St. Mary’s News

Maryland Permanently Preserves 24 Working Farms with Over 3,700 Acres of Land

Maryland Permanently Preserves 24 Working Farms with Over 3,700 Acres of Land

The Maryland Board of Public Works approved 24 new Maryland Agricultural Preservation Foundation easements during their meeting. The easements will permanently preserve 3,715 acres of prime farmland in Anne Arundel, Carroll, Charles, Harford, Montgomery, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot and Worcester counties for an investment of more than $17 million. “Maryland has one of...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources Reports Encouraging Results from the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Reports Encouraging Results from the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey

The Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), estimates 323 million blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay in 2023, an increase from last year’s low of 227 million crabs. The number of spawning age female crabs increased...
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St. Mary’s County Public Schools, Sheriff’s Office Continue School Resource Officer, Adopt-A-School Programs

St. Mary’s County Public Schools, Sheriff’s Office Continue School Resource Officer, Adopt-A-School Programs

St. Mary’s County Public Schools and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office formally approved the continuation of the successful School Resource Officer and Adopt-a-School programs last week. J. Scott Smith, Superintendent of Schools, and Sheriff Steve Hall signed A Community Partnership for Safe and Secure Schools agreement and Memorandum of Understanding on Wednesday, May...
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Annual Men’s Health Day: Free Screenings, Nutrition Speaker and More in Leonardtown on Saturday, June 3, 2023

Annual Men’s Health Day: Free Screenings, Nutrition Speaker and More in Leonardtown on Saturday, June 3, 2023

The St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Men’s Health Day event will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Garvey Senior Activity Center, located at 23630 Hayden Farm Lane in Leonardtown. Doors open at 8:30 a.m....
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St. Mary’s County Museums to Host Monthly Activities during Second Saturdays Outdoor Adventures: Nature & Forest Play for All Ages Series

St. Mary’s County Museums to Host Monthly Activities during Second Saturdays Outdoor Adventures: Nature & Forest Play for All Ages Series

All ages are invited to enjoy new outdoor activities while visiting St. Clement’s Island Museum, Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, or the U.S. Colored Troops Interpretive Center in Lexington Park on the second Saturday of the month throughout the year. These activities encourage visitors to explore nature and the outdoors through curiosity and play. Modeled...
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LSM Executive Program Engages the Past, Present, and Future of Energy, Agriculture, and the Environment

LSM Executive Program Engages the Past, Present, and Future of Energy, Agriculture, and the Environment

On April 27 and 28, 2023, the Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Executive Program went behind the scenes of Southern Maryland energy, environmental sciences, and agriculture to better understand the impact of these sectors on the region’s life and economy. The two-day tour took the executives to Constellation’s Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant where Government Affairs Manager...
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St. Mary’s County Government Operations for Memorial Day

St. Mary’s County Government Operations for Memorial Day

All St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) administrative offices will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2023, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Offices will resume normal operating schedules on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The May 29 closure also includes: All three St. Mary’s County Libraries (Charlotte Hall, Leonardtown, and Lexington Park) All three...
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Assistant Principal at Leonardtown High School Charged with Sex Offenses

Assistant Principal at Leonardtown High School Charged with Sex Offenses

On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office charged a 55-year-old Lexington Park man with sex offenses involving an 18-year-old victim. Kelly Eugene McClure-Hewitt, an Assistant Principal at Leonardtown High School, was arrested and charged via warrant with Third-Degree Sex Offense, Fourth-Degree Sex Offense: Sexual Contact and Second-Degree Assault. On March...
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California Man Arrested After Pointing Handgun in Two Road Rage Incidents

California Man Arrested After Pointing Handgun in Two Road Rage Incidents

A 32-year-old California man was arrested and charged by St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Patrol deputies on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, following two road rage incidents involving two separate drivers. Eric Michael Davis, age 32 of California, was charged with two counts of First-Degree Assault, two counts of Second-Degree Assault and two counts of...
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St. Mary’s County Government to Purchase Willows Recreation Center in Lexington Park

St. Mary’s County Government to Purchase Willows Recreation Center in Lexington Park

St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) is pleased to announce the planned purchase of Willows Recreation Center. This facility is set to become the new home of the St. Mary’s Gymnastics Academy, offering competitive and recreational gymnastics. In addition to gymnastics, space will be available for daytime and evening programming that includes a pickleball court,...
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Gears Up for National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Gears Up for National Safe Boating Week, May 20-26

As boating season kicks into high gear, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is encouraging all waterway users – whether boating, kayaking, swimming, or fishing – to take proper precautions on the water. The department and its partners will provide opportunities to promote the use of personal flotation devices and other lifesaving habits and equipment...
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St. Clement’s Island Museum & Piney Point Lighthouse Museum Offering Free Admission to Military Members from May to September

St. Clement’s Island Museum & Piney Point Lighthouse Museum Offering Free Admission to Military Members from May to September

Through the Blue Stars Museum Program, the St. Mary’s County Museum Division will offer free admission to museums and historic sites for actively serving members of the armed forces, as well as up to 5 family members, from Armed Forces Day (Saturday, May 20, 2023) until Labor Day (Monday, September 4, 2023). Participating sites...
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St. Mary’s College of Maryland Class of 2023 Graduates 294 Students

