Charles News

Charles County Public Schools Revises Emergency Response Codes and How They Respond to Certain Incidents

Charles County Public Schools Revises Emergency Response Codes and How They Respond to Certain Incidents

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) has revised how it responds to certain incidents in schools, making it clearer what students and teachers should do during an emergency. Called a standard response, CCPS will use five actions developed by the “I Love U Guys” Foundation and adopted by the school system this year. Action items...
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UPDATE: Police Release Name of 34-Year-Old La Plata Man Killed in Waldorf Pedestrian Accident

UPDATE: Police Release Name of 34-Year-Old La Plata Man Killed in Waldorf Pedestrian Accident

9/20/2019: On 9/19/19, Troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack were flagged down by citizens concerning a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian in the area of Crain Highway (US RT 301) south of Holly Lane. The preliminary investigation conducted by Troopers revealed a 2008 Dodge Charger, operated by David Proctor Jr.,...
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CSM Secures Transfer Agreements for CSM Students to 46 Universities for 83 Different Degree Programs Nationwide and Internationally

CSM Secures Transfer Agreements for CSM Students to 46 Universities for 83 Different Degree Programs Nationwide and Internationally

CSM Secures Transfer Agreements for CSM Students to 46 Universities, Including the American Business School in Paris The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) continues to make it easier, and more affordable, for CSM graduates to continue their academic journey to a four-year institution. CSM graduates who meet certain criteria are now given priority enrollment...
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Maryland State Fire Marshal Issues Open Burn Safety Notice

Maryland State Fire Marshal Issues Open Burn Safety Notice

The Office of the State Fire Marshal has seen numerous burn injuries as a result of open air burning this month. State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci would like to remind residents about the necessary steps to reduce their risk of injury while conducting an open air burn. “Burning a large pile of brush...
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Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department Invites Public to Attend Southern Maryland Fireman’s Association Apparatus Muster on Sunday, October 13, 2019

Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department Invites Public to Attend Southern Maryland Fireman’s Association Apparatus Muster on Sunday, October 13, 2019

On Sunday, October 13, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., to 4:00 p.m., the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association will be hosting an antique fire apparatus muster at MFRI’s Southern Maryland Regional Training Academy at 10375 Audie Lane in La Plata. Visitors will be able to view new and old apparatus side by side to see...
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State Says Number of Fatal Overdoses in Past 6 Months Down by 11%

State Says Number of Fatal Overdoses in Past 6 Months Down by 11%

The Maryland Department of Health and Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) has released its 2019 second quarter report, which shows that Maryland has experienced its first six-month decline in the total number of opioid-related fatalities in at least a decade. Release of the report comes during National Recovery Month, a time to raise awareness...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Captain David Kelly Named Maryland Sheriffs Association Deputy of the Year for Contributions to Profession

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Captain David Kelly Named Maryland Sheriffs Association Deputy of the Year for Contributions to Profession

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce Captain David Kelly, Commander of the Executive Services Division, was recognized as Deputy of the Year by the Maryland Sheriff’s Association in the category of Contributions to Profession during the MSA’s annual conference held last week. Captain Kelly, who is also an FAA certified pilot,...
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3-Year-Old Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck and Dragged by Vehicle in La Plata

3-Year-Old Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck and Dragged by Vehicle in La Plata

On Sunday, September 15, 2019, at approximately 6:45 p.m., police fire, and rescue personnel responded to Highland Farm Court in La Plata, for the reported motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. Dispatch advised they were pre-launching a helicopter for the victim. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle in the roadway....
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First Responders Tips on Teaching Children to Call 9-1-1

First Responders Tips on Teaching Children to Call 9-1-1

The Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Inc, and Charles County Association of Emergency Medical Services, Inc. provided useful tips for teaching children, and even adults on how to call 9-11 and provide useful and needed information to the 911 call takers, dispatchers, and first responders. Do Not use the term “nine-eleven” since there is...
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Police Investigating Hit and Run that Killed 29-Year-Old Waldorf Man

Police Investigating Hit and Run that Killed 29-Year-Old Waldorf Man

On September 17 at 1:52 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to Piney Church Road at Poston Drive in Waldorf for the report of a man lying on the side of the street. When officers arrived, they discovered the man was deceased and had apparently been struck by a vehicle. A...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Officer Corporal Brad Saunders Receives Maryland Sheriff’s Association Traffic Safety Award

Charles County Sheriff’s Officer Corporal Brad Saunders Receives Maryland Sheriff’s Association Traffic Safety Award

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce Cpl. Brad Saunders of the Traffic Operations Unit received the Traffic Safety Award from the Maryland Sheriff’s Association at the MSA’s annual conference held last week. Cpl. Saunders was recognized for his work in establishing and monitoring the Agency’s new Tow Program which went into...
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State Fire Marshal Investigating Arson Fire in White Plains After Unknown Suspect Tries to Set House on Fire

State Fire Marshal Investigating Arson Fire in White Plains After Unknown Suspect Tries to Set House on Fire

On Saturday, September 14, 2019, at approximately 1:00 a.m., firefighters from La Plata and surrounding departments responded to 9901 Rhodes Way in White Plains, for the reported structure fire. 15 firefighters responded and extinguished the fire in under 10 minutes. The owner/occupants is currently unknown. The fire was called in by a passer-by. The...
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Police Investigating Armed Robbery at Waldorf Dash-In on Saturday Night

