Charles News

UPDATE Vacant House Fire in Waldorf Ruled Arson by State Fire Marshal

UPDATE Vacant House Fire in Waldorf Ruled Arson by State Fire Marshal

UPDATE: The Office of the State Fire Marshal said a passer-by reported the fire at a vacant residence that destroyed the interior of the structure. The fire that originated in a downstairs bedroom was ruled arson. There were no injuries as a result of the fire. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is...
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Police in Charles County Release Name of 18-Year-Old Murdered in Indian Head

Police in Charles County Release Name of 18-Year-Old Murdered in Indian Head

UPDATE 9/7/2020: The victim in this case has been identified as Leonte Omarr Harvey, 18, of Nanjemoy. Detectives are continuing to pursue leads and additional information will be given as it is received. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective J. Riffle at (301) 609-6501. Tipsters wishing to remain anonymous may contact Charles...
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Attorney General Frosh, COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force Request Governor Hogan Dedicate Portion of CARES Act Funding to Rental/Debt Assistance and Legal Aid

Attorney General Frosh, COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force Request Governor Hogan Dedicate Portion of CARES Act Funding to Rental/Debt Assistance and Legal Aid

Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh and the Attorney General’s COVID-19 Access to Justice Task Force sent letters to Governor Hogan requesting a portion of CARES Act funding be dedicated to stem the anticipated tide of mass evictions and debt collections. The moratoria on evictions for failure to pay rent and consumer debt cases...
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State Fire Marshal Offers Outdoors Safety Tips as Summer Comes to an End

State Fire Marshal Offers Outdoors Safety Tips as Summer Comes to an End

With Labor Day weekend, and Maryland moving into Phase 3, families across Maryland will venture outside – either to the beach or the mountains – or like many, just to their backyard. Increased outdoor activities also increase outdoor fire risks; therefore, State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci provides a few common-sense tips that will...
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Come Out and Support Your Local Volunteer Fire and Rescue Departments While Getting Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinners!

Come Out and Support Your Local Volunteer Fire and Rescue Departments While Getting Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinners!

Thursday, September 3, 2020 – Kona Ice at Ridge Volunteer Fire Department from 5:00 p.m., to dark! Friday, September 4, 2020 – Food Truck Friday will be held at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department – Come enjoy Olde Town Pub Wing Wagon, Uncle Macks BBQ, Blue Wind Gourmet, Day’s Off Deli, Cindy’s Taqueria, Jamaican...
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Charles County Publics Schools Offering Free Meals to Children 2 to 18

Charles County Publics Schools Offering Free Meals to Children 2 to 18

As it did over summer and throughout the school closure last spring, Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is providing free meals to children ages 2 to 18 through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). In anticipation of the waiver, students’ accounts have not been charged. The SFSP will be...
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Charles County Food on The Move – Mobile Meals Start on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, and Deliver to Select Areas

Charles County Food on The Move – Mobile Meals Start on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, and Deliver to Select Areas

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is offering a meal program for Charles County children that delivers free, grab-and-go meals by school bus to select neighborhoods starting Wednesday, Sept. 9. Meals will be available from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Wakefield Community Center at 2002 Nantucket Drive in Waldorf; Arthur Middleton Elementary School...
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Governor Hogan Announces $30 Million in Funding For Eviction Prevention Assistance

Governor Hogan Announces $30 Million in Funding For Eviction Prevention Assistance

Governor Larry Hogan announced the commitment of $30 million in new funding to prevent evictions and help Marylanders affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Too many Marylanders have faced undue financial hardships during this unprecedented crisis, including the inability to pay their rent,” said Governor Hogan. “While our eviction moratorium has helped families remain in...
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September 3, 2020 – Prince George, Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s and Anne Arundel Counties Under Tornado Watch

September 3, 2020 – Prince George, Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s and Anne Arundel Counties Under Tornado Watch

National Weather Service says there is an extraordinary threat to life or property in District of Columbia, Anne Arundel County, Frederick County, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Calvert County, Charles County, Carroll County, Arlington County, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, City of Fredericksburg, City of Manassas, Fairfax County, Fauquier County, Prince William County,...
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Commissioners Address Broadband Concerns

The last several months have been a busy time for many while students and educators prepared to start the school year in a virtual setting. Two grants from the State of Maryland – the CARES Middle Mile Grant and the Broadband for Underserved Students (BUS) Grant have been approved to help close technology gaps...
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La Plata Volunteer Fire Department Takes Delivery of New Rescue Engine with Replaced 2005 Pierce Rescue Engine Listed for Sale

La Plata Volunteer Fire Department Takes Delivery of New Rescue Engine with Replaced 2005 Pierce Rescue Engine Listed for Sale

The department has taken delivery of our new Pierce Enforcer Rescue Engine (Rescue Engine 1). We are excited to move forward with this newest addition to our apparatus fleet. We will have tools mounted in the compartments, train drivers on the new piece, and conduct training with the membership prior to it being placed...
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State is No Longer Considering Cuts to Maryland State Police Aviation Command

State is No Longer Considering Cuts to Maryland State Police Aviation Command

Good news!! Following the Board of Public Works Virtual Meeting that was held on September 2, 2020, the proposed cuts to the Maryland State Police Aviation Division are no longer being considered. After a meeting in July of 2020, the Maryland State Board of Public Works considered multiple significant and vital budget cuts to...
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Labor Day Weekend Means Extra Safety Efforts Across Maryland

