We are saddened to share the passing of retired K9 Ryker, a loyal partner to Cpl. Darin Behm (K9) and a retired member of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office who served our community from 2013 to 2020. Ryker, a Belgian Malinois, was a two-time Triple Crown Award recipient through the United States Police Canine...
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National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC – Wed Jul 2 2025: NWS Damage Survey for July 1, 2025, Beauvue Tornado Event. Rating: EF-0 Estimated Peak Wind: 80 mph Path Length /statute/: 0.1 miles Path Width /maximum/: 75 yards Fatalities: 0 Injuries: 0 Start Date: Tuesday, 7/01/2025 Start Time: 07:45 PM EDT Start Location: 2...
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The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, has created an Agricultural Lending Library for the Southern Maryland community to utilize. The Lending library is open to the public to check out books on agriculture for a two-week borrow period. The books found in SMADC’s Lending...
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The Town of Chesapeake Beach is committed to providing quality recreational facilities for our residents and visitors. As part of this commitment, we want to update the community on the status and future plans for our beloved water park. New Updates! After a thorough assessment of the facility’s condition, it is clear that extensive...
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Detectives assigned to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division have charged a former employee and a volunteer of Lions Camp Merrick, Inc., with fraud crimes in connection with a financial scheme that spanned a year and resulted in the misappropriation of over $36,000. In May 2024, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by...
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On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at approximately 7:47 a.m., firefighters from Leonardtown, Second District, Bay District, Hollywood, NAS Patuxent River and Seventh District were dispatched to the 20000 block of Willow Bottom Farm Lane in Leonardtown, for the reported structure fire. A 911 caller reported smoke coming from the residence. A short time later, the...
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Naval Air Station Patuxent River has announced that Gate 1 will be closed today, Wednesday, July 2 from 1 p.m., to 2:45 p.m. for unscheduled maintenance. Drivers are advised to use Gate 2 for inbound and outbound traffic during that time. NAS Patuxent River July 4 Holiday Gate Hours July 3: Gates 1 and...
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Maryland State Police beginning Friday will increase enforcement efforts to combat impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving throughout the July 4th holiday weekend. Maryland State Troopers from all 23 barracks across the state will conduct high-visibility patrols from Friday July 4 to Sunday, July 6. The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) team – a...
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Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, June 27, 2025, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Ricardo Kevon Colbert-Lyles, age 24, of Waldorf, to 25 years in prison for Conspiracy to Commit the First-Degree Murder of Aden Christopher Garcia. Upon release, Colbert-Lyles will be on probation...
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The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Maryland State Police, will conduct a roadside sobriety checkpoint on Thursday evening, July 3, 2025, around Leonardtown, MD. Deputies will evaluate drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office recognizes that roadside sobriety checkpoints are highly visible...
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UPDATE: Helen’s Café & Catering, a longtime favorite in Southern Maryland, is officially reopening to the public on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at its new location: 24509 Point Lookout Road, Leonardtown, MD. Previously located at the Charlotte Hall Farmers Market, Helen’s closed its doors in March 2024, leaving many loyal customers eagerly awaiting its...
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When you check your Powerball ticket on the Maryland Lottery app at 2:30 a.m. and it shows you’ve won $50,000, it could seem like quite a dream. That’s what happened to one La Plata woman, but she soon realized it wasn’t a dream. Thanks to a Powerball Quick Pick ticket from the June 25...
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Thomasina O. Coates, 60, of Waldorf, a sitting member of the Charles County Board of Commissioners, has been permanently barred from voting on any matters involving the employment of County Administrator Mark Belton. The ruling, issued June 30, 2025, by the Appellate Court of Maryland, upholds a permanent injunction initially granted by the Circuit...
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Keeping up with their birthday tradition, Austin (soon to be 10) and Ryan age 4, has continued asking for water and Gatorade instead of traditional presents for their birthdays. This year, they proudly delivered their “gifts” to the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department firehouse. This stockpile will keep our firefighters hydrated on scenes throughout...
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Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, the largest Italian Ice concept in the world, is turning up the summer heat with a flavor-packed, refreshing treat! The new Rocket Pop Italian Ice is a playful twist on a classic—where cherry, lemon, and blue raspberry flavors collide to create a cool, new purple Ice bursting with...
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District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey, with the approval of Supreme Court of Maryland Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, has named Charles County District Court Judge Kenneth A. Talley as the new administrative judge for District 4 (Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties). Judge Talley’s new role is effective August 1,...
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Make a splash this summer as the swimming pools at Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) high schools open to those looking to beat the heat. The outdoor pools at La Plata and Thomas Stone high schools opened earlier this week with the outdoor pool at Maurice J. McDonough High School set to welcome swimmers Monday,...
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ new online licensing system, MD Outdoors, is now available for residents and visitors to purchase Maryland hunting and fishing licenses as well as associated stamps and permits, boat and off-road vehicle renewal registration, and other services. MD Outdoors provides residents and visitors a convenient one-stop shop, replacing the former...
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A Maryland Lottery player in Charles County got the weekend off to a great start on Friday with the purchase of a FAST PLAY Gold Rush Progressive ticket that won a whopping $2,041,396. The lucky ticket was sold at Mutts Liquors located at 4541 Indian Head Highway in Indian Head. The $30 Gold Rush...
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Calvert County has marked the opening of three new women-owned businesses!!! Shoptheallycatwalk, Shy Beauty LLC, and Habit Fitness! On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, County Commissioner Catherine Grasso and Commissioner Todd Ireland, along with the Calvert County Department of Economic Development held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate these three businesses. Located in Solomons in a...
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As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, the Office of the State Fire Marshal joined the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services and public safety partners to promote fireworks safety and encourage Marylanders to attend licensed, professional fireworks shows across the state. This year, 139 public fireworks displays are scheduled across Maryland...
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The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted June 10 to approve the $386 million general fund operating budget for fiscal year 2026 (FY26), which begins July 1, 2025. The new approved budget reflects the commissioners’ commitment to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for Calvert County residents. Local funding to the...
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Six Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) teachers were named 2025 outstanding teacher honorees last month by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). The annual awards program recognizes teachers for outstanding achievements in teaching science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The teachers honored for mathematics were Pauline Shaker of Mary B. Neal Elementary School and Deborah...
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Ndubuisi Joseph Okafor, M.D., 65, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 18 years in prison for illegally distributing prescriptions for narcotics in exchange for cash from his Northwest Washington D.C. medical clinic. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. A jury found Okafor guilty on Mar....
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A Maryland Lottery retailer in Charles County sold a $50,000 third-tier winning Powerball ticket from last night’s drawing. The ticket was sold at Lady’s Liquors at 6474 Crain Highway in La Plata. The winning numbers from the June 25 drawing are 2, 12, 37, 51, 61; the Powerball number was 22. The third-tier winner matched four...
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