Charles News

Large House in Chesapeake Beach Destroyed After Early Morning Fire, Cause Under Investigation

Large House in Chesapeake Beach Destroyed After Early Morning Fire, Cause Under Investigation

On Sunday, January 12, 2025, at approximately 3:44 a.m., police responded to 4515 Camp Roosevelt Drive in Chesapeake Beach, for multiple alarms going off. Around 3:54 a.m., officers began travelling down the driveway and at the same time, one of the home owners called stating the house was on fire. Under a minute later,...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Waldorf

Man Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Waldorf

On Saturday, January 11, 2025, at approximately 6:03 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 3600 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf, for the reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. 911 callers reported an unknown aged adult male was struck by a vehicle when crossing the roadway, they reported the man...
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Charles County Department of Health Warns of Increased Rabies Cases Over Past Month

Charles County Department of Health Warns of Increased Rabies Cases Over Past Month

The Charles County Department of Health is alerting all citizens and visitors of an increase in rabies cases over the past month. One raccoon tested positive for rabies on December 22, 2024, in the vicinity of Charles Street/Penns Hill Road. Additionally, a fox tested positive for rabies on January 9, 2025, in the vicinity...
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UPDATE: Two Flown Out After Armored Vehicle Overturns in Charles County, Firefighter Injured On Scene

UPDATE: Two Flown Out After Armored Vehicle Overturns in Charles County, Firefighter Injured On Scene

UPDATE 1/12/2025: The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department provided mutual aid in response to a motor vehicle accident with entrapment in the Bennsville area Upon arrival, first-responding companies encountered an overturned armored vehicle with two individuals trapped inside. Rescue Engine 1 from the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department played a pivotal role in assisting...
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Student Injured During Altercation Involving Multiple Students at Milton Somers Middle School

Student Injured During Altercation Involving Multiple Students at Milton Somers Middle School

On Friday, January 10, 2025, four students at Milton Somers Middle School were involved in an altercation inside the cafeteria. School staff and a school resource officer intervened and were able to separate the students. One student reported an injury sustained during the altercation and the SRO also sustained a minor injury while intervening....
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UPDATE: 19-Year-Old Shot in Hollywood: Ten Weeks Later, No Arrests and No Answers from Police

UPDATE: 19-Year-Old Shot in Hollywood: Ten Weeks Later, No Arrests and No Answers from Police

UPDATE: More than Ten weeks have passed since a 19-year-old man was shot in Hollywood, leading to a high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies, yet no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. Although police have identified the shooter in court documents, no charges have been filed, and authorities have not...
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Second Round of Snow Storms Set to Hit Southern Maryland, Here’s The Latest Forecast

Second Round of Snow Storms Set to Hit Southern Maryland, Here’s The Latest Forecast

Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County from 10:00 p.m, Friday night into 7am Saturday morning. * WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches can be expected for St. Mary’s County with 1 to 2 inches for Charles and Calvert Counties. * WHEN…From 10 PM...
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Police Investigating Fatal Hit and Run That Killed 21-Year-Old Waldorf Woman

Police Investigating Fatal Hit and Run That Killed 21-Year-Old Waldorf Woman

UPDATE 1/10/2025: On January 10, 2025, at approximately 7:17 a.m., a Charles County Sheriff’s patrol officer was traveling on Smallwood Drive West near St. Patrick’s Drive in Waldorf when he observed a body in the road on the eastbound side of the roadway. The officer arrived on scene at the same time as a...
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Kohl’s Announces 27 Store Closures, None in Maryland Set to Close

Kohl’s Announces 27 Store Closures, None in Maryland Set to Close

1/09/2025: Kohl’s announced real estate changes for 2025, including the closure of its San Bernardino E-commerce Fulfillment Center (EFC) in May when the lease on that facility expires, and the closure of 27 underperforming stores, by April 2025. The San Bernardino, Calif. facility has been in operation for Kohl’s since 2010. It is one...
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Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office Accepting Applications for Grants to Reduce Injuries and Fatalities on Maryland Highways

Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office Accepting Applications for Grants to Reduce Injuries and Fatalities on Maryland Highways

GLEN BURNIE, MD (January 10, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office is accepting applications from organizations seeking grant funding for traffic safety programs and projects that help reduce crashes, deaths and injuries on Maryland roadways. The grants will support initiatives addressing actions, decisions, and habits of drivers,...
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UPDATE: Occupants and Pets Safe After House Fire in Port Republic, Cause Under Investigation

UPDATE: Occupants and Pets Safe After House Fire in Port Republic, Cause Under Investigation

UPDATE 1/10/2025: January 9th, 2025, at 12:22 p.m., firefighters responded to 4099 Cortona Drive in Port Republic, Calvert County, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on scene to find a Two-story, single family residence engulfed in flames. Investigation into the cause and origin of the fire is still ongoing. Smoke alarms were present,...
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Sports Wagering Contributes $6.5 Million to the State During December

Sports Wagering Contributes $6.5 Million to the State During December

Maryland’s sports wagering market completed the first half of Fiscal Year 2025 by generating $6,510,765 in contributions to the state during December 2024. Through the first six months of FY2025 (July 2024 through December 2024), sports wagering has contributed $46,576,505 to the state compared to $24,593,908 for the same period in FY2024. Contributions to...
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Investigation Continues After Woman Found Deceased in Hughesville

