Charles News

Police Investigating Sexual Assault by 12-Year-Old Student at Piccowaxen Middle School

Police Investigating Sexual Assault by 12-Year-Old Student at Piccowaxen Middle School

On March 3, a 12-year-old student at Piccowaxen Middle School entered a classroom that he did not belong in, sat next to another student and tried to grab her hand, which she did not allow. When the teacher dismissed the class, the male inappropriately touched the victim, and then followed her towards her locker....
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Daylight Saving Time “Spring Forward” Begins Sunday, March 12, 2023

Daylight Saving Time “Spring Forward” Begins Sunday, March 12, 2023

As the season changes, consumers should replace their batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to ensure they have working alarms throughout their home and to take steps to prevent fires such as cleaning clothes dryer vents. Make these annual habits to help save lives!...
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Police Investigating Suspect Overdose at La Plata High School

Police Investigating Suspect Overdose at La Plata High School

On the morning of March 8, the nurse at La Plata High School requested the School Resource Officer’s assistance with a student that was hyperventilating and exhibiting abnormal behavior. The officer was able to calm the student down, and the student notified the officer that she had used a vape pen containing what was...
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Maryland State Police Arrest Man On Child Pornography Charges In Charles County

Maryland State Police Arrest Man On Child Pornography Charges In Charles County

Troopers arrested a Charles County man on Tuesday, March 8, 2023, after a Maryland State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigation developed evidence of possession of and distribution of child pornography. The suspect is identified as David Allen Payne, 57, of Waldorf. Payne is charged with five counts of possession of child...
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Teacher at Grace Lutheran Church in La Plata Charged with Child Sexual Abuse

Teacher at Grace Lutheran Church in La Plata Charged with Child Sexual Abuse

On March 4, 2023, Charles County Sheriff’s detectives arrested and charged David Warren Henson, Jr., 53, of Waldorf, with sexual abuse of a minor and child pornography after it was reported that he sexually abused an adolescent female over a period of two years. Henson has been employed as a teacher at Grace Lutheran...
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Four Arrested, Officers Recover Drugs and Gun in Vehicle During Traffic Stop

Four Arrested, Officers Recover Drugs and Gun in Vehicle During Traffic Stop

On March 3 at approximately 4:53 p.m., patrol officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the area of Mattawoman Beantown Road at Poplar Hill Road a traffic violation. Upon making contact with the occupants, officers detected the odor of marijuana. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, officers located a handgun as...
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UPDATE: Police Identify 35-Year-Old Male Pedestrian Struck and Killed in Waldorf

UPDATE: Police Identify 35-Year-Old Male Pedestrian Struck and Killed in Waldorf

UPDATE 3/8/2023: The pedestrian has been identified as Juan Alcides Urias-Hernandes, 35, of Waldorf. UPDATE 3/5/2023: On Saturday, March 04, 2023, at approximately 8:36 p.m., Troopers from Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to United States Route 301 (Crain Hwy) in the area of Acton Lane for a report of a serious motor...
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State Fire Marshal Investigating Fire That Destroys Multiple Sheds, Vehicles and a Trailer

State Fire Marshal Investigating Fire That Destroys Multiple Sheds, Vehicles and a Trailer

On Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at approximately 1:05 p.m., firefighters responded to 2703 Morgan Drive in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find shed fully engulfed in flames which had extended to a second shed, two salvaged vehicles and a trailer. The owner is identified as Sherina Brown...
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Five Teens Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Leads Officers on Pursuit in Charles County

Five Teens Arrested After Stolen Vehicle Leads Officers on Pursuit in Charles County

On Monday, March 6, 2023, at 3:43 p.m., a patrol officer observed a vehicle being driven recklessly on Billingsley Road in Bryans Road. A computer check on the vehicle’s registration indicated it had been reported stolen. The officer initiated a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled on Billingsley Road towards White Plains. The vehicle...
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Maryland Department of Agriculture Expands Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Zone

Maryland Department of Agriculture Expands Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Zone

The Maryland Department of Agriculture today expanded its spotted lanternfly quarantine to include the following counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Washington and Wicomico, as well as Baltimore City. This quarantine is effective immediately, and restricts the movement of regulated articles...
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Virginia Man Arrested in Waldorf, Police Recover Gun and Pound of Weed

Virginia Man Arrested in Waldorf, Police Recover Gun and Pound of Weed

On Sunday, March 5, 2023, at approximately 1:21 a.m., an officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for speeding in the area of Middletown Road and McDaniel Road in Waldorf. Upon making contact with the driver, the officer detected the odor of marijuana. During a subsequent search of the vehicle, the officer located...
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Two Waldorf Teens Arrested After Leading Police on Chase in Stolen Vehicle, Police Recover Gun and Large Amount of Drugs

Two Waldorf Teens Arrested After Leading Police on Chase in Stolen Vehicle, Police Recover Gun and Large Amount of Drugs

  On Saturday, March 4, 2023, at approximately 12:48 a.m., officers responded to the 4600 block of Prestancia Place in the Sheffield neighborhood of Waldorf for a report of a suspicious vehicle. When officers arrived, the suspect vehicle fled but was located nearby on Muirfield Court. When an officer approached the vehicle to speak...
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State Fire Marshal Investigating Shed Fire in Waldorf, No Injuries Reported

