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November Weddings in Southern Maryland: Driving Safely Around Amish Buggies

November Weddings in Southern Maryland: Driving Safely Around Amish Buggies

As November arrives, Southern Maryland’s Amish communities, particularly in St. Mary’s and Charles counties, observe their traditional wedding season. Weddings are typically held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during this month, leading to increased horse-drawn buggy traffic on rural roads. This uptick in slow-moving vehicles requires heightened awareness and caution from all motorists. Amish weddings...
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Is Your Child’s Safety Seat Installed Correctly? Find Out at Our Free Safety Seat Check Event!

Is Your Child’s Safety Seat Installed Correctly? Find Out at Our Free Safety Seat Check Event!

Ensuring your child’s safety while on the road starts with a properly installed car seat. But did you know that a large percentage of car seats are incorrectly installed? The Maryland State Police in Leonardtown is here to help! They are offering a free Child Safety Seat Check on Friday, November 15, 2024, from...
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19-Year-Old Shooting Victim Airlifted, Suspects Apprehended After Pursuit from St. Mary’s to Charles County

19-Year-Old Shooting Victim Airlifted, Suspects Apprehended After Pursuit from St. Mary’s to Charles County

On Friday, November 1, 2024, at approximately 11:50 p.m., first responders, including police, firefighters, and EMS, were dispatched to the 45000 block of Breezy Lane in Hollywood for a reported gunshot victim. Upon arrival, they located a 19-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim was conscious, alert, and breathing....
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Leonardtown Man Charged with Assault and Theft After Domestic Dispute in St. Mary’s County

Leonardtown Man Charged with Assault and Theft After Domestic Dispute in St. Mary’s County

Leonardo Darrell Harrod, 41, of Leonardtown, has been arrested and charged in St. Mary’s County with first-degree assault and other related offenses following a reported domestic incident involving a weapon. The charges stem from an alleged confrontation on October 28, 2024, with his girlfriend, who claims she was threatened with a knife and assaulted....
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Bushwood Man Receives Eighteen Month Sentence for Illegal Firearms Possession After Felony Conviction

Bushwood Man Receives Eighteen Month Sentence for Illegal Firearms Possession After Felony Conviction

John William Loar III, 53, of Bushwood, was sentenced on November 1, 2024, to eighteen months behind bars following his guilty plea to charges of illegally possessing firearms despite a previous felony conviction. Loar, convicted of assault in 2009, faced multiple charges after authorities discovered firearms and ammunition at his residence, which he was...
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Waldorf Woman Charged with Burglaries at Leonardtown Apartment Complex

Waldorf Woman Charged with Burglaries at Leonardtown Apartment Complex

Lashawn Nicole Lewis, age 50, of Waldorf, faces two felony charges of second-degree burglary after her arrest on October 30, 2024, at an apartment complex in Leonardtown. According to court documents, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy James Morgan responded to a call reporting a break-in at on Hamptons Blvd. around 8:30 a.m. on...
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Two Suspects Apprehended in Lexington Park Shooting; Third Suspect Still at Large

Two Suspects Apprehended in Lexington Park Shooting; Third Suspect Still at Large

In a coordinated effort, detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, apprehended two suspects on October 31, 2024, in connection with a recent shooting incident in Lexington Park. Mark Albert Fenwick Jr., 32, of Park Hall, and Jarrell Raheim Johnson, 36, of Prince Frederick, were both...
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Automatic Flight Refund Rule Takes Effect Across U.S. – Just in Time for the Holidays

Automatic Flight Refund Rule Takes Effect Across U.S. – Just in Time for the Holidays

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has enacted a new regulation requiring airlines to automatically issue refunds to passengers for canceled flights or flights that experience significant schedule changes. Effective October 28, 2024, this rule aims to streamline the refund process for travelers and enhance consumer protection within the airline industry. Under the regulation,...
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Another Shooting in St. Mary’s County – Police Investigating Male Shot in Lexington Park

Another Shooting in St. Mary’s County – Police Investigating Male Shot in Lexington Park

UPDATE 10/31/2024: Firefighters and emergency medical personnel found the male victim was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was flown to an area trauma center. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are investigating with “preliminary findings indicate this appears to be an isolated incident with no broader threat to public safety.” according to the...
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Lexington Park Man Charged in Series of Theft Incidents Across St. Mary’s County

Lexington Park Man Charged in Series of Theft Incidents Across St. Mary’s County

Arlon Charles Menchion, 61, of Lexington Park, faces multiple charges of theft following three separate incidents across St. Mary’s County. Menchion is alleged to have stolen various items, including household goods and a car battery, from local businesses. Here’s a summary of the charges as detailed in court documents. The first incident occurred on...
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Mechanicsville Woman Facing Animal Cruelty Charges in St. Mary’s County After 15 Dead Cats Found in Her Freezer

Mechanicsville Woman Facing Animal Cruelty Charges in St. Mary’s County After 15 Dead Cats Found in Her Freezer

Laura Lynn Reed, 50, of Mechanicsville, is facing 15 counts of animal cruelty following an investigation into severe neglect of animals under her care. Reed was arrested after St. Mary’s County Animal Control and Sheriff’s Deputies found 26 living animals and 15 deceased cats inside her residence on Morganza Turner Road. The investigation began...
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Understanding Delays in Bringing Charges for a Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident

Understanding Delays in Bringing Charges for a Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident

In the aftermath of a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the time it takes for police or state attorneys’ offices to bring charges can be weeks or even months. This delay is due to the complexity of the investigation and the need for thorough evidence...
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Public Perception of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office: A Year Later, Praise for Deputies, but Criticism for Leadership

