Monthly Archives: January 2026

PG County Man Charged for Unlawful Transmission & Retention of Classified National Defense Information

PG County Man Charged for Unlawful Transmission & Retention of Classified National Defense Information

Aurelio Luis Perez-Lugones, 61, is charged with five counts of unlawfully transmitting and one count of unlawfully retaining classified national defense information. Perez-Lugones was previously charged by criminal complaint with retention of national defense information. Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the indictment with Attorney General Pamela Bondi; FBI...
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Lexington Park Man Accused of Strangling Woman Outside Local Library

Lexington Park Man Accused of Strangling Woman Outside Local Library

John Edward Clopper, 43, of Lexington Park, has been charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault following a reported incident on January 16, 2026, according to court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. The charges stem from allegations that Clopper confronted a woman outside the Lexington Park Library and strangled...
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Maryland Tow Truck Operator Arrested in Calvert County for Theft, and Traffic Charges After Vehicle Stop

Maryland Tow Truck Operator Arrested in Calvert County for Theft, and Traffic Charges After Vehicle Stop

Jerlyn Guerrero, 45, of Brooklyn, Maryland, has been charged with multiple offenses following a traffic stop in Calvert County involving allegedly stolen license plates tied to a towing company and a vehicle with a suspended registration. According to court documents, Guerrero was charged with three misdemeanor offenses: possession of a stolen manufacturer’s number, possession...
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Card Skimming Device Discovered at Waldorf 7-Eleven

Card Skimming Device Discovered at Waldorf 7-Eleven

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after officers recovered a card skimming device attached to a point-of-sale terminal at the 7-Eleven on St. Ignatius Drive on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. The device was an overlay skimmer, designed to fit over a legitimate card reader and closely mimic the original terminal while unlawfully capturing...
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UPDATE: Suspended Prince George’s County Officer Found Guilty of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

UPDATE: Suspended Prince George’s County Officer Found Guilty of Sexual Abuse of a Minor

UPDATE 1/22/2026: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, January 16, 2026, a Charles County jury, after a 5-day trial, convicted Tristan Thigpen, 40, of Sexual Abuse a Minor. On February 3, 2021, a detective with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office received a Child Protect Services Intake report from Prince...
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Public Warming Centers Available January 23-27, 2026

Public Warming Centers Available January 23-27, 2026

St. Mary’s County, Maryland is currently under a Winter Storm Watch from Saturday, January 24, 2026, until Monday, January 26, 2026. Due to impactful winter weather in the forecast, St. Mary’s County Government is announcing the availability of warming centers for the public from Friday, January 23 through Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Residents who need to take refuge in a warm...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Missing 17-Year-Old from Lexington Park

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Seeking Missing 17-Year-Old from Lexington Park

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of Missing Person – Amir Rich, black male, age 17 who was last seen in the Great Mills area on Sunday, January 18, 2026. Contact the Sheriff’s Office if you have any information on his whereabouts.
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Auditions Begin for CSM’s Spring Production of ‘Into the Woods’

Auditions Begin for CSM’s Spring Production of ‘Into the Woods’

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Associate of Arts Theater and Dance program invites aspiring performers to take the stage and audition for its spring production of “Into the Woods” on Tuesday, January 20, or Thursday, January 22. Auditions are open to CSM students and members of the community. The classic Broadway musical follows...
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Maryland State Police Investigating Death of State Prison Inmate in Anne Arundel County

Maryland State Police Investigating Death of State Prison Inmate in Anne Arundel County

Maryland State Police continue an investigation into the death of a state prison inmate in Anne Arundel County. The inmate, identified as Javon Foster, 38, was a state prison inmate serving time at the Jessup Correctional Institution in Anne Arundel County. Foster was pronounced deceased by emergency medical service personnel and was transported to...
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Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Reward in Two Seperate Theft Cases

Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Reward in Two Seperate Theft Cases

Charles County Crime Solvers is offering a cash reward for tipsters who can identify the below pictured people who are suspects in two unrelated theft cases from two local businesses. In one case, a group of suspects entered a business, placed 26 containers of laundry detergent in a cart and fled out of a...
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UPDATE: GoFundMe Started for Father and Son After Losing Everything to House Fire in Mechanicsville

UPDATE: GoFundMe Started for Father and Son After Losing Everything to House Fire in Mechanicsville

UPDATE 1/22/2026: GoFundMe can be found by clicking here. Fortunately, the homeowners escaped without injury. “The father and son are seeking any donation, no matter the size, with everything going directly toward helping him and his son cover essentials and regain stability. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser or keeping them in...
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Man Indicted in Fatal Hit and Run Crash at Childs Birthday Party That Killed Woman and Injured 13 Others, Including 8 Children

Man Indicted in Fatal Hit and Run Crash at Childs Birthday Party That Killed Woman and Injured 13 Others, Including 8 Children

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced today that 66-year-old Sunday Okedeyi Joseph has been indicted on 36 charges, including 1 count of grossly negligent manslaughter by motor vehicle, 3 counts of hit-and-run involving serious bodily injury, 11 counts of failure to return and remain at the scene of accident involving bodily injury,...
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Whole Watershed Program Projects Prepare for Coordinated Restoration Work

Whole Watershed Program Projects Prepare for Coordinated Restoration Work

Planning and development for Maryland’s Whole Watershed Program is underway, with stormwater management, stream and marsh restoration, tree plantings, invasive species management, and many other projects advancing to help shape the state’s collective effort on targeted watershed restoration. In March of 2025, the state selected five watersheds that would receive initial funding through the Whole Watershed...
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Katharine Rebekah Wilson, lovingly known as “KittyBeck,”

