Southern Maryland News Net

Homeowner Transported After Early Morning House Fire in Lexington Park

On Monday, May 19, 2025, at approximately 1:36 a.m., firefighters from Bay District, NAS Patuxent River, Hollywood and Second District responded to the 21000 block of North Essex Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported house on fire. The homeowner called 911 and reported smoke throughout the residence with evacuations ongoing. Crews arrived on the scene to find nothing evident from the 1-story residence, with the homeowner and his 3 dogs outside. Upon further investigation and performing a 360...
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UPDATE: Six First Responders Airlifted, Three Others Hospitalized After Fatal CO Exposure in St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 5/17/2025 @ 10:55 a.m.: Emergency medical personnel were dispatched at approximately 3:56 a.m., for a male resident experiencing difficulty breathing. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene a short time later to assist with manpower. Upon arrival, the 911 caller was located on an upper-level of the home. While the two EMT’s and four firefighters treated the patient, some began experiencing symptoms, one firefighter got a gas meter from Rescue Engine 92 and upon re-entering the residence, they found...
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UPDATE: Police Continue Investigation Into 4-Vehicle Collision Caused by Speeding Driver

UPDATE 5/17/2025: Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a collision that took place at around 4:20 p.m. Friday, May 16, 2025, in the 21000 block of Three Notch Road in Lexington Park. Upon arrival, deputies found four vehicles involved in a collision with one individual trapped. Due to the severity of the crash, the SMCSO Collision Reconstruction Unit responded, and preliminary findings indicate that a white Ford F-150 traveling south on Three Notch Road, near...
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Two Suspects Arrested After Theft of Fragrances at Waldorf Macy’s – Over $20,000 in Stolen Fragrances Recovered

On May 10, 2025, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office arrested two individuals in connection with the theft of nearly $3,000 worth of perfume and cologne from Macy’s at the St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf. The suspects were later identified as Robert Lee Pettigrew, 52, of Brandywine, and Zatay Ejasia Owens, 26, of Bowie. At around 6:03 p.m., Macy’s security contacted 911 to report a retail theft. The department store, located at 11200 Mall Circle, had been...
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19-Year-Old Flown to Trauma Center After Striking Tree in Leonardtown

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:15 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 24410 Maypole Road in Leonardtown, for a motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle off the roadway and into a tree with the single occupant trapped in the vehicle. The patient was extricated in under 17 minutes from dispatch, with emergency medical personnel requesting a helicopter due to the patients injuries. Maryland...
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7 Defendants for Patterns of Violent “Bank Juggings” Groups Are Alleged to Have Robbed 34 Victims Across Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Charles, and Montgomery Counties

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the indictments of seven defendants for multiple charges, including participation in a criminal gang, attempted murder, armed carjacking, armed robbery, assault, and firearms-related counts. These wide-ranging crimes are alleged to have occurred from August 2023 to July 2024 in Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Charles, and Montgomery counties. Banking institutions that were targeted by the defendants included Navy Federal Credit Union, Bank of America, Capitol One, and Wells Fargo. The individuals are alleged...
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UPDATE: Lexington Park Barricade Suspect Now Charged in Hospital Assault on Corrections Officer in St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 5/16/2025: Jeffrey Keith Reid, 58, of Lexington Park, who was already facing charges in a previous assault case, now faces two additional misdemeanor assault charges following an incident at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital on May 15, 2025. According to court documents, the new charges stem from an altercation that occurred while Reid was in the custody of the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center. Reid had been transported to the hospital for treatment related to a possible...
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Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating For First Time in Over 50 Years, Gov Moore Releases Statement Blaming Trump

Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating for first time in over 50 years, ending a historic run of fiscal stability that stretched back to 1973. Statement by the Maryland Freedom Caucus – “Governor Wes Moore’s attempt to shift blame for Maryland’s credit downgrade is as misleading as it is predictable. Democrats have controlled the Maryland General Assembly for over a century and have dominated state policymaking through consistent legislative majorities. The Democrat-dominated General Assembly drives the budget process — and...
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VIDEO: No Injuries Reported After Catamaran Sinks in Patuxent River During Storms

On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at approximately 6:14 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services from St. Mary’s and Calvert County were dispatched to the area of Fletcher Court and Green Holly Road in California, for the reported watercraft in distress in the Patuxent River. Due to the USCG Urgent Message to Mariners announcement, a nearby tug boat, the Ross Sea, responded to assist as well. Bay District VFD, Lexington Park VRS, Solomons VRSFD, US Coast Guard, DNR Police...
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Over 1,200 Left Without Power After Vehicle Strikes Pole in Lexington Park – Forest Park Road CLOSED

