COVID-19

Waldorf Man Sentenced to Over Four Years in Federal Prison for COVID-19 CARES Act Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme Involving More Than $1.5 Million in Losses

Waldorf Man Sentenced to Over Four Years in Federal Prison for COVID-19 CARES Act Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme Involving More Than $1.5 Million in Losses

U.S. District Judge Brendan A. Hurson sentenced Dementrous Von Smith, a/k/a “Meecho” and “El Meecho,” age 36, of Waldorf, Maryland, to 53 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for a wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in relation to the submission of fraudulent CARES Act unemployment...
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Maryland Welcomes More Than 43.5 Million Visitors in 2022

Maryland Welcomes More Than 43.5 Million Visitors in 2022

Visitor volume, spending top pre-pandemic levels with more than 43.5 million people visiting Maryland in 2022 and spent $19.4 billion, topping pre-pandemic levels, according to an economic impact report released by the Maryland Department of Commerce Office of Tourism. In total, the economic impact of tourism was $30.3 billion and generated $2.3 billion in...
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Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinics Offered to Children in St. Mary’s County

Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinics Offered to Children in St. Mary’s County

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) will be hosting free flu and COVID vaccine clinics for children ages six months  – 18 years. No appointments are necessary. These clinics are being scheduled in lieu of the onsite school-based flu vaccine clinics normally provided by SMCHD with the St. Mary’s County Public Schools.  Clinics have...
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Speech and Occupational Therapy Practice Pleads Guilty to Nearly $400K Fraud Scheme in Anne Arundel County

Speech and Occupational Therapy Practice Pleads Guilty to Nearly $400K Fraud Scheme in Anne Arundel County

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced that Wellspring Therapy Services, LLC (Wellspring), a speech and occupational therapy practice in Anne Arundel County, pleaded guilty to felony Medicaid fraud in Baltimore City Circuit Court. Judge Fletcher-Hill ordered Wellspring to pay $399,228.62 in restitution to the State. In addition, the company must terminate its participation...
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NAS Patuxent River Transitions to Health Protection Condition Alpha

NAS Patuxent River Transitions to Health Protection Condition Alpha

Naval Air Station Patuxent River announced Jan. 30 that the installation is now in Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Alpha. Commanders and public health personnel use HPCON levels to guide specific actions personnel can take in response to a health threat. While it’s always important to prevent the spread of germs, there are additional steps...
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Leadership Southern Maryland Meet with Regional Leaders, Study the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future

Leadership Southern Maryland Meet with Regional Leaders, Study the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future

The Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Executive Program met with state and regional educational leaders to unpack the implications of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Act, legislation passed in 2021 to enhance Maryland’s public school system. The meetings were held at the Prince Frederick campus of the College of Southern Maryland (CSM). After learning the...
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NAS Patuxent River Transitions from HPCON Alpha to Bravo on January 4, 2023 Due to Rising COVID-19 Cases

NAS Patuxent River Transitions from HPCON Alpha to Bravo on January 4, 2023 Due to Rising COVID-19 Cases

NAS Patuxent River transitioned from Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Alpha to HPCON Bravo Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023 HPCON B requires HPCON A Measures, plus: Less than 80% of normal occupancy in the workplace Permit liberal telework where possible, especially for individuals who self-identify as immunocompromised or being at high risk for severe disease Consider...
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Maryland Tourism Continues Strong Recovery, Reports Show Increase in Visitors and Visitor Spending

Maryland Tourism Continues Strong Recovery, Reports Show Increase in Visitors and Visitor Spending

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that, according to an economic impact report released by the Maryland Department of Commerce, the state’s tourism industry is continuing a strong recovery, recapturing nearly 90% of pre-pandemic visitor spending. In addition, the state reported increases over pre-pandemic levels in the key sectors of lodging and restaurants. The state continues to...
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Governor Hogan Announces Statewide Preparedness Efforts to Address lncrease in RSV and Potential COVID-19 and Flu Surges

Governor Hogan Announces Statewide Preparedness Efforts to Address lncrease in RSV and Potential COVID-19 and Flu Surges

As hospitals in the region and across the country experience an increase in Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) admissions, Governor Larry Hogan today announced a series of new mitigation actions, along with preparedness efforts for potential fall and winter COVID-19 and flu surges in Maryland. “After meeting with our multi-agency public health task force yesterday...
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St. Mary’s County Department of Aging and Human Services Hosting Community Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, October 14, 2022

St. Mary’s County Department of Aging and Human Services Hosting Community Health and Wellness Fair on Friday, October 14, 2022

The 2022 Community Health & Wellness Fair, hosted by the Department of Aging & Human Services, will be held Friday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., in the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland campus, located at 44219 Airport Road in California. Health screenings will include body composition, glucose, skin cancer, hearing, vision...
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Charles County Commissioner Meeting Roundup – October 4 and 5, 2022

Charles County Commissioner Meeting Roundup – October 4 and 5, 2022

On Tuesday, Oct. 4, Deputy County Administrator Deborah Hall, Department of Planning and Growth Management Director Deborah Carpenter, Economic Development Department Director Kelly Robertson-Slagle, Department of Public Works Deputy Director Bernard Cochran, and Department of Public Works Chief of Environmental Services Frances Sherman provided a presentation on the Goal 3: Environment of the County Commissioners Goals...
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Charles County Government October 2022 Holiday Schedule

Charles County Government October 2022 Holiday Schedule

The County Administrator wishes to remind residents of changes to operating schedules for the month of October: Saturday, Oct. 8 (Scrap Tire Drop-off Day) The Charles County Landfill and Recycling Center (12305 Billingsley Road, Waldorf) will close at 2 p.m. to accept only scrap tires. The Piney Church Mulch Facility (5370 Piney Church Road,...
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Charles County Commissioners Meeting Roundup – September 27, 2022

