Charles News

VIDEO: Governor Hogan Announces Donation of Medical Supplies and Body Armor to Ukraine

VIDEO: Governor Hogan Announces Donation of Medical Supplies and Body Armor to Ukraine

Governor Larry Hogan announced the shipment of a multimillion dollar aid package, including medical supplies and body armor, to support the people of Odesa, Ukraine—a sister city of Baltimore. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is donating more than 485,000 bandages and wound care supplies, 95 Eternity mechanical ventilators for hospital intensive care units,...
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Charles County Public Schools and Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department Remembers Career Educator and Life Member Keith Alan Hettel

Charles County Public Schools and Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department Remembers Career Educator and Life Member Keith Alan Hettel

CCPS: Charles County Public Schools is remembering Keith Hettel, a longtime CCPS educator who retired in 2016 as the assistant superintendent of supporting services. Mr. Hettel passed away earlier this week on Tuesday, May 3. The CCPS maintenance and operations departments are honoring Hettel through a visual memorial located outside of the maintenance bay...
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UPDATE: Waldorf Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Murder at Smallwood Village Center

UPDATE: Waldorf Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Murder at Smallwood Village Center

UPDATE 5/9/2022: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, May 6, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Donine Carrington Martin sentenced Fred Odell Scott, 58, of Waldorf, to 20 years in prison for the Second-Degree Murder of John Staton and the Use of a Firearm During the Commission of a...
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Waldorf Man Found Guilty by Jury in Gun Trafficking Conspiracy

Waldorf Man Found Guilty by Jury in Gun Trafficking Conspiracy

James Hutchings Jr., 41, of Waldorf, Maryland, has been found guilty by a jury in the District of Columbia of a federal conspiracy charge for his role as the middleman in an illegal transfer of weapons involving people prohibited from possessing firearms. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, Wayne A....
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School Resource Officer Investigating Report of Assault on School Bus:

School Resource Officer Investigating Report of Assault on School Bus:

A Charles County Sheriff’s Office school resource officer (SRO) is investigating an assault that occurred on May 3, 2022, on a school bus transporting students from Milton Somers Middle School home after dismissal. At one point in the altercation, a seventh-grade male placed a sixth-grade male in a chokehold causing the victim to have...
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UPDATE: Fugitive with Four Open Warrants in Charles County Located and Arrested

UPDATE: Fugitive with Four Open Warrants in Charles County Located and Arrested

UPDATE: Harvey was located and is being held at the Charles County Detention Center. 5/5/2022: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of George Harvey, 43, of Waldorf, who has four open warrants including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, failure to appear in court for two burglary charges and failure to...
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Officers Locate Firearm During Traffic Stop in Newburg

Officers Locate Firearm During Traffic Stop in Newburg

On May 3, 2022,  at 7:19 p.m., Traffic Operations officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were conducting commercial vehicle inspections in the 12600 block of Crain Highway in Newburg when they stopped a truck for an inspection. During the stop, the officers learned the driver did not have a driver’s license. Upon further...
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UPDATE: Newburg Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Assault and False Imprisonment After Attempted Rape of St. Mary’s Hospital Nurse

UPDATE: Newburg Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Assault and False Imprisonment After Attempted Rape of St. Mary’s Hospital Nurse

UPDATE 5/5/2022: State’s Attorney Richard Fritz announces that on May 4, 2022, Ezekiel Jedidiah Thomas (DOB August 29, 1997) pled guilty to false imprisonment and felony assault on a staff member of Medstar Saint Mary’s Hospital that occurred on September 30, 2019. In his plea, Thomas admitted that he attacked a hospital staff member while...
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Maryland State Police, NHTSA Spread Awareness: ‘Move Over’ To Protect First Responders, Road Workers

Maryland State Police, NHTSA Spread Awareness: ‘Move Over’ To Protect First Responders, Road Workers

The Maryland State Police will be joining law enforcement agencies across the country by participating in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Slow down – Move Over” campaign Friday, May 6 through Sunday, May 8. Every day, thousands of first responders and road workers take to the streets to help...
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Waldorf Air Force Lieutenant Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Transportation of Child Pornography

Waldorf Air Force Lieutenant Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Transportation of Child Pornography

U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Jason Daniel Ort, age 36, of Waldorf, Maryland, to 11 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release, for transportation of child pornography, specifically videos Ort had surreptitiously recorded using a hidden camera in a bathroom, as well as other images and videos he...
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Police Arrest Wanted Nanjemoy Man and Recover Stolen Vehicle After Traffic Stop in La Plata

Police Arrest Wanted Nanjemoy Man and Recover Stolen Vehicle After Traffic Stop in La Plata

On Thursday, May 4, 2022, at 1:43 a.m., patrol officers initiated a traffic stop in the area of Crain Highway near Shepherds Creek Place in La Plata, after observing a headlight out on the vehicle. A check of the registration plates revealed the car had been reported stolen from Baltimore County. The driver initially...
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Two Students at North Point High School Charged with Assaulting School Staff Member

Two Students at North Point High School Charged with Assaulting School Staff Member

On May 3, 2022, at 1:37 p.m., a school administrator at North Point High School was notified by a teacher that two students were engaged in a verbal disagreement with a classmate. The classmate was taken to an administrator’s office at which time the other two students tried to force their way into the...
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Previously Convicted La Plata Man Found Guilty of Possession of Firearm, Fleeing and Eluding, Other Charges

