Charles News

Town of Indian Head and Voice of Indian Head Announce First Annual Community Champion of the Year Award

Town of Indian Head and Voice of Indian Head Announce First Annual Community Champion of the Year Award

The Town of Indian Head and Voice of Indian Head (VOIH) project have announced the launch of the First Annual Community Champion of the Year Award, a new civic recognition designed to honor individuals whose service, compassion, and integrity strengthen the heart of the community in and around Indian Head, MD. The award celebrates those...
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Maryland Casinos Generate $159.8 Million in Gaming Revenue During December 2025

Maryland Casinos Generate $159.8 Million in Gaming Revenue During December 2025

Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $159,778,289 in revenue from slot machines and table games during December 2025. The statewide total was a decrease of $4,326,961, or 2.6%, compared to December 2024. Casino gaming contributions to the state during December 2025 totaled $67,897,383, a decrease of $1,940,566, or 2.8%, compared to December 2024. The...
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Charles County Home Destroyed in Fire, One Dog Killed

Charles County Home Destroyed in Fire, One Dog Killed

UPDATE 1/6/2026: A structure fire on Rufus Madeline Place in Marbury, Charles County, resulted in a total loss of a single-family home on January 5, 2026, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal. The fire caused an estimated $125,000 in damage to the structure and $50,000 in lost contents. The blaze, discovered...
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SMADC Opens Farm Share Equipment Rental Grants $30,000 in Funds Available

SMADC Opens Farm Share Equipment Rental Grants $30,000 in Funds Available

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD), is again offering grant funds to the community to support the purchase of farm equipment for the benefit of farmers in the Southern Maryland Region. SMADC invites agricultural entities (like County Farm Bureaus and Soil Conservation Districts) who...
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Suspect Captured in Virginia After Triple Fatal Shooting Leaves Waldorf Man and Two D.C. Men Dead

Suspect Captured in Virginia After Triple Fatal Shooting Leaves Waldorf Man and Two D.C. Men Dead

A suspect is in custody in Virginia in connection with a fatal shooting early Saturday morning outside of a banquet hall in Temple Hills. The suspect is 39-year-old Antonio Lancaster of the Landover area. He faces multiple charges, to include murder, for fatally shooting 27-year-old Ronez Proctor of Waldorf. Two other adult males were...
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Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month Highlights Growing Occupational Risk

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month Highlights Growing Occupational Risk

January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the elevated cancer risks faced by firefighters and the long-term health consequences of the job. Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. In 2025, nearly 80%* of IAFF member line-of-duty deaths were due to occupational...
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77-Year-Old Man Transported to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Gas Station Parking Lot

77-Year-Old Man Transported to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Gas Station Parking Lot

On Monday, January 5, 2026, at approximately 11:24 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Wawa located at 4210 Crain Highway in White Plains, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. 911 callers reported an unknown aged male was struck by a vehicle and had uncontrolled bleeding with a...
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Maryland Public Libraries Set to Host Career Success Month – January 6th to February 28th, 2026

Maryland Public Libraries Set to Host Career Success Month – January 6th to February 28th, 2026

Public libraries across Maryland will soon host dozens of events to help community members develop the skills they need to succeed in today’s workplace. The fourth annual Career Success Month runs from January 6 through February 28, 2026. Developed by the Maryland State Library Agency and supported in part by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS),...
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Attorney General Brown Leads Lawsuit Against Department of Education’s Cuts to Full Service Community School Programs

Attorney General Brown Leads Lawsuit Against Department of Education’s Cuts to Full Service Community School Programs

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and two other attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education to stop unlawful cuts to congressionally approved funding for Full Service Community School (FSCS) programs. FSCS projects focus critical resources on elementary and secondary schools that need them most, offering students and their families additional...
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Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Launches Regional Passport Program

Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Launches Regional Passport Program

The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area today announced the launch of its new regional passport program, an interactive initiative designed to encourage residents and visitors to discover the region’s storied past, abundant culture, and natural beauty across Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Southern Prince George’s Counties. Fifteen designated heritage sites throughout the Area are now offering...
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UPDATE: Missing Child and Woman Located Safe and Unharmed – Alert cancelled 1/5/2026

UPDATE: Missing Child and Woman Located Safe and Unharmed – Alert cancelled 1/5/2026

UPDATE 1/5/2026 @1:15 p.m.: La Plata Police Department, MD has stated the following – Both Lotus King and Kemi Maye have been located and are safe. We appreciate the assistance in resolving this matter. The La Plata Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating or any information regarding the whereabouts of 3-year-old...
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Dangers of Running Over Fire Hoses: A Legal and Safety Reminder for Maryland Drivers

Dangers of Running Over Fire Hoses: A Legal and Safety Reminder for Maryland Drivers

In the midst of an emergency, every second counts. Firefighters rushing to extinguish fires or respond to emergencies rely heavily on their equipment, including fire hoses, to carry out their duties effectively and safely. However, a dangerous and illegal act has been posing serious risks to firefighters and their operations: vehicles running over fire...
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No Injuries Reported After Lawnmower Fire Spreads to Structure in La Plata

No Injuries Reported After Lawnmower Fire Spreads to Structure in La Plata

On Sunday, January 4, 2026, at approximately 4:31 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 5400 block of Washington Avenue in La Plata, for the reported shed on fire. 911 callers reported a lawnmower was on fire, which then spread to a shed with dispatchers advising explosions were overheard during the 911...
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No Injuries Reported After Shed Fire in Hughesville

