Monthly Archives: February 2025

Lexington Park Man Arrested and Held Without Bond After Brandishing Firearm in Lexington Park

Lexington Park Man Arrested and Held Without Bond After Brandishing Firearm in Lexington Park

A Lexington Park man remains in custody after allegedly brandishing a firearm and threatening another man outside a residence. Akeem J. Grinnell-Cropper, 35, of Lexington Park, was arrested on February 13, 2025, following a confrontation in which he reportedly displayed a revolver while speaking about “Pablo Escobar” and warned the victim, “Believe me, you...
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One Flown to Trauma Center After Serious Crash with Entrapment in Prince Frederick

One Flown to Trauma Center After Serious Crash with Entrapment in Prince Frederick

On Sunday, February 16, 2025, at approximately 9:20 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 2225 Dares Beach Road and Simmons Ridge Road in Prince Frederick, for the serious motor vehicle collision with ejection. 911 callers reported a single pickup truck was off the roadway and into the woods with...
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Police Investigating Two Attempted Burglaries Within An Hour in St. Mary’s County

Police Investigating Two Attempted Burglaries Within An Hour in St. Mary’s County

Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating two late night attempted burglaries in Southern St. Mary’s County. If anyone has information, video footage, they are asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office. On Sunday, February 16, 2025, at approximately 10:49 p.m. police responded to the 47000 block of Schwartzkopf Drive in Lexington...
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UPDATE: One Transported to Trauma Center After Large Trees Fall Into Residence in Chesapeake Beach

UPDATE: One Transported to Trauma Center After Large Trees Fall Into Residence in Chesapeake Beach

UPDATE 2/17/2025: The family along with two pets are displaced by the incident and are seeking assistance in any way. Fortunately, the adult female suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and all of the pets escaped injury. The family has set up a GoFundMe to assist as the house has been condemned. “We are humbly asking for...
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Structure Fire in Waldorf Under Investigation, No Known Injuries Reported

Structure Fire in Waldorf Under Investigation, No Known Injuries Reported

On Sunday, February 16, 2025, at approximately 6:11 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services from Charles and Prince George’s County responded to the 3800 block of Old Washington Road in Waldorf, for the reported structure on fire. Dispatchers advised they were receiving multiple 911 calls reporting a structure was on fire. Crews arrived on...
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Lexington Park Man Arrested Again and Again After Shoplifting Thousands of Dollars in Merchandise Across Southern Maryland

Lexington Park Man Arrested Again and Again After Shoplifting Thousands of Dollars in Merchandise Across Southern Maryland

Terry Antonio Wheeler, 55, of Lexington Park, was arrested on February 13, 2025, following allegations of theft and property destruction at the Kohl’s store located at 46240 Lexington Village Way, in Lexington Park. Senior Trooper Allison Oyler of the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack stated that at approximately 1:42 p.m., she was on patrol...
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Governor Moore Launches Resource Website for Maryland Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Actions

Governor Moore Launches Resource Website for Maryland Workers Impacted by Recent Federal Actions

Governor Wes Moore today launched the Maryland Public Servants Resource Website, which serves as a centralized hub for programs and resources to support Maryland’s federal employees and contractors impacted by federal workforce layoffs, firings, and changes to federal funding. The resource website reinforces the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to coordinating with state and local partners to...
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Charles County Commissioner’s Vote Against Increased Tax Credit for Our Volunteer First Responders

Charles County Commissioner’s Vote Against Increased Tax Credit for Our Volunteer First Responders

Commissioners heard from William Smith, Coordinator of the Charles County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, who requested that they support a request for an amendment to House Bill 947, which concerns the Tax Credit for Volunteer Emergency Responders. Volunteers requested that the income cap be increased to $250,000 per year and the benefit be increased by...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources Proposes 2025-2026 Migratory Gamebird Hunting Seasons

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Proposes 2025-2026 Migratory Gamebird Hunting Seasons

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has posted the proposed 2025-2026 Migratory Game Bird Seasons for public review. As in years past, DNR is providing an online forum to collect public comment on these proposals now through February 24, 2025. The DNR website also includes a presentation reviewing the current status of relevant waterfowl populations, including Atlantic...
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Joann Fabric & Craft Stores Announce 500 Closures Nationwide – California and Prince Frederick Affected

Joann Fabric & Craft Stores Announce 500 Closures Nationwide – California and Prince Frederick Affected

Joann, the popular fabric and crafts retailer, has announced plans to close 500 of its stores nationwide as part of its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings. The move comes amid financial struggles and shifting consumer trends that have put pressure on the company’s retail operations. The company, which has been a staple for crafters, quilters, and...
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Lexington Park Woman Faces Multiple Charges Including Malicious Destruction of Property and False Statement to Police

Lexington Park Woman Faces Multiple Charges Including Malicious Destruction of Property and False Statement to Police

Taylor Michelle Haile, 19, of Lexington Park, is facing multiple charges in St. Mary’s County following three separate criminal cases filed against her in February 2025. Malicious Destruction of Property – Arrested on February 10, 2025 According to court documents, Haile was arrested on February 10, 2025, after Maryland State Police responded to a...
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Southern Maryland Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Area Due to Drought and Excessive Heat; Emergency Farm Loans Available

Southern Maryland Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Area Due to Drought and Excessive Heat; Emergency Farm Loans Available

Triggering Disaster: Drought and Excessive Heat that occurred 6/22/2024 through 10/22/2024 Application Deadline: 9/15/2025 Primary Counties Eligible: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated St. Mary’s County, along with several other Maryland jurisdictions, as a primary natural disaster area due to drought...
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St. Mary’s County Native Tom Jarboe, Declares Candidacy for County Commissioner President

