Maryland’s tern raft hosted hundreds of terns again this year—including nesting pairs of two different state-listed-endangered species—and saw more than 350 tern chicks fledge during the island habitat’s fifth year in operation. The wooden-framed artificial island has floated in Chincoteague Bay in Worcester County since 2021 and serves as a breeding habitat for colonial...
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A year after a 19-year-old male was shot during a gathering in Hollywood, no one has been charged as the shooter, and the case remains open. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has not released any recent updates, and despite witness accounts and the recovery of a firearm, no charges have been filed against...
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The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) released state, school system and school-level results for the 2025 Maryland School Report Card. The report card includes data from the 2024-2025 school year about school accountability measures including academic growth, student performance, school quality and climate, and student attendance. A breakdown of star ratings across Maryland...
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Come on down to the Ridge firehouse to give Santa your Christmas list and receive an ornament and goodies! Take photos with Santa with your own camera. Santa arrives around 6:30pm. Please bring a canned good to donate to our local food bank!!! The Ridge Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual Community Tree...
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Maryland hunters harvested 18,930 deer during the early portion of the 2025 archery and muzzleloader seasons. The harvest was an 8.1% decrease from last year’s official harvest of 20,592 deer for the same period. The annual deer harvest fluctuates from year to year for a number of reasons, including hunter effort, weather conditions, availability of natural foods like acorns, disease...
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In an ongoing commitment to preserving Maryland’s agricultural legacy, the Maryland Board of Public Works has approved 14 new easements through the Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation, safeguarding approximately 1,474 acres of prime farmland across Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, St. Mary’s, Talbot, and Washington counties. “Protecting our farmland is crucial for maintaining...
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Last month, Maryland representatives joined officials from around the Mid-Atlantic region to put forth a revised Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement that includes firm timelines, required pollution reductions, and ambitious, yet reachable goals for improving the health of the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Principals’ Staff Committee approved the revised Agreement at its Oct. 28...
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On Friday, November 7, 2025, at approximately 11:37 p.m., police and emergency medical services responded to the area of 45473 Saint George’s Avenue at the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point, for the reported injuries after an assault. 911 callers reported an assault had just occurred on the boat with the...
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On Sunday, November 9, 2025, at approximately 1:28 p.m., firefighters responded to the Jimmy’s Autobody located at 23673 Budds Creek Road in Clements, for the reported vehicle on fire threatening a structure. 911 callers reported a pickup truck on fire and possibly threatening a structure. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene to find a...
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The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, is excited to announce the 13th Round of the Southern Maryland Farmer Mini-Grant Program. This program will award up to $60,000 in matching funds to help both new and experienced farmers start, diversify, or expand their agricultural projects. Applications open on Monday, November...
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On Sunday, November 9, 2025, at approximately 9:22 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 21000 block of Spring Valley Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. 911 callers reported a vehicle left the roadway and struck a parked, unoccupied SUV, with witnesses reporting four juveniles...
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Hospice of the Chesapeake is proud to announce that Partners In Care of Maryland, Inc., has officially joined its family of services under a newly formed umbrella organization, Chesapeake Health Partners. This incorporation marks a significant milestone in the organizations’ shared mission to serve Maryland’s aging population with compassion, dignity and connection. Becky Miller,...
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The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration and the Maryland Highway Safety Office are reminding all roadway users to exercise extreme caution as days get shorter and with Halloween right around the corner. “Whether you are behind the wheel or out on foot, I urge all Marylanders to be Serious About Safety and...
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Demonstrating a continued commitment to helping those in need – both at home and abroad – the members of the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department have donated 55 sets of retired turnout gear to fire departments in the Philippines that lack access to critical protective equipment. This generous donation was part of a larger...
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Robert James Grinder, 35, of Lexington Park, is facing a growing list of charges in connection with a series of retail thefts that span several months and involve multiple national retail chains in St. Mary’s County. Court documents detail at least eight separate incidents beginning in April and continuing through early November 2025. On...
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Thomas Newton Ferrall, IV, 47, of Hollywood, is facing 48 counts of animal cruelty after authorities alleged he failed to provide food, water, and shelter to numerous animals under his care. The charges, filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County, stem from a September 30, 2025, incident at a property on Sunnyside...
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Governor Wes Moore announced the creation of the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission to consider mid-cycle redistricting. The commission will organize public hearings, solicit public feedback, and make recommendations to the governor and Maryland General Assembly to improve our current map and ensure Maryland has fair Congressional maps. “My commitment has been clear from day one—we...
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Charles Henry Thompson Jr., 31, of Leonardtown, is facing a felony charge after correctional staff allegedly discovered a homemade weapon in his jail cell earlier this October, according to court records filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Thompson has been formally charged with one count of Contraband – Conceal Weapon under...
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The 4th Annual No Hunger November Food Drive, organized by the Maryland State Police – La Plata Barrack, began on Saturday, November 1. The initiative brings together multiple law enforcement agencies to fight hunger across Southern Maryland throughout the month. Captain Bagley, Acting Sergeant Johnston, and Maryland State Troopers collected 2,600 pounds of food...
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On Saturday, November 1, 2025, at approximately 3:05 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Great Mills Road and Australia Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Police arrived on the scene within 2 minutes of dispatch to find a two vehicle collision and...
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On Sunday, November 2, 2025, at approximately 1:15 p.m., emergency medical services responded to 30000 block of Melissa Court in Mechanicsville, for the reported traumatic injuries. 911 callers reported a 29-year-old female was conscious and alert after falling off the roof. Crews arrived on the scene to find the single patient laying on the...
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Thomas Newton Ferrall IV, 47, of Hollywood has been charged in Charles County District Court with felony theft after allegedly failing to return rented construction equipment valued at over $74,000 to a La Plata business. According to court documents, the charge stems from an incident that occurred on October 29, 2025, when equipment rented...
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Cameron David Curtis, 22, of Drayden, was convicted of four counts of attempted murder following a jury trial in St. Mary’s County that concluded this week. The verdict comes after a six-day trial stemming from a shooting incident that left three individuals injured. According to court documents, on May 3, 2025, deputies from the...
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UPDATE 11/03/2025: The case of Shaekwon Talib Jackson, 24, of Lexington Park, has been transferred to the St. Mary’s County Circuit Court following a criminal indictment filed on November 3, 2025. Jackson now faces 21 charges, including four counts of attempted first-degree murder, four counts of attempted second-degree murder, multiple counts of first- and...
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Charles County Government recognizes the unique strain the ongoing federal government shutdown has caused federal workers this fall. During this time of uncertainty, Charles County Government would like to offer a list of resources for families battling food insecurity due to the ongoing pause in federal funding. “Charles County Government stands with every resident...
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