Charles News

Winter Weather Advisory in Effect for St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert Counties

Winter Weather Advisory in Effect for St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert Counties

WEDNESDAY 2/19/2025 Update at 5:00 a.m.: The National Weather Service has placed St. Mary’s County, Calvert County and Charles County under a Winter Weather Advisory in effect from February 19, 01:00 at 1:00 p.m., until February 20, 1:00 a.m. Today – Snow, mainly after 11am. High near 26. North wind 8 to 11 mph....
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CSM Hosts 35 Middle and High School Teams in ‘High Stakes’ Robotics Tournament

CSM Hosts 35 Middle and High School Teams in ‘High Stakes’ Robotics Tournament

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) hosted 35 teams of local and regional middle- and high-school students last weekend at the Southern Maryland VEX V5 Robotics Tournament held at the La Plata Campus. At the Feb. 15 tournament, student-team-built robots were inspected, put to the test, judged, and awarded for their high-tech efforts. “I...
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Maryland Hunters Harvest 84,201 Deer for 2024-2025 Season

Maryland Hunters Harvest 84,201 Deer for 2024-2025 Season

Maryland deer hunters harvested 84,201 deer during the combined archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons, from Sept. 6, 2024 through Feb. 4, 2025. The statewide harvest reported to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources included 32,148 antlered and 47,271 antlerless white-tailed deer, and 2,143 antlered and 2,639 antlerless sika deer. The harvest was 15.9% higher...
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La Plata Man Arrested After Pointing Gun at Family and Slashing Tires at Lexington Park Home

La Plata Man Arrested After Pointing Gun at Family and Slashing Tires at Lexington Park Home

A La Plata man is facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges following an armed confrontation at a residence in Lexington Park on February 16, 2025. According to court documents, Adam Chaney, 41, of La Plata, arrived at a home on Carefree Way around 1:35 a.m., armed with a black handgun. Upon arrival, he allegedly...
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Structure Fire in Waldorf Under Investigation, No Known Injuries Reported

Structure Fire in Waldorf Under Investigation, No Known Injuries Reported

On Sunday, February 16, 2025, at approximately 6:11 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services from Charles and Prince George’s County responded to the 3800 block of Old Washington Road in Waldorf, for the reported structure on fire. Dispatchers advised they were receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a structure was on fire. Crews arrived on...
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Governor Moore Launches Resource Website for Maryland Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Actions

Governor Moore Launches Resource Website for Maryland Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Actions

Governor Wes Moore today launched the Maryland Public Servants Resource Website, which serves as a centralized hub for programs and resources to support Maryland’s federal employees and contractors impacted by federal workforce layoffs, firings, and changes to federal funding. The resource website reinforces the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to coordinating with state and local partners to...
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Charles County Commissioner’s Vote Against Increased Tax Credit for Our Volunteer First Responders

Charles County Commissioner’s Vote Against Increased Tax Credit for Our Volunteer First Responders

Commissioners heard from William Smith, Coordinator of the Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, who requested that they support a request for an amendment to House Bill 947, which concerns the Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Responders. Volunteers requested that the income cap be increased to $250,000 per year and the benefit be increased by...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources Proposes 2025-2026 Migratory Gamebird Hunting Seasons

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Proposes 2025-2026 Migratory Gamebird Hunting Seasons

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has posted the proposed 2025-2026 Migratory Game Bird Seasons for public review. As in years past, DNR is providing an online forum to collect public comment on these proposals now through February 24, 2025. The DNR website also includes a presentation reviewing the current status of relevant waterfowl populations, including Atlantic...
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Joann Fabric & Craft Stores Announce 500 Closures Nationwide – California and Prince Frederick Affected

Joann Fabric & Craft Stores Announce 500 Closures Nationwide – California and Prince Frederick Affected

Joann, the popular fabric and crafts retailer, has announced plans to close 500 of its stores nationwide as part of its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. The move comes amid financial struggles and shifting consumer trends that have put pressure on the company’s retail operations. The company, which has been a staple for crafters, quilters, and...
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Southern Maryland Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Area Due to Drought and Excessive Heat; Emergency Farm Loans Available

Southern Maryland Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Area Due to Drought and Excessive Heat; Emergency Farm Loans Available

Triggering Disaster: Drought and Excessive Heat that occurred 6/22/2024 through 10/22/2024 Application Deadline: 9/15/2025 Primary Counties Eligible: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated St. Mary’s County, along with several other Maryland jurisdictions, as a primary natural disaster area due to drought...
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Leadership Maryland Announces Executive Program Class of 2025

Leadership Maryland Announces Executive Program Class of 2025

Leadership Maryland officially announces the Executive Program’s Class of 2025, consisting of 53 business and community leaders from across the state chosen to participate in the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland. The Class of 2025, the Executive Program’s 32nd class, reflects a cross-section of the state, including diversity of geographic...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources Introduces Commercial Blue Catfish Pilot Programs

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Introduces Commercial Blue Catfish Pilot Programs

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is launching two pilot programs in coordination with its Invasive Catfish Advisory Committee aimed at curbing the spread of blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Applications are now open for the Blue Catfish For-Hire/Commercial and Mid- and Lower-Bay Finfish Trotline Pilot Programs. Commercial watermen and charter...
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Sports Wagering Contributes $8.2 Million to the State During January 2025

Sports Wagering Contributes $8.2 Million to the State During January 2025

Maryland’s sports wagering market generated $8,244,612 in contributions to the state during January 2025, the fourth-best single-month total since the launch of sports wagering in December 2021. Through the first seven months of FY2025 (July 2024 through January 2025), sports wagering has contributed $54,821,117 to the state compared to $32,840,755 for the same period...
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Charles County Board of Education Appoints Navarro to Second Term as Superintendent

