Southern Maryland News Net

Questions Raised About Reporting of School Incidents in St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Press Releases

A review of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office public news release archive is raising questions about how often incidents occurring at local schools are publicly reported. According to the Sheriff’s Office website, the department has published 418 press releases in its online archive. Those releases cover a wide range of incidents across the county, including drug arrests, theft investigations, search warrants, warrant services, traffic stops, and other law enforcement activity. However, only a small number of those releases...
Read More »

Police Investigating Bicyclist Found With Life-Threatening Injuries

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Pisgah Marbury Road and Toyer Place in Marbury, for the reported bicyclist struck. Multiple 911 callers reported finding a bicyclist laying under a guardrail with unknown breathing status. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm an unknown aged adult male laying near a guardrail with serious injuries to the head and requested a helicopter to land nearby. Maryland State...
Read More »

UPDATE: Charlotte Hall Man and His Passenger Killed After Running Red Light in Hollywood; Two Others Injured

UPDATE 3/16/2026: On Sunday, March 15, at 4:35 p.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to the intersection of Three Notch Road and Hollywood Road for a motor vehicle collision. The investigation determined that a 2016 GMC Sierra, operated by Austin Schultz of Leonardtown, was making a left turn from northbound Three Notch Road onto Hollywood Road at the traffic signal when a 2013 Toyota Camry, operated by 42-year-old Keith Mersing II of Charlotte Hall and...
Read More »

Police in Calvert County Arrest Columbia Man for Felony Theft of Over $190,000 in Gold Bullion Scam

Jatin Talwar, 46, of Columbia, is facing felony charges of theft of $100,000 or more and theft scheme of $100,000 or more following a March 11, 2026 arrest in Dunkirk, according to court documents filed in the District Court for Calvert County. Talwar was arrested by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and is currently being held without bond. A bail review hearing was held March 12, 2026 before Judge Andrea R. S. Watkins. According to court records, deputies began...
Read More »

UPDATE: Man Found Guilty in Murder of 62-Year-Old Timothy Louis Portzen in Waldorf

UPDATE 3/15/2026: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, March 9, 2026, a Charles County jury found Scott Anthony Goldsmith, 55, guilty of the Second-Degree Murder of Timothy Louis Portzen and the First-Degree Assault of a second victim. On October 3, 2023, officers with Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to a Waldorf residence for the report of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the surviving victim, who reported that she had been stabbed...
Read More »

Three Transported to Trauma Center After Motor Vehicle Collision in Waldorf

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at approximately 9:55 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Crain Highway and Smallwood Drive in Waldorf, for the motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find no entrapment, one vehicle into a pole and three patients for evaluation. EMS requested a helicopter to land nearby for a 42-year-old male. Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 2 landed nearby and transported the male to the...
Read More »

One Transported to Trauma Center After T-Bone Collision in Lexington Park

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at approximately 5:10 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Pegg Road and Lexington Drive in Great Mills, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles in a T-bone style collision with the operator of the Toyota sedan trapped, and three patients for evaluation. Firefighters from Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Station 3 and 9 responded with 13 personnel and...
Read More »

One Flown to Trauma Center After T-Bone Collision in Mechanicsville

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at approximately 4:32 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the intersection of Point Lookout Road and Morganza Turner Road in Mechanicsville, for the motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find two vehicles in a T-bone style collision with no entrapment, and both drivers having injuries. The operator of the pickup truck was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries. EMS requested a helicopter to land...
Read More »

Lexington Park Man Gets Jail Time, Probation in Animal Cruelty Case

Darius Paul Chew, 22, of Lexington Park, pleaded guilty in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court to two counts of animal cruelty and one count of failing to provide necessary care for an animal in a case that began with his August 2025 arrest and later moved from District Court to Circuit Court. Court records show the case was first filed in District Court on August 27, 2025, then transferred to Circuit Court on September 8, 2025. According to charging...
Read More »

Early Morning Trailer Fire in Mechanicsville Leaves Two Displaced, Fire Under Investigation

On Friday, March 13, 2026, at approximately 2:41 a.m., firefighters from Mechanicsville, Seventh District, Hughesville, Hollywood and Charles County responded to the 39000 block of Harper’s Corner Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported structure fire. 911 callers reported a fire in the bathroom. Firefighters arrived on scene to find fire showing from the 1-story trailer with a second nearby mobile home being threatened. Crews made entry with multiple attack lines and found hoarding conditions within the residence which slowed...
Read More »

