Southern Maryland News Net

UPDATE: Lexington Park Woman Shot by Police in October Charged with Multiple Offenses

UPDATE 12/9/2025: Paige Taylor Hartness, 34, of Lexington Park, has been charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor offenses following an incident on October 23, 2025, during which she allegedly pointed a firearm at deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. According to court documents, Hartness faces a total of eight charges, including first-degree assault, use of a firearm in a felony crime, reckless endangerment, and possessing a loaded handgun on her person. Deputies responded to a welfare check...
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65-Year-Old Transported After Accidental Self-Inflicted Shooting in Valley Lee

On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 8:20 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 45000 block of Joeys Way in Valley Lee, for the reported shooting. 911 callers reported a 65-year-old male student had accidentally shot himself in the foot. EMS arrived on the scene to find a tourniquet had been placed on the victim and requested a helicopter to land nearby. Flight medics were advised the patient had a self-inflicted gunshot wound which grazed the...
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UPDATE: Santa is Flying Into Town Today – Updated Times and Additional Locations!

Southern Maryland residents young and old should look skyward today, Tuesday, Dec. 9, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET as Adm. Saint Nicholas takes to the air on his annual holiday readiness flight — now with an expanded route that includes additional regional schools. Locals can catch a glimpse of Nicholas — flying under his seasonal call sign “Claus” — as he lifts off in a U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, accompanied by his team of elves and...
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2-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Center, Adult Transported to Trauma Center After Serious Crash on 301 in Waldorf

On Monday, December 8, 2025, at approximately 7:40 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Crain Highway and Substation Road in Waldorf, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews quickly arrived on the scene to find a two vehicle collision with three patients suffering injuries. EMS found a 2-year-old female suffering injuries to the head/face and requested a helicopter to respond. U.S. Park Police Eagle 2 landed nearby and transported the child...
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One Injured After Propane Truck Overturns in Prince Frederick

On Monday, December 8, 2025, at approximately 8:10 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 5760 Sixes Road in Prince Frederick, for the reported commercial vehicle overturned with unknown entrapment. Crews arrived on the scene to find a propane truck overturned and actively leaking, with the operator still inside of the vehicle. Firefighters placed a handline in service to precautionary reasons and began removing the operator from the vehicle, along with evacuating nearby residents....
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UPDATE: Man Cited After Lexington Park Collision Involving St. Mary’s County School Bus in Lexington Park

On Friday, December 5, 2025, at approximately 4:11 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Kessler Court in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving an occupied school bus. Crews arrived on the scene to find a three vehicle collision involving a Nissan sedan, a Toyota hatchback, and St. Mary’s County School Bus 222 which was occupied by three students, the driver and an aide. The aide was...
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Historic Donation Creates New Fund for CSM Scholarships and Student Support

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Foundation will expand scholarships and break down student financial barriers through the Lorraine Diana ’79 and Robert Guite Pathways to Possibility Fund, established with the largest donation in the college’s history. The fund will provide students with traditional scholarships, as well as financial support for other needs which can create barriers to education, such as food, transportation, living expenses, or essential school supplies like nursing equipment or trade program tools. Donors Lorraine Diana...
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Fire Marshal Investigating Trailer Fire in Leonardtown That Sends Woman to Hospital with Smoke Inhalation

On Sunday, December 7, 2025, at approximately 12:36 p.m., firefighters from Leonardtown, Second District, Seventh District, Hollywood, Bay District and Solomons were dispatched to the Wilderness Run RV Resort (formerly called La Grande RV Park) located at 23285 Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown, for the reported trailer on fire. The owner reported a fire in the trailer, with multiple additional 911 callers reporting the trailer engulfed in flames. Crews arrived on the scene to find a small trailer well...
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Missing 14-Year-Old Located Deceased in Prince George’s County; Death Ruled Homicide

Prince George’s County Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a homicide after human remains were located at a park in College Park. The victim is 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala of Washington, DC. On November 3, 2025, while assisting the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and FBI Cross Border Taskforce with a joint missing persons investigation, what appeared to be possible human remains were located during a search of Indian Creek Stream Valley Park. The remains were sent to the Office...
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School and Weather Updates for This Weekend – December 5th, 2025

