St. Mary’s News

Police Seeking Identity of Suspect Who Stole Cartons of Cigarettes

Police Seeking Identity of Suspect Who Stole Cartons of Cigarettes

Press release posted by SMCSO on December 15, 2023: On Thursday, October 12, 2023, at around 8:10 p.m., the person depicted in this photo entered the Wawa Convenience Store in Charlotte Hall, MD. Subsequently, the individual approached the counter, went behind it, took three cartons of cigarettes, and left the store. The suspect is...
Read More »

Second District Firefighters Respond to Dumpster Fire at Take It Easy Campground

Second District Firefighters Respond to Dumpster Fire at Take It Easy Campground

On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at 3:45 p.m., six firefighters from the Second District Volunteer Fire Department responded to the area of 45285 Take It Easy Rach Road in Callaway, for the reported outside fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find fire showing from the dumpster with a property manager using a tractor...
Read More »

UPDATE: Southern Maryland Firefighters Respond to Virginia to Assist During Devastating Church Fire

UPDATE: Southern Maryland Firefighters Respond to Virginia to Assist During Devastating Church Fire

UPDATE: Additional photos added. 12/19/2023: On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at approximately 7:12 a.m., firefighters in multiple jurisdictions in Virginia responded to 2961 Kings Highway in Oak Grove, for the reported church on fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene within 3 minutes of dispatch to find fire showing from multiple sides of the structure....
Read More »

Lexington Park Ford and Chevrolet Dealership Hosting Holiday Extravaganza This Tuesday! December 19th, 2023

Lexington Park Ford and Chevrolet Dealership Hosting Holiday Extravaganza This Tuesday! December 19th, 2023

Lexington Park Ford Lincoln is bringing you some holiday cheer for our first ever HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA!! Hours of festive fun, Tuesday, December 19, 2023, from 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.! Get your pictures with Santa and/or the Grinch, take a wagon ride with Suttler Post Clydesdales, check out STAR 98.3 T-Bone & Heather and maybe...
Read More »

Preseason Trout Stocking Begins Early in Maryland Waters

Preseason Trout Stocking Begins Early in Maryland Waters

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has begun “preseason” stocking with the first of about 290,000 trout in Maryland waters statewide. This stocking will help coldwater hatcheries reduce overcrowded fish densities caused by record drought conditions this year. The first preseason stockings will be allocated to impoundments, special management, and delayed harvest streams...
Read More »

Nelson’s Face Additional Charges and Citations from Maryland Natural Resources Police

Nelson’s Face Additional Charges and Citations from Maryland Natural Resources Police

On December 15, 2023, Maryland Natural Resources Police issued citations and must appear citations to Robert Nelson Jr., age 41 and James Phillip Nelson, age 47. James was issued citations for the following. DID POSSESS 16% OR MORE UNCULLED OYSTERS (20%) NOT CULLING ON OYSTER BAR POSSESSING OYSTERS IN CONTAINERS (NOT OYSTER BASKETS) EXCEEDING OYSTER...
Read More »

Police Investigating Head-on Collision in Charlotte Hall That Injures Three

Police Investigating Head-on Collision in Charlotte Hall That Injures Three

On Friday, December 15, 2023, at approximately 11:38 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Travelled Lane in Charlotte Hall, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries and one vehicle on fire. Crews arrived on the scene within minutes of dispatch to find a head-on...
Read More »

No Injuries Reported After Single Vehicle Collision in California

No Injuries Reported After Single Vehicle Collision in California

On Sunday, December 17, 2023, at approximately 3:15 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of St. Andrews Church Road and FDR Boulevard in California, for a motor vehicle collision reported serious with one vehicle into the woods with two trapped. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single pickup truck...
Read More »

Maryland Forest Service Awards 52 Fire Departments with Assistance Grants for 2023

Maryland Forest Service Awards 52 Fire Departments with Assistance Grants for 2023

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Service awarded Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants to 52 volunteer fire departments across the state to enhance wildland fire protection in rural communities. For 2023, the Maryland Forest Service awarded grant funds totaling $149,325 in match funding for $390,502 in total project costs. Generally the grants cover 50...
Read More »

One Transported with Minor Injuries After Rollover Collision in California

One Transported with Minor Injuries After Rollover Collision in California

On Thursday, December 14, 2023, at approximately 12:33 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the intersection of FDR Boulevard and St. Andrews Church Road in California, for a serious motor vehicle collision with one overturned and one trapped. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles involved with one SUV on...
Read More »

Santa Claus to Fly Over Southern Maryland TODAY! Dec. 15, 2023

Santa Claus to Fly Over Southern Maryland TODAY! Dec. 15, 2023

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION, Patuxent River, MD: Good boys and girls of all ages across Southern Maryland should look to the skies as Adm. Santa Claus conducts pre-deployment mission planning over Southern Maryland on Friday, Dec. 15, between 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saint Nicholas—also known by call sign “Claus”—will fly with elves and other holiday...
Read More »

Police Seeking Identify of Theft Suspect Pictured at Leonardtown Family Dollar Store

Police Seeking Identify of Theft Suspect Pictured at Leonardtown Family Dollar Store

At approximately 1:50 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, the individual pictured below reached over the counter at the checkout lane in the Family Dollar Store in Leonardtown, MD, and stole an employee’s wallet and its contents. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about the identity and whereabouts of this person....
Read More »