Katharine Rebekah Wilson, lovingly known as “KittyBeck,”

Katharine Rebekah Wilson, lovingly known as “KittyBeck,” was born on February 24, 1936, in Prince Frederick, Maryland. She passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by family, on January 15, 2026. KittyBeck grew up on her family farm in Owings, Maryland, a place that remained at the heart of her life. It was there...
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PG County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unemployment Insurance Benefits Scheme During COVID-19 Pandemic

PG County Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unemployment Insurance Benefits Scheme During COVID-19 Pandemic

U.S. District Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby sentenced Isiah Lewis, 35, of Prince George’s County, Maryland, to 53 months of imprisonment for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, in connection with a conspiracy and scheme to defraud the Maryland Department of Labor (MD-DOL) and California Employment Development Department (CA-EDD). Kelly O. Hayes,...
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Kaitlin Nicole Gibson, 32,

Kaitlin Nicole Gibson, 32,

Kaitlin Nicole Gibson, 32, of Lothian passed away January 15, 2026. She was born on January 11, 1994, to Thomas and Cheryl (Thomas) Gibson. She grew up in Lothian and attended Southern High School. She loved her work as a cashier and cook on a food truck and had dreams of owning her own...
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Lucille Childs Bowen, 97,

Lucille Childs Bowen, 97,

Lucille Childs Bowen passed away the morning of Wednesday, January 14, 2026 in Prince Frederick, MD at the age of 97. She was born on February 14, 1928 to Leland and Annie (Hall) Bowen of Sandy Point. Lucille grew up with many aunts, uncles, and cousins in her community. After high school, she worked...
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Gary Lee Lester, 86,

Gary Lee Lester, 86,

Gary Lee Lester, 86, of Tracy’s Landing passed away January 13, 2026. He was born April 16, 1939, in Windber, PA to Jacob and Dora (Hull) Lester. Gary grew up on the family farm in Johnstown, PA. He married Donna Russell on July 24, 1957, and shortly after they moved to Maryland. He owned...
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Charges Pending in Fatal Hit and Run Investigation, Police Identify Suspected Driver and Vehicle Involved

Charges Pending in Fatal Hit and Run Investigation, Police Identify Suspected Driver and Vehicle Involved

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit (CARU) is investigating a fatal pedestrian collision that occurred on Monday evening in Temple Hills. The deceased pedestrian’s name will be released once his family is notified. On January 19, 2026, at about 7:00 pm, officers responded to the 3000 block of Branch...
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Are You Prepared for the Cold and Snow? National Weather Service Warns As Major Snowstorm Incoming

Are You Prepared for the Cold and Snow? National Weather Service Warns As Major Snowstorm Incoming

Winter Storm Watch in Effect – WHAT…Heavy snow mixed with sleet and freezing rain possible. There is a high likelihood of at least 5 inches of snow, with over 10 inches possible. Ice accumulation is also possible. WHERE…DC, and portions of central, northeast, northern, Southern Maryland, and Central and Northern Virginia. WHEN…From Saturday evening...
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Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Returns Saturday, March 21, 2026 to Lexington Manor Passive Park, Vendor & Sponsor Opportunities Available!

Annual Cherry Blossom Festival Returns Saturday, March 21, 2026 to Lexington Manor Passive Park, Vendor & Sponsor Opportunities Available!

The St. Mary’s County Government Department of Recreation & Parks (R&P) will host Southern Maryland’s very own Cherry Blossom Festival on Saturday, March 21, 2026, from noon – 4 p.m. at Lexington Manor Passive Park in Lexington Park, MD Celebrate the start of spring at this free family event held at St. Mary’s County’s premiere arts park, featuring a...
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Annual Appraiser Fair Taking a One-Year Break in 2026, Set to Return in 2027 at St. Clement’s Island Museum’s New Facility

Annual Appraiser Fair Taking a One-Year Break in 2026, Set to Return in 2027 at St. Clement’s Island Museum’s New Facility

St. Mary’s County Government’s Museum Division will not hold the popular Appraiser Fair in 2026 due to construction of a brand-new museum facility at St. Clement’s Island Museum. The long-running event will return in January 2027, in the new modern museum building. The Appraiser Fair provides an opportunity for the public to learn the value of...
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Two Displaced, No Injuries Reported After Garage Fire in Waldorf

Two Displaced, No Injuries Reported After Garage Fire in Waldorf

On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at approximately 5:50 a.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 3500 block of Catskill Street in Waldorf, for the reported structure fire. 911 callers reported the garage on fire, with all occupants out of the structure. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find smoke showing from...
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Governor Moore Announces $73.7 Million for Community Revitalization and Economic Development Projects in Proposed FY 2027 Budget

Governor Moore Announces $73.7 Million for Community Revitalization and Economic Development Projects in Proposed FY 2027 Budget

Governor Wes Moore announced $73.7 million in his proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget to fund 252 projects through the six state revitalization programs administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The investments in county and municipal governments, community development organizations, and other community institutions and partners will support projects and activities...
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UPDATE: Noise Advisory – Inshore Weapons Testing, Potential Supersonic Flights Jan. 21-23, 2026

UPDATE: Noise Advisory – Inshore Weapons Testing, Potential Supersonic Flights Jan. 21-23, 2026

UPDATE 1/20/2026: Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Webster Outlying Field, Smith Island, Maryland and residents of the Northern Neck of Virginia are advised of an inshore weapons separation testing event Wednesday, Jan. 21 to Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. This test flight has the potential to generate a sonic boom that could be...
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