St. Mary’s News

Statement from GMHS Principal Following Incident on Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Statement from GMHS Principal Following Incident on Wednesday, April 22, 2026

As of 4/23/2026: No statement, release or information has been released by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. A statement released on 4/22/2026 by Great Mills High School Principal: Hello Hornet Nation, We are writing to inform you of a significant altercation that occurred on campus at 1:02 pm on Wednesday, April 22, 2026,...
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2026 Town Council Candidate Forum Held at the Rex on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026

2026 Town Council Candidate Forum Held at the Rex on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026

Residents are invited to attend the 2026 Leonardtown Town Council Candidate Forum, scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Rex Theatre. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the forum beginning promptly at 6:00 p.m. The event will be hosted and moderated by the Leonardtown Business Association. The forum provides an opportunity for...
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How Light Pollution Harms Maryland Wildlife

How Light Pollution Harms Maryland Wildlife

Light pollution, excessive human-produced light during the night, makes it harder to see the stars, but it’s also a hazard to wildlife, from birds to sea turtles. April 13th marked the start of International Dark Sky Week, when scientists and activists remind people to help limit light pollution. Due to the population density in...
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PG County Felon Sentenced for Conspiring to Commit Arson and Robbery at Convenience Stores

PG County Felon Sentenced for Conspiring to Commit Arson and Robbery at Convenience Stores

A Maryland man learned his fate in federal court today, in connection with an arson conspiracy. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang sentenced Stephen Kennedy, 34, of Temple Hills, Maryland, to 45 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to commit arson, arson affecting interstate commerce, commercial robbery, using...
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Historic Sotterley Hosts Visitor Experience Center Grand Opening

Historic Sotterley Hosts Visitor Experience Center Grand Opening

Historic Sotterley invites the public to the grand opening of its brand-new Visitor Experience Center on May 2nd, 2026. The new Visitor Experience Center is located centrally on the site, giving visitors better access to the historic corridor and providing additional space for a series of rotating exhibits on local and national history. This...
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Local Law Firm Empowers Community with Free Annual Expungement Day in Lexington Park

Local Law Firm Empowers Community with Free Annual Expungement Day in Lexington Park

On Friday, April 10, 2026, Williams McClernan, & Stack LLC (“WMS Lawyers”) hosted its annual Expungement Day at the St. Mary’s County Library in Lexington Park. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. citizens were able to receive free legal services from attorneys Marsha Williams, Kathleen McClernan, Alycia Stack, Tiffany Young, and Tylore Bell about...
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Longstanding Charlotte Hall 7-Eleven Closing at End of April

Longstanding Charlotte Hall 7-Eleven Closing at End of April

A long-standing convenience store in the heart of Charlotte Hall is set to close its doors for good at the end of April. The 7-Eleven, located at 29969 Three Notch Rd., will officially cease operations on April 30, marking the end of its presence in the community after years of serving local residents. The...
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Monthly ‘Second Saturday’ Activities Return to St. Mary’s County Museums

Monthly ‘Second Saturday’ Activities Return to St. Mary’s County Museums

Community members of all ages are invited to enjoy new educational activities at the St. Clement’s Island Museum, U.S. Colored Troops Interpretive Center, and Piney Point Lighthouse Museum on the second Saturday of each month throughout the year. These activities encourage visitors to explore nature and the outdoors through curiosity and play. Modeled loosely after “Forest School” learning styles popular...
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CH-53K Lifts CH-53K Expanding Capabilities

CH-53K Lifts CH-53K Expanding Capabilities

The CH-53K King Stallion helicopter, under the direction of H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261), achieved a major milestone by successfully lifting another CH-53K King Stallion. The test, performed by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 (HX-21), is part of the CH-53K aircraft recovery rigging evaluation and a critical step toward developing new...
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Maryland State Police Aviation Command Hiring Full-Time Helicopter Mechanic for Trooper 7 in St. Mary’s County

Maryland State Police Aviation Command Hiring Full-Time Helicopter Mechanic for Trooper 7 in St. Mary’s County

The Maryland State Police Aviation Command is actively recruiting a full-time Aviation Maintenance Technician to support Trooper 7, based at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport. Trooper 7 remains the busiest medevac base in the state, leading the Aviation Command in 2025 with nearly 500 missions —most occurring across Southern Maryland. The pace has continued...
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Panera Bread in California to Close April 26, Possible Future Return Indicated

Panera Bread in California to Close April 26, Possible Future Return Indicated

The Panera Bread located in the South Plaza Shopping Center at 45250 Worth Avenue is set to close later this month, according to a notice posted at the restaurant. The sign on the front door states the café will permanently close on April 26, thanking customers for their years of support and loyalty. The...
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UPDATE: Missing 84-Year-Old Succumbs to Injuries Sustained After Being Located in St. Mary’s County

UPDATE: Missing 84-Year-Old Succumbs to Injuries Sustained After Being Located in St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 4/22/2026: We regret to announce that Nives Hood, age 84, succumbed to her injuries sustained during the time she was missing. We keep her family and friends in our thoughts, along with all our First Responders who quickly assisted in the search. Additional information, service information and obituary will be provided when it...
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Anglers Can Remove Invasives, Get Rewarded By Participating in Maryland Catfish Tournaments in 2026

Anglers Can Remove Invasives, Get Rewarded By Participating in Maryland Catfish Tournaments in 2026

