Charles News

Multiple Agencies and Firefighters from Four Counties Respond to Large Brush Fire in Waldorf

Multiple Agencies and Firefighters from Four Counties Respond to Large Brush Fire in Waldorf

On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Station 3 was dispatched to the area of Slater Lane, off Poplar Hill Road, for a smoke investigation. Upon arrival, firefighters located a large brush fire and requested a Brush Fire Task Force and Water Supply Task Forces. A...
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One Flown to Trauma Center with Life-Threatening Injuries After Serious Crash in Mechanicsville

One Flown to Trauma Center with Life-Threatening Injuries After Serious Crash in Mechanicsville

On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at approximately 5:05 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 38280 New Market Turner Road in Mechanicsville, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment. 911 callers reported a two vehicle head-on collision with subjects trapped. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene to find...
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Contract Worker Flown to Trauma Center After Propane Tank is Struck, Resulting in Explosion and Fire at La Plata Residence

Contract Worker Flown to Trauma Center After Propane Tank is Struck, Resulting in Explosion and Fire at La Plata Residence

On Friday, October 25, 2024, at approximately 9:12 a.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 5300 block of Bennett Brae Place in La Plata, for the reported structure fire involving HAZMAT. As First Responders were enroute to the scene, dispatchers advised they received multiple 911 calls reporting a large explosion with a...
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School Resource Officer Investigating Threat of Violence at Milton Somers Middle School

School Resource Officer Investigating Threat of Violence at Milton Somers Middle School

On October 31 at 1:14 p.m., a school resource officer at Milton Somers Middle School was notified about comments a student made threatening violence toward the school. A home visit was conducted, and officers were told that the student does not have access to weapons. In accordance with Maryland law, the student cannot be...
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Charles County Woman Humbled After Winning $150,000 With Powerball Ticket

Charles County Woman Humbled After Winning $150,000 With Powerball Ticket

UPDATE 11/6/2024: A Southern Maryland woman told Lottery officials last week that she deals with six-digit even seven-digit dollar amounts nearly every day. One would think, then, that the $150,000 Powerball prize she had just claimed wouldn’t phase her a bit. One would be wrong. “It’s one thing when I see all those zeroes...
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Firefighters Quickly Contain Large Brush Fire in Abell

Firefighters Quickly Contain Large Brush Fire in Abell

On Monday, November 4, 2024 at 10:15 p.m., firefighters from Seventh District and Leonardtown were dispatched to the 21000 block of Abell Road in Abell, for the reported large brush fire. 911 callers reported a large fire in the woods along side Abell Road. Firefighters arrived in the area and made access into the...
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UPDATE: Felony Charge Dropped for Bushwood Man Following Shooting of 19-Year-Old Male in Hollywood

UPDATE: Felony Charge Dropped for Bushwood Man Following Shooting of 19-Year-Old Male in Hollywood

11/4/2024: The felony charge of accessory after the fact against John Curtis Reeves IV, initially filed in St. Mary’s County District Court, has been removed from case search records, along with the related court documents. However, multiple traffic charges connected to the high-speed chase remain active in District Court. According to court documents obtained...
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UPDATE: Convicted Murderer on Parole Sentenced to 20-Years After 2024 Shooting in Charles County

UPDATE: Convicted Murderer on Parole Sentenced to 20-Years After 2024 Shooting in Charles County

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, November 1, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Damion Anqwan Wilson, 42, of La Plata, to 20 years in prison for First-Degree Assault, Possession of a Firearm with a Felony Conviction, and Possession of Cocaine. On August 21, 2024,...
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November Weddings in Southern Maryland: Driving Safely Around Amish Buggies

November Weddings in Southern Maryland: Driving Safely Around Amish Buggies

As November arrives, Southern Maryland’s Amish communities, particularly in St. Mary’s and Charles counties, observe their traditional wedding season. Weddings are typically held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during this month, leading to increased horse-drawn buggy traffic on rural roads. This uptick in slow-moving vehicles requires heightened awareness and caution from all motorists. Amish weddings...
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UPDATE: 23-Year-Old Hughesville Woman Killed, Three Others Injured After Collision Involving Trash Truck in Charles County

UPDATE: 23-Year-Old Hughesville Woman Killed, Three Others Injured After Collision Involving Trash Truck in Charles County

UPDATE 11/2/2024: On Saturday, November 02, 2024, at approximately 9:58 a.m., Troopers from Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to Maryland Route 231 in the area of Maryland Route 381 for a report of a serious motor vehicle collision. Due to the circumstances, the Maryland State Police CRASH Team responded to assume the...
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19-Year-Old Shooting Victim Airlifted, Suspects Apprehended After Pursuit from St. Mary’s to Charles County

19-Year-Old Shooting Victim Airlifted, Suspects Apprehended After Pursuit from St. Mary’s to Charles County

On Friday, November 1, 2024, at approximately 11:50 p.m., first responders, including police, firefighters, and EMS, were dispatched to the 45000 block of Breezy Lane in Hollywood for a reported gunshot victim. Upon arrival, they located a 19-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the upper body. The victim was conscious, alert, and breathing....
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Multi-County High Speed Pursuit Ends with Three Arrested Following Shooting in St. Mary’s County

Multi-County High Speed Pursuit Ends with Three Arrested Following Shooting in St. Mary’s County

On Friday, November 1, 2024, at approximately 11:50 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 45000 block of Breezy Lane in Hollywood, for the reported gunshot victim. First Responders arrived on the scene to find a 19-year-old male suffering a gunshot wound to the upper-body. The victim was conscious alert and...
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Waldorf Woman Charged with Burglaries at Leonardtown Apartment Complex

