Charles News

Maryland Traffic Fatalities Drop in 2025, Reaching Decade-Low Levels

Maryland Traffic Fatalities Drop in 2025, Reaching Decade-Low Levels

Governor Wes Moore today announced significant progress toward safer roads in Maryland in 2025, with traffic fatalities falling by approximately 18% statewide, according to preliminary data. Motor vehicle crash deaths declined from 582 in 2024 to 480 in 2025, marking the first time fatalities have fallen below 500 since 2014. “There is no greater...
Read More »

Former Maryland Blue Crab Andrew Thurman Signed by San Diego Padres

Former Maryland Blue Crab Andrew Thurman Signed by San Diego Padres

Former Blue Crabs pitcher Andrew Thurman has been signed by the San Diego Padres after making his professional comeback with the Blue Crabs this past season. Thurman had not pitched professionally since 2017 before taking the mound to begin the Atlantic League season in 2025 with Southern Maryland. The former second round pick (40th overall)...
Read More »

Yes, Gas Delivery Is a Thing—and It’s Local

Yes, Gas Delivery Is a Thing—and It’s Local

Did You Know Southern Maryland Has a Mobile Fuel Delivery Service? Most of us are used to planning our day around gas station stops. But many people don’t realize that right here in Southern Maryland, there’s a local company that will actually bring the fuel to you. S J Johnson Mobile Fuel Service is quietly serving businesses...
Read More »

Governor Moore Announces Maryland Overdose Deaths Falling for Fourth Straight Year, Reaching 10-Year Low

Governor Moore Announces Maryland Overdose Deaths Falling for Fourth Straight Year, Reaching 10-Year Low

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced the latest provisional data from Maryland’s Overdose Data Dashboard, which show that drug overdose deaths decreased by 26 percent last year—marking the fourth consecutive year of reported decreases in the state. There were 1,315 overdose deaths in the state in 2025, representing the lowest level seen in the...
Read More »

Four Displaced After Candle Ignites Late Night House Fire Sending 11-Year-Old and 14-Year-Old to Hospital

Four Displaced After Candle Ignites Late Night House Fire Sending 11-Year-Old and 14-Year-Old to Hospital

On Sunday, February 1, 2026, at approximately 10:23 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 10 block of Marshall Road in Waldorf, for the reported house on fire. 911 callers reported a bedroom was on fire, with all occupants out of the residence. Crews arrived on the scene within minutes of...
Read More »

Charles County First Responders Rescue Multiple Dogs Due to Icy Conditions

Charles County First Responders Rescue Multiple Dogs Due to Icy Conditions

On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., firefighters responded to Oakridge Court in Newburg, for the reported animal rescue. 911 callers reported a dog stuck at the bottom of an incline in their backyard. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find the entire backyard was a sheet of ice, with the dog stuck...
Read More »

Former General Services Administration Employee Pleads Guilty to Bribery Conspiracy

Former General Services Administration Employee Pleads Guilty to Bribery Conspiracy

A former General Services Administration (GSA) contracting officer’s representative pled guilty today, for his role in agreeing to accept bribes from construction companies. Lennie Lamont Miller, 60, of Brandywine, Maryland, pled guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery of a federal official. According to his guilty plea, Miller conspired with Christopher Brackins,...
Read More »

Multiple Vehicles Damaged After Ice Flies Off Uncleaned Car; One Officer Injured After Ice Strikes Police Cruisers Windshield

Multiple Vehicles Damaged After Ice Flies Off Uncleaned Car; One Officer Injured After Ice Strikes Police Cruisers Windshield

The Anne Arundel County Sheriff’s Office released the following information on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, This morning, one of our deputies was traveling on Interstate 97 when a large sheet of ice slid off another vehicle and struck his windshield, causing it to shatter. Despite the impact, the deputy was able to maintain control...
Read More »

Indian Head House Destroyed, One Firefighter Injured and Homeowner Burned; Ice Hampers First Responders Response

Indian Head House Destroyed, One Firefighter Injured and Homeowner Burned; Ice Hampers First Responders Response

