Charles News

La Plata Police Department Honors Charles County NAACP President Dyotha Sweat During Black History Month

La Plata Police Department Honors Charles County NAACP President Dyotha Sweat During Black History Month

The La Plata Police Department Honors Local Community Difference Makers During #BlackHistoryMonth: LPPD honors Charles County NAACP President Dyotha Sweat. Dyotha Rene’ Sweat was born in Franklin, Virginia and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. She was educated in the Passaic County school system and had the honor and privilege of being educated by the...
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VIDEO: Governor Hogan, Lt. Governor Rutherford Tout $75 Million Investment in Maryland State Parks; New State Parks in Western Maryland, Eastern Shore to Open This Summer

VIDEO: Governor Hogan, Lt. Governor Rutherford Tout $75 Million Investment in Maryland State Parks; New State Parks in Western Maryland, Eastern Shore to Open This Summer

Governor Larry Hogan visited Greenbrier State Park in Boonsboro to tout the investment of $75 million in the governor’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget for the Maryland Park Service, which represents a 20-year high. The governor also announced the opening of new state parks in Western Maryland and on the Eastern Shore this summer. The...
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Police Recover Knife and Loaded Firearm from Student at Educational Center in Charles County

Police Recover Knife and Loaded Firearm from Student at Educational Center in Charles County

On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 12:30 p.m., a school administrator at Robert D. Stethem Educational Center in Pomfret, MD observed a male student with what appeared to be the outline of a gun inside a crossover book bag that was strapped across his chest. Upon further investigation, staff and a school resource officer...
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No Injuries Reported and One Dog Saved After House Fire in Mechanicsville, Fire Marshal Investigating

No Injuries Reported and One Dog Saved After House Fire in Mechanicsville, Fire Marshal Investigating

On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at approximately 9:22 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Leonardtown, Seventh District, Hollywood, and Charles County responded to the 28900 block of Livingston Drive in Mechanicsville, for the reported house on fire. The 911 caller reported they were not on the scene, and stated they received a call reporting their home...
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Plans for New Charles County Public Library in La Plata Announced

Plans for New Charles County Public Library in La Plata Announced

In the shadow of the more than 56-year-old La Plata library, the Town of La Plata Council voted to approve a lease for a new library in La Plata with Charles County. The Town approval comes after last week’s approval by the Charles County Board of Commissioners. The County will build the new library...
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CSM Closes BU Building at La Plata Campus to Repair Heating System, 16 Classes Will Be Relocated

CSM Closes BU Building at La Plata Campus to Repair Heating System, 16 Classes Will Be Relocated

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) announces it has closed the Business Building (BU) at its La Plata Campus to begin repairs to the hot water boiler loop piping that serves the building. Employees and classes will be relocated during maintenance work, which could take up to three weeks. In addition, the heat will...
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Maryland Supports Nearly 17,000 Jobs Through State Finance and Tax Credit Programs

Maryland Supports Nearly 17,000 Jobs Through State Finance and Tax Credit Programs

The Maryland Department of Commerce announced today that its various finance and tax incentive programs helped create and retain at least 16,892 direct jobs in Maryland during fiscal year 2021. More than 1,000 business recipients utilized the department’s programs over the year, investing nearly $357 million into projects throughout the state. The figures come...
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Governor Hogan Encourages Marylanders to Celebrate Harriet Tubman’s 200th Birthday

Governor Hogan Encourages Marylanders to Celebrate Harriet Tubman’s 200th Birthday

Governor Larry Hogan announced that in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Harriet Tubman and the 5th anniversary of its opening, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center will host a series of free, family-friendly programs during the weekend of March 12 to 13. “Harriet Tubman dedicated her life...
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La Plata Police Department Salutes Long Serving Maryland Law Enforcement Official and Current Sheriff of Prince George’s County Melvin High During Black History Month:

La Plata Police Department Salutes Long Serving Maryland Law Enforcement Official and Current Sheriff of Prince George’s County Melvin High During Black History Month:

The La Plata Police Department Salutes Long Serving Maryland Law Enforcement Official and Current Sheriff of Prince George’s County Melvin High During #BlackHistoryMonth: Melvin C. High Prince George’s County, Office Of The Sheriff. He is serving his third term as elected Sheriff, having been sworn in for his first term as Sheriff on December...
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UPDATE: Police Charge White Plains Man for Robbery in La Plata, Detectives Searching for Second Suspect

UPDATE: Police Charge White Plains Man for Robbery in La Plata, Detectives Searching for Second Suspect

UPDATE 2/22/2022: On January 29, 2022, at approximately 7:59 p.m., LPPD officers responded to 40 Drury Drive, Walmart, for the report of a robbery where a firearm was implied. Investigation found two individuals approached a Walmart associate in the electronics department. The suspect identified as Josiah Emmanuel Young of no fixed address, pinned a...
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La Plata Police Department Honors Sergeant Ricky Fields for Black History Month

La Plata Police Department Honors Sergeant Ricky Fields for Black History Month

The La Plata Police Department Honors Local Community Difference Makers During #BlackHistoryMonth: LPPD honors one of its own, Sergeant Ricky Fields. Sergeant Ricky Fields is a retired Chief Petty Officer from the United States Coast Guard. Dedicating 21-years of service to the United States Armed Forces, Corporal Fields’ last duty-station was the National Capital...
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La Plata Police Department Unveils New Autism Awareness Vehicle in Partnership with Pathfinders for Autisms

La Plata Police Department Unveils New Autism Awareness Vehicle in Partnership with Pathfinders for Autisms

