Charles News

Police Recover Airsoft Replica Handgun at North Point High School

Police Recover Airsoft Replica Handgun at North Point High School

On Friday, January 28, 2022, at 11:40 a.m., a student at North Point High School showed several students what appeared to be a handgun while inside the school. Another student alerted school staff who recovered an airsoft replica handgun from the student’s locker. The school resource officer, along with school administrators, will complete an...
Read More »

21-Year-Old Waldorf Man Arrested After Traffic Stop, Police Find Loaded Handgun with Multiple Large Capacity Magazines

21-Year-Old Waldorf Man Arrested After Traffic Stop, Police Find Loaded Handgun with Multiple Large Capacity Magazines

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at approximately 1:57 p.m., TFC Hussey, assigned to the Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack was on patrol in the area of southbound Route 301, south of Pierce Road, Waldorf, Charles County, MD. At that time, TFC Hussey observed a black Toyota Camry committing numerous traffic violations. TFC Hussey...
Read More »

Police Investigating Shooting That Killed 20-Year-Old Waldorf Woman and Injured Four Others at Hotel in Northwest DC

Police Investigating Shooting That Killed 20-Year-Old Waldorf Woman and Injured Four Others at Hotel in Northwest DC

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred on Thursday, January 27, 2022, in the 4400 block of Connecticut Avenue, Northwest. At approximately 3:31 a.m., members of the Second District responded to the listed location for the report of a shooting inside a hotel. Upon arrival, members located...
Read More »

CSM Offers Classes to Address Mind-Body Connection and Overall Wellness as Community Emerges from Pandemic

CSM Offers Classes to Address Mind-Body Connection and Overall Wellness as Community Emerges from Pandemic

For many people, the pandemic has brought a change in priorities and a desire to improve overall personal wellness – a trend supported by the World Health Organization which is emphasizing the importance of caring for your mental health now, more than ever. The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has risen to support its...
Read More »

Governor Hogan Declares State of Emergency, Mobilizes National Guard For Winter Storm

Governor Hogan Declares State of Emergency, Mobilizes National Guard For Winter Storm

Governor Larry Hogan today declared a state of emergency and mobilized members of the Maryland National Guard ahead of a winter storm that is expected to bring several inches of snowfall to most of the state and up to 12 inches to the lower Eastern Shore. The emergency declaration includes Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent,...
Read More »

Replica Handgun Recovered at North Point High School

Replica Handgun Recovered at North Point High School

On January 28, 2022,  at 11:40 a.m., a student at North Point High School showed several students what appeared to be a handgun while inside the school. Another student alerted school staff who recovered an airsoft replica handgun from the student’s locker. The school resource officer, along with school administrators, will complete an investigation....
Read More »

Police in Charles County Investigating Threat of Mass Violence at North Point High School

Police in Charles County Investigating Threat of Mass Violence at North Point High School

On January 27, 2022, at approximately 2:00 p.m., a student at North Point High School made a statement during class that he was going to “shoot everyone in the school.” School staff and a Charles County Sheriff’s Office school resource officer assigned to the school were made aware and began an investigation which included...
Read More »

36-Year-Old Waldorf Air Force Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Transportation of Child Pornography

36-Year-Old Waldorf Air Force Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Transportation of Child Pornography

Jason Daniel Ort, age 36, of Waldorf, Maryland, pleaded guilty today to transportation of child pornography. The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Brigadier General Terry Bullard,...
Read More »

State Fire Marshal Investigating House Fire in North Beach

State Fire Marshal Investigating House Fire in North Beach

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at approximately 9:00 p.m., firefighters from Calvert County were alerted to the 3500 block of 9th Street in North Beach, for the reported house fire. Prior to the arrival of First Responders, multiple 911 callers reported the house was on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a...
Read More »

White Plains Woman Wins $100,000 on Scratch-off Prize

White Plains Woman Wins $100,000 on Scratch-off Prize

A Charles County resident can soon plug in her power tools to make some needed home repairs, thanks to a lucky Power 10s scratch-off. The 62-year-old has a $100,000 Lottery windfall to make her home improvement dreams come true. She was in Shoppers #2377 in Forestville when Lottery luck crossed her path. The scratch-off...
Read More »

Maryland’s Primitive Deer Hunt Days Run February 1, to February 3, 2022

Maryland’s Primitive Deer Hunt Days Run February 1, to February 3, 2022

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces the state’s Primitive Deer Hunt will be open Feb. 1-3 statewide. Hunters with a valid hunting license, or those exempt from the hunting license requirement, may use primitive bows or muzzleloaders to hunt sika and white-tailed deer during these days. Primitive hunting devices are defined as long bows, recurve bows, flintlock,...
Read More »

Police Investigating Assault at Thomas Stone High School, Student Arrested and Knife Recovered

Police Investigating Assault at Thomas Stone High School, Student Arrested and Knife Recovered

On Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 7:34 a.m., a school resource officer and school administrators were made aware of an altercation at Thomas Stone High School. A preliminary investigation showed two students were in a hallway engaged in a verbal altercation when one of them produced a knife, which he had in his pocket....
Read More »

Governor Hogan Announces $9 Million in Additional Tax Credits for Student Loan Debt

Governor Hogan Announces $9 Million in Additional Tax Credits for Student Loan Debt

Governor Larry Hogan today announced nearly $9 million in tax credits to more than 9,000 Maryland residents with student loan debt, awarded by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC). To date, nearly $41 million in tax credits has been awarded to Maryland residents. “Since its launch in 2017, more than 40,600 residents have benefited...
Read More »

