Community

Concerns Raised Over Delayed Arrest and Public Safety After Leonardtown EMS Chief was Finaly Arrested for Theft of Fentanyl, Ketamine, and Midazolam

Concerns Raised Over Delayed Arrest and Public Safety After Leonardtown EMS Chief was Finaly Arrested for Theft of Fentanyl, Ketamine, and Midazolam

A troubling investigation into narcotics theft and tampering within St. Mary’s County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) has led to the arrest of Thomas Patrick Raley, 39, of Leonardtown. Raley, who was appointed Chief of Emergency Medical Services in December 2023, was arrested on September 11, 2024, following the issuance of a sealed arrest warrant...
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Keep Maryland Beautiful 2024-25 Grant Applications Now Being Accepted

Keep Maryland Beautiful 2024-25 Grant Applications Now Being Accepted

The Maryland Departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, and Agriculture, along with the Chesapeake Bay Trust, are partnering to accept applications for this year’s Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants program. About $327,000 is available for this year’s grant round. These grants are offered annually to volunteer groups, nonprofit organizations, communities, and land trusts in Maryland to support...
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Justice Department Announces More Than $690 Million in Violence Against Women Act Funding

Justice Department Announces More Than $690 Million in Violence Against Women Act Funding

Today, the Justice Department announced the awards of over $690 million in grant funding administered by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). This funding will support services and justice responses for victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking across all U.S. states and territories and in many Tribal...
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‘Women on the Water’ Fishing and Boating Workshop Offered September 26, 2024

‘Women on the Water’ Fishing and Boating Workshop Offered September 26, 2024

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is hosting “Women on the Water,” a free introductory workshop on boating and fishing for women and girls aged 12 and older, at Seneca Creek State Park on Sept. 26th, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. New or returning boaters and anglers can receive information about boating education...
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UPDATE: Police Finally Arrest EMS Chief of St. Mary’s County Who Admitted to Stealing Fentanyl

UPDATE: Police Finally Arrest EMS Chief of St. Mary’s County Who Admitted to Stealing Fentanyl

UPDATE 9/11/2024: Following an investigation into allegations of tampering with Emergency Medical Services narcotic boxes and vials of fentanyl, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, along with detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) finally arrested Thomas Patrick Raley, 39, of Leonardtown, on a warrant, on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. In July,...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioners Discuss the Proposed Childcare Facility Next to Leonard Hall

St. Mary’s County Commissioners Discuss the Proposed Childcare Facility Next to Leonard Hall

During the September 10, 2024, Commissioners of St. Mary’s County meeting, they discussed the proposed childcare facility next to Leonard Hall was complex, and addressed both logistical and financial concerns. The facility, initially estimated to cost $1.8 million, has now escalated to a projected cost of $2.33 million. The building, designed as a modular...
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Commissioners of St. Mary’s County Meeting Summary – September 10, 2024

Commissioners of St. Mary’s County Meeting Summary – September 10, 2024

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County convened on September 10, 2024, for a session covering a wide range of topics, from annual recognitions to budget approvals. President Randy Guy, alongside Commissioners Eric Colvin, Mike Hewitt, Mike Alderson Jr., and Scott Ostrom, presided over the meeting. Opening and Remembrance The meeting began with introductions of...
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Riverside Townhouse Development Proposal in St. Mary’s County – Detailed Overview

Riverside Townhouse Development Proposal in St. Mary’s County – Detailed Overview

The Riverside Townhouse Development is a significant new residential project under consideration in Saint Mary’s County. Presented to the Planning Commission during their meeting on September 9, 2024, the project, designated as Concept Site Plan CSP 240018, proposes the construction of 42 townhouses on a 6.02-acre parcel of land located at 23200 and 23206...
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Bushwood Man Arrested Again After Years of Drug Dealing Across St. Mary’s County