On Thursday, January 29, 2026, at approximately 4:00 a.m., firefighters from the Tenth District Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments responded to 5450 Powerline Place in Indian Head, for the reported house on fire. 911 callers reported the house was on fire with all occupants attempting to evacuate. Within 5 minutes of the initial...
Read More »

One Displaced After Bryans Road House Fire, No Injuries Reported and Fire Remains Under Investigation

One Displaced After Bryans Road House Fire, No Injuries Reported and Fire Remains Under Investigation

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at approximately 10:20 p.m., firefighters from the Bryans Road Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments responded to the 6700 block of McCormick Drive in Bryans Road, for the reported garage on fire. Multiple 911 callers reported fire showing from the attached garage with all occupants accounted for and out...
Read More »

St. Mary’s and Charles County Schools CLOSED – Calvert Opening on 2 Hour Delay for January 29th, 2026

St. Mary’s and Charles County Schools CLOSED – Calvert Opening on 2 Hour Delay for January 29th, 2026

St. Mary’s County – Schools Closed – Code 4 for Staff – January 29, 2026 Prince George’s County – Thursday, January 29 and Friday, January 30, 2026 | CODE YELLOW | Schools are closed. All Offices are closed. Emergency personnel only must report to work. Meal distribution will open… Anne Arundel County – Due to continuing...
Read More »

Bryans Road Volunteers Rescue Dog Stuck at Bottom of Icy Hill

Bryans Road Volunteers Rescue Dog Stuck at Bottom of Icy Hill

On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at approximately 9:45 a.m., firefighters responded to Dakota Street in Bryans Road, for the reported animal rescue. 911 callers reported their dog was stuck on the ice and needed assistance. Firefighters from the Bryans Road VFD responded and found the small dog at the bottom of a icy hill....
Read More »

Governor Moore Announces the Lower Bills and Local Power Act to Combat Rising Utility Costs and Deploy Affordable Local Energy

Governor Moore Announces the Lower Bills and Local Power Act to Combat Rising Utility Costs and Deploy Affordable Local Energy

Governor Wes Moore today announced the Lower Bills and Local Power Act as part of the Moore-Miller Administration’s 2026 legislative agenda. Focused on securing an affordable and reliable energy future for Maryland, the legislation introduces measures to secure financing for local clean energy projects, modernize the electric grid, and provide additional direct energy bill...
Read More »

Leadership Southern Maryland Announces Selection of the LSM Emerging Leaders Program Class of 2026

Leadership Southern Maryland Announces Selection of the LSM Emerging Leaders Program Class of 2026

The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Board of Directors is pleased to introduce the 30 talented Southern Maryland professionals selected for the LSM Emerging Leaders Program (LEAP) Class of 2026. From Calvert County – Renee Arnold, Sponsored Programs Coordinator, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Zanna Clayton, Settlement Officer, Eagle Title Emma Donaldson, Assistant...
Read More »

Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Regrets to Announce Death of Past Chief and Life Member John “Teddy” Lundstrom

Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Regrets to Announce Death of Past Chief and Life Member John “Teddy” Lundstrom

The Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Inc. regrets to announce the death of Past Chief and Life Member John “Teddy” Lundstrom. At the age of 81, Teddy passed away peacefully on January 25, 2026 after a brief battle with lung cancer with his wife and daughter by his side. Teddy served...
Read More »

Southern Maryland Schools CLOSED on Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Southern Maryland Schools CLOSED on Wednesday, January 28, 2026

St. Mary’s County – All Schools and Offices are closed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 – Code 3 for staff. No employees should report to work. Administrative leave will be provided for twelve-month employees. Operations Prince George’s County – Closed Tuesday, January 27, 2026 – Thursday, January 29, 2026 | CODE YELLOW | Schools are...
Read More »

UPDATE: 43-Year-Old Waldorf Man Killed After Hit and Run; Police Seeking 1997-2005 Dark Blue Buick Regal

UPDATE: 43-Year-Old Waldorf Man Killed After Hit and Run; Police Seeking 1997-2005 Dark Blue Buick Regal

