St. Mary’s News

Lexington Park Man Accused of Multiple Thefts and Assaults in Flag Removal Incidents

Lexington Park Man Accused of Multiple Thefts and Assaults in Flag Removal Incidents

Jeffrey Austin Frye, 28, of Lexington Park, is facing a number of criminal charges in St. Mary’s County stemming from multiple incidents involving theft, assault, burglary, and violation of a protective order, according to court documents filed in four separate criminal cases. Frye was arrested on June 15, 2025, by the St. Mary’s County...
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July 2025 Events at Historic St. Mary’s City

July 2025 Events at Historic St. Mary’s City

Historic St. Mary’s City invites visitors of all ages to experience a summer of discovery, reflection, and hands-on fun. From immersive evening tours to teen workshops and teacher appreciation programs, there’s something for everyone this July. Sunny Science: Summer Workshop – Tuesday, July 9 | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Ages 12–16 Explore how the...
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St. Mary’s Freedom Fest Returns to Leonardtown with Fireworks, Fun, and Free Family Entertainment!

St. Mary’s Freedom Fest Returns to Leonardtown with Fireworks, Fun, and Free Family Entertainment!

Get ready to celebrate freedom in true American style at St. Mary’s Freedom Fest, the county’s official Independence Day celebration, happening at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 28, 2025. This free, family-friendly event brings the entire community together for an unforgettable summer evening packed with entertainment, contests, food trucks, kids’ activities,...
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St. Mary’s Transit System (STS) App Now Available for Download

St. Mary’s Transit System (STS) App Now Available for Download

As the St. Mary’s Transit System (STS) prepares to go fare free beginning July 1, 2025, riders now have a powerful new tool to make their experience even more convenient—the new STS Mobile App, available for download now through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The STS App offers riders on-the-go access...
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UPDATE: Man Sentenced to 58 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder, Multiple Domestic Violence Offenses

UPDATE: Man Sentenced to 58 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder, Multiple Domestic Violence Offenses

UPDATE 6/18/2025: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that John Otha Dickens, Jr., 35, of Lexington Park, Maryland, was sentenced to LIFE in prison with 58 years of active incarceration for several domestic violence incidents. On November 21, 2024, a St. Mary’s County jury convicted Dickens of attempted first-degree murder for viciously attacking his prior...
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EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Lexington Park Man Arrested Following Handgun Threat Incident

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Lexington Park Man Arrested Following Handgun Threat Incident

Police in St. Mary’s County responded to a residential neighborhood in Lexington Park on Monday, June 16, 2025, at approximately 2:10 p.m., for the report of a threat involving a firearm. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with the victim, who reported being involved in a verbal altercation with a male subject. During the dispute,...
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CSM Strengthens Support for Military Families with National Recognition and Community Resource Event

CSM Strengthens Support for Military Families with National Recognition and Community Resource Event

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) continues to expand its commitment to veterans and military-connected families, earning national recognition and hosting dedicated events designed to support their educational and career success. CSM was recently named a 2025-26 Military Friendly® School, earning Silver in the small community college category and being recognized as a Military...
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Attorney General Brown Preliminarily Agrees to Purdue/Sackler Settlement  AG Brown Joins 54 Attorneys General in Settlement Agreement

Attorney General Brown Preliminarily Agrees to Purdue/Sackler Settlement  AG Brown Joins 54 Attorneys General in Settlement Agreement

(June 16, 2025) – Attorney General Anthony Brown announced that all 55 attorneys general, representing all eligible states and U.S. territories, have preliminarily agreed to sign on to a settlement with Purdue Pharma and its owners, the Sackler family. The Sackler family has informed the attorneys general of its plan to proceed with the...
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Justice Department Highlights Enforcement Efforts Protecting Older Americans from Transnational Fraud Schemes in Recognition of 2025 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Justice Department Highlights Enforcement Efforts Protecting Older Americans from Transnational Fraud Schemes in Recognition of 2025 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced that the Justice Department is reinvigorating efforts to protect older Americans from transnational schemes that cost billions of dollars, often stealing their life savings. In the past few weeks alone, investigators and prosecutors have arrested and filed cases against foreign fraudsters...
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REMINDER! Naval Air Station Patuxent River Performing 100% ID Checks

