Charles News

Charles County Public School Employees Recognized for Their Years of Service

Charles County Public School Employees Recognized for Their Years of Service

The Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Maria Navarro, Ed.D., honored several Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) employees on March 23, 2023, for their years of service to the school system and commitment to education during a ceremony held at North Point High School. Honored were employees with careers that span a period...
Read More »

Toy Gun Resembling Real Gun Recovered from a Charles County Middle School Student

Toy Gun Resembling Real Gun Recovered from a Charles County Middle School Student

On May 4 at 9:30 a.m., a student informed a school staff member that another student brought a possible gun to school and was showing it to other students. The gun was discovered to be a Splatrball gel gun, which has an orange tip, but could be mistaken for a real gun. The student...
Read More »

Governor Moore Signs Historic Reproductive Freedom Legislation, Protects Women’s Reproductive Rights In Maryland

Governor Moore Signs Historic Reproductive Freedom Legislation, Protects Women’s Reproductive Rights In Maryland

Governor Wes Moore presided over the Moore-Miller Administration’s fourth bill signing, a day dedicated to protecting the rights of all Marylanders. The governor signed historic legislation that solidifies protections for reproductive rights, protects the rights of transgender Marylanders, and establishes an adult-use cannabis market. “Today, we further strengthened our leave no one behind vision...
Read More »

Garage Fire in Mechanicsville Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

Garage Fire in Mechanicsville Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

UPDATE 5/5/2023: On Thursday, May 4, 2023, at approximately 4:58 p.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding companies were dispatched to Baptist Church Road in the area of Stanton Way for a garage on fire threatening a home. Mechanicsville Volunteers responded with 16 personnel and arrived on scene to find a 40...
Read More »

St. Charles High School Student Charged with First Degree Assault After Choking and Spitting on Female Victim

St. Charles High School Student Charged with First Degree Assault After Choking and Spitting on Female Victim

On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at 12:00 p.m., a male student at St. Charles High School was in possession of a female student’s cell phone and refused to give it back. Later, the female tried to recover her phone while outside of the school building, at which time the male grasped her throat, choked...
Read More »

Police in Charles County Arrest Four Suspects in Burglary Case

Police in Charles County Arrest Four Suspects in Burglary Case

On May 2, 2023, at 4:19 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 2700 block of Hadley Drive for the report of a burglary in progress; the residence is close to another residence which was broken into a few days prior. Officers arrived on the scene and established a perimeter....
Read More »

Hospice of the Chesapeake Caring for Life Gala Raises More Than $550,000!

Hospice of the Chesapeake Caring for Life Gala Raises More Than $550,000!

It was an evening of elegance matched by inspirational moments of generosity when Hospice of the Chesapeake held its Caring for Life Gala on April 22, 2023, in The Hall at Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland in Hanover, Maryland. The event brought in more than $550,000 that will support the organization’s hospice, supportive and...
Read More »

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Continues Snakehead Tagging Program, Providing Cash Incentive for Anglers

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Continues Snakehead Tagging Program, Providing Cash Incentive for Anglers

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is continuing a northern snakehead tagging program in an effort to spur removal of invasive fish from our waters. This spring, up to 500 tags will be put on snakeheads from Gunpowder River, upper Chesapeake Bay tributaries, and Mattawoman and Nanjemoy creeks...
Read More »

School Resource Officer Investigating Assault at McDonough High School That Sends Student to Hospital

School Resource Officer Investigating Assault at McDonough High School That Sends Student to Hospital

On Monday, May 1, 2023, at 1:30 p.m., six students at McDonough High School assaulted another student at the school; the student was transported to a hospital with an injury that required treatment. The school resource officer has initiated an investigation and has contacted the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding charges. The students...
Read More »

John Hanson Middle School Student Tased After Assaulting Officer

John Hanson Middle School Student Tased After Assaulting Officer

On Monday, May 1, 2023, at 9:30 a.m., school administrators at John Hanson Middle School were alerted a student was in possession of suspected cannabis. The student became aggressive with school employees and the school resource officer (SRO) and refused to follow commands. As additional officers arrived, the student became violent and struck an...
Read More »

Maryland State Police Bolster Patrols, DUI Enforcement Efforts for Cinco De Mayo Weekend

Maryland State Police Bolster Patrols, DUI Enforcement Efforts for Cinco De Mayo Weekend

Maryland State Police are reminding motorists to drive responsibly ahead of Cinco de Mayo weekend. In anticipation of an increase in impaired drivers this weekend, beginning with Cinco de Mayo on Friday, all 23 barracks across Maryland will ramp up enforcement efforts to combat impaired, distracted and aggressive driving. Troopers at each barrack, along...
Read More »

Police Investigating 18-Year-Old Stabbed in Waldorf, Victim Transported to Trauma Center

Police Investigating 18-Year-Old Stabbed in Waldorf, Victim Transported to Trauma Center

On Saturday, April 29, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m., police and emergency medical personnel responded to the 3000 block of Orangeman Square in Waldorf, for the reported assault in progress. The 911 caller reported multiple suspects were actively “jumping” a victim, and upon arrival, witnesses reported the suspects fled in a blue Nissan. Emergency...
Read More »

Three Charles County Public School Students Named 2023 Carson Scholars

Three Charles County Public School Students Named 2023 Carson Scholars

Three Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) elementary students were recently named 2023 Carson Scholars. The Carson Scholars program recognizes students for high academic achievement, humanitarian qualities and community service. Honored this year as new Carson Scholars are: Garcelle Hinson, fifth grade, Malcolm Elementary School Sydney Pennycooke, fifth grade, Mary H. Matula Elementary School Troy...
Read More »

