Southern Maryland News Net

Governor Hogan Announces Historic Investments in Public Health and Human Services, Record Funding For Local Health Departments

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that his Fiscal Year 2023 budget will include historic investments in public health, including record funding for the state’s local health departments. The budget will also expand support for 50,000 low-income children and 27,000 seniors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), while providing additional resources for food banks and nonprofits. “Our budget will make record investments in the local health departments on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor Hogan. “We...
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Fourteen Businesses in St. Mary’s County Pass Alcohol Compliance Checks – Two Fail

On Friday afternoon, Jan. 14, 2022, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Alcohol Enforcement Unit conducted a series of covert compliance checks at local businesses, using an underage individual. The underage individual entered the businesses without identification and attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages. During this covert compliance check operation, the Alcohol Enforcement Unit visited 16 businesses in St. Mary’s County. Fourteen of the stores were compliant, requiring identification from the underage individual and did not complete the sale. Two...
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Prince George’s County Firefighter Douglas Baker Receives Gold Medal of Valor for Saving Multiple Victims Trapped in 1971 House Fire

On May 12, 1971, Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Firefighter Douglas Baker was at home preparing to begin his regularly scheduled shift. As he was listening to his home radio receiver, fire suppression units were dispatched to an apartment building at 7753 Riverdale Road in Lanham. Firefighter Baker quickly ran to the scene and found a well involved fire showing and many residents still inside. He entered the building several times without any protective equipment to help trapped residents,...
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Charles County Scholarship Fund Offering More Than 60 Scholarships to High School Seniors

The Charles County Scholarship Fund is offering more than 60 scholarships to Charles County high school seniors. Interested students can visit the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, ccboe.com, to view available scholarships, eligibility criteria and additional requirements. All applications must be completed and submitted online by Tuesday, March 1. Students need only to submit one application and late submissions are not accepted. The application is posted here. Application requirements include a resume, personal statement that details academic and career...
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UPDATE – Details Released: Police Arrest Man Involved in Murder of 19-Year-Old Male Lexington Park

UPDATE 1/14/2022 @ 11:30 a.m.: According to court documents, Joseph James Oakes, age 19 of Lexington Park was in the vehicle with five other subjects at the time of his murder. Oakes died from a gunshot wound to his upper body. A second victim sustained a gunshot wound to his right arm, and a third victim sustained an injury to his right leg from what appears to be a (bullet) grazing his leg. Investigation revealed the shooting occurred on...
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No Injuries Reported After Shooting in Lexington Park, Occupied Vehicle and Residence Struck

On Thursday, January 13, 2022, at approximately 10:00 p.m., police responded to the 21700 block of Kearsarge Place in Lexington Park, for multiple 911 calls of shots fired. Multiple 911 callers reported hearing gunshots, one 911 caller was a victim stating their vehicle was struck multiple times and was uninjured. Police made contact with the victim at the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office D4 building and officers located multiple bullet holes in the vehicle. Crime Lab Technicians responded and...
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Three Injured After Waldorf Paramedic Ambulance is Involved in Motor Vehicle Collision with Entrapment

On Thursday, January 13, 2022, just before 8:30 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Crain Highway and Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving Waldorf Ambulance 38. Crews arrived on the scene to find the ambulance and one other vehicle involved and reported one EMT was trapped. Firefighters extricated the emergency medical technician in approximately 10 minutes. Firefighters reported three victims were injured and requested three ambulances. A helicopter was...
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UPDATE: Prince George’s County Correctional Officer who Drove Through Taco Bell Sentenced for First-Degree Assault

UPDATE 1/13/22: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Tanesha Renea Williams, 26, of Waldorf, to 40 years, 283 days, with all but 4 years and 100 days suspended. Williams will serve her time in jail for 18 months, followed by 2 years on home detention. Williams will then be on supervised probation for 5 years. On October 4, 2021, Williams plead guilty...
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Maryland Natural Resources Police Officer Prevents a Second Suicide in Two Months

A Maryland Natural Resources Police officer prevented a suicide for the second time in two months. On December 29, 2021, at about 6:30 p.m., Officer First Class Jacob Gerczak was on patrol near the Chesapeake City Bridge when he observed a woman leaning over the safety railing of the bridge. The five-year veteran, who in October had rescued another woman after she jumped into a river, recognized the signs that she might be suicidal and turned his patrol vehicle to approach the...
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Governor Hogan Announces $4.6 Billion Tax Relief Package for Hardworking Maryland Families, Small Businesses, and Retirees

