Charles News

Governor Hogan Announces Record $122.5 Million in Police Protection Funding

Governor Hogan Announces Record $122.5 Million in Police Protection Funding

Governor Larry Hogan awarded a record $122.5 million in funding under the State Aid for Police Protection (SAPP) program. As a key plank of the governor’s Re-Fund The Police Initiative, the funding provides police officers with expanded resources to support operational costs and to help keep communities safe. “Prioritized by our budget, this record 60% increase...
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Westlake High School Resource Officer Investigating Disruption of School Activities

Westlake High School Resource Officer Investigating Disruption of School Activities

On Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at 9:58 a.m., a student attending a summer school program at Westlake High School lit a non-aerial firework in the main lobby of the school. As a result, officers and staff evacuated the building due to smoke. Once it was determined to be safe, students returned inside the building....
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UPDATE: Police Release Identity of Nanjemoy Man Killed in Single Vehicle Collision in Port Tobacco

UPDATE: Police Release Identity of Nanjemoy Man Killed in Single Vehicle Collision in Port Tobacco

UPDATE 7/5/2022: On July 2, at 6:17 p.m., officers responded to the area of Poorhouse Road and Glasgow Lane in Port Tobacco for the report of a single vehicle crash. When officers arrived, they found a vehicle that had crashed into several trees. The driver, John Walter Knott, 52, of Nanjemoy, was pronounced deceased...
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Governor Hogan Directs Maryland State Police to Suspend ‘Good and Substantial Reason’ Standard for Wear and Carry Permits

Governor Hogan Directs Maryland State Police to Suspend ‘Good and Substantial Reason’ Standard for Wear and Carry Permits

Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement: “Over the course of my administration, I have consistently supported the right of law-abiding citizens to own and carry firearms, while enacting responsible and common sense measures to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and the mentally ill. “Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court...
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Police in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County Investigating Anti-Semitism Propaganda

Police in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County Investigating Anti-Semitism Propaganda

On Sunday, June 26, 2022, Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to Persimmon Creek Road in Mechanicsville, after a resident found anti-Semitism items in their mailbox. A resident in Charles County posted the following photo below, stating they found it in their yard on Sunday morning. Numerous SMNEWSNET readers have contacted...
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SMECO Issues Credits to Members, General Refund Totals $4.7 million

SMECO Issues Credits to Members, General Refund Totals $4.7 million

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) is refunding members’ capital credits totaling nearly $7.1 million. Of that total, a general refund of approximately $4.7 million will be issued in July. Eligible active members will receive credits on their bills, and checks will be issued to eligible former members. Special refunds of about $2.4 million will...
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Vehicle Thefts Continue To Decline In Maryland, Police Continue Work to Reduce Rates Further

Vehicle Thefts Continue To Decline In Maryland, Police Continue Work to Reduce Rates Further

The number of vehicle thefts in Maryland declined for the fourth straight year in 2020. However, work continues by the Maryland State Police, allied law enforcement agencies and the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council to reduce those rates even further in upcoming years. This come as July is National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. In...
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Safety Urged for Maryland Waterway Users This Holiday Weekend, Enhanced Enforcement to Target Impaired Boaters

Safety Urged for Maryland Waterway Users This Holiday Weekend, Enhanced Enforcement to Target Impaired Boaters

Maryland’s waterways are expected to be crowded this weekend, and officials from federal, state, and local law enforcement and water rescue are working to make sure the fun is not mixed with tragedy. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources joined with the U.S. Coast Guard and Anne Arundel County Fire Department to send this...
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This Fourth of July, Stay Sober or ‘Be the Make a Plan Driver’ to Protect Yourself and Others on Maryland’s Roadways

This Fourth of July, Stay Sober or ‘Be the Make a Plan Driver’ to Protect Yourself and Others on Maryland’s Roadways

As Marylanders prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) and law enforcement officials are reminding motorists to stay safe and help protect others by designating a sober ride home. At an event Wednesday at the Maryland State Police (MSP) barrack in Howard County,...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Address Complaints of Off-Road Vehicles Being Operated Recklessly on Roadways

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Address Complaints of Off-Road Vehicles Being Operated Recklessly on Roadways

In response to numerous citizen complaints regarding off-road vehicles (ATVs & dirt bikes) operating recklessly in the roadways, the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Unit conducted a special enforcement effort on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, in Waldorf. Officers were made aware that off-road vehicles were being operated recklessly in the area of St. Thomas...
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Calvert and Charles County Firework Displays for 2022

Calvert and Charles County Firework Displays for 2022

July 4th Celebration – Charles County Fair Located at at 8440 Fairground Road in LaPlata, Maryland on July 4, 2022 – 3 p.m., to 10:00 p.m. Enjoy great food, pony rides and live music that lead up to the grand finale with an outstanding Fourth of July Fireworks Show. Come for free! Solomons July...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Burglary and Property Destruction in Waldorf, Over $30,000.00 in Damage and Stolen Property

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Burglary and Property Destruction in Waldorf, Over $30,000.00 in Damage and Stolen Property

On Monday, June 27, 2022, at approximately 1:31 p.m., officers responded to the 10900 block of Sam’s Place in Waldorf for the report of a burglary. Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim returned home to find his residence had been broken in to and vandalized. Walls, furniture, cabinets, fixtures, and personal items were...
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Maryland Permanently Preserves 31 Working Farms, More Than 3,600 Acres of Additional Farmland

Maryland Permanently Preserves 31 Working Farms, More Than 3,600 Acres of Additional Farmland

