St. Mary’s News

Off-Duty Police Officer Arrested in St. Mary’s County After Shooting at Victim in Charles County

Off-Duty Police Officer Arrested in St. Mary’s County After Shooting at Victim in Charles County

CHARLES COUNTY PRESS RELEASE: On Friday, February 23, 2024, at 1:30 a.m., officers responded to the area of Crain Highway in Newburg for the report of shots fired. The caller advised he was following a car in which the driver, who is known to him, shot at him minutes earlier. The driver, David Arthur...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Number of Wildfires, Acreage Burned Increased in 2023

Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Number of Wildfires, Acreage Burned Increased in 2023

The number of wildfires and the acreage of land burned by wildfires in Maryland last year significantly outpaced the 10-year average, according to the Maryland Forest Service’s Annual Wildland Fire Report. The report, which is being released this month, covers data related to wildfires on 3.2 million acres of land overseen by the Maryland Forest...
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Death Investigation at Lettie Dent Elementary School Involving Staff Member

Death Investigation at Lettie Dent Elementary School Involving Staff Member

On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at approximately 10:05 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the Lettie Marshall Dent Elementary School in Mechanicsville, for the reported adult male not breathing. Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division (CID) and a Forensic Investigator from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner responded to the scene;...
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Acclaimed Jazz Lineup Announced for 2024 Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival

Acclaimed Jazz Lineup Announced for 2024 Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival

The Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival, one of the Mid-Atlantic’s signature, award-winning jazz events, will be held July 12 – 14, 2024, in St. Mary’s County. Featuring music from nationally renowned jazz artists and delicious local seafood, this three-day event includes a variety of activities for jazz enthusiasts along the beautiful Potomac River at...
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St. Mary’s County Health Department Awarded $1.435 Million Grant to Expand Services for Youth at School-Based Health Centers

St. Mary’s County Health Department Awarded $1.435 Million Grant to Expand Services for Youth at School-Based Health Centers

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has been awarded $1.435 million in grant funding through the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, which is responsible for developing a statewide framework to expand access for behavioral health services for Maryland students. Funding was made available by the Maryland General Assembly under the Blueprint for...
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A Special Adoption Story – Rescue Dogs Can Rescue Too!

A Special Adoption Story – Rescue Dogs Can Rescue Too!

The Humane Society of Calvert County visits several local shelters often to rescue dogs at risk and we take into consideration many things about the dog before bringing them into our rescue. Last week, their staff visited Prince George’s County Animal Shelter to assess and rescue dogs in need. While there, the shelter staff...
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UPDATE: Investigation Continues Into Avenue Shed Fire That Killed 26-Year-Old St. Mary’s County Man

UPDATE: Investigation Continues Into Avenue Shed Fire That Killed 26-Year-Old St. Mary’s County Man

UPDATE 2/20/2024: The victim of last Friday night’s shed fire in Avenue has been identified as 26-year-old Joseph Williams Bowles, Jr. Deputy State Fire Marshals have concluded the fire originated within an 8′ x 10 shed in his parents’ backyard. While the fire remains under investigation, they have not recovered evidence that it was...
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NAS Patuxent River Announces Its Sailors of the Year for 2023

NAS Patuxent River Announces Its Sailors of the Year for 2023

NAS Patuxent River announces its Sailors of the Year, marking the command’s top Sailors for 2023. “I am regularly impressed by the commitment our Pax Sailors show to their command, their Navy, and each other,” said NAS Patuxent River Commanding Officer Capt. Douglas Burfield. “The Sailors chosen as this year’s Sailors of the Year...
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Mechanicsville Man Who Shot Up an Occupied House in Leonardtown Arrested After Almost Three Months on the Run

Mechanicsville Man Who Shot Up an Occupied House in Leonardtown Arrested After Almost Three Months on the Run

It took the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office two and a half months to finally arrest Charles Vernon Russell, 26, of Mechanicsville, and although we hear about shootings in St. Mary’s County almost every week, they are usually not in Leonardtown, which could be why the Sheriff’s Office never mentioned the Leonardtown shooting in...
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St. Mary’s County Health Department Launches New Public Health Junior Fellowship

St. Mary’s County Health Department Launches New Public Health Junior Fellowship

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is pleased to announce the new Public Health Junior Fellowship for high school and college students studying at St. Mary’s County educational institutions. SMCHD is now accepting applications for the pilot of this fellowship program, which will run from March – June 2024. The Public Health Junior...
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First Report in The Fossil Record of a Great White Shark Tooth

First Report in The Fossil Record of a Great White Shark Tooth

Seals and great white sharks have co-existed for over 6 million years. Great whites hunt seals and now we are able to confirm that they have also been doing so for millions of years. Until now, no great white shark tooth has ever been found embedded in a fossil seal bone. Here, for the...
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Maryland Department of Commerce Launches Applications for Cannabis and Telework Assistance Programs

Maryland Department of Commerce Launches Applications for Cannabis and Telework Assistance Programs

The Maryland Department of Commerce has opened applications for two programs aimed at providing financial assistance to small businesses. As part of the Cannabis Business Assistance Fund, the state has launched the Social Equity License Application Assistance Reimbursement Grant on February 19, 2024. The grant is available to qualified applicants seeking assistance with the...
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Pax River MWR Recognized by CNIC for Program of the Year

Pax River MWR Recognized by CNIC for Program of the Year

NAS Patuxent River’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Glow Party Skate Night was recognized by Commander, Navy Installations Command as the Program of the Year 2023. The all-ages event was held in August 2023 after a review of programs that saw a rise in popularity over the previous years. “During COVID, roller skating had...
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CSM Faculty Couple Shares Love of Teaching, Arts

