Southern Maryland News Net

Early Morning Trailer Fire in Mechanicsville Leaves Two Displaced, Fire Under Investigation

On Friday, March 13, 2026, at approximately 2:41 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Seventh District, Hughesville, Hollywood and Charles County responded to the 39000 block of Harper’s Corner Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported structure fire. 911 callers reported a fire in the bathroom. Firefighters arrived on scene to find fire showing from the 1-story trailer with a second nearby mobile home being threatened. Crews made entry with multiple attack lines and found hoarding conditions within the residence which slowed...
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Police Investigating Murder Case on Davis Road in Waldorf

UPDATE 3/12/2026 @ 2:00 pm: On March 11 at approximately 6:46 p.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of Davis Road for the report of a shooting. A preliminary investigation showed that the victim was standing outside a residence when an unknown suspect drove up in a dark colored SUV and fired multiple shots, striking the victim. Fire/EMS personnel arrived and initiated aide; however, the victim was pronounced deceased on the scene. The victim was later identified as Jakale...
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No Injuries Reported After Plane Crash at St. Mary’s County Airport

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 4:10 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the St. Mary’s County Airport located at 44200 Airport Road in Hollywood, Maryland, for the reported plane crash. 911 callers reported a single engine plane crashed at the end of the runway with unknown occupants and unknown injuries. Crews quickly arrived on the scene to confirm a single engine aircraft had crashed after leaving the runway with the plane coming to a rest...
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State Fire Marshal Investigating Townhouse Fire in White Plains That Displaces Six

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at approximately 1:27 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf, La Plata and surrounding departments responded to the 10700 block of Esprit Place in White Plains, for the structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find smoke and fire showing from the 3-story middle of the group townhouse. Firefighters made entry and found fire on the exterior of the townhome which extended into the attic. The fire was extinguished within 25 minutes. All searches came...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating Two Separate Shootings in Under An Hour in Charles County That Leaves One Dead, One Hospitalized

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating two separate shootings in the county that occurred within an hour of each other. At approximately 6:46 p.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of Davis Road for the report of a shooting. A preliminary investigation showed that a 26-year-old male was standing outside a residence when an unknown suspect drove up in a dark colored SUV and fired multiple shots, striking the victim. Fire/EMS personnel arrived and initiated aide; however,...
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UPDATE: Fire Marshal Continues Investigation Into Leonardtown Structure Fire

UPDATE 3/13/2026: On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 3:41 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to 41885 Medley Neck Road in Leonardtown, for the structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single story, single family house with smoke showing and the single occupant outside. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, the homeowner was able to escape with minor injuries and is being assisted by family members. Investigation determined the home did not...
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5-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Center After Falling from 2-Story Window in Hollywood

On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 3:24 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 43000 block of St. John’s Road in Hollywood, for the reported fall. 911 callers reported a 5-year-old male fell from a 2-story window, and advised no one witnessed the child fall and doesn’t know when it occurred. Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 7 was placed on standby. Crews arrived on the scene to find the child was conscious and breathing, while EMS evaluated...
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UPDATE: 17-Year-Old Charged As Adult After Stabbing 19-Year-Old at Great Mills High School

UPDATE 3/10/2026: Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a stabbing that occurred Tuesday at Great Mills High School. At approximately 12:15 p.m., School Resource Officer Corporal Gerard Muschette requested an ambulance for a 19-year-old male suffering from a single stab wound to the torso. The victim was flown from the scene to an area hospital with injuries that appear to be non-life-threatening. An immediate investigation was initiated, and a 17-year-old male suspect was taken into...
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UPDATE: Avenue Man Indicted for Fatal 2025 Crash on Route 5 in Leonardtown

UPDATE 3/10/2026: Kendall Deshong Young age 34 of Avenue, has been formally indicted and charged via criminal summons with the following charges below. NEG MANSL-AUTO/BOAT, ETC. CR NEG MANSLGHTR VEH/VESS RECKLESS DRIVING Negligent driving veh. in careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life and person Driving motor veh. while lic. suspended under TR (17-106, 26-204, 26-206, 27-103) An initial appearance is set for 04/20/2026. The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the crash investigation, with charges presented to...
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Former MPD Officer Arrested, Police Investigating Drugging and Sexual Assaults Across Maryland and Virginia Over Past Two Years