Routine Business Patrol Check Leads to Arrest of Wanted D.C. Man in Multiple Theft Cases

Routine Business Patrol Check Leads to Arrest of Wanted D.C. Man in Multiple Theft Cases

On January 11, 2022, at 1:30 a.m., a patrol officer from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office was conducting a business check at a convenience store in the 4700 block of Crain Highway in White Plains when he observed a Dodge pick-up truck parked in the lot and a man sleeping in it. A computer check...
Read More »

No Injuries Reported After House Fire in Waldorf, State Fire Marshal Investigating

No Injuries Reported After House Fire in Waldorf, State Fire Marshal Investigating

On Sunday, January 23, 2022, at approximately 5:18 a.m., 48 firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to 14595 Havensbrook Drive in Waldorf, for the reported basement fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a 2-story residence with smoke showing. Upon further investigation, crews found a fire in the basement and extinguished it...
Read More »

Large Garage Fire in Port Tobacco Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

Large Garage Fire in Port Tobacco Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

On Friday, January 21, 2022, at 7:17 a.m., firefighters responded to the 8500 block of Port Tobacco Road in Port Tobacco for the reported structure on fire, after a 911 caller reported “gray smoke” coming from their detached garage. 47 personnel from La Plata Volunteers and surrounding departments responded, the first unit arrived in...
Read More »

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Update on Management of COVID-19 at Detention Center

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Update on Management of COVID-19 at Detention Center

On January 10, Sheriff Troy Berry issued a press release regarding the management of COVID-19 at the Charles County Detention Center (CCDC) during the nation’s largest spike in the virus ever. “In past months, there has been a campaign of misinformation being shared on social media regarding COVID-19 at the detention center.  Hearing misinformation...
Read More »

La Plata Police Department Name Officer Logan Warren as Officer of the Quarter

La Plata Police Department Name Officer Logan Warren as Officer of the Quarter

La Plata police officers are in our community day and night committed to protecting and serving the citizens of La Plata and Charles County. They do remarkable work each day. We’d like to introduce you to the La Plata Police Department’s Officer of the Quarter – Officer Logan Warren. On October 3, 2021, Officer...
Read More »

Charles County Woman Wins $16,000 Keno Prize at Bryans Road Gas Station

Charles County Woman Wins $16,000 Keno Prize at Bryans Road Gas Station

An Indian Head resident who dabbles in Maryland Lottery games and church picnic raffles recently collected a $16,000 Keno prize, which is the biggest score of her life. “I’m just so happy! I thank God!” said Edna Johnson of Charles County. On Jan. 18, when the 72-year-old was at Bryans Road US Fuel, she...
Read More »

UPDATE: Police Investigating Motor Vehicle Collision on Smallwood Drive That Killed 42-Year-Old Waldorf Man

UPDATE: Police Investigating Motor Vehicle Collision on Smallwood Drive That Killed 42-Year-Old Waldorf Man

UPDATE 1/24/2022: On January 22, 2022 at approximately 10:42 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single-car crash on Smallwood Drive at the intersection of St. Charles Parkway. A preliminary investigation revealed a Kia Cadenza, operated by Omar Kenyatta Hawkins, 42, of Waldorf, was being driven at a high rate...
Read More »

Police Recover Loaded Handgun After Traffic Stop in Waldorf

Police Recover Loaded Handgun After Traffic Stop in Waldorf

On January 22, 2022, at 1:50 a.m., a patrol officer from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop in the area of St Charles Parkway and St Marks Drive on a vehicle displaying suspended registration plates. During the stop, officers smelled marijuana and found drug paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana....
Read More »

Governor Hogan Releases Statement, Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Baltimore Firefighters Line of Duty Deaths

Governor Hogan Releases Statement, Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Baltimore Firefighters Line of Duty Deaths

The Officers & Members of L-734 & Baltimore Fire Officers IAFF Local 964 regretfully announce the line of duty deaths of: Lt Paul Butrim FFPM Kelsey Sadler FFPM Kenneth Lacayo Please keep their families in your prayers as well as our member FF/EMT John McMaster who remains in the hospital in serious condition. Maryland...
Read More »

UPDATE: Maryland State Police Identify Three Victims Killed in Motor Vehicle Collision in La Plata

UPDATE: Maryland State Police Identify Three Victims Killed in Motor Vehicle Collision in La Plata

UPDATE 1/24/2022 @ 9:00 a.m. : Maryland State Police are continuing an investigation into a traffic crash last night in Charles County that killed three people. The first deceased is identified as Patrick Bowie, Jr., 44, of La Plata Md.  He was the driver and only occupant of a silver 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. Emergency...
Read More »

Charles County Public Schools, CSM Partner to Launch Tuition-Free Early College Program for High School Students

Charles County Public Schools, CSM Partner to Launch Tuition-Free Early College Program for High School Students

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) have partnered to offer high school students a tuition-free early start to higher education by piloting a new Early College Program. To launch the joint program, CCPS will offer 150 total spaces to rising high school juniors from Henry E. Lackey, St....
Read More »

Governor Announces Extension Of Open Enrollment Through Maryland Health Connection After A Record Season

Governor Announces Extension Of Open Enrollment Through Maryland Health Connection After A Record Season

Governor Larry Hogan announced that open enrollment will continue on Maryland Health Connection through February in light of the ongoing public health emergency. A record number of Marylanders—181,603—have enrolled in coverage for 2022 through the state’s health insurance marketplace. A surge of new enrollees fueled the 9% increase over a year ago. “As we battle this...
Read More »