St. Mary’s News

Protect Yourself from EZ-Pass Maryland Scams

Protect Yourself from EZ-Pass Maryland Scams

Scammers are targeting EZ-Pass Maryland users with fake emails, texts, and phone calls designed to steal your personal and financial information. Here’s what you need to know: Fraudsters impersonate EZ-Pass Maryland, claiming: You owe unpaid tolls and need to pay immediately. Your account will be suspended unless updated. There are issues with your payment...
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Southern Maryland Public School Delays for Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Southern Maryland Public School Delays for Wednesday, January 22, 2025

NAS Patuxent River – The River’s Edge Child and Youth Center (BLDG 2815) and Child Development Center (BLDG 2813) will be CLOSED Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, due to cold temperatures. An update will be provided when services resume at these locations. Calvert County Public Schools – NO CALL YET St. Mary’s County Public Schools...
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Public Safety Issues Animal Safety Alert Due to Severe Cold Weather – January 2025

Public Safety Issues Animal Safety Alert Due to Severe Cold Weather – January 2025

In light of severe cold temperatures, the Department of Public Safety has issued an animal safety alert for Sunday, Jan. 19, through Friday, Jan. 24. During this period, animal owners or custodians are required to provide the following actions to protect their pets and livestock: Dogs and cats should be brought inside. If a...
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Governor Moore Signs Proclamation to Enshrine Reproductive Freedom in Maryland’s Constitution

Governor Moore Signs Proclamation to Enshrine Reproductive Freedom in Maryland’s Constitution

Governor Wes Moore signed a proclamation officially enshrining into Maryland’s constitution “an individual’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” The constitutional amendment—sponsored by House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones and Senate President Bill Ferguson—passed by over three-quarters of Maryland voters on Election Day 2024, provides the highest level of protection of abortion rights. The Governor was...
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Maryland Commission on Public Health Releases 2024 Interim Report, Sets Stage for Final Recommendations

Maryland Commission on Public Health Releases 2024 Interim Report, Sets Stage for Final Recommendations

The Commission on Public Health recently released its 2024 Interim Report, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to enhance public health in Maryland. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth review of the Commission’s work this past year as it launched an assessment of foundational public health service delivery across the state. The...
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Additional “St. Mary’s 2050” Community Visioning Sessions Announced

Additional “St. Mary’s 2050” Community Visioning Sessions Announced

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Land Use & Growth Management (LUGM) is seeking input from the community on the vision, key planning themes, and goals to be considered as the county’s Comprehensive Plan is updated. The “St. Mary’s 2050” plan will establish a cohesive, countywide vision for land use, economic development, and other...
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Green Holly Elementary School Early Dismissal Today, Jan.21st 2025 Due to Water Main Break

Green Holly Elementary School Early Dismissal Today, Jan.21st 2025 Due to Water Main Break

Due to an unanticipated water main break due to an independent contractor working in the area, Green Holly Elementary School will be closing at 1:00 p.m. today, Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The break has occurred in the area of Esperanza Farms in Lexington Park. There will be an emergency water service outage for residents...
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College of Southern Maryland Fall 2024 Dean’s List

College of Southern Maryland Fall 2024 Dean’s List

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has released its dean’s list for the 2024 fall session. Students who have earned 12 or more credits at CSM are eligible to be considered for the dean’s list. At the end of the fall, spring, and summer sessions, full- and part-time time students who have completed at...
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St. Mary’s County Public Warming Centers Available January 21-23, 2025

St. Mary’s County Public Warming Centers Available January 21-23, 2025

Due to the cold temperatures expected this week, St. Mary’s County Government is announcing the availability of warming centers for the public, open Tuesday, January 21, 2025, through Thursday, January 23, 2025. Residents who need to take refuge in a warm place can go to one of the following locations: Charlotte Hall Library – 37600...
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President Donald Trump and The White House – Executive Orders on January 20th, 2025

President Donald Trump and The White House – Executive Orders on January 20th, 2025

Today, January 20th, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and The White House has released the following. President Trump’s America First Priorities. Trump signs executive order designating cartels foreign terrorist organizations Order Delivering Emergency Price Relief for American Families and Defeating the Cost-of-Living Crisis – Click here for full release. Trump signs executive order tackling...
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FrogWatch USA 2025 Citizen Science Program

FrogWatch USA 2025 Citizen Science Program

FrogWatch USA is a nationwide citizen science program hosted by local chapters and is dedicated to tracking frog populations. The Southern Maryland (and surrounding DMV) chapter is hosted by the Calvert Marine Museum and Calvert County Parks and Recreation. Last year participants submitted over 1,100 observations of 14 different species. Our local chapter of FrogWatch...
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UPDATE: Department of Natural Resources Expands Dead Wild Bird Collection Efforts Due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

UPDATE: Department of Natural Resources Expands Dead Wild Bird Collection Efforts Due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Earlier this week, Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) expanded its long-term contract with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to provide more wildlife technicians in the state to dispose of dead waterfowl, raptors, and other birds that could be carrying Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The federal agency specializes in eliminating and...
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UPDATE: Police Arrest Third Suspect in Lexington Park Shooting

UPDATE: Police Arrest Third Suspect in Lexington Park Shooting

UPDATE: Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Service, have arrested Charles Henry Thompson, 30, of Lexington Park, Maryland, in connection with a shooting on October 30, 2024, in the 22000 block of Valley Estates, Lexington Park. Thompson was located and arrested without incident in South Carolina....
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Horrific Conditions Lead Over 150 Animal Cruelty Charges for Charlotte Hall Father and Daughter

