Charles News

La Plata Police Department Salutes Long Serving Maryland Law Enforcement Official and Current Sheriff of Prince George’s County Melvin High During Black History Month:

La Plata Police Department Salutes Long Serving Maryland Law Enforcement Official and Current Sheriff of Prince George’s County Melvin High During Black History Month:

The La Plata Police Department Salutes Long Serving Maryland Law Enforcement Official and Current Sheriff of Prince George’s County Melvin High During #BlackHistoryMonth: Melvin C. High Prince George’s County, Office Of The Sheriff. He is serving his third term as elected Sheriff, having been sworn in for his first term as Sheriff on December...
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UPDATE: Police Charge White Plains Man for Robbery in La Plata, Detectives Searching for Second Suspect

UPDATE: Police Charge White Plains Man for Robbery in La Plata, Detectives Searching for Second Suspect

UPDATE 2/22/2022: On January 29, 2022, at approximately 7:59 p.m., LPPD officers responded to 40 Drury Drive, Walmart, for the report of a robbery where a firearm was implied. Investigation found two individuals approached a Walmart associate in the electronics department. The suspect identified as Josiah Emmanuel Young of no fixed address, pinned a...
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La Plata Police Department Honors Sergeant Ricky Fields for Black History Month

La Plata Police Department Honors Sergeant Ricky Fields for Black History Month

The La Plata Police Department Honors Local Community Difference Makers During #BlackHistoryMonth: LPPD honors one of its own, Sergeant Ricky Fields. Sergeant Ricky Fields is a retired Chief Petty Officer from the United States Coast Guard. Dedicating 21-years of service to the United States Armed Forces, Corporal Fields’ last duty-station was the National Capital...
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La Plata Police Department Unveils New Autism Awareness Vehicle in Partnership with Pathfinders for Autisms

La Plata Police Department Unveils New Autism Awareness Vehicle in Partnership with Pathfinders for Autisms

The La Plata Police Department (LPPD) unveiled its autism awareness vehicle at the Pathfinders for Autisms Offices. LPPD’s team, including Mayor Jeannine James, and joined by members of Pathfinders for Autism staff, members of the Baltimore County Police Department, and former Baltimore Oriole BJ Surhoff! The purpose of LPPD’s autism awareness vehicle is not...
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No Injuries Reported After Livestock/Equipment Barn Catches Fire in Mechanicsville

No Injuries Reported After Livestock/Equipment Barn Catches Fire in Mechanicsville

On Tuesday, January 15, 2022, at approximately 1:50 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hughesville, Seventh District, Leonardtown, and Hollywood responded to 26151 Yowaiski Mill Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported building on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find fire throughout a livestock/equipment barn. Engine 23 laid a supply line over 800 feet to...
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Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Past President and Life Member Thomas A. Pilkerton

Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Past President and Life Member Thomas A. Pilkerton

It is with the deepest sympathy the membership of the Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department and EMS Inc. and Auxiliary announce the passing of Past President Thomas A. Pilkerton, fondly known by all his friends, family, and work colleagues at the R.E. Michel Company as “Andy”. Andy was a Life Member of our department...
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No Injuries Reported After Large Brush Fire in Mechanicsville

No Injuries Reported After Large Brush Fire in Mechanicsville

UPDATE: 2/20/2022 @ 8:00 p.m.,  No injuries reported. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forestry responded to the scene to assist. The fire was caused by a homeowner who was clearing a field/plot of land, and argued with firefighters upon their arrival stating it was under control. Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office...
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Westlake High School Student Charged with Distribution of Marijuana

Westlake High School Student Charged with Distribution of Marijuana

On Thursday, February 17, 2022, at approximately 9:45 a.m., PFC S. Douglas, School Resource Officer at Westlake High School, observed a hand-to-hand drug transaction between two students during school hours. Further investigation revealed the students were in possession of the suspected marijuana and a large amount of currency. The Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office...
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Police Charge Virginia Man in 2020 Murder at Mount Clare Place in Waldorf

