Charles News

Thomas Stone Celebrates the Graduating Class of 2017

Thomas Stone Celebrates the Graduating Class of 2017

Find your purpose. Take the small roles in life. Leave an imprint on the world. These messages, and more, were shared by students in the Thomas Stone High School Class of 2017 during their graduation ceremony held this morning. For the 296 graduating seniors, today marks the first day of the rest of their...
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Warrior Pride on Full Display from La Plata Class of 2017 at Graduation Ceremony

Warrior Pride on Full Display from La Plata Class of 2017 at Graduation Ceremony

La Plata High School celebrated its Warrior Class of 2017 in a graduation ceremony held this afternoon at the Charles County Convocation Center. For the 251 La Plata seniors, today was the day most have looked forward to for several years. “We’ve wished, willed, and prayed that this day would come, counting down the...
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North Point Seniors Celebrate Successes at Graduation

North Point Seniors Celebrate Successes at Graduation

Rounding out the first full day of high school graduations for Charles County Public Schools was the North Point High School Class of 2017. The senior class donned the floor of their soon-to-be alma mater in the Convocation Center tonight, ready to start the next chapter in life. Honored in a ceremony tonight were...
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Lackey Pride Highlighted at 2017 Graduation

Lackey Pride Highlighted at 2017 Graduation

Henry E. Lackey High School is more than a school, it’s a community, it’s a family. “We support each other like a family, and we know that there will always be a sense of belonging to the Lackey community,” said Brett Culhane, salutatorian of the Class of 2017. Teachers, mentors and coaches instill Lackey...
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McDonough Students Celebrate Graduation

McDonough Students Celebrate Graduation

It is the smallest graduating class of 2017 in the county, but Maurice J. McDonough High School seniors graduating June 3 were strong in pride. The class stood united, all clad in purple gowns this year. The theme of connection ran deep during McDonough’s graduation at the Charles County Public Schools Convocation Center in...
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Westlake Honors the Past, Celebrates the Future at Graduation

Westlake Honors the Past, Celebrates the Future at Graduation

The Class of 2017 of Westlake High School capped off graduation season in Charles County on June 3. Honoring 271 seniors, the school celebrated the past and present, while looking toward the future. “Change is not easy for anyone, but the only way to grow is through change,” Chrystal Benson, principal of Thomas Stone...
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29 students participate in 2017 Master of Arts in Teaching Commencement Ceremony at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

29 students participate in 2017 Master of Arts in Teaching Commencement Ceremony at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the state’s public honors college, graduated 29 students with Master of Arts in Teaching degrees on Friday, June 2, in the Auerbach Auditorium of St. Mary’s Hall. The commencement address was delivered by Elias Vlanton, a retired Prince George’s County teacher and freelance journalist. In 2009 Vlanton was awarded...
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La Plata Native Honored with Dr. George W. Patterson Award for Outstanding Accomplishment

La Plata Native Honored with Dr. George W. Patterson Award for Outstanding Accomplishment

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD) recognized top individuals and teams who contributed substantially to the command’s mission success.  The annual Honorary Awards ceremony was conducted recently at Indian Head, Maryland. Mr. John Cox, a Virginia Tech graduate, and 13-year employee of NSWC IHEDOTD with the Systems...
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Charles County Class of 2017 Receives Nearly $79 Million in Scholarships

Charles County Class of 2017 Receives Nearly $79 Million in Scholarships

Charles County Public Schools will honor 1,965 seniors June 1-3 during graduation ceremonies for seven high schools in the Convocation Center at North Point High School. Students in the Class of 2017 were offered nearly $79 million in scholarship offers, which is an increase of almost $13 million from last school year. Valedictorians and...
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Speed Camera Locations for Charles County 6/5/2017 to 6/9/2017

Speed Camera Locations for Charles County 6/5/2017 to 6/9/2017

During the week of June 5, to June 9, 2017, automated speed enforcement cameras will be activated in the following school zones: Leonardtown Road at Thomas Stone High School Indian Head Highway at Smallwood Middle School Berry Road at Berry Elementary School Oliver’s Shop Road at T.C. Martin Elementary School Cameras are activated Monday through...
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Police in Charles County Investigating Armed Robbery of 4 Teens in Bryans Road

Police in Charles County Investigating Armed Robbery of 4 Teens in Bryans Road

On Monday, May 29, 2017, at approximately 1:55 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office  responded to the 3100 block of Marshall Hall Road in Bryans Road for the report of an armed robbery to the rear of Safeway. Investigation revealed four juvenile males were seated on the trail leading from the Safeway...
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Horseshoe Crab Migration Begins in Maryland

Horseshoe Crab Migration Begins in Maryland

Through the month of June, visitors to Maryland’s beaches can expect an astonishing sight – millions of horseshoe crabs will make their annual pilgrimage from the Atlantic Ocean to our shores. Dating back at least 350 million years, it’s one of the largest spawning events of horseshoe crabs in the world. To ensure the horseshoe crab...
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Southern Maryland Roller Derby’s First Home Bout of 2017 is June 10th

