Charles News

Bowie Woman Arrested After Assaulting Three Employees and Damaging Property at Waldorf Supermarket

Bowie Woman Arrested After Assaulting Three Employees and Damaging Property at Waldorf Supermarket

Angelica Jannee West, 24, of Bowie, has been formally charged with eight criminal counts following an incident on October 3, 2025, at a supermarket in Waldorf. According to court documents filed in Charles County District Court, West faces multiple misdemeanor charges, including second-degree assault, property destruction, and disorderly conduct. According to a statement of...
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4 Teens, Waldorf Man Arrested in Connection to Series of Armed Robberies

4 Teens, Waldorf Man Arrested in Connection to Series of Armed Robberies

Charles County Sheriff’s detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division, Robbery Unit, have identified and arrested five suspects in connection with a series of armed robberies in which the suspects targeted victims wearing designer clothing and other property. The suspects range in age from 15-years-old to 21-years-old. Between September 19 and September 24, 2025,...
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CSM Launches Thrive 60+ Lifelong Learning Program for Adults Age 60 and Up

CSM Launches Thrive 60+ Lifelong Learning Program for Adults Age 60 and Up

Free and low-cost continuing education opportunities expand access, foster community, and enrich the lives of Southern Maryland residents age 60 and up. For residents of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties age 60 and over, the opportunity to explore a variety of continuing education and personal enrichment courses for little-or-no cost is now available...
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Maryland Harvest Season Ramping Up – Share the Road With Our Farmers!

Maryland Harvest Season Ramping Up – Share the Road With Our Farmers!

As many commuters may have noticed, our harvest season is ramping up and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Farm Bureau, is reminding motorists to share the road safely with large farm equipment as the fall harvest is underway in the state....
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Governor Moore Convenes Veterans Organizations to Discuss Expanding Post-Service Opportunities as Critical Federal Resources Remain Unavailable

Governor Moore Convenes Veterans Organizations to Discuss Expanding Post-Service Opportunities as Critical Federal Resources Remain Unavailable

Governor Wes Moore hosted veterans organizations Hiring Our Heroes and Student Veterans of America at the State House to discuss how Maryland can leverage cross-sector partnerships to help veterans find and excel in their post-service careers. The discussion comes as critical federal resources to support veterans transitioning into post-service opportunities—such as the GI Bill...
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No Kings Protest Set for Saturday, October 18th Across Southern Maryland

No Kings Protest Set for Saturday, October 18th Across Southern Maryland

Beginning in June of 2025, The No Kings protests, also known internationally as the No Dictators or No Tyrants protests, is a series of demonstrations, largely in the United States, against what the organizers describe as authoritarian policies of Donald Trump and corruption in his administration. Protests around our country and state are set...
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Waldorf Woman Charged After Shooting Boyfriend During Argument

Waldorf Woman Charged After Shooting Boyfriend During Argument

On October 15 at 10:10 p.m., patrol officers responded to the 6000 block of New Forest Court in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. When officers arrived, they located an adult male with a gunshot wound to the hip. He was transported to a hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening. The victim...
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La Plata Woman Arrested After Assaulting Deputy with Knife and Keys in Charles County

La Plata Woman Arrested After Assaulting Deputy with Knife and Keys in Charles County

Martha Marie Copeland, 70, of La Plata, was arrested on October 7, 2025, and faces serious assault charges after allegedly threatening a Charles County Sheriff’s deputy with a knife and physically attacking him with a set of keys, according to court documents. Copeland has been formally charged with one count of first-degree assault, a...
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Maryland Comptroller’s Office Launches New System to Modernize Unclaimed Property Process

Maryland Comptroller’s Office Launches New System to Modernize Unclaimed Property Process

Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman announced today the launch of a modernized unclaimed property website and system that will make it easier for residents to reclaim their lost assets. The upgraded platform replaces a mainframe system that had been in use for decades with a contemporary cloud-based solution, allowing Marylanders to submit claims online...
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Chesapeake Bay 2025 Young-of-Year Striped Bass Survey Results

Chesapeake Bay 2025 Young-of-Year Striped Bass Survey Results

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) 2025 juvenile striped bass survey recorded a young-of-year index of 4.0. This is an improvement over recent years, but still well below the long-term survey average of 11. This marks the seventh consecutive year of low spawning success for striped bass. The annual survey tracks the reproductive...
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Skimmer Facing Charges in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania After Multiple Investigations

Skimmer Facing Charges in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania After Multiple Investigations

On October 8th, 2025, the Mount Vernon Police District in Fairfax County, VA, released the following information. They identified the suspect as Marko Puskas, 40, of no fixed address. Detectives from our Financial Crimes Unit uncovered a credit card skimming operation that targeted ATMs and payment devices inside stores across the Richmond Highway corridor,...
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Documents Show Szechuan Garden’s Long History of Violations Before Health Department Shutdown

Documents Show Szechuan Garden’s Long History of Violations Before Health Department Shutdown

SMNEWSNET.COM filed a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) request with the Maryland Department of Health seeking all food inspection reports from the past 12 months for Szechuan Garden, located at 11149 Mall Circle in Waldorf. Those records reveal a long pattern of violations and state enforcement actions culminating in an emergency suspension of the...
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UPDATE: Juvenile Identified After Indecent Exposure Caught on Camera in Waldorf

UPDATE: Juvenile Identified After Indecent Exposure Caught on Camera in Waldorf

CCSO UPDATE 10/14/2025: The individual previously shown in this post has been identified. The image has been removed as the subject is a juvenile. The individual voluntarily contacted police after seeing the photo circulating on social media. We are continuing to investigate. We appreciate the public’s assistance in this matter. 10/14/2025: On October 11,...
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Waldorf Man Facing Four Separate Criminal Cases in Charles County Including Assault, Identity Fraud, Drug Charges, and Theft