Police Investigating Murder Case on Davis Road in Waldorf

UPDATE 3/12/2026 @ 2:00 pm: On March 11 at approximately 6:46 p.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of Davis Road for the report of a shooting. A preliminary investigation showed that the victim was standing outside a residence when an unknown suspect drove up in a dark colored SUV and fired multiple shots, striking the victim. Fire/EMS personnel arrived and initiated aide; however, the victim was pronounced deceased on the scene. The victim was later identified as Jakale...
Read More »

No Injuries Reported After Plane Crash at St. Mary’s County Airport

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 4:10 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the St. Mary’s County Airport located at 44200 Airport Road in Hollywood, Maryland, for the reported plane crash. 911 callers reported a single engine plane crashed at the end of the runway with unknown occupants and unknown injuries. Crews quickly arrived on the scene to confirm a single engine aircraft had crashed after leaving the runway with the plane coming to a rest...
Read More »

State Fire Marshal Investigating Townhouse Fire in White Plains That Displaces Six

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at approximately 1:27 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf, La Plata and surrounding departments responded to the 10700 block of Esprit Place in White Plains, for the structure on fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find smoke and fire showing from the 3-story middle of the group townhouse. Firefighters made entry and found fire on the exterior of the townhome which extended into the attic. The fire was extinguished within 25 minutes. All searches came...
Read More »

UPDATE: Police Investigating Two Separate Shootings in Under An Hour in Charles County That Leaves One Dead, One Hospitalized

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating two separate shootings in the county that occurred within an hour of each other. At approximately 6:46 p.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of Davis Road for the report of a shooting. A preliminary investigation showed that a 26-year-old male was standing outside a residence when an unknown suspect drove up in a dark colored SUV and fired multiple shots, striking the victim. Fire/EMS personnel arrived and initiated aide; however,...
Read More »

UPDATE: Fire Marshal Continues Investigation Into Leonardtown Structure Fire

UPDATE 3/13/2026: On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 3:41 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to 41885 Medley Neck Road in Leonardtown, for the structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single story, single family house with smoke showing and the single occupant outside. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, the homeowner was able to escape with minor injuries and is being assisted by family members. Investigation determined the home did not...
Read More »

Great Mills Man Held Without Bond on Drug Distribution Charges in Lexington Park After Suspect Flees into Pond

David Leroy Harvey Jr., 33, of Great Mills, has been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, according to court documents. The charges stem from an incident on February 21, 2026, in the Lexington Park area. According to charging documents filed by...
Read More »

Bryans Road Woman Charged After Allegedly Dragging Victim With Vehicle in Charles County

Ami Elizabeth Clagett, 52, of Bryans Road, is facing charges of first-degree assault and second-degree assault following an incident in Charles County on February 18, 2026, according to court documents. According to charging documents filed by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded around 3:49 p.m. to the area of Indian Head Highway and...
Read More »

Man in Charles County Charged With Assaulting Juveniles, Disorderly Conduct, and Trespassing Following Public Underwear Incident

William Brian Ramsay, 50, of Germantown, is facing multiple charges including two counts of second-degree assault, disorderly conduct, failure to obey a lawful order, and trespassing on private property following two incidents reported on March 9, 2026, in Charles County. According to court documents, officers with the La Plata Police Department responded at approximately...
Read More »

Historic St. Mary’s City Launches Rare, Hands-On Archaeology With DIG! St. Mary’s Fort Excavation Experience

Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) is offering a rare opportunity for adults to step behind the ropes and into an active archaeological excavation at the site of St. Mary’s Fort — Maryland’s first colonial settlement. On select Saturdays in 2026, participants will join HSMC’s archaeology team in southern Maryland for a full-day, hands-on excavation...
Read More »

Fill The Helicopter! MedStar Seeking Communities Help to Support Food Drive and Our Local Pantries This Saturday, March 21st, 2026

When every second counts, the MedSTAR Transport team is there, on the ground and in the air. They’re taking that same lifesaving spirit into the community Saturday, March 21, with a food drive at Leonardtown High School from 10 a.m. to noon. The rain date for the event is April 18, 2026. The MedSTAR...
Read More »

