Charles News

Waldorf Fugitive who Violated Terms of Electric Monitoring Apprehended in Mississippi

Waldorf Fugitive who Violated Terms of Electric Monitoring Apprehended in Mississippi

On June 24, 2024, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the United States Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Mack Lee Cleckley, 40, of Waldorf, who had an active warrant for possession with the intent to distribute drugs in Charles County. Cleckley was arrested without incident...
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Charles County Students Earn Awards in 2024 Junior American Citizens Contest

Charles County Students Earn Awards in 2024 Junior American Citizens Contest

Several Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students recently earned honors in the Junior American Citizens Contest, sponsored by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). The organization includes a Junior American Citizens Committee, which supports contests for children that promote patriotic development. The Junior American Citizens Contest is open to students in...
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Detectives Investigating Suspicious Activity in Dorchester Neighborhood

Detectives Investigating Suspicious Activity in Dorchester Neighborhood

On July 10, 2024, at 7:30 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to Dorchester Circle for the report of a suspicious person. A preliminary investigation showed a male drove up to a teenage girl and asked for her phone number. The girl walked away and notified a parent. On July 11,...
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La Plata Police Captain Norris Celebrates 15-Year Anniversary with Department

La Plata Police Captain Norris Celebrates 15-Year Anniversary with Department

Captain Matt Norris began his career with the La Plata Police Department in June 2009 (15 years) and currently serves as the Special Operations Division Commander. Captain Norris is a certified Drug Recognition Expert, Level 3 Crash Reconstructionist, Level II Traffic Safety Specialist, Top Gun Narcotics Investigator School graduate, an FAA licensed Drone Pilot,...
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Charles County Officers Use De-Escalation Techniques to Help Person in Distress

Charles County Officers Use De-Escalation Techniques to Help Person in Distress

On Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 1:45 p.m., officers received a report of a person who was making threats to harm themselves on several social media platforms. Officers were able to identify the person and locate a phone number. The officers contacted the person who continued to make statements and threatened suicide. Based on...
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Detectives Arrest Suspects in Connection with Prom Night Armed Robbery, Police Recover Multiple Firearms

Detectives Arrest Suspects in Connection with Prom Night Armed Robbery, Police Recover Multiple Firearms

On Friday, May 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., two suspects approached a teenage male who was leaving a prom party on Devongate Street in Waldorf. The suspects placed one firearm to the victim’s abdomen and another to his head and demanded the victim’s designer watch. They fled in a dark-colored sedan. Through investigation, detectives...
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Charles County Students Earn Awards at International Thespian Festival

Charles County Students Earn Awards at International Thespian Festival

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) high school students in school-based theater programs recently took their skills to the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. The 28 students who attended were accompanied by five CCPS theater teachers. For the first time in seven years, students competed in the festival’s closing ceremony showcase....
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UPDATE: Missing La Plata Man Found Deceased

UPDATE: Missing La Plata Man Found Deceased

UPDATE: Officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office located Mr. Franchi deceased about a mile from his home on his property. There were no obvious signs of foul play and detectives were able to notify a family member. He was transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office. Our thoughts are with his family. Thank you...
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Board of Education of Charles County Approves Redistricting Plan for Elementary Schools

Board of Education of Charles County Approves Redistricting Plan for Elementary Schools

The Board of Education of Charles County at its June 11 meeting approved an elementary school redistricting plan that will create an attendance zone for Margaret Jamieson Thornton Elementary School, set to open in August 2025. The plan also moves some students from existing school zones as a result of the redistricting process. The...
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UPDATE: Body of Missing Teen Recovered Near Benedict Bridge

UPDATE: Body of Missing Teen Recovered Near Benedict Bridge

UPDATE 7/10/2024 @ 12:30 P.M.: On Monday, July 8, 2024, at 7:26 p.m., deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau responded to 6790 Hallowing Lane in the area of the Benedict Bridge in Prince Frederick, for a 911 hang-up. Upon arrival, deputies determined the call to be for a potential missing person....
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Governor Moore Announces $16.2 Million to Support Small Businesses and Community Revitalization Across Maryland

Governor Moore Announces $16.2 Million to Support Small Businesses and Community Revitalization Across Maryland

Governor Wes Moore today announced that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded more than $16.2 million to assist small businesses and support local revitalization projects and activities. Grants from the Business Boost Microgrant Program, the Main Street Improvement Grant, and Project Restore 2.0 will provide funds to 121 businesses, local...
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State Fire Marshal Continues Investigation Into Large Barn Fire in Huntingtown

State Fire Marshal Continues Investigation Into Large Barn Fire in Huntingtown

UPDATE 7/9/2024: On Thursday, July 4, 2024, at 10:20 p.m., firefighters responded to 541 Walton Road in Huntingtown, for the structure on fire. 40 firefighters from Calvert and Anne Arundel County responded with first arriving units reported a large barn fully engulfed in flames. The owner/occupants were identified as Michael Smith with the estimated...
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Calvert Public Safety Issues Animal Safety Alert for July 8-11, 2024 Due to Heat

