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Waldorf Man Sentenced to 65 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Waldorf Man Sentenced to 65 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

On October 10, 2025, Daniel Joseph Bliss, 42, of Waldorf, pleaded guilty in Calvert County Circuit Court to 3 counts of second degree rape and 1 count of sexual abuse of a minor. Judge Mark S. Chandlee sentenced Mr. Bliss to 65 years of active incarceration, followed by probation with the requirement of lifetime...
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Calvert County Opioid Restitution Fund Grant Application Process Now Open

Calvert County Opioid Restitution Fund Grant Application Process Now Open

The Calvert County Department of Community Resources announces the opening of the Calvert County Opioid Restitution Fund (ORF) grant application process. The fund supports local initiatives that address the opioid crisis through prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery and public safety strategies. Funding for this program is made possible through statewide opioid restitution settlements and...
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Maryland’s Small Game Seasons Provide Abundant Fall Hunting Opportunities

Maryland’s Small Game Seasons Provide Abundant Fall Hunting Opportunities

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that squirrel, rabbit, fall turkey, and other small game seasons are either underway or set to open in the coming weeks. Some of these species offer generous seasons and bag limits and are abundant throughout Maryland. “Although many hunters turn their attention to deer during this time of year, small game...
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Calvert County Hosting Free Paper Shredding Events

Calvert County Hosting Free Paper Shredding Events

The Calvert County Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division, will host free paper shredding events for county residents and businesses. Shredding documents helps prevent identity theft by destroying confidential or sensitive information. The following shred events will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at...
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Lexington Park Man Ordered Held Without Bond After Drug Distribution Arrest in St. Mary’s County

Lexington Park Man Ordered Held Without Bond After Drug Distribution Arrest in St. Mary’s County

Thomas Emanuel Gross, 39, of Lexington Park, was ordered held without bond following his arrest on felony and misdemeanor drug charges stemming from a search warrant executed earlier this year, according to court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Gross faces four charges: one felony count of possession with intent...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Limits Access to Public Information, Favoring Facebook Over the Public

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Limits Access to Public Information, Favoring Facebook Over the Public

UPDATE: Prior to publishing our recent article on transparency, SMNEWSNET.COM filed two formal complaints with the Maryland Office of the Public Access Ombudsman against the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for withholding public information. The Ombudsman reviewed our complaints and found them valid for mediation — a process designed to resolve disputes through open...
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Calvert County to Host Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

Calvert County to Host Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

Calvert County will participate in National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southern Community Center, located at 20 Appeal Lane in Lusby, and the Northeast Community Center, located at 4075 Gordon Stinnett Ave. in Chesapeake Beach. Residents are encouraged to safely dispose of unused...
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Two Charles County Nonprofit Groups Awarded Unrestricted Grants from 2025 NBCUniversal

Two Charles County Nonprofit Groups Awarded Unrestricted Grants from 2025 NBCUniversal

NBC4 Washington/WRC-TV, Telemundo 44 Washington/WZDC, and Comcast NBCUniversal announced $227,272 in unrestricted funds were awarded to six local nonprofit organizations through the 2025 NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants. Among this year’s recipients is New Hope Community Outreach Services, a Waldorf-based Non-profit, which received $25,000, and Upward Thrive Academy, Inc, a Charles County non-profit which received...
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NAS Patuxent River Hires First Child and Youth Programs Registered Nurse, Stefania Hoover

NAS Patuxent River Hires First Child and Youth Programs Registered Nurse, Stefania Hoover

NAS Patuxent River is well known for its groundbreaking work in the field of naval aviation. But not far from the airfield and hangars, Pax River’s Child and Youth Programs (CYP) has made history as well, hiring the Navy’s first CYP registered nurse. The new position is a part of a two-year pilot program...
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Using Virtual Reality, Students Help Visualize Climate Change Solutions at Point Lookout State Park

Using Virtual Reality, Students Help Visualize Climate Change Solutions at Point Lookout State Park

You’re on a walkway in a park. You can see trees, a road, a marsh and a coastline against a vibrant blue sky all around you. Then, you hear the toll of a bell. The marsh expands, the water edges up the grass. Another bell and the water creeps up to the base of...
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Prince George’s County Police Department Mourn Passing of Officer Alex Belcher

Prince George’s County Police Department Mourn Passing of Officer Alex Belcher

The Prince George’s County Police family is mourning the loss of Police Officer First Class Alex Belcher #4204. He passed away on October 8, 2025, after a hard-fought medical battle. POFC Belcher was a seven-year veteran of the agency. He spent his entire career serving as a patrol officer in District I – Hyattsville...
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VIDEO: Bay District Volunteer Fire Department to Premiere Recruitment Film

VIDEO: Bay District Volunteer Fire Department to Premiere Recruitment Film

The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department (BDVFD) is proud to announce the official premiere of its new recruitment film, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the life and dedication of a volunteer firefighter. The film will debut on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at R/C Lexington Exchange Movies 12 in California, Maryland. This...
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Firefighters from St. Mary’s and Charles Counties Respond to Large Garage Fire in Mechanicsville

Firefighters from St. Mary’s and Charles Counties Respond to Large Garage Fire in Mechanicsville

