Southern Maryland News Net

Missing 14-Year-Old Located Deceased in Prince George’s County; Death Ruled Homicide

Prince George’s County Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a homicide after human remains were located at a park in College Park. The victim is 14-year-old Jefferson Amaya-Ayala of Washington, DC. On November 3, 2025, while assisting the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and FBI Cross Border Taskforce with a joint missing persons investigation, what appeared to be possible human remains were located during a search of Indian Creek Stream Valley Park. The remains were sent to the Office...
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School and Weather Updates for This Weekend – December 5th, 2025

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY: Schools will open 2 HOURS LATE on Friday, Dec. 5th, 2025. ST. MARY’S COUNTY: St. Mary’s County, Maryland is under a Winter Weather Advisory from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2025. Snowfall totals for St. Mary’s County are expected between 1–4 inches with very low temperatures. Snowfall is expected to begin in the early morning hours, around 3–5 a.m. Peak timing for snowfall is expected to be between 4 a.m.– noon. Impacts to...
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No Injuries After House Fire in Waldorf, Two Displaced and Cause Under Investigation

On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at approximately 9:25 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 800 block of Copley Avenue in Waldorf, for the reported garage on fire. 911 callers reported the garage was on fire and spreading to the attached residence. Firefighters quickly arrived on scene to find a two-story residence with the attached garage fully engulfed in flames and requested the working fire dispatch, which alerted additional units to the scene. The fire was...
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UPDATE: 22-Year-Old Arrested After Fatal Shooting at MGM National Harbor Casino in Prince George’s County

UPDATE 12/04/2025: PGPD’s Homicide Unit identified and charged a man in connection with Wednesday’s fatal shooting at the MGM National Harbor. The suspect is 22-year-old Benjamin Williams of Fort Washington. He is charged with the murder of 23-year-old Darnell Hawkins Jr. of Washington, DC. On December 3, 2025, at approximately 11:55 am, officers responded to a shooting at the MGM National Harbor. Officers located Hawkins on the ground suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Hawkins died at the scene. Through...
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SMECO Employees Raise $63,000 for Three Southern Maryland Shelters

Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) employees recently held a fund-raising event and donated $63,000 to three shelters serving Southern Maryland: Lifestyles of Maryland, Inc.—Robert J. Fuller Transitional House of Charles County, Project Echo, Inc. of Calvert County, and Three Oaks Center of St. Mary’s County. “A home is more than shelter from the elements. It’s a foundation for security, stability, and health,” said Sonja M. Cox, SMECO president and CEO. “Our local organizations understand this and provide the services...
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3 Displaced and Dog Killed After House Fire in Waldorf

On Monday, December 1, 2025, at approximately 6:55 a.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 9900 block of Bunker Hill Road, for the reported house on fire. 911 callers reported a heater was left on with the room currently caught on fire with one dog trapped in the home. Crews arrived on the scene to find a working fire, with fire showing from the single story residence. Firefighters made entry into the home with multiple attack...
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VIDEO: No Injuries Reported After Vehicle Fire in Lexington Park

On Sunday, November 30, 2025, at approximately 10:20 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to the Quik Shop located at 21265 Great Mills Road in Lexington Park, for the reported vehicle fire threatening the structure. The incident was quickly updated to actually be at the Blimpies, at Three Notch Road and Hermanville Road in Lexington Park. Firefighters from NDW Patuxent River quickly arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle fully engulfed in flames with...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center After Violent Assault in California; One Suspect Arrested and Firearm Recovered

On Monday, November 24, 2025, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of North Patuxent Beach Road and Patuxent Beach Road in California, St. Mary’s County, for a reported assault. According to court documents. Deputies made contact with a male victim who claimed he had been violently attacked inside a nearby residence. Statements given to law enforcement, the victim reported that while staying at the home located on the 23800 block of North Patuxent...
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One Injured After Vehicle Strikes Pole, Causing Fire and Power Outage in Park Hall

On Thursday, November 27, 2025, at approximately 12:11 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Point Lookout Road and Janeen Lane in Park Hall, for the reported motor vehicle collision with unknown injuries. 911 callers reported a single vehicle off the roadway and into a pole with live wires down on the vehicle with the operator still inside. Police arrived on the scene to confirm a pickup truck into a pole with the adult...
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Father and Son Arrested; Father Caught Operating Stolen Bobcat Then Blames Son for Everything

