Kent Leroy Smith Jr., 34, of Suitland, was taken into custody on July 4, 2025, after a multi-hour police response involving a vehicle pursuit, foot chase, home break-ins, and the recovery of a loaded handgun. Smith, who had multiple outstanding warrants at the time, is now being held without bond at the Charles County...
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UPDATE 7/8/2025: Delaina Kyle Sweet, 36, of White Plains, has been charged with first-degree assault and possession of contraband in a place of confinement following a stabbing incident that occurred on July 7, 2025, in Waldorf. According to court documents, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded at approximately 12:27 p.m. to a...
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The National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC has issued a Flood Watch, a Heat Advisory, and Hazardous Weather Outlook for Southern Maryland, including St. Mary’s, Calvert, Charles Counties. The Flood Watch is in effect from 2:00 PM EDT this afternoon, Tuesday, July 8th, 2025, through this evening. IMPACTS can include – Excessive runoff may...
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Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Vice Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee and Co-Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, to introduce the bipartisan Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act alongside Representatives Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02). The bill takes aim at one of the greatest...
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UPDATE 7/8/2025: Today, Funeral services will held at 9:30 a.m., Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens, with a procession leaving the station at 10am. Intersections along the procession route will be controlled by assisting police departments and fire departments until the procession proceeds through. Please follow their directions. We thank you in advance...
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As summer has begun, Maryland Department of Natural Resources scientists caution the public to be vigilant about freshwater algae mats that can sometimes be a health hazard for dogs and other animals. Benthic algae mats are accumulations of algae that can vary in structure and appearance, but are often dense, green, and fibrous. Benthic...
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The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash that took place in Brandywine Friday evening. The deceased driver is 48-year-old Gregory Wilson of Hughesville. On July 4, 2025, at approximately 7:00 pm, officers responded to the 15500 block of Brandywine Road for a single-vehicle crash. Gregory...
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is again offering an online process for Maryland hunters to apply for a 2025-2026 waterfowl blind site license. From July 16 through July 29, 2025, hunters and riparian landowners may enter the annual lottery for the opening days of blind site licensing. Hunters and riparian landowners with a DNR ID...
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A Charles County man has become Maryland’s latest multi-millionaire after discovering a $2,041,396 progressive jackpot win on a $30 FAST PLAY Gold Rush Progressive ticket. The retiree explained that after purchasing the ticket at a liquor store, he scanned it and saw the always popular “Go to Lottery” message. He and his wife took...
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Calvert County: Solomons Island Fourth of July Celebration – On July 4, event begins at 10 a.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m., Solomons will host a full day of patriotic activities, including a flag ceremony, colonial reenactments, a children’s bike parade, boat parade, live music and fireworks. Festivities are centered around the boardwalk, Calvert Marine...
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For 18 years, Glenn Therres watched the recovery of Maryland’s bald eagles from the window of a four-seater plane. The long-time bald eagle biologist for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Therres had counted nests for the department’s annual bald eagle survey since 1985, when there were only 62 breeding pairs in the state....
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On Tuesday, July 1, 2025 the Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and staff from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs received a report from a citizen regarding suspected fraudulent activity involving parking payments at Regency Furniture Stadium, located at 11765 St. Linus Drive in Waldorf, MD. A preliminary investigation revealed that the QR codes affixed...
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This Independence Day weekend, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) will ramp up patrols and enforcement efforts throughout the busiest boating holiday of the year. NRP will conduct its 17th annual Operation Dry Water, focusing on heightened outreach, education, and enforcement, particularly on the importance of sober boating. Maryland waterway users should expect increased patrols...
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Maryland State Police and the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council are reminding motorists to take proactive steps to protect their vehicles during National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month in July. Vehicle theft surges during summer, making it a risky time for drivers to let their guard down. In Maryland, a vehicle is stolen every 22...
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We are saddened to share the passing of retired K9 Ryker, a loyal partner to Cpl. Darin Behm (K9) and a retired member of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office who served our community from 2013 to 2020. Ryker, a Belgian Malinois, was a two-time Triple Crown Award recipient through the United States Police Canine...
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The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, has created an Agricultural Lending Library for the Southern Maryland community to utilize. The Lending library is open to the public to check out books on agriculture for a two-week borrow period. The books found in SMADC’s Lending...
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Detectives assigned to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division have charged a former employee and a volunteer of Lions Camp Merrick, Inc., with fraud crimes in connection with a financial scheme that spanned a year and resulted in the misappropriation of over $36,000. In May 2024, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by...
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On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at approximately 7:47 a.m., firefighters from Leonardtown, Second District, Bay District, Hollywood, NAS Patuxent River and Seventh District were dispatched to the 20000 block of Willow Bottom Farm Lane in Leonardtown, for the reported structure fire. A 911 caller reported smoke coming from the residence. A short time later, the...
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Maryland State Police beginning Friday will increase enforcement efforts to combat impaired, aggressive, and distracted driving throughout the July 4th holiday weekend. Maryland State Troopers from all 23 barracks across the state will conduct high-visibility patrols from Friday July 4 to Sunday, July 6. The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) team – a...
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Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, June 27, 2025, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Ricardo Kevon Colbert-Lyles, age 24, of Waldorf, to 25 years in prison for Conspiracy to Commit the First-Degree Murder of Aden Christopher Garcia. Upon release, Colbert-Lyles will be on probation...
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July 2, 2025 – Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred early this morning, Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Charles County. The deceased pedestrian is identified as Kory Branson, 45, of Bryans Road, Maryland. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by Charles County emergency medical services personnel. The driver...
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When you check your Powerball ticket on the Maryland Lottery app at 2:30 a.m. and it shows you’ve won $50,000, it could seem like quite a dream. That’s what happened to one La Plata woman, but she soon realized it wasn’t a dream. Thanks to a Powerball Quick Pick ticket from the June 25...
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UPDATE 6/30/2025: No charges have been filed as of Monday, June 30th, 2025. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their investigation with assistance from the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office. Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 7 landed nearby and transported the patient to the MedStar Washington Hospital Center with serious injuries. His condition...
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Thomasina O. Coates, 60, of Waldorf, a sitting member of the Charles County Board of Commissioners, has been permanently barred from voting on any matters involving the employment of County Administrator Mark Belton. The ruling, issued June 30, 2025, by the Appellate Court of Maryland, upholds a permanent injunction initially granted by the Circuit...
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Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard, the largest Italian Ice concept in the world, is turning up the summer heat with a flavor-packed, refreshing treat! The new Rocket Pop Italian Ice is a playful twist on a classic—where cherry, lemon, and blue raspberry flavors collide to create a cool, new purple Ice bursting with...
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