Charles News

UPDATE: Who Pulled the Trigger? – Sheriff’s Office Under Fire After Rearrest of Hollywood Shooting Suspect

UPDATE: Who Pulled the Trigger? – Sheriff’s Office Under Fire After Rearrest of Hollywood Shooting Suspect

1/29/2024:  John Curtis Reeves IV, 23, of Bushwood, has been rearrested and faces new charges related to a November 1, 2024, shooting on Breezy Lane in Hollywood, Maryland. However, notably absent from the charges is any direct allegation that Reeves was responsible for the shooting itself. Reeves was initially charged with accessory after the...
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UPDATE: Mishandled Decomposing Bodies and Odor Complaints Lead to Southern Maryland Crematory’s Shutdown

UPDATE: Mishandled Decomposing Bodies and Odor Complaints Lead to Southern Maryland Crematory’s Shutdown

UPDATE 1/31/2025 from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office : Public Notice Regarding the Investigation of Heaven Bound Crematory – The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is aware of the investigation and subsequent closure of Heaven Bound Crematory in White Plains, MD. While the CCSO is not the investigating agency for this incident, we understand the...
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Statement from Charles County Public School Superintendent Regarding American Airlines Plane Crash Tragedy

Statement from Charles County Public School Superintendent Regarding American Airlines Plane Crash Tragedy

January 30, 2025, Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff: On behalf of Charles County Public Schools (CCPS), I share a sorrowful and emotional update. We have learned that the devastating plane crash last night over the Potomac River involving an American Airlines regional flight and a U.S. Army helicopter has directly impacted our school communities. It...
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Leadership Southern Maryland Studies Regional Human Services and Housing Challenges

Leadership Southern Maryland Studies Regional  Human Services and Housing Challenges

The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Executive Program Class of 2025 convened earlier this month to study the tri-county area’s critical housing and human services challenges. They heard from industry leaders about the needs and concerns of children, low-income families, residents dealing with mental and behavioral health issues and domestic violence, and the limited stock...
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La Plata’s Girls Wrestling Team Places First in Holiday Showcase

La Plata’s Girls Wrestling Team Places First in Holiday Showcase

Wrestling takes more than physical strength. “It’s a lot of mental stuff,” Oriana Boling, a La Plata High School senior, said. “I’d say it’s more mental than physical.” Boling is among the girls who are making high school wrestling one of — if not the No. 1 — fastest growing sport among their peers....
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Assault at St. Charles High School Sends Staff Member to Urgent Care Facility

Assault at St. Charles High School Sends Staff Member to Urgent Care Facility

On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 12:22 p.m. a student at St. Charles High School approached two students in the hallway and began assaulting both students, causing a physical altercation to begin. A staff member attempted to intervene and was inadvertently struck by one of the students causing the staff member to fall to...
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Maryland Offers Waterfowl Hunting Day for Youth, Veterans, and Military on Feb. 8

Maryland Offers Waterfowl Hunting Day for Youth, Veterans, and Military on Feb. 8

Maryland’s youth hunters, veterans, and military personnel can experience the excitement of a special waterfowl hunting day on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. A similar special hunting day is held each November. “This opportunity provides a chance to teach the next generation of wildlife conservationists and honor the service of our military personnel,” said Wildlife...
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Tax Filing Season Begins in Maryland – 2025

Tax Filing Season Begins in Maryland – 2025

Personal income tax filing began Monday, January 27th, 2025 in Maryland, with the Office of the Comptroller beginning a controlled rollout of processing and ramping up to full return processing next week, beginning February 3. This process is in line with established IRS best practices and will allow the agency to test fraud detection...
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Waldorf Scratch-Off Pays $100K; District Heights Racetrax Yields $61,690 Prize

Waldorf Scratch-Off Pays $100K; District Heights Racetrax Yields $61,690 Prize

A scratch-off ticket worth $100,000 in Waldorf and a $61,690 Racetrax ticket sold in District Heights topped the leaderboard for Maryland Lottery wins in the past week, even as another five players hit for $50,000 in Berlin, Milford Mill, Rockville, Seabrook and Union Bridge. Across Maryland, and across all games, the Lottery paid more...
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UPDATE: Charles County Detectives Seize Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Meth in Marbury Drug Bust

UPDATE: Charles County Detectives Seize Cocaine, Fentanyl, and Meth in Marbury Drug Bust

UPDATE 9/28/2025: On January 23, 2025, detectives with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Enforcement Section executed a search warrant at the residence of Jeffrey Andrew McIlwain Sr., 50, located in the 4000 block of Vineyard Place, Marbury, as part of an ongoing drug investigation. The search, authorized by a warrant issued on January...
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CSM Celebrates Its 2025 Health Career Readiness Graduates

CSM Celebrates Its 2025 Health Career Readiness Graduates

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) students who have chosen to pursue careers in health care were lauded and celebrated Jan. 16 during the college’s Health Career Readiness Recognition in La Plata. Ninety-six students were recognized for completing programs to become certified nursing assistants, geriatric nursing assistants, dental assistants, phlebotomy technicians, certified clinical medical assistants,...
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Two Fires Behind Big Dogs Paradise Bar and Grill Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

Two Fires Behind Big Dogs Paradise Bar and Grill Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

On Saturday, January 25, 2025, at approximately 12:50 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department were alerted to the rear of the Big Dogs Paradise Bar and Grill located at 28765 Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported outside fire. The 911 caller was a passerby who stated it appeared their was something...
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Pursuit of Justice: Charles County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Files