APD: Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire provided a briefing on the Alexandria Police Department’s (APD) investigation into a sexual assault suspect. A Grand Jury indictment against Timothy Valentin, a 30-year-old resident of Fort Washington, Maryland, alleges he has sexually assaulted four victims. Today’s indictment charges Valentin with multiple felony offenses related to three victims, including: Four counts of Rape by Force Four counts of Rape by Incapacitation Two counts of Adulteration Two counts of Sodomy Two counts of Abduction...
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Hollywood Man Charged with Possession of Child Pornography Following Investigation

Following an investigation into an alleged child pornography complaint, detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division served an arrest warrant on Terry Joe Hahn, 44, of Hollywood, Maryland, on Monday, March 9, 2026. On Feb. 22, deputies responded after receiving a tip about the possible existence of pornographic images of children on Hahn’s phone. Through a forensic investigation, detectives determined that multiple pornographic images of juveniles of varying ages were located on the device. Hahn...
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Donations Pour In for Humane Society of Charles County Following Urgent Plea for Help

Last week, the Humane Society of Charles County (HSCC), the county’s only no-kill animal shelter, issued an urgent plea for help as the organization faced the possibility of closing its doors after more than 50 years of serving the community. After issuing the public plea earlier this week, the shelter originally sought to raise $125,000 to stabilize operations. Thanks to hundreds of donors from across Southern Maryland and beyond who responded to the call for help, HSCC has now surpassed...
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Child, Two Adults Transported to Trauma Centers After Crash Leaves Multiple Trapped in Waldorf

On Monday, March 9, 2026, at approximately 11:52 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Crain Highway and Gillespie Circle in Waldorf, for the serious motor vehicle collision with one overturned. Crews arrived on the scene within 3 minutes of dispatch to find multiple vehicles involved, and confirmed three patients trapped in a vehicle on its side. Firefighters extricated two adults and one child from the vehicle in under 20 minutes. Emergency medical services...
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Chesapeake Life Center’s Pet Loss Workshop Returns to Perfect Pet Resort

In response to continued community interest and the deep need for support after the loss of a beloved pet, Chesapeake Life Center is pleased to bring back its popular Pet Loss Workshop, offering comfort, connection and healthy coping strategies for grieving adults. The free workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Perfect Pet Resort, 840 W. Bay Front Road, Lothian, Maryland. For many, pets are cherished family members. When they die, the...
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UPDATE: Four MS-13 Gang Members Indicted in Connection to Murder of Missing 14-Year-Old Who Was Found Dead in Prince George’s County

UPDATE 3/8/2026: Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson has announced that Jose Merlos-Majano, Alan Josai Garcia-Padilla, William Cuellar Gutierrez, and a 17-year-old have been indicted on charges including first-degree murder, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and participation in a criminal organization in connection with the death of 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala from Washington D.C. In August 2025, Amaya-Ayala was reported missing after he was last seen in the 1400 block of Sheridan Street in...
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Man Charged With Theft and Assault Following Reported Shoplifting in Prince Frederick

Lavonte Lewis Grimes, 30, of Hyattsville, is facing multiple misdemeanor charges after an alleged theft and confrontation with deputies outside the Walmart in Prince Frederick, according to court documents. Grimes is charged with theft between $100 and $1,500, obstructing and hindering, and second-degree assault. According to charging documents filed by the Calvert County Sheriff’s...
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Washington, D.C. Man Charged After Loaded Handgun Found During Dunkirk Traffic Stop

Corey Antonio Paul, 36, of Washington, D.C., is facing multiple firearm-related charges after deputies conducted a traffic stop in Dunkirk and allegedly discovered a loaded handgun and ammunition in his vehicle, according to court documents. The charges include illegal possession of a regulated firearm, handgun on a person, handgun in a vehicle, possession of...
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Hollywood Man Charged With Possessing Child Pornography After Images Found on Phone

Terry Joe Hahn, 44, of Hollywood, is facing two misdemeanor charges of possession of child pornography following an investigation by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, according to court documents. According to the charging documents, the investigation began on February 22, 2026, when deputies with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were contacted regarding...
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Traffic Notice: Pegg Road Roundabout Construction to Begin at Westbury Boulevard Intersection

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) will be constructing a new roundabout at the intersection of Pegg Road and Westbury Boulevard. The project is scheduled to begin on or about Tuesday, March 17, 2026, with completion in approximately 60 days, weather permitting. A traffic control plan will be implemented for...
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Local Southern Maryland Coaches Launch “The Dugout” Podcast to Unite Youth Baseball and Softball Community

