Maryland’s tern raft hosted hundreds of terns again this year—including nesting pairs of two different state-listed-endangered species—and saw more than 350 tern chicks fledge during the island habitat’s fifth year in operation. The wooden-framed artificial island has floated in Chincoteague Bay in Worcester County since 2021 and serves as a breeding habitat for colonial...
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On Friday, November 7, 2025, at approximately 1:45 p.m., a student, age 13, at Mattawoman Middle School reportedly used a vaping device containing THC. Afterward, the student left the school and walked into the path of an oncoming pickup truck traveling Eastbound on Berry Road. The student was struck; however, the driver was able...
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On Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 12:52 a.m., officers responded to the 4200 block of Drake Court in Waldorf for the report of an assault involving a man and a woman. Upon arrival, officers found a woman inside the residence holding a toddler. She had visible injuries and was covered in blood. Officers de-escalated...
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The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released state, school system and school-level results for the 2025 Maryland School Report Card. The report card includes data from the 2024-2025 school year about school accountability measures including academic growth, student performance, school quality and climate, and student attendance. A breakdown of star ratings across Maryland...
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Maryland hunters harvested 18,930 deer during the early portion of the 2025 archery and muzzleloader seasons. The harvest was an 8.1% decrease from last year’s official harvest of 20,592 deer for the same period. The annual deer harvest fluctuates from year to year for a number of reasons, including hunter effort, weather conditions, availability of natural foods like acorns, disease...
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Last month, Maryland representatives joined officials from around the Mid-Atlantic region to put forth a revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement that includes firm timelines, required pollution reductions, and ambitious, yet reachable goals for improving the health of the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Principals’ Staff Committee approved the revised Agreement at its Oct. 28...
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Charles County announced that all three major national bond rating agencies—Fitch Ratings, S&P Global Ratings, and Moody’s Investors Service—have reaffirmed the county’s Triple-A bond rating, the highest possible designation. Representatives from each agency met with county leaders to review the county’s financial health, budget management, external audits, and economic development efforts. This reaffirmation reflects...
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The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, is excited to announce the 13th Round of the Southern Maryland Farmer Mini-Grant Program. This program will award up to $60,000 in matching funds to help both new and experienced farmers start, diversify, or expand their agricultural projects. Applications open on Monday, November...
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What started as an off-duty night out at a local establishment in Charles County for La Plata Police Department Captain Robert Bagley turned into a program to help “Save Some One”. Earlier this year, Captain Bagley was off-duty at an establishment in Charles County when he observed a commotion and other patrons becoming frantic....
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Hospice of the Chesapeake is proud to announce that Partners In Care of Maryland, Inc., has officially joined its family of services under a newly formed umbrella organization, Chesapeake Health Partners. This incorporation marks a significant milestone in the organizations’ shared mission to serve Maryland’s aging population with compassion, dignity and connection. Becky Miller,...
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The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and the Maryland Highway Safety Office are reminding all roadway users to exercise extreme caution as days get shorter and with Halloween right around the corner. “Whether you are behind the wheel or out on foot, I urge all Marylanders to be Serious About Safety and...
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The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will begin resurfacing a section MD 224 (Chickamuxen Road) between Sweden Point Road and north of Butterfly Place in Charles County starting Thursday, November 6. The work is scheduled for completion in late November, weather permitting. Crews are permitted to close a lane or shoulder Mondays...
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Patrol Officer First Class Jacob Shuar was recognized by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for being a leader amongst law enforcement officers in Maryland conducting driving under the influence enforcement in 2024. MADD is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1980 by a mother after the tragic death of her daughter, due to a...
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Six students from St. Charles High School were charged in connection with an altercation that occurred on Thursday, October 30th, 2025, inside the school. During the assault, a male and female student were fighting when several other students engaged in the altercation. School administrators tried to separate the students but were not able to...
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Governor Wes Moore announced the creation of the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission to consider mid-cycle redistricting. The commission will organize public hearings, solicit public feedback, and make recommendations to the governor and Maryland General Assembly to improve our current map and ensure Maryland has fair Congressional maps. “My commitment has been clear from day one—we...
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On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at approximately 9:23 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to the 3000 block of Gallery Place in Waldorf, for the reported shooting. The 911 caller reported their best friend was shot and bleeding out at this location, then further advised they shot the best friend last...
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On Wednesday November 5,2025, four students assaulted two other students inside the school. School administrators intervened and separated the students. One student sustained injuries to their face. The four students who initiated the assault will be charged in connection with this case; they also face school consequences in accordance with the Charles County Public...
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The 4th Annual No Hunger November Food Drive, organized by the Maryland State Police – La Plata Barrack, began on Saturday, November 1. The initiative brings together multiple law enforcement agencies to fight hunger across Southern Maryland throughout the month. Captain Bagley, Acting Sergeant Johnston, and Maryland State Troopers collected 2,600 pounds of food...
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On Saturday, November 1, 2025, at approximately 1:20 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 3900 block of Northgate Place in Waldorf, for the reported malfunctioning appliance. 911 callers reported a microwave was on fire, however, while crews were responding to the scene, the incident was upgraded to a structure fire after...
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Thomas Newton Ferrall IV, 47, of Hollywood has been charged in Charles County District Court with felony theft after allegedly failing to return rented construction equipment valued at over $74,000 to a La Plata business. According to court documents, the charge stems from an incident that occurred on October 29, 2025, when equipment rented...
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Charles County Government recognizes the unique strain the ongoing federal government shutdown has caused federal workers this fall. During this time of uncertainty, Charles County Government would like to offer a list of resources for families battling food insecurity due to the ongoing pause in federal funding. “Charles County Government stands with every resident...
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Governor Wes Moore today announced the release of $62 million to ensure full November SNAP benefits for Marylanders. Authorized by executive order, the funding represents the State’s contribution to making SNAP recipients whole following a federal judge’s order that the Trump Administration provide contingency funding for the program. “One of the first and most basic...
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Two brothers claimed $500,000 in prize money from 10 Pick 5 tickets for the midday drawing on Oct. 29 purchased in Clarksburg, while scratch-off players in Denton and Rockville collected $100,000 each, for the top Maryland Lottery wins of the past week. On all games, players won more than $29.8 million across Maryland in...
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On Monday, November 3, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barracks, along with Charles County Sheriff’s Officers, responded to Maryland Route 6 at Chambord Court for a report of a serious motor vehicle collision. Due to the circumstances, the Maryland State Police CRASH Team responded to assume...
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Khmari Michael Ruffin, 24, of Brandywine, is facing numerous charges following a high-speed police pursuit on October 30, 2025, that ended in a crash and led to the discovery of drugs, a loaded handgun with an obliterated serial number, and two young children riding without car seats. According to court documents and a statement...
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