Charles News

Smoke Detectors Alert Occupant of House Fire in Indian Head, No Injuries Reported, Fire Deemed Accidental

Smoke Detectors Alert Occupant of House Fire in Indian Head, No Injuries Reported, Fire Deemed Accidental

UPDATE 1/9/2022: The Tenth District Volunteer Fire Department released the following information. “Last week, a local elderly couple lost their home and all their belongings in this tragic house fire less than two miles from the station. The couple was trying to stay warm after the snow storm and extended power outages, and unfortunately...
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Charles County Public School Students to Return for In-Person Learning Monday, January 10, 2022

Charles County Public School Students to Return for In-Person Learning Monday, January 10, 2022

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students will return to in-person learning on Monday, Jan. 10. CCPS will operate on a normal schedule of in-person learning and continues to work closely with the Charles County Department of Health to monitor COVID-19 data, positive cases and discuss necessary quarantine measures. The following are important CCPS updates...
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No Injuries Reported After Firefighter Respond to Vehicle Fire Threatening Residence in Mechanicsville

No Injuries Reported After Firefighter Respond to Vehicle Fire Threatening Residence in Mechanicsville

On Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at approximately 1:25 p.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hollywood, Leonardtown, Seventh District, Hughesville, and Bay District responded to the 27000 block of Glebe Farm Lane in Mechanicsville, for the reported vehicle on fire threatening a residence. The 911 caller reported a pickup truck was on fire next to, and spreading...
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SMECO January 7, 2021 Update – Power Restoration to be Completed by Saturday!

SMECO January 7, 2021 Update – Power Restoration to be Completed by Saturday!

As of 2:30 p.m. Friday, January 7, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has nearly all of its crews and contractors working in the Nanjemoy, Grayton, and Indian Head areas of Charles County. According to SMECO spokesperson Tom Dennison, “We had restored electric service to everyone in Calvert, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s counties, but...
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Two Dead and One Transported with Life-Threatening Injuries After Possible Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Brandywine

Two Dead and One Transported with Life-Threatening Injuries After Possible Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Brandywine

Prince George’s County First Responders responded to the 14000 block of South Springfield Road in Brandywine, for an investigation. Crews arrived on the scene and found two deceased victims and one victim unconscious. Firefighters found a generator inside the home that was on and running. The unconscious victim was transported with life-threatening injuries. The...
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Operating Schedule for Charles County Government on Friday, January 7, 2022

Operating Schedule for Charles County Government on Friday, January 7, 2022

During weather events or other emergency events, this web page will be updated to reflect the operating status of Charles County Government Facilities. Click below for the service you are obtaining a status for. Updated: Friday, Jan. 7, at 4:45 a.m.  County snow operations or to report a concern: click here. Charles County Government Building:...
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Snow Emergency Plan Activated for St. Mary’s County and Calvert County

Snow Emergency Plan Activated for St. Mary’s County and Calvert County

The Maryland State Police has activated the Snow Emergency Plan for Calvert County effective at 0300 hours on 1/7/2022. The Snow Emergency Plan for St. Mary’s County has been placed into effect on January 7, 2022 at 0330 hours. The quick accumulation of snow was the main factor in implementing the plan. Road conditions...
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Maryland Deer Firearms Season Reopens January 7th

Maryland Deer Firearms Season Reopens January 7th

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces the January firearm deer hunting season opens Jan. 7, 2022, in Deer Management Region B, which includes all of the state except the westernmost counties. Hunters with a valid hunting license may use firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this season. The season is open Jan. 7-8 in...
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School/Government Delays and Closures for Friday, January 7, 2022

School/Government Delays and Closures for Friday, January 7, 2022

Due to inclement weather conditions the following closures and delays have been announced for Friday, January 7, 2022. Check back for updates. St. Mary’s County St. Mary’s County Public Schools: All SMCPS Schools have a delayed opening of two hours on Friday, January 7, 2022.AM Pre-Kindergarten and AM Head Start students will not have school....
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State Highway Administration Prepares for Next Round of Winter Weather in Maryland

State Highway Administration Prepares for Next Round of Winter Weather in Maryland

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is preparing for the next round of winter weather poised to affect the state. The current timing of this storm is anticipated to influence both the Thursday evening and Friday morning commutes. Motorists are encouraged to telework if possible or reschedule/cancel their commute to...
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UPDATE: SMECO Continues Power Restoration & Nears Completion

UPDATE: SMECO Continues Power Restoration & Nears Completion

As of 9 p.m. Thursday, January 6, Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has substantially completed power restoration in Calvert, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s counties. Remaining outages in Charles County are expected to be addressed by Friday evening. Tom Dennison, SMECO spokesperson, said, “We are winding down and restoring service to the remaining customers...
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Winter Weather Advisory in Effect from Thursday Afternoon to Friday Morning

Winter Weather Advisory in Effect from Thursday Afternoon to Friday Morning

The National Weather Service has placed Southern Maryland under a Winter Weather Advisory in effect from Thursday, January 6, 2022, from 3:00 p.m., to Friday, Jan.7 at 10:00 a.m. WHAT…Snow. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Isolated higher amounts of around 5 inches are possible. WHERE…In Maryland, St. Marys County. In Virginia,...
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Charles County Officers and K9 Arrests Three Suspects and Recover Stolen Property and Stolen Vehicle with Stolen Tags

Charles County Officers and K9 Arrests Three Suspects and Recover Stolen Property and Stolen Vehicle with Stolen Tags