Waldorf Man Facing Four Separate Criminal Cases in Charles County Including Assault, Identity Fraud, Drug Charges, and Theft

Jerome Anthony Warren, 64, of Waldorf, is currently facing criminal charges in four separate cases in Charles County District Court. The charges span from September 2024 through September 2025 and include multiple counts of assault, fraud, drug possession, trespassing, and theft. Charging documents reveal a pattern of alleged confrontations with law enforcement, correctional staff,...
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Waldorf Man Sentenced to 65 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

Waldorf Man Sentenced to 65 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

On October 10, 2025, Daniel Joseph Bliss, 42, of Waldorf, pleaded guilty in Calvert County Circuit Court to 3 counts of second degree rape and 1 count of sexual abuse of a minor. Judge Mark S. Chandlee sentenced Mr. Bliss to 65 years of active incarceration, followed by probation with the requirement of lifetime...
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No Injuries Reported, Building Inspector Requested After Vehicle Strikes Nick’s of Clinton in Waldorf

No Injuries Reported, Building Inspector Requested After Vehicle Strikes Nick’s of Clinton in Waldorf

On Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at approximately 1:25 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Nick’s of Clinton located at 3953 St Charles Parkway in Waldorf, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving the structure. 911 callers reported a vehicle struck the side of the building resulting in damage inside, with...
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Maryland’s Small Game Seasons Provide Abundant Fall Hunting Opportunities

Maryland’s Small Game Seasons Provide Abundant Fall Hunting Opportunities

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that squirrel, rabbit, fall turkey, and other small game seasons are either underway or set to open in the coming weeks. Some of these species offer generous seasons and bag limits and are abundant throughout Maryland. “Although many hunters turn their attention to deer during this time of year, small game...
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61-Year-Old Male Run Over by Wife After Domestic Incident in Indian Head, Police Investigating

61-Year-Old Male Run Over by Wife After Domestic Incident in Indian Head, Police Investigating

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at approximately 7:15 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 4000 block of Doncaster Drive in Indian Head, for the reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. The 911 caller — identified as an adult female — told dispatchers that she and her husband had been involved...
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PHOTOS: Police Investigating Hit and Run in Mechanicsville That Sends Two to Hospital

PHOTOS: Police Investigating Hit and Run in Mechanicsville That Sends Two to Hospital

On October 10, 2025, at approximately 9:23 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of the Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find a two vehicle rear-end style collision with the striking vehicle having fled the scene....
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Two Charles County Nonprofit Groups Awarded Unrestricted Grants from 2025 NBCUniversal

Two Charles County Nonprofit Groups Awarded Unrestricted Grants from 2025 NBCUniversal

NBC4 Washington/WRC-TV, Telemundo 44 Washington/WZDC, and Comcast NBCUniversal announced $227,272 in unrestricted funds were awarded to six local nonprofit organizations through the 2025 NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants. Among this year’s recipients is New Hope Community Outreach Services, a Waldorf-based Non-profit, which received $25,000, and Upward Thrive Academy, Inc, a Charles County non-profit which received...
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Using Virtual Reality, Students Help Visualize Climate Change Solutions at Point Lookout State Park

Using Virtual Reality, Students Help Visualize Climate Change Solutions at Point Lookout State Park

You’re on a walkway in a park. You can see trees, a road, a marsh and a coastline against a vibrant blue sky all around you. Then, you hear the toll of a bell. The marsh expands, the water edges up the grass. Another bell and the water creeps up to the base of...
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Firefighters from St. Mary’s and Charles Counties Respond to Large Garage Fire in Mechanicsville

Firefighters from St. Mary’s and Charles Counties Respond to Large Garage Fire in Mechanicsville

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at approximately 9:20 p.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hollywood, Leonardtown, Seventh District, Hughesville, and Waldorf responded to the 38000 block of New Market Turner Road in Mechanicsville, for the structure on fire. 911 callers reported a garage was fully engulfed and threatening other structures. Crews quickly arrived on the scene...
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5 Displaced After Accidental Garage Fire Spreads to Residence in Bryans Road

5 Displaced After Accidental Garage Fire Spreads to Residence in Bryans Road

On Sunday, October 12, 2025, at approximately 6:25 p.m., firefighters from Bryans Road and surrounding fire departments responded to the 2600 block of Cannon Court in Bryans Road, for the reported garage on fire. 911 callers reported a fire started in the garage with the house being evacuated. Crews arrived on the scene to...
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Leadership Southern Maryland Announces Selection of The Executive Program Class of 2026

Leadership Southern Maryland Announces Selection of The Executive Program Class of 2026

The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of 40 Southern Maryland leaders for its 18th Executive Program—the Class of 2026. From Calvert County – Jane Bachman, Development Director, Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center Larisa Goganzer, Senior Vice President of Operations, CalvertHealth Tosha Lewis Hughes Dr. Amanda...
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UPDATE – ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER: Shooter Still Not Arrested in 2024 Hollywood Shooting as Gun Violence Persists Across St. Mary’s County

UPDATE – ALMOST ONE YEAR LATER: Shooter Still Not Arrested in 2024 Hollywood Shooting as Gun Violence Persists Across St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 10/11/2025: Nearly a year after a young man was shot during a gathering in Hollywood, no one has been charged with firing the weapon. The case remains unresolved, and law enforcement has released no recent updates, even as gun violence continues to impact communities across St. Mary’s County. The shooting occurred on November...
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