The St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission, the local health department and St. Mary’s College of Maryland have partnered on a pilot project to monitor the presence of the novel coronavirus in wastewater.

CHESTERTOWN — The regional drive-through testing site for COVID-19 at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills is being replaced by individual sites in each of the five Mid-Shore counties beginning June 8, Kent County Health Officer William Webb told the Kent County Commissioners in his weekly update…

St. Mary’s health officials believe a recent spike in confirmed COVID-19 cases, which brought the county’s total count from around 400 last week to 518 on Tuesday, can be attributed to broader testing capacity as well as more spread of the infectious virus.

The St. Mary’s commissioners convened as the county’s board of health during their regular business meeting on Tuesday, and received a public health update as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the county.

STEVENSVILLE — Originally closed as a nonessential business by the stay-at-home directive given by Gov. Larry Hogan in mid-March, Spunkwear, a small business clothing line headquartered in Stevensville, was permitted to reopen during the third week of April to make protective face masks.

A public hearing was held regarding Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act grant funding at Tuesday’s county commissioners’ meeting, where three speakers requested funds be allocated to the board of education to fund laptops for students.

CENTREVILLE — Dozens of residents objected to the Centreville Town Council’s proposed water and sewer rate increases during its budget hearing Thursday, May 21. There were three hearings — one on the budget, one on the constant yield rate and one on the water and sewer rates. Comments on the…

QUEENSTOWN — The Queen Anne’s County Animal Services shelter in Queenstown achieved its goal of zero dogs inside the shelter Tuesday, May 5, if only for one day.

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced Wednesday that outdoor restaurant dining, outdoor pools, drive-in movie theaters, and youth sports and day camps will be allowed to reopen on Friday afternoon, and St. Mary’s only municipality is already planning to extend seating into parking spaces.

CENTREVILLE — The Queen Anne's County has issued guidance for restaurants and bars to open for outdoor dining at 5 p.m. Friday, March 29, in accordance with the Governor Larry Hogan's Executive Order.

CENTREVILLE — Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot met with about 10 open-air restaurant owners from Queen Anne’s County Tuesday afternoon, May 26, via Zoom. The meeting, listed as the “Outdoor Seating Summit,” lasted exactly one hour.

CENTREVILLE — Queen Anne’s County ended the day Wednesday, May 27, with 152 residents having tested positive for COVID-19; two patients were hospitalized, according to Beth Malasky, public information officer.

At least a couple dozen St. Mary’s citizens marched up and down the sidewalk on Route 235 in California on Saturday to demand the reopening of the county.

CENTREVILLE — The Wye River Upper School Class of 2020 celebrated its commencement ceremony Wednesday, May 20, for its eight seniors via Zoom to maintain social distancing.

CENTREVILLE — Monday morning, May 25, both the Centreville American Legion, Jeff Davis Post 18, and Kent Island American Legion, Post 278, held ceremonies observing Memorial Day. All local veterans organizations have remained closed since mid-March due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions. T…

CENTREVILLE — The Queen Anne’s County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday, May 19, to earmark $2.5 million of the county’s CARES Part B spending allocation to help businesses struggling as a result of COVID-19 restrictions.

STEVENSVILLE — Joshua Ridgley, a Life Scout at Troop 1631 sponsored by Christ Church Parish on Kent Island, found out that Eagle Scout projects rarely go as planned. Over a year ago, Joshua had initially planned on completing a different project, however, after hitting numerous administrativ…

The pandemic has created a perfect storm for Americans who were already struggling with high levels of depression and anxiety, suicide and a loneliness epidemic that kills more people than obesity or smoking.

EASTON — Chesapeake Music celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival this June with an exciting, virtual festival. Internationally known Artistic Directors Marcy Rosen and Catherine Cho have put together a wonderful series of concerts to bring extraordinary musi…

Bay views

Over the past several weeks all industries have been challenged to think differently. Our new normal has become take out meals at restaurants, virtual doctor appointments, and “essential” trips to the liquor store.

FAIR HILL — Now that all the sponsors and vendors have been notified, Cecil County Fair Board President Don Moore said Friday he could make the announcement he did not want to make; that the Cecil County Fair is cancelled this summer.

CENTREVILLE — The 2020 Queen Anne’s County Fair, scheduled for Aug. 10-15, has been canceled.

ELKTON — Let's face it; this year's Memorial Day Celebration is going to look different in many ways thanks to the global pandemic.

CENTREVILLE — On the eve of reopening retail businesses and manufacturing, Queen Anne’s County saw its positive COVID-19 cases rise again and posted the highest number of local residents hospitalized from the virus at one time to date with four. And cases have continued to rise throughout the week.

CENTREVILLE — Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Wye River Upper School has opted for the modern approach to continue its program through remote learning.

Restaurant owners frustrated with the state’s continued banning of outdoor seating at eateries gathered Tuesday evening in Sandgates to discuss with local leaders how to pressure the state to relax those restrictions.