Deandre Terille Taylor, 35, of Bushwood, was arrested on September 6, 2024, after an extensive drug investigation and traffic stop led to the discovery of large quantities of controlled dangerous substances (CDS). Taylor now faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges, including possession with intent to distribute narcotics, following incidents in Lexington Park and Mechanicsville....
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Waldorf Native Proudly Serves U.S. Navy Aboard Aircraft Carrier USS Ronald Reagan

Waldorf Native Proudly Serves U.S. Navy Aboard Aircraft Carrier USS Ronald Reagan

By Ensign Joash Ward, Navy Office of Community Outreach: Petty Officer 1st Class Ruben Melton, a native of Waldorf, Maryland, serves aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan. Equipped with a full flight deck and more than 60 aircraft including attack fighter jets and helicopters, aircraft carriers are one of the largest warships in...
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Traffic Safety: A Comprehensive Five-Year Crash Data Analysis – Part 3, St. Mary’s County

Traffic Safety: A Comprehensive Five-Year Crash Data Analysis – Part 3, St. Mary’s County

As St. Mary’s County continues to expand and develop, traffic safety remains a critical issue for local residents, law enforcement, and policymakers. Understanding the patterns and causes of vehicle crashes is essential to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Recent data from the Maryland Department of Transportation provides a detailed look at crash trends...
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UPDATE: All Children Accounted for and Out of Storm Drain in Leonardtown

UPDATE: All Children Accounted for and Out of Storm Drain in Leonardtown

UPDATE 9/7/2024 : All children have been accounted for as of 4:46 p.m. No injuries reported. Units returning to service. 9/7/2024 @ 3:48 p.m.: On Saturday, September 7, 2024, at approximately 3:40 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 41000 block of Doctors Crossing Way in Leonardtown, for the reported entrapment without...
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Summary of the St. Mary’s County Animal Control Advisory Board Meeting – 9/4/2024

Summary of the St. Mary’s County Animal Control Advisory Board Meeting – 9/4/2024

At the September 4th meeting of the Animal Control Advisory Board (ACAB), important updates were discussed, covering shelter operations, staff additions, adoption initiatives, and community events. Below is a more detailed breakdown of the information shared: Shelter Operations and Animal Adoptions Tina, the acting shelter director, provided a comprehensive overview of the St. Mary’s...
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UPDATE: Police Identify Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Dump Truck as 38-Year-Old Waldorf Man

UPDATE: Police Identify Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Dump Truck as 38-Year-Old Waldorf Man

UPDATE 9/5/2024: On September 4 at 3:35 p.m., officers responded to the area of Middletown Road near Lyles Place in Waldorf for the report of a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Upon arrival, officers determined a pedestrian, who was crossing the street and not in a crosswalk, was struck by a dump truck. The...
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$700,000 in Federal Funding Approved for 7 Fire Departments in Charles and St. Mary’s Counties

$700,000 in Federal Funding Approved for 7 Fire Departments in Charles and St. Mary’s Counties

In a major win for Southern Maryland’s fire departments, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, along with Congressman Steny Hoyer, have announced that seven fire departments in Charles and St. Mary’s Counties will receive $707,877.04 in federal funding. This vital funding will enhance emergency response capabilities by upgrading equipment and improving safety...
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Traffic Safety: A Comprehensive Five-Year Crash Data Analysis – Part 2, Charles County

Traffic Safety: A Comprehensive Five-Year Crash Data Analysis – Part 2, Charles County

As St. Mary’s County continues to expand and develop, traffic safety remains a critical issue for local residents, law enforcement, and policymakers. Understanding the patterns and causes of vehicle crashes is essential to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Recent data from the Maryland Department of Transportation provides a detailed look at crash trends...
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Superhero Sunday! Calling All Heroes and Those Who Want to See Them! Meet Your Local Fire & EMS Volunteers on Sunday, September 15, 2024

Superhero Sunday! Calling All Heroes and Those Who Want to See Them!  Meet Your Local Fire & EMS Volunteers on Sunday, September 15, 2024

