Charles News

Man Charged After Setting Parents Home in Waldorf on Fire

Man Charged After Setting Parents Home in Waldorf on Fire

Deputy State Fire Marshals arrested a man shortly after he set a fire inside his parents’ Waldorf home. Around 10:30 p.m., on Saturday, February 11, 2023, Deputy State Fire Marshals responded to the 9200 block of Misting Court in Waldorf, after the owner believed his son had set a fire. Charles County Sheriff’s Office...
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Warning Signs of Teen Dating Violence

Warning Signs of Teen Dating Violence

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Sadly, relationship abuse is all too common even amongst our youth. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, “1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they’re in a relationship with before they become adults.” Teen dating violence can include physical...
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Suspected Marijuana Recovered from Student at Middle School

Suspected Marijuana Recovered from Student at Middle School

On February 9 at 11 a.m., a school administrator at Piccowaxen Middle School was made aware of a student possibly in possession of marijuana. Further investigation revealed the student was in possession of a plastic bag containing less than 10 grams of marijuana, a vape pen, and cartridges with possible marijuana residue, which was...
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Police Investigating Unknown Substance Sprayed in General Smallwood Middle School Classroom

Police Investigating Unknown Substance Sprayed in General Smallwood Middle School Classroom

On Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 1:25 p.m., students in a classroom at General Smallwood Middle School were exposed to an unknown substance that was sprayed in the air, possibly by another student. Based on the reactions of several students, it appeared the spray was pepper spray. The students were seen by a school...
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SMECO Sponsors 29th Annual Math Competition

SMECO Sponsors 29th Annual Math Competition

The 29th annual regional MATHCOUNTS competition challenged more than 150 students from 17 schools throughout Southern Maryland to test their math skills at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick on Saturday, February 4, 2023. A competitive technological world requires a proficiency in mathematics as a foundation for success in science, technology, and engineering. MATHCOUNTS...
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Waldorf Man Arrested for First-Degree Assault, Suspect Also Violated Probation

Waldorf Man Arrested for First-Degree Assault, Suspect Also Violated Probation

On Sunday, February 5 at 4:43 p.m., officers responded to the 11300 block of Golden Eagle Place in Waldorf for the report of a domestic-related dispute / altercation. When officers arrived, they spoke with a woman who had clear and visible injuries. The suspect, Andre Joseph Burch, 29, of Waldorf fled the scene prior...
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Two Insurance Agency’s to No Longer Issue New Polices for Certain Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Due to Theft Rates

Two Insurance Agency’s to No Longer Issue New Polices for Certain Hyundai and Kia Vehicles Due to Theft Rates

UPDATE 2/9/2023: The car manufacturers and insurance companies have not confirmed which states will impacted by the change, however, Progressive and State Farm will not be issuing new policies in some areas for certain Hyundai and Kia vehicles due to increased thefts involving the cars. Both insurance companies stated they will continue to insure...
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Waldorf Man Arrested After Getting Caught Attempting to Steal Catalytic Converter in Leonardtown

Waldorf Man Arrested After Getting Caught Attempting to Steal Catalytic Converter in Leonardtown

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies located and arrested a Waldorf man early Thursday morning after attempting to steal a catalytic converter from a business in Leonardtown. Irving Maxwell Zorn, age 36 of Waldorf, was charged with Malicious Destruction of Property and Theft: $100 to under $1,500 and was transported to the St. Mary’s...
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Shoppers Coming to Three Locations in St. Mary’s and One in Charles County

Shoppers Coming to Three Locations in St. Mary’s and One in Charles County

St. Mary’s County Commissioners announced the past Leonardtown and Charlotte Hall McKay’s stores will become the new locations for Shopper’s, along with Shasho Consulting, P.A. Commercial Real Estate announcing Shoppers is confirmed to be returning to the California McKay’s location at the Patuxent Crossing Shopping Center (formerly known as San Souci Plaza.) Along with...
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Waldorf Navy Veteran Wins $30,008 Keno Prize!

Waldorf Navy Veteran Wins $30,008 Keno Prize!

Navy veteran hopes to purchase a home Multiples of 10 are now lucky Keno numbers for Gary Hill of Waldorf. The U.S. Navy veteran followed his routine of placing an 8-spot bet on the numbers 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80, adding the Super Bonus and trying his luck for 20...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating 14-Year-Old Shot in Waldorf, Victim Flown with Serious, Non-Life-Threatening Injuries

UPDATE: Police Investigating 14-Year-Old Shot in Waldorf, Victim Flown with Serious, Non-Life-Threatening Injuries

UPDATE 2/9/2023: On February 8 at approximately 4:03 p.m., officers responded to the area of Albermarle Place in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they discovered a 14-year-old male with a gunshot wound to his leg. The officers provided first aid until paramedics arrived and the victim was transported to a...
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Hospice of the Chesapeake Welcomes Return of MFA Gallery 90 Exhibits

Hospice of the Chesapeake Welcomes Return of MFA Gallery 90 Exhibits

To the delight of the employees, volunteers and clients of the nonprofit, the walls throughout the nonprofit’s administrative building on the John & Cathy Belcher Campus in Pasadena, Maryland, are once again alit with the work of local artists. It had been three years since the Maryland Federation of Art has been able to display...
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UPDATE: Shed Fire Fire in Mechanicsville Deemed Accidental Due to Electrical Event, No Injuries Reported

