Prince George’s News

MDA Announces Cover Crop Sign-up Period to Open Wednesday, June 21, 2023

MDA Announces Cover Crop Sign-up Period to Open Wednesday, June 21, 2023

The annual sign-up period for the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Cover Crop Program will take place from June 21 through July 17 at soil conservation district offices statewide. This popular grant program provides farmers with cost-share assistance to offset seed, labor, and equipment costs to plant fall cover crops to protect local water quality,...
Read More »

Police Investigating Fatal Hit and Run Collision Involving Pedestrian in Wheelchair

Police Investigating Fatal Hit and Run Collision Involving Pedestrian in Wheelchair

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run that occurred Saturday morning. Investigators are working to notify the victim’s family before his identity is released. On June 17, 2023, at approximately 3:20 am, officers responded to the area of University Boulevard and Riggs Road in the unincorporated section of Hyattsville...
Read More »

Maryland Has Three New Millionaires, One Ticket Remains Unclaimed

Maryland Has Three New Millionaires, One Ticket Remains Unclaimed

The Maryland Lottery generated three new millionaires last week, and one of them still hasn’t claimed their prize yet. Two of the big wins were on scratch-off tickets sold in Parkville and Severn that were claimed last week at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. But the third ticket, sold near Bel Air in Fountain Green,...
Read More »

Deputy State Fire Marshal Helys Valles Recipient Of Investigator of The Year Award

Deputy State Fire Marshal Helys Valles Recipient Of Investigator of The Year Award

Deputy State Fire Marshal Helys Valles is the recipient of the 2022 “James C. Robertson, Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year” award. “Deputy Valles exemplifies the overall desire and commitment our investigators embrace to ensure the safety of Maryland’s citizens,” stated State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci. The award was presented to her...
Read More »

Two Teens Arrested for Fatally Shooting 18-Year-Old During Carjacking at Elementary School Parking Lot

Two Teens Arrested for Fatally Shooting 18-Year-Old During Carjacking at Elementary School Parking Lot

Homicide Unit detectives identified and charged two suspects for a fatal shooting that occurred in May in Forestville. The suspects are 18-year-old Lavelle Harris of Washington, DC, and a 17-year-old male from District Heights. They are charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Kendall Batson of District Heights. On May 11, 2023,...
Read More »

Maryland DNR – Native Plant Profile: The Latest for Lawn Lovers

Maryland DNR – Native Plant Profile: The Latest for Lawn Lovers

Perhaps one of the most common criticisms of the movement to fill our properties with native trees and gardens is that people miss lawns! There is something pleasing about the vista of a green lawn, or the smell of mowed grass in the summertime… Still, the benefits of replacing your lawn with more beneficial plantings cannot be denied....
Read More »

Washington D.C. Man Arrested for Sexual Assault While Impersonating ICE Agent

Washington D.C. Man Arrested for Sexual Assault While Impersonating ICE Agent

Prince George’s County Police Department Sexual Assault Unit detectives identified and charged a man for impersonating a federal law enforcement agent and sexually assaulting a woman in Oxon Hill. The suspect is 26-year-old Victor Antonio Reed of Washington, DC. On June 13, 2023, at approximately 8:15 p.m., detectives were notified of a sexual assault...
Read More »

20-Year-Old Arrested for Impersonating Firefighter, Stealing Members Gear and Burglarizing Firehouse in Charles County

20-Year-Old Arrested for Impersonating Firefighter, Stealing Members Gear and Burglarizing Firehouse in Charles County

On May 12, 2023, police responded to Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department located at 3245 Old Washington Road in Waldorf, for the reported theft. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with witness Chief S. Duffer, and Sgt. Smith from the Prince George’s County Police Department. Chief Duffer stated that the suspect, Loxavier Maurice Jones, age 20...
Read More »

District Physician’s Assistant Arraigned on Two Counts of Second Degree Sexual Abuse of a Patient or Client

District Physician’s Assistant Arraigned on Two Counts of Second Degree Sexual Abuse of a Patient or Client

