Charles News

Two Displaced, No Injuries Reported After Garage Fire in Waldorf

Two Displaced, No Injuries Reported After Garage Fire in Waldorf

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at approximately 5:50 a.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 3500 block of Catskill Street in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. 911 callers reported the garage on fire, with all occupants out of the structure. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find smoke showing from...
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Governor Moore Announces $73.7 Million for Community Revitalization and Economic Development Projects in Proposed FY 2027 Budget

Governor Moore Announces $73.7 Million for Community Revitalization and Economic Development Projects in Proposed FY 2027 Budget

Governor Wes Moore announced $73.7 million in his proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget to fund 252 projects through the six state revitalization programs administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The investments in county and municipal governments, community development organizations, and other community institutions and partners will support projects and activities...
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Early Morning Green House Fire in Mechanicsville Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

Early Morning Green House Fire in Mechanicsville Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

On Friday, January 16, 2026, at approximately 3:30 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Leonardtown, Hollywood, Bay District, and Second District were dispatched to the 41100 block of Bishop Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a greenhouse complex fully engulfed and quickly spreading to two nearby...
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Volunteer Fire Departments in 17 Maryland Counties Get $167,314 for Rural Wildfire Protection

Volunteer Fire Departments in 17 Maryland Counties Get $167,314 for Rural Wildfire Protection

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service is providing Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to 55 volunteer fire departments in 17 counties across the state. The funded projects help volunteer fire companies enhance wildland fire protection in rural communities. For the 2025 grant cycle, finalized in December, the Maryland Forest Service is providing $167,314...
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Three Transported to Trauma Center, Two Others Transported After Serious Crash With Entrapment and Ejection in Waldorf

Three Transported to Trauma Center, Two Others Transported After Serious Crash With Entrapment and Ejection in Waldorf

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, at approximately 6:42 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 7000 block of Bensville Road in White Plains, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find a three vehicle collision with multiple trapped and one ejected. The incident was...
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Governor Moore Announces Legislative Action to Safeguard Vaccine Access for Marylanders with Vax Act of 2026

Governor Moore Announces Legislative Action to Safeguard Vaccine Access for Marylanders with Vax Act of 2026

“Governor Wes Moore announced the Vax Act as part of the governor’s legislative agenda during the 2026 Maryland General Assembly. The legislation is a direct response to the Trump-Vance Administration’s efforts to discourage access to vaccines and undermine trust in vaccine science.” “The federal government’s rapid shifts and the unnecessary confusion surrounding vaccine policy...
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Police Investigating Death of 25-Year-Old Man After Possible Overdose in Waldorf

Police Investigating Death of 25-Year-Old Man After Possible Overdose in Waldorf

On Thursday, January 15, 2026, at approximately 8:05 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 6000 block of Grizzly Bear Court in Waldorf, for the reported possible overdose and one not breathing. 911 callers reported a 25-year-old male was not breathing after a possible overdose, with family members administering NARCAN to...
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Newburg Woman Sentenced for Filing False Sexual Assault Report Against St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputy

Newburg Woman Sentenced for Filing False Sexual Assault Report Against St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputy

Destiny Jordan Pellegrini, 26, of Newburg, was sentenced to jail time and probation after pleading guilty to filing a false statement with law enforcement, according to court records from the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Pellegrini was charged with one misdemeanor count of making a false statement to a peace officer under Maryland...
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Waldorf Woman Charged with First-Degree Assault After Alleged Knife Threat in Early Morning Incident

Waldorf Woman Charged with First-Degree Assault After Alleged Knife Threat in Early Morning Incident

Tia Nicole Williams, 20, of Waldorf, has been formally charged with first-degree assault following an early morning incident that allegedly involved threats with a knife during a domestic dispute, according to charging documents filed by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. The alleged assault occurred around 4:30 a.m. on January 7, 2026, at a residence...
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Maryland’s Primitive Deer Hunt Days Scheduled Feb. 2nd to 4th, 2026

Maryland’s Primitive Deer Hunt Days Scheduled Feb. 2nd to 4th, 2026

Maryland’s annual Primitive Deer Hunt will be open Feb. 2-4 statewide. Hunters with a valid hunting license, or those exempt from the hunting license requirement, may use primitive bows or muzzleloaders to hunt antlered and antlerless sika and white-tailed deer during these three days. Primitive hunting devices are defined as long bows, recurve bows, flintlock, or...
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Port Tobacco Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Just 13½ Years for Role in Massive Regional Narcotics Enterprise

Port Tobacco Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Just 13½ Years for Role in Massive Regional Narcotics Enterprise

Wayne Glymph, 59, of Port Tobacco, Maryland, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 13½ years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that imported and distributed large quantities of high-purity fentanyl, heroin, PCP and cocaine in the Washington metropolitan area and elsewhere, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Glymph...
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UPDATE: St. Mary’s County Man and Calvert Woman Arrested for Waldorf Hookah Lounge Arson

UPDATE: St. Mary’s County Man and Calvert Woman Arrested for Waldorf Hookah Lounge Arson

UPDATE 1/14/2026: The Office of the State Fire Marshal arrested two people for arson at a Waldorf hookah lounge in October 2025. At 12:30 a.m. on October 30, 2025, the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department responded to an alarm at Pasha Lounge, 3242 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, Charles County. When they arrived, firefighters found the...
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Verizon Wireless Suffering Nationwide Outages and Issues – 911 and Non-Emergency Lines Possibly Affected As Well

Verizon Wireless Suffering Nationwide Outages and Issues – 911 and Non-Emergency Lines Possibly Affected As Well

Verizon Wireless is aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Verizon Wireless has reported that engineers are working to resolve the issue. The St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services has reported Verizon Wireless customers may be having difficulties connecting to 9-1-1 and non-emergency lines. If you are...
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Hoyer Announces Decision to Not Seek Re-Election After Decades in Office

