Charles News

Charles County Public Schools and Bus Contractors Come to Agreement for 2023-2024 Contract

Charles County Public Schools and Bus Contractors Come to Agreement for 2023-2024 Contract

“October 29, 2023, Dear CCPS parents, staff, elected officials and community members: I want to update you on Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) transportation operations. The Charles County School Bus Contractors Association has confirmed that all of their bus contractors have agreed to sign the CCPS 2023-2024 transportation contract. The contract includes agreed-upon funding...
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College of Southern Maryland Once Again Ranks Among Top Community Colleges

College of Southern Maryland Once Again Ranks Among Top Community Colleges

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has once again been found to be among the nation’s and Maryland’s top community colleges, according to Intelligent.com. The website’s rankings for 2024 included CSM on lists of the “Best Community Colleges in Maryland” and the country’s “Best Online Associate in Information Technology and Systems Degree Programs.” CSM...
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CSM Launches Business Speaker Series with Dr. Ronald Rust Discussing “The Future of Service” Nov. 2

CSM Launches Business Speaker Series with Dr. Ronald Rust Discussing “The Future of Service” Nov. 2

Join the College of Southern Maryland’s (CSM) business honor society, Kappa Beta Delta, as it welcomes Dr. Roland Rust – the David Bruce Smith chair in marketing at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland (UMD) – for an evening discussion on “The Future of Service.” “We are very...
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Tech Talk for Parents: Charles County Schools and Maryland State Police Address Online Safety

Tech Talk for Parents: Charles County Schools and Maryland State Police Address Online Safety

An in-person Tech Talk for parents is set for 6 to 7 p.m., Dec. 4, at Milton M. Somers Middle School. The educational session is provided by Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and the Maryland State Police Computer Crimes Unit The session is designed to help parents keep their children safe while online. Due...
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Charles County Public School Incidents – October 26th – October 31st, 2023

Charles County Public School Incidents – October 26th – October 31st, 2023

Altercation at Milton Somers Middle School: On October 26, at 12:12 p.m., two students at Milton Somers Middle School became disorderly and engaged in an altercation in the cafeteria. One student sustained injuries to the face and was treated by a school nurse. The school resource officer has initiated an investigation and charges are...
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St. Charles High School Staff Member Injured During Altercation Involving Multiple Students

St. Charles High School Staff Member Injured During Altercation Involving Multiple Students

On Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at 8:00 a.m., four students became involved in an altercation at St. Charles High School. School staff were struck while trying to intervene. One employee was injured and treated by a school nurse. A school resource officer has initiated an investigation and charges are pending. The students also face...
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Police Investigating Armed Robbery of Citizen in White Plains

Police Investigating Armed Robbery of Citizen in White Plains

On Saturday, October 28, 2023, at 9:30 p.m., officers responded to Friars Lane in White Plains for the report of a citizen robbery. A preliminary investigation revealed the victim was walking in the area when a gray passenger car pulled up and an occupant exited the car, produced a firearm and demanded the victim’s...
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Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days Announced for 2023-24

Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days Announced for 2023-24

Maryland’s youth hunters, veterans, and military personnel will be afforded a great opportunity to experience the tradition of waterfowl hunting on two special hunt days: Nov. 4, 2023 and Feb. 3, 2024. “The Department is very pleased to offer these special hunting days,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Director Karina...
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Police Investigating 17-Year-Old Waldorf Teen Shot and Killed in Clinton

Police Investigating 17-Year-Old Waldorf Teen Shot and Killed in Clinton

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in Clinton on Saturday. The victim is 17-year-old Mekai Johnson of Waldorf. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. On October 28, 2023, at approximately 1:55...
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Potomac Height Volunteers Install 47 Smoke Alarms in the Community

Potomac Height Volunteers Install 47 Smoke Alarms in the Community

By Coordinator/Public Information Officer William Smith: On Saturday, October 21st, 2023, Potomac Heights Volunteers partnered with the Potomac Heights Baptist Church and the Red Cross installing 47 smoke alarms in 17 homes throughout the Potomac Heights community. The team has pledged to return in the spring to continue this effort, in the meantime if...
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Police Investigating One Shot at The Cut Bar and Restaurant in Waldorf, Search for Two Suspects Continues

Police Investigating One Shot at The Cut Bar and Restaurant in Waldorf, Search for Two Suspects Continues

On Sunday, October 29, 2023, at approximately 2:08 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the The Cut Bar and Restaurant located at 2570 Business Park Drive in Waldorf, for the reported shooting. Officers arrived on the scene to find an adult male patient suffering from a gunshot wound to a lower extremity...
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Southern Maryland Safe Candy and Trunk or Treat Events for Halloween 2023

Southern Maryland Safe Candy and Trunk or Treat Events for Halloween 2023

CALVERT COUNTY: October 31, 6-8 pm at Southern Calvert Baptist Church (12140 HG Trueman Rd, Lusby, MD) | Join us for games, food, fun-themed trunks, and lots of candy! ST. MARY’S COUNTY October 31, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Hollywood Church of the Nazarene | (24704 Sotterley Rd, Hollywood, MD) – We are hosting...
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Charles County Department of Health Alerting Citizens of Increase of Rabies Cases

Charles County Department of Health Alerting Citizens of Increase of Rabies Cases

