REGIONAL BRIEFING

Monday, December 18, 2006

MARYLAND

Man Shot by Police In Domestic Incident

A Chestertown man was shot in the arm by police early yesterday after he threatened officers who were responding to a violent domestic disturbance, Maryland State Police said.

Clifton Blanchfield Jr., 25, was being treated at Chester River Health Center, police said, and charges against him were pending.

Blanchfield allegedly forced his way into a woman's apartment, despite her having a protection order against him, police said. He allegedly confronted two females, two males and a 2-year-old child inside.

Police said he picked up the toddler and grabbed a large knife. The two females fled the apartment and called 911. Blanchfield then knocked one of the two males onto a couch and held the knife to his throat, police said. The male was able to free himself, and the two males fled the apartment.

When police arrived, they found Blanchfield holding the child and stabbing the furniture near him.

The officers ordered him to put down the knife, but he refused, police said. The officers then used a stun gun to try to subdue Blanchfield, but he ended up knocking the child to the floor and charging the officers.

Rock Hall police officer Charles McCracklin fired his service weapon, hitting Blanchfield in the arm. McCracklin has been placed on routine administrative leave pending an investigation by Maryland State Police.

No one else required medical attention.

-- Associated Press

VIRGINIA

Kaine England-Bound To Start Celebration

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) will be in England this week to help mark the date three ships set sail across the Atlantic Ocean to the Virginia colony 400 years ago.

Six months later, England's Queen Elizabeth II will head to Virginia to recognize the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, America's first permanent English settlement. The ships arrived in May 1607 -- 13 years before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts.

Although it's not known whether the queen will visit Jamestown during the anniversary in May or some other time that month, Kaine said her trip will add luster to the commemoration and already is piquing interest.

Tomorrow, the anniversary of the launch of the settlers' three Virginia-bound ships, dignitaries will attend a luncheon at a London dockside museum near where the settlers began their voyage.

Also, Kaine will take part tomorrow in a wreath-laying at a monument to the settlers and then speak at a dinner the federal commission will host at Middle Temple, the legal community from which many lawyers and investors instrumental in forming the Jamestown colony hailed. The U.S. ambassador to England and English government leaders were expected to attend.

-- Associated Press