St. Mary’s News

Official St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Press Release on Sick Students at Spring Ridge Middle School

Official St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Press Release on Sick Students at Spring Ridge Middle School

On January 2, 2018, school staff at the Spring Ridge Middle School located at 19856 Three Notch Rd. Lexington Park, were alerted to a child not feeling well after ingesting food they brought from home. It was later determined the child had shared the food with four friends during the morning and several children...
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Maryland State Police Holiday Enforcement Efforts

Maryland State Police Holiday Enforcement Efforts

This year’s holiday season efforts of the Maryland State Police had a positive effect on reducing crashes and keeping the public safe. Traffic enforcement efforts by Maryland state troopers during the holiday period resulted in more than 10,000 traffic stops that led to 264 arrests and more than 180 arrests of impaired drivers. Maryland...
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Commissioners to Host First Public Forum in 2018 on January 9

Commissioners to Host First Public Forum in 2018 on January 9

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County will host their first Public Forum of the New Year on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. The forum will take place in their meeting room inside the Chesapeake Building, at 41770 Baldridge Street, in Leonardtown. Citizens wishing to voice a concern, and unable to attend in...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Identity of Cell Phone Thief

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Identity of Cell Phone Thief

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the identity of the person pictured. On December 9, 2017, at approximately 12:10 p.m., the suspect stole the victim’s cell phone from the counter while at the Charlotte Hall Motel, located on Three Notch Road, in Charlotte Hall. Anyone with information about this incident/and or the...
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Video Visitation Now Online at St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center

Video Visitation Now Online at St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center

On December 12, 2017, the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, (SMCDRC), video visitation technology went “live” with ICSolutions  Visitor visitation system. This new technology provides family members, friends, and professionals control to schedule and conduct a visit at a time convenient for them, without having to travel to the facility. On-site visitation...
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SMECO Receives Approval to Reduce Distribution Rates

SMECO Receives Approval to Reduce Distribution Rates

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) received approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) on December 28, 2017, to reduce its Distribution Service charges for customers. The lower rates are the result of a redistribution of SMECO’s transmission costs, which will save SMECO customers $10 million per year. The new rates are scheduled to...
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With Cold Temperatures Arriving Citizens are Encouraged to Prepare

With Cold Temperatures Arriving Citizens are Encouraged to Prepare

The coldest air of the season will arrive this weekend with bitterly cold wind chills of 5 below zero late Sunday into Monday and forecasted below 32 degrees all next week. The Department of Emergency Services would like to remind citizens to prepare for the unseasonably cold weather. During Extreme Cold: Check on your...
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Temple Hills Man Wanted by St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for Attempted Murder

Temple Hills Man Wanted by St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for Attempted Murder

UPDATE: The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is currently seeking the whereabouts of James Reginald Flanagan, 21, of Temple Hills. On November, 11, 2017, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of River Bay Townhomes, in Lexington Park, for the report of a shooting. Through the course of the...
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VIDEO: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Requests Public’s Help in Identifying Burglary Suspect

VIDEO: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Requests Public’s Help in Identifying Burglary Suspect

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the identity of the person pictured. On December 22, 2017, at approximately 4:50 PM, the female suspect burglarized the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds Office, located in Leonardtown.   During the time of the burglary, the pictured silver colored SUV was in the area driving in a suspicious...
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IRS Has Tips for What to Do Before the Tax Year Ends on December 31

IRS Has Tips for What to Do Before the Tax Year Ends on December 31

As tax filing season approaches, the Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers that there are things they should do now to get ready for filing season. Here are some tips to get ready: For most taxpayers, Dec. 31 is the last day to take actions that will affect their 2017 tax returns. For example,...
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Mechanicsville Couple Arrested in Mugging of 77-Year-Old Lady

Mechanicsville Couple Arrested in Mugging of 77-Year-Old Lady

On Wednesday, December 13, 2017, at approximately 9:15 p.m., the victim, a 77-year-old woman, was in the parking lot of Dollar General, located in Charlotte Hall, when she was approached by a white female. The female, later identified as Karen Anne Granville, 28, of Mechanicsville approached the victim while she getting into her car...
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Mechanicsville Man Flees Scene After Hitting Horse and Carriage, Leaving Horse Dead

Mechanicsville Man Flees Scene After Hitting Horse and Carriage, Leaving Horse Dead

Robert Edward Lawrence, 32 of Mechanicsville, was arrested and charged in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left a man injured and a horse dead on Christmas in Mechanicsville. Lawrence was charged with failure to immediately stop his vehicle at the scene of an accident involving bodily injury, failure to stop after an accident...
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St. Mary’s County Treasurer Accepting Overpayments for 2017 Real Estate Taxes

St. Mary’s County Treasurer Accepting Overpayments for 2017 Real Estate Taxes

Due to increasing requests from citizens, the St. Mary’s County Treasurer is accepting overpayments for 2017 real estate taxes to be applied to future tax liabilities. Overpayments are being accepted in the treasurer’s office and by mail. Requirements: Property owners understand that the St. Mary’s County Treasurer and staff are not providing tax advice...
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Three Establishments Caught Selling Tobacco to Minors During Compliance Check in St. Mary’s County

