Community

Recognizing Three Charles County Public School Veterans with Richmond Award for Excellence in Leadership

Recognizing Three Charles County Public School Veterans with Richmond Award for Excellence in Leadership

Three longtime Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff members recently received the James E. Richmond Excellence in Leadership Award. Linda Gill, Ed.D., executive director of schools, Meighan Hungerford, director of elementary education, and Kathy Kiessling, director of student services, were given the honor by Board members at the June 11 Board of Education meeting....
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Historic Drayden Schoolhouse Welcomes Visitors with More Open Houses

Historic Drayden Schoolhouse Welcomes Visitors with More Open Houses

St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division, in partnership with the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions (UCAC), will be offering even more free open houses for visitors and the community at the Drayden African American Schoolhouse. In addition to the first Saturday of each month, the site will also be open the third Saturday of...
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Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Awards Nearly $40,000 in Seed Grants to the Region

Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Awards Nearly $40,000 in Seed Grants to the Region

The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area is pleased to announce that nearly $40,000 in seed grants have been awarded to heritage tourism projects in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. Funding will support parks, museums, historic sites, and other projects that attract tourists to the region and enrich the lives of residents. The Southern...
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Police in Calvert County Investigating Motorcycle Crash That Killed 36-Year-Old Lusby Man

Police in Calvert County Investigating Motorcycle Crash That Killed 36-Year-Old Lusby Man

On July 14, 2024, shortly after 7 p.m., members of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Patrol Bureau and Crash Reconstruction Unit responded to the report of a motor vehicle crash in the area of Maryland Rt. 4 and Nursery Road in Lusby. A preliminary investigation revealed a Dodge 3500 was traveling north on Maryland Rt....
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Public Cooling Centers Available in St. Mary’s County / Monday, July 15 – Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Public Cooling Centers Available in St. Mary’s County / Monday, July 15 – Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Due to extreme heat in the forecast for the beginning of this week, St. Mary’s County Government is announcing the availability of cooling centers for the public. Residents who need to take refuge in a cool place, can go to one of the following locations: Monday, July 15 – Wednesday, July 17 Charlotte Hall...
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Charles County Students Earn Awards in 2024 Junior American Citizens Contest

Charles County Students Earn Awards in 2024 Junior American Citizens Contest

Several Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students recently earned honors in the Junior American Citizens Contest, sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). The organization includes a Junior American Citizens Committee, which supports contests for children that promote patriotic development. The Junior American Citizens Contest is open to students in...
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Detectives Investigating Suspicious Activity in Dorchester Neighborhood

Detectives Investigating Suspicious Activity in Dorchester Neighborhood

On July 10, 2024, at 7:30 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to Dorchester Circle for the report of a suspicious person. A preliminary investigation showed a male drove up to a teenage girl and asked for her phone number. The girl walked away and notified a parent. On July 11,...
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Lexington Park Man Charged with Theft Scheme Over $1,500 from Spyglass Apartments

Lexington Park Man Charged with Theft Scheme Over $1,500 from Spyglass Apartments

On Friday, May 24, 2024, police responded to the office of Spyglass Apartments in Lexington Park, for the report of an internal theft. Police met with the property manager who reported a theft by an ex-employee, who she identified as Steven Michael Ryan, 34, of Lexington Park. Ryan was previously employed as a leasing...
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Charles County Students Earn Awards at International Thespian Festival

Charles County Students Earn Awards at International Thespian Festival

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) high school students in school-based theater programs recently took their skills to the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. The 28 students who attended were accompanied by five CCPS theater teachers. For the first time in seven years, students competed in the festival’s closing ceremony showcase....
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Clearway Pain Solutions Selects Lexington Exchange in California, Maryland for Newest Location

Clearway Pain Solutions Selects Lexington Exchange in California, Maryland for Newest Location

Clearway Pain Solutions, a pain management medical practice currently operating in seven states, has chosen Lexington Exchange in California, Maryland as the site of its second location in the St. Mary’s County market. The group signed a lease with St. John Properties, Inc. for 9,102 square feet of space and intends to open within...
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UPDATE: Missing La Plata Man Found Deceased

UPDATE: Missing La Plata Man Found Deceased

UPDATE: Officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office located Mr. Franchi deceased about a mile from his home on his property. There were no obvious signs of foul play and detectives were able to notify a family member. He was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office. Our thoughts are with his family. Thank you...
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Board of Education of Charles County Approves Redistricting Plan for Elementary Schools

Board of Education of Charles County Approves Redistricting Plan for Elementary Schools

The Board of Education of Charles County at its June 11 meeting approved an elementary school redistricting plan that will create an attendance zone for Margaret Jamieson Thornton Elementary School, set to open in August 2025. The plan also moves some students from existing school zones as a result of the redistricting process. The...
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Calvert County Cooling Centers Available During Sweltering Temperatures

