Charles News

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Announces Retirement of Sergeant George Higgs After Nearly 29 Years of Service

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Announces Retirement of Sergeant George Higgs After Nearly 29 Years of Service

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office has announced the retirement of Sergeant George Higgs, marking the end of a law enforcement career spanning 28 years and nine months. Sergeant Higgs began his career with the agency in August 1997 as a Corrections Officer. He later transitioned to Patrol before spending nearly 15 years as a...
Read More »

Man Charged in $1,000 Theft Scheme at Charles County Home Depot

Man Charged in $1,000 Theft Scheme at Charles County Home Depot

Joshua Costa, 42, of Union Bridge, is facing a theft charge after an alleged incident at a Home Depot store in Charles County on April 7, 2026. According to court documents, Costa is charged with theft of property valued between $100 and under $1,500. The charge stems from an incident reported by the Charles...
Read More »

Recovery Centers of America at Capital Region to Mark 8th Anniversary with Community Open House in Waldorf

Recovery Centers of America at Capital Region to Mark 8th Anniversary with Community Open House in Waldorf

Recovery Centers of America (RCA) at Capital Region will celebrate its 8th anniversary with a community open house on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. The event will bring together community partners, clinicians, local leaders, and alumni to recognize the facility’s impact in the region and outline plans for future growth....
Read More »

Police Bust International Car Theft Ring Resulting in 6 Arrests and Multiple Vehicles Recovered

Police Bust International Car Theft Ring Resulting in 6 Arrests and Multiple Vehicles Recovered

A 15-count indictment was unsealed today in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia and charges six individuals in connection with their roles in a conspiracy that allegedly stole at least 20 cars in the Washington metropolitan area and Pennsylvania, transported the vehicles across state lines, and sold the vehicles to buyers in...
Read More »

Butterfly Effect Project Launched in Southern Maryland With Goals for Mental Health and Wellness Programs

Butterfly Effect Project Launched in Southern Maryland With Goals for Mental Health and Wellness Programs

The Butterfly Effect Project, Inc. (The BEP) has launched in Southern Maryland. This new non-profit provides an innovative approach to meet the need for wellness services in the community. The BEP aims to provide mental health and related services to those who face financial barriers. To achieve this goal, The BEP has partnered with...
Read More »

Quick Action Prevents Vehicle Fire from Spreading to Commercial Property

Quick Action Prevents Vehicle Fire from Spreading to Commercial Property

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 4400 block of White Plains Lane in White Plains, for the reported vehicle on inside a garage. Engine 11, Engine 33, and Battalion Chief 3 arrived within minutes of the dispatch to find nothing evident from...
Read More »

EMS Responding to Medical Call Come Across Structure Fire in Indian Head, Resulting in Quick Extinguishment

EMS Responding to Medical Call Come Across Structure Fire in Indian Head, Resulting in Quick Extinguishment

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, at approximately 9:02 p.m., Paramedic Ambulance 209 was dispatched to a medical call in Indian Head. While responding, they came across a working structure fire and requested the assignment be dispatched. Firefighters from Indian Head VFD, NDW Indian Head and surrounding departments were dispatched to the 20 block of...
Read More »

Two Men Arrested in Waldorf Armed Robbery Cases; One Released by Judge Karen Friedman on Personal Recognizance

Two Men Arrested in Waldorf Armed Robbery Cases; One Released by Judge Karen Friedman on Personal Recognizance

Elijah Dylan Miller, 21, of Washington, D.C., and Demetrius Malik Clarke, 22, of Fort Washington, are facing multiple felony charges including robbery, armed robbery, first- and second-degree assault, and theft following two incidents reported in Waldorf on April 21, 2026, according to court documents. Miller is charged with robbery, armed robbery, second-degree assault, first-degree...
Read More »

Waldorf Man Arrested for Multiple Vehicle Vandalism Cases Across Charles County

Waldorf Man Arrested for Multiple Vehicle Vandalism Cases Across Charles County

Cole Lennox James Franklin, 20, of Waldorf, is charged with two counts of property damage in Charles County, according to court records filed on April 16, 2026. The charges listed in District Court for Charles County are malicious destruction of property under a scheme involving $1,000 or more in damage and malicious destruction of...
Read More »

Kitchen Fire in Hughesville Leaves One Burned, Three Displaced

Kitchen Fire in Hughesville Leaves One Burned, Three Displaced

On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at approximately 5:20 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the 16000 block of Teagues Point Road in Hughesville, for the reported structure fire. The 911 caller reported they arrived home to find smoke and fire in the kitchen, and stated that one person inside the residence had suffered burns to...
Read More »

Two Arrested Following Armed Robbery and High Speed Chase in Waldorf

Two Arrested Following Armed Robbery and High Speed Chase in Waldorf

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at approximately 2:08 p.m., police responded to the Family Dollar located at 153 Smallwood Village Center in Waldorf, for the reported armed robbery. 911 callers reported the suspect fled in a dark colored Chevrolet Cruze and was armed with firearm. The suspect vehicle description matched a previous armed robbery...
Read More »

How Light Pollution Harms Maryland Wildlife

How Light Pollution Harms Maryland Wildlife

Light pollution, excessive human-produced light during the night, makes it harder to see the stars, but it’s also a hazard to wildlife, from birds to sea turtles. April 13th marked the start of International Dark Sky Week, when scientists and activists remind people to help limit light pollution. Due to the population density in...
Read More »

