Charles News

Chicken Rico Restaurant Fire Under Investigation in Waldorf

Chicken Rico Restaurant Fire Under Investigation in Waldorf

On Wednesday, November 14, 2018, at approximately 12:00 p.m., Firefighters from La Plata, Bryans Road, Bel Alton, Waldorf, and surrounding Departments responded to the Chicken Rico Restaurant, located at 3310 Crain Highway, in Waldorf for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on scene to find the two-story restaurant being evacuated with black smoke, and...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Online Threats of Violence Against Two High Schools

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Online Threats of Violence Against Two High Schools

The Charles County Sheriff's Office is investigating Snapchat posts that made threats of violence against two high schools. Police have identified the students they believe are responsible for the posts, and they do not believe the threats are credible. It was determined that both schools were safe to open and operate on a normal...
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UPDATE – AUDIO: Name of 71-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed on Route 5 in Waldorf Released

UPDATE – AUDIO: Name of 71-Year-Old Pedestrian Killed on Route 5 in Waldorf Released

11/14/2018 @ 10:40 a.m.: The deceased pedestrian has been identified as Allen Tehwayee Blegay, 71, of District Heights. Approximately 1 minute before the motor vehicle accident was dispatched, the 911 Center dispatched a check the welfare call for a black male reportedly walking in the roadway with all dark clothing.  (listen to audio below) 11/14/2018:...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Distribution of Propaganda from the Ku Klux Klan

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Distribution of Propaganda from the Ku Klux Klan

Since November 11, 2018, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office has received reports from people who have found fliers containing propaganda from the Ku Klux Klan. The fliers, which appear to have been distributed in a random manner, were inside plastic bags and found along the roadway and in driveways in front of people’s homes....
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Handgun Recovered After Traffic Stop in Newburg, Three Virginia Men Charged with Felony Theft

Handgun Recovered After Traffic Stop in Newburg, Three Virginia Men Charged with Felony Theft

On November 5, 2018, at approximately 1:35 a.m., Officer T. Rickard of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, initiated a traffic stop on Crain Highway near Clifton Drive, in Newburg, after observing a SUV pulling a tow behind trailer with no registration plate visible. At the time of the traffic stop, a black and yellow...
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Maryland Lottery Launches Enhanced Player Loyalty Program

Maryland Lottery Launches Enhanced Player Loyalty Program

The newly enhanced My Lottery Rewards™ program will add exciting opportunities for Lottery players. Beginning November 13, members of My Lottery Rewards, the Lottery’s free player loyalty program, will be able to earn more and win more — with new ways to earn rewards and new ways to redeem points. By entering eligible Maryland...
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16-Year-Old Charged with Attempted Murder After Shooting 19-Year-Old with Shotgun in Armed Robbery Attempt

16-Year-Old Charged with Attempted Murder After Shooting 19-Year-Old with Shotgun in Armed Robbery Attempt

On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at approximately 2:00 p.m., officers of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded the 6600 block of Bucknell Road, in Bryans Road, for the report of a shooting. Upon officers arrival, they contacted an off duty police officer in the area who stated he heard several gunshots. Shortly after hearing...
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Governor Larry Hogan Proclaims November 12-18 National Apprenticeship Week in Maryland

Governor Larry Hogan Proclaims November 12-18 National Apprenticeship Week in Maryland

Governor Larry Hogan has proclaimed November 12-18 as National Apprenticeship Week in Maryland. This week-long observance raises awareness of the meaningful contributions apprenticeship programs in the United States make to our country’s workforce. Throughout the week, Maryland will join other states across the nation to celebrate apprenticeship as a proven workforce development tool and...
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Charles County Featured in Maryland Public Television’s Thanksgiving Episode

Charles County Featured in Maryland Public Television’s Thanksgiving Episode

Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) popular original series Maryland Farm & Harvest, in its sixth season, will feature farms in Charles, Frederick, Harford, and Wicomico counties during a Thanksgiving-themed episode airing Tuesday, November 20 at 7 p.m. Maryland Farm & Harvest takes viewers on journeys across the state, telling stories about the farms, people, and technology required to...
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VIDEO: Police in Waldorf Investigating Burglary

VIDEO: Police in Waldorf Investigating Burglary

On November 3 at 10:15 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 2900 block of E Mourning Dove Place in Waldorf for the report of a burglary. Investigation revealed two occupants of a house left for a short period of time. While they were gone, they received an alert from...
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VIDEO: Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward for Information on Thefts of Handicap Placards

