Charles News

MDOT Urges Safety, Early Planning to Ensure Happy Thanksgiving Holiday Travel

MDOT Urges Safety, Early Planning to Ensure Happy Thanksgiving Holiday Travel

Maryland’s highways, bridges, rail lines and airways are expected to hit new milestones in the pandemic recovery over the coming weeks, as millions of people travel to spend the holiday season with family and friends. Employees across the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) are prepared to help travelers make the connections that bring joy...
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State Fire Marshal Announces New Accelerant Detection Canine Team

State Fire Marshal Announces New Accelerant Detection Canine Team

The Office of the State Fire Marshal added a new employee to the ranks yesterday, and while every newly minted Deputy State Fire Marshal is required to raise their right hand and be sworn in, K9 Deacon just wanted belly rubs and loved. Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Jeff Thomas’s new partner, Deacon, is...
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State’s Attorney’s Office Brings Back “Drive Sober” Initiative for One of the Deadliest Times on the Roadways

State’s Attorney’s Office Brings Back “Drive Sober” Initiative for  One of the Deadliest Times on the Roadways

The State’s Attorney’s Office for Charles County (SAO) is bringing more awareness to the grave dangers of driving impaired, as well as helping the public take preventative measures for its “Drive Sober” initiative. For the second year, the “Drive Sober” initiative will run during the holiday season – November 21, 2022, through January 1,...
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Launch Annual Tie One On for Safety Holiday Campaign

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Launch Annual Tie One On for Safety Holiday Campaign

Some of the most dangerous days of the year on our nation’s roadways are between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has launched the annual Tie One On for Safety® red ribbon holiday campaign by asking drivers to display a red ribbon on their vehicles as a reminder to...
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Detectives Seeking Assistance in Locating Suspect Wanted for Murder of 19-Year-Old Waldorf Teen

Detectives Seeking Assistance in Locating Suspect Wanted for Murder of 19-Year-Old Waldorf Teen

Charles County Sheriff’s detectives are seeking the public’s help in locating the suspect wanted in connection with a shooting / homicide that occurred last month. On October 23, the victim, Aden Christopher Garcia, 19, of Waldorf, was a passenger inside a car in the 2700 block of Albemarle Place in Waldorf when he was...
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Indian Head Man Arrested Twice in Under 30 Days for Burglary, Police Recover Loaded Handgun and Burglary Tools

Indian Head Man Arrested Twice in Under 30 Days for Burglary, Police Recover Loaded Handgun and Burglary Tools

On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at approximately 1:43 a.m., a La Plata police officer was conducting a premise check of a self-storage business on North La Plata Court when he interrupted a burglary of a storage unit. The individual was quickly detained and found to be in possession of a loaded .380 handgun, burglar’s...
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Police in Charles County Arrest Waldorf Man for Attempted Burglary

Police in Charles County Arrest Waldorf Man for Attempted Burglary

On November 12, 2022, at approximately 7:47 p.m., patrol officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a business in the 2500 block of Old Washington Avenue in Waldorf for the report of a burglary in progress. The business owner had received an alert from the security system and was able to use...
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Charles County Woman Charged with Attempted Murder After Stabbing in Waldorf

Charles County Woman Charged with Attempted Murder After Stabbing in Waldorf

On November 13, 2022, at approximately 7:46 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 12100 block of Ell Lane in Waldorf for the report of a stabbing. When officers arrived, they located a male victim in the hallway of an apartment building with a stab wound to his back. Officers...
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Patrol Officers in Charles County Recover Stolen Loaded Hand Gun in Waldorf

Patrol Officers in Charles County Recover Stolen Loaded Hand Gun in Waldorf

On November 14, 2022, at 1:18 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were investigating a suspicious vehicle in the area of Post Office Road and October Place, in Waldorf. During the investigation, the occupants were asked to exit the car, at which time a passenger fled on foot. The passenger was apprehended...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Operations Deputies Receive MADD Awards

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Operations Deputies Receive MADD Awards

On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) held their annual Law Enforcement Awards Ceremony. Seven Charles County Sheriff’s Officers were among those recognized from across the state for their outstanding efforts in traffic safety through enforcement of DUI laws. The protection of life is our highest priority. We commend our officers...
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UPDATE: One Firefighter Injured and One Citizen Injured After Tenth District Volunteer Fire Apparatus Overturns in Indian Head

UPDATE: One Firefighter Injured and One Citizen Injured After Tenth District Volunteer Fire Apparatus Overturns in Indian Head

UPDATE 11/17/2022: On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at 3:15 p.m., Tenth District Volunteer Fire Department Tanker 8 responded to a reported structure fire in Prince Georges County on Accokeek Road. While responding, Tanker 8, which was responded driver only, overturned while negotiating the turn from Hawthorne Road onto Northbound Indian Head Highway. The collision...
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Police Investigating Shots Fired in Waldorf, No Injuries Reported and Two Vehicles Struck

Police Investigating Shots Fired in Waldorf, No Injuries Reported and Two Vehicles Struck

On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, at 3:04 p.m., officers responded to the area of Barksdale Avenue near Waddell Road for the report of the sound of gunshots. When officers arrived, a witness indicated unknown suspects discharged a firearm from a white vehicle at their car while they were parking. It is not clear if...
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Investigation into Report of a Robbery at a General Smallwood Middle School Leads to Two Juveniles Being Charged

Investigation into Report of a Robbery at a General Smallwood Middle School Leads to Two Juveniles Being Charged