Previously Convicted La Plata Man Found Guilty of Possession of Firearm, Fleeing and Eluding, Other Charges

UPDATE 5/5/2022: State’s Attorney Richard Fritz announces that on April 26, 2022, following a two-day trial, a Saint Mary’s County jury found 27-year-old Andre Raynard Hilliard-Johnson, guilty of Possession of a Regulated Firearm with a Prior Felony Conviction, Fleeing and Eluding an Official Police Vehicle, as well as other firearm charges. Mr. Hilliard-Johnson was...
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The Maryland Department of Health and the Opioid Operational Command Center Thank Marylanders for Participating in National Drug Take Back Day

The Maryland Department of Health and the Opioid Operational Command Center Thank Marylanders for Participating in National Drug Take Back Day

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC) are thanking Marylanders across the state for taking part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 30. Participants dropped off their unused prescription medications at dozens of sites located throughout the state. Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford also...
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Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Shutout the Barnstormers in Their 10th Straight Win

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Shutout the Barnstormers in Their 10th Straight Win

The Blue Crabs’ pitchers allowed five total hits in tonight’s shutout victory, as Southern Maryland won 3-0.  With tonight’s win, the Blue Crabs extend their franchise-record win streak to ten games. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs’ starter, Denson Hull (W, 1-0), pitched five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and one walk.  This was...
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Police Recover Food Containing Suspected Marijuana from Matthew Henson Middle School Student

Police Recover Food Containing Suspected Marijuana from Matthew Henson Middle School Student

On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 2:45 p.m., school staff at Matthew Henson Middle School found cookies that possibly contained marijuana and a store-bought bag of “marijuana candy” inside a student’s lunchbox. The bag and cookies were recovered by a school resource officer and will be forwarded to the Maryland State Police Crime Lab...
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La Plata Police Department Honor Guard Participates in the 28th Annual Blue Mass in Washington D.C.

La Plata Police Department Honor Guard Participates in the 28th Annual Blue Mass in Washington D.C.

Earlier today, members of the La Plata Police Department Honor Guard participated in the 28th annual Blue Mass at Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. The mass honored fallen law enforcement officers and fire safety officials and those who are currently serving. Federal, state and local first responders in police agencies from around...
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SMECO Honors Outstanding Teachers from St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles Counties

SMECO Honors Outstanding Teachers from St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles Counties

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) worked with the school systems of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties to select and honor 23 educators with Outstanding Teacher awards for leadership in the fields of mathematics, science, technology, and engineering. Receiving awards this year were nine math teachers, eight science teachers, and six STEM (science, technology,...
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Governor Hogan Announces $200 Million Affordable Housing Package to Address Rising Costs

Governor Hogan Announces $200 Million Affordable Housing Package to Address Rising Costs

Governor Larry Hogan announced that more than $200 million in financing tools and new programs will be made available to create new affordable housing opportunities in the state. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will administer the funds to produce more than 6,000 additional units statewide amid rising construction costs and...
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The Maryland State Police Aviation Command to Host Trooper/Flight Paramedic Virtual Open House On May 23, 2022 May 2, 2022

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command to Host Trooper/Flight Paramedic Virtual Open House On May 23, 2022 May 2, 2022

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command (MSPAC) is excited to announce the changes to the Department’s tattoo policy, as well as recent raises, service credit for time at other State agencies and the roll out of our new whole blood program. These changes will be discussed as the MSPAC hosts a virtual open house...
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Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Charter Member Walter F. Willett, 97 “Popeye”

Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Charter Member Walter F. Willett, 97 “Popeye”

The Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Walter Frank Willett, know by many as “Popeye”. Walter was a charter member for our department. May he Rest In Peace. Walter F. Willett, 97, went home to be with the Lord on April 25, 2022. He was born...
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Police Arrest Armed Suspect who Fled from a Hit and Run Crash and Discharged a Handgun at an Unoccupied Building

Police Arrest Armed Suspect who Fled from a Hit and Run Crash and Discharged a Handgun at an Unoccupied Building

On May 1, 2022, at 9:47 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Western Parkway near Millbrook Court for the report of a hit and run motor vehicle crash. The driver of the striking vehicle fled before officers arrived. As officers were responding, they received a call that...
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Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Associations’ Annual Convention and Parade in Lexington Park

Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Associations’ Annual Convention and Parade in Lexington Park

The Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Inc. is excited to announce that we will be hosting the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Associations’ Annual Convention and Parade on May 1, 2022, our Fire Chief Joe Gould will be the incoming President of the Association. Due to the COVID19 pandemic the annual convention and parade has...
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Police Recovered Replica Handgun from Milton Somers Middle School Student

Police Recovered Replica Handgun from Milton Somers Middle School Student

On Thursday, April 28 at 3:30 p.m., a student from Milton Somers Middle School was on a school bus heading home after school when they observed what appeared to be a handgun inside another student’s book bag. The student reported the information to a parent who then notified the police. A school resource officer...
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Police Recover Bag Containing Morphine at Milton Somers Middle School

Police Recover Bag Containing Morphine at Milton Somers Middle School

On Thursday, April 28 at 2:30 p.m., a student found a plastic bag containing a suspicious substance inside a classroom at Milton Somers Middle School. The student notified a teacher who then notified a school resource officer. A preliminary investigation revealed the substance tested positive for morphine. It is not yet known who brought...
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