UPDATE: Shed Fire Fire in Mechanicsville Deemed Accidental Due to Electrical Event, No Injuries Reported

UPDATE 2/7/2023: On February 5, 2023, at 8:41 p.m., firefighters from St. Mary’s County and Charles County responded to 26600 Alexandra Way in Mechanicsville, for the reported structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a large shed fully engulfed in flames. Owners identified as Andrew & Kristen Ferro with the estimated...
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Police Recover Knife from Davis Middle School Student

Police Recover Knife from Davis Middle School Student

On February 6, school administrators at Davis Middle School were notified by a student of another student who was in possession of a knife. The knife was recovered while the students were in the lunch room. In accordance with Maryland law, the student cannot be charged criminally due to his age. The school resource...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announces Midwinter Waterfowl Survey 2023 Results

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announces Midwinter Waterfowl Survey 2023 Results

In early January, aerial survey teams of pilots and biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) made visual estimates of the ducks, geese, and swans along most of the state’s Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, and Atlantic coast shorelines. This year, the teams counted about 632,200 waterfowl, which was higher than the 563,800...
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Waldorf Man Killed After Single Vehicle Collision in Brandywine, Police Investigating

Waldorf Man Killed After Single Vehicle Collision in Brandywine, Police Investigating

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash that occurred Saturday night in Brandywine. The deceased driver is 40-year-old Earl Estep III of Waldorf. On February 4, 2023, at approximately 10:10 pm, officers responded to the 14200 block of Brandywine Road for a single-vehicle collision. The preliminary investigation revealed Estep was...
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Charles County Public Schools Cheer Teams Compete and Advance to Regionals

Charles County Public Schools Cheer Teams Compete and Advance to Regionals

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) varsity and junior varsity (JV) cheerleading squads met at St. Charles High School the evening of Thursday, Feb. 2, for the county’s winter cheer competition. The squads are judged for its abilities in tosses, jumps, tumbling, stunts, pyramids as well as other skills. The teams compete twice a year...
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Scratch-off Ticket Delivers $1 Million Prize in Calvert County

Scratch-off Ticket Delivers $1 Million Prize in Calvert County

A scratch-off ticket sold in the Calvert County community of Lusby made one person a Maryland Lottery millionaire last week. Meanwhile, another three players collected prizes of $100,000 on tickets sold in Boonsboro and Baltimore. In all, the seven days ending Feb. 5 produced 43 winning tickets worth $10,000 or more that were redeemed or...
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School Resource Officer Investigating Assault at Middle School

School Resource Officer Investigating Assault at Middle School

On February 6, two students at Milton Somers Middle School became engaged in a fight. The school resource officer was made aware and began an investigation. A preliminary investigation showed the fight was pre-planned on social media by both students and was to take place after school; however, it began in school outside of...
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From Fine Arts Events to Valentine’s Day Celebrations, There’s A Lot to Love at CSM This February

From Fine Arts Events to Valentine’s Day Celebrations, There’s A Lot to Love at CSM This February

CSM Theater Auditions: Fantastic Mr. Fox. Feb. 6, 8, and 9. 6 p.m. La Plata Campus, Fine Arts Center (FA Building), Room 141. Please come prepared with a 30- to 60-second monologue from another children’s show or a passage from a children’s book. Roles are available for adults and children ages 7 and older. Performance...
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UPDATE: Suspicious Package Near Berry Elementary School/Mattawoman Middle School Identified as Feral Cat Shelter Made from Cooler

UPDATE: Suspicious Package Near Berry Elementary School/Mattawoman Middle School Identified as Feral Cat Shelter Made from Cooler

UPDATE 11:27 a.m.: Police have cleared the school campuses of Berry Elementary School and Mattawoman Middle School. The suspicious package reported this morning was an empty feral cat shelter made from a plastic cooler. Berry Elementary School will be closed for all students today. All students who rode a bus to school this morning...
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Police Investigating Threats of Violence Made at Milton Somers Middle School

Police Investigating Threats of Violence Made at Milton Somers Middle School

On Friday, February 3, 2023, a school resource officer was made aware that a student at Milton Somers Middle School was involved in an altercation with another student after school hours. After the altercation, the student sent a group message using a social media platform to other students indicating they were going to harm...
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No Injuries Reported After Single Vehicle Rollover Leaves Driver Trapped

No Injuries Reported After Single Vehicle Rollover Leaves Driver Trapped

On January 9th just prior to 6:00 p.m.,, police, fire and rescue personnel responded to Leonardtown Road in the area of Ryan town Road for the motor vehicle collision. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle on its side, off the roadway with the single occupant trapped. The assignment was upgraded...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit Seeking Assistance in Locating Two Wanted Subjects

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit Seeking Assistance in Locating Two Wanted Subjects

Officers assigned to the CCSO’s Warrant Unit are seeking the public’s help locating two people who have open warrants. The cases are not related. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for the tip that leads to their arrest. Officers are trying to locate Brooke Lynn Edmonds, 27,...
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Chesapeake Life Center Brings Back It’s Weekend Summer Grief Camp for Kids and Teens

Chesapeake Life Center Brings Back It’s Weekend Summer Grief Camp for Kids and Teens

Chesapeake Life Center is excited to announce that it is bringing back Camp Nabi, its summer overnight camp program for grieving children and teens. The weekend-long camp is for children ages 6 to 18 and will be held Aug. 4 to 6. Chesapeake Life Center Director Brian Berger said the camp program will be...
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