Calvert Public Safety Issues Animal Safety Alert for July 8-11, 2024 Due to Heat

Due to forecasted high temperatures for Monday, July 8, through Thursday, July 11, animal owners or custodians are required to provide appropriate protection from the weather including providing adequate shelter, water, space and access to shade. Pay special attention to animals that are most prone to heat stroke: Brachycephalic Breeds: Dogs and cats with short...
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Maryland Waterfowl Hunting Blind Site Lottery Opens July 15, 2024

Maryland Waterfowl Hunting Blind Site Lottery Opens July 15, 2024

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is again offering an online process for Maryland hunters to apply for a 2024-2025 waterfowl blind site license. From July 15 through July 29 at 11:59 p.m., hunters and riparian landowners may enter the annual lottery for the opening days of blind site licensing. Hunters and riparian landowners with a...
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Sky Zone Waldorf Releases Statement After Large Police Response with Pepper Spray Deployment

Sky Zone Waldorf Releases Statement After Large Police Response with Pepper Spray Deployment

On Saturday, July 6, 2024, at approximately 11:00 p.m., police responded to the Sky Zone Trampoline Park located at 4390 Robert S. Crain Highway in White Plains, for assistance in clearing large crowds from the business and parking lot. Officers arrived on the scene and reported no disturbance, large crowds and was working with...
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Charles County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Phone Scams

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Phone Scams

Earlier this morning, Saturday, July 6, 2024, an unknown person called at least three people, identified himself as a supervisor with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office and told them to call the CCSO non-emergency number. The caller left messages on voice mail but has not directed people to do anything specific other than to...
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UPDATE: La Plata House Fire Remains Under Investigation

UPDATE: La Plata House Fire Remains Under Investigation

UPDATE 7/8/2024: On Saturday, July 6, 2024, at approximately 2:00 a.m., firefighters from Charles County responded to 6955 Ellenwood Court in La Plata, for the reported house on fire. 35 firefighters from Charles and Prince George’s County responded to find fire showing from a 1-story attached garage. The owner/occupants have been identified as Edwin...
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Charles County Police Seeking Information in Road Rage Stabbing of Food Delivery Driver in Waldorf

Charles County Police Seeking Information in Road Rage Stabbing of Food Delivery Driver in Waldorf

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, at approximately 10:57 p.m., officers responded to a residence in Waldorf for the report of a stabbing. When officers arrived, they located an adult male with several stab wounds. The victim was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. A preliminary investigation revealed the victim, a food delivery driver,...
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One Transported to Trauma Center After Motor Vehicle Collision Involving Firetruck in Waldorf

One Transported to Trauma Center After Motor Vehicle Collision Involving Firetruck in Waldorf

On Friday, July 5, 2024, at approximately 3:15 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel were dispatched to a medical emergency with one reportedly not breathing. Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department Engine 32 was responding with lights and sirens activated to the CPR in progress medical call, when they were involved in a serious motor vehicle...
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Search Warrant Leads to Three Arrests and Multiple Guns Recovered in Connection to June 2024 Shooting

Search Warrant Leads to Three Arrests and Multiple Guns Recovered in Connection to June 2024 Shooting

On July 4, 2024, members of the CCSO Emergency Services Team, along with CCSO detectives and the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, served a search warrant in the 11200 block of Thackeray Lane in White Plains, MD. The search warrant was related to a shooting that occurred in June on Argyle Avenue in Waldorf...
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Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for the Solicitation of Child Porn; Violation of Probation

Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for the Solicitation of Child Porn; Violation of Probation

Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, July 1, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge William R. Greer, Jr. sentenced Johnny Darrell Hammonds, 54, of White Plains, to 25 years in prison for 4 counts of Solicitation of Child Porn. Upon release, Hammonds will be on supervised probation for five...
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Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward in Fugitive Case – Waldorf Man Wanted for Armed Robbery

Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward in Fugitive Case – Waldorf Man Wanted for Armed Robbery

Charles County Sheriff’s investigators are seeking the whereabouts of Anthony Kavon Brown, age 24, of Waldorf, who has active felony warrants for armed robbery and illegal possession of a firearm. After Brown’s initial arrest relating to the robbery, a judge released him from the Charles County Detention Center on electronic monitoring. He violated the...
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Summer Waterway Users Should Follow Safe Swimming Practices

Summer Waterway Users Should Follow Safe Swimming Practices

As we reach the height of summer, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds residents and visitors to swim near a lifeguard, wear a life jacket, and to always swim and boat sober. Drownings are more likely to occur when lifeguards are not present. In June, a man died while swimming in an unguarded...
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Natural Resources Police Conducting ‘Operation Dry Water’ to Combat Boating Under the Influence

Natural Resources Police Conducting ‘Operation Dry Water’ to Combat Boating Under the Influence

This holiday weekend, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) anticipates more boaters on the water, and subsequently an increase in boating incidents and fatalities. Because of the high volume of activity during the July 4 holiday, it’s statistically one of the most dangerous times on Maryland’s waterways. Boating while under the influence of alcohol or...
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Charles County Government July 2024 Holiday Schedule

Charles County Government July 2024 Holiday Schedule

The County Administrator wishes to remind residents of changes to operating schedules for the month of July: Thursday, July 4 (Independence Day) All Charles County Government offices and the Charles County Animal Care Center in Hughesville will be closed. The Charles County Landfill, Piney Church Road Mulch Facility, and all recycling centers will be...
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