St. Mary’s News

Woman Charged with Fraud and Drug Possession Following Traffic Stop in St. Mary’s County

Woman Charged with Fraud and Drug Possession Following Traffic Stop in St. Mary’s County

Chaude Amore Chase, 32, of Mechanicsville, is facing multiple charges following a January 4, 2025, traffic stop and subsequent investigation. Chase was charged with identity fraud, possession of controlled dangerous substances (CDS), and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to court records. The incident occurred at approximately 6:03 a.m. when Deputy Bradley Kirscht of the...
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Lexington Park Man Charged with Theft and Escape in St. Mary’s County

Lexington Park Man Charged with Theft and Escape in St. Mary’s County

Two separate criminal cases have been filed against Justin Michael Gibson, 34, of Lexington Park, stemming from incidents involving theft and escape. Gibson is currently facing charges for theft under $100 and second-degree escape, according to court documents filed in St. Mary’s County. On December 16, 2024, law enforcement responded to a 7-Eleven located...
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Hughesville Woman Charged After Bringing Drugs Into the St. Mary’s County Detention Center

Hughesville Woman Charged After Bringing Drugs Into the St. Mary’s County Detention Center

On January 2, 2025, Haley Dantonio, 33, of Hughesville, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses following an incident at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown. According to court documents, Dantonio was being transported to the detention center after being sentenced to a period of incarceration in a separate case...
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Bubby’s Christmas Farewell Brings in Over $320,000, Knott Family Donates All to Our Schools, Organizations and Volunteer Fire Departments

Bubby’s Christmas Farewell Brings in Over $320,000, Knott Family Donates All to Our Schools, Organizations and Volunteer Fire Departments

On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the Knott family hosted a check presentation for our local nonprofits, organizations and three of our communities completely volunteer Fire/EMS departments. “Thanks to your generosity and the Knott Family’s incredible donation, we’re proud to announce the distribution of funds to these amazing local nonprofits! Each organization plays a vital...
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A Wonderful Addition to Leonardtown Square: Meow Dyer Cat Cafe!

A Wonderful Addition to Leonardtown Square: Meow Dyer Cat Cafe!

Join them for their grand opening celebration from January 10th to 12th, with doors open daily from 12 PM to 7 PM. Owner Shannon Myles Obedoza has partnered with Feral Cat Rescue to create a cozy, welcoming space where rescue cats can thrive while waiting for their forever homes. The cafe offers a calm...
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UPDATE: 19-Year-Old Shot in Hollywood: Ten Weeks Later, No Arrests and No Answers from Police

UPDATE: 19-Year-Old Shot in Hollywood: Ten Weeks Later, No Arrests and No Answers from Police

UPDATE: More than Ten weeks have passed since a 19-year-old man was shot in Hollywood, leading to a high-speed chase involving multiple law enforcement agencies, yet no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. Although police have identified the shooter in court documents, no charges have been filed, and authorities have not...
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Second Round of Snow Storms Set to Hit Southern Maryland, Here’s The Latest Forecast

Second Round of Snow Storms Set to Hit Southern Maryland, Here’s The Latest Forecast

Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County from 10:00 p.m, Friday night into 7am Saturday morning. * WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches can be expected for St. Mary’s County with 1 to 2 inches for Charles and Calvert Counties. * WHEN…From 10 PM...
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Kohl’s Announces 27 Store Closures, None in Maryland Set to Close

Kohl’s Announces 27 Store Closures, None in Maryland Set to Close

1/09/2025: Kohl’s announced real estate changes for 2025, including the closure of its San Bernardino E-commerce Fulfillment Center (EFC) in May when the lease on that facility expires, and the closure of 27 underperforming stores, by April 2025. The San Bernardino, Calif. facility has been in operation for Kohl’s since 2010. It is one...
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Calvert County Man Claims Top Price in Bonus Match 5 Drawing

Calvert County Man Claims Top Price in Bonus Match 5 Drawing

A Southern Maryland resident who plays Lottery games every Friday for fun arrived at Lottery headquarters last week only days away from losing a $50,400 prize. The loyal player said he routinely allocates a small amount each week toward his favorite games and saves any winning tickets. That has been his routine for so...
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Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office Accepting Applications for Grants to Reduce Injuries and Fatalities on Maryland Highways

Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office Accepting Applications for Grants to Reduce Injuries and Fatalities on Maryland Highways

GLEN BURNIE, MD (January 10, 2025) – The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office is accepting applications from organizations seeking grant funding for traffic safety programs and projects that help reduce crashes, deaths and injuries on Maryland roadways. The grants will support initiatives addressing actions, decisions, and habits of drivers,...
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UPDATE: Occupants and Pets Safe After House Fire in Port Republic, Cause Under Investigation

UPDATE: Occupants and Pets Safe After House Fire in Port Republic, Cause Under Investigation

UPDATE 1/10/2025: January 9th, 2025, at 12:22 p.m., firefighters responded to 4099 Cortona Drive in Port Republic, Calvert County, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on scene to find a Two-story, single family residence engulfed in flames. Investigation into the cause and origin of the fire is still ongoing. Smoke alarms were present,...
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Sports Wagering Contributes $6.5 Million to the State During December

Sports Wagering Contributes $6.5 Million to the State During December

Maryland’s sports wagering market completed the first half of Fiscal Year 2025 by generating $6,510,765 in contributions to the state during December 2024. Through the first six months of FY2025 (July 2024 through December 2024), sports wagering has contributed $46,576,505 to the state compared to $24,593,908 for the same period in FY2024. Contributions to...
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St. Mary’s Ryken High School Sophomore Skyler Graham Selected for Prestigious HOBY Leadership Seminar

