Charles News

After-School Program in Applied Physics Coming to Arthur Middleton Elementary Through $4,000 Grant Award

After-School Program in Applied Physics Coming to Arthur Middleton Elementary Through $4,000 Grant Award

An exciting new After-School Program in Applied Physics is coming to Arthur Middleton Elementary School thanks to a $4,000 micro-grant awarded to Pure Play Every Day through the Community Impact Awards program by the United Way of Southern Maryland. This 10-session program will run from Monday, April 13 through Friday, April 24, giving students...
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Police Arrest Four Teens Aged 15 to 18-Years-Old After Armed Robbery in Waldorf

Police Arrest Four Teens Aged 15 to 18-Years-Old After Armed Robbery in Waldorf

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., several suspects approached the victim who was walking in the area of Promenade Place in Waldorf. They pulled a firearm and demanded the victim’s jacket, shoes, and cell phone. The victim complied and the suspects fled in a vehicle. While on the scene, officers observed the...
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Brush Fire in Charles County Raises General Alarm, Bringing Firefighters from Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s and Prince George’s County to Scene

Brush Fire in Charles County Raises General Alarm, Bringing Firefighters from Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s and Prince George’s County to Scene

On Friday, March 14, 2026, at approximately 4:34 p.m., firefighters responded to the 12200 block of Billingsley Road in Waldorf, for the reported large brush fire. 911 callers reported hearing a loud explosion, “like an transformer blew” and advised the woods were now on fire and actively spreading. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene...
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Police Investigating Bicyclist Found With Life-Threatening Injuries

Police Investigating Bicyclist Found With Life-Threatening Injuries

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Pisgah Marbury Road and Toyer Place in Marbury, for the reported bicyclist struck. Multiple 911 callers reported finding a bicyclist laying under a guardrail with unknown breathing status. Crews arrived on the scene to...
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SMADC Invites Southern Maryland Farmers to Shape Future Grant-Funded Workshops via New Survey

SMADC Invites Southern Maryland Farmers to Shape Future Grant-Funded Workshops via New Survey

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, is calling on local producers to help define the mission of a new regional agricultural initiative. SMADC is currently applying for a Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant and is seeking direct farmer input via an...
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Authorities Say Upper Marlboro Man Stole $10,000 in Lottery Tickets From Two Waldorf Locations

Authorities Say Upper Marlboro Man Stole $10,000 in Lottery Tickets From Two Waldorf Locations

Timothy Lewis Jr., 25, of Upper Marlboro, is facing two felony theft charges after authorities say he stole thousands of dollars’ worth of lottery tickets during separate incidents in Waldorf in 2026. According to court documents, Lewis is charged with two counts of theft involving property valued between $1,500 and $25,000. The charges stem...
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Washington, D.C. Woman Arrested After Resisting Police and Fleeing Traffic Stop in La Plata

Washington, D.C. Woman Arrested After Resisting Police and Fleeing Traffic Stop in La Plata

Destiny Andrea Grier Lewis, 31, of Washington, D.C., is facing multiple criminal and traffic charges following an incident in La Plata on March 4, 2026, that began as a traffic stop and escalated into a pursuit and arrest, according to court documents. Lewis is charged with disturbing the peace by loud noise, disorderly conduct,...
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Town of La Plata Siren Activation Policy

Town of La Plata Siren Activation Policy

Charles County is prone to severe weather, such as hurricanes, extreme heat, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. The Department of Emergency Services and the Town of La Plata would like to inform residents that the tornado sirens will now activate if there is a tornado warning issued for Charles County by the National Weather Service or...
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Effect for St. Mary’s, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties

Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Effect for St. Mary’s, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties

903 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026 – The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southern Anne Arundel, St. Mary’s, Calvert, Southern Prince Georges County, Charles County * Until 945 PM EDT. * At 902 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Quantico...
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Fire Marshal Investigating Structure Fire in Waldorf, No Injuries Reported

Fire Marshal Investigating Structure Fire in Waldorf, No Injuries Reported

On Friday, March 13, 2026, at approximately 11:55 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 12100 block of Ell Lane in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. Callers reported heavy smoke in the area with something on fire. While investigating, firefighters located a large fire in the woods and began investigating....
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Governor Moore Declares State of Preparedness Ahead of Severe Storms on Monday, March 16

Governor Moore Declares State of Preparedness Ahead of Severe Storms on Monday, March 16

Governor Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness​ ahead of significant risk for widespread, severe storms producing damaging winds, hail, and a heightened tornado threat across all of Maryland for Monday, March 16. These storms have the potential to cause damages to structures, downed trees and powerlines, and create debris. Marylanders are urged to have...
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School and Updates for Monday, March 16th, 2026 Due to Severe Weather Outlook

School and Updates for Monday, March 16th, 2026 Due to Severe Weather Outlook

Ahead of tomorrow’s severe weather risk and updated outlook, many school districts are opting to smartly close early! While timing and changes will occur, Monday Morning will have rain and showers move through the region. Late Morning to Early Afternoon – A few isolated storms could develop ahead of the main front. The main...
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La Plata Man Charged With Drug Distribution After Traffic Stop on Crain Highway

La Plata Man Charged With Drug Distribution After Traffic Stop on Crain Highway

Larry Renae Swann, 43, of La Plata, is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and making a false statement to a peace officer following a traffic stop in La Plata on March 3, 2026, according to court documents. According to charging documents, an officer with the La Plata...
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La Plata Man Charged With First-Degree Assault After Waldorf Stabbing, Woman Hospitalized

