The La Plata Police Department has charged Christopher Ralph Sims, 35, of Sumter, South Carolina, with theft following an incident at a Lowe’s store on Rosewick Road in La Plata on September 22, 2024. According to court documents, Sims is accused of stealing a flatbed trailer and two Toro TimeCutter riding mowers valued at...
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On December 1st, 2024, the Humane Society of Charles County announced the following – Due to an exposure to kennel cough our dogs run will be closed to the public for the next 2 weeks to contain and prevent further spread of this infection. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Mission Statement It...
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The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is conducting its annual “Boatload of Toys” holiday gift drive at several locations across the state in advance of the 2024 holiday season. NRP officers are collecting donations of new, unopened toys for local children in need. The program is part of the national United States Marine Toys for...
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering holiday shoppers a different type of gift this year–one that can be in honor of a loved one, to benefit future generations, and improve the environment. The Gift of Trees is a program where Marylanders purchase native trees — either a single tree or a grove...
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The Town of La Plata is lighting up the holiday season with its beloved “Light Up La Plata” contest, inviting residents and businesses to showcase their festive spirit. Registration is open through December 4, 2024, for those within the town limits eager to compete for the best-decorated displays. Participants can enter one of several...
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Before John Smith arrived and even before the glaciers melted to create the Chesapeake Bay, Indigenous Peoples had called the land that is now Maryland home. Indigenous sites in Maryland have been dated as early as 12,000 years ago by archaeologists. Many Indigenous People lived along the then Susquehanna River, using the resources provided...
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On Monday, November 18, 2024, at 1:17 a.m., officers responded to the 6500 block of Hungerford Road in Bryans Road, MD for the report of a subject breaking into vehicles. Upon arrival, officers observed several vehicles had been broken into. One of the officers, who is also a drone operator, deployed a drone to...
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On Sunday, November 17, 2024, at approximately 4:19 a.m., officers responded to the 6000 block of Washington Avenue for the report of a construction site burglary. Upon arrival officers observed two individuals in dark clothing, as the individuals noticed the officers they fled on foot to a large box truck. Officers attempted to stop...
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The State’s Attorney’s Office for Charles County (SAO) is returning with its fourth year of the “Drive Sober” initiative to spread awareness of the grave dangers of driving impaired and help the public take preventative measures. The “Drive Sober” initiative will run during the holiday season – November 25, 2024, through January 1, 2025...
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by Danielle J. Brown, Maryland Matters November 24, 2024 Cannabis-related emergency room visits climbed steadily through July 2023, when recreational use was first legalized in Maryland, but have never reached that peak again, fluctuating up and down in the months since. That was just one of the findings of a new Maryland Health Department...
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As families and friends gather for Thanksgiving celebrations, the holiday season also brings increased risks on Maryland’s roads due to impaired driving. Thanksgiving consistently ranks among the busiest travel times of the year, and with that comes a sharp uptick in traffic incidents involving alcohol or drugs. Law enforcement agencies and safety advocates are...
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On Sunday, November 24, 2024, at approximately 7:55 a.m., firefighters from Charles and Prince George’s County were dispatched to 11207 Barnswallow Place in Waldorf, for the reported structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 3-story end of the row townhouse with smoke and fire showing from the second and third...
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On Saturday, November 23, 2024, at approximately 7:55 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Leonardtown Road and Carrico Mill Road in Hughesville, for a motor vehicle collision reported serious with entrapment. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm one adult male was trapped. Firefighters extricated the single occupant in...
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On November 21, 2024, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), alongside Maryland State Police, conducted a coordinated traffic safety initiative across multiple locations throughout the county. The initiative focused on areas where residents had previously raised traffic safety concerns. A total of 267 traffic stops were made, resulting in approximately 370 warnings,...
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Charles County Sheriff’s detectives have charged a suspect in connection with the possession of child pornography. Between January and April of 2023, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office received 14 Cyber tips, which were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) by a cloud storage provider. The tips outlined a user...
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On Wednesday, Sgt. Tyler Brice and TFC Patrick Nolan attended the George Washington University Hospital’s Trauma Survivors event in recognition of their treatment of Ms. Kailynn Hart while working on Trooper 7 this past year. Kailynn’s father and aunt were able to attend the event to celebrate her miraculous recovery. Check out Mr. Hart’s...
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CCSO UPDATE 11/22/2024: The Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has updated its investigation into the incident at C. Barnhart Elementary School on November 15, 2024. The investigation included a detailed review of school security footage, re-interviews with witnesses, and additional interviews with individuals who had direct knowledge of the case. The findings indicate that...
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On Thursday, November 21, 2024, at approximately 7:00 p.m., as firefighters and emergency medical services returned to service from the previously serious motor vehicle, crews were alerted to the area of Leonardtown Road and Old Washington Road in Waldorf, for a motor vehicle collision with injuries. Firefighters arrived on the scene within minutes to find...
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UPDATE 11/21/2024: A Charles County man has been arrested and charged following the tragic shooting death of his 15-year-old stepson, Michael Edward Clemons, at their home on November 20, 2024. Darshan Eric Williams, 48, of La Plata, is facing charges of second-degree murder, firearm use in the commission of a felony, first-degree assault, and...
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On Thursday, November 21, 2024, at approximately 6:00 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of St. Charles Parkway and Demarr Road, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. A short time after initial dispatch, the incident was upgraded to a serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment. Crews quickly...
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On Tuesday, November 19, 2024, a school resource officer at Mattawoman Middle School was made aware of an incident that occurred during school dismissal on November 18. In this case, three students, ages 13, approached another student and forcibly stole their name-brand ski mask. The SRO initiated an investigation and identified the involved students....
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Data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Old Dominion University show the volume of hypoxia—waters with less than 2 mg/l oxygen—was generally near or below average in the Chesapeake Bay mainstem of Maryland and Virginia in 2024. For the year, hypoxia volumes were larger than average in May and early June,...
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On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at approximately 1:30 a.m., unknown suspects broke into a gun shop in the 10500 block of Theodore Green Boulevard in White Plains. More than 100 guns have been stolen. Investigators are working with the ATF and ask anyone with information to contact Detective Furr at 301-609-6457. Tipsters who want...
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UPDATE 11/21/2024: After 20 days, following a review of weather and ground conditions, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has rescinded a statewide ban on open-air burning that was implemented to prevent the spread of wildfires across the state. Extremely dry conditions that had persisted throughout the year led to an above average number of wildfires...
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Becomes second Waldorf resident to claim third-tier Powerball prize in a week. A Charles County resident who plays family members’ ages on her Powerball tickets secured a $50,000 third-tier win in the Oct. 19 drawing. Many players use a relative’s birth date, but the lucky lady won using a combination of ages of her...
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