Charles News

Waldorf Man Killed in Fort Washington Collision

Waldorf Man Killed in Fort Washington Collision

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit from the Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a crash in Fort Washington early Friday, July 21, 2017, morning that killed two drivers. One of the victims is 48-year-old Robert Peterson Sr., of Hollins Lane in Waldorf. Investigators are working to identify the second driver. His name...
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Free Fishing Classes Available to Youth at Gilbert Run Park

Free Fishing Classes Available to Youth at Gilbert Run Park

Are you between the ages of six and 15 and interested in learning how to fish?  The Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism is hosting free fishing classes at Gilbert Run Park (13140 Charles Street, Charlotte Hall).  Classes are 9:30 a.m. – noon on Thursday, Aug. 10 and Thursday, Aug. 24. This...
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Take the Pledge to Eat Fresh Every Day During Buy Local Week

Take the Pledge to Eat Fresh Every Day During Buy Local Week

The annual statewide Buy Local Challenge (BLC) encourages everyone to eat something from a local farm every day during Buy Local Week, July 22 – 30, 2017. Individuals, businesses and organizations can take the Challenge, which is voluntary pledge to eat Maryland farm products (produce, dairy, seafood, meats and fruit) for one week. Locally...
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Speed Camera Locations for Charles County 7/24/2017 to 7/28/2017

Speed Camera Locations for Charles County 7/24/2017 to 7/28/2017

During the week of July 10, to July 14, 2017, automated speed enforcement cameras will be activated in the following school zones: Indian Head Highway at Smallwood Middle School Berry Road at Jenifer Elementary School Middletown Road at Westlake High School Oliver’s Shop Road at T.C. Martin Elementary School Cameras are activated Monday through Friday,...
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UPDATE: Driver in Fatal Crash at Maryland International Raceway Identified

UPDATE: Driver in Fatal Crash at Maryland International Raceway Identified

Official St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Press Release: On July 23, 2017, at approximately 8:02 pm, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville, Maryland for a reported crash on the drag strip. The investigation revealed, the driver, Thomas Albert Dunford, age 60, of Tazewell, Virginia was participating in...
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Charles County High School Teacher Found Not Guilty of Student Allegations of Sexual Abuse

Charles County High School Teacher Found Not Guilty of Student Allegations of Sexual Abuse

On Thursday, July 20, 2017, a Charles County jury found Ronald Wells, a science teacher from Henry E. Lackey High School, not guilty of student allegations of sexual abuse. Two students had accused Wells in the spring of 2016 of allegedly attempting to engage in sexual abuse. One student made his allegation on April...
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Cooling Centers Available in Charles County During Summer Months

Cooling Centers Available in Charles County During Summer Months

As the summer heat begins, it is important to stay cool and hydrated. When the National Weather issues a Heat Advisory, Excessive Heat Watch, Excessive Heat Warning, or Air Quality Alert of Orange or greater, the following public buildings are open during regular business hours for use by residents: Capital Clubhouse (Monday through Sunday, 9...
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Wednesday’s Pet is TOY

Wednesday’s Pet is TOY

Wednesday’s Pet for 7/19/17 is TOY Featured Pet: Toy Rescue Group: Humane Society of Calvert County Breed: Terrier Mix Sex: Male Size: Small Vetted: Neutered and Up-to-date with routine shots Adoption Fee:  Has been paid by Prince Frederick Chrysler Toy is a scruffy, talking, bundle of energy.  He loves to talk and play ball. ...
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VIDEO: Bryans Road Man Arrested on Drug Charges After Police Chase

VIDEO: Bryans Road Man Arrested on Drug Charges After Police Chase

On Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at approximately 1:52 a.m., Trooper First Class C. Ditoto, from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack was on duty operating his marked Maryland State Police cruiser on Chancellors Run Road in the area of Maryland Route 235, in Lexington Park. Trooper Ditoto observed a silver Chevrolet traveling directly in...
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Two Teens Arrested for Burglary at Target in Waldorf

Two Teens Arrested for Burglary at Target in Waldorf

On Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at 4:05 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to an alarm activation at Target on Western Parkway, in Waldorf. When officers arrived, they observed a male suspect running back inside the store. Officers established a perimeter and a police K9 searched the building. Two suspects were...
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Drivers Urged to Use Caution for Potential Hazardous Weather this Afternoon

Drivers Urged to Use Caution for Potential Hazardous Weather this Afternoon

The National Weather Service warned that this week’s excessive heat could lead to isolated storms that could cause flash flooding in the Baltimore-Washington region this afternoon and into the evening. These storms, which many areas experienced Monday afternoon, develop rapidly and can produce, locally, significant rain fall.  Additionally, severe weather could cause fallen trees/limbs,...
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SMECO awards matching contribution

SMECO awards matching contribution

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) recently received a $4,500 contribution from CoBank to award to Christmas in April organizations in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. Each organization is receiving $1,500 through CoBank’s Sharing Success program, a $3 million charitable fund to benefit cooperatives and the charitable groups they support. As a CoBank customer,...
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UPDATE: Baltimore Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Killing of 18-Year-Old Waldorf Teen in Drug Deal Gone Bad

UPDATE: Baltimore Man Sentenced to 40 Years for Killing of 18-Year-Old Waldorf Teen in Drug Deal Gone Bad

