Charles News

CSM Welcomes Students for the 2019 Fall Semester with a Busy September Calendar

CSM Welcomes Students for the 2019 Fall Semester with a Busy September Calendar

CSM Offers Walk-in Schedule for Advising, Career and Transfer Services. Aug. 5-Sept. 13. College of Southern Maryland (CSM); La Plata, Leonardtown and Prince Frederick campuses. CSM’s Office of Advising, Career and Transfer Services will observe an all-walk-in schedule to assist students from Aug. 5 through Sept. 13. There will be no appointments available during...
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Maryland One of Leading States in Organ Donation Rates As United States “Opt In” Systems More Effective Than “Opt Out” Systems in Other Countries

Maryland One of Leading States in Organ Donation Rates As United States “Opt In” Systems More Effective Than “Opt Out” Systems in Other Countries

A recent analysis of organ donation rates around the world reports that U.S. states, including Maryland, lead the world in organ donation with 43 of the top 50 performing international jurisdictions being U.S. states. Maryland donation rates rank an impressive 14th out of the study’s 90 national and international donation regions. In addition, Maryland’s...
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SMECO Warns Customers About Person Going Door to Door Claiming to be with SMECO

SMECO Warns Customers About Person Going Door to Door Claiming to be with SMECO

From time to time area residents will call or post something on social media about a person coming to their door claiming to be with SMECO. Sometimes they may say they’re taking a survey, or they might say SMECO is offering a rate reduction. Generally, they ask to see the customer’s SMECO bill. These...
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Former Correctional Officer Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Attempted First-Degree Murder After Ruthless Attack on Wife

Former Correctional Officer Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Attempted First-Degree Murder After Ruthless Attack on Wife

UPDATE 8/22/2019: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on August 21, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Armando Quispe Rodriguez, 46 of Bryans Road, to life suspend all but 30 years for the Attempted First-Degree Murder of Keyia Rodriguez. After completion of his sentence, Rodriguez will be...
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U.S Department of Justice and The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reports Record Low of Juvenile Arrests

U.S Department of Justice and The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Reports Record Low of Juvenile Arrests

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the National Institute of Justice today released Juvenile Arrests, 2017, which documents recent trends by analyzing arrest data reported by local law enforcement agencies to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report. Overall, juvenile arrests have been declining for more than a decade, but patterns vary by...
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Firefighters in Waldorf Quickly Extinguish Kitchen Fire Tuesday Morning

Firefighters in Waldorf Quickly Extinguish Kitchen Fire Tuesday Morning

On Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at approximately 8:35 a.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to 9141 Granite Court in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find nothing evident from the front of the house. Upon further investigation, firefighters found an active fire on the stove which...
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Firefighters Respond to House Fire in Mechanicsville Twice in 5 Hours, Original Fire Deemed Accidental by State Fire Marshal

Firefighters Respond to House Fire in Mechanicsville Twice in 5 Hours, Original Fire Deemed Accidental by State Fire Marshal

UPDATE 8/21/19: On Tuesday, August 20, 2019, at approximately 5:05 p.m., firefighters responded to 36975 Dixie Lyon Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported structure fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a 2-story, single-family dwelling with fire showing from the roof and second floor. The occupant and one dog safely escaped the home...
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UPDATE: Fire at White Plains Moose Lodge Deemed Accidental by Fire Marshal

UPDATE: Fire at White Plains Moose Lodge Deemed Accidental by Fire Marshal

UPDATE 8/21/19: On Monday, August 19, 2019, at approximately 6:25 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to 4765 Crain Highway at the Waldorf Moose Lodge in White Plains, for the reported structure fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find smoke showing from a single story commercial building. The owner was identified...
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U.S. Army Reserve Opening New Facility in Charles County, Maryland on Thursday, August 22, 2019

U.S. Army Reserve Opening New Facility in Charles County, Maryland on Thursday, August 22, 2019

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., and will have guest speakers Major General Mark Palzer the commanding general of the Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division, U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer, Mr. Reuben Collins the Charles County Commissioner President and Ms. Thomasina Coates the Charles County Commissioner for...
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Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program is Currently Seeking Applicants

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program is Currently Seeking Applicants

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. This program furthers the Department’s mission by assisting state, local and tribal efforts to prevent or reduce crime and violence....
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State Fire Marshals Office Investigating Camper Fire in Coltons Point

State Fire Marshals Office Investigating Camper Fire in Coltons Point

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at approximately 2:55 p.m., firefighters from Seventh District, Leonardtown, Mechanicsville, Hollywood, and Charles County responded to 38095 Graves Road in Coltons Point, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on scene to find a small pull behind camper fully engulfed in fire with no threat to nearby structures. Firefighters...
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Maryland State Police Reminding Motorcycle Riders To Take Safety Precautions Following Recent Fatal Crashes

Maryland State Police Reminding Motorcycle Riders To Take Safety Precautions Following Recent Fatal Crashes

Recent motorcycle crashes are prompting Maryland State Police to issue a reminder for both motorcyclists and other drivers to take precautions, especially during the remaining warm weather months. Since July 28, troopers have responded to six fatal crashes across the state that have involved motorcycle riders. The crashes represent reminders to take extra precautions...
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Waldorf Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting Pre-Teen Girls

