Community

Commissioners of St. Mary’s County Meeting Summary – August 27, 2024

Commissioners of St. Mary’s County Meeting Summary – August 27, 2024

The meeting began with an invocation led by Commissioner Ostrow, emphasizing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community, seeking guidance for making just and fair decisions, and requesting unity among the commissioners. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag. Commissioner President Randy Guy introduced the commissioners present, which...
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Fire Safety Tips, Precautions and Facts for Back to College Campus Students

Fire Safety Tips, Precautions and Facts for Back to College Campus Students

By Ridge Volunteer Fire Department Vice President and Lieutenant Scot Best: Going to college is an exciting time for students and their parents. Living in a new “home away from home” not only gives young adults more freedom to make their own choices, but it also provides them an increased level of personal responsibility...
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Taylor Sentenced to Life in Prison For 1979 Cold Case Murder of Vickie Lynn Belk in Charles County

Taylor Sentenced to Life in Prison For 1979 Cold Case Murder of Vickie Lynn Belk in Charles County

UPDATE 8/24/2024: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, August 23, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Andre Taylor, 63, to Life in prison for the First-Degree Murder of Vickie Lynn Belk. Taylor was convicted of the aforementioned charge by a Charles County jury on July...
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First SOMD Cars & Coffee “Stuff the Bus” Event a Huge Success!

First SOMD Cars & Coffee “Stuff the Bus” Event a Huge Success!

UPDATE 8/26/2024: The first SOMD Cars & Coffee “Stuff The Bus” event was a huge success!!!! “Thanks to all of you, we collected a total of 254 backpacks, fully stocked with supplies, & THEN SOME x10. Your kindness will make a significant impact on so many children and teachers.” A HUGE thank you to...
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UPDATE: Esperanza Middle School Set to Open on Wednesday, August 28th, 2024

UPDATE: Esperanza Middle School Set to Open on Wednesday, August 28th, 2024

UPDATE 8/26/2024: Esperanza Middle School will resume in-person instruction on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. Working with the St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS), ServPro was contracted to complete the mold mitigation process. ServPro has been on site, has developed a plan, and has begun their work. In an abundance of caution, additional air quality testing...
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Calvert County Commissioners Meeting Summary – August 20, 2024

Calvert County Commissioners Meeting Summary – August 20, 2024

The Calvert County Board of Commissioners held their regular meeting on August 20, 2024, covering a wide range of topics from community updates to zoning ordinance revisions. Below are the key highlights and decisions made during the meeting: 1. Community Updates and Announcements Meals on Wheels Program: The Commissioners announced that the Meals on...
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From Dual Enrollment to Dual Success: The Inspiring Journey of Ashyia Higgins

From Dual Enrollment to Dual Success: The Inspiring Journey of Ashyia Higgins

Education and hard work are undeniably key ingredients for success. While hard work propels us forward on our journey, education provides the direction to reach our goals. Ashyia Higgins, of California, recently earned her Associate degree in Arts and Sciences from the College of Southern Maryland, all while simultaneously attending Chopticon High School, where...
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Noise Advisory – NAS PAX RIVER Sets Noise Advisory for NAS Pax River August 22-September 6, 2024

Noise Advisory – NAS PAX RIVER Sets Noise Advisory for NAS Pax River August 22-September 6, 2024

Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River are advised that noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place Aug. 22 – Sept. 6, 2024 from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.Pilots at NAS PAX will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs). FCLPs are simulated carrier landings conducted to prepare the pilot to land safely...
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End of an Era: Hollidge Family Bids Farewell to Potomac Speedway After 16 Years of Dedication

End of an Era: Hollidge Family Bids Farewell to Potomac Speedway After 16 Years of Dedication

Denise and Ronnie Hollidge have been dedicated promoters at Potomac Speedway, leading the track through 16 seasons of racing history and released the following statement: In 2009, Denise and Ronnie Hollidge took on the role of promoters at Potomac Speedway with the unwavering support from Greg Gunter. The 3/8-mile track located in Budds Creek,...
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Back-to-School Traffic Safety: Protecting Our Children as the New School Year Begins

Back-to-School Traffic Safety: Protecting Our Children as the New School Year Begins

As summer comes to an end, the excitement of a new school year begins. However, the return to school also brings increased traffic, particularly around school zones, making it essential for everyone to prioritize safety. Whether you’re a parent, student, or daily commuter, here are some crucial tips to help ensure the safety of...
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NOISE ADVISORY: PyroJam Event on Saturday, August 24th, 2024 in St. Leonard

NOISE ADVISORY: PyroJam Event on Saturday, August 24th, 2024 in St. Leonard

This Saturday, August 24, 2024, the PyroJam event will be held at Jefferson Patterson Park in St. Leonard, MD. The show is scheduled from 3 p.m., to 10:30 p.m. Please be aware that the event will include fireworks displays and the sounds of explosions, which may be heard throughout Calvert, St. Mary’s, and Charles...
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Calvert County Marine Museum September 2024 Events!

Calvert County Marine Museum September 2024 Events!