REMINDER! Naval Air Station Patuxent River Performing 100% ID Checks

NAS Patuxent River began  conducting 100% ID checks at all gates at 4:00 p.m., on Friday, June 13, 2025 until further notice. Personnel that are authorized to escort individuals will require that their guests/vehicle passengers have a valid ID to enter the installation (driver’s license, Real ID, etc.). More information about NAS Patuxent River’s...
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VX-23 “Salty Dogs” Welcome Zilberman as Newest Commander

VX-23 “Salty Dogs” Welcome Zilberman as Newest Commander

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION, Patuxent River, MD.: Col. Jay Zarra turned over command of the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 “Salty Dogs” to Cmdr. Eric Zilberman in an airborne ceremony over Naval Air Station Patuxent River, June 12, where Zarra piloted an F-35B Lightning and Zilberman flew an F/A-18F Super...
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Maryland Natural Resources Police Annual Awards Ceremony Honors Officers for Exceptional Service

Maryland Natural Resources Police Annual Awards Ceremony Honors Officers for Exceptional Service

The Maryland Natural Resources Police held its annual award ceremony June 13th, 2025, to recognize the achievements made by conservation law enforcement officers and professional staff in 2024. The officers were presented honors by Maryland Department of Natural Resources Sec. Josh Kurtz and Natural Resources Police Col. Orlando Lilly at Annapolis High School in...
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Police Investigating Two Dead in Great Mills

Police Investigating Two Dead in Great Mills

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, at approximately 2:02 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 22000 block of Towey Court in Great Mills, for the report of two subjects not breathing. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm two patients not breathing and began performing CPR and life-saving measures. Medical personnel...
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Marine Corps Squadron Awards High School Scholarships, Inspires STEM Careers in Naval Aviation

Marine Corps Squadron Awards High School Scholarships, Inspires STEM Careers in Naval Aviation

The Marine Corps Aviation Association, John Glenn Squadron (MCAA JGS) in Patuxent River recently recognized high school graduates in the Southern Maryland tri-county area who plan to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM)-based degrees with merit-based scholarships. For 2024-2025 school year, MCAA JGS scholarship Committee selected 12 exceptional high school seniors to receive...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources Rolling out New Licensing System, MD Outdoors

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Rolling out New Licensing System, MD Outdoors

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will introduce its new online licensing system, MD Outdoors, on June 24, 2025. This centralized system replaces the current system, COMPASS. MD Outdoors will continue to offer products for all outdoor activities, including all Maryland hunting and fishing licenses and associated stamps and permits, boat and off-road vehicle...
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UPDATE: Clements Man Sentenced to Just 18 Months for Assault That Leaves Victim Permanently Disfigured

UPDATE: Clements Man Sentenced to Just 18 Months for Assault That Leaves Victim Permanently Disfigured

UPDATE 6/13/2025: On June 2, 2025, Judge Amy Lorenzini found Pease guilty of Assault First Degree and sentenced him to 25 years, with all but 18 months suspended. Pease received credit for 226 days of time served. Upon his release, Pease will be placed on supervised probation for 5 years. Special conditions noted in...
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Mechanicsville Man Sentenced to 15 Years for 1st Degree Assault That Occurred in Charles County

Mechanicsville Man Sentenced to 15 Years for 1st Degree Assault That Occurred in Charles County

UPDATE 6/12/2025: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Makeba Gibbs sentenced James Mark Kimble, 39, of Mechanicsville, to 15 years in prison for First-Degree Assault and the Wear and Carry of a Dangerous Weapon with the Intent to Injure. Upon release,...
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Maryland Attorney General Joins 21 Other States Opposing Trump’s Military Deployment in State of California

