More News

Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2025 Photo Contest is Underway!

Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2025 Photo Contest is Underway!

Photographers and nature enthusiasts are invited to submit their most beautiful images of the state’s flora and fauna to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources 2025 Photo Contest. As in past years, winning entries will be featured on the next Maryland DNR nature calendar to be published in late fall, and all winners will receive...
Read More »

Police Make Quick Arrest After Assault in Lexington Park, Victim Flown to Trauma Center

Police Make Quick Arrest After Assault in Lexington Park, Victim Flown to Trauma Center

On Friday, May 2, 2025, at 9:50 p.m., police responded to the 46000 block of Pleasant Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported physical disturbance and altercation involving family members. The 911 caller reported two family members were actively fighting with a loud disturbance heard in the background of the call. Before officers arrived...
Read More »

Renaming Smallwood Middle School: What Our Facebook Readers Really Think – What do You Think?

Renaming Smallwood Middle School: What Our Facebook Readers Really Think – What do You Think?

Comments on Southern Maryland Newsnet’s Facebook page quickly followed the Board of Education’s vote to rename General Smallwood Middle School as Glymont Middle School, effective July 1, 2025. Between April 30 and May 1, about two hundred remarks appeared. Of those that clearly took a side, a little more than 70 percent objected to the change, just under 20 percent supported it, and the rest...
Read More »

Moore Announces Opening of Applications for Maryland Business Ready Sites Program

Moore Announces Opening of Applications for Maryland Business Ready Sites Program

Governor Wes Moore announced the launch of the Maryland Business Ready Sites Program, a new initiative to boost economic growth by developing shovel-ready business sites statewide. Established by the governor’s economic competitiv​eness executive order in December 2024, the program provides $3.5 million in matching grants for site characterization and improvements designed to accelerate investment across...
Read More »

Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Prince George’s County to Close After 2025 Season

Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Prince George’s County to Close After 2025 Season

5/1/2025: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN), the largest amusement park operator in North America, today announced that it will close Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor in Bowie, Prince George’s County, Maryland, after the 2025 operating season. The property, which is approximately 500 acres, will be marketed for redevelopment as part of Six...
Read More »

Maryland’s Nontidal Fishing License Fees Increase June 1, 2025

Maryland’s Nontidal Fishing License Fees Increase June 1, 2025

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is implementing changes to nontidal fishing license and trout stamp fees effective June 1, 2025. This represents the first adjustment to nontidal–or freshwater fishing–fees in almost 20 years, addressing the rising costs of maintaining conservation efforts and angler programs in the face of inflation. Maryland’s freshwater fishing licenses...
Read More »

Charles County Public Schools and Board of Education Seeks Feedback on Draft 2026-2027 School Calendar

Charles County Public Schools and Board of Education Seeks Feedback on Draft 2026-2027 School Calendar

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and the Board of Education of Charles County would like input on the 2026-2027 school calendar. The Board of Education typically approves the school calendar two years in advance. At the April 8 Board meeting, staff presented three draft calendar options for the Board’s consideration. Review the options here on...
Read More »

Racetrax Leads to $75,000 FAST PLAY Win for Charles County Man

Racetrax Leads to $75,000 FAST PLAY Win for Charles County Man

A Charles County man, in the midst of playing Racetrax, wins big on a FAST PLAY ticket. The winner, who chose “Dark Knight” as an anonymous name to use because of a fond childhood memory, took home $75,000 playing THE GAME OF LIFE™. This exciting moment occurred on Saturday when the Indian Head man...
Read More »

4th Annual Chalk the Walk for Children’s Mental Health Awareness

4th Annual Chalk the Walk for Children’s Mental Health Awareness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and residents are invited to “Chalk the Walk” at participating public locations throughout Calvert County to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health. The Calvert County Family Network (CCFN) and Department of Parks & Recreation, in partnership with Calvert County Public Schools, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office,...
Read More »

Charles County Presents Proposed Fiscal 2026 Budget

Charles County Presents Proposed Fiscal 2026 Budget

On Tuesday, April 29, Jacob Dyer, Acting Director of the Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, presented the county’s proposed fiscal 2026 budget of $594,293,300 an increase of 5.9 percent over last year.  The General Fund budget was developed in alignment with Commissioners’ strategic priorities, incorporates departmental needs, and is shaped by community input...
Read More »

13-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Center After Being Struck in Head with Golf Club

13-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Center After Being Struck in Head with Golf Club

On Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, at approximately 11:11 a.m., emergency medical services responded to the Esperanza Middle School located at 22790 Maple Road in California, for the reported traumatic injuries. While responded to the scene, emergency medical personnel were advised the 911 callers reported a 13-year-old male was struck in the head with a...
Read More »

Dog Shot and Killed by Officers After Animal Attack Leaves Victim Seriously Injured

Dog Shot and Killed by Officers After Animal Attack Leaves Victim Seriously Injured

Prince George’s County Police Westphalia Division VIII patrol officers were dispatched on Saturday to the report of two large dogs attacking a man. This occurred at approximately 10:35 am in the 3200 block of Walters Lane. The preliminary details reveal that once on scene, one of the two dogs charged toward a responding officer....
Read More »

19-Year-Old Arrested After Firing Handgun During Armed Robbery of Gun Store

19-Year-Old Arrested After Firing Handgun During Armed Robbery of Gun Store

On April 28, 2025, at approximately 11:40 a.m., officers responded to a reported armed robbery at South County Sportsmen, located at 5643 Southern Maryland Boulevard in Lothian. Upon arrival, officers learned that the suspect entered the business, browsed for some time, then displayed a handgun and demanded that the clerk open a display case...
Read More »

