Charles News

Maryland Emergency Management Agency Awards $4 Million to Fire, EMS, and Rescue Departments

Maryland Emergency Management Agency Awards $4 Million to Fire, EMS, and Rescue Departments

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) announced awards of $4 million in federal funding made available through the Recovery for the Economy, Livelihoods, Industries, Entrepreneurs, and Families Act (RELIEF) of 2021. MEMA will distribute these funds to 181 volunteer fire, EMS, and rescue departments throughout the State of Maryland to assist with hardship relief...
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Traffic on Maryland Roads and Highways Begins to Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels

Traffic on Maryland Roads and Highways Begins to Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels

According to new data from state transportation officials, traffic on Maryland roads and highways has begun to approach and exceed pre-pandemic levels. “Holiday travel during the Fourth of July Weekend exceeding 2019 levels is an important milestone signaling our state’s strong recovery from the pandemic,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Traffic volumes are exceeding pre-pandemic...
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Governor Hogan Announces Nearly $30 Million in Awards for Broadband Infrastructure

Governor Hogan Announces Nearly $30 Million in Awards for Broadband Infrastructure

Governor Larry Hogan today announced awards to expand broadband internet access to more than 12,000 households in 18 counties. Administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Statewide Broadband (OSB), $29,472,131 in grant funding will support network infrastructure projects by local internet service providers that will provide connectivity to unserved...
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A Reminder to Marylanders: Keep Wildlife in the Wild

A Reminder to Marylanders: Keep Wildlife in the Wild

Each year during the spring and summer months, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) receive reports of captive wildlife situations in which residents attempt to care for or possess wild animals. These attempts are often made with good intentions but pose serious risks to both the...
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Heat Advisory in Effect for Saturday, July 17, 2021

Heat Advisory in Effect for Saturday, July 17, 2021

A Heat Advisory Alert in effect from noon to 8pm on Saturday July 17th. Heat index values up to 107 expected, in Calvert, Prince Georges, Anne Arundel, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Invites County Residents to Participate in 2021 Citizens Police Academy

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Invites County Residents to Participate in 2021 Citizens Police Academy

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its 2021 Citizens Police Academy (CPA) class, set to begin in September. This 12-week program will begin on September 15, 2021, and will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through December 8, 2021, with the exception of Wednesday, November...
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U.S. Government Launches First One-Stop Ransomware Resource at StopRansomware.gov

U.S. Government Launches First One-Stop Ransomware Resource at StopRansomware.gov

As part of the ongoing response, agencies across the U.S. government announced new resources and initiatives to protect American businesses and communities from ransomware attacks. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), together with federal partners, have launched a new website to combat the threat of ransomware....
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30 Days Left to Renew Driver’s Licenses, Permits & ID Cards that Expired During the State of Emergency

30 Days Left to Renew Driver’s Licenses, Permits & ID Cards that Expired During the State of Emergency

The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) is reminding Marylanders that under Governor Larry Hogan’s Executive Order issued on May 12, 2021, driver’s licenses – both non-commercial and commercial (CDLs) – learner’s permits and identification cards that expired during the COVID-19 State of Emergency must be renewed by August 15, 2021....
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NDW Indian Head Firefighters/EMTs Recognized for Lifesaving Incidents

NDW Indian Head Firefighters/EMTs Recognized for Lifesaving Incidents

Members of Naval District Washington (NDW) Fire and Emergency Services Indian Head Company were recognized for lifesaving during a July 13, 2021, ceremony at the fire house with Naval District Washington Commandant Rear Adm. Michael Steffen and Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP) Commanding Officer CAPT Todd Copeland. The awards covered an astonishing four...
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Wild Birds Unlimited of La Plata Receives Prestigious Recognition

Wild Birds Unlimited of La Plata Receives Prestigious Recognition

Barbara and Chip Whipkey, owners of the local Wild Birds Unlimited, were recognized at the company’s annual Enterprise Leadership Conference for their hard work with the Highest Flying Fledgling award. This award recognizes new franchise store owners with the highest sales volume during their first full year of business. “We are truly honored to...
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VIDEO: Police Investigating Assault in Mechanicsville in Which Two Victims and Two Suspects Are Flown to Trauma Centers

VIDEO: Police Investigating Assault in Mechanicsville in Which Two Victims and Two Suspects Are Flown to Trauma Centers

UPDATE 7/13/2021: On July 11, 2021, at approximately 8:03 p.m. deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 40400 block of Kavanagh Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported hit-and-run collision involving injury. Preliminary investigation determined numerous suspects blocked a roadway and assaulted five victims who were in two separate vehicles, with baseball...
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Patrol Officer Locate and Recover Loaded Firearm and Narcotics During Traffic Stop in Waldorf

Patrol Officer Locate and Recover Loaded Firearm and Narcotics During Traffic Stop in Waldorf

On Sunday, July 11, 2021, at 11:30 p.m., officers initiated a traffic stop in the area of Vivian Adams Drive and Leonardtown Road in Waldorf, after observing a traffic violation. Officers located a loaded 9mm “ghost” gun from the driver’s waistband. In addition, they found 100 grams of marijuana, prescription narcotics, a scale, and...
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Waldorf Air Force Lieutenant Facing Federal Charges for Using a Hidden Camera to Produce Child Pornography