Southern Maryland Roller Derby’s First Home Bout of 2017 is June 10th

Southern Maryland Roller Derby’s first 2017 home bout is just a stone’s throw away!! On June 10th, we will be skating against our friends, the lovely ladies of the Fredericksburg Roller Derby. Come and enjoy a day of derby with us!!! Doors open at 5:30pm, and the first whistle blows at 6pm. Presale tickets...
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Maryland Safe Harbor Workgroup to Meet June 8, 2017

Maryland Safe Harbor Workgroup to Meet June 8, 2017

The Workgroup to Study Safe Harbor Policy for Youth Victims of Human Trafficking will hold a meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at 1 p.m. in the Joint Hearing Room of the Legislative Services Building at 90 State Circle in Annapolis, Maryland. Chaired by Secretary of State John C. Wobensmith, the workgroup is charged...
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SMECO Applies for Rate Reduction

SMECO Applies for Rate Reduction

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) submitted a filing to the Maryland Public Service Commission on May 31, 2017, to reduce its base energy charges by more than 10 percent for residential customers. If approved, the lower rates will go into effect with August 2017 bills. Austin J. Slater, Jr., SMECO president and CEO, explained,...
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2017 Summer Rockfish Season Begins June 1

2017 Summer Rockfish Season Begins June 1

Anglers wanting to get in on this year’s striped bass fishing season will have more areas to fish starting June 1. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced the official opening of the summer/fall striped bass season with no exclusions on where anglers can catch the state fish. All areas of the Chesapeake Bay, including...
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Consider the Risks Associated with Using a Debt Settlement Company

Consider the Risks Associated with Using a Debt Settlement Company

Debt settlement programs typically are offered by for-profit companies, and involve the company negotiating with your creditors to allow you to pay a “settlement” to resolve your debt. The settlement is another word for a lump sum that’s less than the full amount you owe. To make that lump sum payment, the program asks...
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Wednesday’s Pet is DEWEY

Wednesday’s Pet is DEWEY

Wednesday’s Pet for 6/01/17 DEWEY Featured Pet: DEWEY Rescue Group: Calvert Animal Welfare League (CAWL) Breed: Hound/Pit Bull Mix Sex: Male Size: Medium Vetted: Neutered and Up-to-date with routine shots Adoption Fee: $200.00 Dewey is a 5 yr. old Hound/Pit-bull mix. He was an owner give up to a shelter in Virginia.  He was...
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Refunds Now Available from Amazon for Unauthorized In-App Purchases

Refunds Now Available from Amazon for Unauthorized In-App Purchases

The FTC’s law enforcement action against Amazon for unauthorized billing recently settled, leaving two key takeaways: 1) Consumers are eligible for more than $70 million in refunds; and 2) Businesses need to get customers’ express consent before placing charges on their credit or debit cards. Amazon.com, Inc. has begun offering refunds to consumers for...
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Maryland State Police Traffic Enforcement Efforts During Memorial Day Holiday Period

Maryland State Police Traffic Enforcement Efforts During Memorial Day Holiday Period

Traffic enforcement efforts by Maryland state troopers during the Memorial Day holiday period resulted in more than 7,800 traffic stops that led to 130 arrests and more than 100 arrests of impaired drivers. Maryland State Police patrol troopers began increased holiday traffic enforcement efforts on May 26, 2017 that continued through May 30, 2017....
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“Chasing the Dragon” Screening to be Shown on June 21

“Chasing the Dragon” Screening to be Shown on June 21

The public is invited to attend a free screening of “Chasing the Dragon,” a 45-minute documentary about opioid and heroin addiction, on Wednesday, June 21 in the Charles County Government Building Commissioners Meeting Room (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata) at 6 p.m. This film chronicles how drug abuse devastates lives and draws attention to...
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Another Record Spring Turkey Harvest in Maryland

Another Record Spring Turkey Harvest in Maryland

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that hunters reported harvesting 4,175 wild turkeys during the 2017 regular spring and junior hunt turkey seasons. This year’s harvest was 8 percent higher than 2016 (3,874) and marked the third consecutive record harvest in the state. It is also well above the 10-year average of 3,303. “The...
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Speed Camera Locations for Charles County 5/29/2017 to 6/2/2017

Speed Camera Locations for Charles County 5/29/2017 to 6/2/2017

During the week of May 29, to June 2, 2017, automated speed enforcement cameras will be activated in the following school zones: Leonardtown Road at Thomas Stone High School Indian Head Highway at Smallwood Middle School Berry Road at Berry Elementary School Oliver’s Shop Road at T.C. Martin Elementary School Cameras are activated Monday through...
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Funding Available for Maryland Volunteer Fire Departments

Funding Available for Maryland Volunteer Fire Departments

In Maryland, about 5,000 wildfires start each and every year, and more than 300 volunteer fire departments across the state respond to these blazes. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now offering volunteer fire departments access to critical grant funding through its Volunteer Fire Assistance Program to help fortify and strengthen wildland firefighting capabilities. “Volunteer firefighters rely on...
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection Scheduled for June 3

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Scheduled for June 3

The Charles County Department of Public Works would like to remind residents that the next household hazardous waste collection for this year will be held on Saturday, June 3. The household hazardous waste collection site is located in the parking lot of the Department of Public Works building, located at 10430 Audie Lane, off...
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