Charles News

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announce Winners of 2019 Photo Contest

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announce Winners of 2019 Photo Contest

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the winners of the 2019 Natural Resources Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to David Illig of Gambrills for his stunning close-up shot of an eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly. This year’s grand prize package includes $500, a Maryland State Parks Passport, a five-year subscription to Maryland Natural Resource...
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Hogan Administration Announces Nearly $12 Million Highway Safety Grant Funds Allocated for Nearly 100 Agencies

Hogan Administration Announces Nearly $12 Million Highway Safety Grant Funds Allocated for Nearly 100 Agencies

As part of its ongoing commitment to prevent vehicle crashes and save lives on Maryland roads, the Hogan Administration has announced the statewide distribution of nearly $12 million in federal highway safety funds. The funds will be dispersed by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office to nearly...
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The Maryland Department of Commerce Awards Nine Maryland Companies with ExportMD Grants

The Maryland Department of Commerce Awards Nine Maryland Companies with ExportMD Grants

The Maryland Department of Commerce has awarded nine small and mid-sized Maryland companies with ExportMD grants to help promote their products and services in the global marketplace. The ExportMD grant program helps businesses finance the costs of marketing internationally, including trade show fees and travel expenses. Applications are accepted on a monthly basis and...
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CSM Launches Center for Leadership Initiative at Thomas V. ‘Mike’ Miller Jr. Celebration to Help Raise Next Generation of Leaders

CSM Launches Center for Leadership Initiative at Thomas V. ‘Mike’ Miller Jr. Celebration to Help Raise Next Generation of Leaders

Celebrating a legacy of Maryland leadership and decades of strong support of higher education, the College of Southern Maryland Foundation is launching an initiative to establish the Thomas V. “Mike” Miller Jr. Center for Leadership at CSM. The longest-serving state senate president in the country will be recognized on Sept. 26 at the Running...
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One Seriously Injured After Dirt-Bike Crash in Hughesville

One Seriously Injured After Dirt-Bike Crash in Hughesville

On Wednesday, September 11, 2019 , at approximately 4:00 p.m., police fire, and rescue personnel responded to 6700 block of Pale Morning Court in Hughesville, for the reported motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. Dispatched advised responding units that the 911 caller reported a 16 year-old male on a dirt bike was struck by...
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Co-Defendants Sentenced for First-Degree Assault After Brutal Attack on Victim in Waldorf

Co-Defendants Sentenced for First-Degree Assault After Brutal Attack on Victim in Waldorf

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Emanuel Malik Anthony Nugent, 22 of Waldorf, to 25 years with all but 18 years suspended to be served at the Division of Corrections for the First-Degree Assault of Timothy Dalton....
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Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in La Plata is Now Open

Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop in La Plata is Now Open

Barbara Whipkey is pleased to announce the newest Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop will be opening on September 11th at 58 Shining Willow Way, La Plata, Maryland. Barbara and Chip Whipkey also own the Wild Birds Unlimited in Lexington Park, Maryland. “We’re the new home of the best bird food in town,” said Whipkey,...
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Firefighters Currently Fighting Large Brush Fire in La Plata After a High Tension Power Cable Line Fell

Firefighters Currently Fighting Large Brush Fire in La Plata After a High Tension Power Cable Line Fell

On Wednesday, September 11, 2019, at approximately 5:05 p.m., firefighters from Charles, Calvert, Prince George, and St. Mary’s County responded to the area of La Plata Road and Hawkins Gate Road in La Plata, for the reported large fire involving power lines. Firefighters reported an estimated 19 acres were on fire. Charles County Volunteer...
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UPDATE: Dog Perishes and House Destroyed After Fire in Mechanicsville, Cause Still Under Investigation

UPDATE: Dog Perishes and House Destroyed After Fire in Mechanicsville, Cause Still Under Investigation

UPDATE 9/11/19: On Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at approximately 2:40 p.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville and surrounding departments responded to 25680 Grandiflora Court in Mechanicsville, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a one story single family home with fire showing. The owner/occupant has been identified as Rae Costanzo....
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West Nile Virus Detected in Maryland Resident

West Nile Virus Detected in Maryland Resident

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) confirmed the first case of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Maryland this year. The infected individual is an adult living in the National Capital Region in Maryland.  MDH routinely tracks and responds to mosquito-borne infections; no other locally acquired arboviral infections have been identified this year. The number...
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Maryland Firefighters Deployed to California to Assist in Fighting Wildfires

Maryland Firefighters Deployed to California to Assist in Fighting Wildfires

Maryland has assembled and mobilized a crew of wildland firefighters to help battle ongoing wildfires in northern California as part of a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. It’s the first out-of-state deployment for a Maryland crew this season. The 20-person crew assembled this weekend at the Madonna Ranger Station...
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Charges Pending After Caller Falsely Reported Active Shooter at Matthew Henson Middle School

Charges Pending After Caller Falsely Reported Active Shooter at Matthew Henson Middle School

On September 10 at 9:56 a.m., 911 dispatchers received a call stating that there was an active shooter inside Matthew Henson Middle School. Officers responded and determined that there was no active threat. An investigation revealed that two students, who are both 14 years old, had taken another student’s phone and called in the...
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Maryland Wear And Carry Permit Application Process Goes Online Beginning October 1, 2019

Maryland Wear And Carry Permit Application Process Goes Online Beginning October 1, 2019