State Fire Marshal Investigating Vehicle Arson in Nanjemoy

State Fire Marshal Investigating Vehicle Arson in Nanjemoy

On April 26, 2023, at approximately 4:35 a.m., police and firefighters responded to the area of 8750 Bowie Road in Nanjemoy, for the reported vehicle on fire. 4 volunteer firefighters from Najemoy VFD responded and extinguished the fire in under 10 minutes. The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal responded to investigate the cause...
Read More »

State Fire Marshal Investigating Arson at Townhouse in Waldorf

State Fire Marshal Investigating Arson at Townhouse in Waldorf

On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at approximately 3:38 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to 2751 Hadley Drive in Waldorf, for the reported vacant townhouse on fire. The 911 caller reported smoke was coming from the vacant townhome and advised something was on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a...
Read More »

Charles County Receives Close to $3 Million in Grants to Expand Rural Broadband Access

Charles County Receives Close to $3 Million in Grants to Expand Rural Broadband Access

The Charles County Board of Commissioners is pleased to announce that Governor Wes Moore is awarding $2,960,126 to expand high-speed internet access to an estimated 427 households and businesses across Charles County through Connect Maryland. Connect Maryland is an initiative to close the digital divide through the Office of Statewide Broadband. The Connect Maryland Network...
Read More »

Charles County Commissioners Meeting Update and Proposed Fiscal 2024 Budget – April 25 and 26, 2023

Charles County Commissioners Meeting Update and Proposed Fiscal 2024 Budget – April 25 and 26, 2023

On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, Commissioners received a briefing on the state of emergency services in Charles County, from 2017-2022. Director Michelle Lilly and Deputy Director Tony Rose provided an overview of total calls, volunteer versus career response to calls and provision of transports, peak hours analysis, and disparate impacts in different parts of the...
Read More »

Dismantling of old Nice Middleton Bridge Set to Cause Traffic Delays on Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Dismantling of old Nice Middleton Bridge Set to Cause Traffic Delays on Wednesday, May 3, 2023

On Wednesday, May 3, 2023, more dismantling of the old Nice Middleton Bridge/Rt 301 will require closure of the new Nice Middleton replacement bridge for approximately 15 – 30 minutes between 9:00 a.m., and 10:00 a.m. The closure may cause traffic delays along Maryland Route 301 North and South of the bridge. Please plan...
Read More »

Police Investigating Two Related Altercations at La Plata High School

Police Investigating Two Related Altercations at La Plata High School

On Friday, April 28, 2023, at 12:10 p.m., two students assaulted another student in a classroom while classes were transitioning. The assailants fled from the school but were identified. Shortly after, another fight occurred in the main lobby of the school. The students were separated by school administrators and the school resource officer (SRO)....
Read More »

Large House Fire in Avenue Remains Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported and One Displaced

Large House Fire in Avenue Remains Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported and One Displaced

On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at approximately 1:35 p.m., firefighters from Seventh District, Leonardtown, Hollywood, Mechanicsville, and Valley Lee responded to 47357 River Springs Road in Avenue, for the reported house on fire. The residence owner/occupant is identified as Anthony Viera with the estimated loss of structure and contents valued at $250,000.00 The American...
Read More »

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Recover Loaded Firearm in Vehicle

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Recover Loaded Firearm in Vehicle

On April 28, 2023, at 12:19 a.m., patrol officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 800 block of Stone Avenue in Waldorf for the report of an intrusion alarm at a school. When officers arrived, they observed a vehicle in the parking lot. Upon making contact with the driver, the odor...
Read More »

When Marylanders Register Their Vehicles, They Can Now Support the Environment and Statewide Tree Plantings

When Marylanders Register Their Vehicles, They Can Now Support the Environment and Statewide Tree Plantings

There is a new way for Marylanders to help restore tree cover and mitigate the harmful effects of pollution in the “Old Line State.” The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, is offering state residents a convenient option to donate toward the planting of...
Read More »

Verizon Expands High-Speed Internet Across Maryland, Including Charles and St. Mary’s County

Verizon Expands High-Speed Internet Across Maryland, Including Charles and St. Mary’s County

Verizon is bringing more choice for reliable internet to Maryland residents as it deploys high-speed, fiber optic broadband internet service across the state. Nearly 4,000 new households and businesses in Charles, Garrett, Cecil, Howard, St. Mary’s and Washington County will have access to Verizon’s Fios network as part of one of the biggest upgrades...
Read More »

Gale Bailey Elementary School Resource Officer Investigating Threat to Commit Violence

Gale Bailey Elementary School Resource Officer Investigating Threat to Commit Violence

On Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 11:18 a.m., the School Resource Officer and administrators at Gale Bailey Elementary School began investigating a potential threat after they were notified that, while on a video chat that took place the evening before, a student displayed firearms to other students and made a statement that they were...
Read More »

Virginia Man Arrested for Impaired Driving After Single Vehicle Rollover in Hughesville

Virginia Man Arrested for Impaired Driving After Single Vehicle Rollover in Hughesville

On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at approximately 10:45 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Leonardtown Road and Deborah Drive in Charlotte Hall, for the motor vehicle collision reported serious with one trapped. Crews arrived on the scene to find a pickup truck overturned in the median with the operator...
Read More »