Community

Panera Bread in California to Close April 26, Possible Future Return Indicated

Panera Bread in California to Close April 26, Possible Future Return Indicated

The Panera Bread located in the South Plaza Shopping Center at 45250 Worth Avenue is set to close later this month, according to a notice posted at the restaurant. The sign on the front door states the café will permanently close on April 26, thanking customers for their years of support and loyalty. The...
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May 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

May 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

May brings a full lineup of events to the Calvert Marine Museum, from the return of seasonal experiences to signature celebrations like the Solomons Maritime Festival. Visitors can enjoy hands-on activities, on-the-water adventures, and family-friendly programs throughout the month. The museum also marks a meaningful milestone with the 15th anniversary of Night at the...
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Team from La Plata High School to Represent Charles County Public Schools at State Envirothon Competition

Team from La Plata High School to Represent Charles County Public Schools at State Envirothon Competition

A team from La Plata High School will advance to the Maryland Envirothon after coming in first place at the county’s April 15 competition. Held at Gilbert Run State Park, the Charles County Envirothon caps off a school year of studying aquatics, forestry, soils and wildlife. Students are also quizzed on a fifth topic...
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Maryland Forest Service Offers Safety Rules and Tips for Spring Wildfire Season – Southern Maryland Under Level 2 Drought Conditions

Maryland Forest Service Offers Safety Rules and Tips for Spring Wildfire Season – Southern Maryland Under Level 2 Drought Conditions

Maryland’s wildfire season is underway and the Department of Natural Resources urges residents to be prepared and help protect our wildlands. Southern Maryland remains under a level 2 of 5 Drought Warning. March 2026 is the 18th driest March on record (since 1895) “Wildfire occurrence is highest in the spring when forest fuels are the driest and weather...
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Governor Moore Breaks Ground on $65 Million ARLIS Headquarters, Bolstering Maryland’s Leadership in Quantum Innovation

Governor Moore Breaks Ground on $65 Million ARLIS Headquarters, Bolstering Maryland’s Leadership in Quantum Innovation

Governor Wes Moore celebrated World Quantum Day at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new 110,000-square-foot headquarters for the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland Discovery District. The $65 million capital project will advance national defense technology and solidify the state’s status as a global leader in quantum....
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Police Recovered Loaded Handgun from 13-Year-Old Glymont Middle School Student

Police Recovered Loaded Handgun from 13-Year-Old Glymont Middle School Student

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, school administrators at Glymont Middle School were notified that a 13-year-old seventh-grade student was in possession of a handgun. The student had reportedly shown the firearm to another student, who informed additional students. The information was ultimately reported to school administration and a school resource officer. The student was...
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From Huntingtown to Waldorf, Missing Cat Reunited With His Family Nearly 8 Months Later

From Huntingtown to Waldorf, Missing Cat Reunited With His Family Nearly 8 Months Later

Almost Eight Months.. That’s how long Liam’s family held onto hope… almost eight months of wondering, searching, and missing their boy. Then, one small act of kindness changed everything. A woman in another county noticed a new cat quietly appearing around her neighborhood. Instead of assuming he had been abandoned, she chose to help....
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St. Mary’s County Public Schools 2-Hour Early Dismissal on Thursday, April 16, 2026 Due to Excessive Heat

St. Mary’s County Public Schools 2-Hour Early Dismissal on Thursday, April 16, 2026 Due to Excessive Heat

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will implement a 2-hour early dismissal for all students tomorrow, Thursday, April 16, in response to continued excessive heat. Our school buildings are equipped with commercial heating and cooling systems that operate differently from residential (home) systems. Most homes can switch between heating and cooling with the touch...
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Recreation & Parks Seeks Local Talent for Summerstock Production of Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical

Recreation & Parks Seeks Local Talent for Summerstock Production of Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Recreation & Parks (R&P) is seeking local youth actors and actresses to showcase their talents for the chance to be cast in this year’s Summerstock production of Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical! Auditions will take place at Carver Recreation Center in Lexington Park on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, 2026. Registration is...
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Commissioners of St. Mary’s County & Board of Education Joint Meeting Agenda for April 14th, 2026

Commissioners of St. Mary’s County & Board of Education Joint Meeting Agenda for April 14th, 2026

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) and the St. Mary’s County Board of Education (BOE) will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room, on the 1st floor of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. “These joint meetings are an...
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Local Favorite O’Gannigans in Prince Frederick Closing Permanently April 30

Local Favorite O’Gannigans in Prince Frederick Closing Permanently April 30

O’Gannigans, a family-owned and operated Irish pub-style restaurant located at 98 Solomons Island Road South, will permanently close after April 30, 2026. The restaurant has long been a staple in the community, offering a family-friendly atmosphere with a mix of American-style food and traditional Irish dishes. Popular menu items have included corned beef and...
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GET READY TO TROT! Third Annual Otter Trot 5K Returns To Calvert Marine Museum on April 18th, 2026

GET READY TO TROT! Third Annual Otter Trot 5K Returns To Calvert Marine Museum on April 18th, 2026

Lace up your running shoes and get ready for otterly awesome fun at the Third Annual Otter Trot 5K on Saturday, April 18, at 8 a.m.! This family-friendly, timed race offers a fun and active way to support the museum while enjoying the scenic Solomons waterfront. Participants can run, walk, or “trot” their way...
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Governor Moore Signs FY 2027 Budget, Delivering Historic Education and Public Safety Investments without Raising Taxes or Fees

