Charles News

Re-Fund The Police: Governor Hogan Statement on Maryland State Police Salary Increases

Re-Fund The Police: Governor Hogan Statement on Maryland State Police Salary Increases

Governor Larry Hogan issued the following statement after the Maryland State Police announced that effective January 1, 2022, the state will increase the starting pay of trooper candidates by 45%: “Today, we are taking the first step in implementing our $150 million Re-Fund The Police Initiative by ensuring that we offer more competitive salaries to the troopers who...
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Charles County Board of Education Authorizes One Time Payment for Active Employees

Charles County Board of Education Authorizes One Time Payment for Active Employees

The Board of Education yesterday authorized Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) to provide a one-time $1,000 payment in two installments to active employees. Eligible employees include those covered by both the Education Association of Charles County (EACC) contract, as well as employees covered by the school system’s contract with the American Federation of State,...
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Crews Recover Body of Missing Waterman/Volunteer Firefighter Douglas Hands

Crews Recover Body of Missing Waterman/Volunteer Firefighter Douglas Hands

UPDATE 10/30/2021: The Cobb Island Volunteer Fire and EMS Department released the following statement. ***UPDATE*** FOR THE RECOVERY OPERATIONS OF FIRE FIGHTER / LIFE MEMBER DOUGLAS HANDS – On October 30, 2021 at 14:15 Hours – Fire Fighter / Life Member Doug Hands was located this afternoon during the multi-agency search of the Potomac River....
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Governor Hogan Declares State of Emergency for Counties Affected by Severe Weather, Tidal and Coastal Flooding

Governor Hogan Declares State of Emergency for Counties Affected by Severe Weather, Tidal and Coastal Flooding

Governor Larry Hogan today declared a state of emergency for areas of Maryland along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River, and the Atlantic Coast currently under a Coastal Flood Warning from the National Weather Service and therefore at risk of severe tidal and coastal flooding. The state of emergency declaration includes Baltimore City and the...
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Maryland State Police Collect More Than 800 Pounds Of Unwanted, Expired Prescription Drugs During Take Back Event

Maryland State Police Collect More Than 800 Pounds Of Unwanted, Expired Prescription Drugs During Take Back Event

The Maryland State Police collected more than 800 pounds of unwanted and expired prescription medications as part of a National Drug Take Back Day event last Saturday. All 23 state police barracks throughout Maryland participated in the effort. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day effort, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Agency, aims...
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Charles County Public Restricting Indoor Spectator Access to 50%

Charles County Public Restricting Indoor Spectator Access to 50%

Effective Monday, November 1, 2021, Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) will limit the capacity for indoor high school extracurricular activities, including athletics and performing arts events, to 50 percent. The new capacity limit will be controlled by ticket sales for events such as games and plays or productions. Each CCPS high school has a...
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Mission BBQ Makes Generous Donation to Charles County Volunteer Fire/EMS

Mission BBQ Makes Generous Donation to Charles County Volunteer Fire/EMS

On Wednesday, October 27, 2021, “we participated in a “check presentation” from Mission BBQ of Waldorf. We thank Zanne Dickerson and the staff at Mission BBQ for their hospitality, and a special thanks to the general public for donating to the “red cup campaign” and proceeds go to the CCVFA and CCAEMS”
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Waldorf Father-Son Team Scores $100,000 on Crossword Scratch-Off

Waldorf Father-Son Team Scores $100,000 on Crossword Scratch-Off

Big win opens the door to a house purchase for son, A father and son from Charles County who enjoy playing Maryland Lottery games individually and together just picked up a $100,000 top-prize win on the $100,000 Crossword 5th Edition scratch-off. “We got lucky,” said the 58-year-old dad, who is a fan of Pick 3 and Pick 4. Years back, the...
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First Responders and National Weather Service Urges Citizens to Stay Safe While Our Region is Impacted by Inclement Weather

First Responders and National Weather Service Urges Citizens to Stay Safe While Our Region is Impacted by Inclement Weather

The National Weather Service says “One of the biggest tidal flood events of the past 10-20 years (possibly since Hurricane Isabel at some locales), is expected Friday & Saturday. Those along tidal shores should get ready for exceptional tidal inundation! Tidal forecasts here: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/forecasts.php?wfo=lwx During the last inclement weather that impacted the Charles, Calvert...
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Recruiting Efforts for Maryland State Police Underway with Increased Starting Pay

Recruiting Efforts for Maryland State Police Underway with Increased Starting Pay

Maryland State Police are actively recruiting motivated young men and women to join one of the most prestigious law enforcement agencies in the state with an increased starting pay. The Maryland State Police announces a salary increase for newly hired troopers as many law enforcement agencies around the country work to recruit qualified applicants....
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Charles County Public Schools – Update from Superintendent Navarro on Thursday, October 28, 2021

Charles County Public Schools – Update from Superintendent Navarro on Thursday, October 28, 2021

October 28, 2021 Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff: I wanted to update you about school bus transportation for today, Thursday, Oct. 28. This morning, 26 buses, which is about 9 percent of those contracted to work for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), did not run. This translates to a little over 10 percent of...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating Drive-by Shooting on Bannister Circle, in Waldorf – Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward

UPDATE: Police Investigating Drive-by Shooting on Bannister Circle, in Waldorf – Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward

UPDATE: On October 27, 2021, at approximately 8:00 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Bannister Circle and St Ignatius Drive for the report of a shooting. A preliminary investigation showed an adult male was on Bannister Circle when a car pulled up and someone fired a gun....
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Maryland State Police Prepare For Halloween Weekend

Maryland State Police Prepare For Halloween Weekend

Maryland State Police are gearing up for the Halloween weekend with additional troopers on patrol using a variety of initiatives to urge both motorists and pedestrians to use common sense, take responsibility and be more courteous on Maryland’s roadways. Between Thursday and Sunday, troopers from each of the 23 Maryland State Police barracks statewide...
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The Charles County Volunteer Rescue Squad regrets to announce the passing of Life Member William “Bill” Gaither Jr.

