Charles News

Southern Maryland Agriculture Development Commision Introduces Farmer Mini Grant Program

Southern Maryland Agriculture Development Commision Introduces Farmer Mini Grant Program

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic virus affecting all aspects of life, and certain agriculture/farm businesses severely, the SMADC board has committed a round of the Southern Maryland Farmer Mini-Grants specifically for pandemic relief. SMADC will begin accepting Mini-Grant applications on July 1, 2020. The Pandemic Relief Mini-Grant cycle will close on July 22, 2020, with awards announced...
Read More »

La Plata and Charles County Police Locate Missing Critical Missing Teen

La Plata and Charles County Police Locate Missing Critical Missing Teen

UPDATE: Sean Heckman has been recovered without incident and is in good health. LA PLATA POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CHARLES COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SEARCHING FOR CRITICAL MISSING TEEN IN LA PLATA: Officers are in the area of Port Tobacco Road near Crain Highway in La Plata searching for Sean Heckman, 17, of Indian Head. Heckman...
Read More »

AUDIO: 11-Year-Old Male Saved with CPR After Drowning in Charles County

AUDIO: 11-Year-Old Male Saved with CPR After Drowning in Charles County

On Friday, July 3, 2020, at approximately 7:52 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the 16000 block of Inheritance Drive in Brandywine, for the reported drowning in a pool. Dispatchers relayed information to all responding units that the 911 caller stated they had CPR in progress after an 11-year-old male was pulled...
Read More »

MDOT MVA Offices Closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 in Observance of Independence Day

MDOT MVA Offices Closed Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4 in Observance of Independence Day

The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) will close all branch offices on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, in observance of the Fourth of July holiday. All MDOT MVA offices except two – Oakland and Prince Frederick – will reopen Monday, July 6, by appointment only. Vehicle Emissions Inspection...
Read More »

First Responders Across Maryland Get Boost in Wireless Communications with Public Safety Communications Enhancements

First Responders Across Maryland Get Boost in Wireless Communications with Public Safety Communications Enhancements

Maryland’s first responders are getting a major boost in their wireless communications with the addition of new, purpose-built FirstNet cell sites and other network enhancements statewide. This new infrastructure is a part of the FirstNet network expansion taking place across the state, bringing increased coverage, capacity and capabilities for public safety. “I am excited to see...
Read More »

Amazon Delivery Station Set to Open in Waldorf in 2020

Amazon Delivery Station Set to Open in Waldorf in 2020

Charles County, Maryland will be the site of a new Amazon Last Mile “Delivery Station” – one of seven such facilities slated to open in Maryland.  Amazon’s Charles County operation will be based in Waldorf’s St. Charles Industrial Park and open in time for the 2020 holiday season. Amazon’s Waldorf facilities will occupy three...
Read More »

Troopers To Continue Increased Enforcement Through The Fourth Of July Holiday Weekend

Troopers To Continue Increased Enforcement Through The Fourth Of July Holiday Weekend

Maryland state troopers will be extra vigilant looking for impaired, distracted and aggressive drivers this Independence Day weekend to ensure travelers get to their holiday destination safely. With the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday this year, the holiday will be a three-day weekend for many people. As a result, troopers will be...
Read More »

Marylanders Urged to Keep COVID-19 Precautions in Mind During Fourth of July Weekend Travel

Marylanders Urged to Keep COVID-19 Precautions in Mind During Fourth of July Weekend Travel

The Fourth of July is traditionally a time of summer travel and family gatherings. As Marylanders plan for a long holiday weekend that may stretch from Friday, July 3, to Monday, July 6, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is urging everyone to travel with safety in mind, remembering not only rules of the...
Read More »

26-Year-Old Waldorf Man Killed in Motor Vehicle Collision Involving ATV in Prince George’s County

26-Year-Old Waldorf Man Killed in Motor Vehicle Collision Involving ATV in Prince George’s County

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision involving an ATV that occurred in Landover on Monday. The operator of the ATV, 26-year-old Larnell Sinclair of Waldorf, was killed. On June 29th, at approximately 11:40 am, officers responded to the intersection of Landover Road and Matthew Henson Avenue for a collision...
Read More »

Three Injured After Head-on Collision in Hughesville

Three Injured After Head-on Collision in Hughesville

On Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at approximately 7:32 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of 5957 Brandywine Road in Hughesville, for the reported motor vehicle accident with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles in the middle of the road with bystanders rendering aid to one patient....
Read More »

Detectives Conducting Death Investigation in Waldorf

Detectives Conducting Death Investigation in Waldorf

On Tuesday, June 30, 2020, at approximately 4:40 a.m., a woman heard a man yelling for help near a lake behind her house in the 11600 block of Fountain Head Court in Waldorf. She called 9-1-1 and pointed first responders to the area where she heard the man. Charles County Sheriff’s Deputies, along with...
Read More »

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to Host More Youth Baseball Day Camps Coached by MLB Veterans on July 6, and July 20, 2020

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to Host More Youth Baseball Day Camps Coached by MLB Veterans on July 6, and July 20, 2020

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs announced their plans to host two more Youth Baseball Day Camps, the week of July 6th, and the week of July 20th at Regency Furniture Stadium. CLICK HERE to purchase. The team’s first baseball camp was a massive success. “Not only did we have a blast with all of the kids,...
Read More »

Maryland State Police Announces All Pending Firearm Purchase Background Investigations Complete

Maryland State Police Announces All Pending Firearm Purchase Background Investigations Complete