VIDEO: Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward for Information on Thefts of Handicap Placards

Charles County Sheriff’s Office detectives are seeking the public’s help identifying the suspect(s) responsible for stealing handicap placards. Over the past several weeks, officers have responded to reports of thefts of handicap placards that were stolen from the interior of vehicles, many in the Smallwood Village area. Most of the thefts occurred during the...
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Maryland Casinos Generate Record $158 Million in Revenue During October

Maryland Casinos Generate Record $158 Million in Revenue During October

Maryland Lottery and Gaming today announced that October 2018 gaming revenues for the state’s six casinos totaled a new single-month record of $157,960,668, an increase of $24,724,968 (18.6%) compared to the October 2017 total of $133,235,700. The October 2018 total was an increase of $1,405,075 (0.9%) from the previous single-month record of $156,555,593 in...
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Unofficial 2018 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Charles County

Unofficial 2018 Gubernatorial General Election Results for Charles County

Governor / Lt. Governor Vote for 1 (43 of 43 election day precincts reported) Name Party Early Voting Election Day Absentee / Provisional Total Percentage Larry Hogan and Boyd K. Rutherford Republican 7,873 22,421 0 30,294 49.6% Ben Jealous and Susan Turnbull Democratic 8,628 21,646 0 30,274 49.6% Shawn Quinn and Christina Smith Libertarian...
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Hogan Administration Proclaims November Hire A Veteran Month

Hogan Administration Proclaims November Hire A Veteran Month

Governor Larry Hogan has signed an official proclamation designating November as “Hire A Veteran” Month in Maryland. The month-long observance raises awareness of veteran employment opportunities, and familiarizes citizens, business, and others with the many workforce services available to veteran jobseekers and employers. The proclamation was presented by Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford at a...
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Natural Resources Police Graduates New Officers

Natural Resources Police Graduates New Officers

The ranks of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police grew by 44 officers—the largest increase in manpower in 13 years – in recent graduation ceremonies. The additions come as the state’s conservation law enforcement agency celebrates its 150th anniversary. Thirty-two recruits took the oath of office Nov. 3 and received their badges from Natural Resources Police...
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Nanjemoy Man Arrested for Arson, Burglary, Malicious Burning, Theft and Trespassing

Nanjemoy Man Arrested for Arson, Burglary, Malicious Burning, Theft and Trespassing

A Deputy State Fire Marshal has arrested a Nanjemoy man who intentionally set fire to a one story single family dwelling in Nanjemoy. The residence is owned by Stephen Stone. On Saturday, November 3, 2018, at approximately 10:26 a.m., approximately 35 firefighters from Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments, responded to a one...
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Newburg Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for the Vehicular Slaying of 21-Year-Old Hughesville Woman

Newburg Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison for the Vehicular Slaying of 21-Year-Old Hughesville Woman

UPDATE 11/1/2018: On Tuesday, October 30, 2018, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Daniel Juwan Butler, 23 of Newburg, to 6 years in prison and 5 years supervised probation for the vehicular slaying of Taylor Halbleib. Butler, previously entered a guilty plea to the Negligent Vehicular Manslaughter of Halbleib on August 30, 2018....
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Man Who Murdered Neighbor in Nanjemoy Sentenced to 64 Years in Prison

Man Who Murdered Neighbor in Nanjemoy Sentenced to 64 Years in Prison

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Thursday, October 25, 2018, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Marcus Darnell Johnson, 34 of Nanjemoy, to 64 Years for the Second-Degree Murder of Wayne Proctor, Jr. and 6 counts of reckless endangerment. Covington, commenting on the case, said, “I’ve been...
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UPDATE: Minor Injuries Reported From Motor Vehicle Involving School Bus and Dump Truck in Waldorf

UPDATE: Minor Injuries Reported From Motor Vehicle Involving School Bus and Dump Truck in Waldorf

UPDATE: On  Friday, October 26 at 9:12 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to Poplar Hill Road at Mattawoman Beantown Road in Waldorf for the report of an accident involving a school bus and a dump truck. Upon arrival, officers located the bus which had 17 students on board as well...
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Abandoned Vacant House Fire Under Investigation in Waldorf

Abandoned Vacant House Fire Under Investigation in Waldorf

On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at approximately 4:45 p.m., police fire and rescue responded to the area of 2290 Mattawoman Beantown Road, and Substation Road, in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on scene to find the vacant house fully engulfed in flames, approximately 20 firefighters controlled the fire in 15 minutes....
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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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