Charles County Commissioners Meeting Roundup – September 27, 2022

On Tuesday, September 27, 2022, County Commissioners held a follow-up work session on 2023 Preliminary State Legislative Proposals and Associate County Attorney II Danielle Mitchell provided an update on the proposals. County Commissioners agreed to move forward on the following legislative proposals: Legalizing golf cars and low speed vehicles on Cobb Island Requiring emergency inpatient...
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Justice Department Announces COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams

Justice Department Announces COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams

The Justice Department announced the establishment of three Strike Force teams created to enhance the Department’s existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related fraud. “These Strike Force teams will build on the Department’s historic enforcement efforts to deter, detect, and disrupt pandemic fraud wherever it occurs,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Since...
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Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Held to Launch St. Mary’s County Health Hub

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Held to Launch St. Mary’s County Health Hub

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, September 8, 2022, to celebrate the official launch of the St. Mary’s County Health Hub. In 2021, the St. Mary’s County Equity Task Force, in partnership with the Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County (HASMC) announced plans for the St. Mary’s...
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MedStar Health Earns Nine “Healthiest Maryland Businesses” Recognitions From The Maryland Department of Health

MedStar Health Earns Nine “Healthiest Maryland Businesses” Recognitions From The Maryland Department of Health

Several Maryland-based MedStar Health organizations have been honored with 2022 Wellness at Work recognitions from the Maryland Department of Health’s “Healthiest Maryland Businesses” program. Wellness at Work recognizes businesses of all sizes for their success in building a culture of wellbeing in the workplace. This year, MedStar Health patient care and research organizations made...
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Temporary Closure of St. Mary’s County Health Hub Operations on Thursday, September 8, 2022

Temporary Closure of St. Mary’s County Health Hub Operations on Thursday, September 8, 2022

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) announced the temporary closure of operations at the Health Hub, located at 21625 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park on Thursday, September 8, 2022. COVID-19 testing and vaccinations will be available on that date at the main office in Leonardtown. Normal operations at the Health Hub will...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – August 23, 2022

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – August 23, 2022

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held their regular business meeting in the Chesapeake Building Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, with the invocation and pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The Commissioners then presented a Proclamation in honor of Women’s Equality Day and Commendations to local Special Olympics 2022 USA Games participants. Photos...
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St. Mary’s County Health Department Awarded $1.6 Million Grant to Support Operations at the St. Mary’s County Health Hub

St. Mary’s County Health Department Awarded $1.6 Million Grant to Support Operations at the St. Mary’s County Health Hub

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) has been awarded $1.6 million in grant funding through the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) Pathways to Health Equity program, which aims to address health disparities, expand access to health services, and improve health outcomes in underserved communities. SMCHD was one of nine recipients selected for...
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College of Southern Maryland Board of Trustees Vote to Modify CSM Vaccine Requirement for Students

College of Southern Maryland Board of Trustees Vote to Modify CSM Vaccine Requirement for Students

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Board of Trustees voted July 11 to modify the college’s current vaccine requirement for students – allowing unvaccinated students to attend Hy-Flex classes, which are taught online and face-to-face simultaneously. Currently, CSM requires vaccinations for most students who are taking classes onsite, and masking is optional, though highly...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – July 12, 2022

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – July 12, 2022

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held their regular business meeting in the Chesapeake Building Tuesday, July 12, 2022, with the invocation and pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The Commissioners recognized National Parks and Recreation Month with a Proclamation. The Sheriff’s Office received approval for a request to submit the FY2023...
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Eight Maryland Citizens Facing Federal Charges Relating to Over $1.6 Million Dollars in Cares Act Covid-19 Fraud, Including Identity Theft and Unemployment Insurance Fraud

Eight Maryland Citizens Facing Federal Charges Relating to Over $1.6 Million Dollars in Cares Act Covid-19 Fraud, Including Identity Theft and Unemployment Insurance Fraud

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging nine defendants in relation to a Maryland and California CARES Act COVID-19 unemployment insurance scheme. The indictment charges the defendants with wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and theft of United States Postal Office arrow keys.  The indictment was returned on June 21, 2022, and unsealed...
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NAS Pax Security Returns to ID Handling at Gates

NAS Pax Security Returns to ID Handling at Gates

NAS Patuxent River gate sentries have returned to handling of IDs at gates and entry control points on base as of June 20, 2022. The move back to handling of IDs is in accordance with Commander, Navy Installations Command Instruction 5530.14A, which dictates physical and visual checks are to be performed on Common Access...
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St. Mary’s County Health Department Thanks Over 50 Partner Organizations for COVID-19 Work

St. Mary’s County Health Department Thanks Over 50 Partner Organizations for COVID-19 Work

On Thursday, April 7, 2022, the St. Mary’s County Health Department awarded and thanked more than 50 partner organizations for their work through the COVID-19 pandemic, including the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. The St. Mary’s County Health Department said, “The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, including the Detention and Rehabilitation Center team, has...
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NAS Patuxent River Transitions Back to Health Protection Condition Alpha, Effective Thursday, April 7, 2022

NAS Patuxent River Transitions Back to Health Protection Condition Alpha, Effective Thursday, April 7, 2022

NAS Patuxent River transitioned from Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Bravo to HPCON Alpha as of April 7, 2022 as a result of falling COVID cases within the surrounding counties of Southern Maryland. HPCONs are protocols for health protection during public health emergencies, such as a pandemic. Commanders review and update these HPCONs based on...
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