Charles News

Maryland Department of Health announces first reported heat-related death of 2024

Maryland Department of Health announces first reported heat-related death of 2024

The Maryland Department of Health today announced the first reported heat-related death of 2024 in Maryland. The death occurred in Prince George’s County; the decedent was a male aged 59. “We are very saddened to report our first heat-relat​ed death of the 2024 season,” said Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services Nilesh Kalyanaraman. “As...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center with Life-Threatening Injuries After 55-Gallon Barrel Explodes in Waldorf Residence

Man Flown to Trauma Center with Life-Threatening Injuries After 55-Gallon Barrel Explodes in Waldorf Residence

On Friday, June 7, 2024, at approximately 2:45 p.m., fire and rescue personnel responded to the 2800 block of Starling Drive in Waldorf, for the reported explosion with injuries. Multiple 911 callers reported a loud explosion with an unknown aged male laying in the garage barely moving. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find...
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UPDATE: Indian Head Man Convicted for Murder of 29-Year-old La Plata Woman

UPDATE: Indian Head Man Convicted for Murder of 29-Year-old La Plata Woman

UPDATE 8/9/2024: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Deanthony Lamont Warrick, 35, of Indian Head, to Life Without Parole (LWOP) in prison for the First-Degree Murder of Jasmine Lakesha Hicks and related charges. UPDATE 6/7/2024: Tony...
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UPDATE: 17-Year-Old Sentenced to 30-Years for Murder of Robbery and Abduction Victim

UPDATE: 17-Year-Old Sentenced to 30-Years for Murder of Robbery and Abduction Victim

UPDATE 6/7/2024: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, June 6, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Makeba Gibbs sentenced Nijuan Wilson, 17, to Life in prison with all but 30 years suspended for the First-Degree Murder of Deangelo Beale. Wilson will be on supervised probation for five years upon...
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St. Mary’s County Woman Hits $190,383 Jackpot in Her First Time Playing FAST PLAY Game

St. Mary’s County Woman Hits $190,383 Jackpot in Her First Time Playing FAST PLAY Game

In an exciting turn of events, a first-time player from La Plata struck gold in a FAST PLAY game, winning a whopping $190,383 progressive jackpot prize. The anonymous winner, who selected the nickname “First Timer” to tell the story of her Lottery luck, reports being left speechless upon discovering her incredible win. The St. Mary’s County...
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Maryland Aquaculture Leases Produce Record Yield of Oysters in 2023

Maryland Aquaculture Leases Produce Record Yield of Oysters in 2023

Maryland’s growing shellfish aquaculture operations harvested a record 94,286 bushels of oysters in 2023, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported.  “Though the shellfish aquaculture harvest is small in comparison to the public fishery, it is growing steadily and the farmer’s product is available throughout the year,” said Brian R. Callam, Ph.D., director of...
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Police Recover Toy Gun Altered to Resemble Real Handgun from Billingsley Elementary School Student

Police Recover Toy Gun Altered to Resemble Real Handgun from Billingsley Elementary School Student

On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 8:30 a.m., school staff at Billingsley Elementary School were alerted that a student was possibly in possession of a handgun. School administrators recovered the gun, which was a toy gun altered to resemble a real semi-automatic handgun. In accordance with MD law, due to the student’s age, they...
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Governor Moore Signs Executive Order to Advance Maryland’s Pollution Reduction Plan

Governor Moore Signs Executive Order to Advance Maryland’s Pollution Reduction Plan

Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order to advance Maryland’s Climate Pollution Reduction Plan. The order—one of the most comprehensive on climate change issued by a Maryland governor—directs a whole-of-government approach to address climate change, including requiring agencies to submit a Climate Implementation Plan by Nov. 1, action to propose new emissions standards, and the...
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Nanjemoy Man Arrested And Charged With Attempted Murder After Shotting His Father in the Face

Nanjemoy Man Arrested And Charged With Attempted Murder After Shotting His Father in the Face