Thomas Newton Ferrall IV, 47, of Hollywood, is facing felony theft charges in Charles County after allegedly failing to return $74,250 worth of construction equipment rented from a La Plata business. Although the equipment was eventually recovered, the case has drawn public scrutiny—not just for the theft itself, but for what happened after. According to court documents, Ferrall IV rented a Bobcat T550 tracked loader, a smooth bucket, and a Jesco dual axle blue tilt trailer on October 21,...
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Police Investigating Single Vehicle Crash in Bryantown That Killed 22-Year-Old Port Tobacco Man

UPDATE 11/24/2025: On November 22, at 7:30 p.m., officers responded to the area of Olivers Shop Road and Edelen Drive in Bryantown for the report of a single motor vehicle crash in which a red Honda Accord left the roadway and struck a tree. Upon arrival, officers discovered the driver of the vehicle outside of the car; he was pronounced deceased on the scene. He was later identified as Benjamin Thomas Mattingly, age 22, of Port Tobacco. There were...
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Waldorf Man Charged With First-Degree Murder in Death of 4-Month-Old Victim

Jordan Nathaniel Savoy, 28, of Waldorf, has been charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder, following the death of a 4-month-old female victim, according to court documents filed by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. According to the documents, officers and medical personnel responded to a home on Barksdale Avenue in Waldorf on November 23, 2025, for a report of a child not breathing. Emergency responders attempted lifesaving measures before transporting the victim to Charles Regional Medical Center in La...
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Waldorf Winner Strikes Again With $50,000 Lottery Scratch-Off Prize

A crab cake dinner and some investments in the family business were on the horizon for a Waldorf man Nov. 20 after he claimed a $50,000 prize on the $50 Maryland Lottery scratch-off game $5,000,000 Fortune. Well, those things and more Lottery playing as well. “I love playing,” he said after making the claim at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore. “I know once you get a ticket, anything can happen.” No stranger to good fortune, he reports having a few...
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The College of Southern Maryland Earns Multiple Awards for Outstanding Marketing and Public Relations

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) was recognized by the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) earning six awards for excellence in design and marketing. In November the CSM Creative Services team attended the NCMPR District 1 conference in Pittsburgh, and took home six District 1 Medallion Awards: GOLD – Career Pathways Magazine 2025 GOLD- Brand Promotional Video SILVER – Spring 2025 Continuing Education Schedule SILVER – Annual Report 2024 SILVER- Strengthening Our Net: CSM Workforce Development...
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UPDATE: Search Continues for Male Victim at Thomas Johnson Bridge

UPDATE 11/22/2025 @12:45 A.M.: Firefighters and dive teams from Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s and Dorchester Counties remain operating on the scene searching for a male victim last seen wearing blue jeans and a black shirt. Helicopters are down due to weather, police are utilizing multiple drones in the search. Updates will be provided as they become available. 11/21/2025: On Friday, November 21, 2025, around 11:05 p.m., Police, firefighters and emergency medical services from Calvert and St. Mary’s responded to...
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Erratic Driving Complaint Leads to Cocaine Charges for Pennsylvania Man in Calvert County

Michael Edward Emmel, 41, of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, has been charged in Calvert County after a traffic complaint led deputies to a drug possession incident on November 21, 2025, according to court documents filed by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office. According to a report by Deputy McIntosh, a caller reported a “black Chrysler 300 heading...
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Brazilian Man Charged in Dunkirk Walmart Theft Incident

Avelino Tavares Da Silva Jr., 49, of College Park, has been formally charged with misdemeanor theft following an incident at the Walmart in Dunkirk, according to court documents filed in Calvert County District Court. The incident occurred on December 2, 2025, at the store located on Town Center Boulevard. According to the Calvert County...
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Police Continue Investigation After Driver Succumbs to Injuries Sustained July 2025 Motor Vehicle Collision

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a now fatal crash that occurred in July of 2025 in Temple Hills. The deceased driver is 36-year-old Joseph McGainey of Brandywine. He died of his injuries on November 24, 2025. On July 8, 2025, at approximately 11:25 am, officers responded...
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Muzzleloader Deer Hunting Season Resumes December 20

The second half of Maryland’s muzzleloader deer hunting season will be open Dec. 20 through Jan. 3, 2026. The first half of the split season was held in October. Hunters may use muzzleloading firearms to harvest sika and white-tailed deer during this time. “The late muzzleloader season coincides with the holidays, offering hunters a...
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Secretary’s Message: Investment in Outdoor Recreation Pays Back Dividends Now and for the Future

