St. Mary’s News

Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Drive-Thru Car Wash and Sweet Treats to Support Our Firefighters!

Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Drive-Thru Car Wash and Sweet Treats to Support Our Firefighters!

A drive-thru car wash fundraiser will be held on Sunday, March 8, beginning at 12 p.m., to 2:00 p.m., at 28165 Hills Club Road in Mechanicsville. The event is donation-only, with no set price, allowing visitors to give what they can while supporting local volunteers. Each vehicle will receive a full hand wash, with...
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No Injuries and Minimal Damage After Early Morning Kitchen Fire at Rucci’s in Leonardtown

No Injuries and Minimal Damage After Early Morning Kitchen Fire at Rucci’s in Leonardtown

On Saturday, March 7, 2026, at approximately 1:43 a.m., police responded to the Rucci’s located at 22685 Washington Street in Leonardtown, for the automated motion detection alarm. Deputies arrived on the scene at 2:09 a.m., to find nothing evident and waited for a keyholder to arrive on the scene to access the interior of...
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Lexington Park Man Charged After Allegedly Exposing Himself to Cleaning Crew in His Home

Lexington Park Man Charged After Allegedly Exposing Himself to Cleaning Crew in His Home

Matthew John Julian, 49, of Lexington Park, is facing three charges of indecent exposure after investigators say he exposed himself and masturbated in front of three women hired to clean his home in February 2026, according to court documents. The charges stem from an incident reported on February 16, 2026, at his home in...
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One Flown to Trauma Center After Rollover Collision in Chaptico

One Flown to Trauma Center After Rollover Collision in Chaptico

On Thursday, March 5, 2026, at approximately 3:03 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Manor Road and Knotts Farm Lane in Chaptico, for the serious motor vehicle collision. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle overturned with citizens having removed the single trapped occupant. EMS...
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Maryland Health Officials Provide Update on Recreational Water Advisories for Counties Impacted by Potomac Interceptor Spill

Maryland Health Officials Provide Update on Recreational Water Advisories for Counties Impacted by Potomac Interceptor Spill

RELEASE: Effective immediately, Charles and Prince George’s counties will lift the recreational water advisories in effect from late January. Montgomery County’s advisory will remain in effect until further notice. There continues to be no recreational water advisory necessary for the Potomac River in St. Mary’s County. Working in close coordination with local health officials,...
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Colonoscopy Confusion May Be Driving Missed Cancer Screenings, Says New Survey From MedStar Health

Colonoscopy Confusion May Be Driving Missed Cancer Screenings, Says New Survey From MedStar Health

More than 75% of Americans are unsure when or how often to get a colonoscopy. That’s according to new survey results just released by MedStar Health. One thousand U.S. adults participated in the national survey, which revealed colorectal cancer misconceptions: More than 36% of those eligible say they’ve skipped colorectal screening. Doctors recommend starting...
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Southern Maryland Counties Celebrate the Power of Engineering with CSM during National Engineers Week

Southern Maryland Counties Celebrate the Power of Engineering with CSM during National Engineers Week

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) engineering students joined local leaders as Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties recognized National Engineers Week to raise awareness for an industry working behind the scenes to build a better world. National Engineers Week, or EWeek, is observed Feb. 22 – 28, 2026. Its purpose is to highlight the...
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Maryland’s 2026 Muskrat Trapping Season Extended in Select Maryland Counties Due to Winter Weather Setbacks

Maryland’s 2026 Muskrat Trapping Season Extended in Select Maryland Counties Due to Winter Weather Setbacks

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has added a one-week extension to the 2026 muskrat trapping season in all counties except Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard and Washington. The revised season will now close March 22, 2026, to make up for unfavorable weather conditions in January and February, including extensive ice coverage, that impacted trapping in...
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Maryland Board of Public Works Approves $204 Million in State Spending

Maryland Board of Public Works Approves $204 Million in State Spending

Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman joined Governor Wes Moore and Treasurer Dereck Davis today for a meeting of the Board of Public Works. During the meeting, the Board of Public Works approved more than $204 million in state spending supporting projects and initiatives across Maryland. In all, the Board approved 93 items representing a total state expenditure of $204,604,283.39. This includes grant agreements supporting community...
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Cricchi Named New NAVAIR Deputy Commander

Cricchi Named New NAVAIR Deputy Commander

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD: Vice Adm. John E. Dougherty IV, commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), has announced Steve Cricchi will take the role as deputy commander, NAVAIR, effective Feb. 26. Cricchi replaces NAVAIR Deputy Commander Tom Rudowsky, who will officially retire March 2. Cricchi transitions into the role after serving...
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Noise Advisory – NAS Patuxent River Sets Nighttime Noise Advisory for March 4, 2026

Noise Advisory – NAS Patuxent River Sets Nighttime Noise Advisory for March 4, 2026

Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River are advised that a nighttime noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place March 4, 2026 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Pilots at NAS PAX will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs) with a tiltrotor aircraft. FCLPs are simulated carrier landings conducted to prepare the...
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UPDATE: Suspected Medical Emergency Leads to Head-on Collision on TJ Bridge Involving Ambulance

UPDATE: Suspected Medical Emergency Leads to Head-on Collision on TJ Bridge Involving Ambulance

UPDATE 3/4/2026: Deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office are continuing the crash investigation, however, it is currently believed to be accidental, and caused by a suspected medical emergency. The operator of the pickup truck was transported to an area hospital in Calvert County with injuries believed to be non-life-threatening. The operator and one...
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March Madness First Friday Comes to Leonardtown – March 6th Through 8th, 2026