On October 31, a student at General Smallwood Middle School reported he was assaulted in a bathroom and his air pods were stolen. The school resource officer and school administrative staff initiated an investigation. After pursuing leads and consulting with the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office, a 15-year-old student was charged on November 7...
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Waldorf Man Charged with Attempted Murder in Connection of Shooting on November 4th

Waldorf Man Charged with Attempted Murder in Connection of Shooting on November 4th

On Monday, November 14, Charles County Sheriff’s officers arrested Deandre Dewberry, 21, of Waldorf, in connection with the assault and shooting of a 35-year-old man that occurred on Friday, November 4, 2022, in the 2700 block of Hadley Drive in Waldorf. In the case, the victim was shot while walking on Hadley Drive; the...
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A Message of HOPE Cancer Funds 8th Annual Bras & Drawers Event Raises Over $25,000 To Help Local Cancer Patients

A Message of HOPE Cancer Funds 8th Annual Bras & Drawers Event Raises Over $25,000 To Help Local Cancer Patients

It was an energetic night at the Hughesville American Legion Post as community members packed the house for a fundraiser unlike any other in Southern Maryland. A Message of HOPE Cancer Fund (MOH) hosted the 8th annual “Bras and Drawers for the Cause.” After a record-breaking fundraiser last year, MOH has once again raised...
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Firefighters Remind Citizens of Home Heating Safety

Firefighters Remind Citizens of Home Heating Safety

Heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes. Local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 48,530 fires involving heating equipment each year in 2014-2018. These fires resulted in annual losses of 500 deaths, 1,350 injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage. The leading factor contributing to home heating...
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Charles County Officers Recover Loaded Stolen Firearm and Body Armor from Convicted Felon After Traffic Stop, Released by Judge 48 Hours Later

Charles County Officers Recover Loaded Stolen Firearm and Body Armor from Convicted Felon After Traffic Stop, Released by Judge 48 Hours Later

On November 7, 2022, at 11:27 p.m., a patrol officer initiated a traffic stop in the area of St. Charles Parkway at Alameda Avenue after observing a headlight out on a vehicle. The driver did not initially stop the car and continued driving for nearly half a mile before stopping. Upon approaching the vehicle,...
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Maryland Flag Status – November 15, 2022

Maryland Flag Status – November 15, 2022

UPDATE: The United States Flag, Maryland Flag, and St. Mary’s County Flag shall be raised to full-staff at sunset Wednesday, November 16, 2022, the day of interment for Firefighter Juan Wilson of the Baltimore City Fire Department, who died on Sunday, October 30, 2022, after suffering a medical emergency while in the line of...
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Charles County Public High School Students Can Apply for NASA Internships

Charles County Public High School Students Can Apply for NASA Internships

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) high school students who are 16 and older can apply for internships with NASA. The NASA internship program is open to teens to explore career pathways while working with some of the top minds in science, engineering, financial, information technology and business. The intern program allows students to engage...
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Grand Opening Celebration of the La Plata Court Help Center on Monday, November 14, 2022; Live at 1:30 p.m

Grand Opening Celebration of the La Plata Court Help Center on Monday, November 14, 2022; Live at 1:30 p.m

The grand opening of the La Plata Court Help Center will take place today! Monday, November 14, at the Circuit Court for Charles County. Maryland Court Help Centers offer free limited legal help for individuals who are not represented by an attorney. Attorneys assist with services to include but not limited to name change,...
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Maryland Reports Strong 2022 Early Deer Season Results

Maryland Reports Strong 2022 Early Deer Season Results

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reports that hunters harvested 20,220 deer during the early portion of the 2022 archery and muzzleloader seasons. The harvest was a 24% increase from last year’s official harvest of 16,314 deer for the same period. The early season rebound was largely attributed to improved weather for hunting and...
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14 Displaced After Structure Fire in Indian Head, State Fire Marshal Investigating Cause

14 Displaced After Structure Fire in Indian Head, State Fire Marshal Investigating Cause

On Sunday, November 13, 2022, at approximately 3:04 a.m., firefighters from Charles County and NSF Indian Head responded to 4045 Indian Head Highway in Indian Head, for the reported structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene in under 3 minutes to find fire showing from the two-story multiple family residence and requested a...
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Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack Invites Community to Participate in “No Hunger November”

Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack Invites Community to Participate in “No Hunger November”

MSP La Plata is inviting all residents of Charles County to participate in a food drive, which will last the month of November. There has not been a significant food drive in the area in the past few years due to Covid-19, and the Southern Maryland Food Bank is in desperate need of supplies....
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Bravo Zulu! Southern Maryland’s Military Leaders Welcome LSM Class of ’23 for Behind the Scenes NAS Pax River Base Tour

Bravo Zulu! Southern Maryland’s Military Leaders Welcome LSM Class of ’23 for Behind the Scenes NAS Pax River Base Tour

The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Executive Program Class of 2023 strengthened their leadership wings Nov. 3 when they went behind the scenes at Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS Pax River). The class was allowed on base for a rare in-person tour to learn about the vital roles that Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and the...
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VIDEO: Governor Hogan Meets With Governor-Elect Wes Moore at State House in Annapolis

VIDEO: Governor Hogan Meets With Governor-Elect Wes Moore at State House in Annapolis

Following Tuesday’s gubernatorial election, Governor Larry Hogan today met with Governor-Elect Wes Moore to discuss the smooth and orderly transition to the incoming administration. Following a private meeting in the governor’s office at the State House in Annapolis, the governor and governor-elect took questions from the media. “I was very pleased to have the...
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