Get ready for a day of fun, excitement, and community spirit! Mark your calendars for Sunday, September 15th, 2024, from 10 AM to 1 PM and head to the newly opened Ward Farm and Nature Park for an unforgettable event that brings our local heroes into the spotlight. This event is a fantastic opportunity...
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Navy Partners with Shield AI to Enhance Autonomy in Naval Aviation

Navy Partners with Shield AI to Enhance Autonomy in Naval Aviation

Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD: The Navy’s Strike Planning and Execution program (PMA-281) and Aerial Targets program (PMA-208) recently partnered with Shield AI to integrate autonomy and artificial intelligence software into the BQM-177A sub-sonic aerial target, marking a significant milestone in furthering autonomous systems for real-world applications in naval aviation. The Navy...
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Waldorf Native Airman Timothy Goldring Serves Aboard Aircraft Carrier, USS Ronald Reagan

Waldorf Native Airman Timothy Goldring Serves Aboard Aircraft Carrier, USS Ronald Reagan

By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach: Airman Timothy Goldring, a native of Waldorf, Maryland, serves aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan. Equipped with a full flight deck and more than 60 aircraft including attack fighter jets and helicopters, aircraft carriers are one of the largest warships in the world. Goldring graduated...
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Taking a Second Look at the Impact of the Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry System

Taking a Second Look at the Impact of the Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry System

Southern Maryland, comprising Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties, stands on the brink of significant transformation with the proposed Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry System. Announced at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Conference on August 15, 2024, the findings of a feasibility study conducted by the Chesapeake Bay Passenger Ferry Consortium outline a visionary...
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Traffic Safety: A Comprehensive Five-Year Crash Data Analysis – Part 1, Calvert County

Traffic Safety: A Comprehensive Five-Year Crash Data Analysis – Part 1, Calvert County

As Calvert County grows and develops, traffic safety remains a significant concern for residents, law enforcement, and policymakers. Understanding vehicle crash patterns and causes is essential to improve road safety and reduce accidents. Recent data from the Maryland Department of Transportation provides a detailed overview of crash trends from 2019 to 2023, offering valuable...
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Police Arrest Middle School Teacher with Stolen Handgun in Charles County After DUI

Police Arrest Middle School Teacher with Stolen Handgun in Charles County After DUI

On August 31, 2024, Dhonte Jamar Ford, 30, of Indian Head, was arrested following a traffic stop on Crain Highway in Waldorf. According to court documents ,at approximately 2:17 AM, Deputy Gordon was patrolling the area of Crain Highway when he observed a red Nissan Altima driving southbound without the required lights on. The...
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U.S. Navy Awards $24 Million Contract to BAE Systems for Redesign of AN/UPX-50 Assemblies

U.S. Navy Awards $24 Million Contract to BAE Systems for Redesign of AN/UPX-50 Assemblies

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, MD: The U.S. Navy awarded a $24 million contract to BAE Systems for the continued redesign of the AN/UPX-50(C) digital interrogator assemblies. The cost-plus-fixed-fee contract is a modification to a previously issued basic ordering agreement to address parts obsolescence and implement solutions to achieve compliance with the latest...
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Leonardtown Native Ruthie Hornbuckle Serves The U.S. Navy Osprey Squadron

Leonardtown Native Ruthie Hornbuckle Serves The U.S. Navy Osprey Squadron

By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach: Lieutenant Ruthie Hornbuckle, a native of Leonardtown, Maryland, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM-50). Hornbuckle graduated from Leonardtown High School in 2015. Hornbuckle graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2019 with a degree in operations research. Hornbuckle joined the Navy...
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Join us for the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Fall Carnival!

Join us for the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Fall Carnival!

Mark your calendars for a fantastic family event! The Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department is thrilled to host our annual Fall Carnival from September 13th to 15th, 2024. This exciting event is perfect for families and children, featuring a variety of rides, games, delicious food, and great prizes! Event Details: Dates & Times: – Friday,...
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