Kelvin Shepherd, 51, and Dominique Parrish, 35, both of Charlotte Hall

Kelvin Shepherd, 51, and Dominique Parrish, 35, both of Charlotte Hall, were arrested following a joint investigation by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and Animal Control. The investigation uncovered what authorities describe as “horrific” conditions for over 17 dogs housed on their property at 30205 Gershwin Road. The arrests came after months of...
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22-Year-Old Port Republic Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase from Calvert to St. Mary’s County

22-Year-Old Port Republic Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase from Calvert to St. Mary’s County

Dylan Michael Barbieri, 22, of Port Republic, was arrested on January 14, 2025, following a high-speed pursuit that spanned parts of Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. According to court documents, the incident began when officers in Calvert County observed Barbieri’s vehicle traveling at an estimated 85 mph in a 55 mph zone along Maryland...
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Repeat Offender Faces Multiple Charges, Including Escape, in St. Mary’s County After Failing to Report to Jail

Repeat Offender Faces Multiple Charges, Including Escape, in St. Mary’s County After Failing to Report to Jail

Justin Michael Gibson, 33, of Lexington Park, is facing a series of charges in St. Mary’s County following multiple alleged incidents, including thefts and an escape from custody. Court records detail a sequence of events that culminated in the issuance of an arrest warrant for the defendant. According to court documents, Gibson has been...
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VIDEO: Hollywood Woman Arrested for Impaired Driving, Cocaine Possession in Lexington Park

VIDEO: Hollywood Woman Arrested for Impaired Driving, Cocaine Possession in Lexington Park

Serinity Faith Byrd, 32, of Hollywood, was arrested on January 10, 2025, following a welfare check that revealed impaired driving and the discovery of suspected cocaine in her possession. According to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to the Pegg Road Food Mart, located at 22141 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park,...
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Police in St. Mary’s County Investigating Motor Vehicle Crash That Killed 28-Year-Old Mechanicsville Woman

Police in St. Mary’s County Investigating Motor Vehicle Crash That Killed 28-Year-Old Mechanicsville Woman

UPDATE: On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at approximately 6:33 p.m., patrol units from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a serious motor vehicle collision near Three Notch Road and Old Village Road, Mechanicsville, with one ejected. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2000 Infinity G20 operated by Melissa Marie Stallings, 28, of...
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Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Releases Statement Following Governor Moore’s $3 Billion Deficit Announcement, Tax Increases, and Budget Cuts

Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan Releases Statement Following Governor Moore’s $3 Billion Deficit Announcement, Tax Increases, and Budget Cuts

In December 2024 the Department of Legislative Services reported a historic $2.95 billion General Fund projected shortfall for the State’s Fiscal Year 2026 (beginning July 1, 2025)—greater than any shortfall in at least 20 years including during the Great Recession. The $2.95 billion projected shortfall (before any budget actions) represents a projected 11 percent...
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February 2025 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

February 2025 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

Celebrate February at the Calvert Marine Museum with exciting programs and events for all ages! From meeting Poppie the opossum to exploring local history and participating in citizen science, there’s something for everyone this month. Don’t miss the Maritime Performance Series with ASH & ERIC L’ESPERANCE on the 21st. For more information about museum...
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UPDATE: FDA to Revoke Authorization for the Use of Red #3 in Food and Ingested Drugs

UPDATE: FDA to Revoke Authorization for the Use of Red #3 in Food and Ingested Drugs

UPDATE 1/15/2025: The FDA is revoking the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 as a matter of law, based on the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The FDA is amending its color additive regulations to no longer allow for the use of FD&C Red...
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Multiple Chickens Perish in Leonardtown Chicken Coop Fire

Multiple Chickens Perish in Leonardtown Chicken Coop Fire

On Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 10:13 p.m., firefighters from Second District, Leonardtown, Bay District, Hollywood, and Seventh District responded to the 20000 block of Chingville Road in Leonardtown, for the reported chicken coop on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find an approximate 7 x 10 chicken coop with smoke and fire...
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VIDEO: Tip From Confidential Informant Uncovers Major Drug Operation in St. Mary’s County

VIDEO: Tip From Confidential Informant Uncovers Major Drug Operation in St. Mary’s County

On January 14, 2025, Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Thomas A. Goldring, 44, of Great Mills, and Toney L. Daye, 58, of Lexington Park, who now face multiple drug-related charges. The arrests occurred following an investigation by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit, which had received information linking Goldring, known as “Junk,” to narcotics...
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Kenny’s Flowers Closes Lexington Park and Leonardtown Location After Nearly 60 Years of Business

Kenny’s Flowers Closes Lexington Park and Leonardtown Location After Nearly 60 Years of Business

Julie Wathen Pitt, made the following announcement late December 2024. “After careful consideration I would like to announce the closing of Kenny’s Flowers in both our Lexington Park and Leonardtown locations beginning Monday, December 30, 2024. All tangible assets must go; please stop by either or both locations and make an offer!” It has...
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Attorney General Brown’s Statement on Supreme Court of the United States’ Decision Today to Decline Challenge in Maryland Shall Issue v. Wes Moore

Attorney General Brown’s Statement on Supreme Court of the United States’ Decision Today to Decline Challenge in Maryland Shall Issue v. Wes Moore

(January 13, 2025) – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear a challenge of Maryland’s law requiring most residents to obtain a license before purchasing a handgun. In Maryland, most applicants for handgun qualification licenses are required to submit fingerprints, undergo...
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