Four days of around-the-clock work resulted in the completion of all pending background investigations for regulated firearm purchase applicants that had been delayed due to a state data system failure. Since the data system was restored at about 8:30 p.m. on June 24th, employees at the Maryland State Police Licensing Division worked 24-hours-a-day through...
Read More »

Governor Hogan and Superintendent Salmon Announce $210 Million in COVID-19 Relief For Remote Learning and Targeted Tutoring

Governor Hogan and Superintendent Salmon Announce $210 Million in COVID-19 Relief For Remote Learning and Targeted Tutoring

Governor Larry Hogan and State Superintendent Karen Salmon today announced $210 million in additional funding to help Maryland schools and students most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This funding, allocated through the federal CARES Act, will be used to ensure that more students have access to remote learning, and expand targeted tutoring initiatives for...
Read More »

Statement From State’s Attorney Tony Covington Regarding Civilian Review Board

Statement From State’s Attorney Tony Covington Regarding Civilian Review Board

On June 3, 2020, I issued a statement that, among other things, advocated for the creation of a Civilian Review Board (CRB) to review citizen claims of excessive force by police in Charles County. On June 12th and 26th,  Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry, issued releases that, among other things, advocated for the re-constitution of the...
Read More »

Governor Hogan Proclaims Freedom of the Press Day

Governor Hogan Proclaims Freedom of the Press Day

Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed June 28 “Freedom of the Press Day” in honor of the five Capital Gazette employees who were murdered in the newsroom on June 28, 2018: Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters. “Two years ago today, five Marylanders lost their lives to a heinous and...
Read More »

Governor Hogan Announces Safe and Phased Reopening Plan for Assisted Living Facilities

Governor Hogan Announces Safe and Phased Reopening Plan for Assisted Living Facilities

Governor Larry Hogan today announced a safe and phased reopening plan for Maryland’s assisted living facilities as part of the state’s commitment to protect vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan requires universal screenings and face coverings for staff and visitors, mandates widespread testing, and allows for limited visitation. “As our state continues...
Read More »

Charles County Town Hall Meetings on Monday, June 29, 2020, for Possibility of Reopening Schools in Fall of 2020

Charles County Town Hall Meetings on Monday, June 29, 2020, for Possibility of Reopening Schools in Fall of 2020

The Board of Education and Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) are conducting two town halls Monday, June 29. A town hall for CCPS staff and teachers is set for 4-5:30 p.m. on Monday, and a parent/community town hall is set for 6-7:30 p.m. The town halls are about the reopening of schools in the...
Read More »

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Announces Progress on Policing Strategies and Initiatives

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Announces Progress on Policing Strategies and Initiatives

On June 12, Sheriff Troy D. Berry issued a press release outlining several initiatives he planned to implement immediately to enhance the confidence and trust between the residents of Charles County and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. The Agency is providing an update for Sheriff Berry’s initiatives: Request the Charles County Board of Commissioners...
Read More »

Maryland’s COVID-19 Positivity Rate Drops to 4.92%, Hospitalizations Under 500 for First Time in 12 Weeks

Maryland’s COVID-19 Positivity Rate Drops to 4.92%, Hospitalizations Under 500 for First Time in 12 Weeks

Maryland’s key COVID-19 health metrics continue to trend in a positive direction, with the statewide positivity rate dropping to a new low of 4.92%, and hospitalizations falling below 500 for the first time in 12 weeks. “While we are unfortunately seeing rising case numbers in states across the country, here in Maryland, all of the key...
Read More »

Governor Hogan Appoints Jose M. Gonzalez of Charles County to CSM Board of Trustees

Governor Hogan Appoints Jose M. Gonzalez of Charles County to CSM Board of Trustees

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan appointed Jose M. Gonzalez of Charles County to serve the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) as trustee, effective July 1, 2020 through 2024. Gonzalez has a distinguished record of public service that includes more than 30 years of experience in weapon systems development and acquisition for the U.S. Department of...
Read More »

Update from Governor Hogan on COVID-19: “We Must All Continue To Remain Vigilant”

Update from Governor Hogan on COVID-19: “We Must All Continue To Remain Vigilant”

Governor Larry Hogan issued the following update to Marylanders regarding the state’s ongoing response to COVID-19: “While yesterday the United States saw a record number of COVID-19 cases, in Maryland, our key health metrics continue to trend in a positive direction. Our daily positivity rate reached a new low of 4.38%, and our seven-day...
Read More »

Maryland State Police Seek Women to Join Maryland’s Finest, and Announce 2020 Youth Leadership Seminar

Maryland State Police Seek Women to Join Maryland’s Finest, and Announce 2020 Youth Leadership Seminar

The Maryland State Police announce Year of the Woman: 2020 Youth Leadership and Law Enforcement Seminar, a free event held in August to enroll, train and develop future generations of young women about the benefits of a law enforcement career. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment, Governor Larry...
Read More »

Charles County Announces Two New Assistant Superintendents

Charles County Announces Two New Assistant Superintendents

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) has two new assistant superintendents joining the school system’s executive leadership team. Nikial Majors, executive director of human resources for CCPS, was named as an assistant superintendent of human resources. Her appointment is effective July 1. Majors has managed all human resource operations for the school system as an...
Read More »

Firefighters Respond to Reported Commercial Vehicle Fire in Mechanicsville

Firefighters Respond to Reported Commercial Vehicle Fire in Mechanicsville

On Thursday, June 25, 2020 at approximately 12:50 a.m., firefighters from Hughesville and Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department responded to 27630 Woodburn Hill Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported commercial vehicle on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a Telescopic Boom Lift (Cherry picker) fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters extinguished the fire in...
Read More »