Community

La Plata Police Chief Carl Schinner Announces His Departure from the La Plata Police Department

La Plata Police Chief Carl Schinner Announces His Departure from the La Plata Police Department

La Plata Police Chief, Carl Schinner, announced he would be departing service from the Town of La Plata. Chief Schinner began his career in May 1987 with the Greenbelt Police Department (GPD). Chief Schinner retired from GPD at the rank of captain in September 2013. He began his tenure as Chief with the La...
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Indian Head Woman Charged with First-Degree Assault Following Stabbing at Motel

Indian Head Woman Charged with First-Degree Assault Following Stabbing at Motel

Lisa Maria Genao, 41, of Indian Head, has been charged with first-degree assault following an alleged stabbing incident at a motel in Charles County. Genao was arrested on February 24, 2025, after deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an assault with a weapon at the Indian Head Inn,...
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Local Robotics Team Advances to VEX IQ World Championship in Texas

Local Robotics Team Advances to VEX IQ World Championship in Texas

A local robotics team is advancing to the VEX IQ World Championship in Dallas, Texas, after an impressive performance at the Maryland State Championship this weekend. The team, 836A The Hive Mind, is from growingSTEMS, a community-based non-profit program located in Hollywood, MD, with the mission statement of developing the next generation of problem...
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No Children Injured After School Bus Accident in St. Mary’s County

No Children Injured After School Bus Accident in St. Mary’s County

On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at approximately 3:16 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Medleys Neck Road and Watson Lane in Leonardtown, for the reported motor vehicle collision with unknown injuries involving a school bus. Crews arrived on the scene to find a passenger vehicle and a St....
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Charles County Public Schools Employee Data Information Update

Charles County Public Schools Employee Data Information Update

On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) offices of School Safety and Security and Technology discovered fraudulent activity related to two employee email and Oracle accounts. The report is still under investigation, but the employees impacted are aware of the activity. Note: A version of this update was emailed to...
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Free Vegetable and Plant Seeds Available at CSM Library in La Plata Starting in March

Free Vegetable and Plant Seeds Available at CSM Library in La Plata Starting in March

Starting in March, a visit to the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Dr. Elaine Ryan Library located at the CSM La Plata Campus will get you more than access to books, information, data bases, and helpful librarians – it will also get you access to free seeds for growing vegetables and flowers at home....
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Lusby Woman Who Stole From Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Charity Fund Sentenced to 20 Days in Jail

Lusby Woman Who Stole From Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Charity Fund Sentenced to 20 Days in Jail

A Lusby woman has been sentenced after pleading guilty to theft charges related to stolen funds from a charity initiative at the Calvert County Detention Center. Paige Johnna Eldred, 29, of Lusby, was convicted of theft of $100 to under $1,500, a misdemeanor, following an investigation into missing funds from the facility’s “No Shave...
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Two Teens Arrested for Strong-Armed Robbery After Search Warrants Are Executed in Waldorf

Two Teens Arrested for Strong-Armed Robbery After Search Warrants Are Executed in Waldorf

On Friday, February 14, 2025, officers assigned to the Neighborhood Enforcement Team and the Criminal Investigations Division served a search warrant at a residence in the 11600 block of Medinah Street in Waldorf and another search warrant at a home on Olympia Place in Waldorf. The search warrants were related to a strong-armed robbery...
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Retail and Residential Components Taking Shape At 150-Acre Waldorf Station

Retail and Residential Components Taking Shape At 150-Acre Waldorf Station

Greenberg Gibbons announced this week, their significant progress updates for the retail and residential components of Waldorf Station, using the 150-acre mixed-use destination located at the intersection of Route 301 and Route 5 in Waldorf, MD. Waldorf Station’s first retail component, featuring two buildings totaling 13,000 square feet, is expected to break ground in...
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Alison Cheney, Teacher at F.B. Gwynn Educational Center Named 2025 Teacher of the Year

Alison Cheney, Teacher at F.B. Gwynn Educational Center Named 2025 Teacher of the Year

Alison Cheney, a physical education teacher at the F.B. Gwynn Educational Center, was named the 2025 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Teacher of the Year during a Feb. 20 recognition ceremony. The event, held at St. Charles High School, honors nominees for the 2025 Washington Post Teacher of the Year and CCPS Teacher of the Year award...
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St. Mary’s County Health Hub and Literacy Council Seek Tutors for Adult Education

St. Mary’s County Health Hub and Literacy Council Seek Tutors for Adult Education

The Literacy Council of St. Mary’s and the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) are seeking tutors for their adult education tutor match program. Literacy Council of St. Mary’s provides one-on-one tutoring and customized learning opportunities for adults. The mission of the Literacy Council is to develop community relationships and workplace readiness by working...
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Calvert Marine Museum Exciting Improvements to Maritime Hall Exhibits with Community-Driven Plan

Calvert Marine Museum Exciting Improvements to Maritime Hall Exhibits with Community-Driven Plan

In 2022, the Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) engaged a consulting team to develop a community-driven plan aimed at revitalizing the Maritime Hall exhibits. This comprehensive plan will guide future design and updates to the exhibit space, ensuring an immersive and authentic experience that reflects various perspectives of life in Southern Maryland, with a particular...
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NAS Patuxent River Trying New Traffic Pattern at Gate 2