Charles County Board of Education Appoints Navarro to Second Term as Superintendent

The Board of Education of Charles County unanimously voted during its Feb. 11 meeting to renew the contract of Superintendent Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., for a second, four-year term. Navarro was hired by the previous Board in 2021 with her first term closing this summer on June 30. In the past four years Navarro...
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Erek L. Barron Resigns as U.S. Attorney for Maryland

Erek L. Barron Resigns as U.S. Attorney for Maryland

Erek L. Barron, the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced his resignation on February 12, 2025, effective immediately. Barron had served in the position since October 7, 2021, leading Maryland’s federal prosecutorial office for over three years. In a statement, Barron reflected on his tenure, emphasizing the dedication and professionalism of...
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UPDATE: Charles County Police Searching for Wanted Waldorf Man

UPDATE: Charles County Police Searching for Wanted Waldorf Man

UPDATE 2/12/2025: The CCSO’s Warrant/Fugitive Unit is seeking the location of Daniel “Danny” Ball, 55, whose last known address was in Waldorf. Ball has several active warrants for failure to appear in court for felony theft, as well as new charges related to several shoplifting incidents. Ball has used force to avoid apprehension in...
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Governor Moore Announces Support for Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act to Protect the Bay and Uplift Key Maryland Industries

Governor Moore Announces Support for Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act to Protect the Bay and Uplift Key Maryland Industries

Governor Wes Moore this week announced the Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act as part of the Moore-Miller Administration’s legislative priorities for the 2025 General Assembly. This legislation builds upon the administration’s historic efforts to improve the Chesapeake Bay’s water quality, introduces comprehensive changes to support regenerative agriculture, and streamlines oyster aquaculture — providing new economic...
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Bryans Road Man Detained Pending Trial After Armed Carjacking in Washington D.C.

Bryans Road Man Detained Pending Trial After Armed Carjacking in Washington D.C.

Miquel Beasley, 22, of Bryans Road, MD, was charged on February 5, 2025, and ordered detained on February 7, 2025, for an armed carjacking stemming from an offense in Southeast D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). According to court records, at approximately...
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Southern Maryland Schools Closed on Wednesday, February 15, 2025 Due to Weather

Southern Maryland Schools Closed on Wednesday, February 15, 2025 Due to Weather

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – Schools Closed for the following: ST. MARY’S COUNTY: Code 3 for staff – All Schools and Offices are CLOSED on Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Code 3 for staff. No employees should report to work. Administrative leave will be provided for twelve-month employees. Operations and Maintenance Emergency personnel will follow...
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Snow Emergency Plans in Effect for St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties

Snow Emergency Plans in Effect for St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties

The Maryland State Police has activated the Snow Emergency Plan for Calvert County effective at 2:30 p.m. on February 11, 2025. Current weather conditions and/or forecasts indicate that normal vehicular travel is or will become extremely dangerous. Motorists are encouraged to stay off of the roadways. This will allow emergency services and State Highway...
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School Weather Updates – Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert Have Early Dismissal on Tuesday, February 11, 2025

School Weather Updates – Charles, St. Mary’s and Calvert Have Early Dismissal on Tuesday, February 11, 2025

ST. MARY’S COUNTY: February 11, 2025 – School Day begins on time with 2-Hour Early Dismissal Tuesday, February 11, 2025: All schools begin the day on time and will be dismissed 2 hours early due to the predicted snowstorm arriving in the afternoon. Staff: All 10-11 month employees may conclude their day 30 minutes...
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Maryland Under Winter Storm Warning as Predictions Estimate 4 to 8 Inches of Snow

Maryland Under Winter Storm Warning as Predictions Estimate 4 to 8 Inches of Snow

District of Columbia-Prince Georges-Anne Arundel-Charles-St.Marys-Calvert-Fairfax-Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria-Stafford-King George-Northwest Prince William-Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TUESDAY TO 7 AM EST WEDNESDAY. WHAT…Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 to 8 inches. WHERE…The District of Columbia, central and southern Maryland, and central and northern Virginia. WHEN…From 1...
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Chesapeake Life Center Offers Healing for Those Experiencing Loss after DCA tragedy

Chesapeake Life Center Offers Healing for Those Experiencing Loss after DCA tragedy

The Chesapeake Life Center will offer “Healing Our Community: Navigating Grief in the Aftermath of the DCA Tragedy” to support those affected by the Jan. 29 tragedy at Reagan National Airport. Chesapeake Life Center’s trauma-informed grief counselors will lead this healing workshop from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Hospice of the...
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Maryland Attorney General Brown Stands with Federal Workers in “Fork in the Road” Federal Buyout Challenge

Maryland Attorney General Brown Stands with Federal Workers in “Fork in the Road” Federal Buyout Challenge

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general, standing with the nation’s federal employees in a challenge to the Trump administration’s federal “buyout” plan. The so-called “Fork in the Road” directive is an attempt to force federal workers to choose, with only days to decide, between accepting a legally...
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Charles County Woman Scores $50,000 Bonus Match 5 Prize

Charles County Woman Scores $50,000 Bonus Match 5 Prize

Birth dates helped Southern Maryland player score big win No matter how many times a Charles County woman wiped her glasses, she was still a $50,000 Bonus Match 5 winner. The loyal player, who had purchased a Bonus Match 5 ticket at Jimmies Wine & Spirit in Hughesville, scanned it later at the store...
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