On Friday, February 20, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Smallwood Church Road and Marvin Drive in Indian Head, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a large vehicle. 911 callers reported a trash truck was overturned with two injured. Crews arrived on scene to confirm a single trash truck on its side with both occupants out of the vehicle, with no entrapment, and no fuel leaks or hazmat....
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UPDATE @ 10:45 a.m.: Upon completing searches along the first and second floors. Firefighters have located one victim deceased. Heavy equipment is responding to assist investigators and firefighters as the house is unstable with collapses, unstable flooring and severe hoarding conditions. Police and Maryland State Fire Marshals on scene with the investigation ongoing. Further updates and additional information will be provided when it becomes available. No injuries to First Responders reported. UPDATE @ 8:22 a.m.: Firefighters continue to operate...
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The Department of Veterans Affairs has halted enforcement of a newly issued rule that would change how disability compensation is calculated, following widespread criticism from veterans and advocacy groups who warned the policy could reduce benefits. The interim final rule, titled “Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication,” amends 38 CFR § 4.10 within the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD). It was published in the Federal Register and took effect February 17, 2026. Public comments are being accepted through April...
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UPDATE 2/19/2026 : More than two dozen civil lawsuits are now pending in the Circuit Court for Charles County against Heaven Bound Cremation Services, LLC and related businesses and individuals, as criminal charges have been filed in connection with the ongoing investigation into the now-shut down White Plains crematory. Court records show that since October 2025, numerous plaintiffs have filed tort claims alleging negligence and related causes of action against Heaven Bound Cremation Services, LLC, Heaven Bound Funeral Services,...
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Lloyd Michael Hawkins Jr., 39, of Waldorf, has been charged with robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and theft between $1,500 and $25,000 in connection with an armed robbery reported February 13, 2026, in La Plata. According to court documents, officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the La Plata Town Police Department responded at approximately 10:10 p.m. to a reported commercial armed robbery at a tobacco shop on Crain Highway in La Plata. The charging documents state that...
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2/15/2026: On Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 1:35 a.m., firefighters from Bay District, Leonardtown, NAS Patuxent River, Hollywood and Second District responded to 21000 block of Suburban Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported trailer on fire with unknown occupancy. Investigation determined the residence, an abandoned single wide mobile home in a wooded area located at 21476 Suburban Drive in Lexington Park, was unoccupied. The structure was completely destroyed as a result of the fire. The cause of the...
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Casey Wayne Bridgett, 28, of no fixed address, is facing charges of aggravated cruelty to an animal, animal cruelty, animal cruelty—cause or authorize, and second-degree assault following an alleged domestic incident in Mechanicsville, according to court documents. The charges stem from an incident reported on July 17, 2025, at Medley’s Lane in Mechanicsville. A corporal with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence for a reported domestic disturbance. According to the application for statement of charges,...
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Detectives charge three suspects in October 2025 murder at Westlake Dash-In on Smallwood Drive West: Charles County Sheriff’s detectives charged three suspects in connection with an October 2025 murder case. On October 29 at 12:14 a.m., officers responded to the Westlake Dash-In in the 2000 block of Smallwood Drive West in Waldorf for a report of a shooting. The investigation showed unknown suspect(s) fired multiple rounds in the parking lot, striking two individuals who were standing outside a vehicle....
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Four Unified bocce teams from Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) headed to Hagerstown Community College Feb. 10 to compete in the state Unified bocce tournament. Of the 17 local teams, four qualified to move on to the next level. Two teams from La Plata High Schools, and one each from Maurice J. McDonough and North Point high schools recently placed at the district level to advance to the states. At Tuesday’s event, McDonough Team 2 placed fourth; La Plata...
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UPDATE 2/15/2026: The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General has identified the decedent and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) officers involved in the fatal police-involved shooting that occurred on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in White Plains, Charles County, Maryland. The decedent is identified as 36-year-old Demarcus Irish of Clinton, Maryland. The involved officers are identified as CCSO Sergeant Coulby, a 12-year veteran, and Police Officer First Class Kunz, a 15-year veteran. Both...
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On Saturday, February 14, 2026, at approximately 9:28 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 46000 block of Franklin Road in Lexington Park, for the reported shooting. 911 callers reported a 21-year-old male had accidentally shot himself after a negligent discharge at the residence. Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 7 was placed on standby. Crews arrived on the scene to find the victim with a single gunshot wound to the upper leg and confirmed a...
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The United States Navy recently transferred 10 TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force, strengthening the defense cooperation between the United States and Sri Lanka. “The transfer of excess helicopters reflects the United States Navy’s commitment to international partnership,” said Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program Office (PMA-273) program manager Capt. Duane Whitmer. “By providing platforms that still have significant operational value, we aim to support the Sri Lanka Air Force’s ability to respond to humanitarian...
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2/14/2026: On February 13, 2026, Khiantae Rai-Vaugh Marquez Robinson, 20, of Lusby, pleaded guilty in Calvert County Circuit Court to attempted second degree murder, first degree assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, and concealing evidence of a crime. The charges stemmed from a drive-by shooting that occurred on September 16, 2025, on Golden West Way in Lusby. Investigators from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office determined that Robinson fired 2 shots from a vehicle...
