Charles News

Charles County School Resource Officers Investigating False Report of Shooting

Charles County School Resource Officers Investigating False Report of Shooting

On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 11:47 a.m., a call was placed to 9-1-1 stating there was “a shooting at a school,” but the name of the school was not provided by the caller. School Resource Officers and patrol officers were immediately contacted and were able to quickly determine that a shooting had not...
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Newburg and Bel Alton Volunteer Fire/EMS Departments Receive Vehicle Donation from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office

Newburg and Bel Alton Volunteer Fire/EMS Departments Receive Vehicle Donation from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office

The Newburg Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department (Station 14) and Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department and EMS (Station 10) received a donation of two surplus vehicles from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Fleet Services Section. “I wanted to show my unwavering support for the Charles County Department of Emergency Services. The operational expenses...
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College of Southern Maryland Welcomes New Faculty

College of Southern Maryland Welcomes New Faculty

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) welcomed several new faculty members last fall, all of whom have already made their mark on students and the campuses. Beth Caruso is a new assistant professor of English at CSM’s La Plata Campus. Caruso earned her bachelor’s in English Language and Literature from the University of Georgia, and she...
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Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry Establishes Youth Advisory Council

Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry Establishes Youth Advisory Council

Charles County Sheriff Troy D. Berry, in partnership with Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Maria Navarro, recently met with members of a newly formed Youth Advisory Council established as part of Sheriff Berry’s initiatives to continue to build relationships with communities while enhancing trust among its members. “I felt it was critical to...
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CSM Enters Partnership with Arizona State University to Make Transfer Process Easier

CSM Enters Partnership with Arizona State University to Make Transfer Process Easier

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) students who choose to head to Arizona State University (ASU) to complete their degree can now look forward to an easier transfer process thanks to a new alliance that gives them access to ASU’s MyPath2ASU program. MyPath2ASU™ is a set of customized tools that help ensure a seamless transfer experience...
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Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office Continues Fight Against Human Trafficking, January Recognized as Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office Continues Fight Against Human Trafficking, January Recognized as Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.  As a founding member of the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force, the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office pledges to continue to combat human trafficking by working with our partners to investigate and prosecute traffickers and rescue victims. The Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force (MHTTF) was formed in 2007 by...
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Charles County Public Schools Launches New Design of Main Website/School Sites

Charles County Public Schools Launches New Design of Main Website/School Sites

The new www.ccboe.com website launched on Tuesday, Jan. 18. School sites, which features a new design to deliver a cohesive look. The launch may result in the site being inaccessible for at least an hour on Tuesday. Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) last updated its website design in 2017. The new look was developed...
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Maryland Judiciary Extends Phase III Operations Through March 6, 2022

Maryland Judiciary Extends Phase III Operations Through March 6, 2022

The Maryland Judiciary announced that, due to the continued surge of positive COVID-19 cases and high rate of community transmission, Phase III operations will continue through March 6, 2022, pending further order. Clerks’ offices in both the District Court of Maryland and circuit courts throughout the state will remain open to the public. The Court...
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Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Announce Coaching Staff from 2021 Season Returning for 2022 Season

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Announce Coaching Staff from 2021 Season Returning for 2022 Season

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs announced on Thursday afternoon that all four coaches from the 2021 coaching staff will be returning for the 2022 season. Blue Crabs General Manager Courtney Knichel will bring back Manager Stan Cliburn to accompany the team’s Pitching Coach, Daryl Thompson, Bench Coach, Joe Walsh, and Hitting Coach, Ray Ortega....
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Governor Hogan Announces Historic Investments in Public Health and Human Services, Record Funding For Local Health Departments

Governor Hogan Announces Historic Investments in Public Health and Human Services, Record Funding For Local Health Departments

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that his Fiscal Year 2023 budget will include historic investments in public health, including record funding for the state’s local health departments. The budget will also expand support for 50,000 low-income children and 27,000 seniors in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), while providing additional resources for food banks...
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BusPatrol School Bus Safety Program Goes Into Full Effect January 18, 2022 / Citations to be Issued for Violations Caught on Camera

BusPatrol School Bus Safety Program Goes Into Full Effect January 18, 2022 / Citations to be Issued for Violations Caught on Camera

Beginning on January 18, the BusPatrol school bus safety program in Charles County will go into full effect–meaning motorists who violate bus-stopping laws, as captured on buses outfitted with cameras, will receive an actual citation in the mail rather than a letter of warning. The Charles County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and Charles County Public...
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Charles County Scholarship Fund Offering More Than 60 Scholarships to High School Seniors

Charles County Scholarship Fund Offering More Than 60 Scholarships to High School Seniors

The Charles County Scholarship Fund is offering more than 60 scholarships to Charles County high school seniors. Interested students can visit the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) website, ccboe.com, to view available scholarships, eligibility criteria and additional requirements. All applications must be completed and submitted online by Tuesday, March 1. Students need only to...
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Justice Department Awards Nearly $87 Million to Combat Human Trafficking and Help Victims

Justice Department Awards Nearly $87 Million to Combat Human Trafficking and Help Victims

