Charles News

Governor Larry Hogan Proclaims September as International Underground Railroad Month for Maryland

Governor Larry Hogan Proclaims September as International Underground Railroad Month for Maryland

Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed September as International Underground Railroad Month, which recognizes Maryland as the most powerful destination for authentic Underground Railroad history. It also commemorates all those involved in the Underground Railroad, including Maryland’s courageous Harriet Tubman, the brilliant orator Frederick Douglass, and thousands of freedom seekers. “Maryland has the most documented successful...
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Motor Vehicle Accident in Mechanicsville Sends Five to Area Hospital

Motor Vehicle Accident in Mechanicsville Sends Five to Area Hospital

On Monday, September 2, 2019, at approximately 1:55 p.m., police fire, and rescue personnel responded to Mechanicsville Road and Church Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported motor vehicle accident with seven to nine patients with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find three vehicles in the roadway in a rear-end style collision. A...
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Charles County Public Schools Seeking Applications High School Seniors Interested in Participating in the Maryland General Assembly Student Page Program

Charles County Public Schools Seeking Applications High School Seniors Interested in Participating in the Maryland General Assembly Student Page Program

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is accepting applications from high school seniors interested in participating in the Maryland General Assembly Student Page Program. Each year, CCPS selects three high school seniors and one alternate to represent the school system in the program. Student Pages spend two nonconsecutive weeks working in either the state Senate...
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Bridgework on Maryland Route 224 in Nanjemoy Now Complete

Bridgework on Maryland Route 224 in Nanjemoy Now Complete

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) opened the newly improved MD 224 (Riverside Road) Bridge over a branch of the Potomac River in Nanjemoy, Charles County. The work was completed Monday, September 2, 2019. MDOT SHA closed the bridge in June and directed drivers to use MD 6, Greenleek Hill...
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Two La Plata Physical Therapists Receive Prestigious Board Certifications as Orthopaedic Specialists

Two La Plata Physical Therapists Receive Prestigious Board Certifications as Orthopaedic Specialists

The strength of University of Maryland (UM) Charles Regional Medical Center and all of its related practices comes from its people. From general doctors who treat a wide range of ailments to specialists who focus their efforts on specific conditions, our team is made up of people who’ve dedicated their careers to providing exceptional...
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One Injured After Trailer Fire at Local Business in La Plata, Fire Marshal Currently Investigating

One Injured After Trailer Fire at Local Business in La Plata, Fire Marshal Currently Investigating

On Saturday, August 31, 2019 at approximately 10:20 p.m., firefighters from La Plata and surrounding departments responded to Kenny’s Scrap Metal located at 5900 Race Car Place in La Plata, for the reported structure fire with one injured. Crews arrived on the scene to find a one-story trailer with fire showing from multiple sides....
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Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department Sadly Announces the Passing of Life Member Charles “Smokey” Milstead Sr.

Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department Sadly Announces the Passing of Life Member Charles “Smokey” Milstead Sr.

The Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department regrets to announce the passing of Life Member Charles “Smokey” Milstead Sr. Smokey served the department for 55 years and will be terribly missed. Rest In Peace Smokey. God bless you and we love you. Services are as follows: Viewing will be held on Saturday September 7th 2019 at...
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AUDIO: No Transports After First Responders Respond to Reported Overdose with Five Patients in Waldorf

AUDIO: No Transports After First Responders Respond to Reported Overdose with Five Patients in Waldorf

On Saturday, August 31, 2019, at approximately 6:50 p.m., police fire, and rescue personnel responded to the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church located at 305 Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, for the reported multiple overdoses with subjects unconscious. Police arrived on the scene to find five subjects in front of the church with one unconscious,...
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Shed Destroyed and Home Damaged After Fire in Indian Head

Shed Destroyed and Home Damaged After Fire in Indian Head

On Thursday, August 29, 2019, at approximately 6:15 p.m., firefighters from Indian Head, Potomac Heights, Bryans Road, and surrounding departments responded to 6650 Oakwood Circle in Indian Head, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a one-story shed and small out building fully engulfed in fire and threatening another...
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Passerby Alerts Homeowner of Fire in Waldorf, State Fire Marshal Currently Investigating

Passerby Alerts Homeowner of Fire in Waldorf, State Fire Marshal Currently Investigating

On Friday, August 30, 2019, at approximately 8:20 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to 2102 Country Pines Court in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find smoke showing from the rear of the residence, and after further investigation, firefighters found a small fire found on...
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Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack Sadly Announces Passing of K9 Justice

Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack Sadly Announces Passing of K9 Justice