St. Mary’s College of Maryland Class of 2023 Graduates 294 Students

Two hundred ninety-four students received Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the National Public Honors College, in the annual Commencement held on Saturday, May 13 on the College’s Townhouse Green. Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo delivered the Commencement address, reminding...
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Maryland Summer-Fall Striped Bass Season Regulations Includes New Maximum Size to Conserve Spawning Stock

Maryland Summer-Fall Striped Bass Season Regulations Includes New Maximum Size to Conserve Spawning Stock

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced regulations for the summer recreational striped bass fishing season beginning May 16, 2023, including a new maximum size of 31 inches that is being enacted in states throughout the Atlantic Coast. The department will continue other conservation actions – including a one-fish daily catch limit and a summer closure...
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Shoppers Food Donates $1,000 to National Night Out in St. Mary’s County

Shoppers Food Donates $1,000 to National Night Out in St. Mary’s County

Last week, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was grateful to receive a generous donation of $1,000 from Shoppers Food for this year’s National Night Out events in August in St. Mary’s County. Shoppers Food recently reopened its store in California and opened a new store in Leonardtown. (Pictured: Deputy Patrick Hudson and Jennifer...
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St. Mary’s County Board of Health to host Community Briefing on Cannabis Legalization on June 7, 2023

St. Mary’s County Board of Health to host Community Briefing on Cannabis Legalization on June 7, 2023

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC), in partnership with the St. Mary’s County Health Department, will host a briefing on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. to share information with the community on the upcoming legalization of cannabis for adult-use in Maryland. This event will be held in the CSMC meeting room...
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Two Transported After CO Poisoning Investigation in Charles County, Police Continuing Investigation

Two Transported After CO Poisoning Investigation in Charles County, Police Continuing Investigation

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, at approximately 8:33 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the 14000 block of Mill Spring Court in Bryantown, for the reported subject not breathing. Additional units were dispatched less than 2 minutes later for the reports of multiple victims not breathing. The incident was upgraded to a...
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Southern Maryland Folklife Center Workshops Scheduled for May 20-21, 2023 at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Southern Maryland Folklife Center Workshops Scheduled for May 20-21, 2023 at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

The third annual Folklife Summer Workshops hosted by the Southern Maryland Folklife Center will take place on Saturday, May 20, and Sunday, May 21, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, and will be held at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The workshops offer a wide range of topics on everything from...
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One Flown to Trauma Center After Vehicle Strikes Tree in California, Police Investigating

One Flown to Trauma Center After Vehicle Strikes Tree in California, Police Investigating

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, at approximately 8:35 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of the Super 8 Motel located at 22801 Three Notch Road in California, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle off the roadway and into...
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VIDEO: Police Investigating Mother’s Day Brawl at Applebee’s in California, One Juvenile Charged

VIDEO: Police Investigating Mother’s Day Brawl at Applebee’s in California, One Juvenile Charged

On Sunday, May 14, 2023, at approximately 20:54 p.m., police and emergency medical personnel responded to the Applebee’s located at 45480 Miramar Way in California, for the reported disturbance in progress. Witnesses and one 911 caller reported a group of people at the Applebee’s were acting rude and aggressive. One  employee stated they were...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and Community Partners Plan for Lexington Park Events on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office and Community Partners Plan for Lexington Park Events on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023

Captain Sarah Smith, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office COPs Unit and community partners met to plan for neighborhood events scheduled in Lexington Park on Saturday, June 3, 2023. On Tuesday, deputies met with the St. Mary’s County Community Development Corporation, the St. Mary’s County Health Department and Three Oaks Center at the Sheriff’s...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating One Shot in Lexington Park

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigating One Shot in Lexington Park

On Sunday, May 14, 2023, at approximately 10:45 p.m., police responded to the area of Columbus Drive in Lexington Park, for multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired. Police arrived in the area and found no victims. Shell casings were located in the area of Primrose Willow Lane and Creeping Primrose Lane Later a 22-year-old...
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Lexington Park Man Convicted of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder for 2021 Execution Style Shooting at Chancellors Run Regional Park

Lexington Park Man Convicted of Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder for 2021 Execution Style Shooting at Chancellors Run Regional Park

Leonard Charles Hall, 29, of Lexington Park, was convicted of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, loaded handgun on person, illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition charges for the 2021 death of Valdez Rico Baker III in the Circuit Court of...
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Police Investigating Teenager Shot in Lexington Park

Police Investigating Teenager Shot in Lexington Park

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, at approximately 6:05 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the 21500 block of Wilcutt Street in Lexington Park, for the reported shooting victim. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 17-year old male with a gunshot wound to the upper body. A helicopter was requested, and...
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Hyundai and Kia Launch Service Campaign to Prevent Theft of Millions of Vehicles Targeted by Social Media Challenge

Hyundai and Kia Launch Service Campaign to Prevent Theft of Millions of Vehicles Targeted by Social Media Challenge

NHTSA RELEASE: Hyundai and Kia have developed theft deterrent software for millions of their vehicles that lack an immobilizer and will provide it FREE of charge to vehicle owners. The software updates the theft alarm software logic to extend the length of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to one minute and requires the...
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