The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) announced almost $87 million in funding to combat human trafficking, provide supportive services to trafficking victims throughout the United States and conduct research into the nature and causes of labor and sex trafficking. “Human trafficking is a global problem that reaches into many of our nation’s...
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La Plata Man Charged After Setting His Truck On Fire

La Plata Man Charged After Setting His Truck On Fire

A La Plata man is facing arson charges after Deputy State Fire Marshals concluded he was responsible for setting his truck on fire on the morning of Saturday, January 15, 2022. On January 15, 2022, shortly after 10 a.m., investigators assigned to the Maryland State Fire Marshal Southern Regional Office were requested to assist...
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Police Arrest Mechanicsville Man for Burglary and Recover Stolen Mini-Bike

Police Arrest Mechanicsville Man for Burglary and Recover Stolen Mini-Bike

On January 13, 2022, at 2:15 a.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop in the 3700 block of Crain Highway for speeding. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers noticed a new mini-bike in the back. Through further investigation, officers were able to confirm the mini-bike had just been stolen from...
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C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Waldorf Honored As National ESEA Distinguished School

C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Waldorf Honored As National ESEA Distinguished School

C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School — known to some as “the hidden gem on Lancaster Circle” — is a community school where staff and parents work together to ensure students get the most out of their education. “We make the building a really positive environment and a place full of support for all students,”...
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Three Injured After Waldorf Paramedic Ambulance is Involved in Motor Vehicle Collision with Entrapment

Three Injured After Waldorf Paramedic Ambulance is Involved in Motor Vehicle Collision with Entrapment

On Thursday, January 13, 2022, just before 8:30 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Crain Highway and Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving Waldorf Ambulance 38. Crews arrived on the scene to find the ambulance and one other vehicle involved and reported one EMT...
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UPDATE: Prince George’s County Correctional Officer who Drove Through Taco Bell Sentenced for First-Degree Assault

UPDATE: Prince George’s County Correctional Officer who Drove Through Taco Bell Sentenced for First-Degree Assault

UPDATE 1/13/22: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, January 12, 2022, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier sentenced Tanesha Renea Williams, 26, of Waldorf, to 40 years, 283 days, with all but 4 years and 100 days suspended. Williams will serve her time in jail for 18...
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Charles County Public Schools Updates Current School Year Calendar, Period End Date for Students

Charles County Public Schools Updates Current School Year Calendar, Period End Date for Students

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) has made updates to the current school year calendar, including a marking period date change and the addition of early dismissal days to support staff. The end of the second marking period for students moves from Wednesday, Jan. 19, to Wednesday, Jan. 26. Students missed four days of school...
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Governor Hogan Announces $4.6 Billion Tax Relief Package for Hardworking Maryland Families, Small Businesses, and Retirees

Governor Hogan Announces $4.6 Billion Tax Relief Package for Hardworking Maryland Families, Small Businesses, and Retirees

Governor Larry Hogan announced the largest tax relief package in state history to deliver more than $4.6 billion in much-needed relief for hardworking Maryland families, small businesses, and retirees. “Next to our health recovery from the worst pandemic in more than a century, nothing is more important than our continued economic recovery,” said Governor...
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Charles County Board of Education Honors Students for Academic Achievement, Personal Responsibility, and Career Readiness

Charles County Board of Education Honors Students for Academic Achievement, Personal Responsibility, and Career Readiness

The Board of Education at its Jan. 11 meeting honored four Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students. School principals annually select one student and staff member for Board recognition. Students are honored for accomplishments in the areas of academic achievement, career readiness and personal responsibility. Honored at the meeting were Kevin Mejia-Trochez of J.P....
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Maryland 9-1-1 Board Warns that 3G Network Mobile Phones May Cease Operating in 2022

Maryland 9-1-1 Board Warns that 3G Network Mobile Phones May Cease Operating in 2022

The Maryland 9-1-1 Board is issuing a warning to consumers that older phones may cease operating in early 2022 due to the retirement of 3G networks and support for phones using 3G service. This may include other devices that use 3G connectivity, such as some medical alert devices, tablets, smart watches, and home security...
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Patrol Officers Recover Loaded Gun and Drugs:

Patrol Officers Recover Loaded Gun and Drugs:

On January 8, 2022, at approximately 5:38 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop in the area of Washington Avenue near Cecil Street in La Plata. Upon approaching the driver, officers detected the smell of marijuana, and further investigation showed the driver was in possession of marijuana and suspected...
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Governor Hogan Announces Expanded, $500 Million Re-Fund The Police Initiative, Reintroduction of Major Crime Legislation

Governor Hogan Announces Expanded, $500 Million Re-Fund The Police Initiative, Reintroduction of Major Crime Legislation

Governor Larry Hogan today announced the expansion of his Re-Fund The Police Initiative to a three-year, $500 million investment in increased support for law enforcement, and for increased crime control and victim protection services across the state. The governor also announced that he will reintroduce legislation to address violent crime during the upcoming session...
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Maryland’s Winter Turkey Season Opens January 20

Maryland’s Winter Turkey Season Opens January 20

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces the opening of the winter turkey season, which runs statewide from Jan. 20-22 for hunters who did not harvest a turkey during the 2021 fall season. Hunting hours are from one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset. The bag limit is one turkey of either sex.  “Wild...
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