It’s with great sadness that the Maryland State Police La-Plata Barrack announces the passing of one of their K9 partners on the morning of Thursday, August 29. K9 Justice was 15 years old when he passed, trained in the detection of narcotics. Working with numerous handlers during his time on patrol, and numerous years...
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Local Non-Profit ACLT and Native Musician Unite to Preserve the Chesapeake

Local Non-Profit ACLT and Native Musician Unite to Preserve the Chesapeake

As you read this, the largest rainforest in the world, the Amazon Rainforest, is burning away at about one and a half soccer fields per minute. Deforestation is an ever-growing problem everywhere you look these days. However, there is a very passionate battle going on all around the world to preserve and protect the...
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SMECO Holds 81st Annual Meeting and Announces Election Results

SMECO Holds 81st Annual Meeting and Announces Election Results

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) held its 81st Annual Meeting on August 29, 2019, at Middleton Hall in Waldorf. The Board of Directors election was conducted online and by mail prior to the meeting. The following SMECO members were elected to serve on SMECO’s Board for three years: W. Michael Phipps in Calvert County;...
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Hogan Administration Announces Grants Totaling $10 Million to Fight Heroin and Opioid Epidemic in Maryland

Hogan Administration Announces Grants Totaling $10 Million to Fight Heroin and Opioid Epidemic in Maryland

Maryland’s Opioid Operational Command Center (OOCC), in coordination with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, today announced nearly $10 million in grants to fight the heroin and opioid epidemic during fiscal year 2020. “Our administration continues to be committed to using every resource possible to ensure our local jurisdictions have access to life-saving resources such...
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Maryland Department of Health Investigating Cases of Severe Lung Illness in People Using e-Cigarettes

Maryland Department of Health Investigating Cases of Severe Lung Illness in People Using e-Cigarettes

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and the Maryland Poison Center at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy have identified five individuals who in the last two months developed severe lung illness after using e-cigarettes, often referred to as “vaping.” Respiratory symptoms reported by patients included shortness of breath, pain associated with breathing...
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Commuter Connections and The University of Maryland Launches App incenTrip to Help Commuters Avoid Traffic, Save Fuel, and Earn Rewards

Commuter Connections and The University of Maryland Launches App incenTrip to Help Commuters Avoid Traffic, Save Fuel, and Earn Rewards

Today, Commuter Connections and the Maryland Transportation Institute at the University of Maryland launched incenTrip, a new mobile app that allows commuters in the Washington D.C. region to save time, money, and fuel while earning rewards for planning trips. The incenTrip app recommends the best travel mode, departure time, and route based on real-time...
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Maryland State Police Prepare For Labor Day and Will Have Additional Troopers on Patrol

Maryland State Police Prepare For Labor Day and Will Have Additional Troopers on Patrol

Maryland State Police are gearing up for the Labor Day holiday, Maryland State Police will have additional troopers on patrol who will be using a variety of initiatives to keep traffic moving, respond quickly to highway incidents and take appropriate enforcement action when violations are observed that threaten the safety of travelers. Beginning today,...
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Charles County Public Schools Sponsoring a Bus Hotline for Parents

Charles County Public Schools Sponsoring a Bus Hotline for Parents

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is sponsoring a bus hotline for parents to call with questions about school bus routes. Call 301-932-6655 to access the hotline. The hotline is available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Aug. 29-30, and 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 3-4. Bus route information for the 2019-20 is now available...
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Charles County Public Schools Focusing on “The Power of Your Words.” and School Safety

Charles County Public Schools Focusing on “The Power of Your Words.” and School Safety

School leaders from Charles County’s 37 public schools and centers kicked off the 2019-20 school year last week during the annual Administrative Leadership Institute. The annual event welcomes Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) principals, vice principals and administrative assistants with three full days of professional development to kick off the new school year. The...
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23-Year-Old Woman Killed in Car Crash in Pomfret

23-Year-Old Woman Killed in Car Crash in Pomfret

Troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to a single vehicle collision in the area of Bensville Road/RT 229 at Marshall Corner Road/RT 227, in Pomfret. The preliminary investigation conducted by Troopers revealed a 2003 Dodge Neon, operated by Alia Nicole Watson, 23, of King George, Virginia, was traveling southbound on ...
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SMECO Seeking Applications for 2020 Contribution for Local Organizations Working to End Opioid Crisis

SMECO Seeking Applications for 2020 Contribution for Local Organizations Working to End Opioid Crisis

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), through its charitable foundation, is inviting local organizations that are working to end the opioid crisis in Southern Maryland to apply for the charitable funds that will be raised in 2020. As part of its commitment to the community, each year SMECO raises money for a different local charity....
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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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