Police Charge Virginia Man in 2020 Murder at Mount Clare Place in Waldorf

UPDATE: On October 27, 2020, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 12300 block of Mount Clare Place in Waldorf for the report of a death. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, Herbert Andrei James, 64, inside his residence with trauma to his body. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner...
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Maryland State Police, Department Of Labor Warn Of Rise In Unemployment Insurance Scams

Maryland State Police, Department Of Labor Warn Of Rise In Unemployment Insurance Scams

The Maryland State Police and the Maryland Department of Labor Unemployment Division are tracking and combating illegal schemes wherein fraudsters are impersonating the Division in email correspondence, text messages and phone calls with the intent of stealing unemployment insurance benefits. The Department of Labor is coordinating with Maryland State Police to alert the public...
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Pedal Pushers! Kindergarten Students Participate in All Kids Bike

Pedal Pushers! Kindergarten Students Participate in All Kids Bike

You crawl before you walk, walk before you run, glide before you pedal. Kindergarten students at William A. Diggs and William B. Wade elementary schools are learning to ride bikes through an eight-week All Kids Bike program during physical education class. And there’s not a training wheel in sight. Instead, students use balance bikes,...
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Charles County Students Place at Regional SkillsUSA Event and Advance to State Championship

Charles County Students Place at Regional SkillsUSA Event and Advance to State Championship

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students earned medals in the recent regional SkillsUSA competition and advance to the state championship set for April 1 and 2. Career and Technology Education (CTE) students from North Point High School and the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center compete annually in the event. Each year, the state championship...
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Fire Marshal Deems Waldorf House Fire Accidental Due to Overloaded Circuit

Fire Marshal Deems Waldorf House Fire Accidental Due to Overloaded Circuit

On February 12, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., over 30 firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to 5504 Torpedo Court in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a two-story residence with smoke showing. The owner/occupants were identified as the Stevens, with the estimated loss of structure/contents valued...
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Narcotic Detectives Execute Search Warrant and Arrest Drug Dealer, Recover Cocaine and Firearm

Narcotic Detectives Execute Search Warrant and Arrest Drug Dealer, Recover Cocaine and Firearm

On Friday, February 11, 2022, at 5:44 a.m., members of the Narcotics Enforcement Section served a search warrant in the 100 block of Woodland Drive in Indian Head related to an ongoing drug distribution case. Detectives recovered crack cocaine and a loaded 9mm firearm. The suspect, Lonnie Edward Wills, 36, of Indian Head is...
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MDOT SHA Announces New Partnership with GEICO to Promote Highway Safety

MDOT SHA Announces New Partnership with GEICO to Promote Highway Safety

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) announced a new partnership with GEICO to sponsor the MDOT SHA Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) Emergency Patrol program. The support from GEICO comes at a time when winter weather has continued to place an increased demand on Emergency Patrol services needed to...
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UPDATE: Missing 71-year-Old Man From Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Has Been Safely Located

UPDATE: Missing 71-year-Old Man From Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Has Been Safely Located

UPDATE 2/15/2022: After an extensive search Gailliard Hunt Bland III, was located at approximately 11:50 a.m., on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, in the woods near Three Notch Trail and Whalen Road in Charlotte Hall. Calvert K-9 Search Team handler Jen Donaldson and her K-9 partner Butters, along with Corporal Brandon Foor from the St....
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Governor Hogan Announces End of Mask Requirement in State Buildings

Governor Hogan Announces End of Mask Requirement in State Buildings

With the state’s health metrics continuing to substantially decline, Governor Larry Hogan announced that the requirement for masks and face coverings to be worn in state buildings will end next week. In addition, the governor has called on the State Board of Education to rescind its school mask policy, and encourages parents who want to...
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Charles County Youth Orchestra Holds First Concert Since 2020 on Sunday, February 20, 2022, in Waldorf

Charles County Youth Orchestra Holds First Concert Since 2020 on Sunday, February 20, 2022, in Waldorf