At a Tuesday meeting, commissioners approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Economic, Security Act federal certification and agreement with the state after a request from the office of the county attorney.

ELKTON – While the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in the postponement of hundreds of Cecil County Circuit Court criminal proceedings since mid-March, 30 to 40 Cecil County Adult Drug Court cases are being handled – remotely – in a courtroom every Friday, according to court officials.

KENT NARROWS — Congressman Andy Harris, R-MD-1st, visited six Eastern Shore restaurants Wednesday, May 20, in Queen Anne's, Kent and Caroline counties. He wanted to show owners support as they weather the COVID-19 storm and prepare to reopen, and he continued to push for restaurants to reope…

CENTREVILLE — The Centreville Town Council finalized its fiscal 2021 budgets during the May 14 meeting. After weeks of work sessions to pare down spending based on reduced revenues as a result of the current coronavirus crisis, the Council proposed an estimated $4.7 million general fund budg…

CHESTERTOWN — After they tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, but did not show any symptoms of the disease, two staff members of a Chestertown nursing home continued to work there, Kent County Health Officer William Webb confirmed Tuesday.

ROCK HALL — Following two meetings held through conference call, the mayor and council voted to open its town beach, known as Ferry Park, pending signage detailing what is and is not allowed there.

While estimates for the financial pain forecast state of Maryland are better than originally predicted, according to figures released Thursday, there are still significant issues ahead as the state seeks to make it through the economic calamity caused by the COVID-19 virus.

RISING SUN — Again this past weekend there were long lines of vehicles snaking through Plumpton Park Zoo to visit the animals.

Expanded nursing home testing has doubled the county’s COVID-19 case count since the beginning of the month, with over 40% of St. Mary’s COVID-19 cases at the county’s largest long-term care facility, according to health department data now being released daily.

Officials at St. Mary’s College of Maryland are starting up a task force to prepare for the fall semester.

CENTREVILLE — The American Legion Jeff Davis Post 18 in Centreville will celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, with a truncated version of its normal ceremony, according to Commander Gregory Manning.

CHESTER — The Queen Anne’s County Chamber of Commerce completed its “Moving Forward — Planning for the Post Pandemic World” meeting with more than 60 local business leaders Wednesday, May 13, via an online Zoom format. The meeting, which originally began on May 5, had at least six scheduled …

STEVENSVILLE — The Primitive Barn, an “old and new farm/barn decor store” as described by its owner, Amelia “Amy” Merryman, of Stevensville opened its doors Saturday, May 16, after the governor’s stay at home order lifted.

CENTREVILLE — Queen Anne’s County Public Schools has added outdoor internet access points facing the main parking lots at Sudlersville Middle, Church Hill Elementary, Queen Anne’s County High and Grasonville Elementary schools. Students and school system employees can connect to the wireless…

TIMONIUM — In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with State of Maryland public health guidelines and directives, the 53rd annual Memorial Day ceremony planned for Monday, May 25, at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens has been canceled. The ceremony attracts an average o…

STEVENSVILLE — Chesapeake Charities’ fifth annual Celebration of Charity is set for Nov. 5 at Chesapeake Bay Beach Club in Stevensville and will recognize heroic actions taken by local citizens on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RIDGELY — There’s never been a better time to become a member of Adkins Arboretum! Amid closures and stay-at-home orders, the Arboretum is committed to keeping its paths open for the many dog walkers, bikers, runners and nature enthusiasts who seek solace in fresh air, open space and the hea…

Skipjack CrossFit, a gym and training facility in Owings, had its first outdoor social distance exercise session last weekend following the restrictions imposed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

At a special virtual public meeting late Thursday, the Charles County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to delay implementing the governor's "Roadmap to Recovery" until May 29. The current stay-at-home order will stay in place at least until then.

ELKTON — Following Gov. Larry Hogan's order allowing local governments to partially reopen businesses, County Executive Alan McCarthy is doing so to the furthest extent possible.

The St. Mary’s County commissioners at a meeting Tuesday asked St. Mary’s public schools’ superintendent a few questions about the laptops the school system wanted to purchase.

ELKTON — Inside five plain white boxes in the storeroom at Vlamis Liquors is 240 bottles of what, these days, can be considered liquid gold.

CENTREVILLE — On the eve of reopening retail businesses and manufacturing, Queen Anne’s County saw its positive COVID-19 cases rise again and posted the highest number of local residents hospitalized from the virus at one time to date.

CENTREVILLE — Anticipating falling revenues as a result of business closures and widespread unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners are proposing a fiscal 2021 budget of about $143.8 million, some $1.3 million less than the budget for the current y…

CHURCH HILL — Church Hill Town Commissioner Edward C. Raffetto Jr. will serve another three year term. Raffetto was the only candidate to file by the May 12 deadline, according to Town Administrator Nancy J. Lindyberg.

CENTREVILLE — Chrissy Aull, founding Head of School at Wye River Upper School never envisioned capping off her 25 years as an educator and leader during a global pandemic.

