Community

Class of 2025 Academic Leaders Announced, Graduating Class Earns Record Breaking $221 Million in Scholarship Offers

Class of 2025 Academic Leaders Announced, Graduating Class Earns Record Breaking $221 Million in Scholarship Offers

The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Class of 2025 will be honored during outdoor graduation ceremonies set for May 27-29 at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. The Class of 2025 includes 2,284 graduates who earned a collective number of scholarships totaling almost $221 million. This is the highest scholarship total for graduating CCPS seniors...
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2025 Mixtape Concert Series Kickoff on Saturday, July 5, 2025

2025 Mixtape Concert Series Kickoff on Saturday, July 5, 2025

The Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism is announcing a new date for the kickoff of the 2025 Mixtape Concert Series. Due to unforeseen scheduling circumstances, the originally planned May 17 concert is now taking place during the most festive weekend of the summer—Saturday, July 5, at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf....
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State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling Selected to “Maryland’s Top 100 Women”

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling Selected to “Maryland’s Top 100 Women”

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling has been named to The Daily Record’s 2025 Top 100 Women list, a prestigious honor that recognizes high-achieving women who lead through exceptional professional accomplishments, community service, mentorship, and outstanding leadership. Sterling’s nomination was driven by those who have worked alongside her throughout her career, including prosecutors, law enforcement officers,...
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Charles County Schools to Host End-of-Year Promotion and Celebratory Events – 2025

Charles County Schools to Host End-of-Year Promotion and Celebratory Events – 2025

Charles County Public elementary and middle schools have coordinated celebratory events for students who are transitioning to middle or high school, as well as those moving on from prekindergarten and kindergarten. The following is a list of dates and activities schools have planned for the end of the year. Parents should contact their child’s...
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Calvert County Planning Commission to Hold Public Hearing for the Master Plan of Town Centers Chapters One & Two

Calvert County Planning Commission to Hold Public Hearing for the Master Plan of Town Centers Chapters One & Two

The Calvert County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on May 21 at the Harriet E. Brown Community Center, located at 901 Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick, to receive public comment on the Master Plan of Town Centers. The hearing will focus on Chapter One: Town Centers and Chapter Two: Prince Frederick...
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CSM Congratulates 80 Health Career Readiness Graduates

CSM Congratulates 80 Health Career Readiness Graduates

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) students pursuing careers in health care were celebrated May 8 at the La Plata Campus during the college’s Health Career Readiness Recognition ceremony. Eighty students were recognized for completing programs this year in: Veterinary assistant; certified medical administrative assistant; health information system; certified nutrition coach; certified personal training; Certified...
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35-Year-Old Male Airlifted to Trauma Center After Plane Crashes in Potomac River

35-Year-Old Male Airlifted to Trauma Center After Plane Crashes in Potomac River

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, at approximately 4:09 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services from Virginia and Maryland responded to the Potomac River in the area of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in Virginia, for the reported downed aircraft with fire. Multiple 911 callers reported a plane crashed into the water...
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Leonardtown High Vandalized Overnight; Chickens Released, Peanut Butter Smeared, Oil Poured in Stairwells

Leonardtown High Vandalized Overnight; Chickens Released, Peanut Butter Smeared, Oil Poured in Stairwells

Leonardtown High School (LHS) administrators arrived Friday morning to find extensive overnight vandalism after intruders broke in through a classroom window at about 2 a.m. According to Principal Jamie Copsey, security video shows several masked individuals roaming the building. In their wake they left paint splattered on walls, oil dumped down stairwells, peanut butter...
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CSM Congratulates 49 New Nursing Graduates

CSM Congratulates 49 New Nursing Graduates

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated its newest class of nursing candidates on May 8 in a pinning ceremony at the La Plata Campus, sending them out into the workforce or onto the next phase of their medical education. “Graduates, you chose an academic journey that would lead to a career rooted in...
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Calvert County Earns CRS 7 Ranking, Reducing Flood Insurance Rates

Calvert County Earns CRS 7 Ranking, Reducing Flood Insurance Rates

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) announces Calvert County has earned a Class 7 rating under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS program offers reduced flood insurance rates for communities taking action to become more resilient to flooding. Calvert County’s new rating qualifies most policyholders for...
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UPDATE: Lexington Park Barricade Suspect Now Charged in Hospital Assault on Corrections Officer in St. Mary’s County

UPDATE: Lexington Park Barricade Suspect Now Charged in Hospital Assault on Corrections Officer in St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 5/16/2025: Jeffrey Keith Reid, 58, of Lexington Park, who was already facing charges in a previous assault case, now faces two additional misdemeanor assault charges following an incident at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital on May 15, 2025. According to court documents, the new charges stem from an altercation that occurred while Reid was...
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Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating For First Time in Over 50 Years, Gov Moore Releases Statement Blaming Trump

Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating For First Time in Over 50 Years, Gov Moore Releases Statement Blaming Trump

Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating for first time in over 50 years, ending a historic run of fiscal stability that stretched back to 1973. Statement by the Maryland Freedom Caucus – “Governor Wes Moore’s attempt to shift blame for Maryland’s credit downgrade is as misleading as it is predictable. Democrats have controlled the Maryland...
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Smithsonian Exhibition on Innovation Arrives at College of Southern Maryland

