Southern Maryland News Net

Southern Maryland Fireworks Displays Set for Fourth of July Weekend 2026

Southern Maryland residents will have several opportunities to celebrate Independence Day weekend with fireworks displays, community events, live entertainment, food vendors and family activities across the region. Several displays are scheduled for Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, 2026, with events planned in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties, along with nearby Colonial Beach, Virginia. Friday, July 3 St. Mary’s Freedom Fest will be held at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown. The event begins at 5...
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GoFundMe Started for Family of Ricardo Arias, Manager of Plaza Azteca, After Passing Away from Medical Emergency

On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at approximately 7:45 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Plaza Azteca located at 22201 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park, for the reported CPR in progress. Crews arrived on the scene and confirmed CPR was in progress. Arias was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. In memory of Ricardo Arias, manager of Plaza Azteca. In support of his repatriation and final resting place. A GoFundMe...
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One Flown to Trauma Center With Life-Threatening Injuries After Crash in California

On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at approximately 5:13 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Patuxent Beach Road in California, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Multiple 911 callers reported a serious crash with at least 3 vehicles involved. Crews arrived on the scene to find multiple vehicles involved with one adult patient unresponsive and requested a helicopter. Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 7 transported the adult...
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Juvenile Offender Who Raped Two 6-Year Old Girls Released on Probation

On June 29, 2026, a 13-year old juvenile was released on probation with electronic monitoring after having been found involved in the rape of two 6-year old girls. The Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office, who prosecuted the case, recommended that the juvenile be placed in a secure “out-of-home” facility where he could receive treatment and counselling. Instead, the juvenile was returned to the home where some of the abuse allegedly occurred. Although the victims no longer live in the...
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27-Year-Old Chaptico Man Killed in Single Vehicle Crash in Mechanicsville – Police Investigating

UPDATE 6/30/2026 @ 2:40 p.m.: On Tuesday, June 30, at approximately 7:40 a.m., emergency personnel responded to the 27500 block of Thompson Corner Road in Mechanicsville for a reported single-vehicle crash. Upon arrival, first responders located a green pickup truck that had left the roadway and struck a tree. The driver was trapped inside the vehicle. The driver, identified as Malik Javonn Somerville, 27, of Chaptico, was pronounced dead at the scene. Due to the severity of the crash,...
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Callaway Teen Charged in Two Gun-Related Cases Involving Stolen Glock Report, Unserialized Handgun Arrest

Malik Desean Norris, 18, of Callaway, has been charged in two separate St. Mary’s County cases involving allegations of stolen firearm property, possession of firearms as a minor, illegal ammunition possession, carrying a handgun, possession of a firearm without a serial number, and possession with intent to distribute cannabis. In one case, Maryland State Police allege Norris stole a gray Glock G48 firearm, a loaded magazine containing 10 rounds, and an unloaded magazine from an adult female victim at...
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UPDATE: Clover Hill Dairy Consumer Advisory Expanded Due to Health Risk; One Dead and 8 Victims Hospitalized

UPDATE 6/28/2026: The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission is sharing an expanded consumer advisory from the Food and Drug Administration regarding a total recall of all Clover Hill Dairy brand cheeses due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. To date, nine illnesses, eight hospitalizations and one death have been linked to the soft cheese products. Officials urge consumers, producers and regional agricultural communities to check their refrigerators immediately. Do not eat, sell or serve the recalled cheese. The recall involves all...
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36 Dogs and Puppies Seized as Mechanicsville Mother, Daughter Face Over 100 Animal Cruelty Charges After Kennel Investigation

Magdalina H. Fisher, 61, and her daughter Sarah H. Fisher, 20, both of Mechanicsville, face more than 100 combined animal-related charges after authorities investigated a dog-breeding property on Woodburn Hill Road in Mechanicsville. Magdalina Fisher faces 51 misdemeanor counts of failing to provide animals with proper care and nine misdemeanor counts of unlawful surgery on a dog, while Sarah Fisher faces 44 misdemeanor counts of failing to provide animals with proper care. The charges stem from allegations that dogs...
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Assault at Calvert County Courthouse by Prince Frederick Man Leaves Woman With Broken Nose and Wrist

Jason Andrew Wills, 44, of Prince Frederick, has been charged with first-degree assault and second-degree assault after authorities say he attacked an adult female victim outside the Calvert District Courthouse in Prince Frederick early June 20, 2026. Wills was ordered held without bond following his initial appearance, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 20, 2026. According to allegations filed in District Court, the Calvert County Control Center dispatched deputies around 1:16 a.m. for a reported assault at the...
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UPDATE: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Correctional Officer Arrested for Stealing a Gun in La Plata