St. Mary’s County Public Schools and Offices Closed to the Public During Winter Break

St. Mary’s County Public Schools and Offices Closed to the Public During Winter Break

All St. Mary’s County Public Schools and Offices will be closed to the public from Monday, December 18, 2023, through Monday, January 1, 2024. All schools and offices will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.
Read More »

St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services Introduces EMS Chief Thomas Raley

St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services Introduces EMS Chief Thomas Raley

Introducing our EMS Chief Thomas “Tom” Raley Raley has been acting as our EMS Chief since January 2023. He also served as a Medical Duty Officer for our Career EMS before his promotion. He has over two decades of experience as a paramedic and an instructor. When Tom is not working EMS, he’s busy...
Read More »

Police Arrest Lexington Park Man – Recover Drugs and Gun

Police Arrest Lexington Park Man – Recover Drugs and Gun

On Wednesday, December 13, 2023, Detectives from the Vice/Narcotics Unit, with support from the Criminal Intelligence Unit, Special Operations Division, and Patrol Division of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, executed search warrants on a residence in the 21600 block of Great Mills Road in Lexington Park. During the search, narcotics suspected to be...
Read More »

State Revitalization Program Awards To Bring $470,000 to Community Development Projects in Southern Maryland

State Revitalization Program Awards To Bring $470,000 to Community Development Projects in Southern Maryland

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has announced that Southern Maryland counties have received a combined $470,000 through the state’s seven State Revitalization Programs for five projects and activities that promote community development and economic growth. “To win the decade, we must be intentional about building sustainable, vibrant communities that lift...
Read More »

NAVAIR Grounds V-22 Fleet Following Fatal Osprey Crash in Japan

NAVAIR Grounds V-22 Fleet Following Fatal Osprey Crash in Japan

Out of an abundance of caution, following the AFSOC operational stand down, NAVAIR is instituting a grounding bulletin for all V-22 Osprey variants Dec. 6. This decision comes after the V-22 Osprey mishap on Nov. 29, off the shore of Yakushima, Japan. Preliminary investigation information indicates a potential materiel failure caused the mishap, but...
Read More »

Teachers, Students, Parents, and Executives Discuss the State of Southern Maryland Education

Teachers, Students, Parents, and Executives Discuss the State of Southern Maryland Education

Southern Maryland teachers, students, and parents met this month with the Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Executive Program to discuss implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Act, legislation passed in 2021 to enhance Maryland’s public school system. The meeting was held at the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Center for Health Sciences in Hughesville, Md....
Read More »

House Fire in Nanjemoy Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

House Fire in Nanjemoy Under Investigation, No Injuries Reported

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at approximately 11:05 p.m., firefighters responded to 3235 Naomi Place in Nanjemoy, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 1-story single family residence with fire showing. 40 firefighters responded and controlled the fire in under 30 minutes. Owner/occupant is identified as Amelious...
Read More »

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – December 12, 2023

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – December 12, 2023

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) welcomed a very special guest to open their business meeting. Santa stopped by St. Mary’s County to wish our entire community a joyous holiday season! The CSMC then proceeded with an invocation and the pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The CSMC then held a...
Read More »

Two Injured After Driver Reportedly Runs Red Light in California

Two Injured After Driver Reportedly Runs Red Light in California

On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the intersection of Three Notch Road and MacArthur Boulevard in California, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles in the roadway involved in a T-bone style collision. Firefighters...
Read More »

No Injuries Reported After White Plains Residence is Destroyed During Early Morning Fire, Cause Remains Under Investigation

No Injuries Reported After White Plains Residence is Destroyed During Early Morning Fire, Cause Remains Under Investigation

On Friday, December 8, 2023, at approximately 4:21 a.m., over 40 firefighters from Charles County responded to 4210 JK Rowling Court in White Plains, for the reported house on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find fire showing from the 2 story residence Firefighters controlled the fire in approximately 30 minutes and operated...
Read More »

Southern Maryland Firefighters, Jeep Club, Santa and Mrs. Claus Come Together to Support 8-Year-Old Going Through Chemotherapy

Southern Maryland Firefighters, Jeep Club, Santa and Mrs. Claus Come Together to Support 8-Year-Old Going Through Chemotherapy

On Sunday, December 3, 2023, our volunteers with the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department brought a special guest to St. Mary’s County to visit 8-year-old Wyatt and his family to support him through this difficult time. Wyatt is currently going through Chemotherapy and loves firetrucks and Jeeps! Our volunteers brought Santa, Mrs. Claus and...
Read More »

Sports Wagering Contributes $3.2 Million to the State During November 2023

Sports Wagering Contributes $3.2 Million to the State During November 2023

Maryland’s 13 retail and 12 mobile sportsbooks that operated during November 2023 combined to generate $3,199,529 in contributions to the state. Each sportsbook contributes 15% of its taxable win to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, which supports public education programs. November’s statewide handle of $550,716,329 was Maryland’s largest single-month total, surpassing the $497,121,656...
Read More »

No Students Injured After School Bus Involved in Mechanicsville Motor Vehicle Collision

No Students Injured After School Bus Involved in Mechanicsville Motor Vehicle Collision

On Monday, December 11, 2023, at approximately 9:21 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Old Village Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a school bus. 911 callers reported at least 4 vehicles involved. Crews arrived on the scene to find one...
Read More »