Charles News

White Plains Woman Suffers Serious Injuries in Crash That Kills Two Prince George’s County Residents

White Plains Woman Suffers Serious Injuries in Crash That Kills Two Prince George’s County Residents

On March 12, 2023, at approximately 12:15 a.m., officers responded to the area of southbound Crain Highway at westbound Maryland Route 32 for a crash involving a tow truck and a sedan. The investigation revealed a 2013 Freightliner tow truck was traveling southbound on Crain Highway near westbound Maryland Route 32 when it rear-ended...
Read More »

Police Investigating Threats Made by 12-Year-Old General Smallwood Middle School Student

Police Investigating Threats Made by 12-Year-Old General Smallwood Middle School Student

On the morning of March 10, 2023, Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) received an anonymous tip that a 12-year-old student at General Smallwood Middle School made verbal statements as well as on a social media platform to shoot multiple students during the school day. The School Resource Officer was notified and initiated an investigation....
Read More »

Charles County Commissioners Meeting Update – March 7, 2023

Charles County Commissioners Meeting Update – March 7, 2023

On Tuesday, March 7, Commissioners approved Charles County’s annual transportation priority letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation. Staff provided a presentation on transportation priorities, including support for Southern Maryland Rapid Transit, improvements to the US 301 Waldorf corridor, pedestrian safety enhancements at US 301/Smallwood Drive and MD 228/Western Parkway, projects to improve the Hughesville area, and Governor...
Read More »

Join Coders and Inventors to Transform Problems into Solutions at the CSM Velocity Center’s Climate Change Hackathon March 30-31

Join Coders and Inventors to Transform Problems into Solutions at the CSM Velocity Center’s Climate Change Hackathon March 30-31

Registration is now open for College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Velocity X Climate Innovation Hackathon where participating teams will solve real world challenges by inventing, designing and testing solutions to solve the impact of climate change. Held at the Velocity Center in Indian Head, coders and inventors are invited to join community partners for...
Read More »

Police Recover Suspected Marijuana Edibles from St. Charles High School Student

Police Recover Suspected Marijuana Edibles from St. Charles High School Student

On March 8, administrators at St. Charles High School recovered a bag of edibles containing suspected marijuana from a 15-year-old student. The School Resource Officer was notified and began an investigation. The State’s Attorney’s Office is being consulted regarding charges and the student faces disciplinary action by CCPS. Parents are asked to talk with...
Read More »

Firefighters from St. Mary’s, Charles and Prince George’s County Respond to Fire in Charlotte Hall That Sends Victim to Burn Center

Firefighters from St. Mary’s, Charles and Prince George’s County Respond to Fire in Charlotte Hall That Sends Victim to Burn Center

On Thursday, March 9, 2023, at approximately 1:30 p.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Leonardtown, Hollywood and Charles County responded to 29650 Whalen Road in Charlotte Hall, for the reported structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a large shed with a vehicle inside fully engulfed in flames with extensions to a nearby...
Read More »

Police Investigating Accidental Shooting in Waldorf, Victim Flown to Trauma Center

Police Investigating Accidental Shooting in Waldorf, Victim Flown to Trauma Center

On Thursday, March 9, 2023, at approximately 10:18 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the Harbor Freight parking lot located at 3286 Crain Highway in Waldorf, for the reported shooting. Dispatchers advised the 911 caller stated he accidentally shot himself in the leg. Crews arrived on the scene find an adult male victim...
Read More »

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....
Read More »

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!...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »