The Maryland Department of Agriculture has released new guidance urging Maryland dairy cattle and poultry farmers to remain vigilant and practice enhanced biosecurity on their farms due to the continued circulation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) detections in wild birds in the Atlantic Flyway. First detected in poultry in early 2022, HPAI has...
Read More »
Maryland State Police will be increasing highway safety patrols over the next two weeks as millions of Marylanders hit the roads for holiday travel. State Troopers from all 23 barracks will conduct saturation patrols and checkpoints focused on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving. The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) team, a specialized...
Read More »
A Mechanicsville man is facing serious charges after a routine traffic stop by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office uncovered stolen property, loaded firearms, and drugs. Patrick Wayne Brooks, 37, of Mechanicsville, was arrested on December 12, 2024, following the incident and remains in custody without bond. Deputy Timothy White initiated the stop after...
Read More »
Jovan Maurice Justice, 41, of Lexington Park, was arrested on December 15, 2024, following an incident at a local facility. Justice, who resides at the Three Oaks Center on Lei Drive, is facing charges of second-degree assault and malicious destruction of property valued over $1,000, according to court documents. The charges stem from events...
Read More »
Prosecutors were back in court last week in response to a request filed by one of the men who kidnapped, raped, and murdered Stephanie Roper in 1982. Jerry Lee Beatty, 59, petitioned the Court for release pursuant to the Juvenile Restoration Act, citing he was only 17 years old at the time of the...
Read More »
A commuter from Southern Maryland already has his calendar marked for retirement in the first half of 2025, but a $500,000 win on a Maryland Lottery scratch-off will make the transition to regular relaxation extra smooth. “It couldn’t happen at a better time,” the winner said on Dec. 16 after claiming his prize at...
Read More »
The Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation is excited to announce the opening of a new tennis and pickleball court complex at Dunkirk District Park. Construction began on the court complex in October 2023 and was recently completed. The court complex features five tennis courts, eight pickleball courts, lighting, restrooms and additional parking....
Read More »
Tickets are available now for the 15th Annual Maritime Performance Series at the Calvert Marine Museum. Guests will delight in the harmonious talent each of these groups brings to the stage. Performances are in the museum’s Harms Gallery starting at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m. with beer and wine for sale. Tickets...
Read More »
A man was arrested in connection with a violent domestic-related assault after an incident that unfolded at the Smallwood Village Center on December 11, 2024. The suspect, identified as Clarence Antonio Bennett, 41, of Waldorf, threatened a woman with a handgun during a verbal altercation. According to court documents and police reports, officers from the...
Read More »
Historic St. Mary’s City has announced the appointment of Lisa Fischer as the museum’s first Deputy Director of Research and Collections. This newly established position will collaborate with the Director to oversee ongoing research initiatives, plan and implement new cultural resource mitigation projects, engage local stakeholders in community-focused efforts, and design as well as...
Read More »
On Monday, December 16, 2024, at 12:09 p.m., a school administrator at Thomas Stone High School received numerous reports of a student selling marijuana in a school bathroom. Upon further investigation by the school resource officer and the administrator, the student was found to be in possession of 28 grams of cannabis. The student,...
Read More »
The Friends of St. Clement’s Island & Piney Point Museums, the non-profit organization that supports the historic sites overseen by St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division, was recently awarded $10,000 from Maryland Humanities through the Hatza Memorial SHINE (Strengthening the Humanities Investment in Nonprofits for Equity) Grant Program for general operating funds. “We are...
Read More »
Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River are advised that nighttime noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place December 17, 2024 from 8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. Pilots at PAX will be conducting nighttime helicopter departures and landings. Night testing and training is essential for the precision and safety of our military personnel...
Read More »
The St. Mary’s College of Maryland Department of Athletics & Recreation has been awarded the 2025 NCAA and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association Award for Diversity and Inclusion, recognizing their outstanding commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment within the athletics community. St. Mary’s College joins Division I Villanova University and Division II Southern Connecticut State...
Read More »
Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP) recognized its outstanding employees serving Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head on Dec. 16 during an award ceremony at the Mix House. Brittany Bodnar, supervisory security specialist with responsibility for Visitor Control Centers at both NSF Indian Head and NSF Dahlgren, was selected as the command’s Senior Civilian...
Read More »
NANJEMOY, Md. — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams today joined partners and community members to celebrate the establishment of Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge as the 573rd and newest unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. A newly acquired 31-acre parcel is the first of...
Read More »
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) administrative offices are closed for winter break, Monday, Dec. 23-25 and Wednesday, Jan. 1. Schools are closed Monday, Dec. 23, through Wednesday, Jan. 1, for winter break. Schools, offices and buildings reopen on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, as noted in the CCPS Parent Handbook/Calendar. During winter break, some CCPS...
Read More »
Supporters of College of Southern Maryland (CSM) dug deep on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, and donated more money than ever before. Nearly 300 donors provided $184,186 in funds to help with student success initiatives. “Thanks to incredible generosity, we were able to raise more than $184,186 – the highest amount raised in CSM Foundation’s...
Read More »
Tia’s Cantina Southern Maryland’s newest Mexican-inspired dining destination has officially opened its doors! Located in the Wildewood Shopping Center (23415 Three Notch Road, Suite 2060, California, MD), Tia’s Cantina offers a vibrant atmosphere with authentic cuisine, freshly made margaritas, handcrafted cocktails, and an extensive tequila selection. Experience the warmth of traditional Mexican hospitality starting...
Read More »
Maryland State Police arrested a man Wednesday, December 11, 2024, on charges he solicited sex from an undercover law enforcement officer who was posing as a child over a smartphone app in Prince George’s County. Santos Carranza, 47, of Fort Washington, Maryland, is charged with one count of sexual solicitation of a minor and...
Read More »
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels, one of the most iconic and revered demonstration flight teams in the world, have officially released their 2026 air show schedules. The announcement came during the International Council of Airshows (ICAS) conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, marking an exciting milestone for aviation enthusiasts everywhere. In addition to their 2026...
Read More »
A traffic stop on December 11, 2024, in Lexington Park resulted in the arrests of Michelle S. Alvarado, 40, of Great Mills, and Robert M. Goldring, 46, of Lusby. Both individuals face multiple charges related to controlled dangerous substances (CDS), including possession with intent to distribute narcotics. According to reports from the St. Mary’s...
Read More »
On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, two students at Westlake High School were arguing when a school administrator tried to intervene. At that time, a third student walked by and struck one of the students involved in the argument. Two additional students engaged in the altercation, which turned physical. School administrators were able to separate...
Read More »
Big Dogs Paradise, a bar and liquor store located in Mechanicsville, has had its liquor license revoked following a series of alcohol-related violations uncovered during a homicide investigation. The establishment, already grappling with past violations, became the focal point of a probe that ultimately led to its closure after the St. Mary’s County Alcohol...
Read More »
On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division arrested a 16-year-old male who was observed getting into a car that had been reported stolen. As they approached, the juvenile attempted to flee but was apprehended. Through investigation, detectives linked the juvenile to a citizen robbery that occurred in October during...
Read More »
