St. Mary’s News

St. Mary’s County Animal Services Waive Adoption Fees Due to Critical Capacity Levels

St. Mary’s County Animal Services Waive Adoption Fees Due to Critical Capacity Levels

St. Mary’s County Animal Services announced today that they have “244 animals in their care and a waiting list of close to 3 dozen animals that are scheduled to be surrendered in the next week or so. We are drowning in critters and we NEED to move some of them out to adoptive homes.”...
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St. Mary’s County Alcohol Beverage Board Reviews Series of Underage Alcohol Sales Violations

St. Mary’s County Alcohol Beverage Board Reviews Series of Underage Alcohol Sales Violations

At the October 9, 2025 meeting, the St. Mary’s County Alcohol Beverage Board reviewed and adjudicated five separate violations of underage alcohol sales involving four local establishments. In one case, both the employee and the licensee at the same business were cited and heard separately. All violations stemmed from compliance checks conducted by the...
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T-Bone Collision in California Leaves One Vehicle on Fire, Sends Two to Hospital

T-Bone Collision in California Leaves One Vehicle on Fire, Sends Two to Hospital

On Thursday, October 16, 2025 at approximately 4:40 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 44049 St. Andrew’s Church Road and Indian Bridge Road in California, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries and vehicle on fire. Firefighters from Bay District Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene...
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CSM Launches Thrive 60+ Lifelong Learning Program for Adults Age 60 and Up

CSM Launches Thrive 60+ Lifelong Learning Program for Adults Age 60 and Up

Free and low-cost continuing education opportunities expand access, foster community, and enrich the lives of Southern Maryland residents age 60 and up. For residents of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s Counties age 60 and over, the opportunity to explore a variety of continuing education and personal enrichment courses for little-or-no cost is now available...
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Maryland Harvest Season Ramping Up – Share the Road With Our Farmers!

Maryland Harvest Season Ramping Up – Share the Road With Our Farmers!

As many commuters may have noticed, our harvest season is ramping up and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Farm Bureau, is reminding motorists to share the road safely with large farm equipment as the fall harvest is underway in the state....
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Governor Moore Convenes Veterans Organizations to Discuss Expanding Post-Service Opportunities as Critical Federal Resources Remain Unavailable

Governor Moore Convenes Veterans Organizations to Discuss Expanding Post-Service Opportunities as Critical Federal Resources Remain Unavailable

Governor Wes Moore hosted veterans organizations Hiring Our Heroes and Student Veterans of America at the State House to discuss how Maryland can leverage cross-sector partnerships to help veterans find and excel in their post-service careers. The discussion comes as critical federal resources to support veterans transitioning into post-service opportunities—such as the GI Bill...
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No Kings Protest Set for Saturday, October 18th Across Southern Maryland

No Kings Protest Set for Saturday, October 18th Across Southern Maryland

Beginning in June of 2025, The No Kings protests, also known internationally as the No Dictators or No Tyrants protests, is a series of demonstrations, largely in the United States, against what the organizers describe as authoritarian policies of Donald Trump and corruption in his administration. Protests around our country and state are set...
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Hughesville Man Charged After Threats to Burn Down Calvert Hospital

Hughesville Man Charged After Threats to Burn Down Calvert Hospital

Simeon Abiola, 31, of Hughesville, has been charged in the District Court for Calvert County with Threat of Mass Violence, Arson/Threat, and Malicious Destruction of Property after an incident at Calvert Health Hospital on October 2, 2025, according to court documents filed by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy McIntosh responded to the hospital...
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Ridge Man Charged with Assault After Domestic Incident, Case Transferred to Circuit Court

Ridge Man Charged with Assault After Domestic Incident, Case Transferred to Circuit Court

Terry Francis Mattingly, 57, of Ridge, was arrested on September 24, 2025, and charged with first- and second-degree assault following a reported domestic altercation, according to court documents filed by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Hudson responded to a residence on Three Notch Road in Ridge early that morning for a domestic...
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Couple Arrested Following Domestic Dispute in Calvert County

Couple Arrested Following Domestic Dispute in Calvert County

Hailey Lynn Sulima, 18, of Leonardtown, and Jakwon Terelle Kelson, 19, of Saint Leonard, were both arrested and charged with second-degree assault following a domestic altercation on October 5, 2025, according to documents filed with the Calvert County District Court. Deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched around 4:00 p.m. to a...
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Chesapeake Supportive Care and Southern Maryland House Calls Partner to Expand Access to In-Home Palliative Care in Calvert County

Chesapeake Supportive Care and Southern Maryland House Calls Partner to Expand Access to In-Home Palliative Care in Calvert County

Chesapeake Supportive Care (CSC), the palliative care arm of Hospice of the Chesapeake, is excited to announce a new partnership with Southern Maryland House Calls (SMHC), a trusted leader in home-based geriatric care, to enhance access to palliative care services for residents of Calvert County. This collaboration will ensure that seniors in the community...
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Noise Advisory – NAS Patuxent River Sets Noise Advisory October 16-17, 2025 for Webster Outlying Field

Noise Advisory – NAS Patuxent River Sets Noise Advisory October 16-17, 2025 for Webster Outlying Field

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD – Communities surrounding Webster Outlying Field are advised that that low-altitude aircraft flight test events involving fixed wing aircraft are scheduled to take place Oct. 16-17, 2025 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. As with all operations, NAS Patuxent River takes precautions to lessen the impact of testing activities...
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St. Mary’s County Installs Publicly Accessible AED Cabinets at County Facilities to Improve Emergency Response & Survival Rates

St. Mary’s County Installs Publicly Accessible AED Cabinets at County Facilities to Improve Emergency Response & Survival Rates

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County are pleased to announce a new public safety initiative to improve access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) parks and facilities. The St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services has partnered with Recreation & Parks, Aging & Human Services, and Public Works &...
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Little Flower School Presents: Beer, Brats, and Bingo – A Night of Fun, Food, and Fabulous Prizes!

