Charles News

Prince Frederick Woman Convicted of Child Neglect and Impaired Driving

Prince Frederick Woman Convicted of Child Neglect and Impaired Driving

On June 18, 2025, a Calvert County jury convicted Brandy Leigh Leagan, 31, of Prince Frederick, of two counts of child neglect and impaired driving. The jury deliberated approximately 15 minutes. On the evening of January 21, 2024, Leagan left the Lord Calvert bowling alley with her two minor children in the back seat....
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Police Arrest Waldorf Man Who Shot and Killed Dog Tied Up Outside Victim’s Residence

Police Arrest Waldorf Man Who Shot and Killed Dog Tied Up Outside Victim’s Residence

On June 20, officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Judicial Services Section located and arrested Dejon Elijah Warren, 25, of Waldorf, who was wanted in connection with an incident that occurred on May 18, 2025. During that incident, officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 4500 block of Ruston Place in Waldorf....
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Police Investigating Auto Theft Cases; Multiple Juveniles Charged, Stolen Vehicles Recovered in Separate Cases

Police Investigating Auto Theft Cases; Multiple Juveniles Charged, Stolen Vehicles Recovered in Separate Cases

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating three vehicle-related crimes that occurred on June 23 in the Bannister and Wakefield neighborhoods. Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects in these cases. The three recent incidents are as follows: Vehicle Theft – 2200...
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UPDATE 42-Year-Old La Plata Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash, 82-Year-Old Woman Injured

UPDATE 42-Year-Old La Plata Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash, 82-Year-Old Woman Injured

UPDATE 6/25/2025: On June 25, 2025, at approximately 3:15 p.m., police, fire department, and emergency medical services personnel responded to the intersection of Washington Avenue and Rosewick Road in La Plata for a report of a motor vehicle collision involving a passenger car and a motorcycle. First-arriving La Plata Police Department officers initiated CPR on...
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CRIME SOLVERS: Decades-Long Mystery Solved: Jane Doe, Homicide Victim, Identified 25 Years Later Following News Report

CRIME SOLVERS: Decades-Long Mystery Solved: Jane Doe, Homicide Victim, Identified 25 Years Later Following News Report

Charles County Sheriff’s Detectives and Forensic Science Investigators have identified the body of a woman who was found murdered almost 25 years ago. Jane Doe was her name for investigators for 25 years, but her true identity has now been learned – LaQuanda Denise “Niecey” Williams who was just 31 years old when her...
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Elderly Man Rescued from Bryans Road Park, Hospitalized with Heat Exhaustion

Elderly Man Rescued from Bryans Road Park, Hospitalized with Heat Exhaustion

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at approximately 12:42 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Ruth B. Swann Park located at 3100 Ruth B Swann Drive in Bryans Road to assist police in searching for a missing 86-year-old male. The 911 caller reported he was taking a walk on the trail when he...
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UMCES’s Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card Shows Declined Health from 2024, Presents Long-Term Improvement

UMCES’s Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card Shows Declined Health from 2024, Presents Long-Term Improvement

UMCES’s flagship Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card, developed in collaboration with local stakeholders, is a proven tool for measuring the latest available data and communicating social, environmental, and economic health to inspire action. The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) released its 19th annual Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card, the...
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CSM Business Professor Christopher Ripley Recognized for Teaching Excellence

CSM Business Professor Christopher Ripley Recognized for Teaching Excellence

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Professor of Business Christopher Ripley was recently awarded the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Teaching Excellence award. The award was presented at the ACBSP’s annual conference, held June 19-22 in Las Vegas. “As someone who’s dedicated decades to both business and education, this recognition is deeply...
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CSM Named ‘Member of the Year’ by The Patuxent Partnership

CSM Named ‘Member of the Year’ by The Patuxent Partnership

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has been named the 2024 “Member of the Year” by The Patuxent Partnership (TPP), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing science, technology, and growing the STEM workforce pipeline in Southern Maryland. The announcement came during TPP’s Annual Dinner on June 3, held in Historic St. Mary’s City....
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17-Year-Old Transported to Trauma Center After Motor Vehicle Collision in Waldorf

17-Year-Old Transported to Trauma Center After Motor Vehicle Collision in Waldorf

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at approximately 8:30 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of St. Charles Parkway and Demarr Road in White Plains, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle with one laying in the roadway. Dispatchers advised multiple 911 callers reported a car versus a...
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Leadership Southern Maryland’s 12th Annual Golf Tournament Tees Up for Thursday, June 26, 2025

Leadership Southern Maryland’s 12th Annual Golf Tournament Tees Up for Thursday, June 26, 2025

Driving, putting, fun, and networking are back again this year as Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) celebrates its 12th Annual Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at Chesapeake Hills Golf Course in Lusby, MD. All golfers are welcome and encouraged to join regional leaders from throughout Southern Maryland to enjoy a day of golf...
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Charles County Cooling Centers During Excessive Heatwave

Charles County Cooling Centers During Excessive Heatwave

With the National Weather Service issuing excessive heat warnings, residents may find cooling centers. In Charles County, community centers, senior centers, and libraries are available during regular hours. LifeStyles of Maryland in White Plains is also offering daytime shelter. For urgent after-hours situations, the Maryland State Police La Plata Barracks offers limited temporary shelter...
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Public Should Report Marine Mammal and Turtle Sightings and Strandings in Maryland to DNR

