Community

CSM Launches Thrive 60+ Lifelong Learning Program for Adults Age 60 and Up

CSM Launches Thrive 60+ Lifelong Learning Program for Adults Age 60 and Up

Free and low-cost continuing education opportunities expand access, foster community, and enrich the lives of Southern Maryland residents age 60 and up. For residents of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties age 60 and over, the opportunity to explore a variety of continuing education and personal enrichment courses for little-or-no cost is now available...
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Maryland Harvest Season Ramping Up – Share the Road With Our Farmers!

Maryland Harvest Season Ramping Up – Share the Road With Our Farmers!

As many commuters may have noticed, our harvest season is ramping up and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Farm Bureau, is reminding motorists to share the road safely with large farm equipment as the fall harvest is underway in the state....
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Former National Security Advisor John Bolton Indicted for Mishandling Classified Information

Former National Security Advisor John Bolton Indicted for Mishandling Classified Information

A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Former National Security Advisor John Bolton, 76, of Bethesda, Maryland, with serious crimes related to the mishandling of classified information. The indictment charges Bolton with eight counts of transmission of national defense information (NDI) and 10 counts of unlawful retention of NDI. “There is one...
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Chesapeake Supportive Care and Southern Maryland House Calls Partner to Expand Access to In-Home Palliative Care in Calvert County

Chesapeake Supportive Care and Southern Maryland House Calls Partner to Expand Access to In-Home Palliative Care in Calvert County

Chesapeake Supportive Care (CSC), the palliative care arm of Hospice of the Chesapeake, is excited to announce a new partnership with Southern Maryland House Calls (SMHC), a trusted leader in home-based geriatric care, to enhance access to palliative care services for residents of Calvert County. This collaboration will ensure that seniors in the community...
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Noise Advisory – NAS Patuxent River Sets Noise Advisory October 16-17, 2025 for Webster Outlying Field

Noise Advisory – NAS Patuxent River Sets Noise Advisory October 16-17, 2025 for Webster Outlying Field

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD – Communities surrounding Webster Outlying Field are advised that that low-altitude aircraft flight test events involving fixed wing aircraft are scheduled to take place Oct. 16-17, 2025 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. As with all operations, NAS Patuxent River takes precautions to lessen the impact of testing activities...
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St. Mary’s County Installs Publicly Accessible AED Cabinets at County Facilities to Improve Emergency Response & Survival Rates

St. Mary’s County Installs Publicly Accessible AED Cabinets at County Facilities to Improve Emergency Response & Survival Rates

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County are pleased to announce a new public safety initiative to improve access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) parks and facilities. The St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services has partnered with Recreation & Parks, Aging & Human Services, and Public Works &...
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Little Flower School Presents: Beer, Brats, and Bingo – A Night of Fun, Food, and Fabulous Prizes!

Little Flower School Presents: Beer, Brats, and Bingo – A Night of Fun, Food, and Fabulous Prizes!

As the autumn air rolls in and the leaves begin to turn, Little Flower School invites you to raise a stein and celebrate the season at its first annual Beer, Brats, and Bingo event on Saturday, October 18, 2025. This adults-only evening blends the cozy charm of fall with the lively spirit of Oktoberfest—complete...
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St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Board of Trustees Approves Immigration Enforcement Policy

St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Board of Trustees Approves Immigration Enforcement Policy

During their regular October meeting, the St. Mary’s College Board of Trustees approved a new state-mandated Immigration Enforcement Policy. The Board also heard a report from President Rhonda Phillips on her first 100 days at the College, during which she engaged in a “listening tour” that saw her meet with hundreds of students, faculty,...
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Documents Show Szechuan Garden’s Long History of Violations Before Health Department Shutdown

Documents Show Szechuan Garden’s Long History of Violations Before Health Department Shutdown

SMNEWSNET.COM filed a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) request with the Maryland Department of Health seeking all food inspection reports from the past 12 months for Szechuan Garden, located at 11149 Mall Circle in Waldorf. Those records reveal a long pattern of violations and state enforcement actions culminating in an emergency suspension of the...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Limits Access to Public Information, Favoring Facebook Over the Public

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Limits Access to Public Information, Favoring Facebook Over the Public

UPDATE: Prior to publishing our recent article on transparency, SMNEWSNET.COM filed two formal complaints with the Maryland Office of the Public Access Ombudsman against the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for withholding public information. The Ombudsman reviewed our complaints and found them valid for mediation — a process designed to resolve disputes through open...
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PHOTOS: Police Investigating Hit and Run in Mechanicsville That Sends Two to Hospital

PHOTOS: Police Investigating Hit and Run in Mechanicsville That Sends Two to Hospital

On October 10, 2025, at approximately 9:23 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of the Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find a two vehicle rear-end style collision with the striking vehicle having fled the scene....
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Calvert County to Host Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

Calvert County to Host Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

Calvert County will participate in National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southern Community Center, located at 20 Appeal Lane in Lusby, and the Northeast Community Center, located at 4075 Gordon Stinnett Ave. in Chesapeake Beach. Residents are encouraged to safely dispose of unused...
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Two Charles County Nonprofit Groups Awarded Unrestricted Grants from 2025 NBCUniversal

Two Charles County Nonprofit Groups Awarded Unrestricted Grants from 2025 NBCUniversal