Labor Day Weekend Means Extra Safety Efforts Across Maryland

As the unofficial end to summer approaches, state troopers will be on extra alert in search of impaired, distracted and/or aggressive drivers this Labor Day weekend to ensure travelers get to their holiday destination safely. Beginning Thursday through Labor Day, troopers will be on patrol, using a variety of initiatives to keep traffic moving,...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Identity of Suspects Who Pointed Gun at Man and Child in Waldorf

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Identity of Suspects Who Pointed Gun at Man and Child in Waldorf

Can you identify this vehicle? On August 28 at approximately 6p.m., officers responded to the area of Bancroft Drive in Waldorf for the report of an assault. Investigation revealed the victim and his 2-year-old grandson were walking on the sidewalk in front of their residence when a white Chrysler 300 slowly passed by and...
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Governor Hogan Announces Beginning of Stage Three of Maryland’s COVID-19 Recovery, Additional Safe and Gradual Reopenings

Governor Hogan Announces Beginning of Stage Three of Maryland’s COVID-19 Recovery, Additional Safe and Gradual Reopenings

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that, based on the state’s improving health metrics, Maryland will begin to move into Stage Three of the ‘Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery,’ with additional safe and gradual reopenings. As with Stages One and Two, Stage Three will be implemented in multiple phases with a flexible, community-based approach that...
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UPDATE: Funeral Arrangements and Obituary for Firefighter Dylan Smith

Dylan Michael Smith, 27, of Prince Frederick, MD, passed away on August 29th 2020 in Washington D.C. after a 4-year long battle with brain cancer. Dylan was born at Anne Arundel Hospital to Shari and Carroll Smith on June 20th 1993. He worked as an elevator mechanic for 7 years at Schindler Elevators. He’s...
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SMECO Warns of Subjects Posing as Workers Attempting to Enter Homes

SMECO Warns of Subjects Posing as Workers Attempting to Enter Homes

SMECO has released a warning to please be aware of incident where people have been posing as workers trying to enter their homes. SMECO says Unless you have an appointment, SMECO representatives will not ask to enter your home. If you live in SMECO’s service area, you may receive a call from Itron asking...
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UPDATE: Police in Charles County Located Missing Juvenile

UPDATE: Police in Charles County Located Missing Juvenile

UPDATE: Dondre returned home this afternoon. Thank you everyone. 9/1/2020: Help Needed Locating Missing Juvenile: The Charles County Sheriff‘s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating Dondre Lowell Shaw, 15, of Waldorf. Shaw left his residence in Waldorf several days ago and has had contact with his family since then, but he...
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UPDATE: Police Release Name of Indian Head Man Killed in Head-on Collision in La Plata

UPDATE: Police Release Name of Indian Head Man Killed in Head-on Collision in La Plata

UPDATE 8/31/2020 @ 11:30 a.m.: On Sunday, August 30, 2020, at approximately 10:26 p.m., Troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded for a report of a motor vehicle collision on Maryland Route 225 (Hawthorne Road) in the area of Adams Road in La Plata. Due to the seriousness of the collision,...
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Maryland Fraudsters Facing Federal Indictment for Fraudulent $28 Million Investment Ponzi Scheme

Maryland Fraudsters Facing Federal Indictment for Fraudulent $28 Million Investment Ponzi Scheme

A federal grand jury has indicted Dennis Mbongeni Jali, age 35, formerly of Upper Marlboro, Maryland; John Erasmus Frimpong, age 40, of Upper Marlboro; and Arley Ray Johnson, age 61, of Bowie, Maryland on federal charges of conspiracy, wire fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering.  The indictment was returned on July 27, 2020, and...
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Coast Guard Notes Increase in Illegal Charters Across the Mid-Atlantic, Halts Voyages

Coast Guard Notes Increase in Illegal Charters Across the Mid-Atlantic, Halts Voyages

The Coast Guard has discovered and halted the voyages of at least five illegal charters discovered across the Mid-Atlantic since July. An illegal charter is a pay-for-hire operation where boat owners or someone they hire take passengers on the water without the proper credentials, and in some cases without proper safety gear or inspections....
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Charles County Public Schools Announce Applications for Three Programs Open on September 1, 2020

Charles County Public Schools Announce Applications for Three Programs Open on September 1, 2020

Parents who live in Title I school zones with children who are 3 years old by Sept. 1 can apply for the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Thriving Threes and Me Early Learning Program. The application launches online Tuesday, Sept. 1 and children must meet certain criteria for program acceptance. The program features a...
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Governor Hogan: Every County School System Now Fully Authorized to Begin Safely Reopening

Governor Hogan: Every County School System Now Fully Authorized to Begin Safely Reopening

As a result of improved COVID-19 health metrics across the state, Governor Larry Hogan today announced that every county school system in Maryland is now fully authorized to begin safely reopening. The authority and decision making on safe openings continues to rest with county boards of education. Decisions should be based on a set...
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No Injuries Reported After Concrete Mixer Truck is Struck by Train in Waldorf

No Injuries Reported After Concrete Mixer Truck is Struck by Train in Waldorf

On Friday, August 21, 2020, at approximately 3:00 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to Gallant Lane and Gallant Green Road in Waldorf, for the motor vehicle collision involving a Freight Train. Crews arrived on the scene to find a freight train struck a concrete mixer as the truck was crossing the railroad...
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No Injuries Reported, Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Fire at Regency Furniture Warehouse in Brandywine

No Injuries Reported, Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Fire at Regency Furniture Warehouse in Brandywine

On Wednesday, August 26, 2020, at 2:30 p.m., firefighters from Charles, Calvert, and Prince George’s Counties responded to the Regency Furniture Warehouse located at 7900 Cedarville Road in Brandywine, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find fire showing from the first floor of the large commercial warehouse, and a...
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