Charles News

Memorial Day: A Day to Remember the Fallen

Memorial Day: A Day to Remember the Fallen

Monday, May 26, 2025, is Memorial Day. This day is a national holiday, for remembering and honoring men and women, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Waterloo, New York, was declared the official birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966. The holiday had many origins,...
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Clinton Man Accused of Strangling, Holding Woman Hostage in Waldorf, Found Hiding in Attic

Clinton Man Accused of Strangling, Holding Woman Hostage in Waldorf, Found Hiding in Attic

Yohance Omari Eubanks, 41, of Clinton, was arrested on May 18, 2025, after an adult female victim flagged down a patrol officer to report that she had been violently assaulted over a 24-hour period. According to court documents filed in the District Court for Charles County, Eubanks is facing multiple charges including first-degree assault,...
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Maryland State Police Bolster Patrols for a Safer Memorial Day Weekend

Maryland State Police Bolster Patrols for a Safer Memorial Day Weekend

Maryland State Police are reminding motorists to drive responsibly ahead of Memorial Day weekend. To combat distracted, aggressive, and impaired driving, troopers from each of the 23 Maryland State Police barracks and the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) Team will conduct statewide DUI saturation patrols and high-visibility enforcement. A portion of the...
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Class of 2025 Academic Leaders Announced, Graduating Class Earns Record Breaking $221 Million in Scholarship Offers

Class of 2025 Academic Leaders Announced, Graduating Class Earns Record Breaking $221 Million in Scholarship Offers

The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Class of 2025 will be honored during outdoor graduation ceremonies set for May 27-29 at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. The Class of 2025 includes 2,284 graduates who earned a collective number of scholarships totaling almost $221 million. This is the highest scholarship total for graduating CCPS seniors...
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2025 Mixtape Concert Series Kickoff on Saturday, July 5, 2025

2025 Mixtape Concert Series Kickoff on Saturday, July 5, 2025

The Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism is announcing a new date for the kickoff of the 2025 Mixtape Concert Series. Due to unforeseen scheduling circumstances, the originally planned May 17 concert is now taking place during the most festive weekend of the summer—Saturday, July 5, at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf....
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Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Garage Fire in Waldorf, No Injuries Reported

Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Garage Fire in Waldorf, No Injuries Reported

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 8:58 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department and nearby companies responded to the 12000 block of Burning Oak Court in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. Waldorf Volunteers quickly responded with engine 31, Tower 3, Duty 3, Chief 3A, and Chief 3, with first arriving units finding...
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One Transported to Trauma Center After Vehicle Strikes Building in Charlotte Hall

One Transported to Trauma Center After Vehicle Strikes Building in Charlotte Hall

On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at approximately 12:20 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services from St. Mary’s and Charles County responded to the McDonald’s located at 30050 Three Notch Road in Charlotte Hall, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a structure. An off-duty Charles County Deputy who was on the scene reported a...
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Charles County Schools to Host End-of-Year Promotion and Celebratory Events – 2025

Charles County Schools to Host End-of-Year Promotion and Celebratory Events – 2025

Charles County Public elementary and middle schools have coordinated celebratory events for students who are transitioning to middle or high school, as well as those moving on from prekindergarten and kindergarten. The following is a list of dates and activities schools have planned for the end of the year. Parents should contact their child’s...
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CSM Congratulates 80 Health Career Readiness Graduates

CSM Congratulates 80 Health Career Readiness Graduates

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) students pursuing careers in health care were celebrated May 8 at the La Plata Campus during the college’s Health Career Readiness Recognition ceremony. Eighty students were recognized for completing programs this year in: Veterinary assistant; certified medical administrative assistant; health information system; certified nutrition coach; certified personal training; Certified...
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Citizens Fortunately Escape Injury After Large Tree Falls Into Residence

Citizens Fortunately Escape Injury After Large Tree Falls Into Residence

On Friday, May 16, 2025, at approximately 11:37 p.m., firefighter and emergency medical services responded to the 27000 block of Birch Manor Circle in Mechanicsville, for the reported tree into a residence with one injured. 911 callers reported a large tree fell on the house with something striking her daughters back which was now...
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$20,000 Mega Millions Winning Ticket Sold in Waldorf, Jackpot Reaches $139 Million

$20,000 Mega Millions Winning Ticket Sold in Waldorf, Jackpot Reaches $139 Million

A Mega Millions player in Waldorf is holding a ticket worth $20,000. The lucky ticket for the May 13 drawing was sold at the 7-Eleven at 11575 Berry Road in Charles County. The winning numbers were 6, 29, 33, 47, 68; and the Mega Ball was 20. The ticket sold in Waldorf matched four of the...
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35-Year-Old Male Airlifted to Trauma Center After Plane Crashes in Potomac River

35-Year-Old Male Airlifted to Trauma Center After Plane Crashes in Potomac River

On Saturday, May 17, 2025, at approximately 4:09 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services from Virginia and Maryland responded to the Potomac River in the area of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in Virginia, for the reported downed aircraft with fire. Multiple 911 callers reported a plane crashed into the water...
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UPDATE: Six First Responders Airlifted, Three Others Hospitalized After Fatal CO Exposure in St. Mary’s County

UPDATE: Six First Responders Airlifted, Three Others Hospitalized After Fatal CO Exposure in St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 5/17/2025 @ 10:55 a.m.: Emergency medical personnel were dispatched at approximately 3:56 a.m., for a male resident experiencing difficulty breathing. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene a short time later to assist with manpower. Upon arrival, the 911 caller was located on an upper-level of the home. While the two EMT’s and four...
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White Plains Woman Charged After Alleged Gun Threat During Domestic Argument in Charles County