NBC4 Washington/WRC-TV, Telemundo 44 Washington/WZDC, and Comcast NBCUniversal announced $227,272 in unrestricted funds were awarded to six local nonprofit organizations through the 2025 NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants. Among this year’s recipients is New Hope Community Outreach Services, a Waldorf-based Non-profit, which received $25,000, and Upward Thrive Academy, Inc, a Charles County non-profit which received...
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NAS Patuxent River Hires First Child and Youth Programs Registered Nurse, Stefania Hoover

NAS Patuxent River Hires First Child and Youth Programs Registered Nurse, Stefania Hoover

NAS Patuxent River is well known for its groundbreaking work in the field of naval aviation. But not far from the airfield and hangars, Pax River’s Child and Youth Programs (CYP) has made history as well, hiring the Navy’s first CYP registered nurse. The new position is a part of a two-year pilot program...
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Using Virtual Reality, Students Help Visualize Climate Change Solutions at Point Lookout State Park

Using Virtual Reality, Students Help Visualize Climate Change Solutions at Point Lookout State Park

You’re on a walkway in a park. You can see trees, a road, a marsh and a coastline against a vibrant blue sky all around you. Then, you hear the toll of a bell. The marsh expands, the water edges up the grass. Another bell and the water creeps up to the base of...
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VIDEO: Bay District Volunteer Fire Department to Premiere Recruitment Film

VIDEO: Bay District Volunteer Fire Department to Premiere Recruitment Film

The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department (BDVFD) is proud to announce the official premiere of its new recruitment film, offering a behind-the-scenes look into the life and dedication of a volunteer firefighter. The film will debut on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at R/C Lexington Exchange Movies 12 in California, Maryland. This...
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Leadership Southern Maryland Announces Selection of The Executive Program Class of 2026

Leadership Southern Maryland Announces Selection of The Executive Program Class of 2026

The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of 40 Southern Maryland leaders for its 18th Executive Program—the Class of 2026. From Calvert County – Jane Bachman, Development Director, Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center Larisa Goganzer, Senior Vice President of Operations, CalvertHealth Tosha Lewis Hughes Dr. Amanda...
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UPDATE – ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER: Shooter Still Not Arrested in 2024 Hollywood Shooting as Gun Violence Persists Across St. Mary’s County

UPDATE – ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER: Shooter Still Not Arrested in 2024 Hollywood Shooting as Gun Violence Persists Across St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 10/11/2025: Nearly a year after a young man was shot during a gathering in Hollywood, no one has been charged with firing the weapon. The case remains unresolved, and law enforcement has released no recent updates, even as gun violence continues to impact communities across St. Mary’s County. The shooting occurred on November...
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Magic Tunnel Car Wash Opens in St. Mary’s County

Magic Tunnel Car Wash Opens in St. Mary’s County

Magic Tunnel Car Wash is thrilled to announce the opening of its second location, bringing fast, reliable, and top-quality car washes to drivers throughout St. Mary’s County. Conveniently located along Three Notch Road, near popular shopping centers and restaurants, the new Magic Tunnel Car Wash is perfectly placed for locals and visitors looking for...
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58-Year-Old Man Killed in Motor Vehicle Crash in Avenue

58-Year-Old Man Killed in Motor Vehicle Crash in Avenue

10/9/2025: On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at approximately 4:55 pm, patrol units from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision with entrapment in the area of Sugar Hole Road and Old Trappe Lane in Bushwood. Due to the seriousness of the crash, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office...
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Secretary’s Message: Maryland Fights for Stronger Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement

Secretary’s Message: Maryland Fights for Stronger Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement

Last week, Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff joined representatives from other jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed to recommend proposed changes to the revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement based on the public feedback we received this year. The updates to this important agreement took place at the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Management Board retreat in Harrisburg,...
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Beneficial Use of Dredged Material: Maryland Clarifies Potential from a Muddy Term

Beneficial Use of Dredged Material: Maryland Clarifies Potential from a Muddy Term

A secret to restoring the Chesapeake Bay is just waiting to be unearthed. In the maritime state of Maryland, dredging is done routinely to keep waterways navigable by removing shoals and making sure channels are deep enough for boats to pass. But the materials removed from the waterways — sediment, sand, mud — have...
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Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch Celebrates New Mural

Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch Celebrates New Mural

Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch is unveiling a vibrant new addition to its exterior—a ceramic tile mural that celebrates the community’s deep connection to the Chesapeake Bay. Titled “The World is Our Oyster, and the Oyster is Our World,” the mural spans the west and south sides of the library exterior along Chesapeake Avenue...
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Fire Prevention Week 2025 – Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home

Fire Prevention Week 2025 – Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home

The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department kicked off Fire Prevention Week™ 2025 this week with a clear message for the community: “Charge into Fire Safety™.” This year’s national campaign, which runs through October 11, centers on the safe use of lithium-ion batteries – the powerful energy sources commonly found in smartphones, laptops, e-bikes, power...
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St. Mary’s County Health Department Hosting Drive-Thru Community Baby Shower for New and Expecting Parents October 29th, 2025

St. Mary’s County Health Department Hosting Drive-Thru Community Baby Shower for New and Expecting Parents October 29th, 2025

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) invites new and expecting parents who live in St. Mary’s County to a Drive-Thru Community Baby Shower on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s County Health Hub. This FREE event will offer attendees giveaway items, including diapers, baby wipes,...
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