A new voice is hitting the airwaves for the Southern Maryland sports community. The Dugout, a dedicated youth baseball and softball podcast, has officially launched, providing players, parents and coaches with an inside look at the game from a local perspective. Hosted by a panel of four veteran local coaches, the podcast serves as...
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Safe Catch-and-Release and Avoiding High Temperatures Helps Protect Striped Bass, Research Shows

Practicing safe catch-and-release fishing is always important for conserving fish populations, and these techniques are all the more critical for Maryland’s striped bass now, which have struggled to produce a strong new generation of fish in recent years. Catch-and-release fishing is a great way for anglers to pursue fish while also conserving the population, allowing...
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Little Flower School to Host 2026 Touch-a-Truck Festival in Great Mills on March 28, 2026

Little Flower School is inviting the Southern Maryland community to its 2026 Touch-a-Truck Festival on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The family-friendly event will take place on the grounds of Little Flower School in Great Mills from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. The hands-on festival will give children and families...
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St. Mary’s County Animal Adoption & Resource Center Announces Extended Closure

The St. Mary’s County Animal Adoption & Resource Center, which announced an emergency closure on Wednesday, March 11, will remain closed to the public through Monday, March 16, 2026. The extended closure is due to a large animal intake that required the full attention of shelter staff and the use of all available shelter space to safely receive...
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Noise Advisory – Inshore Flight Testing, Potential Supersonic Flights March 19-20, 2026

Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Webster Outlying Field, Smith Island, Maryland and residents of the Northern Neck of Virginia are advised of an inshore weapons separation testing event Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This test flight has the potential to generate a sonic boom...
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St. Mary’s County Assault Case Leads to Indictment Against 29-Year-Old Lexington Park Man

Christopher James Jones, 29, of Lexington Park, has been charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault after St. Mary’s County deputies said he assaulted an adult female victim during a reported domestic incident in Lexington Park on February 22, 2026. Court records show the case began in District Court for St. Mary’s County and...
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St. Mary’s County Grand Jury Indicts Leonardtown Man on Assault Charges

Carlton Eugene Young, 55, of Leonardtown, is charged with first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and dangerous weapon with intent to injure in a St. Mary’s County criminal case tied to incidents dated February 4, 2026, and February 7, 2026, according to court records. The case began in District Court for St. Mary’s...
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St. Mary’s County Prosecutors Pursue Child Pornography Case Against Clements Man

Leonard Michael Nelson Jr., 19, of Clements, is facing 10 charges in St. Mary’s County after prosecutors filed a criminal indictment in Circuit Court alleging he distributed, possessed, accessed and viewed child pornography, according to court records and charging documents. The indictment filed on March 9, 2026, lists two felony counts of child pornography...
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13-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Center After Suffering Burns from Dirt Bike Crash

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 3:33 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 20000 block of Piney Point Road in Callaway, for the reported traumatic injuries after a dirt bike accident. 911 callers reported a 13-year-old male suffered burn injuries to the lower body after a dirt bike crash, with the...
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CSM Receives More than $1.7 Million in Signed Appropriations Package

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will receive more than $1.7 million in federal funding to support a new Aviation Maintenance Technology Program and a Water and Wastewater Treatment Program. The FY2026 Appropriations Package, signed February 3, includes $1.7 million of Congressionally Directed Spending allocated to CSM for these initiatives. CSM President Dr. Yolanda...
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Maryland Public Service Commission Holding Two Public Hearings for Input on Washington Gas Light’s Proposal to Increase Gas Distribution Rates

The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold two virtual public hearings to receive public input on Washington Gas Light’s proposal to increase its gas distribution rates. The hearings will be held Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6 p.m. The utility’s customers and other stakeholders are welcome to attend one or...
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Healing and Connection This Spring at Chesapeake Life Center

Spring can be a season of renewal, but for those who are grieving, it can also bring tender reminders of loss. Chesapeake Life Center offers a variety of workshops and support groups designed to provide connection, comfort and hope during this time of healing. From creative art experiences and nature-inspired programs to skill-building workshops...
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Attorney General Brown Vows to Continue Antitrust Case Against Live Nation, Owner of Ticketmaster

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown released the following multistate statement regarding the ongoing antitrust case against Live Nation, which owns Ticketmaster, for unlawfully monopolizing the live entertainment industry and concert ticketing services: “In May 2024, a bipartisan group of state attorneys general joined the U.S. Department of Justice to sue Live Nation for monopolizing...
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