Charles News

SMECO Holds 84th Annual Meeting with Board of Directors Election on August 25, 2022

SMECO Holds 84th Annual Meeting with Board of Directors Election on August 25, 2022

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) held its 84th Annual Meeting on August 25, 2022, at the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Social Hall in Mechanicsville, Md. The Board of Directors election was conducted online and by mail prior to the meeting. The following SMECO members were elected to serve on SMECO’s Board for three years:...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education – September is Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Hunter Education – September is Tree Stand Safety Awareness Month

One of the most popular pieces of equipment used by deer hunters is a tree stand. Tree stands can be dangerous if they are used incorrectly or carelessly. Nationally, one in three hunting injuries involves a tree stand. Falls from tree stands can be caused by a variety of factors, including a weakness in...
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Legacy Flight Academy and Southern Maryland Project Management Institute Hosting Aviation and STEM Event at Charles County Airport

Legacy Flight Academy and Southern Maryland Project Management Institute Hosting Aviation and STEM Event at Charles County Airport

Legacy Flight Academy (LFA) and the Southern Maryland Project Management Institute is partnering to host an Eyes Above the Horizon event on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at the Maryland Airport located at 3900 Livingston Road in Indian Head, MD 20640 The event is set to begin at 8 a.m., to 4:00 p.m. The purpose...
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Maryland Archery Hunting for Deer Starts September 9, 2022 and Continues Through January 31, 2023

Maryland Archery Hunting for Deer Starts September 9, 2022 and Continues Through January 31, 2023

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that archery hunting for white-tailed and sika deer opens statewide Sept. 9, and continues through Jan. 31, 2023. Archers may also use vertical longbows and vertical recurve bows Feb. 1-3, 2023 during the annual Primitive Deer Hunt Days. “A crispness in the air throughout much of...
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Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living Presents Two New Programs and Job Opportunities

Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living Presents Two New Programs and Job Opportunities

Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living (SMCIL) is excited to announce the launching of two (2) new programs within our organization. One will increase access to home health and self-direction for our consumers and the other will address the unique needs of individuals with disabilities and senior citizens that arose during the pandemic. These...
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Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Announce More Than $400,000 for Volunteer Firefighters in Charles County

Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Announce More Than $400,000 for Volunteer Firefighters in Charles County

On Tuesday, September 6, 2022, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (all D-Md.) announced $400,571.41 in federal funding for Maryland firefighters and first responders in Southern Maryland. The funding will directly impact fire departments, State Fire Training Academies, and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations to enhance their...
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CSM Foundation Golf Classic Returns for 31st Year, Raises More than $86,000 for Student Success

CSM Foundation Golf Classic Returns for 31st Year, Raises More than $86,000 for Student Success

One hundred and forty golfers teed off in support of the College of Southern Maryland on Thursday, August 11, 2022, raising more than $86,000 for student success and athletic programs. The Golf Classic, which returned to Swan Point Country Club in Issue for the 31st year, has raised more than $1.2 million since its...
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Four Students Charged in Connection with Altercations at North Point High School Football Game

Four Students Charged in Connection with Altercations at North Point High School Football Game

On Friday, September 2, 2022, at 8:30 p.m., several fights broke out at a North Point High School football game. The altercations occurred in different locations near the restrooms and in the school parking lot. Officers, who were working secondary employment as security, utilized pepper spray to disperse the crowd. No one was injured...
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Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting 2022-2023 Begins

Maryland Migratory Game Bird Hunting 2022-2023 Begins

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the state’s 2022-2023 migratory game bird hunting seasons. Bag limits, season dates, and shooting hours can be found in the Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping. “Maryland hunters wait for September with anticipation as this month marks the beginning of the fall hunting season,” Wildlife and...
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Police Issue 22 Traffic Citations, Make Two Arrests and Recover Firearm During DUI Checkpoint in Charles County

Police Issue 22 Traffic Citations, Make Two Arrests and Recover Firearm During DUI Checkpoint in Charles County

On Monday, August 19, 2022, members of the CCSO Traffic Operations Unit, Maryland State Police, Maryland Transportation Authority Police and members of the Maryland State Highway Administration conducted a DUI checkpoint on Route 210. 22 traffic citations were issued, 2civil citations were issued for drug possession, and 2 arrests were made – one driver...
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Governor Hogan Proclaims September as 4th Annual International Underground Railroad Month

Governor Hogan Proclaims September as 4th Annual International Underground Railroad Month

Governor Larry Hogan today proclaimed September 2022 as the 4th annual International Underground Railroad Month in Maryland. The month acknowledges the significance of the Underground Railroad, and all those involved, for its contribution to the eradication of slavery in the United States and as a cornerstone for the more comprehensive civil rights movement that followed. Maryland...
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UPDATE: Charles County Sheriff’s Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to a Misdemeanor Charge

UPDATE: Charles County Sheriff’s Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to a Misdemeanor Charge

UPDATE 9/1/2022: On August 31, 2022, NiJee Pierre McWillis, a Charles County correctional officer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of misconduct in office. In May, McWillis was indicted on two misdemeanor charges: misconduct in office and unauthorized access to computers and related material. An additional charge of copy / possession of a database...
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Maryland Senators Announce Over $10 Million in Direct Investments for Anne Arundel County and Southern Maryland Included in Key Committee Legislation

Maryland Senators Announce Over $10 Million in Direct Investments for Anne Arundel County and Southern Maryland Included in Key Committee Legislation