Governor Larry Hogan announced the largest tax relief package in state history to deliver more than $4.6 billion in much-needed relief for hardworking Maryland families, small businesses, and retirees. “Next to our health recovery from the worst pandemic in more than a century, nothing is more important than our continued economic recovery,” said Governor Hogan. “With all of the important announcements we are making today, we are continuing our focus on delivering exactly what we promised—real, long-term relief to...
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Patrol Officers Recover Loaded Gun and Drugs:

On January 8, 2022, at approximately 5:38 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop in the area of Washington Avenue near Cecil Street in La Plata. Upon approaching the driver, officers detected the smell of marijuana, and further investigation showed the driver was in possession of marijuana and suspected fentanyl. Officers also found a loaded handgun in the car, and the serial number on the gun had been tampered with. Rashad Isaiah Cobey, 21,...
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UPDATE: Calvert County Sheriff’s Releases Statement on Deputy Involved in Serious Motor Vehicle Crash

UPDATE: The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office to determine if charges will be filed against Calvert County Sheriff’s Deputy Jermaine Mason, one of the drivers involved in the January 7th, 2021 motor vehicle crash on Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick. 1/7/2022: The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a motor vehicle crash that occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m., on Friday, January 7, 2022 in the 1300 block of...
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Police in Charles County Investigating Threats of Mass Violence at St. Charles High School

On January 9, 2022, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office received two calls regarding alleged threats of mass violence at St. Charles High School that would occur sometime this week. A preliminary investigation revealed several students at the school were followed on Instagram by two separate unknown accounts which contained a post of a photo of an airsoft gun–which resembles a firearm–and indicated violence would occur. The students notified their parents who then called the police. At this time it...
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Police Investigating Motor Vehicle Crash That Killed 36-Year-Old Waldorf Man

UPDATE 1/10/2022 @ 5:25 p.m.: On January 9, 2022, at 2:03 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Acton Lane near Tawny Drive in Waldorf for the report of a motor vehicle crash. A preliminary investigation showed the driver appeared to be traveling westbound on Acton Lane when the vehicle left the roadway just prior to Tawny Drive and overturned. The driver, Bruce Matthew Lyles, Jr., 36, of Waldorf, was ejected from the...
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UPDATE: Lexington Park Man Charged with Attempted First Degree Murder After Stabbing on Great Mills Road

UPDATE 1/10/2022: On Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 3:16 a.m. deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 21600 block of Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, for the reported assault. Investigation determined Frederick Lee Weems, age 42 of Lexington Park, forced entry to the victim’s residence and stabbed the victim multiple times, and fled the area on foot. The victim was flown to an area trauma center for treatment. Weems fled to his nearby residence...
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Sotterley Presents: People and Perspectives on Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Sotterley Presents: People and Perspectives continues February 9th with an exciting panel featuring the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC) Education Committee. The panel will discuss the importance, impact, and scope of the Education Committee’s work in our area. This free virtual event is a part of our Common Ground Initiative. Hear about the...
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Calvert County Marine Museum Events – February 2022

Thursdays, Feb. 3 & 10 – Sea Squirts 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., – Children 18 months to 3 years, with an adult, are invited to discover the museum together through music, stories, and special activities. Join us for story time and a carryout craft, available while supplies last. Sessions are 25-40 minutes. Sign up...
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Detective Seek Community’s Assistance in Locating Suspect Vehicle in Fatal 2021 Shooting

Detectives today released surveillance video of the car seen leaving the scene of a fatal shooting in District Heights in November of 2021. The victim is 29-year-old Marshay Hazelwood of District Heights. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. On November...
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Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office Continues Fight Against Human Trafficking, January Recognized as Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. As a founding member of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office pledges to continue to combat human trafficking by working with our partners to investigate and prosecute traffickers and rescue victims. The Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force (MHTTF) was formed in 2007 by...
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Charles County Public Schools to Launch New Design of Main Website/School Sites Tuesday, January 18, 2022

