St. Mary’s News

No Injuries Reported After Lithium Ion Battery Explodes, Causing Garage Fire in California

No Injuries Reported After Lithium Ion Battery Explodes, Causing Garage Fire in California

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., firefighters from Bay District Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the 45000 block of Patuxent Lane in California, for the reported explosion investigation. 911 callers reported something exploded in their garage, with no smoke or fire, and no injuries reported. Three minutes later, the incident...
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Governor Moore Unveils Maryland’s New Highway Safety Campaign, “Slow The Fast Down”

Governor Moore Unveils Maryland’s New Highway Safety Campaign, “Slow The Fast Down”

Governor Moore announced the launch of “Slow the Fast Down,” a new safe driving campaign to reduce the number of fatalities associated with speeding. “The safety of Marylanders is my number one priority,” said Gov. Moore. “The ‘Slow the Fast Down’ campaign is a refusal to accept the status quo on our roadways, inspiring more drivers...
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Community Raises Ten Full Scholarships for Leadership Southern Maryland’s 2026 Teen Leadership Academy Presented by Stella’s Girls

Community Raises Ten Full Scholarships for Leadership Southern Maryland’s 2026 Teen Leadership Academy Presented by Stella’s Girls

Thanks to the generosity of Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) alumni and community partners, ten students will have the opportunity to attend LSM’s 2026 Teen Leadership Academy presented by Stella’s Girls, Inc. on full-tuition scholarships. The Teen Leadership Academy, taking place July 27–31, 2026, at the College of Southern Maryland Hughesville Regional Campus, is a...
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August 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

August 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

August at the Calvert Marine Museum offers a vibrant mix of music, cruises, family programs, and seasonal experiences for visitors of all ages. From the high‑energy Brothers Osborne performance on August 22 to hands‑on activities, lighthouse tours, fossil programs, and special early‑morning family events, the month is packed with opportunities to explore Southern Maryland’s...
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Natural Resources Police Respond To Maritime Emergencies, Conducts Hundreds Of Vessel Stops Independence Day Weekend

Natural Resources Police Respond To Maritime Emergencies, Conducts Hundreds Of Vessel Stops Independence Day Weekend

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) investigated 11 reportable boating accidents, conducted hundreds of vessel stops, and made five alcohol related arrests during its annual Operation Dry Water “saturation patrol” campaign from July 3 to July 5. Statistically this time is the busiest and most dangerous boating holiday. No boating fatalities were recorded in Maryland on...
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Sports Wagering Contributes $7.6 Million to the State During June 2026

Sports Wagering Contributes $7.6 Million to the State During June 2026

Maryland’s sports wagering market generated $7,623,083 in contributions to the state during June 2026, bringing an end to a fiscal year that saw sports wagering return a total of $132,318,369 to the state. The $132.3 million in state contributions for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 2025 through June 2026) was a 48.8% increase from the...
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Maryland Casinos Generate $156.8 Million in Gaming Revenue During June 2026

Maryland Casinos Generate $156.8 Million in Gaming Revenue During June 2026

Maryland’s six casinos combined to generate $156,848,176 in revenue from slot machines and table games during June 2026. The statewide total was a decrease of $3,820,369, or 2.4%, compared to June 2025. Casino gaming contributions to the state during June 2026 totaled $67,902,499, a decrease of 0.9% compared to June 2025. The June 2026...
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UPDATE: Speed and Alcohol Factors in Serious Head-on Collision in Valley Lee

UPDATE: Speed and Alcohol Factors in Serious Head-on Collision in Valley Lee

UPDATE 7/11/2026: On Friday, July 10, 2026, at approximately 3:55 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to a serious motor vehicle collision in the area of Piney Point Road and Drayden Road. Crews arrived to find two vehicles involved in a head-on collision, with two individuals trapped and one unconscious. The...
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14 People Killed in Maryland Traffic Crashes, Including Eight in July 2026 So Far

