Charles News

SMECO Honors ENERGY STAR Participants

SMECO Honors ENERGY STAR Participants

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) recently presented awards to three companies to highlight the outstanding achievements of the many businesses that built hundreds of ENERGY STAR® certified new homes in Southern Maryland last year. “SMECO has created a network of partnerships with local businesses that include cost-effective and reliable methods of reducing energy use...
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Maryland Casinos Generate $130.5 Million in Revenue During June

Maryland Casinos Generate $130.5 Million in Revenue During June

Maryland Lottery and Gaming today announced June 2017 revenue numbers for the state’s six casinos: Hollywood Casino Perryville in Cecil County, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore in Baltimore City, Casino at Ocean Downs in Worcester County, Maryland Live Casino in Anne Arundel County, Rocky Gap Casino Resort in Allegany County and MGM National Harbor in Prince...
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Stewart Hosts Annual “Back-to-School” Community Event

Stewart Hosts Annual “Back-to-School” Community Event

Kick off the school year with Commissioner Vice President Amanda M. Stewart, M.Ed. (District 3) at her third annual “Back-to-School” Community Fiesta on Saturday, August 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Mattawoman Middle School (10145 Berry Road, Waldorf). All ages are invited to attend. Children must be accompanied by a parent or...
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Flash Flood Warning Issued for Southern Maryland

Flash Flood Warning Issued for Southern Maryland

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a Flash Flood Warning for St. Mary’s County, Calvert County and Central Charles County. Until 1100 AM EDT At 8:02 a.m., Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the area. Up to two inches of rain have already fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of up to two...
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Fox 5’s Zip Trip is Coming to Waldorf on JULY 7th

Fox 5’s Zip Trip is Coming to Waldorf on JULY 7th

Tucker will kick off Friday’s broadcast at 6 a.m. with a bit of excitement, riding onto set on the back of a motorcycle, and then he will present the weather accompanied by firemen from the Firemen Motorcycle Group. Next, Tucker will enjoy an assortment of éclairs and goodies from Walls Bakery before giving a...
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Police in Charles County Arrest Two Additional Suspects in 2016 Homicide

Police in Charles County Arrest Two Additional Suspects in 2016 Homicide

Charles County Sheriff’s detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division have arrested two additional suspects in connection with a homicide that occurred on January 12, 2016. On that date, two men entered a house in the 11500 block of Terrace Drive in Waldorf. They displayed guns, demanded money and then shot and killed a...
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UPDATE: Former Track Coach & Instructional Assistant Arrested and Charged with Production of Child Pornography

UPDATE: Former Track Coach & Instructional Assistant Arrested and Charged with Production of Child Pornography

UPDATE 7/5/2017: Charles County Sheriff’s detectives are continuing their investigation of Carlos Bell, a former instructional assistant at a local middle school, who was charged with the production of child pornography and assault of several middle-school aged children. Investigators have learned additional details regarding Bell’s involvement with youth: • In the fall of 2008, Bell...
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Maryland State Troopers Yielded Positive Results This Independence Day Weekend

Maryland State Troopers Yielded Positive Results This Independence Day Weekend

This year’s Independence Day weekend efforts of the Maryland State Police had a positive effect on reducing crashes and keeping the public safe. Traffic enforcement efforts by Maryland state troopers during the Independence Day holiday period resulted in more than 9,300 traffic stops that led to 129 arrests and more than 110 arrests of...
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SMECO Partners with Community to Save Energy and Money

SMECO Partners with Community to Save Energy and Money

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) has partnered with the Southern Maryland Food Bank to provide ways for families with limited resources to reduce energy costs, and SMECO encourages all customer-members to participate in efficiency initiatives to save energy and save money. As part of the co-op’s participation in EmPOWER Maryland, a program designed to...
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Vacation Checks Available for La Plata Residents

Vacation Checks Available for La Plata Residents

The La Plata Police Department wants you to have an enjoyable and worry-free vacation. Whether you’re planning a trip to beach, the mountains or attending a business conference in Vegas. While you are away La Plata police officers will conduct a daily house checks. If something looks out of place, the officer will contact...
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Mother/Daughter Arrested After Caught Doing Drugs with Two Children in Car

Mother/Daughter Arrested After Caught Doing Drugs with Two Children in Car

On Sunday, June 4, 2017, Deputy J. Smith of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a traffic complaint in the 28000 block of Three Notch Road (7-11) in Mechanicsville, where witnesses observed a motor vehicle driving erratically weaving through lanes. The vehicle was located on the south side of 7-11. As Smith...
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Speed Camera Locations for Charles County 7/3/2017 to 7/7/2017

Speed Camera Locations for Charles County 7/3/2017 to 7/7/2017

During the week of July 3, to July 7, 2017, automated speed enforcement cameras will be activated in the following school zones: Indian Head Highway at Smallwood Middle School Marshall Corner Road at James Craik Elementary School Marshall Corner Road at McDonough High School Oliver’s Shop Road at T.C. Martin Elementary School Cameras are activated...
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All Maryland Welcome Centers to Expand Operations to Seven Days a Week

All Maryland Welcome Centers to Expand Operations to Seven Days a Week

The Maryland Office of Tourism announced today that beginning July 1, 2017, all eight state-operated welcome centers will expand service to operate seven days a week. Located in every region of Maryland, the welcome centers are staffed with certified travel counselors who offer statewide tourism and travel information, hotel reservation assistance, greeting of motor...
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Fourth of July Plans? First, Plan Your Sober Ride!