On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at approximately 10:29 p.m., police responded to the area of Forest Park Road and Hermanville Road in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a utility pole. 911 callers reported a vehicle struck a utility pole with the operator of the vehicle running away from the vehicle towards Baywoods Drive. Police arrived on the scene to find the single vehicle, a 2006 Ford F-150 off the roadway with live wires smoking in...
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VIDEO: No Injuries Reported After Tree Falls On Occupied Vehicle in California

UPDATE 5/14/2025: All occupants have fortunately escaped injury after a large tree fell on top of the moving Toyota mini-van. This was the second tree to fall and strike a vehicle in the county this evening. Fortunately, both incidents resulted in NO injuries. SMECO, firefighters and MDOT SHA responded to assist in removing the large tree which fell on live power lines and striking the moving vehicle. They operated on the scene for over an hour. A citizen driving...
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First Responders Save Man After Possible Medical Emergency Leads to Crash in Lexington Park

On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at approximately 12:10 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Lexwood Drive and Lexwood Court in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision after a possible medical emergency. Multiple 911 callers reported a driver who was having a seizure struck a parked/unoccupied vehicle. Police arrived on the scene in under 2 minutes from dispatch to find the adult male operator not breathing and began performing CPR until firefighters...
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UPDATE: Gun Discharges in Billingsley Elementary School Classroom – Florida Man Charged

A loaded handgun that discharged inside a classroom at Billingsley Elementary School in Charles County, has been traced back to a visiting relative of the student involved. Authorities have since charged a Florida man in connection with the incident, following an investigation by the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred on the morning of April 10, 2025, when a 9-year-old student at Billingsley Elementary accidentally discharged a loaded firearm while reaching into their...
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Lexington Park Woman Released After Knife Threat, Faces New Armed Robbery and Pepper Spray Charges

Darnajah Rachelle Warrick, 18, of Lexington Park, is facing multiple felony charges stemming from three separate incidents, including a domestic dispute earlier this year and two violent confrontations reported on May 8, 2025. Warrick was first arrested on January 5, 2025, following a domestic altercation at a residence on Flower Drive. According to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Ryan McLean responded to a reported disturbance around 8:34 p.m. Upon arrival, deputies encountered Warrick outside the home. According...
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Police Investigating Hughesville Motor Vehicle Collision That Sends 23-Year-Old to Trauma Center

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 9:52 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Leonardtown Road at Gallant Green Road in Hughesville, for a serious motor vehicle collision with reports of entrapment, fire, rollover and ejection. Dispatchers advised they were receiving multiple 911 calls with reports of a two vehicle collision with one vehicle overturned and smoking, along with one subject trapped and another partially ejected. Crews arrived on scene to confirm a two vehicle...
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Racetrax Aficionado Takes Home Second Large Racetrax Prize!

An avid Lottery player from Calvert County just brought home his second big Racetrax prize. On May 8, he randomly selected a different set of horses to play than normal, and as a result, he crossed the finish line with a $46,734.50 prize on a Superfecta Wheel bet. The two-time Racetrax winner bought his...
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Calvert County Planning Commission to Hold Public Hearing for the Master Plan of Town Centers Chapters One & Two

The Calvert County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on May 21 at the Harriet E. Brown Community Center, located at 901 Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick, to receive public comment on the Master Plan of Town Centers. The hearing will focus on Chapter One: Town Centers and Chapter Two: Prince Frederick...
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Former Anne Arundel County Pastor Convicted of Failing to Pay Taxes on $347,000 He Stole from His Church

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced that Jerome Isaac Hurley, 44, of Pasadena, Maryland, was sentenced in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County for willfully filing a false Maryland State Tax Return. He was convicted of the charge on December 4, 2024. The Honorable Stacy McCormack sentenced Hurley to six months of incarceration,...
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CSM Congratulates 80 Health Career Readiness Graduates

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) students pursuing careers in health care were celebrated May 8 at the La Plata Campus during the college’s Health Career Readiness Recognition ceremony. Eighty students were recognized for completing programs this year in: Veterinary assistant; certified medical administrative assistant; health information system; certified nutrition coach; certified personal training; Certified...
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UPDATE: Newburg Man Sentenced to Just 142 Days After Pointing Firearm at Bus Full of Children

