Southern Maryland News Net

UPDATE: Suspect and Officers Identified After Fatal Shooting in Charles County

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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Man Flown to Trauma Center After Accidentally Shooting Himself in Lexington Park

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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U.S Navy Transfers Ten TH-57 helicopters to Sri Lanka Air Force

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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UPDATE: Lusby Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Murder After Firing Handgun at Two Victims Changing Tire

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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PG County Man Arrested After Multiple Cell Phone Store Robberies in Calvert County

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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No Injuries Reported After Chimney Fire Extends Into Lexington Park Home Leaving Two Displaced

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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Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Lexington Park

On Friday, February 13, 2026, at approximately 8:55 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to Point Lookout Road at Willows Road in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision with unknown injuries. A short time after dispatch, the incident was upgraded to a serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment and one unconscious. A helicopter was placed on standby, however, Due to maintenance, Trooper 7 was out of service with flight medics responding to the scene by...
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UPDATE: Pedestrian Killed After Being Struck by Maryland State Trooper and Additional Vehicles in Waldorf, Crash Remains Under Investigation

UPDATE 2/13/2026: Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred late Thursday night in Charles County. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene by personnel from Charles County Emergency Medical Services. Identification is pending an autopsy at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore. Shortly before midnight, troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to the area of Route 301 between Plaza Drive and St. Patrick’s Drive for a report of...
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Lexington Park Woman Indicted in 2025 Fatal Crash on Great Mills Road

UPDATE 2/112/2026: Zykera Sharnae Shubrooks-Nunley, 21, of Lexington Park, has been indicted on charges of negligent manslaughter by vehicle, criminally negligent manslaughter by vehicle, reckless driving, and negligent driving in connection with a fatal crash that occurred in 2025. A St. Mary’s County Grand Jury returned a true bill indictment on February 9, 2026, in the Circuit Court for St. Mary’s County, charging Shubrooks-Nunley in a four-count indictment. According to the indictment, the charges stem from an incident that...
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Baltimore Man Charged in Multi-County 7-Eleven Credit Card Skimming Investigation in Calvert County

Becam Ciuciu, 20, of Baltimore, is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges after an investigation by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office into the installation of illegal skimming devices at 7-Eleven stores across Maryland. Ciuciu is charged with two counts of possession of a re-encoder/skimming device and two counts of identity fraud with intent to manufacture or distribute, according to court documents filed in the District Court for Calvert County . The charges stem from incidents reported on December 21,...
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Calvert County Conducting Death Investigating After Woman Dies at Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort in Chesapeake Beach

In response to the community inquiries for information regarding a recent death investigation, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office is currently conducting an active and ongoing investigation into an incident that occurred at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort in Chesapeake Beach. The investigation remains open at this time. The Sheriff’s Office is conducting a thorough and comprehensive investigation into all aspects of the incident. Investigators are currently awaiting the results of the autopsy and additional information from the Office of...
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Deputies Say Drunk Man Left Child in Truck Following Hit-and-Run with School Bus at Plum Point Elementary School

Brian Paul Davis, 41, of Prince Frederick, is facing multiple charges including neglect of a minor, reckless endangerment, and confining an unattended child following a series of alleged incidents on February 4, 2026, according to court documents. Davis is charged with neglect of a minor, reckless endangerment, and confining an unattended child in a motor vehicle. In addition, he faces numerous traffic-related charges, including driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, driving under the influence...
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19-Year-Old Clements Teen Arrest for Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography

Maryland State Police arrested a St. Mary’s County man this morning after an investigation developed evidence of the possession and distribution of child pornography. The suspect is identified as Leonard Nelson, Jr., 19, of Clements, Maryland. In consultation with the Office of the State’s Attorney in St. Mary’s County, Nelson was arrested and charged with two counts each of distribution and possession of child pornography, and seven counts of accessing and viewing child pornography. He was transported to the...
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NAS Patuxent River Announces Sailors, Civilians of the Year 2025

NAS Patuxent River announces its Sailors and Civilians of the Year, marking the command’s top military personnel and civil servants for 2025. “Every day our ‘Pax Pros’ complete the necessary missions to make our air station the center for excellence in naval aviation we know it to be,” said NAS Patuxent River Commanding Officer Capt. Mark Zematis. “And among those hard-chargers, the Sailors and civilians chosen for this recognition stand out as the best of the best. Their hard...
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Attempted Murder Charges Filed After Prince Frederick Stabbing Sends Two Victims to Shock Trauma

Brandon Lloyd Milbrook, 34, of Prince Frederick, is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, and two counts of first-degree assault following a stabbing incident reported on February 8, 2026, according to court documents. Deputies with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:31 p.m. on February 8, 2026, reporting an active assault involving a knife at a residence on Sark Court in Prince Frederick. When deputies...
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Charles County Public Schools 2025-2026 Calendar Changes, Shifts Last Day of School for Students and Teachers

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) has modified the 2025-2026 calendar due to recent inclement weather closures. As of Feb. 12, CCPS has used the four inclement weather days built into June 2026: June 12, 15, 16 and 17. The Board of Education on Feb. 10 approved the opening of schools for students and teachers...
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Charles County Resilience Authority Details $1.26 Million in Local Climate Projects

The Resilience Authority of Charles County presented a detailed progress report to the Charles County Board of County Commissioners on February 3, 2026, outlining funding totals, project milestones, and upcoming tree equity initiatives. The presentation focused on projects completed or underway as part of the Authority’s “Concrete to Green” initiative and Maryland’s 5 Million...
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California Man Sentenced to 10-Years After Police Arrest Him in PG County and Recover Over 100 Kilos of Cocaine, Three Firearms

