St. Mary’s News

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes 13 New Deputies to the Ranks

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes 13 New Deputies to the Ranks

On Friday, November 5, 2021, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office welcomed 13 new deputies who took the Oath of Office at the county commissioners meeting room. The new deputies officially graduate Friday evening from the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy. Please join us in welcoming our new officers to the agency.
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EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Firefighters Respond to Car Fire in Lexington Park

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Firefighters Respond to Car Fire in Lexington Park

On Saturday, November 6, 2021, at approximately 10:27 p.m., firefighters from Bay District Volunteer Fire Department responded to Croaker Court and West Westbury Boulevard in Lexington Park, for the vehicle on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle in the roadway with fire showing from the engine compartment. Three firefighters...
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Leonardtown High School Closed on Friday, November 5, 2021

Leonardtown High School Closed on Friday, November 5, 2021

As a result of a power outage at Leonardtown High School on Thursday morning, the school was closed Thursday, November 4, 2021. Students were returned home for virtual learning. Elementary buses in the central area of the county were delayed. The Department of Maintenance has identified the issue causing the power outage, the parts...
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Maryland Fall Hunting for Small Game and Turkey Offers Abundant Opportunities, Opens Saturday, November 6, 2021

Maryland Fall Hunting for Small Game and Turkey Offers Abundant Opportunities, Opens Saturday, November 6, 2021

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources remind hunters that squirrel, rabbit, fall turkey, and other seasons are either underway or set to open in the coming weeks. These species offer generous seasons and bag limits and a chance to make some great memories this fall and winter. “While our deer hunts get a lot of attention, hunters shouldn’t overlook...
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UPDATE: Police Say Family of Driver of Pickup Truck That Killed Henry Stauffer Were Attempting to Send Him to Colorado

UPDATE: Police Say Family of Driver of Pickup Truck That Killed Henry Stauffer Were Attempting to Send Him to Colorado

UPDATE 11/4/2021: According to court documents, Ryan Nicholas Cherrico, 31, of Loveville was the operator of the red Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck that fled the scene on foot prior to police arrival. Witnesses advised there was a single occupant of the truck, and the crash was captured on nearby video surveillance. Evidence showed the...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – November 2, 2021

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – November 2, 2021

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County hosted a joint meeting with the St. Mary’s Metropolitan Commission Tuesday, Nov.2, 2021, in the Chesapeake Building. The joint meeting agenda included briefs from the Department of Public Works & Transportation, the MetCom Chief Engineer, the County Financial Officer, the County Administrator and the MetCom Executive Director. Following...
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COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Children Ages Five & Older

COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Children Ages Five & Older

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has updated the eligibility criteria for local COVID-19 vaccine clinics to include children ages 5 through 11 years of age in accordance with updated authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children 5...
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Letter to the Editor: 23rd Annual Relay For Life Thank You!

Letter to the Editor: 23rd Annual Relay For Life Thank You!

Letter to the Editor, Oct. 2021 To the Editor; On behalf of the Relay For Life of St. Mary’s County, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the community for your support of the 23rd annual Relay For Life that was held at Historic St. Mary’s City on October 3, 2021. The...
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Pax River Gates 2 and 3, Pass and ID Parking Lot Closed for Repairs Beginning Thursday, November 11, 2021

Pax River Gates 2 and 3, Pass and ID Parking Lot Closed for Repairs Beginning Thursday, November 11, 2021

NAS Patuxent River is scheduled to close NAS Patuxent River Gates 2 and 3 from Thursday, Nov. 11 to Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021 for minor construction to the road surfaces at those gates. Gates 2 and 3 are scheduled to reopen for normal traffic beginning Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. The NAS Patuxent River Gate...
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Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunt Set for 2021-22 on Nov. 6, 2021 and Feb. 5, 2022

Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunt Set for 2021-22 on Nov. 6, 2021 and Feb. 5, 2022

Maryland’s youth hunters, veterans, and military personnel are once again afforded the opportunity to experience the thrill of waterfowl hunting on two special hunt days: Nov. 6, 2021 and Feb. 5, 2022.  “Maryland is pleased to offer this special hunting opportunity,” Wildlife and Heritage Service Director Paul Peditto said. “This gives these three groups...
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Father and Teenaged Son Flee on Foot After Motor Vehicle Collision in Lexington Park

Father and Teenaged Son Flee on Foot After Motor Vehicle Collision in Lexington Park

On Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at approximately 9:30 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to Hermanville Road and Point Lookout Road in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles off the roadway. Witnesses reported a SUV ran the Hermanville Road stop...
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VIDEO: Firefighters Respond to Reported Structure Fire in California, No Injuries

VIDEO: Firefighters Respond to Reported Structure Fire in California, No Injuries

On Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at approximately 9:14 p.m., firefighters from Bay District, Hollywood, NAS Patuxent River, and Leonardtown responded to the 45000 block of Barefoot Drive in California, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 2-story residence with smoke showing. Upon further investigation, firefighters located a malfunctioning...
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Police Seeking Identity of Two Suspects After Fight with Shots Fired at Mechanicsville Wawa

Police Seeking Identity of Two Suspects After Fight with Shots Fired at Mechanicsville Wawa

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the identities of the individuals pictured regarding an assault investigation. On Sunday, October 17, 2021, deputies responded to the Mechanicsville Wawa store for the reported fight involving shots fired. Both individuals fled the area prior to the arrival of law enforcement. Witnesses reported firearms were displayed...
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AUDIO: Woman Flown to Area Trauma Center with Serious Injuries After Dog Attack in Helen

AUDIO: Woman Flown to Area Trauma Center with Serious Injuries After Dog Attack in Helen