Waldorf Woman Charged with Burglaries at Leonardtown Apartment Complex

Lashawn Nicole Lewis, age 50, of Waldorf, faces two felony charges of second-degree burglary after her arrest on October 30, 2024, at an apartment complex in Leonardtown. According to court documents, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy James Morgan responded to a call reporting a break-in at on Hamptons Blvd. around 8:30 a.m. on...
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Statement from Sheriff Troy D. Berry Regarding Recent Community Meeting

Statement from Sheriff Troy D. Berry Regarding Recent Community Meeting

Charles County, Maryland – On October 30, Sheriff Troy D. Berry was invited to attend a community meeting in Bryans Road, Maryland. This meeting was convened to address community concerns, including the Charter Form of Government Proposal, which is on the Maryland ballot as a referendum. Sheriff Berry spoke to the community about the...
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Automatic Flight Refund Rule Takes Effect Across U.S. – Just in Time for the Holidays

Automatic Flight Refund Rule Takes Effect Across U.S. – Just in Time for the Holidays

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has enacted a new regulation requiring airlines to automatically issue refunds to passengers for canceled flights or flights that experience significant schedule changes. Effective October 28, 2024, this rule aims to streamline the refund process for travelers and enhance consumer protection within the airline industry. Under the regulation,...
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Temple Hills Man Sentenced to 8 years in prison for Armed Robbery in Waldorf

Temple Hills Man Sentenced to 8 years in prison for Armed Robbery in Waldorf

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, October 25, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Monise A. Brown sentenced Antoine Jamel Bailey, 21, of Temple Hills, to 8 years in prison for two counts of Armed Robbery. Upon release, Bailey will be on supervised probation for five years. On October...
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Understanding Delays in Bringing Charges for a Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident

Understanding Delays in Bringing Charges for a Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident

In the aftermath of a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the time it takes for police or state attorneys’ offices to bring charges can be weeks or even months. This delay is due to the complexity of the investigation and the need for thorough evidence...
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2-Alarm Townhouse Fire in Waldorf Deemed Accidental, No Injuries Reported

2-Alarm Townhouse Fire in Waldorf Deemed Accidental, No Injuries Reported

On Sunday, October 27, 2024, at approximately 5:10 a.m., fire and rescue personnel from Charles and Prince George’s County were dispatched to the 11300 block of Golden Eagle Place in Waldorf, for the reported structure on fire. While firefighters were responding to the scene, dispatchers advised they received multiple calls reporting the house is...
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Student Assaulted by Two Other Students at Milton Somers Middle School

Student Assaulted by Two Other Students at Milton Somers Middle School

On Monday, October 28, 2024, at 11:04 a.m., a student at Milton Somers Middle School was attacked by two students. No one was injured during the brief altercation, which was quickly stopped by school administrators and the school resource officer. In accordance with Maryland law, the involved students cannot be criminally charged due to...
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UPDATE: CSM Professor Dead After Vehicle Crossing Double-Line Causes Serious Three-Vehicle Crash in Prince Frederick

UPDATE: CSM Professor Dead After Vehicle Crossing Double-Line Causes Serious Three-Vehicle Crash in Prince Frederick

UPDATE 10/28/2024: On October 28, 2024, at approximately 7:12 a.m., Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau deputies responded to a report of a serious motor vehicle collision involving entrapment in the 6600 block of Hallowing Point Road (Rt. 231) in Prince Frederick. Upon arrival, deputies confirmed that one driver was deceased and immediately requested...
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No Injuries Reported After Apartment Fire in La Plata

No Injuries Reported After Apartment Fire in La Plata

On Friday, October 25, 2024, at approximately 10:48 p.m., firefighters from La Plata, Waldorf, and surrounding departments from Charles and Prince George’s County responded to the 600 block of Zekiah Run Road in La Plata, for the reported apartment fire with subjects possibly trapped. The 911 caller reported a stove fire in their apartment...
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Firefighters in St. Mary’s and Calvert Respond to Large Brush Fires During Abnormally Dry Fall

Firefighters in St. Mary’s and Calvert Respond to Large Brush Fires During Abnormally Dry Fall

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is implementing a statewide ban on open air burning, effective November 1st 2024, in all Maryland counties. The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) currently lists Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s County as D0 – Abnormally Dry with Short-term dryness slowing planting, growth of crops, Some lingering water deficits, and...
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All Arrests and Criminal Summons Issued in Charles County 10/11/2024 to 10/24/2024

All Arrests and Criminal Summons Issued in Charles County 10/11/2024 to 10/24/2024

SMNEWSNET.COM will provide a list of all arrests and criminal summonses issued in Charles County. In the spirit of transparency, we are committed to keeping our community informed about local law enforcement activities. This list includes arrests made by both the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and the Maryland State Police, providing a comprehensive look...
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Maryland State Police 158th Academy Class Graduation Welcomes 20 New Troopers

Maryland State Police 158th Academy Class Graduation Welcomes 20 New Troopers

The Maryland Department of State Police Superintendent Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr. and Major General (retired) Linda L. Singh, PhD, welcomed the graduates of the 158th Academy Class to the ranks of Maryland’s Finest during a ceremony today at LifePoint Church in Reisterstown. Major General (retired) Singh delivered the keynote address to the Department’s 20...
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UPDATE: Two of Four Waldorf Men Convicted After Trial for Murder, Armed Robbery, Carjacking, After Violent Crime Spree Across Maryland and Virginia

UPDATE: Two of Four Waldorf Men Convicted After Trial for Murder, Armed Robbery, Carjacking, After Violent Crime Spree Across Maryland and Virginia

After a 9-day trial, a federal jury returned verdicts against Thaddeus Lamont Wills, age 51, and Keionta Shawn Hagens, age 44, both of Waldorf, Maryland, of interference with interstate commerce by robbery, conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robbery, using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, carjacking, and of...
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