Charles News

Understanding Arrests and Criminal Summons in Maryland: A Closer Look

Understanding Arrests and Criminal Summons in Maryland: A Closer Look

In Maryland, the distinction between being arrested and receiving a criminal summons can significantly impact an individual’s legal experience. The decision between these two legal actions hinges on several factors, including the severity of the alleged crime, the risk posed by the suspect, procedural considerations, and potentially, the suspect’s race, sex, or community status....
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Police Seeking Wanted Washington D.C. Man After First Degree Assault and Attempted Stabbing

Police Seeking Wanted Washington D.C. Man After First Degree Assault and Attempted Stabbing

On July 21, 2024, at 12:40 p.m., officers responded to the 2300 block of Alava Court in Waldorf for the report of an assault in progress. When officers arrived, the suspect, Gary Courtney Stewart, age 50, of S.E. Washington, D.C., had already fled the area. A preliminary investigation showed Stewart punched the victim in...
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CSM Travel Study Students Put Education into Action to Aid Horseshoe Crab Conservation Efforts

CSM Travel Study Students Put Education into Action to Aid Horseshoe Crab Conservation Efforts

“The fact that their lineage is so ancient, and their biology differs so dramatically from humans makes them seem almost alien.” It’s a cycle that has existed each spring for millions of years: as dusk falls along the Delaware Bay, thousands of horseshoe crabs come ashore to lay their eggs, which then become food...
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Charles County Government Announces Purchase of Sears Building to Turn into Sports and Wellness Complex

Charles County Government Announces Purchase of Sears Building to Turn into Sports and Wellness Complex

On Wednesday, July 24, The Charles County Board of Commissioners was joined by the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Charles County Economic Development Department to celebrate the county’s purchase of the former Sears Building at the St. Charles Towne Center. The building will be converted into a sports and...
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Natural Resources Police, Special Olympics Maryland Host Safety Training Event

Natural Resources Police, Special Olympics Maryland Host Safety Training Event

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) teamed up with Special Olympics Maryland to teach survival techniques for an active shooter scenario to Special Olympics athletes at a Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions program in Sykesville on July 17. NRP’s training division presented its Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) course as part...
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UPDATE: Two Dead After Motor Vehicle Collision in Charles County, Maryland State Police Investigating

UPDATE: Two Dead After Motor Vehicle Collision in Charles County, Maryland State Police Investigating

UPDATE 7/25/2024: Maryland State Police continue to investigate a two-car crash on Wednesday that claimed two lives and sent another to the hospital in Charles County. The deceased are Norma Matthews, 81, of Lowell, Massachusetts, and Virginia Licata, 86, of Blackwood, New Jersey. Matthews was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical services...
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Indian Head Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Sexual Abuse of Minor

Indian Head Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Sexual Abuse of Minor

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Makeba Gibbs sentenced Daevian Davon Christian Hurd, 23, of Indian Head, to 5 years in prison for the Sexual Abuse of a Minor. On July 31, 2023, Hurd entered a guilty plea to the above-mentioned...
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Understanding Delays in Bringing Charges for a Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident

Understanding Delays in Bringing Charges for a Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident

In the aftermath of a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the time it takes for police or state attorneys’ offices to bring charges can be weeks or even months. This delay is due to the complexity of the investigation and the need for thorough evidence...
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Record $21.5 Million in Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund Awards go to Public Boating Access, Navigable Waterways, and Safety

Record $21.5 Million in Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund Awards go to Public Boating Access, Navigable Waterways, and Safety

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will provide $21.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund allocations to communities and projects throughout Maryland in Fiscal Year 2025, which began July 1. The funds will support new and improved public boating access facilities, dredging of navigable public waterways; emergency vessels and equipment for local first responders; and other important...
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Charles County Government Announces Purchase of Sears Building to Turn Into Sports and Wellness Complex

Charles County Government Announces Purchase of Sears Building to Turn Into Sports and Wellness Complex

This press release was updated to include the price that the building was purchased for, and provided clarification about the source of funding. On Wednesday, July 24, The Charles County Board of Commissioners was joined by the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism and the Charles County Economic Development Department to celebrate...
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Nursing Professors Kathy Parsons and Lisa Gonzalez Excel with Nurse Support Program; Recognized for Leadership

Nursing Professors Kathy Parsons and Lisa Gonzalez Excel with Nurse Support Program; Recognized for Leadership

Ensuring that our region has top-quality nurses starts with ensuring that they’re taught by the best possible professors. College of Southern Maryland (CSM) nursing faculty are continually working to remain at the forefront of nursing education, and CSM nursing educators have recently been recognized by Maryland’s Nurse Support Program II (NSP II) for their...
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Governor Moore Announces More Than $130 Million in Federal Grants to Support Maryland’s Climate Goals and Create Green Jobs

Governor Moore Announces More Than $130 Million in Federal Grants to Support Maryland’s Climate Goals and Create Green Jobs

Governor Wes Moore today announced $130 million in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will help Maryland become one of the greenest states in the nation and support the creation of thousands of new green jobs. The grants will also support workforce training for local workers on emerging charging...
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Indian Head Man Charged with Drug Distribution – Police in Charles County Recover Large Amounts of Drugs

Indian Head Man Charged with Drug Distribution – Police in Charles County Recover Large Amounts of Drugs

