Southern Maryland News Net

Bay District VFD Donates 55 Sets of Fire Gear to Support Firefighters in the Philippines

Demonstrating a continued commitment to helping those in need – both at home and abroad – the members of the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department have donated 55 sets of retired turnout gear to fire departments in the Philippines that lack access to critical protective equipment. This generous donation was part of a larger effort involving several Southern Maryland fire departments to supply life-saving gear to fellow firefighters in under-resourced areas overseas. The gear, though retired from service here...
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Police Make Arrest in Road Rage Murder of 20-Year-Old Nyah Hairston

Maryland State Police Homicide Unit charged a Prince George’s County man with the murder of Nyah Hairston, a 20-year-old woman shot while driving on the Capital Beltway last year. The accused is identified as Dominec Proctor, 28 of Glenn Dale, Maryland. Proctor is charged with first-degree murder. He is currently being held without bond in Virginia on unrelated charges. Shortly before 10:45 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024, troopers from Forestville Barrack responded to the report of a vehicle...
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Hollywood Man Charged with 48 Counts of Animal Cruelty Involving Emus, Pigs, Goats, and a Horse

Thomas Newton Ferrall, IV, 47, of Hollywood, is facing 48 counts of animal cruelty after authorities alleged he failed to provide food, water, and shelter to numerous animals under his care. The charges, filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County, stem from a September 30, 2025, incident at a property on Sunnyside Road in Leonardtown. According to court documents, Ferrall is accused of neglecting at least four types of animals: emus, pigs, goats, and a horse. Each...
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4th Annual “No Hunger November” Food Drive Underway in Southern Maryland

The 4th Annual No Hunger November Food Drive, organized by the Maryland State Police – La Plata Barrack, began on Saturday, November 1. The initiative brings together multiple law enforcement agencies to fight hunger across Southern Maryland throughout the month. Captain Bagley, Acting Sergeant Johnston, and Maryland State Troopers collected 2,600 pounds of food during the first weekend at the La Plata Safeway. Meanwhile, officers from partnering agencies — including the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland Department of Natural...
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Hollywood Man Charged with Stealing $74,000 Worth of Construction Equipment from La Plata Business

Thomas Newton Ferrall IV, 47, of Hollywood has been charged in Charles County District Court with felony theft after allegedly failing to return rented construction equipment valued at over $74,000 to a La Plata business. According to court documents, the charge stems from an incident that occurred on October 29, 2025, when equipment rented from a local business on Kent Avenue was not returned and could not be located. The charging documents allege that on October 21, 2025, Thomas...
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UPDATE: Lexington Park Man Faces 21-Count Indictment After October Shooting Outside Action Lounge and Billiards in Leonardtown

UPDATE 11/03/2025: The case of Shaekwon Talib Jackson, 24, of Lexington Park, has been transferred to the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court following a criminal indictment filed on November 3, 2025. Jackson now faces 21 charges, including four counts of attempted first-degree murder, four counts of attempted second-degree murder, multiple counts of first- and second-degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime, and reckless endangerment. An arrest warrant was issued and remains active. Court...
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Arrest Made in Fatal Beltsville Hit-and-Run That Killed Cyclist

The U.S. Park Police (USPP) announced that an arrest has been made in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed one bicyclist and injured another on October 8, 2025, near the intersection of Soil Conservation Road and Beaver Dam Road in Beltsville. Officers responded around 6:15 p.m. after reports of two female bicyclists being struck within the Agricultural Research Center. One woman, later identified as Lisa Martin, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second was taken...
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Police Seeking Armed Suspects After Brinks Armored Truck Robbery in PG County

On Monday, November, 3, 2025, around 8:24 a.m., police responded to the Navy Federal Credit Union located at 8819 Woodyard Road in Clinton, for the reported armed robbery. Police arrived on the scene to find a Brinks Armored truck which was outside of the bank, had been robbed at gunpoint by four armed suspects, with one Brinks employee suffering from injuries. Surveillance videos revealed two suspects exited a vehicle and approached the Brink truck with firearms. Both of these...
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Brandywine Man Arrested in Charles County After High-Speed Chase and Crash; Loaded Firearm and Drugs Found in Vehicle with Two Children

Khmari Michael Ruffin, 24, of Brandywine, is facing numerous charges following a high-speed police pursuit on October 30, 2025, that ended in a crash and led to the discovery of drugs, a loaded handgun with an obliterated serial number, and two young children riding without car seats. According to court documents and a statement from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began around 8:34 p.m. when officers attempted to stop a Jaguar sedan near Crain Highway and Berry...
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North Beach Man Charged with Impersonating Sheriff’s Deputy in Chesapeake Beach

