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“Build Together, Play Together”: Celebrate Park & Recreation Month in St. Mary’s County

“Build Together, Play Together”: Celebrate Park & Recreation Month in St. Mary’s County

This July, join St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Recreation & Parks (R&P) for Park and Recreation Month, as we celebrate how St. Mary’s County is stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient because of parks and recreation. R&P is celebrating Park and Recreation Month, an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA),...
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No Injuries Reported After Vehicle Strikes MedStar East Run Medical Center Building in Lexington Park

No Injuries Reported After Vehicle Strikes MedStar East Run Medical Center Building in Lexington Park

On Friday, July 18, 2025, at approximately 12 :11 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the MedStar East Run Medical Center located at 45870 East Run Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving the structure with possible entrapment. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm a single...
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St. Mary’s ‘Mystery Man’ Returns to Claim Second Top Prize in $50,000 Lottery Win

St. Mary’s ‘Mystery Man’ Returns to Claim Second Top Prize in $50,000 Lottery Win

A familiar face returned to Maryland Lottery headquarters this week and chose the moniker “Mystery Man” to tell his story of claiming a second Lottery top-prize lottery, a $50,000 score on July 16. The longtime player from St. Mary’s County shared that he’s been trying his luck for more than 20 years. His first...
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St. Mary’s County Officials Urge Caution After Black Bear Sighting in Piney Point and Mechanicsville

St. Mary’s County Officials Urge Caution After Black Bear Sighting in Piney Point and Mechanicsville

BEAR BEWARE! 🐻 The St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services is alerting residents, particularly those living in and around the Piney Point and Mechanicsville areas, of a recent black bear sighting reported in the community. While black bears are generally not aggressive, they can pose a threat if they feel cornered, startled, or...
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Waldorf Man Charged in Robbery Outside Charlotte Hall Library

Waldorf Man Charged in Robbery Outside Charlotte Hall Library

Travon Tolson, 25, of Waldorf, has been charged in connection with a robbery incident that took place on July 3, 2025, outside the Charlotte Hall Library in St. Mary’s County. Tolson faces four criminal charges: robbery, second-degree assault, rogue and vagabond, and theft under $100, according to court documents filed in the District Court...
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Lexington Park Man Arrested After Assaulting Deputies and Resisting Arrest During Traffic Stop

Lexington Park Man Arrested After Assaulting Deputies and Resisting Arrest During Traffic Stop

Alexander Van Gough, 23, of Lexington Park, has been charged with multiple criminal and traffic offenses following a June 30, 2025 traffic stop that escalated into a confrontation with deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, according to court documents. Deputy J. Senatore initiated the stop around 2:30 p.m. after observing a black...
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Police Arrest California Woman on Drug Charges Following Routine Traffic Stop in Lexington Park

Police Arrest California Woman on Drug Charges Following Routine Traffic Stop in Lexington Park

Abigail Mae Hawk, 31, of California, has been charged with multiple drug-related offenses following a traffic stop conducted by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office on June 30, 2025. According to court documents, Hawk was the front seat passenger in a vehicle stopped near Westbury Boulevard and Pegg Street in Lexington Park after the...
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Kirk David Cantrell, 77,

Kirk David Cantrell, 77,

Kirk David Cantrell, 77, of Solomons, Maryland, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2025. Born on August 27, 1947, to the late James and Barbara Cantrell, Kirk lived a life full of love, creativity, and adventure. On March 6, 1977, Kirk married the love of his life, Joyce Manchester. Their union was a true...
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Nancy Carter Simmons Duggan

Nancy Carter Simmons Duggan

Nancy Carter Simmons Duggan, a principal in the Imperial Half Bushel silver shop that was located on Howard Street’s Baltimore’s Antique Row for more than four decades, died at her retirement home residence in Solomons, Maryland on 2 July 2025. She was 91. Nancy had met Naval Academy graduate U.S. Navy Lieutenant J.G. Frederick...
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Peter Vance Ritzel

Peter Vance Ritzel

Peter Vance Ritzel passed away on Wednesday July 2, 2025. Feel free to leave a condolence while their loved ones are writing their obituary. Visitation Thursday, July 31, 2025 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Rausch Funeral Home–Lusby 20 American Lane Lusby, MD 20657 Services Thursday, July 31, 2025 1:00 pm Rausch Funeral Home–Lusby 20 American Lane...
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Gail Dean Smith

Gail Dean Smith

Gail Dean Smith was born October 16, 1927, the son of Thomas and Eunice (Thomas) Smith.  He was born in his mother’s parents’ (Effie and John Thomas) farm home two miles south of Lucas, Iowa.  Gail lived with his parents and two older brothers, Evert and Cecil, on several farms in southern Iowa near...
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Rose Marie Ray (née LePore),

Rose Marie Ray (née LePore),

Rose Marie Ray (née LePore), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 83 years old. Born on January 5, 1942, Rose was a proud graduate of the first class of Pallotti High School in 1960. She...
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Robert Raymond “Bob” Hmieleski, 86,

