Charles News

UPDATE: Search Warrants Served Following Handguns Recovered from Charles County High School Students

UPDATE: Search Warrants Served Following Handguns Recovered from Charles County High School Students

UPDATE 5/1/2026: Update on recovered firearms investigations at St. Charles High School: On April 30th, 2026, members of the sheriff’s office served search warrants at the residences of two students involved in two ongoing firearms investigations stemming from St. Charles High School. In the first case, on April 29, the school resource officer recovered...
Read More »

Maryland Department of Natural Resources to Develop Climate Resilient Fisheries Management Plan

Maryland Department of Natural Resources to Develop Climate Resilient Fisheries Management Plan

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fishing and Boating Services Unit has been awarded $96,572 from the nonprofit Blue Convergence Fund to develop a climate resilient fishery management plan for the state. This project was funded in February 2026 as part of the 2025 Climate Resilient Fisheries Engagement Grants and is one of only 11...
Read More »

Road Worker Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in White Plains

Road Worker Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in White Plains

On Friday, May 1, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 10105 Marshalls Corner Road in White Plains, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. 911 callers reported a adult male road worker was struck, and thrown over a vehicle. Crews arrived on...
Read More »

Celebrate National Italian Ice Day with a FREE Sweet Treat from Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard!

Celebrate National Italian Ice Day with a FREE Sweet Treat from Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard!

Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard will celebrate National Italian Ice Day on Sunday, May 3, 2026, with a free small Italian Ice offer for app users. Guests can receive a free small Italian Ice with the purchase of any treat at participating Rita’s locations nationwide. The single-use reward will be available through the...
Read More »

Maryland Department of Transportation Gears Up for National Bike Month with a Push for Safer Riding

Maryland Department of Transportation Gears Up for National Bike Month with a Push for Safer Riding

In celebration of Governor Wes Moore proclaiming May to be Bike Month, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) today announced a series of events highlighting the importance of bike safety, equitable access and healthy lifestyles. The events further the Department’s Serious About Safety initiative to protect lives and reduce the number of road fatalities, especially for...
Read More »

UPDATE: Nanjemoy Man Sentenced to 118 Years in Prison for 237 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography

UPDATE: Nanjemoy Man Sentenced to 118 Years in Prison for 237 Counts of Possession of Child Pornography

UPDATE 5/1/2026: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Donine Carrington Martin sentenced Dennis Demoine Smith, 66, of Nanjemoy, to 118 years in prison for 28 counts of Use of a Computer to Depict Minors in a Sexual Act and 237 counts...
Read More »

Indian Head Man Arrested After Shooting Inside Bryans Road Lounge That Left Victim Critically Injured

Indian Head Man Arrested After Shooting Inside Bryans Road Lounge That Left Victim Critically Injured

Rayvon Anthony Walls, 35, of Indian Head, is facing charges of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and carrying a loaded handgun on his person following a shooting inside a Bryans Road lounge, according to court documents. The charges stem from an incident reported on April 19, 2026, at the “1313 Lounge” on...
Read More »

Maryland DNR 2026 Photo Contest is Taking Entries

Maryland DNR 2026 Photo Contest is Taking Entries

Photographers and nature enthusiasts who enjoy Maryland’s outdoors are invited to submit their most beautiful images of the state’s flora and fauna to the annual Department of Natural Resources 2026 Photo Contest. Winning entries will be featured in the 2027 Maryland DNR nature calendar, which is published in late fall. All winners will receive free...
Read More »

Police Investigating Hit and Run That Sends Man to Trauma Center With Life-Threatening Injuries

Police Investigating Hit and Run That Sends Man to Trauma Center With Life-Threatening Injuries

On Tuesday, April 28th, 2026, at approximately 11:35 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Crain Highway and Fairground Road in Bel Alton, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a bicyclist. 911 callers reported a bicyclist was struck by a vehicle and thrown approximately 50 feet, with the...
Read More »

NSWCDD Graduates First Students from In-House Wartime Readiness Short Course

NSWCDD Graduates First Students from In-House Wartime Readiness Short Course

By Matt Lyman, NSWCDD Corporate Communications –  The U.S. Navy, in times of competition, conflict, and contingency or combat operations, leverages Maritime Operations Centers to equip commanders and staff with the resources needed to execute responsibilities as a component, Fleet and/or Maritime Component Commander. Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division is applying the Maritime Operations...
Read More »

Charles County Public Hearing: Proposed Bill 2026-05 Property Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Responders

Charles County Public Hearing: Proposed Bill 2026-05 Property Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Responders

The Charles County Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., in a hybrid format, both virtually and in person at the Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, Maryland, to consider the Bill #2026-05, Property Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Responders. The bill amends Chapter...
Read More »

Waldorf Man Returns to Scene and Arrested After Fight and Property Damage at Lucky’s Bar and Grille

Waldorf Man Returns to Scene and Arrested After Fight and Property Damage at Lucky’s Bar and Grille

Brandon Cristopher Lopez Tay, 24, of Waldorf, is facing multiple charges including malicious destruction of property under $1,000, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, and violating a license restriction following an early morning incident in Charles County, according to court documents. According to charging documents, the incident occurred on...
Read More »

Waldorf Woman Arrested and Released on Personal Recognizance After Threatening Two Victims with Knife at St. Charles Plaza

Waldorf Woman Arrested and Released on Personal Recognizance After Threatening Two Victims with Knife at St. Charles Plaza

