dormant in cooler months and does not begin regrowing until temperatures remain consistently warm.

The Caroline County Board of Education heard recommendations for altering the current academic calendar to make up for multiple inclement weather days, and voted to accept a draft 2026-2027 school year calendar with a pre-Labor Day start, at their February 3 Board meeting. The Caroline Review reports CCPS had built three “snow days” into the calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. With one day missed in December and almost an entire week in late January missed, the school system must make up two days to remain within the state’s requirement of 180 school days per academic year. Superintendent Dr. Derek Simmons recommended that CCPS change President’s Day on February 16 from a day off to a school day, and change March 16 from a staff professional development day to a regular school day.

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning to residents Tuesday morning, Feb. 3, 2026, about a phone scam in which callers claim to be members of law enforcement. The Caroline Review reports the Facebook alert was posted by the office at about 8:15 a.m. The scam involves a caller claiming the resident has a federal warrant and threatens arrest if you don’t act immediately. Further, the caller tells the resident to drive to a store and wire money (often around $1,000) to “speed up the bail process.” If you receive a call like this, hang up. Don’t send money and report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.