NAS Patuxent River Trying New Traffic Pattern at Gate 2

“In an attempt to reduce Gate 2 wait times and increase traffic flow, there is a new traffic pattern when entering Pax River Gate 2. Please anticipate this change when utilizing Gate 2 starting Monday morning. At all gates, drivers are to present the back of their ID cards with the bar code showing...
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Charles County School Renaming Committee Seeks Feedback on Name Recommendations

Charles County School Renaming Committee Seeks Feedback on Name Recommendations

The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) School Renaming Committee seeks feedback on its name recommendations for General Smallwood Middle School. In November 2024, the Board of Education of Charles County moved forward with a vote to rename the school, following its school renaming policy, Board Policy 7230. Following Board Policy 7230, the renaming committee...
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MedStar Health Free Women’s Wellness Event on Saturday, March 22, 2025

MedStar Health Free Women’s Wellness Event on Saturday, March 22, 2025

Partnering with Delicados, Inc., MedStar Health will host a free Women’s Wellness Event on Saturday, March 22, at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland, 44219 Airport Road, California, Maryland. Expert medical providers will offer presentations on GLP-1 medications and their benefits, varicose veins, breast cancer, colorectal cancer and Cologuard, strength training as...
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Chesapeake Life Center New Workshops Focus on Wellness and Creativity for Grievers and Caregivers

Chesapeake Life Center New Workshops Focus on Wellness and Creativity for Grievers and Caregivers

Chesapeake Life Center offers many creative workshops to help adults find a path to healing from loss. From painting to mindfulness, there are options for grievers and caregivers. Here are some of the events planned for this season. Navigating Anticipatory and Ambiguous Grief in Dementia Caregiving – This free workshop is designed to support...
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Piney Point Lighthouse Museum Announces 4-Day Outdoor Spring Break Program for Junior Historians!

Piney Point Lighthouse Museum Announces 4-Day Outdoor Spring Break Program for Junior Historians!

St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division is pleased to announce the Junior Historian program for Spring Break. Designed for children aged 7 to 10, the Junior Historian program at Piney Point Lighthouse Museum will run for 3 hours per day from April 14 to 17, offering an exciting blend of outdoor exploration and hands-on...
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Cambridge Woman Arrested After Knife Attack at St. Mary’s County Hotel

Cambridge Woman Arrested After Knife Attack at St. Mary’s County Hotel

A Cambridge woman is facing multiple assault charges after allegedly waving a knife and attacking two individuals at a hotel in Hollywood, Maryland. According to court documents, Shyla Marie Moore, 18, of Cambridge, was arrested on February 17, 2025, after Maryland State Police responded to a disturbance at the Sleep Inn and Suites on...
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Helen’s Café and Catering Relocating to Leonardtown

Helen’s Café and Catering Relocating to Leonardtown

Helen’s Café and Catering, a longtime favorite in Southern Maryland, is set to open a new location at 24209 Point Lookout Rd, Leonardtown, MD. Formerly located at the Charlotte Hall Farmers Market, Helen’s closed its doors in March 2024. Now, nearly a year later, the beloved eatery is preparing to welcome customers once again...
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Southern Maryland School and Weather Updates for Thursday, February 20th, 2025

Southern Maryland School and Weather Updates for Thursday, February 20th, 2025

ST. MARY’S COUNTY – 2 Hour Delayed Opening – February 20, 2025 – Code 5 for Staff All SMCPS Schools will have a delayed opening of two hours on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Code 5 for staff. Ten and eleven-month employees report to work two hours late. Twelve-month employees and food service workers are...
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Adult Grief Support Program Meetings Available This Spring, 2025

Adult Grief Support Program Meetings Available This Spring, 2025

From free, come-as-you-are drop-in grief support groups to online groups that explore grief through imagery, Chesapeake Life Center offers a variety of grief support groups for adults this spring. Drop-In Grief Support Groups are open to anyone grieving. Groups offer participants an opportunity to share their feelings and obtain support from others who are...
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Get Ready to Swing into an Unforgettable Adventure with Summerstock!

Get Ready to Swing into an Unforgettable Adventure with Summerstock!

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Recreation & Parks (R&P) is thrilled to present TARZAN®: The Stage Musical for the 43rd production of Summerstock. Performances will be held at Great Mills High School on July 18–20 and July 25–27, 2025, with a total of 8 shows. TARZAN®: The Stage Musical is based on Disney’s...
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March 2025 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

March 2025 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

As the days grow longer and the flowers begin to bloom, we’re welcoming the vibrant energy of spring with a lineup of exciting events you won’t want to miss! Get ready for OtterMania!, our super fun celebration of these playful creatures, plus a lively night of music with Lady Di and the Daly News....
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Winter Weather Advisory in Effect for St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert Counties

Winter Weather Advisory in Effect for St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert Counties

WEDNESDAY 2/19/2025 Update at 5:00 a.m.: The National Weather Service has placed St. Mary’s County, Calvert County and Charles County under a Winter Weather Advisory in effect from February 19, 01:00 at 1:00 p.m., until February 20, 1:00 a.m. Today – Snow, mainly after 11am. High near 26. North wind 8 to 11 mph....
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CSM Hosts 35 Middle and High School Teams in ‘High Stakes’ Robotics Tournament

CSM Hosts 35 Middle and High School Teams in ‘High Stakes’ Robotics Tournament

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) hosted 35 teams of local and regional middle- and high-school students last weekend at the Southern Maryland VEX V5 Robotics Tournament held at the La Plata Campus. At the Feb. 15 tournament, student-team-built robots were inspected, put to the test, judged, and awarded for their high-tech efforts. “I...
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