Charles News

Maryland State Police Investigating Three Separate Fatal Motorcycle Crashes within 24 Hours in Charles, Anne Arundel and Queen Anne

Maryland State Police Investigating Three Separate Fatal Motorcycle Crashes within 24 Hours in Charles, Anne Arundel and Queen Anne

Maryland State Police over the weekend responded to three different fatal motorcycle crashes within 24 hours in Anne Arundel, Queen Anne’s and Charles counties. On Saturday, a motorcyclist died after crashing in Charles County. Markese Al-Kwonand Nelson, 44, of California, Maryland, was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical services personnel. Troopers from...
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Chesapeake Oyster Alliance Celebrates 6 Billion Oysters Added To The Bay Since 2017

Chesapeake Oyster Alliance Celebrates 6 Billion Oysters Added To The Bay Since 2017

Following a banner year for Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration and aquaculture, the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance (COA) this week announced it has recorded a new total of 6 billion oysters directly added to the Bay since 2017. COA’s count aims to include all oysters directly added to the Bay and its tributaries through restoration and aquaculture. These...
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Police Investigating School Staff Member Allowing Fight; Assault Between Staff Members at Davis Middle School

Police Investigating School Staff Member Allowing Fight; Assault Between Staff Members at Davis Middle School

On Friday, March 15, 2024, school administrators were made aware of a video recording of a fight between two students that occurred in a classroom at Davis Middle School. The video appears to show a school staff member allowing the students to fight while classmates watched, and other students clearing furniture to create space...
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Rita’s Celebrates the First Day of Spring with Free Italian Ice and New Flavor: SOUR PATCH KIDS® Watermelon Ice

Rita’s Celebrates the First Day of Spring with Free Italian Ice and New Flavor: SOUR PATCH KIDS® Watermelon Ice

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, the iconic frozen treats destination and, for many, the brand that is synonymous with the first day of spring, invites guests to celebrate the arrival of the new season with a FREE Rita’s Italian Ice giveaway on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Guests who visit a Rita’s location on the first...
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State Fire Marshal Accelerant Detection K9 “Sky” Retires

State Fire Marshal Accelerant Detection K9 “Sky” Retires

For over seven years, Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Decker and her partner, K9 Sky, have been assisting fire investigators across Maryland and beyond in finding trace amounts of flammable liquids to help build cases against arsonists or to rule out their use so investigators can focus on other potential reasons for a...
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One Flown with Life-Threatening Injuries After Vehicle Strikes Tree in Newburg

One Flown with Life-Threatening Injuries After Vehicle Strikes Tree in Newburg

On Friday, March 15, 2024, at approximately 9:10 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Crain Highway and Branchville Road in Newburg, for the serious motor vehicle collision with one trapped. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle off the roadway, into a tree with tree limbs...
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No Injuries Reported After Apartment Fire in Waldorf, Investigation Ongoing

No Injuries Reported After Apartment Fire in Waldorf, Investigation Ongoing

On Sunday, March 17, 2024, at approximately 5:40 p.m., firefighters responded to the 3000 block Gallery Place in Waldorf, for the reported apartment on fire. Dispatchers advised they received multiple 911 callers reported a vacant apartment was on fire with smoke spreading to the hallway. Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes to find...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating a Murder of 18-Year-Old During Suspected Drug Deal in Waldorf

UPDATE: Police Investigating a Murder of 18-Year-Old During Suspected Drug Deal in Waldorf

UPDATE 3/17/2024: On March 16 at 8:37 p.m., officers responded to the 11300 block of Snow Owl Place in Waldorf for the report of gunshots. When officers arrived, they located a male with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. As EMS was providing care to the male, he succumbed to his injuries. A preliminary investigation...
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Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division Recognized For Adopting Exemplary Standards

Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division Recognized For Adopting Exemplary Standards

The Maryland Department of State Police Forensic Sciences Division proudly announces its implementation of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) Registry Standards for Forensic Science. This significant accomplishment marks a major goal achieved by the Maryland Department of State Police Forensic Sciences Division in 2024. The OSAC for Forensic Science plays a pivotal...
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Shining a Spotlight on the Incredible Women of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office

Shining a Spotlight on the Incredible Women of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office

During Women’s History Month, we are proud to highlight the dedication and excellence of the women representing the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. This week, some of our employees had the unique opportunity to attend the inaugural Women’s Conference hosted by the Washington Metropolitan Police Dept. where they showcased their commitment to superior service and...
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Celebrating Women’s History Month Spotlight: Susan Scott

Celebrating Women’s History Month Spotlight: Susan Scott

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are shining a spotlight on an incredible woman who has dedicated her career to serving our community with professionalism, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference. Meet Susan Scott, Judicial Specialist III with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office‼ Since joining the CCSO in 1999 as...
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Charles County Public Schools Announce New Director of Student Services, Appointment Effective July 1, 2024

Charles County Public Schools Announce New Director of Student Services, Appointment Effective July 1, 2024

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) today announces the administrative appointment of Michael Blanchard, Psy.D., as the new Director of Student Services. The Board of Education of Charles County at its March 12 meeting approved the appointment of Blanchard to the role effective July 1. Blanchard currently serves as the Supervising School Psychologist for CCPS...
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Maryland State Police to Bolster Patrol Over St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