Trevia Symone Chase, 22, of Waldorf, is facing two counts of first-degree assault following an early morning incident on April 24, 2026, in Charles County, according to court documents. Charging documents state that officers responded to a disturbance around 4:03 a.m. in the area of Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, where a group of people...
Read More »

Baltimore Woman Arrested After $22,000 Bank Fraud Attempt in Waldorf – Released on Personal Recognizance

Baltimore Woman Arrested After $22,000 Bank Fraud Attempt in Waldorf – Released on Personal Recognizance

Nancy Kay Newton, 61, of Baltimore, is facing multiple criminal charges in Charles County, including drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, identity fraud, and making a false statement to a police officer, following an incident at a bank in Waldorf on April 22, 2026. According to court documents, officers responded to a report of...
Read More »

Waldorf Woman Claims $100,000 Top-Prize on 50X the Cash Scratch-Off

Waldorf Woman Claims $100,000 Top-Prize on 50X the Cash Scratch-Off

A semi-retired writer from Waldorf just took home a win of a lifetime. It was as if she were writing this story herself, as she said she always knew she would win a big Lottery prize one day. Her story arc reached a peak April 24 when she claimed a $100,000 top prize on...
Read More »

Semi-Retired Waldorf Writer Claims $100,000 Top-Prize on 50X the Cash Scratch-Off

Semi-Retired Waldorf Writer Claims $100,000 Top-Prize on 50X the Cash Scratch-Off

A semi-retired writer from Waldorf just took home a win of a lifetime. It was as if she were writing this story herself, as she said she always knew she would win a big Lottery prize one day. Her story arc reached a peak April 24 when she claimed a $100,000 top prize on...
Read More »

Opioid Manufacturer Purdue Pharma Sentenced, Ordered to Pay Over $5 Billion for Fraud and Kickback Conspiracies

Opioid Manufacturer Purdue Pharma Sentenced, Ordered to Pay Over $5 Billion for Fraud and Kickback Conspiracies

Opioid manufacturer Purdue Pharma LP (Purdue) was sentenced in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, and ordered to pay criminal penalties of over $5 billion for its role in fueling the opioid epidemic. “Purdue Pharma put profits over patient health and safety,” said Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. “The company willfully rejected the law...
Read More »

Benedict’s 3rd Annual Catfish Tournament Set for May 2, 2026

Benedict’s 3rd Annual Catfish Tournament Set for May 2, 2026

Anglers are invited to take part in Benedict’s 3rd Annual Catfish Tournament on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with a rain date scheduled for May 9. The tournament will take place along the Patuxent River, with fishing hours running from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Participants will then head to the firehouse for weigh-in from...
Read More »

Woman Arrested After Pepper Spraying Employees During Armed Robbery of Beauty Supply Store in Waldorf

Woman Arrested After Pepper Spraying Employees During Armed Robbery of Beauty Supply Store in Waldorf

Diamond Markevia Shepard, 31, of Fort Washington, and Amonie Lashawn Anderson, 23, of Washington, D.C., have both been charged in connection with a theft and assault incident at two Waldorf businesses on April 24, 2026, according to court documents. Shepard is facing charges of armed robbery, two counts of second-degree assault, theft scheme involving...
Read More »

Waldorf Man Charged With 82 Counts of Violating Protective Order in St. Mary’s County

Waldorf Man Charged With 82 Counts of Violating Protective Order in St. Mary’s County

Calvin Ross, 42, of Waldorf, is facing 82 counts of violating a protective order following a series of alleged incidents in St. Mary’s County, according to court documents. Ross was charged in two separate cases filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County on April 23, 2026, and April 24, 2026. The charges...
Read More »

Waldorf Man Arrested After Disturbance at Ridge Shopping Area

Waldorf Man Arrested After Disturbance at Ridge Shopping Area

Christopher Robinson, 33, of Waldorf, is facing multiple charges including trespassing on private property, fraud involving personal identification to avoid prosecution, resisting or interfering with arrest, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court documents. The charges stem from an incident on April 23, 2026, in the Ridge...
Read More »

Waldorf Man Arrested After $43 Theft at Target and Providing Fake Name to Police

Waldorf Man Arrested After $43 Theft at Target and Providing Fake Name to Police

Adam McKinley Washington, 32, of Waldorf, is facing a misdemeanor theft charge after an alleged shoplifting incident at a retail store in Waldorf on April 7, 2026. Washington is charged with theft less than $100.00 following the incident, which was investigated by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. According to charging documents, the incident occurred...
Read More »

Quick Action by Volunteers Saves Duckling at SMVFA Parade in Solomons

Quick Action by Volunteers Saves Duckling at SMVFA Parade in Solomons

This morning, while waiting in line for the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association parade to start in Solomons, volunteers from the Newburg Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department witnessed a duckling fall into a water meter lid and became separated from its family. Of course, our volunteers quickly sprung into action and rescued the...
Read More »

Man Flown to Trauma Center After Accidental Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound in Waldorf

Man Flown to Trauma Center After Accidental Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound in Waldorf

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, at approximately 2:55 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 2000 block of Kelly Court in Waldorf, for the reported shooting. 911 callers reported a 50-year-old male accidentally shot himself while removing a firearm from a gun safe. Crews arrived on the scene to find the...
Read More »

Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision Involving Pedestrian in Hughesville

Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision Involving Pedestrian in Hughesville

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, at approximately 10:10 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 6031 Brandywine Road in Hughesville, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Multiple 911 callers reported an unknown aged male was struck by a vehicle with the victim not moving in the...
Read More »