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UPDATE 2/13/2026: The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Melsun Shamel Perry, 34 of District Heights, in connection with multiple crimes targeting cell phone retail businesses in Calvert County. The charges stem from incidents that occurred on December 29, 2025, at the Verizon Wireless store in Dunkirk, and on February 3, 2026, at the Verizon Wireless store in Lusby. Perry has been charged in Calvert County with: Armed Robbery Robbery First- and Second-Degree Assault Organized Retail Theft Malicious Destruction...
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On Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 4:24 p.m., firefighters from Bay District, NAS Patuxent River, Ridge and Second District responded to the 21000 block of Constellation Street in Lexington Park, for the reported chimney fire. 911 callers reported a chimney fire was spreading to the residence, with all occupants and pets out and accounted for. Crews arrived on the scene within 5 minutes of dispatch to find fire showing from the residences chimney. Firefighters knocked the bulk of the...
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The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) hosted a virtual program last month for federal employees and military veterans to explore opportunities and local resources available to help begin a career in the private sector. More than 70 residents from across the region registered for ‘Private Sector Pivot,’ organized by CSM and local partnerships including...
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Governor Wes Moore this week signed legislation to prohibit State and local jurisdictions from deputizing officers for federal civil immigration enforcement activity. The law, created under SB 245/HB 444, is effective immediately. “In Maryland, we defend Constitutional rights and Constitutional policing—and we will not allow untrained, unqualified, and unaccountable ICE agents to deputize our...
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Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is celebrating its 60th anniversary of supporting naval aviation this year and wants to tell your story. We are searching for current and former employees who have insightful, interesting or unique stories about their time in NAVAIR for use in videos, podcasts, feature stories, social media and more. Were...
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Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and 9 additional members of Congress who represent Maryland and Virginia wrote to DC Water CEO and General Manager David Gadis, expressing serious concern over the public health and environmental impacts of the disastrous sewage spill into the Potomac River following the collapse...
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UPDATE 2/20/2026: Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Prince George’s County today filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings in their lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to sabotage the FBI headquarters project in Greenbelt, Maryland. The motion asks the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland to rule in Maryland’s...
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Students at Great Mills High School are inviting the community to pack the gym on March 12, 2026, for a staff basketball showdown that will raise money for pediatric cancer treatment and research. The Great Mills High School Mini-THON club will host a charity basketball game featuring Great Mills High School staff taking on...
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NAS Patuxent River’s Gate 1 and Webster Outlying Field’s Main Gate will experience closures Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 for scheduled maintenance. NAS Pax River Gate 1 – Closed Feb. 20, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Drivers should use Pa River Gate 2 during this time. Webster Field Main Gate – Closed Feb. 20, 1...
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Michael Ryan Norfolk, 36, of Lexington Park, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and carrying a concealed dangerous weapon, following an incident on February 11, 2026, in Lexington Park. According to court documents, deputies with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded around 8:44 p.m....
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On January 26, 2026, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Warrant Unit, in coordination with the United States Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force (CARFTF), successfully located and apprehended Brandon Gerald Jernigan, 40, of Jackson, Mississippi, who was wanted in connection with multiple violent offenses across several jurisdictions. On October 18, 2023,...
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Calvert County EMS is hosting a community blood drive on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Calvert County Department of Public Safety, located at 110 Main St. in Prince Frederick. Donors who participate will receive a complimentary pint glass, while supplies last. Appointments are encouraged. To schedule a...
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has spent the cold winter preparing for trout fishing, one of spring’s most anticipated traditions. Based on feedback from angler surveys, the department is making some changes to the put-and-take trout stocking program to enhance angler experience, opportunity, and catch. Adjustments to trout stocking timing, allocations, and...
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The Board of Public Works today approved more than $7.1 million in grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to local governments and land trusts for recreation centers and land conservation in Allegany, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and St. Mary’s counties. More than $3.6 million in Program Open Space – Local funding was...
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Melissa Nazareth Lozano-Rodriguez, 21, and Carlos Alberto Mondragon-Guevara, 48, both of Temple Hills, are each facing felony theft charges following an alleged shoplifting incident at Macy’s in Waldorf. Both defendants are charged with theft of property valued at $1,500 to under $25,000 in connection with an incident reported on February 14, 2026, at the...
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Christopher Michael Cable, 35, and Nicholas Daniel Lokey, 32, both of Dameron, are facing multiple drug and obstruction charges following a February 12, 2026 traffic stop in Solomons, according to court documents. Cable is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance not cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing and hindering a police officer,...
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Brion Wesley Brookins, 39, of Saint Leonard, is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after an incident at Saint Leonard Elementary School on February 3, 2026, according to court documents. Brookins is charged with disturbing school operations, disturbing the peace, obstructing and hindering a police officer, and disorderly conduct. The charges stem from an incident reported...
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Lisa Marie Thompson, 36, of Lexington Park, is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after deputies say she provided a false name during a traffic stop and was found in possession of suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia. According to court documents, the charges stem from a traffic stop conducted by a deputy with the Calvert County...
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Jacob Tanner Papanicolas, 27, of Lusby, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after authorities say he broke into a Chesapeake Beach home, assaulted an adult female victim, damaged property, and endangered others while intoxicated. According to charging documents filed in the District Court for Calvert County, the charges stem from an incident reported...
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