U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar sentenced a California man to prison in connection with a federal investigation that led to law enforcement seizing more than 100 kilograms of cocaine. Mario Valencia-Birruetta, 35, of Corning, California, received a 121-month sentence for conspiracy to distribute cocaine. Valencia-Birruetta’s sentence also covers a possession with intent to...
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Maryland Hunters Harvest 71,649 Deer for 2025-2026 Season

Maryland deer hunters harvested 71,649 deer during the combined archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons, from Sept. 5, 2025 through Feb. 4, 2026. The statewide harvest reported to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources included 29,814 antlered and 37,925 antlerless white-tailed deer, and 1,874 antlered and 2,036 antlerless sika deer. The harvest was 14.9% lower than the 2024-2025 total of 84,201 deer and 7.2% lower than...
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Resilience Through Restoration Initiative Protects Maryland Communities and Coastlines

In its eight years of operation, Maryland’s Resilience through Restoration Initiative has supported more than three dozen projects in the state and transferred millions of dollars into critical environmental efforts that protect communities, shore up habitat, and provide lasting economic benefits for long-term resilience in coastal areas. The program prioritizes nature-based solutions to harness...
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Minor Injuries After Single Vehicle Crashes Into Ditch in Mechanicsville

On Sunday, February 15, 2026, at approximately 5:25 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area 26600 Budds Creek Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported motor vehicle collision with one unconscious. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle into the ditch with the single occupant conscious but not...
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St. Inigoes NAWCAD Team Develops, Installs Aircraft Carrier Ready Room Modernization Across Fleet

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Webster Outlying Field’s (NAWCAD WOLF) Ship and Air Integrated Warfare (SAIW) division developed and is installing upgrades to aircraft carrier ready rooms across the Navy’s fleet of ships in support of the Strike Planning and Execution Systems program office (PMA-281). “The carrier ready room modernization effort...
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One Injured After Rollover Collision in Waldorf – Police Investigating After 911 Callers Report Driver Was Reckless Prior to Crash

On Sunday, February 15, 2026, at approximately 11:15 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 8450 Bensville Road in Waldorf, for the serious motor vehicle collision with one overturned and trapped. Multiple 911 callers reported a two-vehicle collision with one overturned and one trapped, with two 911 callers advising...
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UPDATE: GoFundMe Launched to Help Owner Rebuild After Clements Lumber Yard Fire

UPDATE: A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the owner of the Clements-area lumber yard following last week’s fire that destroyed a barn and damaged critical equipment. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-glendon-rebuild-his-saw-mill As previously reported, firefighters were dispatched on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:23 a.m., to 40350 Big Chestnut Road in Leonardtown for a reported wood...
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Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal Issues Urgent Fire Alarm Recall Due Failure to Warn During Fire, Alarms Sold Exclusively on Amazon

The Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal is issuing an urgent recall notice from the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding certain smoke alarms due to a potential alarm failure. This defect may cause the alarm to malfunction or fail to alert occupants during an emergency, posing a serious life-safety hazard. Residents are strongly...
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$50,000 Scratch Win for Prince George’s County School Bus Driver

After delivering his last load of students safely to school last week, a bus driver in search of a good lunch found it and more. The Suitland resident told officials when he visited Lottery headquarters Feb. 12 that while the sandwich was tasty, the $50,000 dessert served him by a 50X the Cash scratch-off...
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Statement from Comptroller Lierman on the Trump Administration’s Decision to Overturn the EPA Endangerment Finding

Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman today issued this statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to overturn the EPA Endangerment Finding: “The Trump Administration’s decision to overturn the 2009 endangerment finding is a dangerous and deeply irresponsible choice and one that puts both individual Marylanders and our state at risk. “The endangerment finding is the legal basis...
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Beloved Three Bears House Comes Down After Century of History

After standing as a familiar landmark and conversation piece along Bull Road for generations, the historic Three Bears House was demolished earlier this month, closing a long chapter in St. Mary’s County’s rural architectural heritage. The distinctive wood-framed home, known for its unusual “telescoping” construction, featured a larger main section with two smaller additions...
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Lexington Park Man Arrested on Federal Charges Alleging Exploitation of 14-Year-Old in Alabama

A 42-year-old Lexington Park man has been arrested on federal charges alleging the production of child sexual abuse material and the transfer of obscene material to a minor, according to federal court records. Donald Bernard Mewhort Sr. was taken into custody and appeared February 5, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District...
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Leadership Maryland Announces Executive Program Class of 2026

Leadership Maryland officially announces the Executive Program’s Class of 2026, consisting of 53 business and community leaders from across the state chosen to participate in the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland. The Class of 2026, the Executive Program’s 33rd class, reflects a cross-section of the state, including diversity of geographic...
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March 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

Spring begins to surface at the Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) with a month full of hands-on programs, family-friendly activities, and live music. From fossil identification and animal encounters to concerts and special celebrations, March offers something for every age and interest. Dive in and discover what’s happening all month long at CMM. For the...
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Local Donor Sponsors Life-Saving Ballistic Vest for Calvert County Sheriff’s Office K9 Bane

With heartfelt gratitude, the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy First Class (DFC) Ryan Jones would like to extend a sincere thank you to Beth Jazwinski of Lusby, for her generous support in sponsoring a life-saving ballistic vest for K9 Bane through Brady’s K9 Fund. After seeing a post from Brady’s K9 Fund on...
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