Hoyer Announces Decision to Not Seek Re-Election After Decades in Office

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered remarks on the House Floor on his decision to retire at the end of the 119th Congress. Below is a full transcript and video of his remarks: “Mr. Speaker, my dear and close friend Steve Womack, Madam Speaker, thank you for being here. My colleagues, my dear friend...
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Maryland Takes Action to Protect Yellow Perch Following Low Recruitment

Maryland Takes Action to Protect Yellow Perch Following Low Recruitment

In response to six years of low recruitment, Maryland recreational anglers who fish this year for yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in tidal waters, and freshwater streams and rivers will be allowed to keep five yellow perch per person per day. The minimum size for recreational anglers remains 9 inches. The Maryland Department of Natural...
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UPDATE: Waldorf Man Dead, Sister in Custody After Domestic-Related Altercation and Shooting

UPDATE: Waldorf Man Dead, Sister in Custody After Domestic-Related Altercation and Shooting

UPDATE 1/12/2026: On January 11 at 3:30 a.m., officers responded to the 3400 block of Williamsburg Drive in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. A preliminary investigation revealed there was a physical altercation between siblings involving a male, age 38, and a female, age 29. During the altercation, the male was shot by...
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Indian Head Woman Succumbs to Injuries Sustained from Christmas Day Motor Vehicle Collision

Indian Head Woman Succumbs to Injuries Sustained from Christmas Day Motor Vehicle Collision

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal three-vehicle collision that occurred in December of 2025 in Accokeek. The deceased passenger of one of the involved vehicles is 75-year-old Linda Howell of Indian Head. She died of her injuries on December 26th, 2025. On December 25, 2025,...
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Man Transported with Non-Life-Threatening Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle in Indian Head

Man Transported with Non-Life-Threatening Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle in Indian Head

On Sunday, January 11, 2026, at approximately 12:53 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 4400 block of Livingston Road in Indian Head, for the reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle during a disturbance. 911 callers reported as a vehicle was leaving, they struck the victim with their vehicle with a...
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Waldorf Man Arrested After Fleeing in Stolen Camaro; Loaded Stolen Handgun Recovered

Waldorf Man Arrested After Fleeing in Stolen Camaro; Loaded Stolen Handgun Recovered

Khobe Manuel Prospere David, 24, of White Plains, was arrested on January 6, 2026, after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop in a stolen vehicle and crashing in Waldorf. Court documents indicate that David faces multiple charges, including felony motor vehicle theft, weapons violations, and several traffic offenses. According to charging documents, officers with...
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Police in Charles County Recover Stolen Car, Arrest Hyattsville Man in Widespread HVAC Theft Investigation

Police in Charles County Recover Stolen Car, Arrest Hyattsville Man in Widespread HVAC Theft Investigation

Thomas Clay Guinyard, 30, of Hyattsville, was arrested on December 31, 2025, in connection with a string of thefts and property destruction involving heating and air conditioning units across multiple counties. According to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Guinyard had active arrest warrants and was wanted in a case impacting more than ten businesses,...
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Charles County Warns Residents of Fraudulent Payment Scam Impersonating Planning Department

Charles County Warns Residents of Fraudulent Payment Scam Impersonating Planning Department

Charles County Government is warning residents and businesses about a scam involving fraudulent emails falsely claiming to be from the Department of Planning and Growth Management. According to county officials, the emails instruct recipients to submit payments through wire transfer for supposed fees or outstanding invoices. Officials emphasized that Charles County Government never requests...
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State of Maryland Compliance Board Rules in Favor of Board of Education in Open Meetings Act Complaint Filed by Southern Maryland News

State of Maryland Compliance Board Rules in Favor of Board of Education in Open Meetings Act Complaint Filed by Southern Maryland News

The State of Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board recently ruled in favor of the Board of Education of Charles County in regard to a complaint filed by a staff member from Southern Maryland News. The complaint, filed in November 2025, alleged the Board of Education violated the Open Meetings Act when it met on Sept. 23, 2025, to discuss Board member vacancy candidates. To fill...
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Governor Moore Proposes Record $10.2 Billion Investment in Maryland Public Schools in FY 2027 Budget

Governor Moore Proposes Record $10.2 Billion Investment in Maryland Public Schools in FY 2027 Budget

Governor Wes Moore today announced a historic $10.2 billion investment in Maryland’s K-12 education as part of his Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal. The announcement, made at Frederick High School, reinforces the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to building a world-class education system that eliminates achievement gaps and prepares every student for the jobs of the...
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Charles County Public Schools Seeking Parent Volunteers for Survey Focus Groups on Feb 12th, and Feb 20th, 2026

Charles County Public Schools Seeking Parent Volunteers for Survey Focus Groups on Feb 12th, and Feb 20th, 2026

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is seeking parent volunteers to provide feedback on an upcoming family climate survey. Volunteers can join an upcoming virtual focus group to learn more about the survey and provide feedback. Feedback provided will help shape Goal 4 of the CCPS Strategic Plan, which focuses on family and community engagement....
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Employment Data Reveal’s Trump Firings Have Cost Maryland Nearly 25,000 Federal Jobs in 2025, with 10,300 Federal Jobs Lost October-November

Employment Data Reveal’s Trump Firings Have Cost Maryland Nearly 25,000 Federal Jobs in 2025, with 10,300 Federal Jobs Lost October-November

New employment estimates for October and November 2025 released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that federal employment in Maryland fell by an estimated 10,300 in October and November 2025 (combined) according to the bureau. The employment losses are the first monthly job numbers to reflect “fork in the road” deferred resignations...
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