On July 3, 2024, as part of an ongoing drug investigation, detectives from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the Narcotics Enforcement Section served a search warrant at a home on Jameson Court in Indian Head. The suspect, Domonique Carlton Hawkins, age 31, of Indian Head, was taken into custody away from the...
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UPDATE: Man Arrested After Shooting Television Following Family Dispute in La Plata

UPDATE: Man Arrested After Shooting Television Following Family Dispute in La Plata

UPDATE 7/22/2024: On July 13, 2024, at approximately 10:50 AM, officers responded to a report of gunshots at a house on Port Tobacco Road in La Plata. The incident involved Alfredo Jason Arroyo, 45, who had fired a gunshot at a television during an argument and threatened two people inside the home. Upon receiving...
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Fire Safety – Matches and Lighters, Curious Kids Set Fires

Fire Safety – Matches and Lighters, Curious Kids Set Fires

By RVFD Vice President / Lieutenant Scot Best: Each year, children start many fires. Many of these fires are started with matches and lighters. Children set fires for many reasons; they may be curious about fire, crying for help, or engaging in delinquent behavior. Children as young as two have been able to operate...
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Hospice of the Chesapeake Announces New Board Members

Hospice of the Chesapeake Announces New Board Members

Several prominent members of the community recently were appointed to the boards of directors of Hospice of the Chesapeake and its foundation. Joyce Phillip was elected to the Hospice of the Chesapeake Inc., Board. Phillip is a human resources professional, coach, trainer and consultant who is president of Dynamic Dimensions Unlimited, LLC. She is...
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NOAA Announces $10 Million Grant for Oyster Sanctuary Reef Construction in Maryland

NOAA Announces $10 Million Grant for Oyster Sanctuary Reef Construction in Maryland

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has announced that it has recommended awarding $10 million to fund new reef construction for a Maryland Department of Natural Resources oyster sanctuary in the Chesapeake Bay. The four-year grant will provide infrastructure funding for building reef bases on about 50 to 75 acres within an existing oyster...
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How to Stay Cool and Hydrated in the Heat: Essential Tips for Beating the Summer Sun

How to Stay Cool and Hydrated in the Heat: Essential Tips for Beating the Summer Sun

As the summer sun blazes and temperatures soar, staying cool and hydrated becomes crucial for your wellbeing. Whether you’re enjoying outdoor activities, working in the heat, or simply navigating daily life, it’s important to take proactive steps to prevent heat related issues. In this article, we’ll explore effective strategies to help you stay cool...
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Public Comment Hearing on July 23, 2024 for SMECO Rate Case

Public Comment Hearing on July 23, 2024 for SMECO Rate Case

The Maryland Public Service Commission will hold a public comment hearing on the rate increase request filed in May 2024 by the Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO). The utility’s customer-members and other interested parties are welcome to take part in the hearing before Public Utility Law Judge Christine L. Burke. The hearing will take...
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Boating Accidents Trend Down, Arrests Up During Operation Dry Water 2024

Boating Accidents Trend Down, Arrests Up During Operation Dry Water 2024

The Maryland Natural Resources Police reported a statistically safer weekend than years past during the July 4 weekend this year. Despite being the busiest boating holiday, no boating fatalities were recorded on Independence Day weekend. Nine boating accidents occurred on Maryland’s waterways, down from 12 in each of the previous two years. NRP officers...
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Help Stop the Spread of Fake News on Social Media

Help Stop the Spread of Fake News on Social Media

In the digital age, social media platforms have become the primary source of news and information for millions of people worldwide. While these platforms offer unprecedented access to information and connectivity, they also serve as breeding grounds for the spread of fake news. False information can have serious consequences, influencing public opinion, inciting violence,...
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Indian Head Woman Arrested After Setting Fire to Clothes in Mothers House

Indian Head Woman Arrested After Setting Fire to Clothes in Mothers House

On July 6, 2024, at approximately 6:25 pm, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal was requested to a structure fire on Woodland Road in Indian Head. Prior to their arrival, firefighters from the Indian Head Volunteer Fire Department advised that a pile of clothes had been intentionally set on fire by person...
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Recognizing Three Charles County Public School Veterans with Richmond Award for Excellence in Leadership

Recognizing Three Charles County Public School Veterans with Richmond Award for Excellence in Leadership

Three longtime Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff members recently received the James E. Richmond Excellence in Leadership Award. Linda Gill, Ed.D., executive director of schools, Meighan Hungerford, director of elementary education, and Kathy Kiessling, director of student services, were given the honor by Board members at the June 11 Board of Education meeting....
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Waldorf Man Arrested After Walking in Bank Naked to Make a Deposit

Waldorf Man Arrested After Walking in Bank Naked to Make a Deposit

On July 9, 2024, at approximately 7:50 a.m., a deputy from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Navy Federal Credit Union located at Waldorf Market Place, in Waldorf for the report of a male walking around the bank naked. When police arrived, a witness reported seeing a man later identified as Myron...
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Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Awards Nearly $40,000 in Seed Grants to the Region

Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Awards Nearly $40,000 in Seed Grants to the Region

The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area is pleased to announce that nearly $40,000 in seed grants have been awarded to heritage tourism projects in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. Funding will support parks, museums, historic sites, and other projects that attract tourists to the region and enrich the lives of residents. The Southern...
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