March Madness First Friday Comes to Leonardtown – March 6th Through 8th, 2026

The Leonardtown Business Association invites the community to kick off March in championship style at March Madness First Friday, happening Friday, March 6, 2026 and extending throughout the entire weekend in Leonardtown. Leonardtown businesses are joining the excitement with a variety of specials, promotions, and fun happenings inspired by the energy of March Madness. Shoppers and visitors...
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School-Based Health Centers Now Offering Rapid Respiratory Testing

School-Based Health Centers Now Offering Rapid Respiratory Testing

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is now offering rapid respiratory testing at its School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs), giving families faster answers during cold and flu season. The SBHCs have added a new testing platform that can detect more than 14 common respiratory viruses and bacteria, with results available in about 15 minutes....
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Two Transported to Trauma Centers After Two Vehicle Crash in Leonardtown

Two Transported to Trauma Centers After Two Vehicle Crash in Leonardtown

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 11:18 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Budds Creek Road and Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment and rollover. Multiple 911 callers reported a Jeep rolled multiple times with one victim laying on the ground....
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UPDATE: Co-Defendant Sentenced to Life for Murder of 23-Year-Old Man in Lexington Park

UPDATE: Co-Defendant Sentenced to Life for Murder of 23-Year-Old Man in Lexington Park

UPDATE 6/8/2026: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Joseph Daren Brooks, Jr., 23, of Lexington Park, Maryland, was sentenced to LIFE in prison for the 2024 murder of a 23-year-old man. On February 26, 2024, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of shots fired near Fox Ridge Road...
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Jaymi Sterling Seeks a Second Term for State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County

Jaymi Sterling Seeks a Second Term for State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that she is seeking reelection as State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County, pledging to continue to aggressively prosecute violent crime to ensure public safety for our community. With more than 17 years of prosecutorial experience, Sterling was elected as the County’s top prosecutor in 2022. She took office as State’s...
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UPDATE: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling Testifies on Jamari’s Law to Strengthen Penalties for Manslaughter by Vehicle, Here’s How You Can Help

UPDATE: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling Testifies on Jamari’s Law to Strengthen Penalties for Manslaughter by Vehicle, Here’s How You Can Help

UPDATE 3/1/2026: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling is set to testify in support of House Bill 0873 — known as “Jamari’s Law” — before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 4 at 1 p.m. The proposed legislation would double the maximum penalty for vehicular manslaughter in Maryland, increasing it from 10 years to 20...
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Maryland’s Century-Old Partnership with National Shellfish Sanitation Program Remains Vital to Seafood Safety

Maryland’s Century-Old Partnership with National Shellfish Sanitation Program Remains Vital to Seafood Safety

When it comes to seafood sanitation and public health, the National Shellfish Sanitation Program has for 100 years ensured shellfish sold in the United States meets standards for human consumption. Maryland plays a key role in the compliance and enforcement of the program’s principles as one of the leaders of commercially-exported seafood among coastal states. The...
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Traffic Stop Leads to Heroin Seizure, Arrest in Lexington Park

Traffic Stop Leads to Heroin Seizure, Arrest in Lexington Park

Deputies with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Lexington Park man on Sunday, March 1, 2026, following a traffic stop that led to the recovery of suspected heroin, drug paraphernalia, and cash. While operating on Great Mills Road, deputies observed a vehicle fail to stop properly at a traffic light and initiated...
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St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks Youth Basketball Players Recognized with Will Smith Leadership Awards

St. Mary’s County Recreation & Parks Youth Basketball Players Recognized with Will Smith Leadership Awards

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Recreation & Parks (R&P) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Will Smith Leadership Awards. These awards recognize 8th grade players in the R&P Youth Basketball League who participate from 6th–8th grade and demonstrate sportsmanship, passion for the game, and leadership both on and off the court. Nearly 30...
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Traffic Notice: Wildewood Parkway Road Improvements to Begin This March, 2026

Traffic Notice: Wildewood Parkway Road Improvements to Begin This March, 2026

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) will be making roadway improvements on Wildewood Parkway beginning from Smoke Hill Road extending to White Elm Court. This project will include storm drain culvert replacement across the intersection of Smoke Hill Road and across Wildewood Parkway. The project is scheduled to begin...
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DNR Study: Bowfishing Contributes Heavily to Chesapeake Snakehead Harvest

DNR Study: Bowfishing Contributes Heavily to Chesapeake Snakehead Harvest

A new Maryland Department of Natural Resources study revealed that bowfishing and gigging – using a pronged spear – are the most common ways Chesapeake Channa (also known as northern snakehead) are harvested in Maryland. These methods eclipse hook-and-line, commercial, and departmental management harvest of the invasive fish. The study, published in Integrated and...
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Governor Moore, Comptroller Lierman, Treasurer Davis Demand Reimbursement from President Trump for Illegal Tariffs

Governor Moore, Comptroller Lierman, Treasurer Davis Demand Reimbursement from President Trump for Illegal Tariffs

Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, and Treasurer Dereck E. Davis, sent a joint letter to President Donald J. Trump formally demanding reimbursement of tariff revenues imposed by the Trump Administration on Maryland consumers and businesses, which were ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court. Because of President Trump’s illegal tariffs, Maryland businesses...
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CSM Celebrates the Opening of New MAAPC Nursing Lab

CSM Celebrates the Opening of New MAAPC Nursing Lab

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) unveiled the newly named Maryland Academy of Advanced Practice Clinicians (MAAPC) Nursing Lab on February 12 recognizing the organization’s support of CSM nursing students. In October 2025, the CSM Foundation announced MAAPC’s $57,500 gift to establish the Future Nightingales Endowed Scholarship to support the next generation of health...
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