14 People Killed in Maryland Traffic Crashes, Including Eight in July 2026 So Far

Following a deadly Fourth of July holiday weekend, the Maryland Department of Transportation and Maryland State Police are urging motorists to drive safely throughout the remainder of the busy summer travel season by following these important safety reminders: Obey posted speed limits and slow down, especially in work zones. Move over for any vehicle...
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Mechanicsville Moose Lodge Members Detain Man with Criminal History After Trespassing and Purse Theft

Mechanicsville Moose Lodge Members Detain Man with Criminal History After Trespassing and Purse Theft

Louis Eugene Messineo, 31, of Mechanicsville, is facing nine charges after police said he stole a purse from the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge, disrupted a poker event and was later found with suspected controlled substances. He is charged with four counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia,...
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Lexington Park Man Arrested After Traffic Stop Leads to Cocaine and Oxycodone Seizure in Solomons

Lexington Park Man Arrested After Traffic Stop Leads to Cocaine and Oxycodone Seizure in Solomons

Deontre Dwayne Bradshaw, 39, of Lexington Park, is facing two counts of possessing a controlled dangerous substance that was not cannabis and one count of possession with intent to distribute after a traffic stop in Solomons on July 2, 2026. According to Maryland State Police, a trooper was conducting speed enforcement on Creston Lane...
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UPDATE – DETAILS ADDED: Lexington Park Man Arrested After Attempted Murder at Solomons Fireworks Stabbing

UPDATE – DETAILS ADDED: Lexington Park Man Arrested After Attempted Murder at Solomons Fireworks Stabbing

UPDATE 7/9/2026: Devin Allen Miles, 23, of Lexington Park, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and second-degree assault after investigators say a juvenile was stabbed during a large fight near the Solomons Island Gazebo during a fireworks event on July 5, 2026. Deputies with the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office were called...
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‘GATHER’ Launches As New Community-Based Healthy Aging Initiative

‘GATHER’ Launches As New Community-Based Healthy Aging Initiative

Partners In Care Maryland, Inc., in collaboration with Chesapeake Life Center, proudly announces the launch of “GATHER: Learn. Connect. Thrive.,” a yearlong healthy aging and social learning initiative. “GATHER” is designed to strengthen social connection, lifelong learning, emotional wellbeing and aging in place through accessible, community-based programming for older adults and caregivers across Maryland. At its core,...
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Sharkfest Returns to the Calvert Marine Museum with Live Sharks, Hands-On Activities, and Family Fun

Sharkfest Returns to the Calvert Marine Museum with Live Sharks, Hands-On Activities, and Family Fun

Dive into a day of shark-filled adventure at the Calvert Marine Museum’s annual Sharkfest on Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This family-friendly event celebrates one of the ocean’s most fascinating predators with live sharks, interactive learning, hands-on activities, and prehistoric discoveries. New this year, live sharks will be featured indoors in the museum’s Harms...
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Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Vehicle Fire in Lexington Park, No Injuries Reported

Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Vehicle Fire in Lexington Park, No Injuries Reported

On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at approximately 7:12 p.m., firefighters from Bay District Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the Tulagi Bus Stop located at 21800 Tulagi Place in Lexington Park, for the reported vehicle fire. Crews arrived on the scene within minutes to find smoke showing from a parked sedan with the occupant...
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Two Vehicles Destroyed by Fire in Mechanicsville After Jumper Cable Mishap

Two Vehicles Destroyed by Fire in Mechanicsville After Jumper Cable Mishap

On Wednesday, June 8, 2026, at approximately 9:15 a.m., firefighters from the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department responded to the 29600 block of Jennifer Drive in Mechanicsville, for the reported the reported vehicle fire. The 911 caller reported a neighbor was attempt to jump start a vehicle with jumper cables when a fire started. Crews...
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Community Fundraiser Planned at Mechanicsville VFD for Family After Tragic House Fire; Vendors Sought

Community Fundraiser Planned at Mechanicsville VFD for Family After Tragic House Fire; Vendors Sought