Police Investigating Armed Robbery at Waldorf Dash-In on Saturday Night

On Saturday, September 14, 2019, at approximately 11:10 p.m., police responded to the Westlake Dash-In at 2007 Smallwood Drive West in Waldorf, for the reported armed robbery. 911 callers reported a black male wearing a black hoodie, and a black mask walked into the business and went behind the counter armed with a knife...
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Maryland State Police Remind Motorists of The Importance of Proper Child Safety Seats Usage

Maryland State Police Remind Motorists of The Importance of Proper Child Safety Seats Usage

With this week being national Child Passenger Safety Week, Maryland State Police are reminding the public the importance of ensuring that motorists are utilizing the correct car seat and that it is being properly installed and utilized. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 723 children ages 12 and younger died and...
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Firefighters in St. Mary’s and Charles County Respond to Large Brush Fire in Mechanicsville

Firefighters in St. Mary’s and Charles County Respond to Large Brush Fire in Mechanicsville

On Monday, September 16, 2019, at approximately 2:20 p.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville responded to 27100 Budds Creek Road and Knotts Lane in Mechanicsville, for the reported small outside fire spreading towards the woods. Crews arrived on the scene to find an approximate 200 square foot area on fire and spreading. The first arriving unit...
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Annual Cocaine Overdose Deaths on Rise in Maryland

Annual Cocaine Overdose Deaths on Rise in Maryland

Cocaine hasn’t received as much attention in recent years, but it is increasingly playing a role in the opioid epidemic, state data show. Despite some good news from the first quarter of this year, cocaine-related deaths have skyrocketed annually in Maryland since 2015, with nearly half of those occurring in Baltimore. The vast majority...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announce Winners of 2019 Photo Contest

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announce Winners of 2019 Photo Contest

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the winners of the 2019 Natural Resources Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to David Illig of Gambrills for his stunning close-up shot of an eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly. This year’s grand prize package includes $500, a Maryland State Parks Passport, a five-year subscription to Maryland Natural Resource...
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Hogan Administration Announces Nearly $12 Million Highway Safety Grant Funds Allocated for Nearly 100 Agencies

Hogan Administration Announces Nearly $12 Million Highway Safety Grant Funds Allocated for Nearly 100 Agencies

As part of its ongoing commitment to prevent vehicle crashes and save lives on Maryland roads, the Hogan Administration has announced the statewide distribution of nearly $12 million in federal highway safety funds. The funds will be dispersed by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office to nearly...
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The Maryland Department of Commerce Awards Nine Maryland Companies with ExportMD Grants

The Maryland Department of Commerce Awards Nine Maryland Companies with ExportMD Grants

The Maryland Department of Commerce has awarded nine small and mid-sized Maryland companies with ExportMD grants to help promote their products and services in the global marketplace. The ExportMD grant program helps businesses finance the costs of marketing internationally, including trade show fees and travel expenses. Applications are accepted on a monthly basis and...
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CSM Launches Center for Leadership Initiative at Thomas V. ‘Mike’ Miller Jr. Celebration to Help Raise Next Generation of Leaders

CSM Launches Center for Leadership Initiative at Thomas V. ‘Mike’ Miller Jr. Celebration to Help Raise Next Generation of Leaders

Celebrating a legacy of Maryland leadership and decades of strong support of higher education, the College of Southern Maryland Foundation is launching an initiative to establish the Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr. Center for Leadership at CSM. The longest-serving state senate president in the country will be recognized on Sept. 26 at the Running...
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One Seriously Injured After Dirt-Bike Crash in Hughesville

One Seriously Injured After Dirt-Bike Crash in Hughesville

On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 , at approximately 4:00 p.m., police fire, and rescue personnel responded to 6700 block of Pale Morning Court in Hughesville, for the reported motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. Dispatched advised responding units that the 911 caller reported a 16 year-old male on a dirt bike was struck by...
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Co-Defendants Sentenced for First-Degree Assault After Brutal Attack on Victim in Waldorf

Co-Defendants Sentenced for First-Degree Assault After Brutal Attack on Victim in Waldorf

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Emanuel Malik Anthony Nugent, 22 of Waldorf, to 25 years with all but 18 years suspended to be served at the Division of Corrections for the First-Degree Assault of Timothy Dalton....
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Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in La Plata is Now Open

Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in La Plata is Now Open

Barbara Whipkey is pleased to announce the newest Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop will be opening on September 11th at 58 Shining Willow Way, La Plata, Maryland. Barbara and Chip Whipkey also own the Wild Birds Unlimited in Lexington Park, Maryland. “We’re the new home of the best bird food in town,” said Whipkey,...
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Firefighters Currently Fighting Large Brush Fire in La Plata After a High Tension Power Cable Line Fell

Firefighters Currently Fighting Large Brush Fire in La Plata After a High Tension Power Cable Line Fell

On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at approximately 5:05 p.m., firefighters from Charles, Calvert, Prince George, and St. Mary’s County responded to the area of La Plata Road and Hawkins Gate Road in La Plata, for the reported large fire involving power lines. Firefighters reported an estimated 19 acres were on fire. Charles County Volunteer...
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UPDATE: Dog Perishes and House Destroyed After Fire in Mechanicsville, Cause Still Under Investigation

UPDATE: Dog Perishes and House Destroyed After Fire in Mechanicsville, Cause Still Under Investigation

UPDATE 9/11/19: On Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at approximately 2:40 p.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville and surrounding departments responded to 25680 Grandiflora Court in Mechanicsville, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a one story single family home with fire showing. The owner/occupant has been identified as Rae Costanzo....
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