The La Plata Police Department (LPPD) unveiled its autism awareness vehicle at the Pathfinders for Autisms Offices. LPPD’s team, including Mayor Jeannine James, and joined by members of Pathfinders for Autism staff, members of the Baltimore County Police Department, and former Baltimore Oriole BJ Surhoff! The purpose of LPPD’s autism awareness vehicle is not...
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No Injuries Reported After Livestock/Equipment Barn Catches Fire in Mechanicsville

No Injuries Reported After Livestock/Equipment Barn Catches Fire in Mechanicsville

On Tuesday, January 15, 2022, at approximately 1:50 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Hughesville, Seventh District, Leonardtown, and Hollywood responded to 26151 Yowaiski Mill Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported building on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find fire throughout a livestock/equipment barn. Engine 23 laid a supply line over 800 feet to...
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Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Past President and Life Member Thomas A. Pilkerton

Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department Regrets to Announce Passing of Past President and Life Member Thomas A. Pilkerton

It is with the deepest sympathy the membership of the Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Department and EMS Inc. and Auxiliary announce the passing of Past President Thomas A. Pilkerton, fondly known by all his friends, family, and work colleagues at the R.E. Michel Company as “Andy”. Andy was a Life Member of our department...
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No Injuries Reported After Large Brush Fire in Mechanicsville

No Injuries Reported After Large Brush Fire in Mechanicsville

UPDATE: 2/20/2022 @ 8:00 p.m.,  No injuries reported. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forestry responded to the scene to assist. The fire was caused by a homeowner who was clearing a field/plot of land, and argued with firefighters upon their arrival stating it was under control. Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office...
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Westlake High School Student Charged with Distribution of Marijuana

Westlake High School Student Charged with Distribution of Marijuana

On Thursday, February 17, 2022, at approximately 9:45 a.m., PFC S. Douglas, School Resource Officer at Westlake High School, observed a hand-to-hand drug transaction between two students during school hours. Further investigation revealed the students were in possession of the suspected marijuana and a large amount of currency. The Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office...
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Police Charge Virginia Man in 2020 Murder at Mount Clare Place in Waldorf

Police Charge Virginia Man in 2020 Murder at Mount Clare Place in Waldorf

UPDATE: On October 27, 2020, officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 12300 block of Mount Clare Place in Waldorf for the report of a death. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, Herbert Andrei James, 64, inside his residence with trauma to his body. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner...
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Maryland State Police, Department Of Labor Warn Of Rise In Unemployment Insurance Scams

Maryland State Police, Department Of Labor Warn Of Rise In Unemployment Insurance Scams

The Maryland State Police and the Maryland Department of Labor Unemployment Division are tracking and combating illegal schemes wherein fraudsters are impersonating the Division in email correspondence, text messages and phone calls with the intent of stealing unemployment insurance benefits. The Department of Labor is coordinating with Maryland State Police to alert the public...
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Pedal Pushers! Kindergarten Students Participate in All Kids Bike

Pedal Pushers! Kindergarten Students Participate in All Kids Bike

You crawl before you walk, walk before you run, glide before you pedal. Kindergarten students at William A. Diggs and William B. Wade elementary schools are learning to ride bikes through an eight-week All Kids Bike program during physical education class. And there’s not a training wheel in sight. Instead, students use balance bikes,...
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Charles County Students Place at Regional SkillsUSA Event and Advance to State Championship

Charles County Students Place at Regional SkillsUSA Event and Advance to State Championship

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students earned medals in the recent regional SkillsUSA competition and advance to the state championship set for April 1 and 2. Career and Technology Education (CTE) students from North Point High School and the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center compete annually in the event. Each year, the state championship...
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Fire Marshal Deems Waldorf House Fire Accidental Due to Overloaded Circuit

Fire Marshal Deems Waldorf House Fire Accidental Due to Overloaded Circuit

On February 12, 2022, at 5:00 p.m., over 30 firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to 5504 Torpedo Court in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a two-story residence with smoke showing. The owner/occupants were identified as the Stevens, with the estimated loss of structure/contents valued...
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Narcotic Detectives Execute Search Warrant and Arrest Drug Dealer, Recover Cocaine and Firearm

Narcotic Detectives Execute Search Warrant and Arrest Drug Dealer, Recover Cocaine and Firearm

On Friday, February 11, 2022, at 5:44 a.m., members of the Narcotics Enforcement Section served a search warrant in the 100 block of Woodland Drive in Indian Head related to an ongoing drug distribution case. Detectives recovered crack cocaine and a loaded 9mm firearm. The suspect, Lonnie Edward Wills, 36, of Indian Head is...
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MDOT SHA Announces New Partnership with GEICO to Promote Highway Safety

MDOT SHA Announces New Partnership with GEICO to Promote Highway Safety

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) announced a new partnership with GEICO to sponsor the MDOT SHA Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) Emergency Patrol program. The support from GEICO comes at a time when winter weather has continued to place an increased demand on Emergency Patrol services needed to...
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UPDATE: Missing 71-year-Old Man From Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Has Been Safely Located

UPDATE: Missing 71-year-Old Man From Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Has Been Safely Located

UPDATE 2/15/2022: After an extensive search Gailliard Hunt Bland III, was located at approximately 11:50 a.m., on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, in the woods near Three Notch Trail and Whalen Road in Charlotte Hall. Calvert K-9 Search Team handler Jen Donaldson and her K-9 partner Butters, along with Corporal Brandon Foor from the St....
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Governor Hogan Announces End of Mask Requirement in State Buildings

Governor Hogan Announces End of Mask Requirement in State Buildings

With the state’s health metrics continuing to substantially decline, Governor Larry Hogan announced that the requirement for masks and face coverings to be worn in state buildings will end next week. In addition, the governor has called on the State Board of Education to rescind its school mask policy, and encourages parents who want to...
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