Maryland State Police to Bolster Patrol Over St. Patrick’s Day Weekend

Maryland State Police beginning Friday will increase patrols and enforcement efforts on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving through St. Patrick’s Day weekend. State troopers from all 23 barracks will conduct saturation patrols on roads with high DUI incidents from Friday through Sunday. Enforcement efforts are bolstered by funds from the Maryland Department of Transportation...
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UPDATE: Police Arrest Man in Connection to Eight “Jaws of Life” ATM Robberies

UPDATE: Police Arrest Man in Connection to Eight “Jaws of Life” ATM Robberies

UPDATE 3/14/2024: The Prince George’s County Police arrested a suspect wanted in connection with multiple robberies as part of the “Jaws of Life” ATM string. The suspect is 31-year-old Stefon Janey of Upper Marlboro. He was taken into custody Wednesday evening after leading detectives, patrol officers and the Aviation Section on a pursuit in...
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Waldorf Woman Arrested After Road Rage Shooting in Anne Arundel County

Waldorf Woman Arrested After Road Rage Shooting in Anne Arundel County

On Friday, March 8, 2024, at approximately 6:40 p.m., officers responded to a road rage incident and non-contact shooting on the ramp from Route 32 East onto the Baltimore Washington Parkway South. A female suspect and female victim, who are known to each other, were engaged in a road rage incident in the area...
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Police in Charles County Recover Over Six Pounds of cannabis and a Loaded Handgun / Suspect Wearing Ankle Monitor When Arrested

Police in Charles County Recover Over Six Pounds of cannabis and a Loaded Handgun / Suspect Wearing Ankle Monitor When Arrested

On March 8, 2024, members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Firearms Investigations Unit, along with detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, Southern Maryland Information Center, and Emergency Services Team served a search warrant in the 3100 block of Heathcote Road in Waldorf relating to an ongoing investigation into firearms violations and drug...
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Sports Wagering Contributes $4.2 Million to the State of Maryland During February 2024

Sports Wagering Contributes $4.2 Million to the State of Maryland During February 2024

Maryland’s sports wagering market generated $4,210,511 in contributions to the state from a handle of $442,557,658 during February 2024. Sports wagering contributions go to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs. The $4.2 million contribution to the state last month was a 50.5% increase compared to the $2.8 million total...
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One Flown to Trauma Center After Truck Strikes School Bus Head-on in Indian Head

One Flown to Trauma Center After Truck Strikes School Bus Head-on in Indian Head

On Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at approximately 7:15 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the 5000 block of Mason Springs Road in Indian Head, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment involving a county school bus. Crews arrived on the scene to find a pickup truck struck an unoccupied school bus...
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Maryland Catfish Tournaments Offer Invasive Species Angling

Maryland Catfish Tournaments Offer Invasive Species Angling

With record catches around the country tipping the scales at more than a hundred pounds, blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) have become quite the draw for anglers in the Chesapeake Bay. Introduced in the 1970s as a recreational fishing target species in Virginia, invasive blue catfish populations have grown rapidly in Maryland waters. As commercial...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Implements NextRequest Application for Streamlined Access to Police Records and PIA Requests

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Implements NextRequest Application for Streamlined Access to Police Records and PIA Requests

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the implementation of the NextRequest application, a solution designed to enhance and expedite the process of obtaining police records and Maryland’s Public Information Act (PIA) requests. This progressive move represents the Agency’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and improved public access to law enforcement information. Key...
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Maryland’s Oyster Restoration Sanctuaries Show Promising Signs for Shellfish Recovery

Maryland’s Oyster Restoration Sanctuaries Show Promising Signs for Shellfish Recovery

At first, oyster biologists were concerned. Monitoring efforts at some restoration sanctuary reefs in 2022 weren’t pulling up many oysters, even though the sites had previously been performing well. So divers with the Oyster Recovery Partnership went into the water to investigate. What they found there wasn’t a shortage of oysters, but such a...
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La Plata Volunteer Fire Department Seeking Property to Hold Water Supply Training Operations

La Plata Volunteer Fire Department Seeking Property to Hold Water Supply Training Operations

Community members, we are looking for a property to hold a water supply drill on Sunday, May 5, 2024. These drills help us perfect the skill of moving water more proficiently for more effective fire suppression. Water supply is a critical component in all fire incidents and our goal, as always, is to provide...
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UPDATE: 18-Year-Old Robbed and Shot in Waldorf for Jacket

UPDATE: 18-Year-Old Robbed and Shot in Waldorf for Jacket

UPDATE 3/12/2024: On March 11 at 2:28 p.m., the victim, an 18-year-old male, was walking in the area of Ryon Court in Waldorf when he observed several males wearing ski masks approaching him. The victim fled into the lobby of a nearby office building located in the 3600 block of Leonardtown Road and removed...
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Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Life Member Robert Dofflemyer

Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Life Member Robert Dofflemyer

The Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department is saddened to announce the passing of Life Member Robert L. Dofflemyer (Bob). Bob had been an active member of the department for 59 years and during his tenure, held offices which included Chairman of the Board, President, and Assistant Fire Chief. Additionally, Bob was a longtime instructor with...
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Victim Transported to Trauma Center and Suspect in Custody After Stabbing in Waldorf

Victim Transported to Trauma Center and Suspect in Custody After Stabbing in Waldorf

On Sunday, March 10, 2024, at approximately 10:25 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the 3000 block of October Place in Waldorf, for the reported stabbing. The 911 caller reported the victim was stabbed and losing a large amount of blood, no other information was given. First Responders arrived on the scene...
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