Three Establishments Caught Selling Tobacco to Minors During Compliance Check in St. Mary’s County

During the months of November and December 2017, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office conducted several Tobacco Compliance Checks. During this operation, an underage confidential informant, (CI), entered the businesses and attempted to purchase tobacco products. Tobacco Compliance Checks were conducted at thirty-five establishments; the following establishments passed their compliance checks: A&B Liquors Abell’s...
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A&B Liquor Caught Selling Liquor to Minor During Alcohol Compliance Check

A&B Liquor Caught Selling Liquor to Minor During Alcohol Compliance Check

On December 22, 2017, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office conducted alcohol compliance checks countywide. During this operation an underage confidential informant, (CI), entered the businesses and attempted to purchase alcoholic beverages. Alcohol compliance checks were conducted on twenty licensed alcohol retailers; the following retailers passed their compliance checks: ABC Liquors California Fine Wine...
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UPDATE: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Christmas Eve Homicide in Coltons Point

UPDATE: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Christmas Eve Homicide in Coltons Point

UPDATE 12/27/2017 @ 1:45 p.m. – St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Press Release: On December 24, 2017, at approximately 4:04 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police from the Leonardtown Barrack, responded to a report of a shooting, in the 38000 block of Dukeharts Creek Road, in Coltons Point,...
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New Federal Requirements for January 2018 License/ID card Renewals at MDOT MVA

New Federal Requirements for January 2018 License/ID card Renewals at MDOT MVA

Marylanders should be on the lookout for renewal notices for their driver’s license and ID cards.  As required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to maintain compliance with the federal REAL ID Act, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) will now require documentation to renew federally compliant driver’s licenses...
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Maryland Firearm Deer Hunting Season Reopens Jan. 5

Maryland Firearm Deer Hunting Season Reopens Jan. 5

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that the winter portion of the firearm deer hunting season opens Jan. 5 in Deer Management Region B, which includes all the state but its westernmost counties. Hunters with a valid hunting license may use firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this season. The season is...
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Reports of Shots Fired on Ronald Drive in Lexington Park

Reports of Shots Fired on Ronald Drive in Lexington Park

On Saturday, December 23, 2017, at approximately 6:05 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and Troopers from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack responded to Ronald Drive, in Lexington Park, for the report of shots fired. One witness told SMNEWSNET they heard 4 or 5 shots and saw a car in the...
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Mechanicsville Man Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison for Production of Child Pornography

Mechanicsville Man Sentenced To 25 Years In Prison for Production of Child Pornography

On December 19, 2017, United States District Judge Roger W. Titus sentenced Aaron Lee Smiley, 57, of Mechanicsville, to 25 years in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor for the Purpose of Producing Child Pornography. Judge Titus also ordered forfeiture of Smiley’s interest in his house because...
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Lexington Park Man Assaulted and Robbed of Cash, Drugs and Gun During Drug Deal

Lexington Park Man Assaulted and Robbed of Cash, Drugs and Gun During Drug Deal

On Sunday, December 16, 2017, at approximately 6:55 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 23000 block of Green Holly Road, in Lexington Park, for a report of an armed robbery. Contact was made with the victim who advised he arranged to meet with Jerel Gaines to conduct a drug...
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Governor Larry Hogan Announces Legislation to Protect Maryland Taxpayers Under Federal Tax Reform

Governor Larry Hogan Announces Legislation to Protect Maryland Taxpayers Under Federal Tax Reform

Governor Larry Hogan announced that the administration will be submitting legislation to mitigate potential negative impacts of federal tax reform on Maryland taxpayers. The legislation will return any additional state revenue received due to the loss of federal deductions and exemptions. The governor made the following statement at a meeting of the Board of...
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MDOT SHA Lifts Non-Emergency Lane Closures to Clear Way for Holiday Travelers

MDOT SHA Lifts Non-Emergency Lane Closures to Clear Way for Holiday Travelers

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) is suspending non-emergency lane closures for the long holidays. Travel forecasting agencies are predicting busier roads this holiday season as fuel prices have remained stable, enabling more people to take to the roads. Thursday and Friday are expected to be “getaway days” for millions...
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VIDEO: Police in St. Mary’s County Seeking Public’s Help Identifying Theft Suspect

VIDEO: Police in St. Mary’s County Seeking Public’s Help Identifying Theft Suspect

On Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at approximately 1:55 a.m., an unknown male suspect entered an unlocked vehicle in the area of Ark Court (Bay Ridge Subdivision, Lexington Park). Police are looking to identify the unknown male suspect in the video below. If anyone has any information as to the identity of the of the...
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UPDATE: 26-Year-Old Lexington Park Man Killed in Motor Vehicle Accident in Mechanicsville

UPDATE: 26-Year-Old Lexington Park Man Killed in Motor Vehicle Accident in Mechanicsville

UPDATE 12/21/2017: On Wednesday, December 20, 2017, at approximately 2:50 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a motor vehicle accident in the 37000 block of New Market Road, in the area of Whalen Road, in Mechanicsville. Units arrived on scene to find a two vehicle head on collision involving...
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