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY: Schools will open 2 HOURS LATE on Friday, Dec. 5th, 2025. ST. MARY’S COUNTY: St. Mary’s County, Maryland is under a Winter Weather Advisory from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025. Snowfall totals for St. Mary’s County are expected between 1–4 inches with very low temperatures. Snowfall is expected to begin in the early morning hours, around 3–5 a.m. Peak timing for snowfall is expected to be between 4 a.m.– noon. Impacts to...
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No Injuries After House Fire in Waldorf, Two Displaced and Cause Under Investigation

On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at approximately 9:25 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 800 block of Copley Avenue in Waldorf, for the reported garage on fire. 911 callers reported the garage was on fire and spreading to the attached residence. Firefighters quickly arrived on scene to find a two-story residence with the attached garage fully engulfed in flames and requested the working fire dispatch, which alerted additional units to the scene. The fire was...
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UPDATE: 22-Year-Old Arrested After Fatal Shooting at MGM National Harbor Casino in Prince George’s County

UPDATE 12/04/2025: PGPD’s Homicide Unit identified and charged a man in connection with Wednesday’s fatal shooting at the MGM National Harbor. The suspect is 22-year-old Benjamin Williams of Fort Washington. He is charged with the murder of 23-year-old Darnell Hawkins Jr. of Washington, DC. On December 3, 2025, at approximately 11:55 am, officers responded to a shooting at the MGM National Harbor. Officers located Hawkins on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Hawkins died at the scene. Through...
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SMECO Employees Raise $63,000 for Three Southern Maryland Shelters

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) employees recently held a fund-raising event and donated $63,000 to three shelters serving Southern Maryland: Lifestyles of Maryland, Inc.—Robert J. Fuller Transitional House of Charles County, Project Echo, Inc. of Calvert County, and Three Oaks Center of St. Mary’s County. “A home is more than shelter from the elements. It’s a foundation for security, stability, and health,” said Sonja M. Cox, SMECO president and CEO. “Our local organizations understand this and provide the services...
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3 Displaced and Dog Killed After House Fire in Waldorf

On Monday, December 1, 2025, at approximately 6:55 a.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 9900 block of Bunker Hill Road, for the reported house on fire. 911 callers reported a heater was left on with the room currently caught on fire with one dog trapped in the home. Crews arrived on the scene to find a working fire, with fire showing from the single story residence. Firefighters made entry into the home with multiple attack...
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VIDEO: No Injuries Reported After Vehicle Fire in Lexington Park

On Sunday, November 30, 2025, at approximately 10:20 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to the Quik Shop located at 21265 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, for the reported vehicle fire threatening the structure. The incident was quickly updated to actually be at the Blimpies, at Three Notch Road and Hermanville Road in Lexington Park. Firefighters from NDW Patuxent River quickly arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle fully engulfed in flames with...
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No Charges Filed After Waldorf Man Is Shot and Killed by PG County Business Security Guard, Police Investigating

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is actively working to determine the circumstances of a fatal shooting late Monday night inside of a business. During this incident, an armed private security guard fatally shot a patron. The deceased patron is 50-year-old Donald Wayne Hunt of Waldorf. On December 8, 2025, at approximately...
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Fire Marshal Investigating Overnight Building Fire in Mechanicsville

On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 3:43 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hollywood, Leonardtown, Hughesville, Bay District, and Seventh District responded to the 38000 block of Copsey Farm Lane in Mechanicsville, for the reported building on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 20 x 40 structure fully engulfed in flames and advised...
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Maryland Commission on Civil Rights Announce Settlement with Cracker Barrel Over Allegations of Disability Discrimination Involving Students with Autism at Waldorf Restaurant 

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR) announced a settlement with Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., resolving allegations that the company discriminated against a group of students from Dr. James Craik Elementary School based on their disabilities during a visit to its Waldorf, Maryland restaurant. The incident occurred...
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P-8A Program Leverages Partnerships to Achieve Winning Operational Outcomes

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD.: The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program (PMA-290) and the P-8A program team planned and executed several Aircraft on Ground (AOG) events in recent months. The successful AOG events were completed outside of the continental U.S. (OCONUS) with cooperative partnerships between the U.S. Navy and the Royal...
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Commanders Fan in Prince George’s County Wins $50,000 on Ravens Scratch-off