Waldorf Man Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison for Sexually Assaulting Pre-Teen Girls

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, August 8, 2019, Claude William Brown, Jr., 69 of Waldorf, entered a guilty plea in Charles County Circuit Court, in front of the Honorable Judge Amy J. Bragunier, to two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor. Following his guilty plea, Judge Bragunier...
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David Michael Shaw, 79

David Michael Shaw, 79

David Michael Shaw of Indian Head, MD, 79, died August 9, 2019. Friends will be received on Friday, August 16, 2019 at Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Dept. & Rescue Squad at 1 PM until time of Fireman’s Prayers at 5 PM. Repast to follow at fire department. Memorial contributions may be made to Indian...
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Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week Begins, The USM Doubles Top Scholarship Prize

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week Begins, The USM Doubles Top Scholarship Prize

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is underway, meaning big savings for shoppers and a chance for students attending a Maryland college or trade school to win a huge scholarship, simply by posting their shopping experience on social media through August 17. The University System of Maryland (USM) Foundation has announced that it will generously match...
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UM Charles Regional Receives Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus with Honor Roll Elite Achievement Award

UM Charles Regional Receives Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus with Honor Roll Elite Achievement Award

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center (UM CRMC) has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on...
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La Plata Man’s Favorite Keno Numbers Lead to $12,560 Prize at Local Dash In

La Plata Man’s Favorite Keno Numbers Lead to $12,560 Prize at Local Dash In

A Charles County Public Schools employee is celebrating today after winning $12,560 playing Keno, which is his favorite game. The lucky La Plata man routinely plays the same numbers and they earned him another trip to the Lottery Winner’s Circle. In 2010, he won $10,000. His recent win came on a Saturday after the...
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UPDATE: CRITICAL MISSING PERSON LOCATED – Charles County

UPDATE: CRITICAL MISSING PERSON LOCATED – Charles County

UPDATE from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office: Mr. Knott has been located in Issue, He’s safe and unharmed. We thank ALL OF YOU on social media because you led us right to him! There was simply a little miscommunication between him and his family. ALL IS GOOD! Thank you again Charles County! 8/11/2019: The...
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WANTED – Charles County Sheriff’s Office – Jerrell Antwaun Johnson

WANTED – Charles County Sheriff’s Office – Jerrell Antwaun Johnson

Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for the tip that leads to the apprehension and arrest of Jerrell Antwaun Johnson, 22 of Port Tobacco. Johnson has four outstanding arrest warrants charging him with attempted rape, felony assault, robbery, theft and failure to appear. Johnson is currently out of jail after being...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Robbery of Pizza Delivery Man in Indian Head on August 5, 2019

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Robbery of Pizza Delivery Man in Indian Head on August 5, 2019

On Monday, August 5, 2019, at 12:05 a.m., officers responded to the area of Travers Road in Indian Head, for the report of a robbery. Investigation showed the victim was making a delivery when he was confronted by several suspects who threatened him and demanded money. The victim complied and the suspects fled with...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Armed Robbery in Waldorf on August 1, 2019

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Armed Robbery in Waldorf on August 1, 2019

On Thursday, August 1, 2019, at approximately 6:15 p.m., officers responded to Fillmore Road in Waldorf, for the report of an armed robbery. Investigation showed the victim and a friend were approached by the suspect who implied he had a handgun and demanded the victims’ property. The victims complied and the suspect fled. The...
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AUDIO: One Transported to Trauma Center After Rollover Crash in Waldorf

AUDIO: One Transported to Trauma Center After Rollover Crash in Waldorf

On Thursday, August 8, at approximately 7:20 p.m., police fire, and rescue personnel responded to Mattawoman Beantown Road and Nike Drive in Waldorf, for a motor vehicle accident reported serious with one trapped. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle overturned and confirmed one patient was trapped in the vehicle. Firefighters...
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Charles County Arts Alliance Grant Applications Now Available

Charles County Arts Alliance Grant Applications Now Available

Over the past 32 years, the Charles County Arts Alliance has awarded more than $800,000 in grant funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in Charles County to support activities in the performing, visual and literary arts. This has helped enhance our county’s arts and culture and inspired our fellow residents to explore the diverse...
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Portion of Turkey Hill Road in Charles County to be Closed August 10, and 11th

Portion of Turkey Hill Road in Charles County to be Closed August 10, and 11th

The Department of Public Works wants to notify residents that due to a culvert pipe being replaced, Turkey Hill Road between Hunters Ridge Court and Spalding Drive will be closed Saturday, August. 10 at 7:00 a.m., and is scheduled to re-open Sunday, August 11 at 7:00 p.m., Dower Hill Farm Place residents will have...
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FEMA and FCC Conducting Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, August 7, 2019

FEMA and FCC Conducting Nationwide Test of the Emergency Alert System on Wednesday, August 7, 2019

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019. The nationwide test will be sent to radio and television stations beginning at 2:20 p.m. EDT. The test will not include a message on cell...
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