On June 5, 2024, officers assigned to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit and members of the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Task Force arrested Tehran Lebrons Butler, age 18, of Nanjemoy, who was wanted in connection with a non-fatal shooting that occurred in May. On May 27, at 1:30 a.m., patrol...
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St. Mary Catholic Church, Newport Celebrates 350 Years

St. Mary Catholic Church, Newport Celebrates 350 Years

St. Mary Catholic Church, Newport is celebrating a significant milestone in 2024: 350 years since its founding in 1674. It is the third oldest continuously operating Catholic parish in the United States to reach that number. Celebratory events are being held throughout the year to honor St. Mary’s historic role as a place of...
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Maryland Spring Turkey Hunters Harvest 4,959 Birds

Maryland Spring Turkey Hunters Harvest 4,959 Birds

Maryland hunters harvested 4,959 wild turkeys during the 2024 spring regular and junior turkey seasons. This year’s harvest was 7% lower than the record amount set last spring, but surpassed the harvest totals from previous seasons. “Hunters took advantage of favorable weather and abundant turkey populations with another high harvest,” Maryland Department of Natural...
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UPDATE: Owner of Animal Clinic of La Plata Identified as Victim Killed in Accident Involving Tractor

UPDATE: Owner of Animal Clinic of La Plata Identified as Victim Killed in Accident Involving Tractor

UPDATE 6/5/2024: We regret to announce the passing of Dr. Kenneth Ivan Cunningham, M.R.C.V.S. age 72, of La Plata, Maryland. Cunningham was a long time Veterinarian who owned and operated the Animal Clinic of La Plata. He attended Trinity College, Dublin Ireland where he received his membership into the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons....
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Addresses Concerns Surrounding Party Promoters Using Residential Properties for Large Scale Events

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Addresses Concerns Surrounding Party Promoters Using Residential Properties for Large Scale Events

On June 1, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., patrol officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to Inheritance Drive in Brandywine following reports of an exceptionally large party, traffic complaints, and disorderly behavior. Upon arrival, officers observed approximately 200 cars parked on the street and in yards throughout the neighborhood. Hundreds of people, possibly...
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Family Displaced After Large House Fire in Hughesville, Fire Marshal Investigating

Family Displaced After Large House Fire in Hughesville, Fire Marshal Investigating

On Sunday, June 2, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., firefighters from Charles, St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Prince George’s County responded to the 6900 block of Bucktown Court tin Hughesville, for the reported structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene and immediately requested a working fire dispatch and reported fire showing from a 2-story...
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301 Derby Dames To Host Patuxant Roller Derby

301 Derby Dames To Host Patuxant Roller Derby

On Saturday, June 15th the 301 Derby Dames will host Patuxant Roller Derby at the Charles County Fairgrounds Grand Hall located at 8440 Fairground Road, La Plata. This marks the second bout between 301 and Patuxant, the first on 301’s track. When these two teams met before on July 8, 2023 in Columbia, Maryland...
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CSM Faculty Welcomes 59 Graduates to Nursing Profession at Pinning Ceremony

CSM Faculty Welcomes 59 Graduates to Nursing Profession at Pinning Ceremony

The College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) Spring 2024 nursing graduates celebrated their achievements at the La Plata Campus with a time-honored pinning ceremony that allowed CSM faculty to welcome 59 of their now former students as peers and colleagues in the field of nursing. The graduating class chose the theme “Leave the World a Better Place than You...
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La Plata High School’s 290 Graduating Seniors Collect More Than $25 million in Scholarship Offers

La Plata High School’s 290 Graduating Seniors Collect More Than $25 million in Scholarship Offers

The 290 graduating seniors of La Plata High School streamed into Regency Furniture Stadium Wednesday morning for commencement exercises led by valedictorian William Alcorn and salutatorian Alan Sebastian. Sebastian plans to attend the University of St. Thomas to study philosophy. “We share a common goal today to celebrate our graduation,” Sebastian said in his...
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Henry E. Lackey’s Graduation Celebrates History and Small Moments That Create A Life Well Lived