St. Mary’s Ryken High School Sophomore Skyler Graham Selected for Prestigious HOBY Leadership Seminar

St. Mary’s Ryken High School (SMR) is proud to announce that sophomore Skyler Graham has been selected as this year’s representative for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar. Skyler expressed gratitude to the SMR School Counseling Team for the nomination, saying, “I am thrilled about this opportunity to obtain more leadership skills and...
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Lexington Park Man Charged with Assault and Property Damage in Domestic Incident

Lexington Park Man Charged with Assault and Property Damage in Domestic Incident

Ricardo James O’Brien, 26, of Lexington Park, is facing charges of second-degree assault and malicious destruction of property following a domestic dispute at a residence on Maverick Court in Hollywood, Maryland, on January 4, 2025. According to court documents, police were called to the scene after a report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers...
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Homeless Man Charged in Walmart Theft Attempt in St. Mary’s County

Homeless Man Charged in Walmart Theft Attempt in St. Mary’s County

John Patrick Furey, 43, of no fixed address, was arrested and charged with attempted theft after an incident at the Walmart located on Miramar Way in California, Maryland. According to court documents, the incident occurred on December 9, 2024, when Furey allegedly attempted to leave the store with a cart and backpack filled with...
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Lexington Park Man Arrested After Knife Assault Outside Weis Market on Great Mills Road

Lexington Park Man Arrested After Knife Assault Outside Weis Market on Great Mills Road

Daniel A. Humpleby, 30, of Lexington Park, has been charged with first-degree and second-degree assault following an altercation involving a knife outside the Weis Market located on Great Mills Road, on January 8, 2025. According to court documents and statements provided by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of...
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St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County Weather and Public School Updates for Friday, January 10th, 2025

St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles County Weather and Public School Updates for Friday, January 10th, 2025

ST. MARY’S COUNTY: Due to high winds, blowing snow, and continued freezing, all SMCPS Schools will have a delayed opening of two hours on Friday, January 10, 2025. Code 5 for staff. Ten and eleven-month employees report to work two hours late. Twelve-month employees and food service workers are to report to work on...
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No Injuries After Cigarette Causes House Fire in Callaway

No Injuries After Cigarette Causes House Fire in Callaway

On Thursday, January 9, 2025, at approximately 1:16 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services from Second District, Leonardtown, Bay District, and NAS Patuxent River responded to the 21000 block of Hunting Quarter Drive in Callaway, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 2-story residence with an already...
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Domestic Dispute at La Quinta Hotel Leads to Felony Assault Charges for Mechanicsville Man

Domestic Dispute at La Quinta Hotel Leads to Felony Assault Charges for Mechanicsville Man

A Mechanicsville man was arrested on January 1, 2025, following a reported domestic disturbance at a local hotel. Patrick James Anderson, 29, of Mechanicsville, is facing charges including first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and malicious destruction of property valued at over $1,000. According to court documents and Maryland State Police reports, troopers were dispatched to...
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Hollywood Woman Arrested for Use of False Government Identification in St. Mary’s County

Hollywood Woman Arrested for Use of False Government Identification in St. Mary’s County

Laura M. Connolly, 65, of Hollywood, Maryland, was arrested on December 31, 2024, following allegations of fraudulently using the identity of a deceased individual during an incident the Target store in California, Maryland. According to court documents, Trooper Kelsey of the Maryland State Police responded to a report of theft at Target on Three...
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MDOT SHA to Host Information Workshop on Pedestrian Safety Initiatives on Three Notch Road

MDOT SHA to Host Information Workshop on Pedestrian Safety Initiatives on Three Notch Road

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will host a public informational workshop, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, January 16, to provide information and gather community input to improve pedestrian access and safety along MD 235 (Three Notch Road) in St. Mary’s County. The workshop will be held at Great Mills High School, 21130 Great...
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Hidden Treasures Revealed: Discover What Your Heirlooms Are Worth!

Hidden Treasures Revealed: Discover What Your Heirlooms Are Worth!

You may have an attic full of hidden treasures and not even know it! Meet with expert appraisers to determine the value of your prized possessions at the St. Clement’s Island Museum annual Appraiser Fair on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Appraiser’s Fair provides an opportunity for the...
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UPDATE: Woman’s Last Words Were “You Better Not” Before Being Murdered by Ex-Husband in Lexing Park

UPDATE: Woman’s Last Words Were “You Better Not” Before Being Murdered by Ex-Husband in Lexing Park

UPDATE 1/8/2025: Jayson D. Pressley, 38, of Lexington Park, has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and use of a firearm in a violent crime following a fatal shooting on January 3, 2025. The victim, identified as Chaquanda Odom, 36, was found deceased with multiple gunshot wounds inside a vehicle in Lexington Park....
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16 of 19 Businesses Pass December 2024 Tobacco Compliance Checks

16 of 19 Businesses Pass December 2024 Tobacco Compliance Checks

On December 29, 2024, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Alcohol Enforcement Unit conducted a succession of tobacco compliance checks. The covert compliance checks involved using an underage Sheriff’s Office confidential informant (CI) who was 19 years old and wore jean pants and a long-sleeved shirt. The CI was directed to enter the store,...
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Teen Transported to Hospital After Sledding Accident in Hollywood

Teen Transported to Hospital After Sledding Accident in Hollywood

On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at approximately 3:04 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to a wooded area off of Joy Chapel Road and Spriggs Court in Hollywood, for the reported traumatic injuries. 911 callers reported a 16-year-old female was conscious alert and breathing, with the patient being located in the woods and...
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