Charles County Youth Orchestra, Osman Kivrak, Director with Encore Band, Takako Mato, Director; Encore Strings, Krisztina Noble, Director; and Prelude Strings, Teri Lazar, Director presents a Winter Concert on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 3:30 p.m., and will be held at the Thomas Stone High School, 3785 Leonardtown Rd, Waldorf, MD. Conducted by Teri...
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Maryland First Lady, State Police Forensic Sciences Division Celebrate International Day Of Women and Girls In Science

Maryland First Lady, State Police Forensic Sciences Division Celebrate International Day Of Women and Girls In Science

Maryland’s First Lady Yumi Hogan joined members of the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division today to celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Mrs. Hogan toured the Maryland State Police Forensic Sciences Division Laboratory in Pikesville before presenting Forensic Sciences Division Deputy Director Wanda Kuperus with a Governor’s proclamation to commemorate...
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CSM Recognizes 92 Allied Health Students for Certifying in Crucial Medical Professions, Celebrates ‘Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week’

CSM Recognizes 92 Allied Health Students for Certifying in Crucial Medical Professions, Celebrates ‘Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Week’

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated 92 graduates who became certified as Clinical Medical Assistants, Certified Medical Administrative Assistants, Certified Nursing and Geriatric Nursing Assistants, Dental Assistants, Phlebotomy Technicians, Certified Nutrition Coaches, and Personal Trainers during an Allied Health Career Recognition Ceremony Feb. 3. The recognition acknowledged the students who completed their programs...
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La Plata Police Department Honors Mike Moses as Local Community Difference Maker During Black History Month

La Plata Police Department Honors Mike Moses as Local Community Difference Maker During Black History Month

The La Plata Police Department Honors Local Community Difference Makers During BlackHistoryMonth: LPPD honors Mr. Mike Moses. Mr. Moses served in the U.S. Navy, USS John F. Kennedy CAV 67 during the Viet Nam and Med-East Crisis (Broken Arrow) epoch. Mr. Moses retired after (41years) of service (Computer/Microsoft Specialist) from the Federal Government and...
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La Plata Police Department Honors Sheriff Troy Berry as Local Community Difference Makers During Black History Month

La Plata Police Department Honors Sheriff Troy Berry as Local Community Difference Makers During Black History Month

The La Plata Police Department Honors Local Community Difference Makers During Black History Month: LPPD honors Sheriff Troy Berry. Sheriff Berry who, in 2014, was elected as the first African American to ever serve as Charles County sheriff in the agency’s 356-year history. He was re-elected Sheriff in 2018. In addition to being the...
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Charles County Patrol Officers Apprehend Suspect in Theft Case

Charles County Patrol Officers Apprehend Suspect in Theft Case

On Sunday, February 6, 2022, at 12:55 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 12000 block of Jefferson Farm Place for a shoplifting in progress. Officers arrived and observed the suspect in the parking lot with a cart filled with stolen merchandise. As offices approached the suspect, he fled on foot but was...
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Police in Charles County Arrest 28-Year-Old Drug Dealer and Recover a Handgun After Traffic Stop in Waldorf

Police in Charles County Arrest 28-Year-Old Drug Dealer and Recover a Handgun After Traffic Stop in Waldorf

On February 10, 2022, at approximately 11:00 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop in the area of St. Ignatius Drive and St. Charles Parkway, in Waldorf, after a computer check revealed the registration plates on the vehicle were suspended. Upon approaching the vehicle, a strong odor of marijuana...
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Detectives Charge Three Suspects in Connection with Drug Distribution and Firearms Violations, Recover Five Handguns

Detectives Charge Three Suspects in Connection with Drug Distribution and Firearms Violations, Recover Five Handguns

On Tuesday, February 8, 2022, members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Narcotics Enforcement Section served two search warrants in Waldorf as part of an investigation into drug distribution. Investigators recovered approximately 7 pounds of suspected marijuana, 8 grams of mushrooms, 5 handguns, 6 extended loaded magazines, multiple boxes of ammunition, and manufacturing...
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