Community

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: 79th Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association Awards & Photos

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: 79th Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association Awards & Photos

The Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department proudly hosted the 79th Annual Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association Convention on Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, 2025. This year’s convention held special significance as long-time Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department member Tommy Mattingly Jr., was instilled as President of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association. The two-day event brought...
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Charles County Public Schools and Board of Education Hosting Virtual Town Hall Meeting on School Safety on May 6th, 2025

Charles County Public Schools and Board of Education Hosting Virtual Town Hall Meeting on School Safety on May 6th, 2025

Now is the time to voice your concerns, questions and opinions. The Board of Education of Charles County and Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) are hosting a virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. through Zoom. The event is open to the public. Attendees must have an active Zoom account to...
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Nicholas Adam, Principal of J.P. Ryon Elementary School Named CCPS Principal of The Year

Nicholas Adam, Principal of J.P. Ryon Elementary School Named CCPS Principal of The Year

Nicholas Adam, principal of J.P. Ryon Elementary School, was named the 2025 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Principal of the Year. Before coming to Ryon in 2023, Adam spent five years as principal of Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School after serving as an assistant principal at William A. Diggs and Malcolm elementary schools. “He...
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St. Mary’s County Museums Offer Free Admission for Moms on Mother’s Day

St. Mary’s County Museums Offer Free Admission for Moms on Mother’s Day

On Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025, St. Clement’s Island Museum in Colton’s Point and Piney Point Lighthouse Museum in Piney Point, will offer free museum admission for moms during normal operating hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note regular admission prices apply to others with the party: St. Clement’s Island Museum: $3...
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Photos & Pride: Reliving the Joy of St. Mary’s Special Olympics Spring Games

Photos & Pride: Reliving the Joy of St. Mary’s Special Olympics Spring Games

Special Olympics Maryland-St. Mary’s County would like to thank Ryken High School for hosting the annual Spring Games. A special thanks goes out to the businesses, Sheriff’s Office, County and State Officials, and the NAS Patuxent River personnel that each year come out and support these individuals with intellectual disabilities both in school and...
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School Fire Leads to Reckless Endangerment and Arson Indictment for Prince Frederick Man

School Fire Leads to Reckless Endangerment and Arson Indictment for Prince Frederick Man

Juan Jared Perez-Lopez, 20, of Prince Frederick, has been indicted by a Calvert County grand jury in connection with a February fire at Calvert High School. Perez-Lopez was indicted on four criminal counts, including arson and reckless endangerment, stemming from the incident that temporarily disrupted operations at the school and endangered over 1,100 individuals....
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Police Recover Marijuana, Handgun and Ammunition from Westlake High School Student

Police Recover Marijuana, Handgun and Ammunition from Westlake High School Student

Charles County Public Schools Released the following information on Thursday, April 24th, 2025. “This morning, Westlake High School administrators observed a student smelling strongly of marijuana upon arrival to school. Administrators investigated and found the student had marijuana, paraphernalia, a handgun and ammunition. The items were confiscated, and police are conducting an investigation. Westlake...
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Signed Maryland Legislations on April 22nd, 2025 – Governor Moore “Promotes Public Safety and Criminal Justice”

Signed Maryland Legislations on April 22nd, 2025 – Governor Moore “Promotes Public Safety and Criminal Justice”

Governor Wes Moore presided over the second bill signing ceremony of 2025, which included The Expungement Reform Act, a key piece of the Moore-Miller Administration’s legislative agenda. “The legislation signed strengthens the Moore-Miller Administration’s all-of-the-above approach to public safety while creating pathways to work, wages, and wealth for rehabilitated Marylanders.” “Our strategy to make...
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Gale-Bailey Special Education Teacher Georgia Green, Named Nominee for The Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year Program

Gale-Bailey Special Education Teacher Georgia Green, Named Nominee for The Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year Program

Georgia Green, a special education teacher at Gale-Bailey Elementary School, was named the 2025 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) nominee for The Washington Post’s Teacher of the Year Award program. One of five children born to educators, Green was inspired to go into the field of special education by her brothers — twins who are intellectually...
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CSM Hosts 15th Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference

CSM Hosts 15th Annual Nonprofit Institute Conference

Nonprofit professionals from across Southern Maryland gathered April 10 at the College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) 15th annual Nonprofit Institute Conference at the La Plata Campus where participants learned about several opportunities for success in the mission of helping others. With new director Stephanie Rolle, CSM’s Nonprofit Institute only continues to grow in scope...
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Maryland State Police Encouraging Citizens to Dispose of Unwanted Medications During National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 26, 2025

Maryland State Police Encouraging Citizens to Dispose of Unwanted Medications During National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 26, 2025

The Maryland State Police, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and allied law enforcement agencies across the country, are asking residents to dispose of unneeded prescription medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 26, 2025. The biannual program allows people to safely dispose of...
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Calvert County Farmers Markets Return for 2025 Season with Local Food and More

Calvert County Farmers Markets Return for 2025 Season with Local Food and More

Calvert County Farmers Markets are back for the 2025 season, offering an abundance of fresh foods and plants from Calvert County’s farmers, bakers and agri-businesses. Patrons can find local produce, bedding plants (vegetables and herbs) and a bounty of other offerings For those interested in being a vendor at the markets, please visit www.CalvertAg.com/FarmersMarketVendor. For...
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Shane Profitt to Open for Darius Rucker in Calvert County on July 10th, 2025