This September, 2024, the museum is excited to host a series of engaging events designed to inspire and delight. We invite friends and families to our Night at the Museum for Friends with Disabilities, Pirate Day, public Fossil lecture, and more! For more information, please visit: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com Select days in the month of September...
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Calvert Office on Aging Forms New Partnership with ServingTogether

Calvert Office on Aging Forms New Partnership with ServingTogether

The Calvert County Department of Community Resources, Office on Aging, is excited to announce a new partnership with ServingTogether. Beginning Aug. 14, 2024, ServingTogether will be at the Southern Pines Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each second Wednesday and fourth Friday of the month. No appointment is necessary, and drop-ins are...
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Summary of the St. Mary’s County Economic Development Commission Meeting – August 20, 2024

Summary of the St. Mary’s County Economic Development Commission Meeting – August 20, 2024

The Economic Development Commission meeting, chaired by Curtis Brown, focused on several key initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth and addressing challenges within the local economy. The meeting included presentations from various experts and discussions on critical topics that impact the community’s economic landscape. Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program Presenter: Lisa Colavito, Director...
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Summary of the Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board Meeting for St. Mary’s County – August 21, 2024

Summary of the Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board Meeting for St. Mary’s County – August 21, 2024

The Hazard Mitigation Planning Board held its regular meeting on August 21, 2024. The meeting, chaired by Amy Bledsoe, the Emergency Manager with the Department of Emergency Services, was attended by key representatives from various departments and agencies, including Information Technology, Land Use and Growth Management, Leonardtown, Metcom, State Highway, Public Schools, and Public...
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Huntingtown Couple Faces Animal Cruelty Charges After Tragic Euthanasia of Neglected Dog ‘Harmonie’

Huntingtown Couple Faces Animal Cruelty Charges After Tragic Euthanasia of Neglected Dog ‘Harmonie’

Brian Edward McKay, 45, and Sommer Lee West, 39, both of Huntingtown, have been charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty. The charges stem from their alleged failure to provide necessary care for a severely ill dog named Harmonie, a tan and white Pitbull Terrier. The case has garnered significant attention due to the...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioners Meeting Summary – August 20, 2024

St. Mary’s County Commissioners Meeting Summary – August 20, 2024

The St. Mary’s County Commissioners convened on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, with Commissioner President James R. Guy presiding. The meeting opened with an introduction of the Commissioners: Eric S. Colvin (First District), Michael L. Hewitt (Second District), Michael R. Alderson, Jr. (Third District), and Scott R. Ostrow (Fourth District). County Administrator David Weiskopf, Recorder...
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Saint Mary’s County Planning Commission Meeting Summary: August 19, 2024

Saint Mary’s County Planning Commission Meeting Summary: August 19, 2024

The August 19, 2024, meeting of the Saint Mary’s County Planning Commission was particularly focused on the approval process for the Bay Ridge Estates townhouse development, located on Bay Ridge Road in Great Mills, Maryland. Below is an overview of the key points and discussions from the meeting. Bay Ridge Estates Townhouse Development The...
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Navy Completes Install of First MQ-25 Unmanned Air Warfare Center Aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

Navy Completes Install of First MQ-25 Unmanned Air Warfare Center Aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

The Navy recently installed the world’s first Unmanned Air Warfare Center (UAWC) aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), where Air Vehicle Pilots (AVPs) will control future MQ-25™ Stingray airborne operations. This major installation was a multi-year effort coordinated across multiple ship availability periods and the ship’s deployment schedule. The CVN-based control room, known...
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The Budweiser Clydesdales Are Coming to Southern Maryland!

The Budweiser Clydesdales Are Coming to Southern Maryland!

To celebrate 14 years of partnership with Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides families of fallen or disabled U.S. service members and families of first responders with scholarships toward educational opportunities, Budweiser and the iconic Clydesdales are embarking on a cross-country tour – and they’re coming to Southern Maryland. There will be...
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Final VH-92A Presidential Helicopter Delivered

Final VH-92A Presidential Helicopter Delivered

Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274) and the Marine Corps accepted delivery of the final VH-92A helicopter, built by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, in August. The achievement signifies the completion of the program of record to deliver 23 new presidential helicopters in support of the executive lift mission. The total inventory of 23 VH-92A...
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Little Flower School Annual Patriot Day Run/Walk to Honor 9/11 and Local ‘Patriots’ on September 7th, 2024

Little Flower School Annual Patriot Day Run/Walk to Honor 9/11 and Local ‘Patriots’ on September 7th, 2024

Little Flower School will host its ninth annual Patriot Day 5K run/walk September 7 to commemorate the anniversary of Sept. 11 and honor local patriots: military members, firefighters, police officers and emergency medical technicians. Participants can run or walk the 5K course, which begins at the school campus in Great Mills at 8:30 a.m....
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St. Mary’s County’s Unique Approach to Police Accountability Raises Concerns Over Oversight and Public Trust

St. Mary’s County’s Unique Approach to Police Accountability Raises Concerns Over Oversight and Public Trust

St. Mary’s County in Maryland is taking a different approach when it comes to holding police officers accountable for their actions, and some people are concerned that this approach may not serve the best interests of the community. Maryland’s Police Accountability Act, passed in 2021, was designed to ensure that police officers are held...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office: Officer Ptack’s Act of Kindness Saves Distressed Osprey

Charles County Sheriff’s Office: Officer Ptack’s Act of Kindness Saves Distressed Osprey

In a heartwarming act of compassion, Officer Ptack of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office recently went above and beyond the call of duty to rescue an Osprey in distress. While patrolling near Crain Highway, close to the Sheriff’s Office headquarters, Officer Ptack noticed the bird, which appeared to be injured and struggling. Her quick...
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Could a Passenger Ferry System be the Answer to Crossing the Bay to the Eastern Shore and Ocean City

Could a Passenger Ferry System be the Answer to Crossing the Bay to the Eastern Shore and Ocean City

The Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry Consortium, comprising representatives from Anne Arundel, Calvert, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, and St. Mary’s counties, released the findings of a feasibility study for a Chesapeake Bay passenger ferry system at this year’s Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Conference in Ocean City, MD, on August 15, 2024. The results of the...
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