The Charles County Department of Health is alerting all citizens and visitors of an increase in rabies cases over the past month. One raccoon tested positive for rabies on October 19, 2023 in the vicinity of Bryantown/Edelen Road. Two rabies positive skunks were identified in the Waldorf/White Plains area on September 21, 2023 and...
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St. Mary’s County Jury Convicts Aquasco Man for Domestic Violence Assault

St. Mary’s County Jury Convicts Aquasco Man for Domestic Violence Assault

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced that a St. Mary’s County jury convicted Charles Giovonne Shanks, 38, of Aquasco, of all charges stemming from an April 4, 2022, domestic violence assault. Following a two-day jury trial, Mr. Shanks was found guilty of: • Count 1: Second-degree assault (adult victim) • Count 2: Second-degree assault (child...
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Police Seeking Assistance in Identifying Suspect Who Assaulted and Robbed Elderly Woman in La Plata

Police Seeking Assistance in Identifying Suspect Who Assaulted and Robbed Elderly Woman in La Plata

On Thursday, October 26, 2023, at approximately 2:59 p.m., LPPD officers responded to the parking lot of the Petco located at 19 Shining Willow Way in La Plata, for the report of a theft. The 68-year-old victim informed officers her purse was stolen while she was securing her dog in a vehicle, The victim...
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8 New Police Officers from Charles County Graduate Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy Police Entrance Level Training Program Session 52

8 New Police Officers from Charles County Graduate Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy Police Entrance Level Training Program Session 52

Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry is proud to announce eight new officers will join the Charles County Sheriff’s Office after their graduation from the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy (SMCJA) Police Entrance Level Training Program. The officers were among 15 candidates – three with Calvert County and four with St. Mary’s County –...
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Maryland State Police to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct.28th

Maryland State Police to Participate in National Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, Oct.28th

Maryland State Police are asking people to properly dispose of unwanted prescription drugs during national drug take back day. Citizens can drop off unused prescription drugs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28 at all 23 Maryland State Police barracks. Maryland State Police are participating as part of the 25th National Prescription...
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Charles County Public Schools Set Graduation Dates for Class of 2024

Charles County Public Schools Set Graduation Dates for Class of 2024

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) will celebrate the Class of 2024 during graduation ceremonies at Regency Furniture Stadium this spring. The ceremonies are set for May 28 through 31, and CCPS has partnered once again with Regency Furniture Stadium and the Charles County Government to provide graduating seniors with graduation ceremonies. High school principals...
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The Week in Winners: Big Winning Tickets Remain Unclaimed in St. Mary’s, Charles and Anne Arundel County

The Week in Winners: Big Winning Tickets Remain Unclaimed in St. Mary’s, Charles and Anne Arundel County

A $510,000 Multi-Match jackpot won on a ticket sold in Hagerstown, and two FAST PLAY tickets worth $124,754 and $121,527 sold in Leonardtown and Glen Burnie, respectively, were the biggest Maryland Lottery wins of last week. All three remained unclaimed as of Oct. 23. In all, 38 Maryland Lottery tickets worth $10,000 or more were sold or redeemed...
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Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 2024 Regular Season Schedule Announced

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 2024 Regular Season Schedule Announced

The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball has unveiled the 2024 Regular Season Schedule. Fans can expect a summer full of fun and entertainment as the Blue Crabs are set to host ten weekend series throughout the 2024 season. These weekend series will be packed full of theme nights, giveaways, and fireworks shows every Saturday...
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Warm Winters, Low Water Flow Are Leading Factors in Poor Striped Bass Spawn

Warm Winters, Low Water Flow Are Leading Factors in Poor Striped Bass Spawn

Environmental factors such as warmer, drier winters and decreased spring water flow rates are likely driving forces behind the diminished spawning success of striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay, according to Maryland Department of Natural Resources scientists. Striped bass, or rockfish, have had low spawning success numbers for five consecutive years. DNR’s juvenile striped bass...
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Highest Number of NAVAIR Employees Ever Recognized in The Women of Color STEM Awards

Highest Number of NAVAIR Employees Ever Recognized in The Women of Color STEM Awards

Thirteen employees from across Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) – the highest number of employees ever awarded – were recognized at the annual Women of Color (WOC) STEM Conference awards ceremony Saturday, Oct. 14. The awards recognize outstanding women in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. “Women of color have been trailblazers in...
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Chesapeake Bay 2023 Young-of-Year Striped Bass Survey Results Announced

Chesapeake Bay 2023 Young-of-Year Striped Bass Survey Results Announced

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced results of this year’s juvenile striped bass survey, which tracks the reproductive success of Maryland’s state fish in the Chesapeake Bay. The 2023 young-of-year index is 1.0, well below the long-term average of 11.1. “The warm, dry conditions in winter and spring during the past several years...
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Charles County Officers Arrest PG County Man and Recover Stolen Vehicle, Loaded Handgun

Charles County Officers Arrest PG County Man and Recover Stolen Vehicle, Loaded Handgun

On Monday, October 16, 2023, at 3:27 p.m., a patrol officer responded to Western Parkway in Waldorf after a vehicle owner called 9-1-1 and reported seeing their car, which had been reported stolen earlier in the day, in the area. The officer observed the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop, but the driver fled....
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Police Investigating Attempted Armed Robbery of Student on Milton Somers Middle School Bus

Police Investigating Attempted Armed Robbery of Student on Milton Somers Middle School Bus

On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 2:39 p.m., a student at Milton Somers Middle School was riding home from school on the bus when another student produced a knife, pointed it at the student and demanded money. The student replied they did not have money and the student with the knife put the knife...
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