Pursuit of Justice: Charles County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Files

Today marks the 7th anniversary of the homicide of Deandre Nicholson, a 22-year old resident of Waldorf. His case remains unsolved. Your assistance can help us bring justice to Deandre and his family. On January 23, 2018 at approximately 9 p.m., officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 4500 block of...
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Charles County Duo Dance with Joy after $100,000 Scratch-off Win

Charles County Duo Dance with Joy after $100,000 Scratch-off Win

Earlier this week, Lottery officials met a husband and wife team who turned $10 into $100,000. They spent $10 to play Mega Bucks, a scratch-off game that debuted in November, and three days later discovered that they had a top-prize winner. The Charles County pair, one an office worker and the other a delivery...
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50 CSM Students Receive Nursing Pins for Completing Degrees  ‘With Hands to Care and Hearts to Serve’

50 CSM Students Receive Nursing Pins for Completing Degrees  ‘With Hands to Care and Hearts to Serve’

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) celebrated 50 nursing graduates at the La Plata Campus last week with a time-honored pinning ceremony that allows CSM faculty to welcome their students as peers and colleagues in the field of nuring. “Success in nursing school is not an accident or gift, it’s hard work, perseverance, hours upon...
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Volunteers Take Advantage Of The Cold Weather with Training Drills and Scenarios

Volunteers Take Advantage Of The Cold Weather with Training Drills and Scenarios

Solomons Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad – This evening some of our members took advantage of the cold weather. Over the past few weeks we have conducted drills related to cold weather emergencies and this evening had the opertunity to conduct an ice rescue drill. Using some of our specialty ice rescue equipment that...
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Two Flown to Trauma Center After Head-on Collision in Hughesville

Two Flown to Trauma Center After Head-on Collision in Hughesville

On Thursday, January 23, 2025, at approximately, 1:44 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 9190 Leonardtown Road in Hughesville, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment. Crews arrived on the scene to find a two-vehicle head-on style collision with two patients trapped. Firefighters from Hughesville and Mechanicsville...
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Three Teens Charged for Armed Robbery, Theft of Vape Cartridges in Waldorf

Three Teens Charged for Armed Robbery, Theft of Vape Cartridges in Waldorf

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 7:44 p.m., two suspects entered a business in the 3500 block of Crain Highway in Waldorf, and a third suspect remained at the door as a lookout. The suspects displayed a handgun and demanded tobacco products. The employees complied and the suspects fled after stealing a large quantity...
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Charles County Detectives Investigating Armed Robbery of Citizen in Waldorf

Charles County Detectives Investigating Armed Robbery of Citizen in Waldorf

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., officers responded to the 1100 block of Cornell Lane in Waldorf for the call of a citizen armed robbery. The victim reported he was walking to his vehicle when he was approached by three males who displayed firearms and demanded his wallet, phone, and expensive designer-brand...
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Protect Yourself from EZ-Pass Maryland Scams

Protect Yourself from EZ-Pass Maryland Scams

Scammers are targeting EZ-Pass Maryland users with fake emails, texts, and phone calls designed to steal your personal and financial information. Here’s what you need to know: Fraudsters impersonate EZ-Pass Maryland, claiming: You owe unpaid tolls and need to pay immediately. Your account will be suspended unless updated. There are issues with your payment...
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Southern Maryland Public School Delays for Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Southern Maryland Public School Delays for Wednesday, January 22, 2025

NAS Patuxent River – The River’s Edge Child and Youth Center (BLDG 2815) and Child Development Center (BLDG 2813) will be CLOSED Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, due to cold temperatures. An update will be provided when services resume at these locations. Calvert County Public Schools – NO CALL YET St. Mary’s County Public Schools...
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Police in Charles County Search for Wanted Suspect Thomas Caparella-Monat

Police in Charles County Search for Wanted Suspect Thomas Caparella-Monat

UPDATE: The La Plata Police Department is actively seeking the public’s assistance in locating Thomas Caparella-Monat, a 32-year-old from Port Republic, MD. Caparella-Monat is wanted in connection with a violent domestic-related assault and several other criminal charges. According to police, the suspect allegedly assaulted a woman, choking her and breaking her nose during the...
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Charles County Detectives Seeking Whereabouts of Cliffton Eugene Greenfield, Wanted for Stabbing Relative Over Argument Involving TV Remote

Charles County Detectives Seeking Whereabouts of Cliffton Eugene Greenfield, Wanted for Stabbing Relative Over Argument Involving TV Remote

Charles County Sheriff’s detectives are seeking the whereabouts of Cliffton Eugene Greenfield, 50, of Bryans Road, MD, who has an active warrant charging him with first-degree assault. On Friday, January 10, 2025, Greenfield stabbed a relative in the head and neck after an argument – reportedly over the use of a television remote control....
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Public Safety Issues Animal Safety Alert Due to Severe Cold Weather – January 2025

Public Safety Issues Animal Safety Alert Due to Severe Cold Weather – January 2025

In light of severe cold temperatures, the Department of Public Safety has issued an animal safety alert for Sunday, Jan. 19, through Friday, Jan. 24. During this period, animal owners or custodians are required to provide the following actions to protect their pets and livestock: Dogs and cats should be brought inside. If a...
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University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center Opens Neurology Practice

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center Opens Neurology Practice

University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center (UM Charles Regional), a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, is now providing outpatient neurology services, marking a significant step in expanding specialty medical care for Charles County and surrounding communities. As part of this service expansion, board-certified neurologist and epilepsy specialist Getinet Abebe...
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