Community

St Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – January 6, 2026

St Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – January 6, 2026

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) began their business meeting with an invocation and the pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The CSMC then presented a proclamation recognizing National Mentoring Month. For their main agenda item, the Commissioners approved and adopted the Ordinance accepting the current configuration of the Preston Court and Morgan Road intersection and...
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SMADC Opens Farm Share Equipment Rental Grants $30,000 in Funds Available

SMADC Opens Farm Share Equipment Rental Grants $30,000 in Funds Available

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD), is again offering grant funds to the community to support the purchase of farm equipment for the benefit of farmers in the Southern Maryland Region. SMADC invites agricultural entities (like County Farm Bureaus and Soil Conservation Districts) who...
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UPDATE: Suspect in Custody After Multiple Shootings Leaves One Victim Dead; Police Believe All Three Victims Were Randomly Targeted

UPDATE: Suspect in Custody After Multiple Shootings Leaves One Victim Dead; Police Believe All Three Victims Were Randomly Targeted

UPDATE 1/6/2026:  The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit and Gun Crimes Unit have charged a suspect in connection with a murder and multiple shootings on Sunday in the unincorporated section of Upper Marlboro. He is 26-year-old Damonte Marcel Williams of Upper Marlboro. He is charged with the murder of 65-year-old Joseph Holt...
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8 Years After Big Win, Prince George’s Man Returns to Lottery Headquarters to Claim Second Large Prize

8 Years After Big Win, Prince George’s Man Returns to Lottery Headquarters to Claim Second Large Prize

Eight years ago, an excited Lottery player made the drive to Baltimore to claim a $250,000 scratch-off prize. That same man returned to Lottery headquarters Jan. 2, just as happy about claiming a $50,000 Powerball prize from the Oct. 18 drawing. “I would have been a little happier if I had matched one more...
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F-35 pilots and Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft Hone Tactics in Joint Simulation Environment

F-35 pilots and Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft Hone Tactics in Joint Simulation Environment

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) achieved a milestone in advancing F-35 Lightning II aircraft integration with the Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) during a recent tactical demonstration in its Joint Simulation Environment (JSE). The event demonstrated how advanced modeling and simulation can develop tactics and strategies for fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35 operating with uncrewed...
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Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month Highlights Growing Occupational Risk

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month Highlights Growing Occupational Risk

January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the elevated cancer risks faced by firefighters and the long-term health consequences of the job. Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. In 2025, nearly 80%* of IAFF member line-of-duty deaths were due to occupational...
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Maryland Public Libraries Set to Host Career Success Month – January 6th to February 28th, 2026

Maryland Public Libraries Set to Host Career Success Month – January 6th to February 28th, 2026

Public libraries across Maryland will soon host dozens of events to help community members develop the skills they need to succeed in today’s workplace. The fourth annual Career Success Month runs from January 6 through February 28, 2026. Developed by the Maryland State Library Agency and supported in part by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS),...
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Attorney General Brown Leads Lawsuit Against Department of Education’s Cuts to Full Service Community School Programs

Attorney General Brown Leads Lawsuit Against Department of Education’s Cuts to Full Service Community School Programs

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and two other attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education to stop unlawful cuts to congressionally approved funding for Full Service Community School (FSCS) programs. FSCS projects focus critical resources on elementary and secondary schools that need them most, offering students and their families additional...
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Lexington Park Woman Claims $100,000 MONOPOLY X50 Ticket

Lexington Park Woman Claims $100,000 MONOPOLY X50 Ticket

A Lexington Park woman who says she seldom plays scratch-offs decided to gift herself a few of the games instead of getting her usual Pick 3 or Pick 4 tickets. She bought two $10 MONOPOLY™ X50 tickets and one of them gave her an even bigger gift: a $100,000 top-tier prize. She claimed the windfall...
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Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Launches Regional Passport Program

Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Launches Regional Passport Program

The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area today announced the launch of its new regional passport program, an interactive initiative designed to encourage residents and visitors to discover the region’s storied past, abundant culture, and natural beauty across Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Southern Prince George’s Counties. Fifteen designated heritage sites throughout the Area are now offering...
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Delegate Brian Crosby Opens 2026-27 SY Academic Scholarship Application

Delegate Brian Crosby Opens 2026-27 SY Academic Scholarship Application

Delegate Brian Crosby has opened applications for his 2026–27 Academic Scholarship, a one-year award available to eligible college students who live in Maryland Legislative District 29B and will be attending a Maryland college or qualifying program during the 2026–27 school year. The scholarship is intended to support St. Mary’s County students pursuing higher education...
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My Sister’s Closet Launches in Southern Maryland to Support Women With Free Professional Attire and Fresh Start Opportunities!

My Sister’s Closet Launches in Southern Maryland to Support Women With Free Professional Attire and Fresh Start Opportunities!