Fourth of July Plans? First, Plan Your Sober Ride!

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) joined law enforcement officials today at the Maryland State Police (MSP) Barrack in Howard County to warn motorists traveling this long holiday weekend – “make a plan” for a safe and sober ride, or the consequences could be severe. “Drunk or drugged drivers are involved in more than...
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Know Before You Go This July 4th Weekend

Know Before You Go This July 4th Weekend

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is urging motorists to plan ahead and make smart travel decisions this Fourth of July weekend.  MDOT SHA is suspending all non-emergency lane closures beginning Friday afternoon, June 30 until 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 5. “Steady gas prices and a climbing economy means Marylanders...
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Maryland State Police SPIDRE Team To Be Out In Force This July 4th Holiday

Maryland State Police SPIDRE Team To Be Out In Force This July 4th Holiday

With the July 4th holiday quickly approaching, the Maryland State Police and other police agencies across Maryland will be out in force removing impaired drivers from the highways.  For the fourth straight year, the State Police Impaired DRiving Effort (SPIDRE) team will continue its goal to make Maryland’s roads safer during the July 4th...
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Governor Larry Hogan Delivers Keynote Address at Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference

Governor Larry Hogan Delivers Keynote Address at Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference

Governor Larry Hogan today delivered the keynote address at the 2017 Maryland Municipal League (MML) summer conference in Ocean City, Md. In his remarks, the governor highlighted the administration’s efforts to spur economic development and job creation, improve infrastructure, and tackle the state’s evolving heroin and opioid crisis. In addition, the governor announced two new Executive...
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Modest Changes Coming to Maryland’s Commercial Crab Harvest

Modest Changes Coming to Maryland’s Commercial Crab Harvest

Following weeks of scientific review and discussion among key stakeholders, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is making modest but important changes to the commercial harvesting of Chesapeake Bay female hard crabs later this season. Harvesting will close Nov. 20, and bushel levels for the month of November will be reduced compared to the...
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Wednesday’s Pet is Hazel

Wednesday’s Pet is Hazel

Wednesday’s Pet for 6/28/17 is Hazel Featured Pet: Hazel Rescue Group: Humane Society of Calvert County Breed: Lab/Hound Mix Sex: Female Size: Medium Vetted: Spayed and Up-to-date with routine shots Adoption Fee: Contact group for donation fee Hazel is a 2-year-old Lab Mix.  She is currently in a foster home with her litter of...
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Blue Crab Stock Considered Sustainable, Despite Population Decline

Blue Crab Stock Considered Sustainable, Despite Population Decline

Fisheries experts have encouraged Maryland, Virginia and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission to take a cautious approach to blue crab management as they set harvest regulations for the coming year. In the annual Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Advisory Report, these experts note that while the 2016 female blue crab harvest was lower than regulations...
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Household Hazardous Waste Collection Scheduled for July 1

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Scheduled for July 1

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, July 1.  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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Fishing Fundamentals Class Available to Youth at Gilbert Run Park

Fishing Fundamentals Class Available to Youth at Gilbert Run Park

The Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism is offering a four-day fishing program called Fishing Fundamentals at Gilbert Run Park (13140 Charles Street, Charlotte Hall) for children between the ages of 10 – 15. Class is Monday, July 17 to Thursday, July 20 from 8 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Gilbert Run Park...
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Governor Hogan Highlights Significant Progress on MD 5 Interchange Improvements in Brandywine

Governor Hogan Highlights Significant Progress on MD 5 Interchange Improvements in Brandywine

One of the record number of road projects happening across the state this summer has reached a construction milestone.  The $55.7 million project at the MD 5 (Branch Avenue) interchange with MD 373 (Accokeek Road) and MD 381 (Brandywine Road) in Brandywine began last summer and is now one-third complete with construction of the...
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John Glenn scholarship winners Awarded $30,000

John Glenn scholarship winners Awarded $30,000

During a June 13 ceremony, seven local high school graduates received a total of $30,000 from the John Glenn Squadron Scholarship Program to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “For 11 years, the John Glenn Squadron Scholarship Program has given out close to $400,000 to 91 men and women from [St. Mary’s,...
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Kayak Tours Available at Mallows Bay Park

Kayak Tours Available at Mallows Bay Park

The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism is offering Sunday kayak tours at Mallows Bay Park (1440 Wilson Landing Road, Nanjemoy). Paddle through the World War I Ghost Fleet while observing the park’s unique wildlife and historic and cultural features. All tours will be led by an experienced and knowledgeable guide. Fee includes introductory...
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