The new www.ccboe.com website is set to launch on Tuesday, Jan. 18. School sites will also feature a new design to deliver a cohesive look. The launch may result in the site being inaccessible for at least an hour on Tuesday. Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) last updated its website design in 2017. The...
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Maryland Judiciary Extends Phase III Operations Through March 6, 2022

The Maryland Judiciary announced that, due to the continued surge of positive COVID-19 cases and high rate of community transmission, Phase III operations will continue through March 6, 2022, pending further order. Clerks’ offices in both the District Court of Maryland and circuit courts throughout the state will remain open to the public. The Court...
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Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Announce Coaching Staff from 2021 Season Returning for 2022 Season

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs announced on Thursday afternoon that all four coaches from the 2021 coaching staff will be returning for the 2022 season. Blue Crabs General Manager Courtney Knichel will bring back Manager Stan Cliburn to accompany the team’s Pitching Coach, Daryl Thompson, Bench Coach, Joe Walsh, and Hitting Coach, Ray Ortega....
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Universal Coprolite Day at the Calvert Marine Museum – February 22, 2022

Remarkably, when feces fossilize, they are known as coprolites. The term coprolite comes from the Greek words kopros (meaning dung) and lithos (meaning stone). To celebrate the importance of coprolites in the fossil record and in the study of prehistoric life, the Department of Paleontology at the Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) is initiating the...
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St. Mary’s County Public Hearing Notice for Tuesday, February 1, 2022

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County will hold a Public Hearing Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. in the Chesapeake Building located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown, to consider public input on a proposed ordinance to amend St. Mary’s County Comprehensive Land Use Map and the Comprehensive...
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Process Server Wayne Guy Retires After Decades of Service

Wayne Guy, longtime Process Server, retired from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at the end of 2021 after more than 24 years of service with the agency. Before joining the Office of the Sheriff, Mr. Guy already served 25 years with the Maryland state government, many of those years with the Department of...
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Maryland Public Television’s Series, Maryland Farm & Harvest Visits Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties

Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) popular original series Maryland Farm & Harvest, now in its ninth season, will feature farms and locations in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties and Baltimore City during a new episode airing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 18. Viewers can watch on MPT-HD and online at mpt.org/livestream. The weekly series...
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UPDATE: Detectives Arrest 25-Year-Old Clinton Man for Fatal Christmas Eve Shooting

The Homicide Unit identified and arrested a suspect in connection with the fatal shooting in Temple Hills on Christmas Eve. The suspect is 25-year-old Markell Lewis of Clinton. He’s charged with the murder of 30-year-old Danny Kelly Jr. of Clinton. On December 24, 2021, at approximately 4:40 pm, patrol officers were called to the 4400 block of St. Barnabas Road....
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BusPatrol School Bus Safety Program Goes Into Full Effect January 18, 2022 / Citations to be Issued for Violations Caught on Camera

Beginning on January 18, the BusPatrol school bus safety program in Charles County will go into full effect–meaning motorists who violate bus-stopping laws, as captured on buses outfitted with cameras, will receive an actual citation in the mail rather than a letter of warning. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and Charles County Public...
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Calvert County Public Works to Coordinate Annual On Watch Campaign

Citizens are invited to honor a World War II veteran with a memorial paver brick on the Veterans Patio at the “On Watch” memorial statue in Solomons. The Calvert County Department of Public Works, General Services Division, is coordinating the annual campaign, which runs through May 2, 2022. The monument commemorates those who served...
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Public Hearing Scheduled for Calvert County Police Accountability Board on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will hold a public hearing Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., to receive and consider public input on a draft resolution regarding the creation of a Calvert County Police Accountability Board (PAB). The public hearing will be held at the Harriet E. Brown Community Center...
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Justice Department Awards Nearly $87 Million to Combat Human Trafficking and Help Victims

The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) announced almost $87 million in funding to combat human trafficking, provide supportive services to trafficking victims throughout the United States and conduct research into the nature and causes of labor and sex trafficking. “Human trafficking is a global problem that reaches into many of our nation’s...
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La Plata Man Charged After Setting His Truck On Fire

A La Plata man is facing arson charges after Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded he was responsible for setting his truck on fire on the morning of Saturday, January 15, 2022. On January 15, 2022, shortly after 10 a.m., investigators assigned to the Maryland State Fire Marshal Southern Regional Office were requested to assist...
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