UPDATE 1/27/2026: On Monday, January 26, 2027, at 6:28 p.m., officers responded to the area of Gallery Place for the report of a body in the roadway. When officers arrived, they located an adult male who appeared to have been struck by a vehicle; the driver did not stay on the scene. A preliminary...
Read More »

Firefighter MAYDAY Results in Non-Life-Threatening Injury During Garage Fire in La Plata

Firefighter MAYDAY Results in Non-Life-Threatening Injury During Garage Fire in La Plata

On Monday, January 26, 2026, at approximately 6:32 p.m., firefighters from La Plata VFD and surrounding departments responded to the 7000 block of Hawthorne Road in La Plata, for the reported garage on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 1-story 10×20 garage with fire throughout. During fire suppression operations, one member...
Read More »

Southern Maryland Schools CLOSED on Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Southern Maryland Schools CLOSED on Tuesday, January 27, 2026

St. Mary’s County – All Schools and Offices are CLOSED on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 – Code 3 for staff. No employees should report to work. Administrative leave will be provided for twelve-month employees. Operations Prince George’s County – Tuesday, January 27, 2026 – Thursday, January 29, 2026 | CODE YELLOW | Schools are closed. All...
Read More »

7-Year-Old Transported to Children’s Center After Sledding Accident in Waldorf

7-Year-Old Transported to Children’s Center After Sledding Accident in Waldorf

On Monday, January 26, 2026, at approximately 10:25 a.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to Christina Place in Waldorf, for the reported traumatic injuries. 911 callers reported a 7-year-old male was sledding, when he struck a heat pump and was now having difficulty moving. Crews arrived on the scene and found the child...
Read More »

Southern Maryland Schools CLOSED on Monday, January 26, 2026 Due to Weather

Southern Maryland Schools CLOSED on Monday, January 26, 2026 Due to Weather

ST. MARY’S COUNTY – All St. Mary’s County Public Schools and offices will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026, with a Code 3 for employees. No employees should report to work. Administrative leave will be provided for twelve-month employees. Operations and Maintenance Emergency personnel will follow the established protocol. Thank you and stay safe. CALVERT COUNTY...
Read More »

2nd House Fire Within 8 Hours in Charles County Displaces Three Occupants, No Injuries Reported

2nd House Fire Within 8 Hours in Charles County Displaces Three Occupants, No Injuries Reported

On Sunday, January 25, 2026, at approximately 7:30 a.m., firefighters from Charles County responded to the 2000 block of Liverpool Point Road in Nanjemoy, for the reported house on fire. 911 callers reported all occupants are out, with multiple dogs accounted for but one cat possibly still inside. Crews arrived on the scene to...
Read More »

UPDATE: State Fire Marshal Investigating House Fire in Waldorf, No Injuries Reported

UPDATE: State Fire Marshal Investigating House Fire in Waldorf, No Injuries Reported

UPDATE 1/25/2026: Firefighters from Charles and Prince George’s County are responding back to the residence at 7:45 a.m., due to multiple 911 callers reporting the house is on fire again. Crews arrived on the scene and confirmed fire through the roof of the residence again and began making entry to extinguish the fire. Firefighter...
Read More »

Southern Maryland Braces for Major Winter Storm: What You Need to Do Now

Southern Maryland Braces for Major Winter Storm: What You Need to Do Now

Southern Maryland is on track for a significant winter storm starting late Saturday and lasting into Monday — with heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and Arctic cold that could keep temperatures below freezing for days after the storm passes. Officials have issued a Winter Storm Warning for our region, and neighboring jurisdictions including D.C....
Read More »

Card Skimming Device Discovered at Waldorf 7-Eleven

Card Skimming Device Discovered at Waldorf 7-Eleven

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after officers recovered a card skimming device attached to a point-of-sale terminal at the 7-Eleven on St. Ignatius Drive on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The device was an overlay skimmer, designed to fit over a legitimate card reader and closely mimic the original terminal while unlawfully capturing...
Read More »