Community

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Whereabouts of Missing Man

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Whereabouts of Missing Man

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of James Laughlin Statter, age 38 of Lexington Park. Statter was last seen on foot in the Leonardtown area on May 26, 2021. Statter is a white male, 5’9” and weighs 245 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. Anyone with information on the...
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Charles County Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition on Saturday, June 5, 2021 in La Plata

Charles County Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition on Saturday, June 5, 2021 in La Plata

The competition, which will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 5, 2021, will be held at Christ Church, 112 Charles Street in La Plata, MD.  This year’s seven contestants will perform a recital before a distinguished panel of judges. The judges this year are Jody Gatwood, Professor Emeritus, The Catholic University of America...
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Charles County Public Schools Updates Plan for Graduation of 2021 Class

Charles County Public Schools Updates Plan for Graduation of 2021 Class

Elements in the plans have evolved for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) high school graduations on May 28 through June 3 at Regency Furniture Stadium. As of May 20, students will receive five guest tickets to graduation, along with two parking passes. One parking pass is for a space at the stadium, the other...
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NAS Patuxent River to Reopen Commissary Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Following Pest Control Measures

NAS Patuxent River to Reopen Commissary Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Following Pest Control Measures

NAS Patuxent River reopened its base commissary beginning Wednesday, May 26, 2021 following a five-day closure for pest control measures. “Health protection and safety is paramount to our mission,” said Capt. John Brabazon, NAS Patuxent River commanding officer. “We appreciate the proactive efforts of our Commissary staff, NAS Pax River Public Works, and our...
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Police in St. Mary’s County Investigating Armed Robbery at Charlotte Hall 7-Eleven

Police in St. Mary’s County Investigating Armed Robbery at Charlotte Hall 7-Eleven

On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at approximately 3:45 a.m., Troopers from the Maryland State Police and Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Charlotte Hall 7-Eleven at 29969 Three Notch Road, in Charlotte Hall for the report of an armed robbery. The business reported two black males armed with weapons...
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CSM Commemorates 62nd Spring Commencement During May 14 Virtual Graduation Ceremony and Watch Party

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated 466 candidates for 480 associate degrees and 271 certificates during its 62nd Spring Commencement Ceremony, held May 14. The 2021 graduating class earned several exceptional characteristics, including having spent their last academic year participating in distance learning with limited in-person instruction. While the 2021 CSM graduates turned...
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CSM Pinning Ceremony Celebrates 67 Nursing Graduates as Part of 2021 Commencement Activities

CSM Pinning Ceremony Celebrates 67 Nursing Graduates as Part of 2021 Commencement Activities

The Spring 2021 College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) 67 nursing candidates for graduation celebrated their achievements May 12 when they attended their nursing recognition and pinning ceremony. It is a time-honored ceremony that has CSM faculty welcoming their students as peers and colleagues in the field of nursing. Like much of their last year...
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Former Air Force Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $1 Million in Government Funds

Former Air Force Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $1 Million in Government Funds

Eddie Ray Johnson, Jr., age 60, of Brandywine, Maryland, pleaded guilty on May 14, 2021, to the federal charge of theft of government property, in connection with a scheme to use his government-issued travel credit card to obtain more than $1.1 million in cash advances. The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States...
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NAS Patuxent River Seeking Volunteers for Clean the Bay Day on June 1st to June 3rd

NAS Patuxent River Seeking Volunteers for Clean the Bay Day on June 1st to June 3rd

On Tuesday, June 1, from 3:30 p.m., to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 2, 7:00 a.m., to 8:30 a.m., and Thursday, June 3, 3:30 p.m., to 5:30 p.m., Join Pax River for a great opportunity to get some volunteer hours under your belt and contribute to the beautification of NAS Patuxent River and the our...
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Charles County Public Schools Partner with Sheriff’s Office to Provide 2021 Summer Camps

Charles County Public Schools Partner with Sheriff’s Office to Provide 2021 Summer Camps

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is partnering with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) to provide summer camp for students. The camps are run by CCPS School Resource Officers, include lunch and are free for students. Space is limited and registration is required. The following are available camps. Space is limited and parents must...
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Police Investigating House in Pomfret Shot Up / Crime Solvers and Private Donor Increase Reward up to $5,000

Police Investigating House in Pomfret Shot Up / Crime Solvers and Private Donor Increase Reward up to $5,000

On May 12, 2021, at 10:47 p.m., an unknown suspect fired nearly 12 rounds from a gun into a house in the 7700 block of Pomfret Road in Pomfret. The house was occupied at the time; however, no one was injured. Several of the rounds went through the front of the house and out...
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UPDATE: Standoff Ends Peacefully, Suspect in Custody After Hours Long Barricade in Lexington Park

UPDATE: Standoff Ends Peacefully, Suspect in Custody After Hours Long Barricade in Lexington Park

UPDATE 12:05 P.M., Suspect is in custody, medical personnel has been requested to the scene due to suspect having effects of tear gas. Firefighters have been requested to the scene to assist with ventilating the apartment. 5/18/2021: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputies are at the scene of a “barricade Situation” at the Indian Bridge Apartments,...
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UPDATE: La Plata Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder After Stabbing His Ex-Girlfriend and Her Mother Over 30 Times

UPDATE: La Plata Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder After Stabbing His Ex-Girlfriend and Her Mother Over 30 Times

UPDATE 5/10/2022: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, April 28, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Donine Carrington Martin sentenced Deon Lennard Johnson, 26, of La Plata, to 40 years in prison for Attempted Second-Degree Murder, two counts of First-Degree Assault, Fourth-Degree Burglary, and Failure to Comply with Peace...
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Threat of School Shooting at Leonardtown Middle School Deemed Non-Credible

