Charles News

Get Hooked on Blue Catfish! Comprehensive List of 2025 Blue Catfish Fishing Tournaments in Maryland

Get Hooked on Blue Catfish! Comprehensive List of 2025 Blue Catfish Fishing Tournaments in Maryland

Maryland anglers can do their part to help the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem by catching and removing blue catfish from waterways. These nonnative fish are top predators that consume native species such as blue crabs, white perch, and menhaden. Avid anglers looking to put their skills to the test can register for tournaments and try...
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No Injuries Reported After House Fire in Waldorf

No Injuries Reported After House Fire in Waldorf

On Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 5:28 p.m., firefighters responded to the 2700 block of Tred Avon Court in Waldorf, for the house fire. 911 callers reported a grill was possibly on fire to the rear of the residence with all occupants being evacuated and accounted for. Crews arrived on the scene to find...
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Message from Sheriff Troy D. Berry Regarding Investigation of K9 Deployment Incident

Message from Sheriff Troy D. Berry Regarding Investigation of K9 Deployment Incident

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office released the following message on April 18th, 2025, from Sheriff Troy D. Berry Regarding Investigation of K9 Deployment Incident. “I want to make our community aware of an incident that is being investigated. Yesterday, we became aware of a case that occurred earlier in the week involving the arrest...
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Two Dogs Unaccounted For, One Firefighter and One Homeowner Transported After Large La Plata House Fire

Two Dogs Unaccounted For, One Firefighter and One Homeowner Transported After Large La Plata House Fire

On Thursday, April 17, 2025, at approximately 5:23 a.m., firefighters from Charles County responded to 6145 Kerrick Drive in La Plata, for the reported house on fire with animals trapped. The 911 caller reported a fire in the laundry room with two dogs trapped. Crews arrived to find fire showing from the large 1-story...
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Milk & Honey Welcomes 15th Location with New Opening in Waldorf

Milk & Honey Welcomes 15th Location with New Opening in Waldorf

Thompson Restaurants is happy to introduce Milk & Honey to Waldorf with its 15th location that officially opened earlier this week on April 15th, 2025. This launch marks the beginning of an exciting expansion phase for the brand by the family-run hospitality company, known for its 33 years of excellence in the food industry....
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UPDATE: Two Men Dead After Large House Fire in Charles County, Fire Marshal Continues Investigation

UPDATE: Two Men Dead After Large House Fire in Charles County, Fire Marshal Continues Investigation

UPDATE 4/17/2025 @ 4:30 P.M.: Deputy State Fire Marshals continue to investigate the cause of a house fire that claimed the life of two Charles County residents. On April 17, 2025 at 6:15 a.m. the Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments were dispatched to 9690 Brunswick Road in Faulkner for a structure...
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La Plata Volunteer Fire Department Suspends New Member Following Hate Crime Arrest That Occurred at Fire Department in Delaware

La Plata Volunteer Fire Department Suspends New Member Following Hate Crime Arrest That Occurred at Fire Department in Delaware

The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department has suspended a newly onboarded member after learning of his arrest in Delaware on hate crime charges related to an incident that allegedly occurred last year. According to a statement released by the department, Jay Droney, who joined the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department on April 7, 2025,...
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UPDATE: Details Released After Waldorf Couple Charged in Counterfeit Bills and Stolen Vehicles Case

UPDATE: Details Released After Waldorf Couple Charged in Counterfeit Bills and Stolen Vehicles Case

UPDATE 4/16/2025: Two individuals from Waldorf have been charged in connection with a series of incidents involving counterfeit currency, the use of a stolen luxury vehicle, and multiple entries into a secured impound lot, according to court documents filed in Charles County District Court. The investigation was led by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office....
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UPDATE: Police Investigating Man Shot Multiple Times in Waldorf, Police Investigating

UPDATE: Police Investigating Man Shot Multiple Times in Waldorf, Police Investigating

UPDATE 4/15/2025: On Monday, April 14 2025, shortly after 4 p.m., officers responded to the 3000 block of October Place in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was transported to a hospital office where he is being treated for serious injuries....
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Four Teens Aged 13 to 17, Charged and Released After Assault and Robbery, Police Seeking Suspects Who Fled in Stolen Vehicle

Four Teens Aged 13 to 17, Charged and Released After Assault and Robbery, Police Seeking Suspects Who Fled in Stolen Vehicle

On Sunday, April 13, 2025, at approximately 5:00 p.m., patrol officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a large fight involving juveniles in the area of 3515 Promenade Place in Waldorf. Upon arrival, officers located a juvenile victim suffering from a broken nose who reported being assaulted by multiple...
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UPDATE: Six Displaced After House in Nanjemoy is Destroyed After Accidental Fire

UPDATE: Six Displaced After House in Nanjemoy is Destroyed After Accidental Fire

UPDATE 4/15/2025: On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, firefighters responded to 2180 Sandy Point Road in Nanjemoy, Charles County, for the reported house on fire. Crews found a single story double wide trailer fully engulfed in flames. 45 firefighters responded to the scene with the fire being controlled in 30 minutes. No injuries were reported. All...
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Charles County Public Schools Seeking Feedback on Proposed Resource for English Language Development Learners

Charles County Public Schools Seeking Feedback on Proposed Resource for English Language Development Learners

A new curriculum resource for English Language Development (ELD) services is being proposed by a Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) committee made up of instructional specialists, ELD teachers, parents and students. If approved, the resource will be used starting in the 2025-2026 school year. “English 3D,” by Kate Kinsella, Ed.D., is being considered by...
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Jason Groth Appointed as Charles County Director of Planning and Growth Management