UPDATE 7/10/2026: A variety of local vendors will be on hand during the community fundraiser on Saturday, July 11, offering food, drinks, baked goods, boutique items, jewelry, and other specialty products. Participating vendors include Mouth of the Bay, Morning Star Bakery, Cookie Cakes by Sam, Retro Ranch Studio, Waddle and Company Boutique, The Pretty...
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Attorney General Brown Announces $45 Million Multistate Settlement with Block Inc. Over Deceptive Practices on Cash App

Attorney General Brown Announces $45 Million Multistate Settlement with Block Inc. Over Deceptive Practices on Cash App

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today announced a $45 million multistate settlement with Block, Inc., the company behind the popular peer-to-peer payment app Cash App. The settlement resolves allegations that Block misled consumers about the security of Cash App, failed to protect users from fraud on the platform, and didn’t provide the fraud protection and resolution...
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Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces Small Business Lending Program, Competitive Round for Low-Cost Loans

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces Small Business Lending Program, Competitive Round for Low-Cost Loans

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day announced the establishment of the Small Business Lending Program – offering four loan products to provide small business and community real estate development projects with the financial tools needed to succeed. Additionally, the Secretary announced that the first competitive application round for $14 million...
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Health Department Encourages Residents to Take Summer Health Precautions

Health Department Encourages Residents to Take Summer Health Precautions

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) encourages residents to take precautions against health concerns that become more common during the summer months, including tick-borne illness, Vibrio infection, and heat-related illness. Many residents and visitors spend more time outdoors during the summer for work, recreation, crabbing, hiking, sports, gardening, boating, and other activities. Simple...
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Police Say Goodbye Hug Led to Obstruction, Resisting Arrest Charges for Prince Frederick Woman

Police Say Goodbye Hug Led to Obstruction, Resisting Arrest Charges for Prince Frederick Woman

Alyssa Renee Coontz, 28, of Prince Frederick, has been charged with obstructing and hindering and resisting or interfering with arrest after Calvert County Sheriff’s Office deputies said she interfered while deputies were taking Terrell Devantee Atkins, 28, of California, into custody on June 30, 2026, in Prince Frederick. According to the allegations, a deputy...
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Hollywood Man Arrested After Drunk Driving Crash Leads to Stolen Gun Charges in Calvert County

Hollywood Man Arrested After Drunk Driving Crash Leads to Stolen Gun Charges in Calvert County

Tyrone Marcello Hurt, 50, of Hollywood, is facing multiple firearm, ammunition, alcohol-related driving, and traffic charges after deputies said a July 4, 2026 crash in Prince Frederick led to the discovery of two loaded handguns, ammunition, and evidence of impaired driving. Hurt was ordered held without bond following an initial appearance on July 6,...
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Four Time Convicted Drug Dealer Arrested Again in St. Mary’s County for Drug Distribution Charge

Four Time Convicted Drug Dealer Arrested Again in St. Mary’s County for Drug Distribution Charge

Colin Dion Cutchember, 48, of Lexington Park, has been charged with distribution of a narcotic controlled dangerous substance and possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis after St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputies said they found suspected crack cocaine during a July 3, 2026, search warrant operation in Leonardtown. According to police...
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3-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Center After Near Drowning in Mechanicsville

3-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Center After Near Drowning in Mechanicsville

On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at approximately 4:38 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Wicomico Shores Public Landing located on Army Navy Drive in Mechanicsville, for the reported drowning. 911 callers reported a 3-year-old male was found face down in the water, with the child being awake and breathing at...
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Watercolor Blooms Painting Party Coming to Antoinette’s Garden in Leonardtown This August, 2026

Watercolor Blooms Painting Party Coming to Antoinette’s Garden in Leonardtown This August, 2026

Community members are invited to enjoy an evening of creativity, connection, and floral inspiration at the Watercolor Blooms Painting Party, taking place at Antoinette’s Garden Wine Bar in Leonardtown on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This beginner-friendly watercolor class is designed for all skill levels, including guests who have...
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