On Monday, November 1, 2021, at approximately 1:35 p.m., police and emergency medical personnel responded to the 38000 block of Jacqueline Street in Mechanicsville, for the reported animal attack. The 911 caller reported her dog attacked her, and advised her arm was “hanging on by a thread, and she could see the bone”. Crews...
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Police Ask Citizens to Use Caution, Expect Heavy Horse-and-Buggy Traffic in Loveville This Week

Police Ask Citizens to Use Caution, Expect Heavy Horse-and-Buggy Traffic in Loveville This Week

Motorists should expect delays and heavy horse-and-buggy volume on November 1, 2021, and Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in the Loveville area along Point Lookout Road (Route 5) as the community pays its respects to Henry Stauffer, who was killed in a vehicular collision last week. Private viewing services for Mr. Stauffer are being held...
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Outdoors Maryland Set to Return for its 33rd Season on Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Outdoors Maryland Set to Return for its 33rd Season on Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) award-winning original series Outdoors Maryland returns for its 33rd season on Tuesday, November 9 with four new half-hour episodes airing throughout the month. Produced in cooperation with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Outdoors Maryland presents thought-provoking stories that capture the state’s beauty as well as its diverse collection of ecosystems, people, and places. Outdoors...
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Maryland State Fire Marshal and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Attempted Arson of Residence in Lexington Park

Maryland State Fire Marshal and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Attempted Arson of Residence in Lexington Park

On Monday, November 1, 2021, at approximately 1:35 a.m., police and firefighters responded to the 20900 block of Coronet Place and Sorrel Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported arson attempt. Firefighters from Bay District and NAS Patuxent River responded to the scene and found nothing evident from the two-story single family residence. Upon...
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Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland Welcomes George Kandathil as the Infrastructure and Planning Coordinator

Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland Welcomes George Kandathil as the Infrastructure and Planning Coordinator

The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD) recently welcomed George Kandathil as the Infrastructure and Planning Coordinator. Kandathil’s breadth of expertise and educational achievements position him for success in this new endeavor. In this newly-created position, Kandathil will spearhead planning initiatives developed in response to regional demand. He will manage targeted programs and analyze...
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Local Photographer to Offer Free Wildlife Photography Class at St. Clement’s Island Museum

Local Photographer to Offer Free Wildlife Photography Class at St. Clement’s Island Museum

On Saturday, November 6, 2021, from 2:00 p.m., to 4:00 p.m., professional wildlife photographer J. Sal Icaza with Solomons Island Photography will take students through a two-hour wildlife photography journey focusing on eagles and ospreys. The stunning images that he will share were all taken right here in Southern Maryland. This seminar is for...
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November at CSM Offers a Cornucopia of Events for Job Seekers, Art Lovers and Students Seeking to Learn How CSM Can Help Them Reach Their Goals

November at CSM Offers a Cornucopia of Events for Job Seekers, Art Lovers and Students Seeking to Learn How CSM Can Help Them Reach Their Goals

Employment Fair.  9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Nov. 2 at La Plata Campus, BI Building, Rooms 113-113E; Nov. 9 at the Leonardtown Campus, Building A, Room 206; Nov. 12 at the Prince Frederick Campus, Building B, Rooms 103/104/105. CSM invites students who have recently completed or will soon complete their studies to enjoy free food, enter to win gift cards and learn about local employment opportunities. Free. ...
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Re-Fund The Police: Governor Hogan Statement on Maryland State Police Salary Increases

Re-Fund The Police: Governor Hogan Statement on Maryland State Police Salary Increases

Governor Larry Hogan issued the following statement after the Maryland State Police announced that effective January 1, 2022, the state will increase the starting pay of trooper candidates by 45%: “Today, we are taking the first step in implementing our $150 million Re-Fund The Police Initiative by ensuring that we offer more competitive salaries to the troopers who...
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Crews Recover Body of Missing Waterman/Volunteer Firefighter Douglas Hands

Crews Recover Body of Missing Waterman/Volunteer Firefighter Douglas Hands

UPDATE 10/30/2021: The Cobb Island Volunteer Fire and EMS Department released the following statement. ***UPDATE*** FOR THE RECOVERY OPERATIONS OF FIRE FIGHTER / LIFE MEMBER DOUGLAS HANDS – On October 30, 2021 at 14:15 Hours – Fire Fighter / Life Member Doug Hands was located this afternoon during the multi-agency search of the Potomac River....
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Governor Hogan Declares State of Emergency for Counties Affected by Severe Weather, Tidal and Coastal Flooding

Governor Hogan Declares State of Emergency for Counties Affected by Severe Weather, Tidal and Coastal Flooding

Governor Larry Hogan today declared a state of emergency for areas of Maryland along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River, and the Atlantic Coast currently under a Coastal Flood Warning from the National Weather Service and therefore at risk of severe tidal and coastal flooding. The state of emergency declaration includes Baltimore City and the...
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Maryland State Police Collect More Than 800 Pounds Of Unwanted, Expired Prescription Drugs During Take Back Event

Maryland State Police Collect More Than 800 Pounds Of Unwanted, Expired Prescription Drugs During Take Back Event

The Maryland State Police collected more than 800 pounds of unwanted and expired prescription medications as part of a National Drug Take Back Day event last Saturday. All 23 state police barracks throughout Maryland participated in the effort. The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day effort, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Agency, aims...
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Weather Closings and Cancellations for St. Mary’s County

Weather Closings and Cancellations for St. Mary’s County

The National Weather Service has issued a Coast Flood Warning through Sunday, Oct. 31, at 2 a.m. and a High Wind Warning through Friday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. for St. Mary’s County. Two to 3 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying areas is possible due to tidal flooding and winds from...
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