Community

Driver Sober This St. Patrick’s Day! “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” Safety Message

Driver Sober This St. Patrick’s Day! “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving” Safety Message

This year, St. Patrick’s Day – March 17, 2023 – falls on a Friday. The celebratory day is one of the biggest drinking occasions of the year, and this, unfortunately, means more drunk drivers on the roads. With Saint Patrick’s Day falling on a Friday, we can expect a fairly dangerous weekend for drivers...
Read More »

Southern Calvert Baptist Church to Sponsor Parental Information Night on Sex Education in Schools

Southern Calvert Baptist Church to Sponsor Parental Information Night on Sex Education in Schools

On March 21, 2023, at 7:00 p.m., Southern Calvert Baptist Church (located in Lusby, MD) will be hosting a free event open to the public. This event will explain how comprehensive sex education changed from a legislative proposal, to becoming part of the Maryland State Department of Education Framework, and then ultimately entered the classroom....
Read More »

School Resource Officer Investigating Multiple Fights and Disorderly Conduct at St. Charles High School

School Resource Officer Investigating Multiple Fights and Disorderly Conduct at St. Charles High School

On the morning of March 10, 2023, a group of three students at St. Charles High School, ages 14, 15, and 16, attacked a 15-year-old student. During this altercation, a teacher was struck. Another student, age 15, intervened and began fighting the group of three. Additional students heard about the altercations and left their...
Read More »

Celebrate Maryland Day at Maryland’s Birthplace on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the St. Clement’s Island Museum

Celebrate Maryland Day at Maryland’s Birthplace on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at the St. Clement’s Island Museum

On Saturday, March 25, 2023, “Maryland Day” the public is encouraged to celebrate the founding of Maryland at the state’s birthplace, St. Clement’s Island. St. Clement’s Island Museum will offer a full day of fun from 10 am to 5 pm, including free museum admission, kids’ activities, free water taxi rides (10 am –...
Read More »

Graduation Rates for Charles County Public School Students Continue to Exceed Statewide Average

Graduation Rates for Charles County Public School Students Continue to Exceed Statewide Average

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) graduation rates for the Class of 2022 indicate that nearly 93% of students graduated on time. Graduation rate data was released this week by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). The 92.6% graduation rate for the CCPS Class of 2022 is more than 5% higher than the statewide...
Read More »

Mattawoman Middle School 8th Grader is County Spelling Bee Champ, Heads to National Competition

Mattawoman Middle School 8th Grader is County Spelling Bee Champ, Heads to National Competition

The word that clinched the 2023 Charles County Spelling Bee for a Mattawoman Middle School eighth grader was “valedictorian.” Correctly spelling the word that defines a student with the highest academic achievements of a graduating class seems a fitting word for Alec Gallahan to nail. He advances to the Scripps National Spelling Bee held...
Read More »

Police Investigating Threats Made by 12-Year-Old General Smallwood Middle School Student

Police Investigating Threats Made by 12-Year-Old General Smallwood Middle School Student

On the morning of March 10, 2023, Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received an anonymous tip that a 12-year-old student at General Smallwood Middle School made verbal statements as well as on a social media platform to shoot multiple students during the school day. The School Resource Officer was notified and initiated an investigation....
Read More »

Charles County Commissioners Meeting Update – March 7, 2023

Charles County Commissioners Meeting Update – March 7, 2023

On Tuesday, March 7, Commissioners approved Charles County’s annual transportation priority letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation. Staff provided a presentation on transportation priorities, including support for Southern Maryland Rapid Transit, improvements to the US 301 Waldorf corridor, pedestrian safety enhancements at US 301/Smallwood Drive and MD 228/Western Parkway, projects to improve the Hughesville area, and Governor...
Read More »

Calvert County Public School Career and Technology Academy Teacher Named CTE Teacher of the Year by the Maryland ACTE

Calvert County Public School Career and Technology Academy Teacher Named CTE Teacher of the Year by the Maryland ACTE

Calvert County Public Schools Career and Technology Academy (CTA) Teacher Scott Owens has been selected as the 2023 Career & Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year by the Maryland Career and Technical Administrators chapter of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE). Mr. Owens is a 20-year veteran teacher at CTA where...
Read More »

Join Coders and Inventors to Transform Problems into Solutions at the CSM Velocity Center’s Climate Change Hackathon March 30-31

Join Coders and Inventors to Transform Problems into Solutions at the CSM Velocity Center’s Climate Change Hackathon March 30-31

Registration is now open for College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Velocity X Climate Innovation Hackathon where participating teams will solve real world challenges by inventing, designing and testing solutions to solve the impact of climate change. Held at the Velocity Center in Indian Head, coders and inventors are invited to join community partners for...
Read More »

St. Mary’s College of Maryland College Receives $1,000,000 Appropriation for Aquatic Lab Renovation

St. Mary’s College of Maryland College Receives $1,000,000 Appropriation for Aquatic Lab Renovation

Students in the marine science program and related fields of study at St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) for years to come will be the beneficiaries of a $1,000,000 federal appropriation secured for the college by U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer (D, 5th), in whose district the College lies. The funds will support a renovation...
Read More »

Police Recover Suspected Marijuana Edibles from St. Charles High School Student

Police Recover Suspected Marijuana Edibles from St. Charles High School Student

On March 8, administrators at St. Charles High School recovered a bag of edibles containing suspected marijuana from a 15-year-old student. The School Resource Officer was notified and began an investigation. The State’s Attorney’s Office is being consulted regarding charges and the student faces disciplinary action by CCPS. Parents are asked to talk with...
Read More »

Police Investigating Sexual Assault by 12-Year-Old Student at Piccowaxen Middle School