Public Should Report Marine Mammal and Turtle Sightings and Strandings in Maryland to DNR

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources asks residents and visitors enjoying coastal and tidal waterways to remain alert for marine mammals and sea turtles into summer through early fall. Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, whales, and other marine wildlife are regular seasonal visitors to the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries, the Atlantic Ocean, and...
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Mechanicsville Man Charged Arrested After Setting His Home and Parents Vehicle on Fire

Mechanicsville Man Charged Arrested After Setting His Home and Parents Vehicle on Fire

UPDATE 6/23/205: Deputy State Fire Marshals have charged a Mechanicsville man with setting his home on fire early Monday morning and later connected him to setting his parents’ car on fire Saturday morning. Michale Robert Guy, 47, was arrested shortly after the fire with the assistance of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. Just...
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Southern Maryland Under Extreme Heat Warnings and Watch

Southern Maryland Under Extreme Heat Warnings and Watch

Monday, June 23rd, 2025 – Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 107. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Tuesday, June 24th, 2025 – Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 106. North wind 3...
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Father Transported, Son Flown to Hospital After Being Bit By Foster Pit Bull

Father Transported, Son Flown to Hospital After Being Bit By Foster Pit Bull

On Friday, June 21, 2025, at approximately 2:03 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 70 block of Elder Place in Indian Head, for the reported animal bite. 911 callers reported a father and son was bit by a foster Pit bull, with a teen victim suffering a hand injury with...
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Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Charles, Calvert and Norhtern St. Mary’s County

Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Charles, Calvert and Norhtern St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 6/19/2025 @ 4:36 P.M.: A severe thunderstorm was located over Quantico, moving east at 50 mph. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been placed for Charles, Northern St. Mary’s, Northern Calvert, Southern Prince Georges, and southern Anne Arundel Counties until 5:30 p.m. IMPACT…Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This...
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Fugitive Wanted for Rape and Sexual Offense of a Child Located and Arrested

Fugitive Wanted for Rape and Sexual Offense of a Child Located and Arrested

Members of the Judicial Services Section have located and arrested Franklin Argueta-Marquez, age 28, of no fixed address, who was wanted in connection with two counts of rape and sexual offense of a 13-year-old girl whom he initially met online when she was 12 years old. Argueta-Marquez first reached out to the victim by...
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Charles County Commissioners Adopt Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, With 6% Increase From 2024

Charles County Commissioners Adopt Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, With 6% Increase From 2024

On Tuesday, May 20, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously adopted a balanced General Fund budget of $595,081,500, an increase of 6.0 percent over last year. The approved budget does not increase the current property or income tax rate and aligns with the Commissioners’ strategic priorities. “Despite facing one of the most challenging fiscal years in...
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Public Safety Issues Animal Safety Alert Due to Forecasted Weather, Heat

Public Safety Issues Animal Safety Alert Due to Forecasted Weather, Heat

Due to forecasted high temperatures for Wednesday, June 18, through Thursday, June 19, the Department of Public Safety has issued an animal safety alert. During this period, animal owners or custodians are required to provide appropriate protection from the weather, including adequate shelter, water, space and access to shade. Pay special attention to animals...
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La Plata Man Faces Multiple Felony Drug and Firearms Charges After Police Raid

La Plata Man Faces Multiple Felony Drug and Firearms Charges After Police Raid

Bruce Robinson, 57, of La Plata, has been charged with 14 criminal offenses, including multiple drug trafficking and firearms violations, following a police raid at his home on May 30, 2025. According to court documents filed in the District Court for Charles County, the charges stem from the execution of a search warrant carried...
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No Injuries Reported After Early Morning RV Fire in Charlotte Hall Damages Residence

No Injuries Reported After Early Morning RV Fire in Charlotte Hall Damages Residence

On Thursday, June 19, 2025, at approximately 3:57 a.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 14000 block of Scalloway Place in Charlotte Hall, for the reported structure on fire. 911 callers reported a large RV was on fire and threatening the residence, with subjects attempting to put the fire out with a...
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Indian Head Woman Released By Judge Within 48 Hours After Intentionally Striking Victims With Vehicle at Baby Shower

Indian Head Woman Released By Judge Within 48 Hours After Intentionally Striking Victims With Vehicle at Baby Shower

On Sunday, June 1st, 2025, at 5:06 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 1300 block of Smallwood Drive West in Waldorf for the report of pedestrians struck. A preliminary investigation revealed the suspect, Robin Lessette Alexander, age 53, of Indian Head, was attending a baby shower at the location when she became...
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CSM Strengthens Support for Military Families with National Recognition and Community Resource Event

CSM Strengthens Support for Military Families with National Recognition and Community Resource Event

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) continues to expand its commitment to veterans and military-connected families, earning national recognition and hosting dedicated events designed to support their educational and career success. CSM was recently named a 2025-26 Military Friendly® School, earning Silver in the small community college category and being recognized as a Military...
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Attorney General Brown Preliminarily Agrees to Purdue/Sackler Settlement  AG Brown Joins 54 Attorneys General in Settlement Agreement

Attorney General Brown Preliminarily Agrees to Purdue/Sackler Settlement  AG Brown Joins 54 Attorneys General in Settlement Agreement

(June 16, 2025) – Attorney General Anthony Brown announced that all 55 attorneys general, representing all eligible states and U.S. territories, have preliminarily agreed to sign on to a settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family. The Sackler family has informed the attorneys general of its plan to proceed with the...
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