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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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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 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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The IRS-Criminal Investigation Washington, D.C. Field Office investigated 84 of the agency’s more than 660 tax and money laundering cases related to alleged COVID fraud, totaling $1.8 billion since the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law nearly two years ago. These cases involved a broad range of criminal...
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The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held their regular business meeting in the Chesapeake Building Tuesday, March 15, 2022, with the invocation and pledge followed by approval of the consent agenda. The Commissioners recognized National Social Work Month and Equal Pay Day by presenting Proclamations. The Department of Finance received approval for a request...
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Due to the decline of COVID-19 infection rates in Maryland, and consistent with the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and local health agencies, the Maryland Judiciary has resumed normal operations under Phase V, including jury trials, effective Monday, March 7. On March...
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With the state’s health metrics continuing to substantially decline, Governor Larry Hogan announced that the requirement for masks and face coverings to be worn in state buildings will end next week. In addition, the governor has called on the State Board of Education to rescind its school mask policy, and encourages parents who want to...
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On Monday, February 7, 2022, Maryland United States Attorney Erek L. Barron announced that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland has entered into a memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Special Inspector General Brian D. Miller of the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR) and Deputy Inspector General James D. Powell...
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Governor Larry Hogan announced that Maryland’s COVID-19 positivity rate has dropped below 10%, as the state continues to report substantial declines in key health metrics. “For the second straight day, our positivity rate is in single digits, another sign of the encouraging progress we are making,” said Governor Hogan. “While we are emerging from...
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On January 10, Sheriff Troy Berry issued a press release regarding the management of COVID-19 at the Charles County Detention Center (CCDC) during the nation’s largest spike in the virus ever. “In past months, there has been a campaign of misinformation being shared on social media regarding COVID-19 at the detention center. Hearing misinformation...
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The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) will be distributing free COVID-19 take-home rapid antigen test kits to St. Mary’s County residents at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department drive-thru, by appointment only on the following dates and times: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 from 8:00 am – 6:00 p.m. Friday, January 28, 2022 from 8:00...
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Due to the continued surge in Maryland of COVID-19 cases as a result of the Omicron variant, and consistent with the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and local health agencies, the Maryland Judiciary has extended Phase III emergency operations. On Jan. 14,...
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Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) has made updates to the current school year calendar, including a marking period date change and the addition of early dismissal days to support staff. The end of the second marking period for students moves from Wednesday, Jan. 19, to Wednesday, Jan. 26. Students missed four days of school...
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Governor Larry Hogan announced the largest tax relief package in state history to deliver more than $4.6 billion in much-needed relief for hardworking Maryland families, small businesses, and retirees. “Next to our health recovery from the worst pandemic in more than a century, nothing is more important than our continued economic recovery,” said Governor...
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The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held their first regular business meeting of the new year in the Chesapeake Building Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022. The Commissioners recognized two retirees from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office; Harold Young and Michael Gardiner. Dr. Meenakshi Brewster, county health officer, provided the monthly COVID-19 brief to the...
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The Charles County Detention Center (CCDC), in coordination with the Charles County Health Department and Prime Care Medical–the CCDC’s on-site medical provider¬–is currently addressing Covid-19 cases inside the detention center. None of the exposures have required hospitalization and resulted in cold-like symptoms. The situation was immediately and effectively managed following the Center for Disease...
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