Henry E. Lackey’s Graduation Celebrates History and Small Moments That Create A Life Well Lived

Henry E. Lackey High School’s Class of 2024 charged into Regency Furniture Stadium Thursday, May 30, for commencement exercises. The class of 257 members was led by valedictorian Isabel Raleigh and salutatorian Anna Martin. Martin’s history with Lackey goes back generations. Family legend has it that her great-grandmother was alive while Henry E. Lackey...
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Maurice J. McDonough High School Confers 252 Diplomas, Earn More Than $19 Million in Scholarship Offers

Maurice J. McDonough High School Confers 252 Diplomas, Earn More Than $19 Million in Scholarship Offers

With all the pomp and circumstance benefitting graduates, the Class of 2024 of Maurice J. McDonough High School marched to the field of Regency Furniture Stadium Thursday, May 30, one last time together as classmates. The class of 252 graduates was led by valedictorian Noah Cusack and salutatorian Aiden Gibney. Gibney, who will attend...
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​​​​​​​North Point High School Leaders Urge Peers to Appreciate the Present and Share Their Talents

​​​​​​​North Point High School Leaders Urge Peers to Appreciate the Present and Share Their Talents

The North Point High School Eagles landed Friday, May 31, at Regency Furniture Stadium for their graduation ceremony. The 429 graduating seniors were led by valedictorian Samuel Stine and salutatorian Shreeya Chada. Stine, who will attend the College of Southern Maryland in the fall and plans to study engineering, started his address showing off...
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Thomas Stone High School Confers 230 Diplomas and Collect Over $18 Million in Scholarship Offers

Thomas Stone High School Confers 230 Diplomas and Collect Over $18 Million in Scholarship Offers

1The pride of Thomas Stone High School arrived at Regency Furniture Stadium Tuesday, May 28, for the Class of 2024’s graduation ceremony. The 230 graduates were led by valedictorian Charlie Bowie and salutatorian Noah Prado. Bowie, who will head to Boston University in the fall to study political science, urged the graduating seniors to...
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Second Virginia Man Arrested for Murder of Waldorf Man at PG County Car Meet

Second Virginia Man Arrested for Murder of Waldorf Man at PG County Car Meet

UPDATE 6/2/2024: The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit identified and charged a second suspect in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred at a recent car meet. The suspect is 21-year-old Caimon Harrell of Woodbridge, Virginia. He’s charged with the murder of 26-year-old John Phipps of Waldorf. Information provided by the community to...
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State Highway Administration Reminds Motorists of Enhanced Work Zone Safety Laws, Increased Fines Going into Effect June 1, 2024

State Highway Administration Reminds Motorists of Enhanced Work Zone Safety Laws, Increased Fines Going into Effect June 1, 2024

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is reminding motorists that changes to state law governing the use of automated speed enforcement in work zones take effect June 1, 2024, with additional changes effective January 1, 2025. Designed to help protect highway workers as well as motorists and their passengers, the new law...
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Westlake High School Graduates Pay Tribute to Parents, Family Members for Supporting Their Education

Westlake High School Graduates Pay Tribute to Parents, Family Members for Supporting Their Education

The teal and orange robes of Westlake High School Wolverines caught the afternoon sun as the 276 members of the school’s Class of 2024 entered the field of Regency Furniture Stadium for their commencement exercises. The class, led by valedictorian Margareth Dagamac and salutatorian Mason Wheeler, earned nearly $19 million in scholarship offers. Dagamac, who...
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CSM Announces 2024 Spring Semester Dean’s List

CSM Announces 2024 Spring Semester Dean’s List

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has released its dean’s list for the 2024 spring sessions. Students who have earned 12 or more credits at CSM are eligible to be considered for the dean’s list. At the end of the fall, spring, and summer sessions, full- and part-time students who have completed at least...
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