Investigation Continues After Woman Found Deceased in Hughesville

A joint investigation continues between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office after a fire claimed the life of a 94-year-old woman Thursday afternoon. Just after 3:00 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s Office and EMS were called to a home on Driftwood Place in Hughesville to check on the...
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St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County Weather and Public School Updates for Friday, January 10th, 2025

St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County Weather and Public School Updates for Friday, January 10th, 2025

ST. MARY’S COUNTY: Due to high winds, blowing snow, and continued freezing, all SMCPS Schools will have a delayed opening of two hours on Friday, January 10, 2025. Code 5 for staff. Ten and eleven-month employees report to work two hours late. Twelve-month employees and food service workers are to report to work on...
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Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash in Indian Head

Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash in Indian Head

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at approximately 2:24 p.m., Maryland State Police troopers from the La Plata Barrack and deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a serious motor vehicle collision on Maryland Route 344 near Maryland Route 224. Due to the severity of the incident, the Maryland State Police CRASH Team...
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Charles County Detectives Arrest Two for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Possession

Charles County Detectives Arrest Two for Drug Trafficking and Firearms Possession

On January 2, 2025, detectives from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Section carried out a search warrant in a drug trafficking investigation that targeted a residence in the 12200 block of King Farm Place in Newburg, and a vehicle tied to the suspects. At approximately 3:25 PM, detectives observed Donnie David Campbell,...
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Domestic Violence Unit Arrest Fugitive in Protective Order Violation Case – Released the Next Day

Domestic Violence Unit Arrest Fugitive in Protective Order Violation Case – Released the Next Day

On January 1, 2025, officers with the Domestic Violence Unit, in coordination with the Prince George’s County Police Department, arrested Fernando Jose Echemendia, 24, of Fort Washington. Echemendia was located and detained based on active warrants stemming from his failure to appear in court for violations of protective orders and burglary charges. The protective...
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Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision in Indian Head

Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision in Indian Head

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at approximately 2:22 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 7175 Chicamuxen Road in Indian Head, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. 911 callers reported a single vehicle appeared to hit black ice or a slick spot in the roadway, left the...
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No Injuries After Kitchen Fire at the Charles Restaurant & Bar in La Plata

No Injuries After Kitchen Fire at the Charles Restaurant & Bar in La Plata

On Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at approximately 10:23 a.m., firefighters responded to The Charles Restaurant & Bar, located at 417 Charles Street in La Plata, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 1-story commercial building with smoke showing. Upon further investigation, firefighters located a fire in the kitchen and...
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Pursuit of Justice: Charles County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Homicide – Jack Moore, age 63 of Georgia

Pursuit of Justice: Charles County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Homicide – Jack Moore, age 63 of Georgia

Today is the 22nd anniversary of the homicide of Jack Moore, a 63-year old resident of Georgia, who was visiting the area at the time of his death. His case remains unsolved. Your assistance can help us bring justice to Jack and his family. On January 8th, 2003 at approximately 10pm, officers with the...
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From the Yellow Farm House to the White House: A Journey of Conservation and Connection

From the Yellow Farm House to the White House: A Journey of Conservation and Connection

Maryland Department of Natural Resources, By Ranger Sarah Milbourne – Ranger Sarah Milbourne and “Mo,” one of Maryland’s bald eagles from the Scales & Tales program, visit the White House in 2023. Photo courtesy the White House. I can vividly remember the first time I saw a bald eagle in the wild. I was...
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Maryland Casinos Generate $164.1 Million in Gaming Revenue During December 2024

Maryland Casinos Generate $164.1 Million in Gaming Revenue During December 2024

Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $164,105,250 in revenue from slot machines and table games during December 2024, a decrease of $1,523,913 (-0.9%) compared to December 2023. Casino gaming contributions to the state during December 2024 totaled $69,837,949, a decrease of $357,058 (-0.5%) compared to December 2023. The December 2024 contributions included $50,413,308 to...
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Police in Charles County Arrest Suspect for DUI, Firearm Violations, and Reckless Driving

Police in Charles County Arrest Suspect for DUI, Firearm Violations, and Reckless Driving

Lonnie Ray Dawes III, 35, of Woodbridge, Virginia, is facing a series of charges after being arrested on December 31, 2024, in Charles County, during an early morning traffic stop. Dawes was taken into custody after officers stopped his vehicle on Crain Highway near Mount Air Road. According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office,...
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Bryans Road Man Released on His Own Recognizance After Stabbing Brother in Charles County

Bryans Road Man Released on His Own Recognizance After Stabbing Brother in Charles County

A family dispute on New Year’s Day led to a stabbing and subsequent arrest of Kaleb Thaddeus Hart, 20, of Bryans Road, Maryland. According to court documents and statements provided by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Hart was charged with 1st and 2nd degree assault after an altercation with his brother resulted in injuries....
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All Southern Maryland Schools are Closed on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025

All Southern Maryland Schools are Closed on Wednesday, January 8th, 2025

School closings and delays in Maryland for Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Anne Arundel County Public Schools will be closed Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The school system declared a “code blue” with liberal leave for employees. Calvert County Public Schools will be closed Wednesday, January 8, 2025. All after school and evening activities are canceled,...
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