St. Mary’s County Native Tom Jarboe, Declares Candidacy for County Commissioner President

Former District 1 Commissioner Tom Jarboe has declared his candidacy for St. Mary’s Commissioner President, publicly announcing his intent to file in a post on his campaign’s Facebook page. Jarboe aims to succeed current Commissioner President Randy Guy, who becomes term limited in 2026. Jarboe, a Republican who found repeated success in founding and...
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Leadership Maryland Announces Executive Program Class of 2025

Leadership Maryland Announces Executive Program Class of 2025

Leadership Maryland officially announces the Executive Program’s Class of 2025, consisting of 53 business and community leaders from across the state chosen to participate in the professional development program dedicated to building a better Maryland. The Class of 2025, the Executive Program’s 32nd class, reflects a cross-section of the state, including diversity of geographic...
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Local Arts & Craft Vendors Sought for First Landing Wine & Arts Festival on April 12, 2025

Local Arts & Craft Vendors Sought for First Landing Wine & Arts Festival on April 12, 2025

St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division, in partnership with local First Landing Wine Trail wineries, are seeking arts and craft vendors who are located or sell in St. Mary’s County, to participate in the First Landing Wine & Arts Festival at St. Clement’s Island Museum on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 10 a.m. to...
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Maryland Department of Natural Resources Introduces Commercial Blue Catfish Pilot Programs

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Introduces Commercial Blue Catfish Pilot Programs

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is launching two pilot programs in coordination with its Invasive Catfish Advisory Committee aimed at curbing the spread of blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Applications are now open for the Blue Catfish For-Hire/Commercial and Mid- and Lower-Bay Finfish Trotline Pilot Programs. Commercial watermen and charter...
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SMECO Sponsors Southern Maryland’s 31st Annual Math Competition

SMECO Sponsors Southern Maryland’s 31st Annual Math Competition

Southern Maryland’s annual MATHCOUNTS competition marked its 31st anniversary on Saturday, February 5, 2025. More than 150 students from 18 schools gathered at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick to test their math skills. A competitive technological world requires a proficiency in mathematics as a foundation for success in science, technology, and engineering. MATHCOUNTS...
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Sports Wagering Contributes $8.2 Million to the State During January 2025

Sports Wagering Contributes $8.2 Million to the State During January 2025

Maryland’s sports wagering market generated $8,244,612 in contributions to the state during January 2025, the fourth-best single-month total since the launch of sports wagering in December 2021. Through the first seven months of FY2025 (July 2024 through January 2025), sports wagering has contributed $54,821,117 to the state compared to $32,840,755 for the same period...
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Charles County Board of Education Appoints Navarro to Second Term as Superintendent

Charles County Board of Education Appoints Navarro to Second Term as Superintendent

The Board of Education of Charles County unanimously voted during its Feb. 11 meeting to renew the contract of Superintendent Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., for a second, four-year term. Navarro was hired by the previous Board in 2021 with her first term closing this summer on June 30. In the past four years Navarro...
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Two Men Charged with Possession and Distribution of Cocaine Following a Vehicle Search in St. Mary’s County

Two Men Charged with Possession and Distribution of Cocaine Following a Vehicle Search in St. Mary’s County

A routine traffic stop in St. Mary’s County resulted in the arrest of two men on drug-related charges after deputies discovered cocaine inside their vehicle and on their persons. The suspects, identified as Kentwuan Lionell Wills, 27, of Great Mills, and Charles Vaselee Freeman Jr., 40, of Lexington Park, were taken into custody on...
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Erek L. Barron Resigns as U.S. Attorney for Maryland

Erek L. Barron Resigns as U.S. Attorney for Maryland

Erek L. Barron, the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced his resignation on February 12, 2025, effective immediately. Barron had served in the position since October 7, 2021, leading Maryland’s federal prosecutorial office for over three years. In a statement, Barron reflected on his tenure, emphasizing the dedication and professionalism of...
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Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Basement Fire in Hollywood, No Known Injuries Reported

Firefighters Quickly Extinguish Basement Fire in Hollywood, No Known Injuries Reported

On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at approximately 5:05 p.m., firefighters from Hollywood, Bay District, Leonardtown, Mechanicsville, and Seventh District responded to the 25000 block of Vista Road in Hollywood, for the reported structure fire. Dispatchers advised the 911 caller had disconnected twice, once after advising there was a chimney fire, then again after reporting...
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STEAM Room Catalyst Event Ignites Hands-On Learning on March 30, 2025

STEAM Room Catalyst Event Ignites Hands-On Learning on March 30, 2025

Imagine a place where young minds don’t just learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM)—they create it. Pure Play Every Day Inc., a Southern Maryland non-profit, is making that vision a reality with the STEAM Room—an innovative children’s museum concept designed by students for students. This one-of-a-kind initiative gives middle and high school...
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CCPS Students Shine at Maryland FBLA State Leadership Conference

CCPS Students Shine at Maryland FBLA State Leadership Conference

Students from Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) demonstrated outstanding business acumen and leadership skills at the Maryland Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) State Leadership Conference held Feb. 6–8 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor. The annual conference provides students with leadership training, networking opportunities, and competitive events that assess their knowledge and skills in...
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Classical Pianist Brian Ganz Reveals Chopin’s Superpowers At Free PianoTalk at SMCM February 18, 2025

Classical Pianist Brian Ganz Reveals Chopin’s Superpowers At Free PianoTalk at SMCM February 18, 2025

St. Mary’s City- February 11 – St. Mary’s College of MD Musician-in-Residence Brian Ganz will continue his popular mid-day PianoTalk series on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 11:20 a.m. with a free PianoTalk featuring Fryderyk Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 1 in C minor, Op. 4. The program, which will take place in the recital...
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