Governor Moore Signs FY 2027 Budget, Delivering Historic Education and Public Safety Investments without Raising Taxes or Fees

Governor Wes Moore signed the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget​ into law, delivering on key commitments to make Maryland more affordable and competitive while securing historic investments in education and public safety. The budget, which passed with bipartisan support from the Maryland General Assembly, includes no new taxes or fees, maintains the state’s Rainy Day...
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Honoring the Bond: Custom Pet Urns from The Stinson Urn Company

Honoring the Bond: Custom Pet Urns from The Stinson Urn Company

For many families, pets are not simply animals — they are companions, confidants, and cherished members of the household. They bring comfort during difficult moments, companionship in daily routines, and joy that fills countless memories. The bond between a pet and their family is deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. The experience of losing a...
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Proposed Bay Ferry System Gains Momentum, Solomons Named Potential Stop

Proposed Bay Ferry System Gains Momentum, Solomons Named Potential Stop

A long-discussed plan to establish a passenger ferry system across the Chesapeake Bay is gaining traction, with state and local leaders continuing to evaluate its feasibility as a supplemental transportation option and economic driver for coastal communities—including those in Southern Maryland. Officials from multiple Maryland counties, including Calvert and St. Mary’s, have been working...
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April 2026 Events at CSM

April 2026 Events at CSM

Donal Ryan Reading and Discussion Thursday, April 9, 2 – 3 p.m. La Plata Campus, Community Education (CE Building), Room 101 and online via Zoom Donal Ryan has published seven number one-bestselling novels and a short story collection. He has won several awards for his fiction, including the European Union Prize for Literature, the...
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VIDEO: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Series of Vehicle Break-Ins in Great Mills Area

VIDEO: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Series of Vehicle Break-Ins in Great Mills Area

Deputies with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to more than two dozen reports of vehicle break-ins and thefts on April 7, 2026, impacting neighborhoods surrounding Chancellors Run Road. According to authorities, home surveillance footage captured several of the incidents. The videos appear to show four individuals wearing dark clothing and masks moving...
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Commissioners of St. Mary’s County & Board of Education Announce Joint Meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Commissioners of St. Mary’s County & Board of Education Announce Joint Meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) and the St. Mary’s County Board of Education (BOE) will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room, on the 1st floor of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. “These joint meetings are an important opportunity for the Commissioners and the...
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Maryland State Department of Education Adopts New Math Policy, Charles County Public Schools to Implement Changes in 2026-2027 School Year

Maryland State Department of Education Adopts New Math Policy, Charles County Public Schools to Implement Changes in 2026-2027 School Year

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has adopted a new math policy that takes effect next school year, 2026-2027. The policy focuses on strengthening math achievement, ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction for students and better preparedness for college, career and real-world problem solving. The policy includes several changes including the following. Move...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – March 31, 2026

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – March 31, 2026

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) began their business meeting with an invocation and the pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The CSMC then presented proclamations in recognition of Fair Housing Month, Maryland Flood Awareness Month, National Public Health Week, National Healthcare Decisions Day, and Work Zone Safety & Roadside Awareness Month. The Commissioners then presented commendations to Raymond...
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Little Flower School to Host Afternoon Tea & Bingo Fundraiser

Little Flower School to Host Afternoon Tea & Bingo Fundraiser

Little Flower School invites the community to attend its highly anticipated Afternoon Tea & Bingo on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the school. Tickets are now available, and early reservations are strongly encouraged, as this beloved spring event traditionally sells out. Guests will enjoy an elegant afternoon featuring a delightful selection...
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PMA-226 Strengthens Alliance by Returning Historic Helicopter to Service

PMA-226 Strengthens Alliance by Returning Historic Helicopter to Service

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, MD.: In a powerful demonstration of its commitment to international partners, the Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office (PMA-226) has successfully returned a historically significant VH-3A Sea King to the skies for the Egyptian Air Force. The project, completed in February, modernizes a key aviation asset and reinforces...
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Governor Moore Releases FY 2027 Second Supplemental Budget

Governor Moore Releases FY 2027 Second Supplemental Budget

Governor Wes Moore released a second supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2027 that reinforces the administration’s commitment to sustainable, long-term fiscal health and invests in the administration’s core priorities. The supplemental budget builds off the work of the governor’s proposed FY 2027 budget and work by the Maryland General Assembly to protect our people; to lower...
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SOMD Cars & Coffee Season Opener on Sunday, March 29th, 2026 – Rules and Parking Information!

SOMD Cars & Coffee Season Opener on Sunday, March 29th, 2026 – Rules and Parking Information!

The SOMD Cars & Coffee season opener is set to kick off Sunday morning, March 29, 2026, bringing car enthusiasts from across Southern Maryland together for the start of another season. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Laurel Glen Shopping Center, located at 45315 Alton Lane in...
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Little Flower School to Host 2026 Touch-a-Truck Festival in Great Mills on March 28, 2026

Little Flower School to Host 2026 Touch-a-Truck Festival in Great Mills on March 28, 2026

Little Flower School is inviting the Southern Maryland community to its 2026 Touch-a-Truck Festival on Saturday, March 28, 2026. The family-friendly event will take place on the grounds of Little Flower School in Great Mills from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. The hands-on festival will give children and families...
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