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced the inclusion of $10,170,000 in direct federal funding for local projects in Anne Arundel County and Southern Maryland within the Senate Appropriations Committee’s proposed annual funding legislation for fiscal year 2023. The projects encompass a wide array of local and regional priorities,...
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Governor Hogan Honors International Overdose Awareness Day and Recognizes September as Substance Use Disorder Recovery Month

Governor Hogan Honors International Overdose Awareness Day and Recognizes September as Substance Use Disorder Recovery Month

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that all flags in Maryland will be flown at half-staff today in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day. The occasion is observed annually on August 31st in remembrance of people around the world who have lost their lives to drug overdose and to help raise awareness regarding the substance use...
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CSM Welcomes Back Hawks, Facilitates Conversations and Makes ‘Connections’ This September

CSM Welcomes Back Hawks, Facilitates Conversations and Makes ‘Connections’ This September

Welcome Back Hawks! Fall Sessions Begin: Aug. 31/Sept. 1. 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. All campuses. La Plata Campus: AD Courtyard (Inclement weather location: CC Lobby). Leonardtown Campus: Great Lawn between B & C Buildings (Inclement weather location: C Lobby). Prince Frederick Campus: PFA Entrance Lawn (Inclement weather location: PFA Lobby) Celebrate a return...
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19-Year-Old Newburg Man Arrested After Police Recover Loaded Firearm and Large Amount of Marijuana During Traffic Stop

19-Year-Old Newburg Man Arrested After Police Recover Loaded Firearm and Large Amount of Marijuana During Traffic Stop

On Monday, August 29, 2022, at 1:12 a.m., officers initiated a traffic stop on St. Charles Parkway in White Plains after observing a violation of the vehicle’s registration plates. Upon approaching the car, the officer detected the odor of marijuana. Further investigation revealed 65 grams of marijuana and a loaded handgun in the vehicle....
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No Injuries Reported After Vehicle Strikes Apartment Building in Waldorf

No Injuries Reported After Vehicle Strikes Apartment Building in Waldorf

On Wednesday, August 31, 2022, at approximately 11:38 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the 4200 block of South Winds Place in Waldorf, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a structure. Crews arrived on the scene to find that an elderly male drove his car into the building. 35 Fire/EMS members...
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Former Volunteer Westlake High School Track Coach Indicted on Sex Abuse of a Minor Charge

Former Volunteer Westlake High School Track Coach Indicted on Sex Abuse of a Minor Charge

In June 2022, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of possible misconduct between a former Westlake High School volunteer track coach and a former student. Upon receiving the notification, detectives immediately contacted school authorities and began an investigation. The coach was identified as Jason Michael Roberts, 32, of North Carolina. The case...
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Waldorf Man Faces Money Laundering Charges Related to an International Romance Scam

Waldorf Man Faces Money Laundering Charges Related to an International Romance Scam

A federal criminal complaint has been filed charging Charles K. Egunjobi, age 48, of Waldorf, Maryland, with operating an unlicensed money service business relating to numerous online romance scams. Egunjobi had his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gina L. Simms. He was released under the supervision of...
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Melwood Participants Hone Construction Skills, Build a More Inclusive Workforce Thanks to CSM Partnership

Melwood Participants Hone Construction Skills, Build a More Inclusive Workforce Thanks to CSM Partnership

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is partnering with Melwood to leverage the untapped potential and talent of people with differing abilities – creating opportunities for them to have meaningful employment, and helping to build a more inclusive workforce in the trade industry where demand for workers is high. Melwood’s Building Paths is a...
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Teens of the Interact Club of Charles County an Array of Awards!

Teens of the Interact Club of Charles County an Array of Awards!

The Interact Club of Charles County is a service club based on the principles of service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. The Interact Club, which is made up of students ages 12-18, is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Charles County. Meeting at the Neighborhood Creative Arts Center (NCAC) and advised by Georgia Bonney,...
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University of Maryland Medical System Announces $2.3 Million In Community Grants Across State

University of Maryland Medical System Announces $2.3 Million In Community Grants Across State

The University of Maryland Medical System announced it is providing more than $2.3 million in grants across the state with a strategic focus on addressing issues of food insecurity and employment. The UMMS Community Impact Grant Program is awarding funding to nine individual organizations and one collaborative serving individuals across the System’s footprint in...
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U.S. News & World Report Names Maryland as No. 1 State For Gender Equality

U.S. News & World Report Names Maryland as No. 1 State For Gender Equality

Governor Larry Hogan announced that U.S. News and World Report has named Maryland as the number one state for gender equality. The first-ever analysis of its kind cites K-12 education as a leading factor in achieving the nation’s top ranking. “Every child in Maryland deserves access to a world-class education, regardless of what neighborhood...
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Three Displaced After Improperly Discarded Smoking Materials Causes Townhouse Fire in La Plata, No Injuries Reported

Three Displaced After Improperly Discarded Smoking Materials Causes Townhouse Fire in La Plata, No Injuries Reported

On Thursday, August 25, 2022, at approximately 12:18 p.m., firefighters responded to 422 Patuxent Court in La Plata, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find smoke showing from the rear of a townhouse. 20 firefighters responded and extinguished the fire in under 5 minutes. The owner is identified as...
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Hyundai and Kia Recalls Over 280,000 Vehicles Due to Fire Risk

Hyundai and Kia Recalls Over 280,000 Vehicles Due to Fire Risk

August 23, 2022 release – Hyundai Motor America and Kia America recommend that owners of select Model Year 2020-2022 Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride vehicles park their cars outside and away from homes and other structures until their vehicles have been repaired, due to new recalls for the risk of fire. Additionally, a “stop...
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