Waldorf Air Force Lieutenant Facing Federal Charges for Using a Hidden Camera to Produce Child Pornography

A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Jason Daniel Ort, 36, of Waldorf, Maryland, with possession and production of child pornography.  The criminal complaint was filed on June 16, 2021 and unsealed on July 7, 2021 after Ort’s arrest and initial appearance in U.S District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland....
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Bird Illness Investigation Continues in Maryland and Eight Other States

Bird Illness Investigation Continues in Maryland and Eight Other States

In late May, wildlife managers in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky began receiving reports of sick and dying birds with eye swelling and crusty discharge, as well as neurological signs. More recently, additional reports have been received from Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. While the majority of affected birds...
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Maryland State Police Warn Citizens of Fraud Scheme Using State Police Barrack Phone Number

Maryland State Police Warn Citizens of Fraud Scheme Using State Police Barrack Phone Number

The Maryland State Police at the JFK Highway Barrack are issuing a warning about a fraud scheme being run today in which the caller is using the barrack phone number and telling people they are wanted on a warrant, but could avoid arrest if the provided money or gift cards. Troopers at the JFK...
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Local Firefighters House Destroyed After Fire in Charles County, Fire Marshal Investigating

Local Firefighters House Destroyed After Fire in Charles County, Fire Marshal Investigating

On Friday, July 9, 2021, at approximately 6:23 p.m., firefighters responded to 15485 Christina Place, for the reported structure on fire. Dispatchers advised they received four 911 calls reporting the house was on fire. Two of the four 911 calls reported the homeowners/occupants were not home at the time the fire started. Crews arrived...
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White Plains Man Wins $150,000 Keno Prize at Westlake Liquors

White Plains Man  Wins $150,000 Keno Prize at Westlake Liquors

A White Plains grandfather who works for the city government in Washington, D.C. says he buys Lottery games in the district once in a while. However, most of his Lottery play takes place in Maryland and that’s unlikely to change, especially after he won a $150,000 prize from the Maryland Lottery! The 70-year-old reports...
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Police Arrest Couple at California Walmart with $1,200 in Stolen Merchandise

Police Arrest Couple at California Walmart with $1,200 in Stolen Merchandise

On Thursday, July 1, 2021, Trooper J. Pope of the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack responded to Walmart, 45485 Miramar Way, California, for a reported theft. Upon arrival, the two suspects had fled the store on foot, but one was quickly apprehended and the other was located inside a U-haul truck in the parking...
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Using a Generator Safely During a Power Outage

Using a Generator Safely During a Power Outage

Using alternative sources of power, such as a generator, can cause carbon monoxide (CO) to build up in a home and poison the people and animals inside. Never use a generator inside an enclosed space, inside your home, basement or an attached garage, as carbon monoxide fumes can build up. Every year, at least...
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U.S. Park Police Eagle Rescues Three Stranded Boaters, and Two Firefighters from Nanjemoy Creek

U.S. Park Police Eagle Rescues Three Stranded Boaters, and Two Firefighters from Nanjemoy Creek

On Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at 8:45 p.m., fire and rescue personnel responded to the Nanjemoy Creek, in the area of Bird Dog Place, for the reported boat in distress and taking on water. The 911 caller reported the boat ran aground and was actively taking on water. The three occupants had flashlights, cellphones,...
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AUDIO: Police Investigating Man Shot Multiple Times in Waldorf

AUDIO: Police Investigating Man Shot Multiple Times in Waldorf

UPDATE @ 11:30 p.m., audio of dispatch added. 7/6/2021 @ 10:45 p.m : On Tuesday, July 6, 2021, at approximately 10:27 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to a residence in the 2400 block of Hanover Court in Waldorf, for a reported gunshot victim. The 911 caller reported the victim was shot five...
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State Fire Marshal Investigating Two Arsons in Charles County

State Fire Marshal Investigating Two Arsons in Charles County

The State Police Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating two fires in Charles County. On Thursday, July 1, 2021, at approximately 8:20 p.m., neighboring residents extinguished a fire at a community gazebo on Sandhurst Place, in Waldorf. The cause of the fire was the result of juveniles intentionally igniting garbage in the...
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New Federal Safety Standard for Upholstered Furniture Fires in Effect As of June 25, 2021

New Federal Safety Standard for Upholstered Furniture Fires in Effect As of June 25, 2021

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) new mandatory federal flammability standard for upholstered furniture went into effect on June 25, 2021. Upholstered furniture manufactured, imported or reupholstered on or after that date must comply with the standard. House Fires Are Deadly – In a house fire, a consumer has just minutes to escape...
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MDOT MVA Reminds Marylanders of Expired Product Deadlines

MDOT MVA Reminds Marylanders of Expired Product Deadlines

The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) is reminding Marylanders of deadlines for products that expired during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as operational changes impacting branch offices and Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) stations in observance of Independence Day. All branch offices and VEIP stations closed Saturday, July 3, and...
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Police Arrest Two Suspects in Murder at Birthday Party in Bryans Road

Police Arrest Two Suspects in Murder at Birthday Party in Bryans Road

Charles County Sheriff’s detectives have identified and arrested two suspects in connection with the murder of Leon Nathaniel Inabinett, Jr., 25, who was shot and killed on June 20 in the parking lot of a firehouse banquet hall at 3099 Livingston Road in Bryans Road. Inabinett was in the back parking lot when two...
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