Little Flower School Presents: Beer, Brats, and Bingo – A Night of Fun, Food, and Fabulous Prizes!

As the autumn air rolls in and the leaves begin to turn, Little Flower School invites you to raise a stein and celebrate the season at its first annual Beer, Brats, and Bingo event on Saturday, October 18, 2025. This adults-only evening blends the cozy charm of fall with the lively spirit of Oktoberfest—complete...
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St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Board of Trustees Approves Immigration Enforcement Policy

St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Board of Trustees Approves Immigration Enforcement Policy

During their regular October meeting, the St. Mary’s College Board of Trustees approved a new state-mandated Immigration Enforcement Policy. The Board also heard a report from President Rhonda Phillips on her first 100 days at the College, during which she engaged in a “listening tour” that saw her meet with hundreds of students, faculty,...
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Maryland Comptroller’s Office Launches New System to Modernize Unclaimed Property Process

Maryland Comptroller’s Office Launches New System to Modernize Unclaimed Property Process

Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman announced today the launch of a modernized unclaimed property website and system that will make it easier for residents to reclaim their lost assets. The upgraded platform replaces a mainframe system that had been in use for decades with a contemporary cloud-based solution, allowing Marylanders to submit claims online...
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St. Mary’s County Health Department and University of Maryland School of Public Health Launch Partnership to Strengthen Community Well-being and Public Health Workforce

St. Mary’s County Health Department and University of Maryland School of Public Health Launch Partnership to Strengthen Community Well-being and Public Health Workforce

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) and the University of Maryland School of Public Health are proud to announce a new academic health department partnership aimed at improving public health outcomes, strengthening the local public health workforce, and advancing learning opportunities in the region. The Academic Health Department model serves as a bridge between...
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Chesapeake Bay 2025 Young-of-Year Striped Bass Survey Results

Chesapeake Bay 2025 Young-of-Year Striped Bass Survey Results

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) 2025 juvenile striped bass survey recorded a young-of-year index of 4.0. This is an improvement over recent years, but still well below the long-term survey average of 11. This marks the seventh consecutive year of low spawning success for striped bass. The annual survey tracks the reproductive...
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Leonardtown Man Sentenced to 65-Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Child

Leonardtown Man Sentenced to 65-Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of a Child

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced that Crosby Dawson, 42, of Leonardtown, Maryland, was sentenced to 65 years in prison with 35 years of active incarceration, ordered to lifetime sexual offender supervision, and required to register as a sex offender for life, for the sexual abuse and rape of a child. Following a multi-day jury...
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Lexington Park Man Charged with Indecent Exposure After Incident in Leonardtown

Lexington Park Man Charged with Indecent Exposure After Incident in Leonardtown

Glenn Rodney Battle, 39, of Lexington Park, has been charged with indecent exposure and malicious destruction of property after a reported incident on October 11, 2025, on Lawrence Avenue in Leonardtown, according to charging documents filed by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Rachael Roszell responded to the 22000 block of Lawrence Avenue...
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Maryland’s Small Game Seasons Provide Abundant Fall Hunting Opportunities

Maryland’s Small Game Seasons Provide Abundant Fall Hunting Opportunities

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that squirrel, rabbit, fall turkey, and other small game seasons are either underway or set to open in the coming weeks. Some of these species offer generous seasons and bag limits and are abundant throughout Maryland. “Although many hunters turn their attention to deer during this time of year, small game...
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Lexington Park Man Ordered Held Without Bond After Drug Distribution Arrest in St. Mary’s County

Lexington Park Man Ordered Held Without Bond After Drug Distribution Arrest in St. Mary’s County

Thomas Emanuel Gross, 39, of Lexington Park, was ordered held without bond following his arrest on felony and misdemeanor drug charges stemming from a search warrant executed earlier this year, according to court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Gross faces four charges: one felony count of possession with intent...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Limits Access to Public Information, Favoring Facebook Over the Public

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Limits Access to Public Information, Favoring Facebook Over the Public

UPDATE: Prior to publishing our recent article on transparency, SMNEWSNET.COM filed two formal complaints with the Maryland Office of the Public Access Ombudsman against the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office for withholding public information. The Ombudsman reviewed our complaints and found them valid for mediation — a process designed to resolve disputes through open...
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Pursuit of Justice – Police Seeking Any Information in Murder of 14-Year-Old Sterling Emmanuel Settle

Pursuit of Justice – Police Seeking Any Information in Murder of 14-Year-Old Sterling Emmanuel Settle

Pursuit of Justice – Charles County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Files – Sterling Settle, Jr. On October 13, 1995, at approximately 4:00 p.m.,, officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a logging road off Covington Road in Brandywine, for the report of a deceased male. Officers located the male, identified as Sterling...
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PHOTOS: Police Investigating Hit and Run in Mechanicsville That Sends Two to Hospital

PHOTOS: Police Investigating Hit and Run in Mechanicsville That Sends Two to Hospital

On October 10, 2025, at approximately 9:23 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of the Maryland International Raceway in Mechanicsville, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find a two vehicle rear-end style collision with the striking vehicle having fled the scene....
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