Smithsonian Exhibition on Innovation Arrives at College of Southern Maryland

Maryland Humanities is thrilled to kick off the Maryland tour of Spark! Places of Innovation at the College of Southern Maryland Velocity Center on May 17, 2025. The exhibition highlights innovation in rural communities. Both the College of Southern Maryland Velocity Center and Life Journeys Writers Guild serve as the host partners for the tour’s first stop and collaborate with local...
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UPDATE: Gun Discharges in Billingsley Elementary School Classroom – Florida Man Charged

UPDATE: Gun Discharges in Billingsley Elementary School Classroom – Florida Man Charged

A loaded handgun that discharged inside a classroom at Billingsley Elementary School in Charles County, has been traced back to a visiting relative of the student involved. Authorities have since charged a Florida man in connection with the incident, following an investigation by the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office. The...
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Lexington Park Woman Released After Knife Threat, Faces New Armed Robbery and Pepper Spray Charges

Lexington Park Woman Released After Knife Threat, Faces New Armed Robbery and Pepper Spray Charges

Darnajah Rachelle Warrick, 18, of Lexington Park, is facing multiple felony charges stemming from three separate incidents, including a domestic dispute earlier this year and two violent confrontations reported on May 8, 2025. Warrick was first arrested on January 5, 2025, following a domestic altercation at a residence on Flower Drive. According to the...
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More than 1,300 Hawks Soar into the Future Following CSM’s 66th Commencement

More than 1,300 Hawks Soar into the Future Following CSM’s 66th Commencement

It was a proud, reflective, and exciting day for College of Southern Maryland (CSM) as its faculty, staff, supporters, and community cheered for hundreds of its student graduates at the 66th Commencement exercises on May 9 held at the La Plata Campus. This year, 1,364 CSM students earned degrees or certificates, receiving 820 associate degrees,...
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Point Lookout Lighthouse to Open to the Public Following Renovations

Point Lookout Lighthouse to Open to the Public Following Renovations

After extensive renovations and exhibit installations, the historic Point Lookout Lighthouse at the southern tip of Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary’s County is ready to welcome the public! Visitors will be able to tour the lighthouse five days per week–from Thursday through Monday–beginning on Thursday, May 15, 2025. The Park Service plans...
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La Plata High School Student Council Receives State Award

La Plata High School Student Council Receives State Award

The halls of La Plata High School filled as the bell rang for the next period. Students dressed in their college shirt of choice walked the halls as they switched classes to continue the day of learning. College Shirt Day is one of the many spirit days and for students at the school can...
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Annual Fleet Workshop Equips Warfighters with Training on Evolving Aircrew Systems

Annual Fleet Workshop Equips Warfighters with Training on Evolving Aircrew Systems

Military personnel from across the country gathered near NAS Patuxent River May 5-8 for an annual workshop aimed at strengthening fleet training on critical aircrew support systems, ensuring the safety of both aircrew and maintainers during flight missions. Hosted by the Naval Aircrew Systems (PMA-202) Fleet Air Introduction/Liaison of Survival Aircrew Flight Equipment (FAILSAFE)...
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Board Chairperson Moore Lee, Esq., Appointed Leadership Roles in National Education Associations

Board Chairperson Moore Lee, Esq., Appointed Leadership Roles in National Education Associations

Board of Education of Charles County Chairperson Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq., was recently appointed as chairperson of the National Black Council of School Board Members (NBCSBM). She was also named an ex officio director of the of the National School Boards Association (NSBA). As Chairperson of the NBCSBM, she will lead efforts to support...
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U.S. Navy Restores T-10 Test Cell Facility at Patuxent River, Enhancing Fleet Readiness

U.S. Navy Restores T-10 Test Cell Facility at Patuxent River, Enhancing Fleet Readiness

Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD: The Navy’s T-10 Test Cell Facility at Pax River is undergoing a significant revitalization that will enable engine testing in a noise-suppressed environment. Driven by a collaborative effort between the Common Aviation Support Equipment program office (PMA-260) and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC), this initiative strengthens...
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Letter to the Editor: Say No To The Charles County Recordation Tax Hike – Public Meeting on May 20th, 2025

Letter to the Editor: Say No To The Charles County Recordation Tax Hike – Public Meeting on May 20th, 2025

Charles County Commissioners voted 3-1 on April 22, 2025, to introduce Proposed Bill 2025-04, which would raise the recordation tax rate applied to real estate transactions, another public hearing is scheduled for May 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Letter to the Editor: On behalf of the Southern Maryland Association of Realtors® (SMAR), which represents over...
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Charles County Public Schools Summer Camp Registration Opens

Charles County Public Schools Summer Camp Registration Opens

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is offering several camp offerings for students. Enrichment camps, academic and athletic programs, and career exploration will be held this summer. To learn more about the summer camps, visit www.ccboe.com. Summer Enrichment camps – Summer enrichment camps for students in kindergarten through eighth grade will be held July 28 to 31....
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Celebrate Mom with a $1 Italian Ice This Mother’s Day at Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard!

Celebrate Mom with a $1 Italian Ice This Mother’s Day at Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard!

WHAT: In celebration of Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 11, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is offering a $1 Small Italian Ice with a $1 minimum purchase to their app users to help guests treat their mom to something as sweet as she is! New and existing Rita’s app users can claim the...
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Maryland State Fire Marshal Warns of Social Media Trend Leading to Fires

Maryland State Fire Marshal Warns of Social Media Trend Leading to Fires

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is alerting the public to a concerning new trend circulating on social media. Students insert electrically conductive objects into the charging ports of school-issued and personal electronic devices. This reckless behavior has been linked to several incidents resulting in fires, smoke, and property damage. As of May...
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