In the late 2000s, the outlook for blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay was grim. Known for its ups and downs, the blue crab harvest was going through a long stretch of almost all downs. The crab population steeply declined after 1997 and remained at record low harvests for a decade. The region lost...
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“My teachers, with their unwavering enthusiasm and flexibility, supported me wholeheartedly as I juggled full-time schooling and a demanding job.” La Plata resident and College of Southern Maryland (CSM) alumna Destiny Morgan ’15 was honored during CSM’s 2024 Spring Commencement as the third recipient of the college’s Distinguished Alumni Award. “Alumni are our...
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On June 12, 2024, at approximately 4:00 p.m., La Plata Police Department officers responded to the Target, on Shining Willow Way, in La Plata, for the report of a theft in progress. Upon arrival the loss prevention manager gave police a description of the suspect, who was later Identified as Michael Keith Lee Jr.,...
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Governor Wes Moore signed a historic executive order pardoning 175,000 Maryland convictions related to the possession of cannabis, including convictions for misdemeanor possession of cannabis and certain convictions for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. The order represents the largest pardon for misdemeanor cannabis possession charges for any state in the country and the inclusion...
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The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) recently received extraordinary gifts from the estate of CSM alumna Margaret Mary Hampton as overseen by her daughter Carol Zadeh, of Waldorf. Hampton passed away in February and was among the very first Charles County Community College (former CSM) nursing graduation class, even serving as the student representative...
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On June 6, 2024, the Maryland Natural Resources Police said goodbye to K9 Badger. He was the trusted, faithful partner and companion to Sgt. April Sharpeta. K9 Badger, nicknamed “Honey Badger” due to his sassy personality, came to the department in 2013. He began training in tracking and articles but after a session with...
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On Sunday, June 16, 2024, at approximately 4:03 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the Morningside Apartments located at 70 Village Street in Waldorf, for the reported commercial structure fire with multiple subjects trapped. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 4-story apartment complex with nothing evident from multiple sides. Upon entering the structure,...
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The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating a double fatal shooting at a car meet in Accokeek. The victims are 48-year-old Sheldon Proctor of Waldorf and 55-year-old Patrick Savoy of Charlotte Hall. A third victim, an adult male, was also shot. His injuries are not considered life-threatening. A reward of up...
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On Friday, June 14, 2024, at approximately 1:03 a.m., Troopers from Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to United States Route 301 in the area of Billingsley Road for a report of a serious motor vehicle collision. Due to the circumstances, the Maryland State Police CRASH Team was requested to assume the investigation....
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The Charles County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Section (NES), in collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, has successfully dismantled a major drug ring operating across Charles County. This year-long investigation culminated in a coordinated operation that resulted in several arrests and the recovery of significant amounts of...
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On June 12, 2024, La Plata Police Department officers responded to the Target, in La Plata, for the report of a theft in progress. Working with the loss prevention manager, officers apprehended the individual without incident in the parking lot. The arrest was part of an ongoing investigation that identified the suspect in 52...
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At Benjamin Stoddert Middle School, Assistant Principal Marquelle Peavy collaborates with teachers, staff and parents to create a positive and inclusive learning environment, but above all she places students at the heart of her work. “Ms. Peavy is a caring, genuinely nice woman and very helpful,” Jahir Jamieson, eighth-grade student, said. “The reason I...
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The Charles County Sheriff’s Office recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated South Patrol District One Station at 6845 Crain Highway in La Plata. Sheriff Troy D. Berry, Captain Andrew Schwab – the current South Patrol Division Commander – and Captain Charly Baker delivered remarks to commemorate the opening of the new...
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The Charles County Sheriff’s Warrant/Fugitive Unit is actively seeking the public’s assistance in locating Eric William Broome, age 26, from Waldorf, who is wanted in connection with multiple charges including failing to appear in court for first-degree assault, false imprisonment, and violation of probation. Incident Summary: On August 1, 2023, Broome was arrested by...
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On June 4, 2024, at approximately 5:29 p.m., officers responded to check the welfare of two individuals sitting at a traffic light in a vehicle on Crain Highway at Heritage Green Parkway. Upon arrival, officers located two individuals suffering from a phencyclidine (PCP) overdose. The two were transported to the hospital for medical intervention....
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Last week, 26 officers from 18 law enforcement agencies across the state graduated from the University of Maryland’s DUI Institute, a rigorous 40-hour program that develops leaders in the enforcement of alcohol-impaired driving laws. The award-winning program, created in 2003, was developed by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MVA) Highway Safety...
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The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its 2024 Citizens Police Academy (CPA) class. This 12-week program will begin in September 2024 and will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through early December, except Wednesday, November 27. The classes will be held in various locations, including...
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UPDATE 6/11/2024: Neighbors used ladders to rescue both trapped occupants from the second floor prior to the arrival of firefighters. Three cats were also removed, one is missing. No injuries were reported. The American Red Cross was not requested, family and friends are assisting the displaced residents. Firefighters placed the fire under control within...
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The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its 2024 Citizens Police Academy (CPA) class. This 12-week program will begin in September 2024 and will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through early December, except Wednesday, November 27. The classes will be held in various locations, including...
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UPDATE 6/10/2024: On Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 10:32 a.m., firefighters responded to 6016 New Forest Court in Waldorf, for the structure fire, Firefighters located a 2-story apartment complex on fire. The owner is identified as New Forest Complex with the estimated loss of structure being valued at $400,000.00 Two firefighters suffered non-life threatening...
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Maryland’s sports wagering market generated $6,991,225 in contributions to the state from a handle of $431,528,137 during May 2024. Sports wagering contributions go to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs. The $6.9 million contribution to the state in May 2024 was the second-best single-month total and represented a 50.3%...
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On Sunday, June 9, 2024, at approximately 10:20 a.m., police responded to the Food Lion located at 3200 Old Washington Road in Waldorf, for the reported carjacking. Officers from Charles and St. Mary’s County were notified of the stolen vehicle, tag number and direction of travel and began searching for the suspects. The victim,...
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Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is rolling out a new summer meals program starting June 25. Meals on the Move will provide children ages 2 to 18 with free cold breakfasts and lunches for multiple days. The CCPS food truck will visit designated sites on specific days to distribute meals in rural areas as...
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Lunch on Us, the free summer meal program Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) holds for children ages 2 to 18, returns June 24. It will be held Monday through Thursday at designated locations through Aug. 8 – except for July 4 when sites will be closed in observance of Independence Day. Lunch on Us...
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Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has awarded four scholarships for 2024 to high school seniors who live in the cooperative’s service area. Recipients receive awards based on scholastic achievement, financial need, and school and community involvement. Since beginning the scholarship program in 1993, SMECO has presented awards to 128 students. Each of the following...
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