Police Investigating Sexual Assault by 12-Year-Old Student at Piccowaxen Middle School

On March 3, a 12-year-old student at Piccowaxen Middle School entered a classroom that he did not belong in, sat next to another student and tried to grab her hand, which she did not allow. When the teacher dismissed the class, the male inappropriately touched the victim, and then followed her towards her locker....
Read More »

St. Mary’s Ryken Students Receive Awards for Participation in St. Mary’s County’s History Day

St. Mary’s Ryken Students Receive Awards for Participation in St. Mary’s County’s History Day

St. Mary’s Ryken students participated in St. Mary’s County’s History Day and received several individual and group awards. History Day, an Annual National event, engages students in historical research and discussion around an annual theme. This year’s theme is “Frontiers in History: People, Places, and Ideas.” Regarding the recent event, Mr. Leif Liberg, SMR...
Read More »

Police Investigating Suspect Overdose at La Plata High School

Police Investigating Suspect Overdose at La Plata High School

On the morning of March 8, the nurse at La Plata High School requested the School Resource Officer’s assistance with a student that was hyperventilating and exhibiting abnormal behavior. The officer was able to calm the student down, and the student notified the officer that she had used a vape pen containing what was...
Read More »

St. Mary’s County Community Shred & Medication Take Back Day – April 8, 2023

St. Mary’s County Community Shred & Medication Take Back Day – April 8, 2023

Do you have paper documents with personal information that you’d like to purge? Or do you have unused, unwanted, or expired medications in your cabinets? Dispose of them safely at the Community Shred & Medication Take Back Day! This event will be held on Saturday, April 8, 2023, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.,...
Read More »

Dog Adoption Fees Waived by the St. Mary’s County – Animal Adoption & Resource Center During March

Dog Adoption Fees Waived by the St. Mary’s County – Animal Adoption & Resource Center During March

The St. Mary’s County Animal Adoption & Resources Center has announced that all dog adoption fees will be waived through March 31, 2023. Adoption fees will still apply for all other animals, excluding dogs and some specific animals that have been “sponsored” and paid in advance by other residents to encourage adoption. Since opening...
Read More »

Teacher at Grace Lutheran Church in La Plata Charged with Child Sexual Abuse

Teacher at Grace Lutheran Church in La Plata Charged with Child Sexual Abuse

On March 4, 2023, Charles County Sheriff’s detectives arrested and charged David Warren Henson, Jr., 53, of Waldorf, with sexual abuse of a minor and child pornography after it was reported that he sexually abused an adolescent female over a period of two years. Henson has been employed as a teacher at Grace Lutheran...
Read More »

Registration Opens for 2023 Keys to Senior Independence Series

Registration Opens for 2023 Keys to Senior Independence Series

What are your plans for retirement? Do you know how to access Medicare, Medicaid, or other programs and services? Are you seeking volunteer opportunities within the St. Mary’s County community? Get connected and get the information you need at the Department of Aging & Human Services Keys to Senior Independence series! The Keys to...
Read More »

You “OTTER” come to OTTERMANIA at the Calvert Marine Museum on Saturday, March, 25, 2023

You “OTTER” come to OTTERMANIA at the Calvert Marine Museum on Saturday, March, 25, 2023

Celebrate everyone’s favorite museum mammal during OtterMania! at the Calvert Marine Museum on Saturday, March 25 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Enjoy “otterly” outrageous activities, and meet the otters: Chumley, Chessie Grace and Calvert. Museum admission applies: FREE for CMM members. Ideal for families, OtterMania! invites kids to dance the “Swim” with the...
Read More »

Maryland Department of Agriculture Expands Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Zone

Maryland Department of Agriculture Expands Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Zone

The Maryland Department of Agriculture today expanded its spotted lanternfly quarantine to include the following counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Washington and Wicomico, as well as Baltimore City. This quarantine is effective immediately, and restricts the movement of regulated articles...
Read More »

Early Learning Center at College of Southern Maryland La Plata Opens for Students Fall 2023

Early Learning Center at College of Southern Maryland La Plata Opens for Students Fall 2023

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is opening the Early Learning Center at the College of Southern Maryland at the start of the 2023-24 school year. Housed in the building that held the former St. Charles Children’s Learning Center, the Early Learning Center expands the CCPS prekindergarten program. The prekindergarten program at the center is...
Read More »

Calvert County Teacher Devin Page Honored as Maryland History Day Middle School Teacher of the Year

Calvert County Teacher Devin Page Honored as Maryland History Day Middle School Teacher of the Year

By Sarah Weissman, Maryland Humanities: 19 outstanding Maryland middle and high school history scholars received commendations from State Senators and Delegates at the Maryland State House in Annapolis. The students were acknowledged on February 27, 2023, for awards or honors they received at the 2022 National History Day competition. They represented Baltimore City, Howard...
Read More »

Charles County Commisioner Meeting Update – February 28th and March 1st, 2023

Charles County Commisioner Meeting Update – February 28th and March 1st, 2023

On Tuesday, February 28, the Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, Department of Planning and Growth Management, and Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism staff provided a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners on fiscal 2024 congressionally directed spending. County Commissioners approved the request for earmarked funding. Legislative Update Associate County Attorney Danielle Mitchell provided...
Read More »

Thomas Stone Resource Officer and Student Assaulted by Six Other Students

Thomas Stone Resource Officer and Student Assaulted by Six Other Students

On Thursday, March 2, 2023, at approximately 10:19 a.m., a group of six students were threatening physical harm to another student in the hallway area of Thomas Stone High School. The School Resource Officer responded immediately and gave verbal commands to the students to disperse but they refused. One student approached, and struck the...
Read More »