Maryland Attorney General Joins 21 Other States Opposing Trump’s Military Deployment in State of California

On June 12th, 2025, US District Judge Charles Breyer ruled that President Donald Trump unlawfully federalized thousands of members of California’s National Guard and ordered the president to return control of the troops to the state and Governor Gavin Newsom. The Federal Judge stated “His actions were illegal – both exceeding the scope of...
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Darius Rucker, Sharkfest and More! Coming This July 2025 at the Calvert Marine Museum

Darius Rucker, Sharkfest and More! Coming This July 2025 at the Calvert Marine Museum

July 2025 is packed with summer fun at the Calvert Marine Museum! Don’t miss GRAMMY Award-winning artist Darius Rucker live in concert on Thursday, July 10, and dive into a day of jaw-some activities at Sharkfest on Saturday, July 12. Explore maritime history at the Lore Oyster House, cruise the Patuxent aboard the Wm....
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St. Mary’s County Commissioners Convene for June 10 Meeting, Approve FY2026 Education Budget, Honor CNAs and Address Elder Abuse Awareness

St. Mary’s County Commissioners Convene for June 10 Meeting, Approve FY2026 Education Budget, Honor CNAs and Address Elder Abuse Awareness

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held their regular meeting on Tuesday morning, presided over by Commissioner President Randy Guy. The meeting opened with formal introductions, followed by the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance, led by Commissioner Ostroff. Consent Agenda and Key Motions Four motions were approved under the consent agenda: Approval of Meeting...
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DETAILS RELEASED: Suspect Claims Bullying Before Stabbing Coworker at Construction Site in Charlotte Hall

DETAILS RELEASED: Suspect Claims Bullying Before Stabbing Coworker at Construction Site in Charlotte Hall

Jose Wilbert Herrera-Chavez, 36, of Silver Spring, is facing multiple charges after allegedly stabbing a coworker at a construction site in Charlotte Hall. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to MedStar Health Urgent Care on Market Drive around 4:55 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, after receiving a report of a stabbing victim....
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St. Mary’s County Launches Agriculture & Seafood Brand to Support Local Producers

St. Mary’s County Launches Agriculture & Seafood Brand to Support Local Producers

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County are proud to announce the continued implementation of the Department of Economic Development’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy with the launch of the St. Mary’s County Agriculture and Seafood Brand—a new initiative to showcase and promote locally produced agriculture, seafood, and forestry products. “This brand is more than just...
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Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Fashion for a Cause Raises More Than $305K

Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Fashion for a Cause Raises More Than $305K

Style met substance on June 5, as Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Fashion for a Cause returned to the U.S. Naval Academy’s Fluegel Alumni Center. The high-energy fashion show smashed last year’s totals, raising more than $305,000 to support the nonprofit’s community health programs, including pediatric hospice care, children’s grief counseling, and family support services....
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St. Mary’s Gymnastics Academy Celebrates a Successful 2024–2025 Season

St. Mary’s Gymnastics Academy Celebrates a Successful 2024–2025 Season

The St. Mary’s Gymnastics Academy (SMGA) is proud to announce the conclusion of a remarkable 2024–2025 gymnastics season. Throughout the year, SMGA gymnasts showcased exceptional talent and dedication, achieving notable successes at various competitions. SMGA athletes had a strong season, with many gymnasts scoring 33+ and qualifying for States. Several standout performances included 1st...
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Maryland Comptroller Releases Additional Guidance Regarding 2025 Tax Code Changes

Maryland Comptroller Releases Additional Guidance Regarding 2025 Tax Code Changes

The Maryland Comptroller’s Office today issued a Technical Bulletin to prepare businesses that are impacted by new changes in Maryland tax law passed by the General Assembly during the 2025 legislative session. Under the law, the first phase of tax changes, which includes a new 3% general sales tax on certain digital and IT services,...
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