Threat of School Shooting at Leonardtown Middle School Deemed Non-Credible

SMNEWSNET.COM will not be posting a copy of the threat or providing links to it, and ask that the public stop sharing the threat online. The following email was sent to parents of students of Leonardtown Middle School. May 16, 2021 Dear Leonardtown Middle School Families, We have been made aware of a threat...
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Governor Hogan Announces End of Statewide Mask Mandate

Governor Hogan Announces End of Statewide Mask Mandate

Governor Larry Hogan today announced the end of the statewide mask mandate, aligning Maryland with new CDC guidance. This order will take effect Saturday, May 15, along with the lifting of all capacity limits and restrictions that the governor announced earlier this week.  “Today is the day that so many of us have...
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St. Mary’s County Public Schools Partner with Health Department on High School Prom Activities

St. Mary’s County Public Schools Partner with Health Department on High School Prom Activities

On May 15, 2021, St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS), in partnership with St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD), will provide support to all prom events scheduled for SMCPS High Schools. In addition to precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, prom events will include activities to address young driver safety. Students will also have...
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U.S. Navy to Hold Virtual Public Meetings on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19 for Patuxent River Complex Testing and Training Activities Draft Environmental Impact Statement

U.S. Navy to Hold Virtual Public Meetings on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19 for Patuxent River Complex Testing and Training Activities Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The U.S. Navy invites you attend a virtual public meeting on May 18 or 19 regarding the Patuxent River Complex Testing and Training Activities Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS. The Draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects of continuing to conduct military testing and training activities within the Patuxent River Complex needed to meet...
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Charles County Youth Orchestra Celebrates Graduating Seniors on Saturday, May 21, 2021

Charles County Youth Orchestra Celebrates Graduating Seniors on Saturday, May 21, 2021

The Charles County Youth Orchestra proudly announces that its graduating Seniors will attend some of the top colleges in the U.S. and the world this fall. The senior members of the orchestra Evangeline Gilmer, Ella Gerstman, Kyle Anderson, Areini Partis and Autumn Smith will be honored at an outdoor concert on Saturday, May 21,...
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Brendan Sailing Receives $20,000 Grant from the Kathy and Jerry Wood Foundation

Brendan Sailing Receives $20,000 Grant from the Kathy and Jerry Wood Foundation

Brendan Sailing is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $20,000 grant from The Kathy and Jerry Wood Foundation.   This grant will support camper scholarships for youth for this summer and beyond who would otherwise not have these opportunities. The cost to provide specially tailored, educational and growth opportunities to LD students continues...
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U.S. Coast Guard Establishes Safety and Security Zone Around Cove Point Natural Gas Terminal

U.S. Coast Guard Establishes Safety and Security Zone Around Cove Point Natural Gas Terminal

The U.S. Coast Guard in coordination with federal, State and local agencies have established a ‘Safety and Security Zone’ for the Cove Point Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. This exclusion zone is necessary to help ensure public safety and security. The zone prohibits vessels and persons from entering a well-defined area of...
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VIDEO: Calvert County Public Schools Announce Teacher of the Year and Educational Support Professional of the Year, and Give Both a New Car!

VIDEO: Calvert County Public Schools Announce Teacher of the Year and Educational Support Professional of the Year, and Give Both a New Car!

Congratulations to Jennifer Rachic, Calvert County Public Schools Teacher of the Year, and James Johnson, Educational Support Professional of the Year. The winners were announced during live- streamed surprise visits to each school. Dr. Daniel D. Curry, Superintendent, said, “Mrs. Rachic and Mr. Johnson are outstanding examples of the fine teachers and support staff...
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Gentle Hands Wildlife Services Rescue Osprey in St. Mary’s County

Gentle Hands Wildlife Services Rescue Osprey in St. Mary’s County

Gentle Hands Wildlife Services Posted the following information about an osprey rescue on their Facebook page. The post stated the osprey that was hanging upside down from the tree tangled in fishing line last night has been safely rescued. The final stages of the rescue operation took place first thing this morning (5/5/2021). Tri-County...
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New School-Based Health Centers in St. Mary’s County Recognized by State Commission and Awarded $650,000 Grant to Address Health Equity

New School-Based Health Centers in St. Mary’s County Recognized by State Commission and Awarded $650,000 Grant to Address Health Equity

The St. Mary’s County Equity Task Force is pleased to announce official state recognition of the two new school-based health centers (SBHCs) in the county, as well as a $650,000 grant awarded to the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) to support clinical service delivery at the SBHCs. Following a review of operational plans...
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U.S. Navy Receives Production Approval for Next-Generation Air Combat Training System

U.S. Navy Receives Production Approval for Next-Generation Air Combat Training System

The Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges program office (PMA-205) received Milestone C approval for its next-generation air combat training system, the Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS II) on April 27, 2021. Approved by Program Executive Officer for Aviation Common Systems and Commercial Services (PEO(CS)), Gary Kurtz, Milestone C clears the way...
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A Message from Sheriff Troy D. Berry Regarding Body Worn Cameras:

A Message from Sheriff Troy D. Berry Regarding Body Worn Cameras:

A Message from Sheriff Troy D. Berry Regarding Body Worn Cameras: I want to take this opportunity to let you know exactly where we are in terms of body worn cameras for our agency. The bottom line is we want the cameras as soon as possible. In fact, on April 20, 2021, I gave...
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