The Charles County Volunteer Rescue Squad regrets to announce the passing of Life Member William “Bill” Gaither Jr.

The Charles County Volunteer Rescue Squad regrets to announce the passing of Past Captain (Chief), Past President and Life Member William “Bill” Gaither Jr. on October 24, 2021. A Korean conflict veteran, Bill joined the Rescue Squad in 1967 and rose through the ranks to become Captain of the Rescue Squad (at the time...
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Charles County Halloween Events 2021

Charles County Halloween Events 2021

1st Annual NJHS Trunk or Treat – Thursday, October 28, from 5:00 p.m., to 7:00 p.m., at the John Hanson Middle School, located at 3165 John Hanson Drive in Waldorf (photo below) 32nd Annual Vampire Manor – Thursday, October 28, to Sunday, October 31, hours are – 7:30 p.m., to 10:00 p.m., at 9410...
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Police Arrest Waldorf Man Who Committed Robbery While Wearing Electronic Monitoring Device for Previous Armed Robbery Charges

Police Arrest Waldorf Man Who Committed Robbery While Wearing Electronic Monitoring Device for Previous Armed Robbery Charges

On Thursday, October 21, 2021, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Tobacco Hunt located in the 300 block of Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, for the report of a robbery. Preliminary investigation revealed the suspect entered the store at 7:59 p.m., and approached an employee and asked about buying a t-shirt...
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Police Recover Stolen & Loaded Firearm From Suspect Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm

Police Recover Stolen & Loaded Firearm From Suspect Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm

On October 14, 2021, at 8:13 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were in the 400 block of Patuxent Court when they observed an SUV parked in a No Parking Zone with registration plates that did not belong on the SUV, but rather a passenger car. Officers approached the SUV and observed...
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Detectives Identify and Arrest Suspect in Home Invasion and Robbery Case in Bryans Road

Detectives Identify and Arrest Suspect in Home Invasion and Robbery Case in Bryans Road

On July 13, 2021, at approximately 8:00 p.m., officers responded to the 6900 block of Surrey Place in Bryans Road, MD for the report of a home invasion and assault that just occurred. The initial investigation revealed the victim was exiting his vehicle in his driveway when the suspect, armed with a gun, approached...
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Charles County Board of Education Authorizes 4% Cost of Living Adjustment for AFSCME Employees, Effective December 2021

Charles County Board of Education Authorizes 4% Cost of Living Adjustment for AFSCME Employees, Effective December 2021

The Board of Education on Oct. 25 authorized Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) to negotiate a four percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union. Members of the CCPS negotiating team met with AFSCME leaders yesterday and the adjustment was approved through a memorandum of understanding....
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Halloween Safety Tips, Fire Safety, and Ways to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Halloween Safety Tips, Fire Safety, and Ways to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Ongoing surveillance of local COVID-19 data by the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) continues to show high levels of community transmission of COVID-19. SMCHD strongly recommends that all community members (vaccinated and unvaccinated) continue to wear masks in indoor settings when with others outside their household and in outdoor group settings when physical...
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No Injuries Reported After Garage Fire in Bel Alton, State Fire Marshal Deems Fire Accidental due to Electrical Event

No Injuries Reported After Garage Fire in Bel Alton, State Fire Marshal Deems Fire Accidental due to Electrical Event

On Sunday, October 24, 2021, at approximately 11:22 p.m., firefighters responded to 8660 Fairground Road in Bel Alton, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a one story residence with nothing evident. Upon further investigation, firefighters located smoke showing from a detached garage to the rear of the residence,...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources – Fall Foliage Report for October 21, 2021

Maryland Department of Natural Resources – Fall Foliage Report for October 21, 2021

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources released their fall foliage report. “It’s mid-October here in Maryland and we have something to offer every fall foliage enthusiast. Crossing our state from west to east, you will experience it all — glorious autumn jewel tones decorating the skyline in the west — breathtaking sunrises and local...
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UPDATE: Patrol Officers in Charles County Locate Man Threatening to Harm Himself

UPDATE: Patrol Officers in Charles County Locate Man Threatening to Harm Himself

UPDATE: On October 21, 2021, at approximately 2:04 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Welcome for a person threatening to harm himself. Prior to officers’ arrival, the individual fled the residence in his vehicle, armed with a shotgun. A lookout was broadcast to responding officers. Cpl. B....
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Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Onions

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Onions

Contaminated Food Fresh whole red, white, and yellow onions imported from the State of Chihuahua, Mexico and distributed by ProSource Produce LLC and Keeler Family Farms These onions were sold to restaurants and grocery stores throughout the United States. The onions were last imported on August 31, but they may last up to three...
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Maryland State Police To Participate In National Drug Take Back Day

Maryland State Police To Participate In National Drug Take Back Day

The Maryland State Police, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, are asking citizens to dispose of unwanted prescription drugs during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, set for Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at state police barracks. State police barracks throughout Maryland will be participating in National Drug...
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