The Maryland Board of Public Works approved 31 new Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation (MALPF) easements at their meeting on June 22, 2022. These easements will permanently preserve an additional 3,682 acres of prime farmland in Anne Arundel, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Harford, Kent, Montgomery, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester...
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UM Charles Regional Rehabilitation Launches Running Center

UM Charles Regional Rehabilitation Launches Running Center

The University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center has added a running center to its Rehabilitation practice. Running is one of the world’s most popular activities, and the Southern Maryland region is full of 5K and 10K runs that make use of the many scenic roads and trails. The UM Charles Regional Rehabilitation Running...
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Charles County Officers Locate and Arrest Two Suspects After Home Invasion, Assault and Armed Robbery in Bryantown

Charles County Officers Locate and Arrest Two Suspects After Home Invasion, Assault and Armed Robbery in Bryantown

On Friday, June 24, 2022, at approximately 5:05 a.m., officers responded to the 5600 block of Ted Bowling Road in Bryantown for the report of a home invasion. An initial investigation revealed two men forced entry into the residence. Once inside, they threatened the victims with a handgun and demanded cash. The men then...
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VIDEO: La Plata Police Department Investigating Viral Video Showing Officers at Car Wash

VIDEO: La Plata Police Department Investigating Viral Video Showing Officers at Car Wash

The La Plata Police Department released the following statement on Monday, June 27, 2022, following a video showing multiple deputies at a car wash in La Plata. “The La Plata Police Department is examining the facts of a June 26, 2022 video posted on social media at a La Plata car wash which allegedly...
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Charles County Board of Education Approves Tuition Rate Increase for 2022-2023 School Year

Charles County Board of Education Approves Tuition Rate Increase for 2022-2023 School Year

The Board of Education of Charles County on June 14 approved tuition rates for the 2022-2023 school year that include an increase for students enrolling outside of Charles County, and for non-Maryland residents. For students residing in Maryland but who live outside of Charles County, the cost for the coming school year is $9,720....
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Waldorf Man Arrested After Setting His Sisters House On Fire and Stealing Neighbors Vehicle

Waldorf Man Arrested After Setting His Sisters House On Fire and Stealing Neighbors Vehicle

A Waldorf man was arrested yesterday evening for setting his sister’s house on fire after he made an earlier threat to do so and stole a vehicle in hopes of getting away. Just before 10:00 p.m., Charles County Sheriff’s deputies requested the Office of the State Fire Marshal to investigate a fire in the...
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FDA Denies Authorization to Market JUUL Products, Orders All Currently Marketed JUUL Products Must Be Removed from the US Market

FDA Denies Authorization to Market JUUL Products, Orders All Currently Marketed JUUL Products Must Be Removed from the US Market

6/23/2022: Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued marketing denial orders (MDOs) to JUUL Labs Inc. for all of their products currently marketed in the United States. As a result, the company must stop selling and distributing these products. In addition, those currently on the U.S. market must be removed, or risk enforcement...
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Tammika Little of Henry E. Lackey High School is 2022 Vice Principal of the Year for Charles County Public Schools

Tammika Little of Henry E. Lackey High School is 2022 Vice Principal of the Year for Charles County Public Schools

The line from student to teacher to administrator was not a straight one for Tammika Little, a vice principal at Henry E. Lackey High School. But if she were to connect the dots, her career path may have started to take shape while she was a child. “I always said I was going to...
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Governor Hogan Calls on Congress, Comptroller, and General Assembly to Take Action on Gas Tax

Governor Hogan Calls on Congress, Comptroller, and General Assembly to Take Action on Gas Tax

Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement regarding gas tax relief: “Nearly 100 days ago, Maryland became the first state in the nation to suspend the gas tax, and we proved that it can be done successfully to lower prices for working Americans. We have also been calling on President Biden to take...
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Chesapeake Freedom & Spirit H.O.G. Rally 2022 – Police Advise of Increased Motorcycle Presence in St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles County

Chesapeake Freedom & Spirit H.O.G. Rally 2022 – Police Advise of Increased Motorcycle Presence in St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Charles County

The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office asks citizens to be aware of increased motorcycle traffic throughout the county as Harley Davidson has selected Solomons, MD as one of their Mid-Atlantic Regional HOG Rallies for 2022. The rally begins Thursday, June 23rd, and will run through Saturday, June 25th, 2022. Approximately 1,500 attendees are expected to...
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Police in Charles County Recover Loaded Handgun during Traffic Stop in Waldorf

Police in Charles County Recover Loaded Handgun during Traffic Stop in Waldorf

On June 13, 2022, at 2:00 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop in the area of Post Office Road and Catterton Place after learning the registration plates were suspended. During the course of the stop, officers observed marijuana inside the car and recovered it. The driver and passenger...
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Police in Charles County Recover Loaded Firearm During Traffic Stop in La Plata

Police in Charles County Recover Loaded Firearm During Traffic Stop in La Plata

On June 18, 2022, at 10:48 p.m., a patrol officer from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop in the 200 block of Kent Avenue in La Plata. During the stop, the officer recovered marijuana and a loaded firearm, which the driver is prohibited from possessing due to his age. The driver,...
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Police in Charles County Recover Loaded Firearm at DUI Checkpoint

Police in Charles County Recover Loaded Firearm at DUI Checkpoint

On June 17, 2022, members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Operations Unit and Patrol Operations, along with Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority, and the Maryland State Highway Administration conducted a sobriety checkpoint on Leonardtown Road in the area of Renner Road. The checkpoint is part of the CCSO’s commitment to safer...
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