On December 31, 2021, at 3:47 a.m., officers responded to the area of Evergreen Drive in Waldorf for the report of suspicious activity taking place near a vehicle. When officers arrived, they observed two males walking away from the car and observed a female inside the vehicle. A computer check revealed the tags on...
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SMECO Continues Power Restoration Work, Releases Estimated Time Frame for Power Restoration

SMECO Continues Power Restoration Work, Releases Estimated Time Frame for Power Restoration

Released 1/5/2021 at 12:00 p.m., Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) crews and contractors have been working since the early morning hours of Monday, January 3, to restore electric service to members who were affected by weather-related power outages. Between 6:30 a.m. Monday and 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, January 5, SMECO has had 78,600 customers affected...
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Governor Hogan Declares 30-Day State of Emergency, Mobilizes 1,000 Members of Maryland National Guard to Respond to COVID-19 Surge

Governor Hogan Declares 30-Day State of Emergency, Mobilizes 1,000 Members of Maryland National Guard to Respond to COVID-19 Surge

Governor Larry Hogan today declared a 30-day state of emergency to take urgent short-term actions to combat the current COVID-19 surge and mobilized 1,000 members of the Maryland National Guard to assist state and local health officials with the ongoing pandemic response. Today, Maryland hit a record high 3,057 COVID-19 hospitalizations, which is an increase of...
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SMECO Winter Storm Power Restoration Update

SMECO Winter Storm Power Restoration Update

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has been working throughout the day to restore electric service to members who were affected by weather-related power outages. According to SMECO spokesperson Tom Dennison, “At our peak on Monday afternoon at 3 p.m., we had more than 45,000 customers without power. We were able to restore service to...
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Charles County Government Closed on Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Charles County Government Closed on Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Due to inclement weather, Charles County Government will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 4. Essential personnel and employees required to maintain operations during inclement weather are to report to work as scheduled. On Tuesday morning, county staff will assess the number of power outages and online accessibility to the Board of Commissioners virtual Public Hearing...
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National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Outlook for Tuesday, January 4, to Friday, January 7, 2022

National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Outlook for Tuesday, January 4, to Friday, January 7, 2022

National Weather Service has posted a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and I-95 corridor through central Maryland, northern Virginia, and District of Columbia. DAY ONE…Today, on Tuesday January 4, 2022, and tonight Cold temperatures tonight will cause any melted snow to refreeze on all untreated surfaces....
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SMECO Winter Storm Outage Update

SMECO Winter Storm Outage Update

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has been working throughout the day to restore electric service to members who were affected by weather-related power outages. According to SMECO spokesperson Tom Dennison, “with a foot of snow or more in parts of SMECO’s service area, this winter storm has caused power outages throughout Southern Maryland.” SMECO’s...
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Justice Department Awards More Than $100 Million to Support Youth

Justice Department Awards More Than $100 Million to Support Youth

The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) announced that it will award grants totaling nearly $103 million to support youth and help achieve greater equity in the juvenile justice system. “We must focus on the needs of our nation’s youth, particularly those who are at risk of victimization and justice system involvement,”...
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Charles County Detectives Arrest 18-Year-Old PG County Man After Armed Robbery

Charles County Detectives Arrest 18-Year-Old PG County Man After Armed Robbery

On December 9, the victim negotiated the sale of tennis shoes, via a social media app, with someone he was familiar with. During the sale, which occurred in Waldorf, the suspect produced a handgun and robbed the victim. Detectives pursued leads and were able to positively identify the suspect as Geordie Cornelious Rauda, 18,...
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Governor Hogan Provides Update on Response to Winter Storm, Continues to Urge Marylanders to Stay Off The Roads

Governor Hogan Provides Update on Response to Winter Storm, Continues to Urge Marylanders to Stay Off The Roads

Governor Larry Hogan today provided an update on the state’s ongoing response to the winter storm that has brought heavy snowfall to the region and caused major impacts on roads and transportation systems. “Our statewide operations center is fully activated and closely monitoring these hazardous conditions,” said Governor Hogan. “Given the rapidly increasing rate...
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CSM Closes Campuses and Cancels In-Person Classes Monday, Jan. 3, 2022; Online/Remote Classes Held as Scheduled

CSM Closes Campuses and Cancels In-Person Classes Monday, Jan. 3, 2022; Online/Remote Classes Held as Scheduled

All campuses of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) will close Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 due to impending inclement weather and potentially hazardous driving conditions. In addition, in-person classes have been cancelled. Online classes and online services will be held, and available, as scheduled. Any changes to online classes will be communicated through the...
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Governor Hogan Provides Update on Statewide Preparations for Winter Storm

Governor Hogan Provides Update on Statewide Preparations for Winter Storm

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland has activated a government-wide response to prepare for an incoming winter storm that could have a significant impact on roads and transportation systems. At this time, most of the state is under winter weather advisories and warnings, and the National Weather Service has expanded...
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Winter Storm Warning in Effect for Southern Maryland on Monday, January 3, 2021

Winter Storm Warning in Effect for Southern Maryland on Monday, January 3, 2021

Winter Weather Warning is in effect for Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties from 1:00 a.m., Monday morning through 1:00 p.m., Monday afternoon. WHAT…Heavy snow. Snow accumulations of 5 to 7 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE…Portions of southern Maryland and central and northern Virginia. * WHEN…From 1 AM to...
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