Michael Thomas Freeman, 65, of North Beach, has been charged with impersonating a police officer following an incident reported on October 27, 2025, in Chesapeake Beach. According to charging documents filed in the District Court for Calvert County, Freeman was arrested after allegedly identifying himself as a deputy with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office while attempting to serve what he claimed was a child custody order. Deputy Angell of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to a suspicious person...
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One Injured, One Flown to Trauma Center After Multi-Vehicle Collision in Great Mills

On Friday, October 31, 2025, at approximately 12:07 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Dyson Building Center located at 20375 Point Lookout Road in Great Mills, for a serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment and one possibly unconscious. Crews arrived on the scene to find at least three vehicles involved with no entrapment and one adult male being not alert. EMS consulted for a aviation transport for the adult male, and placed Trooper 7 on...
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Governor Moore Declares State of Emergency to Address Economic Impacts of Federal Government Shutdown and Distribute $10 Million in Emergency Funding to Fight Food Insecurity

Governor Wes Moore today declared a State of Emergency to address the economic impacts of the federal government shutdown and help deliver resources to support Marylanders’ health and welfare. The governor also issued an executive order that will provide $10 million in emergency funding to Maryland food security partners to address the crisis stemming both from the Trump Administration’s failure to take action to fund November SNAP benefits and the 15,000 federal jobs that have been eliminated in Maryland. “Withholding funding from food...
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Police, Fire Marshal Investigating Burglary and Arson at Pasha Lounge in Waldorf

On Thursday, October 30, 2025, at approximately 12:27 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to the Pasha Lounge located at 3242 Old Washington Road in Waldorf, for the automated fire alarm sounding. Firefighters from Waldorf VFD responded to the scene within minutes of dispatch to find the front door to the business shattered and an active fire inside. 35 firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the scene with the fire being controlled in under 5 minutes, and operations being performed...
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UPDATE: Police Finally Arrest Fifth Suspect Charged in Connection to May 2025 St. Mary’s County Triple Shooting

UPDATE 10/30/2025: After nearly six months, authorities have finally made an arrest in the May 3 shooting near Chancellors Run and Pegg roads. On October 29, 2025, deputies with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office took 22-year-old Kareem Tyree Harris of Lexington Park into custody. Harris—previously named in court filings months ago—was served with a long list of charges, including four counts each of attempted first- and second-degree murder, multiple assault charges, and several handgun violations. He remains held...
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LEXINGTON PARK MURDER: Surveillance Video Shows Wife Giving Gun to Suspect Moments Before Killing Unarmed Man

David Scott Jones, 58, of Lexington Park, has been charged in the murder of Carl Joseph Carpenter, that occurred during a confrontation outside a residence on Bellevue Court on October 27, 2025. Court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County show Jones faces six charges: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, use of a firearm in a felony or violent crime, and possession of a loaded handgun on his person. He is being held...
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Hospice of the Chesapeake and Partners In Care Join to Support Aging Community

Hospice of the Chesapeake is proud to announce that Partners In Care of Maryland, Inc., has officially joined its family of services under a newly formed umbrella organization, Chesapeake Health Partners. This incorporation marks a significant milestone in the organizations’ shared mission to serve Maryland’s aging population with compassion, dignity and connection. Becky Miller,...
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MDOT Urges All Road Users to Use Extra Caution on The Roads This Fall Season

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and the Maryland Highway Safety Office are reminding all roadway users to exercise extreme caution as days get shorter and with Halloween right around the corner. “Whether you are behind the wheel or out on foot, I urge all Marylanders to be Serious About Safety and...
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MDOT SHA Begins Resurfacing MD 244 Chickamuxen Road in Charles County

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will begin resurfacing a section MD 224 (Chickamuxen Road) between Sweden Point Road and north of Butterfly Place in Charles County starting Thursday, November 6. The work is scheduled for completion in late November, weather permitting. Crews are permitted to close a lane or shoulder Mondays...
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Calvert County Health Department Issues More Rabies Alerts After Three Additional Animals Test Positive

The Calvert County Health Department is issuing a rabies alert for Solomons, Lusby, and St. Leonard due to three additional confirmed cases of rabies in wild animals. On October 24, 2025, one skunk in the area of St. Leonard Road tested positive for the rabies virus. On October 25, 2025, another skunk found on...
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St. Leonard VFD&RS Regrets to Announce Passing of Charter Member Gerald C. Peterson