UPDATE 7/17/2017: On Monday, July 17, 2017, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Erik Nice sentenced Deavan Quindel Jefferson, 20, of Baltimore to 30 years for the murder of Reuel Hicks, 18, of Waldorf. Jefferson was also given 20 years for a firearms charge with all but 10 years suspended. UPDATE 10/27/2016 @ 10:40 a.m.: On Wednesday, October...
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Speed Camera Locations for Charles County 7/17/2017 to 7/21/2017

Speed Camera Locations for Charles County 7/17/2017 to 7/21/2017

During the week of July 10, to July 14, 2017, automated speed enforcement cameras will be activated in the following school zones: Leonardtown Road at Thomas Stone High School Berry Road at Jenifer Elementary School Marshall Corner Road at James Craik Elementary School Leonardtown Road at Grace Christian Academy Cameras are activated Monday through Friday,...
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Maryland Awarded $2 Million in Grants to Prepare for Terrorist Attacks

Maryland Awarded $2 Million in Grants to Prepare for Terrorist Attacks

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has been awarded $2,098,575 in order to prepare the State and local communities for terrorist attacks. The award, announced earlier today by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is part of the Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attack Program, which will provide $35.94 million to selected recipients to improve their...
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Governor Larry Hogan Joins Multi-State Cyber Compact, K-12 Computer Science Partnership at National Governors Association Summer Conference

Governor Larry Hogan Joins Multi-State Cyber Compact, K-12 Computer Science Partnership at National Governors Association Summer Conference

While attending the 2017 National Governors Association (NGA) Summer Meeting in Providence, RI, Governor Larry Hogan joined a multi-state cybersecurity compact, as well as a partnership to expand K-12 computer science education. The Compact to Improve State Cybersecurity is part of the NGA’s “Meet the Threat: States Confront the Cyber Challenge” Initiative. The compact,...
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Double Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident in Newburg

Double Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident in Newburg

On July 14, 2017 at approximately 11:15 a.m., Troopers from the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to a personal injury motor vehicle collision on Rock Point Road west of Kings Farm Place, in Newburg. The preliminary investigation conducted by Troopers indicates that a 2007 Chrysler 300M orerated by Betty Jo Saunders, 72...
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57-Year-Old Man Bitten and Trampled by a Camel in Charles County

57-Year-Old Man Bitten and Trampled by a Camel in Charles County

On Friday, July 14, 2017, at approximately 2:40 p.m., a 57-year-old man was bitten and trampled by a camel at the Charles County Fairgrounds in La Plata. The man suffered severe head injuries and was medevaced by Maryland state police helicopter Trooper 2. The camel was in a horse trailer. The camel was part...
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Keep Pets Safe During Sweltering Temperatures

Keep Pets Safe During Sweltering Temperatures

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for today with temperatures in the mid to upper 90s and a heat index value of around 105 degrees. The Calvert County Department of Public Safety Division of Animal Control reminds citizens to take steps to keep their pets safe when temperatures are soaring. “Our...
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Maryland Integrates New Technology into School Bus Inspections

Maryland Integrates New Technology into School Bus Inspections

The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) has introduced an innovative approach to school bus inspections – a process that allows inspectors to complete the inspection electronically.  The Maryland School Bus Safety Inspection System, implemented with a handheld tablet, replaces a manual paper-based inspection process and lets inspectors use mobile devices...
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection Expands to Twelve Months in Charles County

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Expands to Twelve Months in Charles County

The Charles County Department of Public Works would like to notify residents that the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program has been expanded to include the first Saturday of the month for January, February, and March. The household hazardous waste collection site is located in the parking lot of the Department of Public Works building,...
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Charles County Police Report for 7/13/2017

Charles County Police Report for 7/13/2017

The following is a sample of recent Charles County Sheriff’s Office investigations. For information about crimes not included in this report, visit CrimeReports.com and search by county, city, zip code or street address. RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT: On July 12 at approximately 12:31 a.m., officers responded to a business in the 6100 block of Port Tobacco...
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Wednesday’s Pet is Scooby

Wednesday’s Pet is Scooby

Wednesday’s Pet for 7-12-2017 Featured Pet: Scooby Rescue Group: Doodle Dawgs and Fabulous Felines Breed: Pomeranian Sex: Male Size: Small (9 lbs) Vetted: Neutered and Up-to-date with routine shots Adoption Fee: $325.00 (See Procedures on Rescue’s site) http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/doodledawgs.html Scooby is a beautiful 8 or 9 year old Pomeranian. He may be a mix but...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Two Serious Motor Vehicle Accidents

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Two Serious Motor Vehicle Accidents

On Sunday, July 9, 2017 at approximately 6:40 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the intersection of Crain Highway and Smallwood Drive in Waldorf for the report of a single-vehicle crash. Investigation revealed a passenger car was travelling south on Crain Highway when it left the roadway and struck a...
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Hogan-Rutherford Administration Announces Over $22 Million to Fight Heroin and Opioid Epidemic

Hogan-Rutherford Administration Announces Over $22 Million to Fight Heroin and Opioid Epidemic

Maryland’s Opioid Operational Command Center, Department of Health, and the Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention today announced more than $22 million to fight the heroin and opioid epidemic. Eighty percent will go to Maryland’s 24 local jurisdictions and service providers to fund prevention, enforcement, and treatment efforts throughout the state. “Finding real...
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