Charles News

Admission Criteria for North Point CTE Programs Changed for Coming School Year

Admission Criteria for North Point CTE Programs Changed for Coming School Year

Students interested in applying for one of 17 career and technology education (CTE) programs at North Point High School will complete a shorter application process this year. In prior years, eighth graders were required to participate in a face-to-face interview with CTE staff and submit letters of recommendation by teachers. These steps have been...
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Charles County Public Schools Held its Annual Fall Chess Tournament

Charles County Public Schools Held its Annual Fall Chess Tournament

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) held its annual fall chess tournament on Saturday, Oct. 20 at Thomas Stone High School. A total of 125 students participated in the event, which is open to any student in kindergarten through Grade 12. The tournament follows a Swiss-style format in which each student plays four games. Students...
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House and Workshop Fire in La Plata Under Investigation

House and Workshop Fire in La Plata Under Investigation

On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at approximately 3:20 p.m., fire and rescue personnel responded to 6315 Hidden Valley Drive, in La Plata, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on scene to find a 2-story residence with fire and heavy smoke showing. It took over 40 firefighters approximately 20 minutes to bring the fire...
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Maryland State Police Announce Impaired Driving Enforcement Through Halloween

Maryland State Police Announce Impaired Driving Enforcement Through Halloween

If your Halloween plans include alcohol, the Maryland State Police is reminding drivers that troopers will be working additional impaired driving patrols beginning tonight and continuing through Halloween. Barracks across Maryland are using impaired driving grant funding from the MDOT/MVA Maryland Highway Safety Office to put additional troopers on the road. These troopers will...
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New Chesapeake Bay License Plate Design Unveiled

New Chesapeake Bay License Plate Design Unveiled

The Chesapeake Bay Trust and the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) revealed the new design for Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay license plate during a special unveiling ceremony today. The newly redesigned plate features two prominent Chesapeake icons: the blue crab and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Sales of the Chesapeake Bay license plate support funding for K-12...
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Garage Fire in Waldorf Ruled Accidental

Garage Fire in Waldorf Ruled Accidental

On Monday, October 22, 2018, at approximately 9:35 a.m., firefighters responded to 10672 Ashford Circle, in Waldorf for a garage fire. Firefighters from the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding areas arrived on scene to find a two story single family home with heavy fire showing from the attached garage. It took over 40...
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Maryland State Police to Participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Maryland State Police to Participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

The Maryland State Police, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, are asking residents to dispose of any unwanted and expired prescription medications during the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at all 23 state police barracks. Each barrack will act as...
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Governor Larry Hogan Renames Nice Bridge After Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton

Governor Larry Hogan Renames Nice Bridge After Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton

Governor Larry Hogan announced the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge will be renamed after Charles County Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton. Standing at the base of the 77-year-old bridge, Governor Hogan joined Senator Middleton, Delegate Sally Jameson, and Maryland Transportation Secretary and Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) Chairman Pete K. Rahn for a ceremony to unveil...
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Governor Larry Hogan Holds First-Ever Governor’s Coding Challenge

Governor Larry Hogan Holds First-Ever Governor’s Coding Challenge

Governor Larry Hogan hosted the first-ever Governor’s Coding Challenge at Bowie State University in Bowie. The event was held in partnership with Girls Who Code, a national nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology fields. The governor was joined by Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, Bowie State University President Dr....
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Two Seriously Injured After Motor Vehicle Accident in La Plata

Two Seriously Injured After Motor Vehicle Accident in La Plata

On Friday, October 12, 2018, at approximately 3:00 a.m., police fire and rescue personnel responded to Washington Avenue, and Kline Drive, in La Plata, for the reported serious motor vehicle accident involving a utility pole with wires down. Crews arrived on scene to find a red SUV off the roadway with two occupants trapped....
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Mechanicsville Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for the Vehicular Slaying in Waldorf

Mechanicsville Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for the Vehicular Slaying in Waldorf

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County announced that on October 18, 2018, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Wendy Lynn Moore, 50 of Mechanicsville, to 5 years in prison for the vehicular slaying of Brian Smith. Moore, previously entered a guilty plea to the Negligent Vehicular Manslaughter of Smith on...
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​​State Releases 2018 Second Quarter Fatal Overdose Data

​​State Releases 2018 Second Quarter Fatal Overdose Data

The Maryland Department of Health today released data for unintentional drug and alcohol-related intoxication deaths through the second quarter of 2018. During this six-month period, which encompasses January through June of 2018, there were 1,325 total unintentional intoxication deaths, a 12 percent increase over the same period in 2017. Of these, 1,185 were opioid-related...
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​Maryland Department of Health Reports First Seasonal Flu Cases

​Maryland Department of Health Reports First Seasonal Flu Cases

The Maryland Department of Health announced today the first confirmed cases of the seasonal flu for the 2018-2019 influenza season. Two laboratory-confirmed cases of seasonal influenza have been identified in one adult and one child in the   Central and Eastern Shore regions of Maryland. The confirmed flu strains are type A (H1) and Type B (Victoria)....
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Important Election Information for the 2018 General Election