Robert Raymond “Bob” Hmieleski, 86,

Robert Raymond “Bob” Hmieleski, 86, of Great Mills, Maryland, passed away at home on July 7, 2025. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and teacher. Born on February 3, 1939, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Bob was the son of Raymond Joseph Hmieleski and Evelyn Koscielniak Hmieleski. He attended Mount St. Mary’s College...
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William “Bill” Edward Clarke, Jr., 84,

William “Bill” Edward Clarke, Jr., 84,

William “Bill” Edward Clarke, Jr., 84, of Forest Heights, MD passed away peacefully on June 19, 2025. He was a devoted husband, father, Opa, and proud Army veteran. He was born in Washington, DC on March 23, 1941, to the late William E. Clarke, Sr. and Mardehl (Mills). Bill is survived by his children:...
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Amy Marie Runco, 64,

Amy Marie Runco, 64,

Amy Marie Runco, 64, of California, Maryland, passed away on July 4, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown after receiving her last rites. Born on September 9, 1960, in Uptown, New York. Amy was the beloved daughter of the late Patricia and Raymond Runco. In 1968, she moved with her family to Southern...
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Beloved baby, Xavier Lamarr Green

Beloved baby, Xavier Lamarr Green

Beloved baby, Xavier Lamarr Green, was born sleeping on July 7, 2025. He was the cherished child of Christina Taylor and Victor Green. Though his time was short, he filled his family’s lives with immeasurable love and joy. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be...
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Betty E. Hoffarth

Betty E. Hoffarth

Betty E. Hoffarth, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025, in Maryland, where she had made her home for the past 11 years. She was 85. Born on April 11, 1940, in Minto, North Dakota, Betty was the daughter of Bailey and Aurelia (Blaski) Christie. She carried the...
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David Leroy Raley II, age 47,

David Leroy Raley II, age 47,

David Leroy Raley II, age 47, tragically passed away on July 3, 2025, in Waldorf, MD. He was born in La Plata, MD, on April 23, 1978. He was a cherished son, brother, uncle, father, husband, and friend. David loved his family and friends and had a huge heart. If you needed help, he...
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James (Jim) Samuel Cooksey

James (Jim) Samuel Cooksey

James (Jim) Samuel Cooksey, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on July 9, 2025, in Waldorf, Maryland, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on December 16, 1945, to Samuel Louis Cooksey and Evelyn Lorraine Cooksey (Barron), Jim was a lifelong Southern Marylander. He married his high school sweetheart, Linda (Lange)...
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Thelma Keziah Arnold, 97,

Thelma Keziah Arnold, 97,

Thelma Keziah Arnold, 97, of Hollywood, Maryland, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2025 at St. Mary’s Nursing Center in Leonardtown, MD. She was born on February 5, 1928 in Anson County, North Carolina to the late Joe Monroe Keziah, Sr. and Gladys Merle (nee: Martin) Keziah. Thelma was a dedicated and skilled nurse...
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Barbara Jean Bailey, 59,

Barbara Jean Bailey, 59,

Barbara Jean Bailey, 59, of Hollywood, MD, passed away on July 9, 2025, while enjoying what she loved most, spending time with her beloved husband, son, and grandson. Born on August 30, 1965, at the Annapolis Naval Hospital, Barb was the daughter to Shirley and Donald Peeling, Sr. She was raised in Hollywood, MD,...
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Frederick (Fred) Baldwin Lothrop, 88,

Frederick (Fred) Baldwin Lothrop, 88,

Frederick (Fred) Baldwin Lothrop, 88, passed away peacefully at Charlo<e Hall Veterans home on June 11, 2025. Born in Guatemala on October 19, 1936, he was the son of the late Norman Lothrop and Lois Moulton Lothrop. Fred is survived by his two daughters Patricia Ann Lothrop of Waldorf, MD, Catherine Lothrop Taylor (Mark)...
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Toni Lorene Mitchell

Toni Lorene Mitchell

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Toni, who peacefully transitioned on June 13, 2025. Born Toni Lorene Williams, and later becoming Toni Lorene Mitchell, she was born on December 23, 1957 in Waukegan, Illinois, at St. Therese Hospital. She was 67 years old at the time of...
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Patricia Ann Simonetta

Patricia Ann Simonetta

Patricia Ann Simonetta, lovingly known as Patti, age 54, of Great Mills, Maryland, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her devoted family. Born on May 3, 1971, in Washington, D.C., Patti was the cherished daughter of the late Roger Edelen Simmons Sr. and Barbara Ann...
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Betty Jean Tharp, 84,

Betty Jean Tharp, 84,

Betty Jean Tharp, 84, of Piney Point, MD passed away July 5, 2025 at her home with her loving family at her side. She was born on November 10, 1940 in Winchester, VA to the late Samuel Alexander Bock and Annie Virginia (nee: Lauck) Bock. In 1958 she met the love of her life,...
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