MARYLAND — A new statewide volunteer and in-kind donations platform has launched in Maryland. The DART platform connects Marylanders who want to assist with volunteer opportunities, with disaster and state agencies needing volunteers. DART also connects businesses and individuals wanting to …

ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Board of Elections has confirmed that mail-in ballots for the June 2 Presidential Primary election have been sent by U.S. Postal Service to all eligible state voters. Ballots for Queen Anne’s County County residents were mailed on April 27; by now, each eligible vote…

WORTON — After 12 years of hard work — if not more counting kindergarten and pre-school — seniors should be walking across the stage in May and June celebrating with friends, family and the teachers that helped them negotiate their path to graduation.

ANNAPOLIS — Gov. Larry Hogan announced Wednesday evening that he is lifting the state's stay-at-home order and reopening some shuttered businesses, effective at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 15. 

BALTIMORE — Last week, State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon announced that as the coronavirus pandemic continues schools will remain closed and students will continue with distance learning through the rest of the current academic year.

EASTON — Carol Leonard, a lactation consultant with University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, has started a virtual breastfeeding support group in response to demand following the cancellation of all meetings, classes and events due to COVID-19.

The county’s department of finance on Tuesday requested permission from the St. Mary’s commissioners to hold a public hearing in three weeks, authorizing the $19.8 million supplemental appropriation from the Coronavirus Relief Fund grant to help cover costs related to COVID-19.

The Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Health Care Quality is fining Sagepoint Nursing and Rehabilitation Center $10,000 a day for what it describes as “widespread deficiencies,” according to a letter signed by its executive director.

CENTREVILLE — Nearly 60 parents and students stood outside the Queen Anne’s County Board of Education building Wednesday evening, May 6, waving signs and honking horns to protest the county’s plans for virtual graduation ceremonies for Kent Island and Queen Anne’s County High Schools.

STEVENSVILLE — Scout Siena Mae Koch, 12, a member of BSA Troop 496 in Stevensville, was in her backyard with her grandfather last Thursday, May 7, and she was about to feed her pet rabbit when they heard a faint noise — it was the voice of someone calling for help.

CHESTERTOWN — As the coronavirus pandemic continues, University of Maryland Medical System, UM Shore Regional Health and others are taking time this week to celebrate the health care workers on the front lines.

There was no 10-person limit, and few facial coverings were worn at two former elected officials’ Thursday evening meeting, where critics gathered to air grievances about the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The graduation productions for St. Mary’s public schools are back on after the school system was told its adjusted plan did not adhere to the governor’s order.

BALTIMORE — A portion of the more than $12 million granted by the U.S. Department of Justice to law enforcement agencies is coming to this area to aid in the COVID-19 pandemic.

PERRYVILLE — On May 2, Kirk Derrick Simmons and Marian "Mimi" Sharkey Eastman had a beautiful wedding, joining together their families and celebrating their love. But it was a wedding with a twist — the bridge and groomed donned facemasks.

BALTIMORE — The attorney general of the State of Maryland filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed May 2 against Gov. Larry Hogan and several other state officials alleging a variety of constitutional violations stemming from Hogan’s stay-at-home executive orders Friday

CHESTERTOWN — A Kent County manufacturer joined the fight against the coronavirus pandemic by leaping into the production of much-ought after hand sanitizer.

STEVENSVILLE — In light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Kent Island Beach Cleanups is switching from in-person to virtual cleanups every Saturday for all of May and June. Grab a bag or bucket and head to the beach starting this Saturday, May 16.

WARWICK — More than 300 people, many of them employed at a mushroom farm in southern Cecil County, were tested for COVID-19 over two days last week in a partnership between health officials in Kent and Cecil counties.

CHESTERTOWN — Chesapeake Bank and Trust reports that it assisted more than 90 local businesses in obtaining loans through the Small Business Association’s Payroll Protection Program, according to a news release.

ELKTON —  Over a two-day period the Cecil County Health Department and the Department of Emergency Services helped with a project to test more than 300 people working in the agriculture industry.

CHESTER — As Haven Ministries deals with record numbers of requests for food and will continue its shelter operations through the summer months for those experiencing homelessness, the need for support is greater than ever. To help meet the growing needs, Coldwell Banker Waterman Realty of C…

CHESTER — As Haven Ministries deals with record numbers of requests for food and will continue its shelter operations through the summer months for those experiencing homelessness, the need for support is greater than ever. To help meet the growing needs, Coldwell Banker Waterman Realty of C…

BALTIMORE — Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have begun testing experimental COVID-19 vaccine candidates developed by Pfizer and BioNTech. The research, funded by Pfizer Inc., will study the safety, efficacy, and dosing of an experimental mRNA -based vaccine.

Here’s what we know so far, as of May 11:

Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced Wednesday during a press conference broadcast live on YouTube that the Maryland might begin Phase 1 of its “Roadmap to Recovery” from the coronavirus pandemic, if state trends showing a decline in the numbers of hospitalizations and intensive care admittances c…