UPDATE 5/17/2025 @ 10:55 a.m.: Emergency medical personnel were dispatched at approximately 3:56 a.m., for a male resident experiencing difficulty breathing. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene a short time later to assist with manpower. Upon arrival, the 911 caller was located on an upper-level of the home. While the two EMT’s and four...
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Barbara Nate Farmer, 40, of White Plains, was arrested and charged following a domestic altercation that escalated into a firearm-related incident in the early hours of Friday, May 16, 2025, according to court documents from the District Court for Charles County. Farmer is facing three criminal charges: first-degree assault (CR 3-202), second-degree assault (CR...
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Nicholas Owen Patton, 44, of Waldorf, is facing 30 theft charges after authorities say he stole over $38,000 in cash from a local Target store during a series of incidents that spanned more than two months. According to charging documents filed in the District Court for Charles County, Patton was arrested on May 16,...
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On May 10, 2025, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office arrested two individuals in connection with the theft of nearly $3,000 worth of perfume and cologne from Macy’s at the St. Charles Towne Center in Waldorf. The suspects were later identified as Robert Lee Pettigrew, 52, of Brandywine, and Zatay Ejasia Owens, 26,...
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The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated its newest class of nursing candidates on May 8 in a pinning ceremony at the La Plata Campus, sending them out into the workforce or onto the next phase of their medical education. “Graduates, you chose an academic journey that would lead to a career rooted in...
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced the indictments of seven defendants for multiple charges, including participation in a criminal gang, attempted murder, armed carjacking, armed robbery, assault, and firearms-related counts. These wide-ranging crimes are alleged to have occurred from August 2023 to July 2024 in Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Howard, Charles, and Montgomery counties....
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Maryland Loses AAA Bond Rating for first time in over 50 years, ending a historic run of fiscal stability that stretched back to 1973. Statement by the Maryland Freedom Caucus – “Governor Wes Moore’s attempt to shift blame for Maryland’s credit downgrade is as misleading as it is predictable. Democrats have controlled the Maryland...
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A La Plata man was arrested late last month in Calvert County after authorities allegedly found him impaired behind the wheel and in possession of drug paraphernalia. According to court documents filed in the District Court for Calvert County, Matthew Kelland Novotny, 47, of La Plata, was taken into custody on April 24, 2025,...
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A loaded handgun that discharged inside a classroom at Billingsley Elementary School in Charles County, has been traced back to a visiting relative of the student involved. Authorities have since charged a Florida man in connection with the incident, following an investigation by the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office. The...
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It was a proud, reflective, and exciting day for College of Southern Maryland (CSM) as its faculty, staff, supporters, and community cheered for hundreds of its student graduates at the 66th Commencement exercises on May 9 held at the La Plata Campus. This year, 1,364 CSM students earned degrees or certificates, receiving 820 associate degrees,...
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The La Plata Police Department is proud to announce Acting Chief Matthew Norris and Captain Robert Bagley were part of the Liberty University Class of 2025 and both graduated with perfect 4.0 grade point averages. Acting Chief Norris obtained his Master’s Degree – With High Distinction majoring in Criminal Justice from Liberty University. He...
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The halls of La Plata High School filled as the bell rang for the next period. Students dressed in their college shirt of choice walked the halls as they switched classes to continue the day of learning. College Shirt Day is one of the many spirit days and for students at the school can...
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On Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 9:52 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Leonardtown Road at Gallant Green Road in Hughesville, for a serious motor vehicle collision with reports of entrapment, fire, rollover and ejection. Dispatchers advised they were receiving multiple 911 calls with reports of a two vehicle...
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Board of Education of Charles County Chairperson Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq., was recently appointed as chairperson of the National Black Council of School Board Members (NBCSBM). She was also named an ex officio director of the of the National School Boards Association (NSBA). As Chairperson of the NBCSBM, she will lead efforts to support...
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Charles County Commissioners voted 3-1 on April 22, 2025, to introduce Proposed Bill 2025-04, which would raise the recordation tax rate applied to real estate transactions, another public hearing is scheduled for May 20, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Letter to the Editor: On behalf of the Southern Maryland Association of Realtors® (SMAR), which represents over...
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Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is offering several camp offerings for students. Enrichment camps, academic and athletic programs, and career exploration will be held this summer. To learn more about the summer camps, visit www.ccboe.com. Summer Enrichment camps – Summer enrichment camps for students in kindergarten through eighth grade will be held July 28 to 31....
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WHAT: In celebration of Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 11, Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is offering a $1 Small Italian Ice with a $1 minimum purchase to their app users to help guests treat their mom to something as sweet as she is! New and existing Rita’s app users can claim the...
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Annapolis, MD; April 29, 2025 – A newly published study in the Journal of Medical Entomology provides critical insights into the emergence of babesiosis in the Mid-Atlantic region, documenting human cases and the presence of Babesia microti in local tick populations. CDC states many people with Babesiosis do not feel sick and have no...
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Enterprise Community Development celebrated the grand opening of Magnolia Gardens, a new 72-unit affordable housing community in La Plata, Maryland, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Local and state officials, including State Senator Arthur Ellis, State Delegate Kevin Harris, State Delegate Edith Patterson and La Plata Mayor Jeannine James, joined Enterprise and project partners to...
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The Office of the State Fire Marshal is alerting the public to a concerning new trend circulating on social media. Students insert electrically conductive objects into the charging ports of school-issued and personal electronic devices. This reckless behavior has been linked to several incidents resulting in fires, smoke, and property damage. As of May...
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cautions anyone who encounters a fawn that is alone to avoid disturbing it and resist the urge to feed or handle it. Removing deer from the wild and keeping them in captivity is against the law in Maryland in order to protect animal welfare and ensure public safety. “Too often,...
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Howard Junior Simpson, age 51, of Indian Head, was taken into custody following a domestic disturbance in Lexington Park that escalated into a firearm-related confrontation, according to court documents filed in St. Mary’s County District Court. Simpson was arrested on May 6, 2025, and charged with seven criminal offenses, including first-degree assault and illegal...
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The County Commissioners will hold this public meeting “virtually” and in-person. SHOW UP AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!! Meetings is Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 4:30, public comments held at 6:30 p.m. (Full schedule below) This follows after the Charles County Commissioners voted 3-1 on April 22, 2025, to introduce Proposed Bill 2025-04, which...
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Maryland Delegate Matt Morgan released the following statement on May 5th, 2025. “This post is designed as a PSA for residents of Northern St. Mary’s. I am gathering more information about the proposed psychiatric urgent care facility on Mount Wolf Road in Charlotte Hall. I had no involvement in recruiting or funding this proposed...
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On Monday, May 5, 2025, at 12:55 p.m., a Youth Engagement Advocate (YEA), while conducting an administrative search, recovered a vaping device and cocaine from an adult student. The student will face disciplinary consequences in accordance with the Charles County Public Schools Code of Student Conduct and will also be charged criminally with possession...
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