White Plains Woman Charged After Alleged Gun Threat During Domestic Argument in Charles County

Barbara Nate Farmer, 40, of White Plains, was arrested and charged following a domestic altercation that escalated into a firearm-related incident in the early hours of Friday, May 16, 2025, according to court documents from the District Court for Charles County. Farmer is facing three criminal charges: first-degree assault (CR 3-202), second-degree assault (CR...
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Waldorf Target Manager Admits to Stealing Over $250,000 in Years-Long Theft Ring – Over $31,000 in cash Recovered

Waldorf Target Manager Admits to Stealing Over $250,000 in Years-Long Theft Ring – Over $31,000 in cash Recovered

Nicholas Owen Patton, 44, of Waldorf, is facing 30 theft charges after authorities say he stole over $38,000 in cash from a local Target store during a series of incidents that spanned more than two months. According to charging documents filed in the District Court for Charles County, Patton was arrested on May 16,...
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Two Suspects Arrested After Theft of Fragrances at Waldorf Macy’s – Over $20,000 in Stolen Fragrances Recovered

Two Suspects Arrested After Theft of Fragrances at Waldorf Macy’s – Over $20,000 in Stolen Fragrances Recovered

On May 10, 2025, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office arrested two individuals in connection with the theft of nearly $3,000 worth of perfume and cologne from Macy’s at the St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf. The suspects were later identified as Robert Lee Pettigrew, 52, of Brandywine, and Zatay Ejasia Owens, 26,...
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CSM Congratulates 49 New Nursing Graduates

CSM Congratulates 49 New Nursing Graduates

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated its newest class of nursing candidates on May 8 in a pinning ceremony at the La Plata Campus, sending them out into the workforce or onto the next phase of their medical education. “Graduates, you chose an academic journey that would lead to a career rooted in...
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7 Defendants for Patterns of Violent “Bank Juggings” Groups Are Alleged to Have Robbed 34 Victims Across Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Charles, and Montgomery Counties

7 Defendants for Patterns of Violent “Bank Juggings” Groups Are Alleged to Have Robbed 34 Victims Across Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Charles, and Montgomery Counties

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the indictments of seven defendants for multiple charges, including participation in a criminal gang, attempted murder, armed carjacking, armed robbery, assault, and firearms-related counts. These wide-ranging crimes are alleged to have occurred from August 2023 to July 2024 in Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Charles, and Montgomery counties....
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Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating For First Time in Over 50 Years, Gov Moore Releases Statement Blaming Trump

Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating For First Time in Over 50 Years, Gov Moore Releases Statement Blaming Trump

Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating for first time in over 50 years, ending a historic run of fiscal stability that stretched back to 1973. Statement by the Maryland Freedom Caucus – “Governor Wes Moore’s attempt to shift blame for Maryland’s credit downgrade is as misleading as it is predictable. Democrats have controlled the Maryland...
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La Plata Man Arrested in Calvert After Being Found Passed Out Behind The Wheel With .23% BAC Level

La Plata Man Arrested in Calvert After Being Found Passed Out Behind The Wheel With .23% BAC Level

A La Plata man was arrested late last month in Calvert County after authorities allegedly found him impaired behind the wheel and in possession of drug paraphernalia. According to court documents filed in the District Court for Calvert County, Matthew Kelland Novotny, 47, of La Plata, was taken into custody on April 24, 2025,...
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UPDATE: Gun Discharges in Billingsley Elementary School Classroom – Florida Man Charged

UPDATE: Gun Discharges in Billingsley Elementary School Classroom – Florida Man Charged

A loaded handgun that discharged inside a classroom at Billingsley Elementary School in Charles County, has been traced back to a visiting relative of the student involved. Authorities have since charged a Florida man in connection with the incident, following an investigation by the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office. The...
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More than 1,300 Hawks Soar into the Future Following CSM’s 66th Commencement

More than 1,300 Hawks Soar into the Future Following CSM’s 66th Commencement

It was a proud, reflective, and exciting day for College of Southern Maryland (CSM) as its faculty, staff, supporters, and community cheered for hundreds of its student graduates at the 66th Commencement exercises on May 9 held at the La Plata Campus. This year, 1,364 CSM students earned degrees or certificates, receiving 820 associate degrees,...
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Two Members of the La Plata Police Department Command Staff Graduate With High Distinction and Summa Cum Laude from Liberty University

Two Members of the La Plata Police Department Command Staff Graduate With High Distinction and Summa Cum Laude from Liberty University

The La Plata Police Department is proud to announce Acting Chief Matthew Norris and Captain Robert Bagley were part of the Liberty University Class of 2025 and both graduated with perfect 4.0 grade point averages. Acting Chief Norris obtained his Master’s Degree – With High Distinction majoring in Criminal Justice from Liberty University. He...
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La Plata High School Student Council Receives State Award

La Plata High School Student Council Receives State Award

The halls of La Plata High School filled as the bell rang for the next period. Students dressed in their college shirt of choice walked the halls as they switched classes to continue the day of learning. College Shirt Day is one of the many spirit days and for students at the school can...
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Police Investigating Hughesville Motor Vehicle Collision That Sends 23-Year-Old to Trauma Center

Police Investigating Hughesville Motor Vehicle Collision That Sends 23-Year-Old to Trauma Center

On Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 9:52 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Leonardtown Road at Gallant Green Road in Hughesville, for a serious motor vehicle collision with reports of entrapment, fire, rollover and ejection. Dispatchers advised they were receiving multiple 911 calls with reports of a two vehicle...
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