Calvert County Cooling Centers Available During Sweltering Temperatures

The Calvert County Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management reminds citizens there are several places in Calvert County to cool off. These sites will be open during regular hours and safe drinking water is available at each location: Northeast Community Center (4075 Gordon Stinnett Avenue, Chesapeake Beach) Calvert Library, Twin Beaches Branch (4100 5th...
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Calvert County Parks & Recreation Announces Fall Registration for Youth and Adult Sports

Calvert County Parks & Recreation Announces Fall Registration for Youth and Adult Sports

Calvert County Parks & Recreation announces open registration for fall 2024 sports. Fall sports registration is open through Aug. 4 or until divisions are full. The following youth and adult sports signups are available Youth soccer offers separate divisions for boys and girls in pre-K (4 years old) through grade 12 (17 years old). Cost...
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Avid Kayak and Shore Fisherman from Solomons Becomes Eleventh FishMaryland Master Angler

Avid Kayak and Shore Fisherman from Solomons Becomes Eleventh FishMaryland Master Angler

Eric Packard of Calvert County has earned a Master Angler Milestone Award under the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) FishMaryland program. The award recognizes recreational anglers who catch ten trophy-sized fish of different species in Maryland. Packard is the eleventh Master Angler since the program began in 2019. In addition to being an...
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Launch of St. Mary’s County Public Health Corps

Launch of St. Mary’s County Public Health Corps

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has partnered with Assisted Management Solutions and Data Research Group to launch the St. Mary’s County Public Health Corps. The Corps is a new opportunity for community members to develop skills in public health emergency preparedness and response, explore their interests in a public health career, and...
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Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Distribution Scheduled for July 23, 2024

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program Distribution Scheduled for July 23, 2024

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Aging & Human Services is pleased to announce this year’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) distribution event, set to take place at the Garvey Senior Activity Center on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Eligible senior participants will receive a total of $50 on...
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St. Mary’s County Continues to be Plagued by Shootings with Few Arrests Made

St. Mary’s County Continues to be Plagued by Shootings with Few Arrests Made

On July 3, 2024, police in apprehended Davione Syheme Mason, 23, of Lexington Park, on a search and seizure warrant. Mason was arrested for his role in shooting incident on June 26, 2024, in the 46000 block of Columbus Drive in Lexington Park. According to court documents police arrived on scene and canvassed the...
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Town of Chesapeake Beach Fireworks Update: Postponed until July 7, 2024

Town of Chesapeake Beach Fireworks Update: Postponed until July 7, 2024

The Town of Chesapeake Beach will hold the annual fireworks display on July 7th at Dusk due to the unpredictability of the expected scattered storms tomorrow, July 6th. The Town’s priority is to continue to provide a safe display for our spectators and the crews responsible for launching the display. The Town of Chesapeake...
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Owners of Hill’s Country-Store Announce Closing of Store on September 29, 2024

Owners of Hill’s Country-Store Announce Closing of Store on September 29, 2024

Hill’s Country-Store owners announced on Monday, July 1st, 2024, they plan to close the store this September. “It is with Great Sadness to inform you all that David & I have decided to close Hill’s Store Come Sunday September 29. Our plans are to get through the horseshoe season. This has been a hard...
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St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks Releases 2024-2029 Strategic Plan

St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks Releases 2024-2029 Strategic Plan

St. Mary’s County Government’s (SMCG) Department of Recreation & Parks (R&P) is pleased to share its 2024-2029 Strategic Plan with the public. This plan, approved by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County on June 25, 2024, outlines the department’s goals and objectives through 2029. The 22-page document provides an overview of the department’s five...
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Summer Waterway Users Should Follow Safe Swimming Practices

Summer Waterway Users Should Follow Safe Swimming Practices

As we reach the height of summer, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds residents and visitors to swim near a lifeguard, wear a life jacket, and to always swim and boat sober. Drownings are more likely to occur when lifeguards are not present. In June, a man died while swimming in an unguarded...
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St. Mary’s County Government Independence Day Operations 2024

St. Mary’s County Government Independence Day Operations 2024

All St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) administrative offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4, 2024, in observance of Independence Day. Offices will resume normal operating schedules on Friday, July 5, 2024. The July 4 closure also includes: All three St. Mary’s County Libraries (Charlotte Hall, Leonardtown, and Lexington Park) All three Senior Activity...
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NAS Patuxent River July 2024 Holiday Hours

NAS Patuxent River July 2024 Holiday Hours

NAS Patuxent River will observe holiday routine July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. Pax River’s Gate 1 will be open 24/7, while Gates 2 and 3 will be closed that day. Pax River will observe a modified holiday routine for July 5; Gate 1 remains open 24/7, Gate 2 will be open from...
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Charles County Government July 2024 Holiday Schedule

Charles County Government July 2024 Holiday Schedule

The County Administrator wishes to remind residents of changes to operating schedules for the month of July: Thursday, July 4 (Independence Day) All Charles County Government offices and the Charles County Animal Care Center in Hughesville will be closed. The Charles County Landfill, Piney Church Road Mulch Facility, and all recycling centers will be...
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