No Injuries Reported After Shed Fire in Hughesville

On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at approximately 3:05 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 6900 block of Carrico Mill Road in Hughesville, for the reported shed on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 10×10 shed fully engulfed with fire spreading to the nearby brush and trees. Firefighters from...
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Maryland Comptroller’s Office Updates State Tire Fee Regulations Effective January 1st, 2026

Maryland Comptroller’s Office Updates State Tire Fee Regulations Effective January 1st, 2026

The Comptroller of Maryland has submitted amendments to the regulations governing Maryland’s tire recycling fee and new tire fee. Effective January 1, 2026, the tire recycling fee increases to $1.00 from $0.80 on the first sale of a new tire in the state by a tire dealer. Maryland will also implement a $5.00 new...
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Firefighters Battle Strong Winds During Fire at Patuxent Camp Sites; Leaving Multiple Campers Destroyed and Families Displaced

Firefighters Battle Strong Winds During Fire at Patuxent Camp Sites; Leaving Multiple Campers Destroyed and Families Displaced

On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at approximately 4:07 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Patuxent Camp Sites located at 4774 Williams Wharf Road in Saint Leonard, for the reported camper on fire. 911 callers reported their family members camper was on fire with multiple explosions reported. Prior to the arrival of...
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Maryland Hunters Take 27,620 Deer During Two-Week Firearms Season

Maryland Hunters Take 27,620 Deer During Two-Week Firearms Season

Maryland hunters reported harvesting 27,620 deer during the two-week firearm season from Nov. 29 through Dec. 13. The firearms season harvest was 10.4% lower than last year’s official count of 30,833 deer but only 3% lower than the five-year average of 28,467 deer. The deer harvest fluctuates from year to year due to a variety of factors such as weather,...
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Attorney General Brown Opposes Trump Administration’s Proposed Rollbacks to Endangered Species Act Regulations

Attorney General Brown Opposes Trump Administration’s Proposed Rollbacks to Endangered Species Act Regulations

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown co-led a multistate coalition of 19 attorneys general in sending a comment letter opposing four proposed rules by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that would undermine key regulations implementing the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. The proposed rollbacks would significantly...
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MVA Shares Year-End Safety and Service Reminders for 2026

MVA Shares Year-End Safety and Service Reminders for 2026

As 2026 approaches, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) encourages residents to start the new year with resolutions focused on roadway safety, while also taking advantage of the convenient services and tools the MVA offers.  “We want all Marylanders to be safe, follow the rules of the road and take full...
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Maryland Park Service Launches Miles for Maryland Challenge

Maryland Park Service Launches Miles for Maryland Challenge

The Maryland Park Service is challenging visitors to walk one mile for each year since the founding of our country – 250 miles for America’s 250th. The “Miles for Maryland” Trail Challenge encourages everyone to get outdoors, enjoy the fresh air, and be active in 2026. Visit your nearest park, or explore the state...
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Waldorf Man Claims Third $50K Holiday Raffle Early Bird Prize

Waldorf Man Claims Third $50K Holiday Raffle Early Bird Prize

With one more drawing remaining in the Maryland Lottery Holiday Raffle, the third $50,000 Early Bird prize has been claimed by a Waldorf man. The winner said he usually purchases his Lottery tickets at Foods In, located at 12549 Mattawoman Drive in Waldorf. After the Dec. 22 Early Bird drawing, he was visiting the Charles...
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Charles County Scholarship Fair Set for January 15th, 2026

Charles County Scholarship Fair Set for January 15th, 2026

The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Scholarship Fair will be held next month at St. Charles High School. Students who are headed to college in the fall and want to learn about applying for scholarships can attend the fair with their families from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 15. CCPS staff will be...
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Governor Moore Announces More Than 220,000 Maryland Benefits Applications Completed Since July Launch

Governor Moore Announces More Than 220,000 Maryland Benefits Applications Completed Since July Launch

Governor Wes Moore announced that Marylanders have completed more than 220,000 applications for critical benefits through the Maryland Benefits One Application, a mobile-friendly tool that helps customers apply for vital benefits. Since its July​ launch, the system has provided a centralized and easy-to-use online location that allows Marylanders to apply for Medicaid, SNAP, Temporary Assistance...
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Holiday Raffle $50,000 Early Bird Winning Ticket Sold in Waldorf

Holiday Raffle $50,000 Early Bird Winning Ticket Sold in Waldorf

Lottery players in Waldorf who purchased a Maryland Lottery Holiday Raffle should check their tickets. The third Early Bird drawing took place today awarding one lucky winner a $50,000 prize. The Early Bird winner is Ticket Number 166251, which was sold Dec. 17 at Foods In convenience store located at 12549 Mattawoman Drive in Waldorf. The...
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19-Year-Old Transported with Minor Injuries After Rollover Collision in Waldorf

19-Year-Old Transported with Minor Injuries After Rollover Collision in Waldorf

On Saturday, December 27, 2025, at approximately 5:25 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Post Office Road and St. Charles Parkway in Waldorf, for the serious motor vehicle collision with rollover and entrapment. Crews quickly arrived on the scene to find a three-vehicle collision with one overturned and...
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