Haileleoul Erbello (Desta), 47, of Laurel, Maryland, was arraigned on six counts of second degree sexual abuse of a patient or client arising from events that occurred in August of 2019 and April of 2021, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Interim Chief Ashan Benedict of the Metropolitan Police Department. On May 17, 2023,...
Read More »

VIDEO RELEASED: Two Firefighters Injured After Tractor Trailer Strikes Multiple Emergency Vehicles in Prince George’s County

VIDEO RELEASED: Two Firefighters Injured After Tractor Trailer Strikes Multiple Emergency Vehicles in Prince George’s County

UPDATE 7/17/2023: Dash cam video from the June 15, 2023, Capital Beltway incident where PGFD Paramedic Ambulance 821, and multiple other vehicles, were struck by a tractor trailer that plowed through an accident scene. Thankfully, the two PGFD firefighters only suffered minor injuries and were treated and released from the hospital. The end result...
Read More »

PGPD Gang Unit Investigation Leads to Large Seizure of Firearms and Illegal Drugs

PGPD Gang Unit Investigation Leads to Large Seizure of Firearms and Illegal Drugs

The Strategic Investigations Division-Gang Unit recently launched an extensive, months-long investigation into the trafficking of firearms and narcotics. This involved suspected “GMF Crew” members. During its investigation, the Gang Unit identified a home from where the criminal enterprise operated. After developing probable cause, the Gang Unit executed a court ordered search and seizure warrant...
Read More »

Brother and Sister Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy Involving Fentanyl Sales and Death of 20-Year-Old Woman

Brother and Sister Sentenced for Drug Conspiracy Involving Fentanyl Sales and Death of 20-Year-Old Woman

Larry Jerome Eastman, 23, of Temple Hills, Maryland, and his sister, Justice Michelle Eastman, 26, of Washington, D.C., were sentenced for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The pair pleaded guilty February 8, 2023, in U.S. District Court. Larry Eastman was sentenced to 140 months in prison and 36 months...
Read More »

Two Displaced After House Fire in Waldorf, Fire Deemed Accidental Due to Overloaded Power Strip

Two Displaced After House Fire in Waldorf, Fire Deemed Accidental Due to Overloaded Power Strip

UPDATE: Owner/Occupants identified as William & Carol McCowan, with the estimated loss of structure and contents valued at $150,000.00 Investigating determined the fire was accidental, and caused by an overloaded power strip which started on the covered rear porch. The fire was discovered by an occupant and all escaped with no injuries. Firefighters arrived...
Read More »

Upper Marlboro Middle School Teacher Charged With Solicitation of a Minor

Upper Marlboro Middle School Teacher Charged With Solicitation of a Minor

A teacher at James Madison Middle School in Upper Marlboro is charged with solicitation of a minor. The suspect is 33-year-old Jose Zuniga Orellana of Accokeek. He’s charged with soliciting inappropriate photos from a female student at the school. On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, the victim advised detectives the suspect recently made inappropriate comments...
Read More »

Undercover Officer Shoots at Armed Carjacking Suspect, Police Recover Loaded Firearm and Two Stolen Kia’s

Undercover Officer Shoots at Armed Carjacking Suspect, Police Recover Loaded Firearm and Two Stolen Kia’s

The Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating a non-contact officer-involved shooting overnight in Temple Hills. No one was struck during the incident. Two suspects are in custody. A loaded handgun was recovered. The suspects are 24-year-old Charles Edward Owens of Washington, DC, and a 16-year-old male from Washington, DC. The juvenile is charged...
Read More »

Father Arrested for Stabbing and Killing His Son in Suitland

Father Arrested for Stabbing and Killing His Son in Suitland

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit charged a man with the murder of his son. The suspect is 44-year-old Marcus Braxton, Sr, of Washington, DC. He’s charged with the fatal stabbing of 22-year-old Melodias Scindian of Suitland. On June 10, 2023, at approximately 8:30 am, officers responded to a home in the...
Read More »

NOISE ADVISORY: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Conducting Range Testing June 12th to 16th