In the last week of October, Maryland’s outdoor recreation community gathered in Baltimore for our second annual Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit. Bringing together the partners that comprise and support Maryland’s outdoor recreation community – local and state government, environmental organizations, educators, outfitters, and other businesses – is essential. The science is clear: time in...
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UPDATE: Third Arrest Made After 16-Year-Old Poses As 19-Year-Old with Fake Account in Setup Robbery and Stabbing of Volunteer Firefighter in Lexington Park

UPDATE 12/5/2025: An arrest warrant for Dmontre Montez Bush, 25, of Lexington Park, was conducted on Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025, in connection with the November stabbing and robbery in Lexington Park. Bush was taken into custody and transported to the Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown, where he is being held on a no...
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Free “Sounds of the Season” Holiday Concert to Benefit East-John Youth Center at Lusby Sneade’s Ace Hardware

Eastern United Methodist Church and St. John United Methodist Church will host “Sounds of the Season,” a free outdoor holiday concert and fundraiser, on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will take place at the storefront of Sneade’s Ace Hardware, located at 11861 H G Trueman Road in...
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Animal Safety Alert in Effect Due to Weather

Due to forecasted cold temperatures Thursday, Dec. 4, through Friday, Dec. 5, the Department of Public Safety has issued an animal safety alert. During this period, animal owners and custodians are required to take the following actions to protect pets and livestock: Dogs and cats should be brought inside. If a dog or cat...
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December is Designated Driver Month in Calvert County

The Calvert Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA) reminds residents and visitors that December is Designated Driver Month across the country, observed from Dec. 1 to Jan. 2. As you celebrate the holidays, CAASA urges county residents to plan for a safe ride home if your celebrations involve alcohol or other substances that could affect...
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ALDI Scheduled to Open New Lexington Park Store on December 11th – Giveaways, and Prizes

ALDI is officially opening its newest Southern Maryland location next week, bringing its well-known low-price grocery model to 21853 Three Notch Road, Unit 101, in Lexington Park. The grand opening celebration is set for Thursday, December 11, 2025, and the company is inviting the community to join in a morning of giveaways, prizes, and...
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UPDATE: Missing Chesapeake Beach Boater Lonnie Johnson Located Deceased Near Dorchester County

12/4/2025: The Maryland Natural Resources Police has ended the search for Lonnie James Johnson, 65, of Chesapeake Beach after NRP personnel located Johnson deceased on Thursday afternoon in the waters of Dorchester County near Taylors Island. Officers responded to the northwest shoreline of Taylors Island, south of the mouth of the Little Choptank River...
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St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Launches Redesigned Website to Improve Public Access and User Experience

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office has launched a newly redesigned website at www.FirstSheriff.com, offering the community a clearer, more accessible, and user-friendly way to find important public safety information. The updated site features improved navigation, a cleaner layout, and a modern design that is easier to read on both desktop and mobile devices. Community...
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Prince George’s County Police Department Mourns Passing of Another Veteran Officer, Sergeant Joseph Mullendore #2966

The Prince George’s County Police Department is saddened to announce the passing of Sergeant Joseph Mullendore #2966 who died last week following a hard-fought illness. Sergeant Mullendore first joined the agency in 2006. During his nearly 20 years with the PGPD, he was assigned to Oxon Hill – District IV, the former Regional Investigation...
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70-Year-Old Man Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Waldorf

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, at approximately 7:15 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 3315 Leonardtown Road in Waldorf, for the reported pedestrian struck by a vehicle. Crews arrived on the scene to find an adult male was conscious and breathing with injuries to the upper body. Upon...
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Felony Convictions Obtained in Largest Narcotics Seizure in St. Mary’s Counties History

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced that Antwian Marquis Johnson, 39, of Great Mills, Maryland, was convicted of multiple drug-related charges following a lengthy investigation that resulted in the seizure of approximately 47 pounds of narcotics. On December 5, 2024, detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office seized 21.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine and...
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Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman Releases State’s First Feasibility Report for Baby Bonds Program in Maryland

Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman today released a comprehensive report on the feasibility and potential impacts of implementing a statewide “Baby Bonds” program. The report, requested by the Maryland General Assembly, outlines how publicly funded trust accounts for children born into low-wealth households could help close the racial wealth gap, promote economic mobility, and strengthen the state’s...
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St. Mary’s County Police Searching for Wanted Baltimore Man, Carlonte Antoine Knott

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of Carlonte Antoine Knott, 33, of Baltimore, for escape. Knott is described as a Black male, 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds. Deputies were notified on December 1 that the ankle-monitoring GPS device assigned to Knott had been deactivated, and...
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