A new community-driven initiative aimed at supporting women across Southern Maryland is officially taking shape. My Sister’s Closet has launched with a simple but powerful mission: women supporting women through dignity, opportunity, and community. Created to help women build confidence during career transitions, interviews, and fresh starts, My Sister’s Closet will provide free professional...
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Forrest Career & Technology Center 26th Annual Tech Expo – January 22, 2026

Forrest Career & Technology Center 26th Annual Tech Expo – January 22, 2026

The Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center (Forrest Center) will facilitate its twenty-sixth annual Forrest Center Tech Expo on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026. The following sessions will be available for students to visit their three favorite programs. Doors open at 5:30 pm Session 1: 5:40-5:55 pm Session 2: 6:00-6:15 pm Session 3:...
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Linda L. Kelley Shelter Launches “New Year, New Chapter” Adoption Promotion

Linda L. Kelley Shelter Launches “New Year, New Chapter” Adoption Promotion

The Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter will kick off the new year by waiving adoption fees during its New Year, New Chapter adoption promotion, running Friday, Jan. 2 through Saturday, Jan. 31. Adoption fees will be waived for all animals that entered the shelter in 2025, identified by intake numbers beginning with “25.” Animals...
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Happy New Year From the Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center!

Happy New Year From the Prince George’s County Animal Services Facility and Adoption Center!

As we reflect on 2025, our hearts are filled with gratitude. From our free vaccination clinics to the joyful energy of Pawchella, this year was filled with meaningful moments made possible by you. Thank you for being an essential part of our community and for your unwavering support. From wagging tails to gentle purrs, every animal...
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Trump Closing NASA’s Largest Library Today, Along Side Staffing Cuts – Materials Set to Be ‘Tossed Away’

Trump Closing NASA’s Largest Library Today, Along Side Staffing Cuts – Materials Set to Be ‘Tossed Away’

GREENBELT, MD. — NASA’s largest library, located at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, will permanently close on Friday, Jan. 2, ending more than six decades as a central research hub for the agency and the global space science community. Established in 1959, the library has supported the development of some of...
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Request for Applications: Community Health Resources Commission Coordinated Community Supports Partnership

Request for Applications: Community Health Resources Commission Coordinated Community Supports Partnership

The St Mary’s County Health Department Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA) announces a call for Applications for the Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) Coordinated Community Supports Partnership FY2027 Request for Applications (RFA). The full application can be found at the following CHRC link: RFA Consortium St Mary’s County Health Department LBHA is under Track 1 and applications...
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Mechanicsville Man Arrested After Overturned Vehicle Leads to DUI, Drug Charges

Mechanicsville Man Arrested After Overturned Vehicle Leads to DUI, Drug Charges

James Roy Chase II, 38, of Mechanicsville, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses following a single-vehicle crash that occurred on December 27, 2025, in Leonardtown, according to court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Chase is facing a total of 12 charges, including two drug-related misdemeanors—CDS possession not cannabis...
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Attorney General Brown Opposes Trump Administration’s Proposed Rollbacks to Endangered Species Act Regulations

Attorney General Brown Opposes Trump Administration’s Proposed Rollbacks to Endangered Species Act Regulations

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown co-led a multistate coalition of 19 attorneys general in sending a comment letter opposing four proposed rules by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that would undermine key regulations implementing the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The proposed rollbacks would significantly...
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Defense Contractor IAP Worldwide Services Agrees to Pay More Than $800k to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations

Defense Contractor IAP Worldwide Services Agrees to Pay More Than $800k to Resolve Alleged False Claims Act Violations

IAP Worldwide Services, Incorporated (IAP), a logistics, facilities management, and advanced technical and professional services company headquartered in Delaware, agreed to pay the United States $810,821.65 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the settlement with Special Agent in Charge, Christopher...
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Young Elves Spread Christmas Cheer at Chesapeake Shores Nursing Home

Young Elves Spread Christmas Cheer at Chesapeake Shores Nursing Home

The halls of Chesapeake Shores nursing home were filled with holiday joy on Christmas Eve, thanks to three young visitors who decided to share the Christmas spirit with residents. Emma and Cole Raley, along with their cousin Jay Clarke (Leonard), donned their elf costumes and arrived at the facility with arms full of carefully...
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Charles County Scholarship Fair Set for January 15th, 2026

Charles County Scholarship Fair Set for January 15th, 2026

The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Scholarship Fair will be held next month at St. Charles High School. Students who are headed to college in the fall and want to learn about applying for scholarships can attend the fair with their families from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15. CCPS staff will be...
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NAS Patuxent River Mourns Passing of Two Commanding Officers

NAS Patuxent River Mourns Passing of Two Commanding Officers

This past month we were saddened by the loss of two of our former commanding officers, Capt. Edward Laney, Jr. and Capt. Roger Hill. These two remarkable aviators did much in their careers, and served NAS Patuxent River with distinction in their roles as commanding officer. Laney was a seasoned naval aviator prior to...
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NAVAIR Enables Cross-Service Collaboration, Forward Thinking With Additive Manufacturing

NAVAIR Enables Cross-Service Collaboration, Forward Thinking With Additive Manufacturing

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD.: The NAVAIR Additive Manufacturing team supports Navy and Marine Corps maintainers with AM training, engineering support and technical data to increase readiness in forward-deployed locations where traditional logistics are contested. Recently, Marine Aircraft Logistics Squadron 36 (MALS-36) and 18th Maintenance Group (18 MXG) maintainers used AM to...
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CSM Talons Robotics Team Opens Season with Top Scores

CSM Talons Robotics Team Opens Season with Top Scores

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Talons Robotics Team earned top scores at the international VEX Robotics Competition and is now ranked in the top 20 teams in the world. The team traveled to Manassas, Virginia on November 22 to compete against teams from across the globe, winning the Programming Skills, Driver Skills, and...
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