ACMI Secures $50 Million Award to Accelerate Production Innovation in Energetics

ACMI Secures $50 Million Award to Accelerate Production Innovation in Energetics

ACMI Federal today announced it has been awarded $50 million from Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (“NSWC IHD”) to establish a collaborative research and development ecosystem to enhance energetics capabilities. As a result, ACMI is also announcing its plans to build a Maryland Energetics Innovation Hub (“MEIH”) near NSWC IHD. The new...
Read More »

Anglers Can Remove Invasives, Get Rewarded By Participating in Maryland Catfish Tournaments in 2026

Anglers Can Remove Invasives, Get Rewarded By Participating in Maryland Catfish Tournaments in 2026

Maryland anglers can do their part to help the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem by catching and removing blue catfish and from waterways. These nonnative fish are top predators that consume native species such as blue crabs, white perch, and menhaden. Avid anglers looking to put their skills to the test can register for tournaments and...
Read More »

Charles County Chamber of Commerce Announces T12 Technologies as Title Sponsor of the 59th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament

Charles County Chamber of Commerce Announces T12 Technologies as Title Sponsor of the 59th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament

The Charles County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce T12 Technologies as the Title Sponsor of the 59th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament. This premier event brings together business leaders, community partners, and professionals from across the region for a day of connection, collaboration, and friendly competition—strengthening relationships that drive economic growth in Charles...
Read More »

Team from La Plata High School to Represent Charles County Public Schools at State Envirothon Competition

Team from La Plata High School to Represent Charles County Public Schools at State Envirothon Competition

A team from La Plata High School will advance to the Maryland Envirothon after coming in first place at the county’s April 15 competition. Held at Gilbert Run State Park, the Charles County Envirothon caps off a school year of studying aquatics, forestry, soils and wildlife. Students are also quizzed on a fifth topic...
Read More »

Police Make Arrest After Shooting at 1313 Lounge in Bryans Road

Police Make Arrest After Shooting at 1313 Lounge in Bryans Road

On Sunday, April 19, 2026, at approximately 12:20 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 1313 Lounge located at 6971 Indian Head Highway in Bryans Road, for the reported shooting. 911 callers advised a man was shot with the suspect possibly still on scene. Police arrived on the scene to find...
Read More »

Maryland Forest Service Offers Safety Rules and Tips for Spring Wildfire Season – Southern Maryland Under Level 2 Drought Conditions

Maryland Forest Service Offers Safety Rules and Tips for Spring Wildfire Season – Southern Maryland Under Level 2 Drought Conditions

Maryland’s wildfire season is underway and the Department of Natural Resources urges residents to be prepared and help protect our wildlands. Southern Maryland remains under a level 2 of 5 Drought Warning. March 2026 is the 18th driest March on record (since 1895) “Wildfire occurrence is highest in the spring when forest fuels are the driest and weather...
Read More »

UPDATE: No Injuries Reported After House Fire in Mechanicsville, Cause Remains Under Investigation

UPDATE: No Injuries Reported After House Fire in Mechanicsville, Cause Remains Under Investigation

UPDATE 4/17/2026: On Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 5:23 p.m., firefighters from Hollywood and surrounding departments were dispatched to 40506 Medleys Lane in Mechanicsville, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find fire through the roof of the single story single family residence, and confirmed the single occupant was out....
Read More »

Police Recovered Loaded Handgun from 13-Year-Old Glymont Middle School Student

Police Recovered Loaded Handgun from 13-Year-Old Glymont Middle School Student

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, school administrators at Glymont Middle School were notified that a 13-year-old seventh-grade student was in possession of a handgun. The student had reportedly shown the firearm to another student, who informed additional students. The information was ultimately reported to school administration and a school resource officer. The student was...
Read More »

From Huntingtown to Waldorf, Missing Cat Reunited With His Family Nearly 8 Months Later

From Huntingtown to Waldorf, Missing Cat Reunited With His Family Nearly 8 Months Later

Almost Eight Months.. That’s how long Liam’s family held onto hope… almost eight months of wondering, searching, and missing their boy. Then, one small act of kindness changed everything. A woman in another county noticed a new cat quietly appearing around her neighborhood. Instead of assuming he had been abandoned, she chose to help....
Read More »

Teen Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Bryans Road

Teen Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Bryans Road

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at approximately 4:50 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Farragut Drive and Bridgewater Drive in Bryans Road, for the reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. 911 callers reported a subject on a scooter was struck by a vehicle. Crews arrived on the scene...
Read More »

Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters 2026 – Community Event to Remember and Honor Our Fallen Heroes

Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters 2026 – Community Event to Remember and Honor Our Fallen Heroes

This April and May, our grateful communities will come together to honor its fallen fire service heroes during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, the official national tribute to firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty last year. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation launched Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters...
Read More »

UPDATE: Shooting at Waldorf 7-Eleven Leads to Major Weapons Seizure in Charles County

UPDATE: Shooting at Waldorf 7-Eleven Leads to Major Weapons Seizure in Charles County

UPDATE 4/15/2026: Marcellus Franklin Thomas, 37, of Waldorf, is facing 22 charges in Charles County after prosecutors say he shot at an adult male victim outside a 7-Eleven in Waldorf on March 21, 2026, and then was later found in possession of multiple firearms, ammunition and body armor during a search of his home,...
Read More »

Man Flown to Burn Center After Falling Into Burn Pile in La Plata

Man Flown to Burn Center After Falling Into Burn Pile in La Plata

On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at approximately 7:25 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to the 4500 block of Jeannette Place in La Plata, for the reported outside fire with a burn victim. 911 callers reported a man was burning trash and fell into the fire, with the victim being out of...
Read More »