Public Perception of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office: A Year Later, Praise for Deputies, but Criticism for Leadership

Over a year ago, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office released the results of a community survey they initiated to gauge public perception of law enforcement in the county. Although the survey allowed residents to express their views, many now feel that little has changed since the Sheriff’s Office made this information public. While...
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All Arrests and Criminal Summons Issued in Charles County 10/11/2024 to 10/24/2024

All Arrests and Criminal Summons Issued in Charles County 10/11/2024 to 10/24/2024

SMNEWSNET.COM will provide a list of all arrests and criminal summonses issued in Charles County. In the spirit of transparency, we are committed to keeping our community informed about local law enforcement activities. This list includes arrests made by both the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police, providing a comprehensive look...
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All Arrests and Criminal Summons Issued in St. Mary’s County 10/18/2024 to 10/24/2024

All Arrests and Criminal Summons Issued in St. Mary’s County 10/18/2024 to 10/24/2024

UPDATE 10/28/2024: We are still waiting for some booking photos from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office that they have refused to release. 10/27/2024: Each week, SMNEWSNET.COM will provide a list of all arrests and criminal summonses issued in St. Mary’s County. In the spirit of transparency, we are committed to keeping our community...
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Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Public’s Help to Locate Individuals with Outstanding Warrants

The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit is currently searching for several individuals wanted for various charges. The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating these individuals to ensure that justice is served. Mariah Catherine Gray – Wanted for child support Sara Michelle Hapeman is wanted for FTA- Drug Possession Lloyd...
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Maryland State Police Arrest Mechanicville Man on Multiple Charges After Violating Protective Order and Resisting Arrest

Maryland State Police Arrest Mechanicville Man on Multiple Charges After Violating Protective Order and Resisting Arrest

John Edward Nichols, 34, of Mechanicsville, has been arrested and charged with several misdemeanors after an incident in which he allegedly violated a protective order, engaged in disorderly conduct, and resisted arrest. The arrest took place on October 20, 2024, following a disturbance at a residence in California, Maryland. According to the report filed...
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DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, set for Saturday, October 26, 2024

DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, set for Saturday, October 26, 2024

The DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, set for Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, provides several collection sites across Southern Maryland for safe disposal of unused or expired medications. According to the DEA’s official Take Back Day webpage, drop-off locations include Maryland State Police Barrack T in Leonardtown,...
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National School Bus Safety Week: October 21-25

National School Bus Safety Week: October 21-25

As we recognize National School Bus Safety Week from October 21 to 25, it’s a perfect time for drivers and students alike to brush up on essential safety tips that keep everyone safe on the road. With millions of children relying on buses to get to and from school, it’s critical that we all...
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Waldorf Man Faces Assault and Hate Crime Charges After Tractor Supply Confrontation

Waldorf Man Faces Assault and Hate Crime Charges After Tractor Supply Confrontation

On October 20, 2024, at approximately 4:04 p.m., Charles County officers responded to a report of an armed confrontation outside a Tractor Supply store in White Plains. According to law enforcement, Harold Andrew Howard, 53, of Waldorf, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree assault and a race or religious crime after...
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Lexington Park Man Arrested for Burglary, Attempted Arson, and Drug Possession

Lexington Park Man Arrested for Burglary, Attempted Arson, and Drug Possession

On October 20, 2024, Cesar Augusto Gonzalez-Lopez, 34, of Lexington Park, was arrested and charged with burglary, attempted arson, and drug possession, after threatening to burn down a home, breaking into the property, and causing significant damage. According to court documents, the incident stemmed from an argument between Gonzalez-Lopez and the homeowner the previous...
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Protect Yourself and Loved Ones: Scammers Impersonating Local Law Enforcement in St. Mary’s County

Protect Yourself and Loved Ones: Scammers Impersonating Local Law Enforcement in St. Mary’s County

While the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has acknowledged receiving multiple reports of scammers impersonating deputies and demanding money, their public warning has provided limited details about how these scams are being carried out. To help shed more light on the issue, one local resident, whom we will refer to as Brian, has shared...
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Lexington Park Man Faces Multiple Charges After Traffic Incident in Leonardtown

Lexington Park Man Faces Multiple Charges After Traffic Incident in Leonardtown

On October 16, 2024, Marvin Laquawn Rash, 39, of Lexington Park, was arrested following a traffic incident in Leonardtown. According to court documents, Rash is facing several charges, including failing to obey a lawful order, resisting arrest, and obstructing a police investigation. The incident occurred on Maryland Route 5 near 26825 Point Lookout Road...
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Clements Man Arrested for Assault After Female Victim Suffers Severe Injuries

Clements Man Arrested for Assault After Female Victim Suffers Severe Injuries

Jonathan David Pease, 39, of Clements, was arrested on October 18, 2024, and charged with first and second-degree assault following a violent incident on October 15, 2024, at his residence on Mount Chance Court in Clements. According to court documents, Pease allegedly assaulted a female victim during a heated argument, resulting in serious injuries...
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Waldorf Man Faces Multiple Assault Charges Following Domestic Assault

Waldorf Man Faces Multiple Assault Charges Following Domestic Assault

Christian Donovan Johnson, age 28, of Waldorf, was arrested on October 5, 2024, following an alleged domestic assault involving his mother. According to court documents, Johnson has been charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and resisting arrest. The incident occurred on Augsburg Court in Waldorf. According to court documents, on October 5, 2024, officers...
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