La Plata Man Charged With First-Degree Assault After Waldorf Stabbing, Woman Hospitalized

Frederick Alric Echols, 56, of La Plata, is charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault following an alleged stabbing that left a woman seriously injured outside a Waldorf hotel on March 6, 2026, according to court documents. Court records state that deputies with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported stabbing in...
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Cobb Island Volunteer Fire & EMS Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Life Member Sam Bowling

Cobb Island Volunteer Fire & EMS Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Life Member Sam Bowling

The Cobb Island Volunteer Fire & EMS Department Inc, & Cobb Island Auxiliary, regretfully announces the passing of Past President and Life Member Sam Bowling Sam passed away peacefully on the morning of March 14, 2026, at the Harmony House on Rt 228. Sam dedicated his life to the Fire and EMS service within...
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Maryland State Police Urge Marylanders To Be Cautious of Phone Scam Circulating

Maryland State Police Urge Marylanders To Be Cautious of Phone Scam Circulating

Maryland State Police are urging Marylanders to be cautious of a phone scam circulating in which impersonators pretend to be law enforcement officers in order to steal personal information. Police are receiving reports from citizens about scammers who are fraudulently identifying themselves as police officers or troopers to gain financial information or money from...
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UPDATE: Man Found Guilty in Murder of 62-Year-Old Timothy Louis Portzen in Waldorf

UPDATE: Man Found Guilty in Murder of 62-Year-Old Timothy Louis Portzen in Waldorf

UPDATE 3/15/2026: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, March 9, 2026, a Charles County jury found Scott Anthony Goldsmith, 55, guilty of the Second-Degree Murder of Timothy Louis Portzen and the First-Degree Assault of a second victim. On October 3, 2023, officers with Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to...
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UPDATE: Severe Storm Threat Increases AGAIN for Monday, March 16 Across Maryland and Virginia – PREPARE NOW!

UPDATE: Severe Storm Threat Increases AGAIN for Monday, March 16 Across Maryland and Virginia – PREPARE NOW!

UPDATE 3/15/2026: The National Weather Service has upgraded our severe potential outlook again, we are now at Level 4 of 5 as Severe Storms are going to be moving into our area along with the cold front. Morning (7–11 AM): Periods of rain and showers move through the region. This activity will be important because...
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Three Transported to Trauma Center After Motor Vehicle Collision in Waldorf

Three Transported to Trauma Center After Motor Vehicle Collision in Waldorf

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at approximately 9:55 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Crain Highway and Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, for the motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find no entrapment, one vehicle into a pole and three patients for evaluation. EMS...
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Early Morning Trailer Fire in Mechanicsville Leaves Two Displaced, Fire Under Investigation

Early Morning Trailer Fire in Mechanicsville Leaves Two Displaced, Fire Under Investigation

On Friday, March 13, 2026, at approximately 2:41 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Seventh District, Hughesville, Hollywood and Charles County responded to the 39000 block of Harper’s Corner Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported structure fire. 911 callers reported a fire in the bathroom. Firefighters arrived on scene to find fire showing from the 1-story...
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Safe Catch-and-Release and Avoiding High Temperatures Helps Protect Striped Bass, Research Shows

Safe Catch-and-Release and Avoiding High Temperatures Helps Protect Striped Bass, Research Shows

Practicing safe catch-and-release fishing is always important for conserving fish populations, and these techniques are all the more critical for Maryland’s striped bass now, which have struggled to produce a strong new generation of fish in recent years. Catch-and-release fishing is a great way for anglers to pursue fish while also conserving the population, allowing...
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Police Investigating Murder Case on Davis Road in Waldorf

Police Investigating Murder Case on Davis Road in Waldorf

UPDATE 3/12/2026 @ 2:00 pm: On March 11 at approximately 6:46 p.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of Davis Road for the report of a shooting. A preliminary investigation showed that the victim was standing outside a residence when an unknown suspect drove up in a dark colored SUV and fired multiple shots,...
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CSM Receives More than $1.7 Million in Signed Appropriations Package

CSM Receives More than $1.7 Million in Signed Appropriations Package

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will receive more than $1.7 million in federal funding to support a new Aviation Maintenance Technology Program and a Water and Wastewater Treatment Program. The FY2026 Appropriations Package, signed February 3, includes $1.7 million of Congressionally Directed Spending allocated to CSM for these initiatives. CSM President Dr. Yolanda...
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State Fire Marshal Investigating Townhouse Fire in White Plains That Displaces Six

State Fire Marshal Investigating Townhouse Fire in White Plains That Displaces Six

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at approximately 1:27 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf, La Plata and surrounding departments responded to the 10700 block of Esprit Place in White Plains, for the structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find smoke and fire showing from the 3-story middle of the group townhouse. Firefighters made...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating Two Separate Shootings in Under An Hour in Charles County That Leaves One Dead, One Hospitalized

UPDATE: Police Investigating Two Separate Shootings in Under An Hour in Charles County That Leaves One Dead, One Hospitalized

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating two separate shootings in the county that occurred within an hour of each other. At approximately 6:46 p.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of Davis Road for the report of a shooting. A preliminary investigation showed that a 26-year-old male was standing outside a residence...
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