UPDATE 5/19/2025: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Makeba Gibbs sentenced Richard William Ellis, 48, of Newburg, to 5 years in prison with all but 142 days suspended for 19 counts of Second-Degree Assault. Ellis had already served 142 days in...
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Citizens Fortunately Escape Injury After Large Tree Falls Into Residence

On Friday, May 16, 2025, at approximately 11:37 p.m., firefighter and emergency medical services responded to the 27000 block of Birch Manor Circle in Mechanicsville, for the reported tree into a residence with one injured. 911 callers reported a large tree fell on the house with something striking her daughters back which was now...
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Solid Waste Tree Debris Disposal Fee in Calvert County Waived Through May 24th, 2025

The Calvert County Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division, will allow Calvert County residents to dispose of tree debris, including limbs, branches and logs no larger than 5 feet in length, for free at the Appeal Landfill through Saturday, May 24, 2025. The Appeal Landfill is located at 401 Sweetwater Road Lusby, MD...
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$20,000 Mega Millions Winning Ticket Sold in Waldorf, Jackpot Reaches $139 Million

A Mega Millions player in Waldorf is holding a ticket worth $20,000. The lucky ticket for the May 13 drawing was sold at the 7-Eleven at 11575 Berry Road in Charles County. The winning numbers were 6, 29, 33, 47, 68; and the Mega Ball was 20. The ticket sold in Waldorf matched four of the...
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35-Year-Old Male Airlifted to Trauma Center After Plane Crashes in Potomac River

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, at approximately 4:09 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services from Virginia and Maryland responded to the Potomac River in the area of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in Virginia, for the reported downed aircraft with fire. Multiple 911 callers reported a plane crashed into the water...
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White Plains Woman Charged After Alleged Gun Threat During Domestic Argument in Charles County

Barbara Nate Farmer, 40, of White Plains, was arrested and charged following a domestic altercation that escalated into a firearm-related incident in the early hours of Friday, May 16, 2025, according to court documents from the District Court for Charles County. Farmer is facing three criminal charges: first-degree assault (CR 3-202), second-degree assault (CR...
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Waldorf Target Manager Admits to Stealing Over $250,000 in Years-Long Theft Ring – Over $31,000 in cash Recovered

Nicholas Owen Patton, 44, of Waldorf, is facing 30 theft charges after authorities say he stole over $38,000 in cash from a local Target store during a series of incidents that spanned more than two months. According to charging documents filed in the District Court for Charles County, Patton was arrested on May 16,...
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Deputy Senatore and K-9 Karma on Patrol Following Completion of Handler Training for St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that Deputy Joseph Senatore recently completed a six-week K-9 handler training program. Deputy Senatore recently returned to patrol duty with his K-9 partner, Karma—a 16-month-old Czech German Shepherd trained in narcotics detection and tracking. The team was assigned to patrol last week and has...
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Hollywood Woman Arrested in St. Mary’s County After Assaulting and Pointing Loaded Firearm at Child

Antoinette Mitchell, 61, of Hollywood, is being held without bond following her arrest on multiple charges, including first-degree assault, second-degree child abuse, and use of a firearm in a violent crime. According to court documents, Mitchell was charged on May 13, 2025, following an investigation by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. The charges...
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Leonardtown High Vandalized Overnight; Chickens Released, Peanut Butter Smeared, Oil Poured in Stairwells

Leonardtown High School (LHS) administrators arrived Friday morning to find extensive overnight vandalism after intruders broke in through a classroom window at about 2 a.m. According to Principal Jamie Copsey, security video shows several masked individuals roaming the building. In their wake they left paint splattered on walls, oil dumped down stairwells, peanut butter...
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CSM Congratulates 49 New Nursing Graduates

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated its newest class of nursing candidates on May 8 in a pinning ceremony at the La Plata Campus, sending them out into the workforce or onto the next phase of their medical education. “Graduates, you chose an academic journey that would lead to a career rooted in...
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Calvert County Earns CRS 7 Ranking, Reducing Flood Insurance Rates

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) announces Calvert County has earned a Class 7 rating under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS program offers reduced flood insurance rates for communities taking action to become more resilient to flooding. Calvert County’s new rating qualifies most policyholders for...
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Findings of Independent Audit of the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Audit Identifies Significant Misclassifications of Deaths, Calls for Review of Cases and Systemic Reforms

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the findings of the Office of the Attorney General’s independent audit of the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME). The 70-page report found that in more than half of the cases reviewed, the case reviewers disagreed with the OCME’s original determination of manner of death. The...
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