Maryland anglers can do their part to help the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem by catching and removing blue catfish and from waterways. These nonnative fish are top predators that consume native species such as blue crabs, white perch, and menhaden. Avid anglers looking to put their skills to the test can register for tournaments and...
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May 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

May 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

May brings a full lineup of events to the Calvert Marine Museum, from the return of seasonal experiences to signature celebrations like the Solomons Maritime Festival. Visitors can enjoy hands-on activities, on-the-water adventures, and family-friendly programs throughout the month. The museum also marks a meaningful milestone with the 15th anniversary of Night at the...
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Maryland Forest Service Offers Safety Rules and Tips for Spring Wildfire Season – Southern Maryland Under Level 2 Drought Conditions

Maryland Forest Service Offers Safety Rules and Tips for Spring Wildfire Season – Southern Maryland Under Level 2 Drought Conditions

Maryland’s wildfire season is underway and the Department of Natural Resources urges residents to be prepared and help protect our wildlands. Southern Maryland remains under a level 2 of 5 Drought Warning. March 2026 is the 18th driest March on record (since 1895) “Wildfire occurrence is highest in the spring when forest fuels are the driest and weather...
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Helicopter Requested for Serious Crash Involving Motorcycle in Mechanicsville

Helicopter Requested for Serious Crash Involving Motorcycle in Mechanicsville

UPDATE: Trooper 7 transported the 18-year-old male to an area trauma center with serious injuries. Police are investigating the motor vehicle collision. Photo courtesy of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department. On Sunday, April 19, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Three Notch Road and...
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Lexington Park Man Held Without Bond on Gun and Drug Distribution Charges

Lexington Park Man Held Without Bond on Gun and Drug Distribution Charges

Ronell Tyrone Shields, 35, of Lexington Park, is facing numerous felony and misdemeanor charges including firearm use in a violent crime, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, and fleeing from police, according to court documents. Charging documents state the incident...
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UPDATE: No Injuries Reported After House Fire in Mechanicsville, Cause Remains Under Investigation

UPDATE: No Injuries Reported After House Fire in Mechanicsville, Cause Remains Under Investigation

UPDATE 4/17/2026: On Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 5:23 p.m., firefighters from Hollywood and surrounding departments were dispatched to 40506 Medleys Lane in Mechanicsville, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find fire through the roof of the single story single family residence, and confirmed the single occupant was out....
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Ridge Man Charged After Threatening Firefighter with Knife Following Motorcycle Crash

Ridge Man Charged After Threatening Firefighter with Knife Following Motorcycle Crash

David Arnold Raley Jr., 58, of Ridge, is charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault after allegedly threatening a man with a knife following a motorcycle crash in Scotland, according to court documents. The incident occurred on April 13, 2026, at approximately 3:00 a.m. at the intersection of Courtney Way and Third Way in...
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St, Mary’s County Man Released Without Bond Despite Felony Assault and Firearm Charges

St, Mary’s County Man Released Without Bond Despite Felony Assault and Firearm Charges

Jordan Charles Danford, 26, of California, is facing multiple felony and firearm-related charges following an early morning incident in Saint Inigoes, according to court documents. Danford is charged with first-degree assault, use of a firearm in a felony or violent crime, possession of a firearm without a serial number, illegal possession of a regulated...
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Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Welcomes Their New Truck After 3 Year Wait

Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Welcomes Their New Truck After 3 Year Wait

In November of 2022, the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department signed their contract for the order of a new Pierce Tractor Drawn Aerial. Pierce began production in November of 2025. This new Pierce 107’ aerial will be assigned as Truck 3 out of the Lexington Park Station 3. Bay District Volunteer Fire Department received...
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St. Mary’s County Public Schools 2-Hour Early Dismissal on Thursday, April 16, 2026 Due to Excessive Heat

St. Mary’s County Public Schools 2-Hour Early Dismissal on Thursday, April 16, 2026 Due to Excessive Heat

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will implement a 2-hour early dismissal for all students tomorrow, Thursday, April 16, in response to continued excessive heat. Our school buildings are equipped with commercial heating and cooling systems that operate differently from residential (home) systems. Most homes can switch between heating and cooling with the touch...
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St. Mary’s County Teen Accused of Stealing Cash, Weapons, and Jewelry from Father

St. Mary’s County Teen Accused of Stealing Cash, Weapons, and Jewelry from Father

Thomas V. Ferrall, 18, of Hollywood, is facing a felony theft charge after being accused of stealing property valued between $25,000 and $100,000, according to court documents filed in St. Mary’s County District Court. According to the charging documents, the alleged theft occurred on or about March 2, 2026, on St. Johns Road in...
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Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters 2026 – Community Event to Remember and Honor Our Fallen Heroes

Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters 2026 – Community Event to Remember and Honor Our Fallen Heroes

This April and May, our grateful communities will come together to honor its fallen fire service heroes during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, the official national tribute to firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty last year. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation launched Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters...
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Large Home in Prince Frederick Destroyed After Fire; Cause Under Investigation

Large Home in Prince Frederick Destroyed After Fire; Cause Under Investigation

On Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at approximately 12:57 p.m., firefighters from Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s and Anne Arundel County were dispatched to the 1100 block of Clay Hammond Road, for the reported working house fire with unknown entrapment. Multiple 911 callers reported a house was on fire with reports of one occupant unaccounted for....
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