Shane Profitt to Open for Darius Rucker in Calvert County on July 10th, 2025

The Calvert Marine Museum is thrilled to announce that rising country star SHANE PROFITT will be the opening act for DARIUS RUCKER at the Motto Mortgage Preferred and RE/MAX One Waterside Pavilion on Thursday, July 10, 2025. A true southern talent with a straight-shooting swagger and barrel-chested voice, Shane Profitt has quickly made a...
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Plan Ahead, Prepare Early: Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins June 1, 2025

Plan Ahead, Prepare Early: Atlantic Hurricane Season Begins June 1, 2025

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Emergency Services (DES) urges community members to be prepared for the next Atlantic hurricane season, which starts on June 1, 2025, and goes through November 30, 2025. While severe weather can happen outside of this timeframe, it is the most active for hurricane and tropical storm activity. In...
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Naval Aircrew Systems Program Office Welcomes New Leadership

Naval Aircrew Systems Program Office Welcomes New Leadership

The Naval Aircrew Systems program office (PMA-202) welcomed new leadership during a change of command and retirement ceremony April 17, 2025, at Pax River. Capt. Joseph Kamara assumed command of PMA-202 relieving Capt. Carey Castelein of his duties as program manager, who will retire from the Navy. Over his tenure, Castelein managed 13 acquisition...
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Charles County Man Grills Up Big Win with $50,000 Prize

Charles County Man Grills Up Big Win with $50,000 Prize

Lottery player plans to take wife on a vacation to celebrate Easter Sunday turned into a big celebration for a lucky Marylander known as “Air Brown,” who scored a $50,000 prize on the Maryland Lottery’s popular MONOPOLY X50 scratch-off game. A longtime player, Air Brown’s journey with Lottery games began casually with friends, evolving...
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St. Clement’s Island Museum & Piney Point Lighthouse Museum Offering Free Admission to Military Members from May to September 2025

St. Clement’s Island Museum & Piney Point Lighthouse Museum Offering Free Admission to Military Members from May to September 2025

Through the Blue Stars Museum Program, the St. Mary’s County Museum Division will offer free admission to museums and historic sites for actively serving members of the armed forces, as well as up to 5 family members, from Armed Forces Day (Saturday, May 17, 2025) until Labor Day (Monday, September 1, 2025). Participating sites...
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Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department to Host the 79th Annual SMVFA Convention

Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department to Host the 79th Annual SMVFA Convention

The Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD) is proud to announce that it will host the 79th Annual Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association (SMVFA) Convention on April 26-27, 2025. This year’s convention holds special significance as it will mark the installation of long-time LVFD member Tommy Mattingly Jr. as President of the SMVFA. The two-day...
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UPDATE: Loaded Gun That Discharged in Billingsley Elementary Classroom Linked to Student’s Family Member

UPDATE: Loaded Gun That Discharged in Billingsley Elementary Classroom Linked to Student’s Family Member

UPDATE 4/22/2025: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has completed its investigation into the firearm discharge incident that occurred at Billingsley Elementary School on April 10TH, 2025. After a thorough investigation, officers determined that the firearm belonged to a relative of the student who was visiting from out of town. The facts of the case...
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Calvert County Therapeutic Recreation Golf Tournament Fundraiser on Friday, May 2, 2025

Calvert County Therapeutic Recreation Golf Tournament Fundraiser on Friday, May 2, 2025

The Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation (CCPR), Therapeutic Recreation Services, invites the community to participate in the annual Therapeutic Recreation Golf Tournament on Friday, May 2, at the Chesapeake Hills Golf Course. The tournament beings at 9 a.m. This fun-filled event raises funds to help individuals with special needs participate in life-enriching...
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Lusby Man Arrested After Admitting to Public Masturbation in St. Mary’s County Target Parking Lot

Lusby Man Arrested After Admitting to Public Masturbation in St. Mary’s County Target Parking Lot

A Lusby man was arrested last week after he exposed himself in a parking lot outside a retail shopping center in St. Mary’s County, according to charging documents filed by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. Deshunte Jones, 33, of Lusby, was formally charged with indecent exposure following an incident that occurred around 6:00...
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St. Mary’s County Postal Worker Buys First-Ever Ticket and Wins $50,000 Prize

St. Mary’s County Postal Worker Buys First-Ever Ticket and Wins $50,000 Prize

A St. Mary’s County man is the latest to win a Big Money top prize. He told officials that his $50,000 ticket – delivered by his first-ever Lottery purchase – will likely be the last he’ll ever buy. “What are the chances that I’ll ever do this well again,” the federal employee joked. The...
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Charles County Public School Board of Education Accepts NSBA Magna Award for CCPS Mental Health Expansion

Charles County Public School Board of Education Accepts NSBA Magna Award for CCPS Mental Health Expansion

The Board of Education of Charles County recently received the Magna Award through the National School Board Association (NSBA) on behalf of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) for the expansion of mental health services in the school system. For 30 years NSBA has recognized exemplary school-system programs and this year CCPS was one of...
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UM Charles Regional Medical Group – Behavioral Health Welcomes New Provider

UM Charles Regional Medical Group – Behavioral Health Welcomes New Provider

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, announced the addition of Jasmin Garcia, LCSW-C, a mental health counselor, to its Behavioral Health team in La Plata. Garcia is a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical and a Board-Approved Clinical Supervisor with more than six years of...
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NAS Patuxent River to Participate in Navy Hurricane Preparedness/Disaster Response Exercise

NAS Patuxent River to Participate in Navy Hurricane Preparedness/Disaster Response Exercise

NAS Patuxent River will participate in an annual hurricane preparedness and recovery exercise April 21-May 2, 2025. HURRICANE EXERCISE/CITADEL GALE (HURREX/CG) 2025 is an annual hurricane preparedness/ disaster response and recovery exercise conducted by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC). All Navy regions and installations on the eastern...
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