On Wednesday, June 24, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the La Plata Police Department of an investigation into the theft of a firearm from a residence in La Plata in which Dayvon Maurice West, 35, of Lexington Park, was identified as the suspect. Through investigative means, it was determined that, following the theft, West traveled to Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary’s County. An extensive search of the park was initiated, involving members of...
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Pitbull Attacks Three Children in Lexington Park, One Flown to Children’s Center; Animal Control and Police Investigating

On Friday, June 26, 2026, at approximately 10:12 a.m., police and emergency medical services responded to the 45000 block of Ketch Court in Lexington Park, for the reported animal bite involving multiple victims. 911 callers reported a Pitbull attacked three children, with the dog now confined to a kennel. Crews arrived on the scene to find a 5-year-old, 10-year-old, and 15-year-old all suffering from bites and lacerations. A helicopter was placed on standby prior to the arrival of EMS,...
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UPDATE: Prince Frederick Man Now Facing Murder Charge in Death of 1-Year-Old Child in Calvert County

UPDATE 6/22/2026: Branden Pernell Mackall, 35, of Prince Frederick, has been indicted on a murder charge and additional child abuse-related charges following the death of a 1-year-old female victim who authorities previously said suffered life-threatening injuries at a home on Mint Court in Prince Frederick. A Calvert County grand jury indicted Mackall on charges of murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in death of a child under 13, first-degree child abuse resulting in severe physical injury, first-degree assault, and second-degree...
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Lexington Park Man Held Without Bond After Alleged Incident Involving Child in St. Mary’s County

Junior Maldonado-Hernandez, 38, of Lexington Park, has been charged with sexual abuse of a minor, third-degree sex offense involving a child under 14, fourth-degree sex offense involving sexual contact, second-degree assault, and resisting or interfering with arrest after authorities say deputies were called to a reported disturbance at a Lexington Park home on June 21, 2026. According to filings in St. Mary’s County District Court, the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the home after an adult female...
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No Injuries Reported, Firefighters Save Barn After Large Field Fires in Mechanicsville

On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at approximately 3:25 p.m., firefighters from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s County were dispatched to the 39000 block of Cooney Neck Road off Route 6 in Mechanicsville, for the large brush fire threatening a barn. 911 callers reported a large field on fire spreading and threatening a barn. Crews arrived on the scene to find an approximate 3 to 7 acre field fire and quickly contained the fire. A brush fire task force was...
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UPDATE: Police Locate Subject After Search in Point Lookout State Park, No Injuries Reported

UPDATE 6/24/2026: The law enforcement investigation at Point Lookout State Park concluded. No injuries were reported. The subject has been safely located. The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office thanks our partners, Maryland State Police and Department of Natural Resources Police, for their assistance. We thank the public for their cooperation and patience while the precautionary park closure and investigation were conducted. Normal park operations are expected to resume today, June 25, 2o26. 6/24/26 3:18 p.m., Police Activity – Point...
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Probation Violation Reopens 2020 Armed Robbery Case Against Leonardtown Man

Cody Dustin Combs, 28, of Leonardtown, is back in custody after a violation of probation warrant was issued in connection with a 2020 armed robbery case in St. Mary’s County. The case was reopened on June 26, 2026, after a probation report was reviewed and an arrest warrant for violation of probation was issued...
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Two Face Theft Scheme Charges After Dollar General Incidents in Hollywood and Mechanicsville

Celsie Chanee Edwards, 33, of Washington, D.C., and Patrick Joseph Young Jr., 31, of Clinton, have been charged with misdemeanor theft of property valued at $100 to under $1,500 and theft scheme involving property valued at $100 to under $1,500 after police said they took merchandise from Dollar General stores in Hollywood and Mechanicsville...
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St. Mary’s County Native Missing in Washington State; Police Make Two Arrests After Human Remains Are Located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord

A missing person investigation in Washington state has escalated into a homicide investigation after human remains were discovered on military property, leading to the arrest of two people, including an active-duty service member. The investigation began June 12 2026, when the Tacoma Police Department received a missing person report for 28-year-old Caelick Bradley, who...
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Police Seeking Information & Assistance in Locating 34-year-old Dayvon Gordon Wanted for Murder

The Prince George’s County Police Department is seeking the community’s assistance in locating a suspect wanted for a fatal shooting in 2020. An arrest warrant for 34-year-old Dayvon Gordon was obtained shortly after the murder of 22-year-old Andre Lamont Cox Jr., in Landover. Extensive efforts to locate Gordon have so far been unsuccessful. His...
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Lexington Park Man Faces Assault, Drug, Protective Order Charges in Two June Arrests