A Washington Commanders fan from Prince George’s County is celebrating a Ravens win. Not the actual team, but rather his $50,000 win on the Ravens X10 scratch-off game. Though he does not root for the Ravens, he enjoys playing the Ravens scratch-off. “I keep playing it because I win a little here and there,”...
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Mechanicsville Woman Faces Drug, Theft, and Burglary Charges Across Three Open Cases

Whitney Anne Arnold, 39, of Mechanicsville, is currently facing three separate criminal cases in St. Mary’s County involving drug possession, a reported retail theft scheme, and an alleged unlawful entry into a vacant residence, according to court documents filed by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. In the most recent case, deputies responded on...
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Governor Moore Commits $10 Million to Nonprofit and Faith-Based Organizations to Help Protect Against Hate Crimes

Governor Wes Moore announced that his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2027 will maintain $10 million in funding for the Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant Program. The program, which saw its funding doubled in the governor’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, provides vital support to nonprofit organizations and faith-based institutions for security enhancements to protect their...
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Governor Moore and Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council Approve Revised Agreement to Protect Jobs, the Environment, and Coastal Communities

Governor Wes Moore on Dec. 2 led the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Executive Council in approving the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which includes goals that will improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay, increase access to nature, and support livelihoods that depend on this nationally treasured resource. The revised agreement supports the environmental and...
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St. Mary’s Bus Driver Wins $50,000 on Pick 5 Ticket!

When a St. Mary’s County man played his favorite numbers and those five digits -10238 – were picked at midday on Dec. 2, his $1 straight bet gave him a $50,000 top prize. The school bus driver said Dec. 4 when he claimed his winnings at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore he doesn’t play every...
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Erratic Driving Complaint Leads to Cocaine Charges for Pennsylvania Man in Calvert County

Michael Edward Emmel, 41, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has been charged in Calvert County after a traffic complaint led deputies to a drug possession incident on November 21, 2025, according to court documents filed by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. According to a report by Deputy McIntosh, a caller reported a “black Chrysler 300 heading...
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Brazilian Man Charged in Dunkirk Walmart Theft Incident

Avelino Tavares Da Silva Jr., 49, of College Park, has been formally charged with misdemeanor theft following an incident at the Walmart in Dunkirk, according to court documents filed in Calvert County District Court. The incident occurred on December 2, 2025, at the store located on Town Center Boulevard. According to the Calvert County...
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Police Continue Investigation After Driver Succumbs to Injuries Sustained July 2025 Motor Vehicle Collision

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a now fatal crash that occurred in July of 2025 in Temple Hills. The deceased driver is 36-year-old Joseph McGainey of Brandywine. He died of his injuries on November 24, 2025. On July 8, 2025, at approximately 11:25 am, officers responded...
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Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Season Resumes December 20

The second half of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer hunting season will be open Dec. 20 through Jan. 3, 2026. The first half of the split season was held in October. Hunters may use muzzleloading firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this time. “The late muzzleloader season coincides with the holidays, offering hunters a...
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Secretary’s Message: Investment in Outdoor Recreation Pays Back Dividends Now and for the Future

In the last week of October, Maryland’s outdoor recreation community gathered in Baltimore for our second annual Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit. Bringing together the partners that comprise and support Maryland’s outdoor recreation community – local and state government, environmental organizations, educators, outfitters, and other businesses – is essential. The science is clear: time in...
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UPDATE: Third Arrest Made After 16-Year-Old Poses As 19-Year-Old with Fake Account in Setup Robbery and Stabbing of Volunteer Firefighter in Lexington Park

UPDATE 12/5/2025: An arrest warrant for Dmontre Montez Bush, 25, of Lexington Park, was conducted on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, in connection with the November stabbing and robbery in Lexington Park. Bush was taken into custody and transported to the Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, where he is being held on a no...
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Free “Sounds of the Season” Holiday Concert to Benefit East-John Youth Center at Lusby Sneade’s Ace Hardware

Eastern United Methodist Church and St. John United Methodist Church will host “Sounds of the Season,” a free outdoor holiday concert and fundraiser, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will take place at the storefront of Sneade’s Ace Hardware, located at 11861 H G Trueman Road in...
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Animal Safety Alert in Effect Due to Weather

Due to forecasted cold temperatures Thursday, Dec. 4, through Friday, Dec. 5, the Department of Public Safety has issued an animal safety alert. During this period, animal owners and custodians are required to take the following actions to protect pets and livestock: Dogs and cats should be brought inside. If a dog or cat...
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