Pursuit of Justice: Charles County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Murder File of Antonio Lamount Harper Jr, age 20

Pursuit of Justice: Charles County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Murder File of Antonio Lamount Harper Jr, age 20

On May 1, 2018 at 10pm, officers responded to the 2200 block of Stream Vista Place in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located Antonio Lamount Harper Jr, a 20-year old resident of Waldorf. Harper was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on scene. A preliminary investigation...
Read More »

Skunk Found in Dunkirk Tested Positive for Rabies

Skunk Found in Dunkirk Tested Positive for Rabies

4/30/2025: A skunk found near Smithville Road in Dunkirk has tested positive for rabies. At this time there is no known contact with humans or pets. Rabies is a serious and potentially fatal virus that affects mammals, typically transmitted through bites or scratches. If exposed, it is critical to take immediate action to protect...
Read More »

Board of Education of Charles County Changes Name of General Smallwood Middle School to Glymont Middle School, effective July 1

Board of Education of Charles County Changes Name of General Smallwood Middle School to Glymont Middle School, effective July 1

The Board of Education of Charles County at its April 28 work session approved the name Glymont Middle School to replace the name of General Smallwood Middle School. The name change takes effect July 1, 2025. General Smallwood Middle School will open for the 2025-2026 school year as Glymont Middle School. Eight Board members...
Read More »

Maryland State Police Increasing Patrols, DUI Enforcement Efforts for Cinco De Mayo Weekend

Maryland State Police Increasing Patrols, DUI Enforcement Efforts for Cinco De Mayo Weekend

Maryland State Police are reminding motorists to drive responsibly ahead of Cinco de Mayo weekend. To combat distracted, aggressive, and impaired driving, troopers at each of the 23 Maryland State Police barracks, as well as, the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) Team will conduct statewide DUI saturation patrols and high-visibility enforcement. A...
Read More »

St. Mary’s County Man Wins $150,000 on April Fool’s Day at DJ’s One Stop on Scratch-Off

St. Mary’s County Man Wins $150,000 on April Fool’s Day at DJ’s One Stop on Scratch-Off

A Maryland Lottery player experienced a life-changing April Fools’ Day, but this time, the surprise was no joke. The St. Mary’s County man purchased a More Money scratch-off ticket on April 1, and claimed the game’s $150,000 top prize on April 28. A loyal player since the Maryland Lottery’s inception, he shared that this...
Read More »

Lexington Park Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure, Assault on Deputies, and Other Charges

Lexington Park Man Arrested for Indecent Exposure, Assault on Deputies, and Other Charges

Troy Andrea Houck, 50, of Lexington Park, is facing multiple criminal charges after deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office arrested him on April 23, 2025. Houck was arrested at his home after deputies responded to a report of indecent exposure on Atlanta Street. According to court documents, a female neighbor reported that...
Read More »

Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters 2025 – Event to Remember and Honor Our Fallen Heroes

Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters 2025 – Event to Remember and Honor Our Fallen Heroes

This May, our grateful nation 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. As part of this heartfelt commemoration, we invite landmarks, buildings, fire departments, and communities across...
Read More »

Mechanicsville Woman Arrested Twice on Cocaine Charges in Two Different Cases Within a Month

Mechanicsville Woman Arrested Twice on Cocaine Charges in Two Different Cases Within a Month

A Mechanicsville woman faces multiple drug-related and traffic charges after two separate encounters with law enforcement, according to court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Cherry Bien Sy, 41, of Mechanicsville, is accused of possession of suspected cocaine, multiple counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, and numerous traffic violations stemming...
Read More »

Maryland Park Service Launches ‘25 in 2025’ Adventure Challenge

Maryland Park Service Launches ‘25 in 2025’ Adventure Challenge

Visitors to Maryland State Parks this year have a chance to win prizes such as a year-long admission pass and camping experiences by completing 25 parks-related challenges in 2025. The Maryland Park Service 25 in 2025 Adventure Challenge encourages visitors to find and photograph special scenic and historic features in several state parks. Visitors can register...
Read More »

Calvert County’s Homeless Service Board to Host Community Resource Fair on Friday, May 2nd, 2025

Calvert County’s Homeless Service Board to Host Community Resource Fair on Friday, May 2nd, 2025

Calvert County’s Homeless Service Board will host a Community Resource Fair to connect community members with multiple services at one convenient location. The event will take place on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick Campus, located at 115 J. W. Williams Road...
Read More »

Man Pays Off Credit Card Balance Thanks to Pick 5 Win

Man Pays Off Credit Card Balance Thanks to Pick 5 Win

Upper Marlboro man wins $50,000 prize using credit card balance as numbers Isn’t it ironic? A Prince George’s County man uses the five numbers from his credit card balance to play on a Pick 5 ticket – and wins $50,000 – enough to pay off that balance and then some. The friendly Upper Marlboro...
Read More »

Nicholas Adam, Principal of J.P. Ryon Elementary School Named CCPS Principal of The Year

Nicholas Adam, Principal of J.P. Ryon Elementary School Named CCPS Principal of The Year

Nicholas Adam, principal of J.P. Ryon Elementary School, was named the 2025 Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Principal of the Year. Before coming to Ryon in 2023, Adam spent five years as principal of Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School after serving as an assistant principal at William A. Diggs and Malcolm elementary schools. “He...
Read More »