St. Leonard Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company 7 is saddened to learn of the passing of Charter Member Gerald C. Peterson, one of the individuals whose early contributions helped shape the foundation of our department. Although his time with the company was limited, the impact of his efforts has carried through the decades. The...
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La Plata Police Department Officer Receives Third Award for Driving Under the Influence Enforcement for 2024

Patrol Officer First Class Jacob Shuar was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for being a leader amongst law enforcement officers in Maryland conducting driving under the influence enforcement in 2024. MADD is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1980 by a mother after the tragic death of her daughter, due to a...
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Six St. Charles High School Students Charged with Assault and Disruption of School Activities

Six students from St. Charles High School were charged in connection with an altercation that occurred on Thursday, October 30th, 2025, inside the school. During the assault, a male and female student were fighting when several other students engaged in the altercation. School administrators tried to separate the students but were not able to...
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Police Seeking Information In 2024 Road Rage Murders – $60,000 Offered In Rewards

Investigators continue to seek information in the road-rage deaths of Charles Marks and Delonte Hicks. Police urge the public to step forward with any information that may lead to an arrest in these cases to become eligible for up to $60,000 total in reward money. On Sunday, January 30, 2022, Charles Harrison Marks, IV,...
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Calvert County Board of County Commissioners to Meet in New County Administration Building Nov. 18

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners will hold their next regular board meeting at the new County Administration Building (CAB) on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 150 Main Street in Prince Frederick in the Chesapeake Hearing Room, Room 119. The Calvert County Commissioners held their last meeting at the Calvert County Courthouse on Oct....
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Charged Again and Again: Lexington Park Man Linked to $10,500 in St. Mary’s County Store Thefts

Robert James Grinder, 35, of Lexington Park, is facing a growing list of charges in connection with a series of retail thefts that span several months and involve multiple national retail chains in St. Mary’s County. Court documents detail at least eight separate incidents beginning in April and continuing through early November 2025. On...
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Governor Moore Announces Redistricting Advisory Commission to Recommend New Congressional Maps

Governor Wes Moore announced the creation of the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission to consider mid-cycle redistricting. The commission will organize public hearings, solicit public feedback, and make recommendations to the governor and Maryland General Assembly to improve our current map and ensure Maryland has fair Congressional maps. “My commitment has been clear from day one—we...
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Police Investigating Fatal Single Vehicle Crash in Prince George’s County

Maryland State Police are investigating a single vehicle fatal crash that occurred early morning on October 31, 2025, in Prince George’s County. The identity of the deceased is pending next of kin notification. She was pronounced deceased on the scene by emergency medical services personnel. Two other occupants in the vehicle were transported to...
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Arundel Mills to Celebrate 25 Years with Special Shopper Event on November 15th, 2025

Arundel Mills is marking its 25th anniversary with a festive event for shoppers, celebrating more than two decades as Maryland’s largest retail, entertainment and dining destination. On Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., shoppers are invited to join the celebration and enjoy: Anniversary Giveaway: The first 250 guests will receive a complimentary swag bag. Gallery Wall: A...
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Police Investigating False 911 Call That Reported Shooting in Waldorf

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at approximately 9:23 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to the 3000 block of Gallery Place in Waldorf, for the reported shooting. The 911 caller reported their best friend was shot and bleeding out at this location, then further advised they shot the best friend last...
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Southern Community Center and Southern Pines Senior Center to Close Temporarily for Maintenance

The Department of Community Resources, Office on Aging, advises citizens that the Southern Community Center and the Southern Pines Senior Center will be temporarily closed Saturday, Nov. 8, through Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, for scheduled maintenance. Both facilities will remain closed on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Regular hours of operation...
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Police Investigating Altercation involving 6 Students at Thomas Stone High School

On Wednesday November 5,2025, four students assaulted two other students inside the school. School administrators intervened and separated the students. One student sustained injuries to their face. The four students who initiated the assault will be charged in connection with this case; they also face school consequences in accordance with the Charles County Public...
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Leonardtown Man Charged After Weapon Found in St. Mary’s County Jail Cell

Charles Henry Thompson Jr., 31, of Leonardtown, is facing a felony charge after correctional staff allegedly discovered a homemade weapon in his jail cell earlier this October, according to court records filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Thompson has been formally charged with one count of Contraband – Conceal Weapon under...
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