Nicole Rae Sheckels, 46, of Ridge, has been charged with six criminal offenses and multiple traffic violations following a traffic stop conducted by the Maryland State Police in Lexington Park during the early morning hours of January 5, 2026. According to court documents, Trooper First Class Timothy Eckrich initiated a traffic stop on a...
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Laroi James Burch, 34, of Clinton, has been charged with one count of malicious destruction of property under $1,000 following an incident at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center, according to court records and official statements. The charge stems from an incident that occurred on January 5, 2026, at approximately 8:36 a.m....
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UPDATE 1/8/2026: Bell and his family of firefighters have selflessly supported our communities and dedicated countless years to our local fire departments. This assistance link is setup through TheYardFoundation, by his IAFF Local 1619 in Prince George’s County with the following message. Click here to support, please share if you can’t. “Every firefighter knows...
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New employment estimates for October and November 2025 released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that federal employment in Maryland fell by an estimated 10,300 in October and November 2025 (combined) according to the bureau. The employment losses are the first monthly job numbers to reflect “fork in the road” deferred resignations...
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Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman joined Governor Wes Moore and Treasurer Dereck Davis for a meeting of the Board of Public Works. Governor Moore opened the meeting by discussing the jobs report released today by the Maryland Department of Labor. The report reveals the state had lost 24,900 federal jobs between January and November 2025,...
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will open the winter firearm deer hunting season on Jan. 9, 2026 in Deer Management Region B, which includes all of the state except the westernmost counties. Hunters with a valid hunting license, or those exempt from the license requirement, may use firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this...
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Joseph Marcel Vigneault, 54, of Lexington Park, has been charged with multiple offenses following a reported hit-and-run crash and subsequent investigation that revealed alcohol consumption and the presence of a loaded handgun in his vehicle. According to court documents filed in St. Mary’s County District Court, on January 4, 2026, the Emergency Communications Center...
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The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) began their business meeting with an invocation and the pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The CSMC then presented a proclamation recognizing National Mentoring Month. For their main agenda item, the Commissioners approved and adopted the Ordinance accepting the current configuration of the Preston Court and Morgan Road intersection and...
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On January 1, 2026, at approximately 5:35 p.m., firefighters from the Solomons Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments from Calvert and St. Mary’s County responded to 11500 block of Senora Lane in Lusby, for the reported vehicle fire threatening a residence. Crews arrived on the scene to find three vehicles fully engulfed in flames...
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The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland (TCCSMD), is again offering grant funds to the community to support the purchase of farm equipment for the benefit of farmers in the Southern Maryland Region. SMADC invites agricultural entities (like County Farm Bureaus and Soil Conservation Districts) who...
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The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) achieved a milestone in advancing F-35 Lightning II aircraft integration with the Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) during a recent tactical demonstration in its Joint Simulation Environment (JSE). The event demonstrated how advanced modeling and simulation can develop tactics and strategies for fifth-generation aircraft like the F-35 operating with uncrewed...
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January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the elevated cancer risks faced by firefighters and the long-term health consequences of the job. Fire fighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. In 2025, nearly 80%* of IAFF member line-of-duty deaths were due to occupational...
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Public libraries across Maryland will soon host dozens of events to help community members develop the skills they need to succeed in today’s workplace. The fourth annual Career Success Month runs from January 6 through February 28, 2026. Developed by the Maryland State Library Agency and supported in part by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS),...
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Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and two other attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education to stop unlawful cuts to congressionally approved funding for Full Service Community School (FSCS) programs. FSCS projects focus critical resources on elementary and secondary schools that need them most, offering students and their families additional...
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A Lexington Park woman who says she seldom plays scratch-offs decided to gift herself a few of the games instead of getting her usual Pick 3 or Pick 4 tickets. She bought two $10 MONOPOLY™ X50 tickets and one of them gave her an even bigger gift: a $100,000 top-tier prize. She claimed the windfall...
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The Southern Maryland National Heritage Area today announced the launch of its new regional passport program, an interactive initiative designed to encourage residents and visitors to discover the region’s storied past, abundant culture, and natural beauty across Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and Southern Prince George’s Counties. Fifteen designated heritage sites throughout the Area are now offering...
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UPDATE – Sheriff’s Office Press Release – 1/6/2025: On Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, while conducting proactive patrol operations in Lexington Park, a deputy with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office observed a gray Ford Fusion fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Fox Ridge Road and Spring Valley Road. The...
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Delegate Brian Crosby has opened applications for his 2026–27 Academic Scholarship, a one-year award available to eligible college students who live in Maryland Legislative District 29B and will be attending a Maryland college or qualifying program during the 2026–27 school year. The scholarship is intended to support St. Mary’s County students pursuing higher education...
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A new community-driven initiative aimed at supporting women across Southern Maryland is officially taking shape. My Sister’s Closet has launched with a simple but powerful mission: women supporting women through dignity, opportunity, and community. Created to help women build confidence during career transitions, interviews, and fresh starts, My Sister’s Closet will provide free professional...
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The Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center (Forrest Center) will facilitate its twenty-sixth annual Forrest Center Tech Expo on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026. The following sessions will be available for students to visit their three favorite programs. Doors open at 5:30 pm Session 1: 5:40-5:55 pm Session 2: 6:00-6:15 pm Session 3:...
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In the midst of an emergency, every second counts. Firefighters rushing to extinguish fires or respond to emergencies rely heavily on their equipment, including fire hoses, to carry out their duties effectively and safely. However, a dangerous and illegal act has been posing serious risks to firefighters and their operations: vehicles running over fire...
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Karen Elizabeth Strickland Szabo, 59, of Lexington Park, MD, passed away suddenly on December 31, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born in Leonardtown, Maryland, on September 29, 1966, to Myers and Dee Strickland. Karen grew up on Strickland Road in Great Mills with her two younger sisters, and within walking distance...
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On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at approximately 3:05 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 6900 block of Carrico Mill Road in Hughesville, for the reported shed on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 10×10 shed fully engulfed with fire spreading to the nearby brush and trees. Firefighters from...
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The Comptroller of Maryland has submitted amendments to the regulations governing Maryland’s tire recycling fee and new tire fee. Effective January 1, 2026, the tire recycling fee increases to $1.00 from $0.80 on the first sale of a new tire in the state by a tire dealer. Maryland will also implement a $5.00 new...
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The St Mary’s County Health Department Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA) announces a call for Applications for the Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) Coordinated Community Supports Partnership FY2027 Request for Applications (RFA). The full application can be found at the following CHRC link: RFA Consortium St Mary’s County Health Department LBHA is under Track 1 and applications...
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