Important Election Information for the 2018 General Election

For the 2018 General Election, voters may vote in person or by absentee ballot. To vote in person, voters who reside in St. Mary’s County may vote before Election Day at a designated early voting center in St. Mary’s County or on Election Day at the polling place for their residence in St. Mary’s County. Early...
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Firefighters in Indian Head Find 2018 Ford Focus Fully Engulfed in Flames

Firefighters in Indian Head Find 2018 Ford Focus Fully Engulfed in Flames

On October 14, 2018 at approximately 10:15 p.m., firefighters from Marbury Volunteer Fire Department responded to the area of Revels Place and Reeder Place, in Indian Head, for the reported smoke investigation. Crews investigated the area and found an abandoned 2018 Ford Focus fully engulfed in flames. 5 Firefighters extinguished the blaze in approximately 5...
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Lexington Park Woman Arrested for Assault

Lexington Park Woman Arrested for Assault

On September 21, 2018, Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to Sell Drive, in Lexington Park for the report of a disturbance. Police made contact with a male victim who advised Karen Ferriter, 49, of Lexington Park, had approached him and his friends and was making racial slurs towards them. The...
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National Training Programs Graduate Two Natural Resources Police Officers

National Training Programs Graduate Two Natural Resources Police Officers

Two Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police lieutenants recently graduated from law enforcement training academies that specialize in advanced leadership skills. Lt. Catherine Medellin, who commands the southern Maryland patrol area, was one of 36 conservation officers to receive diplomas from National Conservation Law Enforcement Leadership Academy, which provides practical skills and knowledge for executive-level conservation...
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Early Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Season Set to Begin

Early Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Season Set to Begin

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced that the first segment of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer season opens statewide October 18. This is one of many deer hunting opportunities offered in the state and typically coincides with pleasant fall weather. The early muzzleloader season runs from October 18-20 in Deer Management Regions A and B. Region A...
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Deputies in Charles County Investigating Indecent Exposure at Senior Rental Community

Deputies in Charles County Investigating Indecent Exposure at Senior Rental Community

On Thursday, August 30, 2018, at approximately 12:37 p.m., deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Birchwood at Waldorf senior apartments on Moses Way, in Waldorf, for the report of an Indecent Exposure. Upon arrival, police located the suspect sitting to the rear of the property, and he was identified as Coleman Williams...
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Career Criminal Steals Over $2,500 From Charles County Detention Center Bank Account

Career Criminal Steals Over $2,500 From Charles County Detention Center Bank Account

On Wednesday, September 19, 2018, deputies from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a theft from a bank account owned by the Charles County Detention Center. Police made contact with an accounting clerk assigned to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Finance Department who noticed two unusual transactions on a bank account used to...
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Oxon Hill Man Arrested in Waldorf for Carjacking, Assault and Drug Distribution

Oxon Hill Man Arrested in Waldorf for Carjacking, Assault and Drug Distribution

On Sunday, October 14, 2018, at approximately 5:29 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a hotel in the 11300 block of Days Court in Waldorf for the report of a carjacking involving a black sport utility vehicle. While en route to the hotel, officers were notified of another caller reporting...
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Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Recognized Nationally for Promoting Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation

Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Recognized Nationally for Promoting Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation

MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center (MSMHC) was among a select group of hospitals nationwide recognized for promoting enrollment in state organ donor registries in a national campaign sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The campaign has added more than 443,000 donor enrollments to state...
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Foundation 4 Heroes will host Race 4 Heros October 20th on Solomons Island

Foundation 4 Heroes will host Race 4 Heros October 20th on Solomons Island

On Saturday morning, October 20th 2018, Foundation 4 Heroes will host their inaugural “RACE 4 HEROES” event for the community on Solomons Island. Participants can register on www.Active.com. If you sign up before September 30th the cost is $25. After that it is $30. Participants will receive a Race 4 Heroes moisture-wicking, bullet stopping,...
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Fall Brings Heightened Risk of Wildfire

Fall Brings Heightened Risk of Wildfire

Fire Prevention Week begins October 7, coinciding with the beginning of the fall wildfire season in Maryland. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources urges residents throughout the state to take precautions as the changing foliage increases the risks of wildland fires spreading through brush and forests. Wildfires occur every month in Maryland, but peak in the spring and...
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Officers in Charles County Receive Aggressive Driving Prevention Awards

Officers in Charles County Receive Aggressive Driving Prevention Awards

On September 26, four members of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Operations Unit were among approximately 140 officers honored at the Maryland Department of Transportation’s ADAPT (Aggressive Drivers Are Public Threats) Aggressive Driving Prevention Awards Luncheon. Sgt. Jon Burroughs, Pfc. Patrick McPherson, Cpl. Kris Syvertsen, and Cpl. Ray Brooks received awards for their...
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