CSM Faculty Couple Shares Love of Teaching, Arts

Throughout February – a month traditionally focused on friendship and affection – the  College of Southern Maryland (CSM) continues its long tradition of highlighting kindness and goodwill toward its students, employees, and the community by sharing acts and stories of #CSMLove. This Valentine’s Day, Steve and Gina Johnson, of Golden Beach, join in the...
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78-Year-Old Man Flown Out with Serious Burns After Fire in Helen, Fire Marshal Investigating

78-Year-Old Man Flown Out with Serious Burns After Fire in Helen, Fire Marshal Investigating

On Monday, February 19, 2024, at approximately 12:40 p.m., firefighters from the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department responded to a residence in Helen, for the reported outside fire with one burn victim Crews arrived on the scene to find a large woods fire with extensions to a nearby shed and one adult male suffering from...
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FGS, LLC Signs 23,000 Square Foot Lease at Lexington Exchange in California

FGS, LLC Signs 23,000 Square Foot Lease at Lexington Exchange in California

FGS has selected Lexington Exchange in California, Maryland as the site for expansion space and intends to place approximately 15 employees at the 140-acre mixed-use business community this spring. The group, which maintains its corporate headquarters in La Plata, Maryland, recently signed a lease with St. John Properties, Inc. for 23,574 square feet of space at 23566...
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Spotlight on Excellence: Celebrating Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad’s Chief Ken Hicks, Awarded EMT of the Year

Spotlight on Excellence: Celebrating Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad’s Chief Ken Hicks, Awarded EMT of the Year

We’re bursting with pride at LPVRS as we spotlight our very own Chief Ken Hicks, recently honored as EMT of The Year by the Knights of Columbus. Ken’s journey with the LPVRS began in 2002 after retiring from the U.S. Navy and has since been a beacon of service, leadership, and dedication to our...
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4 Displaced After House Fire in Hughesville, Fire Under Investigation and No Injuries Reported

4 Displaced After House Fire in Hughesville, Fire Under Investigation and No Injuries Reported

On Sunday, February 18, 2024, at approximately 4:08 a.m., firefighters from Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s County responded to 16465 Overhill Way in Hughesville, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a one story single family home with fire showing. Firefighters found all occupants were reported out of...
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Maryland Park Service Graduates 21 New State Park Rangers

Maryland Park Service Graduates 21 New State Park Rangers

The Maryland Park Service today graduated 21 new State Park Rangers following four weeks of training. The rangers were honored in a ceremony at Elk Neck State Park and NorthBay Adventure Camp. “As I have visited our public lands across the state, I have been impressed by the preparedness and dedication of Maryland State...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Threats of Potential Gun Violence at Spring Ridge Middle School

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Threats of Potential Gun Violence at Spring Ridge Middle School

On Thursday, February 15, 2024, Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were called to investigate reports of a threat against Spring Ridge Middle School. Deputies were alerted to a social media post circulating among Spring Ridge Middle School students warning them not to “go to school tomorrow” and indicating a student would...
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CCA Maryland’s ‘Celebration of Conservation’ Set for Saturday, February 24, 2024,

CCA Maryland’s ‘Celebration of Conservation’ Set for Saturday, February 24, 2024,

On February 24, 2024, Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA), whose objective is to conserve, promote, and enhance the present and future availability of coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public, will hold their annual fundraising banquet at the Calvert Marine Museum, 14200 Solomons Island Rd, Solomons MD at 6pm. Join...
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Maryland State Police Remind Citizens To Verify Credentials When Using Automotive Dismantler and Recycler Services

Maryland State Police Remind Citizens To Verify Credentials When Using Automotive Dismantler and Recycler Services

The Maryland State Police remind citizens to use caution and verify credentials when using Automotive Dismantler and Recycler (ADR) and Scrap Processor services in Maryland. More commonly, Automotive Dismantler and Recycler (ADR) and Scrap Processor services post signs and advertisements, meant to entice citizens to purchase and/or sell automotive goods, ranging from used cars,...
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St. Mary’s County Driver Hauls Away $50,000 Scratch-off Prize

St. Mary’s County Driver Hauls Away $50,000 Scratch-off Prize

Lucky player finds second-tier prize on 50X The Cash game A Southern Maryland man, who only occasionally plays scratch-offs, found success in a big way after persisting in his hunt for a win in the 50X The Cash game. He wound up with a $50,000 second-tier prize on the $10 instant ticket. “Anthony” and...
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25-Year-Old Woman Charged With Arson at Her Grandparents House in Charlotte Hall

25-Year-Old Woman Charged With Arson at Her Grandparents House in Charlotte Hall

  On Monday, February 12, 2024, at approximately 5:00 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the 13000 block of Charles Street in Charlotte Hall, for the reported house on fire with one trapped following a domestic situation. Crews from Charles and St. Mary’s County responded with units arriving in under 3 minutes...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating Head-on Collision in St. Mary’s County That Killed 27-Year-Old Mechanicsville Woman

UPDATE: Police Investigating Head-on Collision in St. Mary’s County That Killed 27-Year-Old Mechanicsville Woman

UPDATE 2/14/2024: On Sunday, February 4, 2024, at approximately 8:25am, Troopers from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack responded to Mechanicsville Road and Red Oak Lane, Mechanicsville, for the report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries involving two vehicles. Troopers and other emergency services personnel arrived to find the driver of the at-fault...
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