Joseph Axzavis Stewart Jr., 46, of Lexington Park, is facing four misdemeanor charges in St. Mary’s County after two separate arrests in June 2026, including second-degree assault, possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis, violation of a protective order, and disorderly conduct. The first incident was reported shortly before 1 a.m. on...
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Two New York Men Arrested for Stealing Used Cooking Oil from Salsa’s Mexican Cafe in Lusby

Joel Rojas Felix, 26, of Yonkers, New York, and Miguel Jose Gonzalez, 35, of Bronx, New York, are charged in Calvert County after deputies said a late-night traffic stop led to the discovery of used cooking oil allegedly stolen from Salsa’s Mexican Cafe on HG Trueman Road in Lusby. Felix is charged with fourth-degree...
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St. Mary’s County Traffic Stop Results in Cocaine-Related Charges for Mechanicsville Woman

Christine M. Gammon, 64, of Mechanicsville, has been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance that was not cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia after a June 19, 2026 traffic stop in Mechanicsville. According to allegations filed in the case, a St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office deputy reported that the stop began at...
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Governor Moore Declares State of Preparedness Ahead of Historic Heat Wave

Governor Wes Moore today declared a State of Preparedness ahead of a heat wave expected to result in very hot and humid conditions, causing extreme heat risk across the state. Conditions will last from Wednesday, July 1st, through Sunday, July 5th, with the hottest conditions most likely Thursday through Saturday, requiring heightened awareness and...
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Hollywood Man Held Without Bond After Police Say Altered, Stolen Handgun Found in Great Mills

Denzil Marquet Bonner, 29, of Hollywood, has been charged in St. Mary’s County with violating a protective order, two counts of illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a regulated firearm believed to be stolen, and knowingly altering a firearm identification number after deputies responded to reports of gunfire in Great Mills on...
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Prince Frederick Man Faces Drug Possession Charges After Two Calvert Traffic Stops

Ernest Clayton Groves, 73, of Prince Frederick, is facing misdemeanor drug charges after two separate traffic stops in Calvert County in June 2026, according to filings in District Court. Groves is charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance other than cannabis in both incidents, along with two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia...
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One Transported to Trauma Center, Two Other Injures After Three Vehicle Collision in California

On Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 8:15 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Three Notch Road and MacArthur Boulevard in California, for the reported motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find three vehicles involved, with one vehicle off the roadway with the...
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1-Year-Old Flown to Children’s Center After Fall in Mechanicsville

On Monday, June 29, 2026, at approximately 7:40 p.m., firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 29000 block of Hill and Dale Drive in Mechanicsville, for the reported unresponsive child after a fall 911 callers reported a 1-year-old female fell approximately 4 feet from a counter and was now unresponsive. Maryland State Police...
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Deputies Say Man Found Sleeping in White Plains Home After Family Returned From Vacation

Marcus Antonio McCoy, 24, of Temple Hills, is facing charges of fourth-degree burglary of a dwelling and two counts of second-degree assault after authorities say he unlawfully entered a White Plains home and was later restrained by two adult male residents who found him inside. The incident was reported on June 20, 2026, at...
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Maryland State Police Respond to California Hotel, Arrest Lusby Man After Chase

Xavier James Holloway, 22, of Lusby, has been charged after Maryland State Police said a reported disturbance at a California hotel led to a foot chase late Saturday night. Holloway is charged with obstructing and hindering, failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order, resisting or interfering with arrest, disorderly conduct, and three related...
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Police Say Minor Had Access to Unsecured Firearms in La Plata Apartment After Road Rage Investigation

Darryl Eugene Morrow, 51, of La Plata, has been charged with firearms access by minors, illegal possession of ammunition, six counts of firearm possession after a disqualifying conviction, and knowingly altering or obliterating a firearm identification number after Maryland State Police said a search connected to a road rage investigation led to the discovery...
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Charles County Construction Worker Nails $50,000 Bonus Match 5 Win

A routine stop for food turned into a significant moment for Jerry Baker Jr., of Charles County, who ended up winning a $50,000 Bonus Match 5 top prize. The La Plata construction worker considers himself a casual player, who purchases tickets on average once a week. He enjoys draw games, especially Bonus Match 5,...
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Southern Maryland 250th Celebration Marks Defining Milestone for National Heritage Area

As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area (SMNHA) hosted Southern Maryland 250: Liberty and Legacy, a milestone celebration honoring the region’s role in the American story and charting a course for its future. More than 200 attendees gathered at the Thomas Stone National Historic Site for an event that marked SMNHA’s most...
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