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at approximately 9:20 p.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hollywood, Leonardtown, Seventh District, Hughesville, and Waldorf responded to the 38000 block of New Market Turner Road in Mechanicsville, for the structure on fire. 911 callers reported a garage was fully engulfed and threatening other structures. Crews quickly arrived on the scene...
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5 Displaced After Accidental Garage Fire Spreads to Residence in Bryans Road

5 Displaced After Accidental Garage Fire Spreads to Residence in Bryans Road

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at approximately 6:25 p.m., firefighters from Bryans Road and surrounding fire departments responded to the 2600 block of Cannon Court in Bryans Road, for the reported garage on fire. 911 callers reported a fire started in the garage with the house being evacuated. Crews arrived on the scene to...
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Leadership Southern Maryland Announces Selection of The Executive Program Class of 2026

Leadership Southern Maryland Announces Selection of The Executive Program Class of 2026

The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of 40 Southern Maryland leaders for its 18th Executive Program—the Class of 2026. From Calvert County – Jane Bachman, Development Director, Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center Larisa Goganzer, Senior Vice President of Operations, CalvertHealth Tosha Lewis Hughes Dr. Amanda...
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UPDATE – ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER: Shooter Still Not Arrested in 2024 Hollywood Shooting as Gun Violence Persists Across St. Mary’s County

UPDATE – ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER: Shooter Still Not Arrested in 2024 Hollywood Shooting as Gun Violence Persists Across St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 10/11/2025: Nearly a year after a young man was shot during a gathering in Hollywood, no one has been charged with firing the weapon. The case remains unresolved, and law enforcement has released no recent updates, even as gun violence continues to impact communities across St. Mary’s County. The shooting occurred on November...
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Police Investigating Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound at Myrtle Grove Gun Range in La Plata

Police Investigating Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound at Myrtle Grove Gun Range in La Plata

On Friday, October 10, 2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Myrtle Grove Gun Range in La Plata, for the reported shooting. 911 callers reported an adult male had shot himself in the hand, with Range workers providing First Aid to control the bleeding. Crews arrived on...
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Lexington Park Man Charged with Animal Cruelty and Arrested in Separate Drug Case

Lexington Park Man Charged with Animal Cruelty and Arrested in Separate Drug Case

Tre Mathew Fear, 25, of Lexington Park, is facing multiple criminal charges in St. Mary’s County after being accused of animal cruelty earlier this year and later arrested in a separate drug-related incident during a traffic stop this week, according to court documents and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. Fear was initially charged...
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Magic Tunnel Car Wash Opens in St. Mary’s County

Magic Tunnel Car Wash Opens in St. Mary’s County

Magic Tunnel Car Wash is thrilled to announce the opening of its second location, bringing fast, reliable, and top-quality car washes to drivers throughout St. Mary’s County. Conveniently located along Three Notch Road, near popular shopping centers and restaurants, the new Magic Tunnel Car Wash is perfectly placed for locals and visitors looking for...
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Loaded Handgun Recovered Following Traffic Stop in Lexington Park

Loaded Handgun Recovered Following Traffic Stop in Lexington Park

Patrol deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office recovered a loaded handgun following a traffic stop in Lexington Park on Wednesday night. At approximately 10:30 p.m. on October 8, deputies conducting proactive patrols along Great Mills Road observed a vehicle traveling with a passenger-side headlight out and attempted to initiate a traffic stop...
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Callaway Man Faces Felony Assault and Drug Charges in Separate Incidents in Lexington Park

Callaway Man Faces Felony Assault and Drug Charges in Separate Incidents in Lexington Park

De’aune Nathan Clybourne, 31, of Callaway, has been charged in two separate criminal cases stemming from incidents that occurred on October 2, 2025, according to court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. In the first case, Clybourne is facing one count of first-degree assault and one count of second-degree assault...
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Prince George’s County Gun Crimes Unit Charges Security Guard Over Forestville Shooting

Prince George’s County Gun Crimes Unit Charges Security Guard Over Forestville Shooting

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Gun Crimes Unit charged an armed private security guard in connection with an incident on Wednesday. The suspect is 29-year-old John Mause II of Middle River, MD. On October 8, 2025, at approximately 4:15 p.m., patrol officers responded to a parking lot in the 3300 block of Walters...
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Woman on Lawn Mower Struck by Trailer in Callaway, Taken to Hospital

Woman on Lawn Mower Struck by Trailer in Callaway, Taken to Hospital

On Thursday, October 9, 2025, at approximately 2:40 p.m., police, firefighters, and emergency medical services responded to Piney Point Road and Lady Lane in Callaway for a reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. According to 911 callers, a woman on a lawnmower had been struck by a vehicle. First responders arrived to find a...
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Lexington Park Woman Charged with Possession of Crack Cocaine After Traffic Stop in St. Mary’s County

Lexington Park Woman Charged with Possession of Crack Cocaine After Traffic Stop in St. Mary’s County

Deana Monise Waldrep, 39, of Lexington Park, has been charged with two misdemeanor drug offenses following an early morning traffic stop in Great Mills, according to court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Waldrep is facing charges of CDS: Possession – Not Cannabis and CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia, both stemming...
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58-Year-Old Man Killed in Motor Vehicle Crash in Avenue

58-Year-Old Man Killed in Motor Vehicle Crash in Avenue

10/9/2025: On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at approximately 4:55 pm, patrol units from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision with entrapment in the area of Sugar Hole Road and Old Trappe Lane in Bushwood. Due to the seriousness of the crash, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office...
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