NOISE ADVISORY: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Conducting Range Testing June 12th to 16th

Noise Advisory: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division will conduct daily range testing June 12-16 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Testing has potential to produce VERY LOUD NOISE in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren. Access to the Potomac River Middle Danger Zone (MDZ), as described in 33 CFR 334.230, will be restricted during testing....
Read More »

Owner of Funeral Service Company Arrested After Shooting Two People During Funeral of 10-Year-Old

Owner of Funeral Service Company Arrested After Shooting Two People During Funeral of 10-Year-Old

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit charged the man who shot two people at a Suitland cemetery, killing one of the victims. The suspect is 48-year-old Wilson Chavis of Hughesville, MD. He’s charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 30-year-old Ronald Steven Banks of Washington, DC. Banks was a pallbearer at...
Read More »

Maryland Department of The Environment Issues a Code RED Air Quality Alert for Maryland Counties

Maryland Department of The Environment Issues a Code RED Air Quality Alert for Maryland Counties

The Maryland Dept. Of The Environment has issued a Code RED Air Quality Alert today for the Baltimore, Eastern Shore, Annapolis, and Southern Maryland regions. Air pollution is unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, seniors, and people suffering from respiratory or heart conditions An Air Quality Alert has been issued for our area....
Read More »

UPDATE: State Fire Marshal and Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Double Fatal Fire in Huntingtown

UPDATE: State Fire Marshal and Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Double Fatal Fire in Huntingtown

UPDATE 6/7/2023: A team of investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office continue investigating the origin and cause of a house fire that claimed two lives in Huntingtown overnight. Just after 3:00 a.m., Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding fire departments responded to the 1600 block...
Read More »

Longtime Bomb Tech and Hero Dog Handler Nominated For Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year

Longtime Bomb Tech and Hero Dog Handler Nominated For Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year

Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Michael Redding has been selected as the Bomb Squad nominee for Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year. He will join other investigators chosen throughout the state for the 2022 James C. Robertson Deputy State Fire Marshal of the Year Award during the Maryland State Fireman’s Convention in Ocean...
Read More »

Maryland Casinos Generate $169.4 Million in Gaming Revenue During May 2023

Maryland Casinos Generate $169.4 Million in Gaming Revenue During May 2023

Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $169,401,366 in revenue from slot machines and table games during May 2023, a decrease of $9,366,462 (-5.2%) compared to May 2022. Casino gaming contributions to the state in May 2023 totaled $70,831,586, a decrease of $2,614,929 (-3.6%) compared to May 2022. Contributions to the Education Trust Fund (ETF)...
Read More »

Maryland Department of Commerce Announces Applications Open for Cannabis Business Assistance Fund

Maryland Department of Commerce Announces Applications Open for Cannabis Business Assistance Fund

The Maryland Department of Commerce today announced that applications are now open for the first round of funding available through the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund. The fund, which will offer both grants and loans, will help increase small business and entrepreneur capacity to participate in Maryland’s adult-use cannabis industry. “The Cannabis Business Assistance Fund...
Read More »

3 Transported to Hospital and 1 Transported to Trauma Center After Deck Collapses During Graduation Party in Waldorf

3 Transported to Hospital and 1 Transported to Trauma Center After Deck Collapses During Graduation Party in Waldorf

On Sunday, June 4, 2023, at approximately 4:23 p.m., fire and rescue personnel responded to the 12000 block of Wendy Lane in Waldorf, for the reported building collapse with entrapment. The 911 caller reported the deck collapsed during a graduation party with six victims possibly trapped with the victims ranging from children to elderly....
Read More »

U.S. Marshals Led Operation Washout in Maryland to Target Violent Criminals

U.S. Marshals Led Operation Washout in Maryland to Target Violent Criminals

The U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, District of Maryland, and task force partners conducted a large-scale, multi-agency law enforcement operation focused on apprehending violent fugitives and wanted gang members throughout the month of May, arresting dozens of violent offenders throughout Maryland. Operation Washout – Maryland resulted in a total of...
Read More »