Jason Groth Appointed as Charles County Director of Planning and Growth Management

Charles County Acting Administrator Deborah Hall announces the appointment of Jason Groth as the Director of the Department of Planning and Growth Management. Groth serves as Acting Director and will officially fill the position on April 19, 2025. “I am thrilled to celebrate Jason Groth’s promotion to Director of the Department of Planning and...
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One Flown, Two Others Injured After Another Serious Crash at Crain Highway and Holly Lane in Waldorf

One Flown, Two Others Injured After Another Serious Crash at Crain Highway and Holly Lane in Waldorf

On Thursday, April 10, 2025, police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Crain Highway and Holly Lane in Waldorf, for a serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm a multi-vehicle collision with entrapment. Firefighters extricated the single patient in under 10 minutes. A helicopter...
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Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Celebrates Legislation Expanding Economic Growth and Heritage Tourism

Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Celebrates Legislation Expanding Economic Growth and Heritage Tourism

The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area and the Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition proudly celebrated the passage of SB0980, allowing more funds to support Maryland’s heritage and economy. The legislation, sponsored by Sens. Paul Corderman and Michael A. Jackson, increases funding for the Maryland Heritage Areas Program—from $6 million to $12 million annually and raises...
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Maryland’s Spring Turkey Season Opens for 2025

Maryland’s Spring Turkey Season Opens for 2025

Maryland’s statewide spring wild turkey season opens this month, beginning with the Junior Turkey Hunt on April 12th, 2025. The regular spring turkey season opens for all hunters on April 18 and runs through May 23, 2025. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) anticipates that hunters should have ample opportunity due to recent increases in turkey...
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ALERT: Fraudulent Website Impersonating the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

ALERT: Fraudulent Website Impersonating the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) has recently become aware of a fraudulent website operating under the domain fireheros.org. This unauthorized site is a direct and deceptive copy of our official website, www.firehero.org, and is impersonating our organization in an attempt to solicit cryptocurrency donations under false pretenses. (No S after firehero) This is a serious...
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Governor Moore Signs Legislation to Strengthen Maryland’s Workforce

Governor Moore Signs Legislation to Strengthen Maryland’s Workforce

4/8/2025 – Governor Wes Moore presided over the first bill signing ceremony of 2025, which included bills under the Moore-Miller Administration’s legislative agenda to strengthen Maryland’s workforce. The legislation signed today strengthens the apprenticeship pipeline in Maryland, creates pathways to meaningful employment for Marylanders with disabilities, and helps to fast track license approval for...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit Seeking Fugitive’s Whereabouts

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Unit Seeking Fugitive’s Whereabouts

Officers assigned to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office US Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Task Force are seeking the whereabouts of Antwone Demetrious Grooms, 35, of Washington, D.C., Grooms has three warrants for his arrest. Grooms is 5’7” and weighs approximately 145 lbs. He has been known to carry firearms. Anyone with information on...
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Maryland State Police Aviation Command Regrets to Announce Passing of Retired Sergeant Christopher Tappan

Maryland State Police Aviation Command Regrets to Announce Passing of Retired Sergeant Christopher Tappan

It is with profound sadness that the Maryland State Police – Aviation Command announces the death of retired Sergeant Christopher Tappan after a courageous battle with cancer. Sgt. Tappan joined the Maryland State Police in 2004, working the Bel Air Barrack until transferring into MSPAC in 2007. Sgt. Tappan was previously assigned to Troopers...
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Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Couch Fire at Hotel Charles, Fire Marshal Investigating

Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Couch Fire at Hotel Charles, Fire Marshal Investigating

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at approximately 5:27 a.m., firefighters responded to the Hotel Charles located at 15110 Burnt Store Road in Hughesville, for the reported smoke in the building. Firefighters from Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s Counties responded to the scene with first arriving units finding nothing evident from the 2-story commercial structure....
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Time to Care Coalition Decries Implementation Delay Introduced by Administration and Approved by Maryland General Assembly Postponing Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program

Time to Care Coalition Decries Implementation Delay Introduced by Administration and Approved by Maryland General Assembly Postponing Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program

The Maryland Time to Care Coalition decries the 18-month implementation delay, proposed by Gov. West Moore, of the Time to Care Act, originally passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2022. The General Assembly gave final approval last night to HB 102, which will delay the Family and Medical Leave Insurance program (FAMLI) benefits...
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CSM Combines Writing and Math Centers to Enhance Student Support

CSM Combines Writing and Math Centers to Enhance Student Support

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has updated its math and writing centers into a combined location at the La Plata Campus, while continuing to offer dedicated math and writing assistance at its Leonardtown and Prince Frederick campuses. CSM’s writing center services are free to the Southern Maryland community. CSM’s Math Resource Centers offer a...
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La Plata Police Officers Rescue Injured Bird in Hawthorne Green Community

La Plata Police Officers Rescue Injured Bird in Hawthorne Green Community

On Sunday, residents of the Hawthorne Green community in La Plata reported an injured juvenile waterfowl—believed to be a Horned Grebe—wandering in the roadway near Camden Circle and Nicola Lane. Despite attempts by community members to help, the bird continued to evade capture. La Plata Police Department’s Corporal B. Smith (#643) responded to the...
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Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Four Counts of Soliciting Child Porn From 12-Year-Old Victim

Man Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Four Counts of Soliciting Child Porn From 12-Year-Old Victim

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Adam Marks, 37, of Rancho Cucamonga, California, to 5 years in prison for four counts of Soliciting Child Porn. Marks will also have to register as a Tier II Sex Offender....
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