State Fire Marshal Investigating Shed Fire in Waldorf, No Injuries Reported

On Monday, March 6, 2023, at approximately 2:20 p.m., 32 firefighters from Charles County responded to 3325 Middletown Road in Waldorf, for the reported shed on fire. The 911 caller reported someone set their shed on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a small shed with a fire contained to the interior. Crews...
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Police in Charles County Investigating Crash of Stolen Vehicle That Left One Juvenile Dead and Two Others Seriously Injured

Police in Charles County Investigating Crash of Stolen Vehicle That Left One Juvenile Dead and Two Others Seriously Injured

On March 5, 2023, at approximately 7:36 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of St. Charles Parkway near St. Mark’s Drive for the report of a single-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers observed a vehicle had gone off the roadway and into several trees. The three occupants of the...
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Southern Maryland Man Saves $50,000 Winning Scratch-off from Trash at La Plata Wawa

Southern Maryland Man Saves $50,000 Winning Scratch-off from Trash at La Plata Wawa

“Mamba” of Prince George’s County almost tossed away $50,000 won on a Gold X20 scratch-off, thinking the instant ticket failed to contain a prize. But a last-minute check of the $5 game saved the day as well as his top prize. The Southern Maryland man, using the nickname “Mamba” to tell the story of...
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Waldorf Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Stabbing Woman

Waldorf Man Charged with Attempted Murder After Stabbing Woman

On Sunday, March 5, 2023, at approximately 5:30 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the 2600 block of Walbrook Court in Waldorf, for the reported stabbing. Police arrived on the scene to find a female victim with stab wounds to the chest. Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to an area trauma...
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34th Annual CalvertHealth Benefit Golf Classic Supports Advancement of Local Cancer Care – May 15, 2023

34th Annual CalvertHealth Benefit Golf Classic Supports Advancement of Local Cancer Care – May 15, 2023

The 34th Annual CalvertHealth Benefit Golf Classic will take place on Monday, May 15 at the Cannon Club in Lothian, MD. Proceeds from this year’s tournament will support the advancement of cancer care at CalvertHealth, including the development of a robotic surgery program and the continued affiliation with Duke Health. As a national leader...
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Early Learning Center at College of Southern Maryland La Plata Opens for Students Fall 2023

Early Learning Center at College of Southern Maryland La Plata Opens for Students Fall 2023

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is opening the Early Learning Center at the College of Southern Maryland at the start of the 2023-24 school year. Housed in the building that held the former St. Charles Children’s Learning Center, the Early Learning Center expands the CCPS prekindergarten program. The prekindergarten program at the center is...
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One Transported to Trauma Center After Single Vehicle Rollover with Ejection in Waldorf

One Transported to Trauma Center After Single Vehicle Rollover with Ejection in Waldorf

On Saturday, March 4 2023, at approximately 4:30 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Mattawoman Beantown Road and Poplar Hill Road in Waldorf, for a motor vehicle collision reported serious with one vehicle overturned. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle off the roadway and overturned...
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Minor Injuries Reported After Single Vehicle Overturns in Waldorf

Minor Injuries Reported After Single Vehicle Overturns in Waldorf

On Sunday, March 5, 2023 at approximately 2:10 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Crain Highway and St. Patricks Drive in Waldorf, for a motor vehicle collision reported serious with entrapment. 911 dispatchers advised the vehicle reportedly rolled over multiple times with one occupant trapped and the second occupant...
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UPDATE: Two Injured After Mechanicsville VFD Fire Apparatus is Involved in Motor Vehicle Collision

UPDATE: Two Injured After Mechanicsville VFD Fire Apparatus is Involved in Motor Vehicle Collision

3/3/2023 UPDATE: While responding to a motor vehicle collision with lights and sirens activated, Command 2 was involved in a motor vehicle collision on Three Notch Road at New Market Turner Road. Squad 2 was just behind Command 2 when this occurred and notified the St. Mary’s County communications center of the incident. Squad...
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Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council Urges Hyundai, Kia Owners to Get Free Updates Following TikTok Challenge Thefts

Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council Urges Hyundai, Kia Owners to Get Free Updates Following TikTok Challenge Thefts

The Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council is urging motorists who own certain makes and models of Hyundai and Kia cars to reach out to the automakers for a free security software update following a nationwide surge in thefts that led to at least 14 crashes and eight fatalities. The theft deterrent software is designed...
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Waldorf Man Arrested After Vehicle Pursuit in Stolen Vehicle, Police Recover Drugs and Gun

Waldorf Man Arrested After Vehicle Pursuit in Stolen Vehicle, Police Recover Drugs and Gun

On Thursday, March 2, 2023, at 10:06 p.m., an officer observed a passenger vehicle in the area of Smallwood Drive and St. Patrick’s Drive in Waldorf that was displaying tags that were issued to another vehicle. When the officer attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle fled. The Neighborhood Enforcement Team searched the area, and...
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Charles County Commisioner Meeting Update – February 28th and March 1st, 2023

Charles County Commisioner Meeting Update – February 28th and March 1st, 2023

On Tuesday, February 28, the Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, Department of Planning and Growth Management, and Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism staff provided a presentation to the Board of County Commissioners on fiscal 2024 congressionally directed spending. County Commissioners approved the request for earmarked funding. Legislative Update Associate County Attorney Danielle Mitchell provided...
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Thomas Stone Resource Officer and Student Assaulted by Six Other Students

Thomas Stone Resource Officer and Student Assaulted by Six Other Students

On Thursday, March 2, 2023, at approximately 10:19 a.m., a group of six students were threatening physical harm to another student in the hallway area of Thomas Stone High School. The School Resource Officer responded immediately and gave verbal commands to the students to disperse but they refused. One student approached, and struck the...
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