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve customer service, the Maryland State Police is proud to announce that the application process for a Maryland Wear and Carry Permit will be transitioned from a hand-written paper application to the online Licensing Portal. Beginning Oct. 1, 2019, those applying for a Maryland Wear and Carry...
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New CSM Safe App Features Real-Time Notifications, Puts Campus Security in Palm of Students’ Hands

New CSM Safe App Features Real-Time Notifications, Puts Campus Security in Palm of Students’ Hands

New CSM Safe App Features Real-Time Notifications, Puts Campus Security in Palm of Students’ Hands The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Public Safety and Preparedness Department launched a new CSM Safe App over the summer – putting critical, real-time information at users’ fingertips and minimizing response times during both emergency and routine security/safety situations....
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National Science Foundation Awards CSM $258,912 to Grow Region’s Cybersecurity Workforce, Boost Students’ Credentials

National Science Foundation Awards CSM $258,912 to Grow Region’s Cybersecurity Workforce, Boost Students’ Credentials

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) a $258,912 grant to support the college’s efforts to grow a cybersecurity talent pipeline in Southern Maryland. The funding will go toward the “Cybersecurity Workforce: Bridging the Gap,” program under the direction of CSM Business Program Coordinator Thomas J. Luginbill, CSM...
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Matthew Henson Middle School Opens with Words of Kindness

Matthew Henson Middle School Opens with Words of Kindness

Words matter at Matthew Henson Middle School, and kindness was the word of the day on September, 3, 2019, as schools opened for the 2019-20 school year. Wearing matching gray shirts with the message “One kind word can change someone’s entire day,” Henson staff gathered at the front of the school and shared kind...
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No Injuries Reported After House Fire in Bel Alton

No Injuries Reported After House Fire in Bel Alton

On Friday, September 6, 2019, at approximately 9:45 a.m., firefighters from Bel Alton, Newburg, Waldorf, La Plata and surrounding departments responded to 9340 Crystal Lane in Bel Alton, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 1-story residence with smoke showing, and upon further investigation, firefighters found a room...
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One Transported to Area Trauma Center After Crash in La Plata

One Transported to Area Trauma Center After Crash in La Plata

On Friday, September 6, 2019, at approximately 3:30 p.m., police fire, and rescue personnel responded to the area of St. Mary’s Avenue and Glen Albin Road in La Plata, for the motor vehicle accident with injuries. Crew arrived on the scene to find two vehicles in a T-bone style collision. Fire and rescue reported...
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Sprinkler Systems Save Apartment After Kitchen Fire in La Plata

Sprinkler Systems Save Apartment After Kitchen Fire in La Plata

On Saturday, September 7, 2019, at approximately 12:45 p.m., firefighters from La Plata and surrounding departments responded to 600 Edelen Station Place in La Plata, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to a 3-story apartment complex with nothing evident. Upon further investigation, firefighters found a microwave on fire in the...
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Hughesville Man Arrested After Driving Stolen Truck in Multi-State High Speed Police Chase

Hughesville Man Arrested After Driving Stolen Truck in Multi-State High Speed Police Chase

The suspect who drove a stolen vehicle at a police officer attempting to arrest him in Cecil County on Friday, September 6, 2019, has been arrested in Virginia. The suspect is identified as William H. Galvin, Jr., 29, of Hughesville. He was arrested at a trailer owned by his mother in Front Royal, Va.,...
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The Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department Sadly Announces Passing of Life Member Charles “Mike” Wills

The Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department Sadly Announces Passing of Life Member Charles “Mike” Wills

The Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc. regrets to announce the passing of Active Life Member Charles “Mike” Wills. Mike passed away unexpectedly at his home on Thursday, September 5, 2019. Mike joined our station on February 14th, 1980 at the age of 15. Including this year, Mike has had 39...
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UPDATE: Waldorf Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for the Murder of Father-in-Law

UPDATE: Waldorf Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for the Murder of Father-in-Law

UPDATE 9/5/2019: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, September 5, 2019, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Deangelo Hemsley, 42 of Waldorf, to life in prison for the First-Degree Murder of John Yates and related charges. On June 14, 2019, Hemsley was found criminally responsible by...
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Charles County Traffic Operations Unit Conducts Seatbelt and Distracted Driver Enforcement Which Nets 571 Citations and 99 Warnings

Charles County Traffic Operations Unit Conducts Seatbelt and Distracted Driver Enforcement Which Nets 571 Citations and 99 Warnings

Officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Operations Unit, along with officers from St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties, recently conducted a series of joint enforcement efforts as part of the “Buckle Up, Phone Down” program. Funded by the Maryland Highway Safety Office, “Buckle Up, Phone Down” is a seatbelt and distracted driving initiative...
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Charles County Annual College Fair to be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at North Point High School in Waldorf

Charles County Annual College Fair to be held on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at North Point High School in Waldorf

The annual Charles County College Fair is set for Wednesday, Sept. 18 at North Point High School in Waldorf. Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) juniors and seniors attend the fair Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. as part of a school field trip. During their visit, students can meet with representatives from...
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Seventh District Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Vehicle Fire Threatening Garage in Bushwood

Seventh District Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Vehicle Fire Threatening Garage in Bushwood

On Wednesday, September 4, 2019, at approximately 3:55 p.m., firefighters from Seventh District, Leonardtown, Hollywood, and Charles County responded to 22044 Colton Point Road in Bushwood, for the reported vehicle fire threatening a structure. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a pick-up truck fully engulfed in fire with extensions to a 1-story garage....
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