After-School Program in Applied Physics Coming to Arthur Middleton Elementary Through $4,000 Grant Award

An exciting new After-School Program in Applied Physics is coming to Arthur Middleton Elementary School thanks to a $4,000 micro-grant awarded to Pure Play Every Day through the Community Impact Awards program by the United Way of Southern Maryland. This 10-session program will run from Monday, April 13 through Friday, April 24, giving students...
Read More »

Calvert Marine Museum 2026 Waterslide Music Series Concerts

The Calvert Marine Museum is proud to announce the 2026 Waterside Music Series, bringing a summer of live music to the Motto Mortgage Preferred and RE/MAX One Waterside Pavilion in Solomons, Maryland. Set along the Patuxent River, the waterfront venue will host a lineup of nationally recognized artists including country hitmakers, a rising star,...
Read More »

Police Arrest Four Teens Aged 15 to 18-Years-Old After Armed Robbery in Waldorf

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., several suspects approached the victim who was walking in the area of Promenade Place in Waldorf. They pulled a firearm and demanded the victim’s jacket, shoes, and cell phone. The victim complied and the suspects fled in a vehicle. While on the scene, officers observed the...
Read More »

Brush Fire in Charles County Raises General Alarm, Bringing Firefighters from Charles, Calvert, St. Mary’s and Prince George’s County to Scene

On Friday, March 14, 2026, at approximately 4:34 p.m., firefighters responded to the 12200 block of Billingsley Road in Waldorf, for the reported large brush fire. 911 callers reported hearing a loud explosion, “like a transformer blew” and advised the woods were now on fire and actively spreading. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene...
Read More »

SMADC Invites Southern Maryland Farmers to Shape Future Grant-Funded Workshops via New Survey

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), a division of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, is calling on local producers to help define the mission of a new regional agricultural initiative. SMADC is currently applying for a Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant and is seeking direct farmer input via an...
Read More »

State Police Make Arrest After Multiple Shootings in Prince George’s County

UPDATE 3/18/2026: At approximately 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, March 17th, 2026, officers from the Prince George’s County Police Department conducted a high-risk traffic stop on the driver of a Dodge Challenger, matching the description of the suspect vehicle involved in the three reported shootings. The traffic stop occurred in the 2300 block of Oxon...
Read More »

40 Calvert County Students Honored by Calvert Optimist Clubs

Optimist Club of Calvert-Prince Frederick and the Optimist Club of Solomons recently honored 40 outstanding high school juniors and seniors in Calvert County during Youth Appreciation Week, a program established by Optimist International in 1954. The 2025/2026 honorees were from all four public high schools—Calvert, Huntingtown, Northern, and Patuxent—and were selected based on achievements...
Read More »

Authorities Say Upper Marlboro Man Stole $10,000 in Lottery Tickets From Two Waldorf Locations

Timothy Lewis Jr., 25, of Upper Marlboro, is facing two felony theft charges after authorities say he stole thousands of dollars’ worth of lottery tickets during separate incidents in Waldorf in 2026. According to court documents, Lewis is charged with two counts of theft involving property valued between $1,500 and $25,000. The charges stem...
Read More »

Washington, D.C. Woman Arrested After Resisting Police and Fleeing Traffic Stop in La Plata

Destiny Andrea Grier Lewis, 31, of Washington, D.C., is facing multiple criminal and traffic charges following an incident in La Plata on March 4, 2026, that began as a traffic stop and escalated into a pursuit and arrest, according to court documents. Lewis is charged with disturbing the peace by loud noise, disorderly conduct,...
Read More »

Police Investigating 60-Year-Old Man Killed in Brandywine Crash

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal crash in Brandywine. The deceased driver is 60-year-old Tony Andrea Johnson of Brandywine. On March 14, 2026, at approximately 6:05 pm, officers responded to a crash at Brandywine Road at Letcher Road involving two vehicles. Johnson died at the scene. The second involved driver...
Read More »

Town of La Plata Siren Activation Policy

Charles County is prone to severe weather, such as hurricanes, extreme heat, thunderstorms, and tornadoes. The Department of Emergency Services and the Town of La Plata would like to inform residents that the tornado sirens will now activate if there is a tornado warning issued for Charles County by the National Weather Service or...
Read More »

Severe Thunderstorm Warning in Effect for St. Mary’s, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s and Anne Arundel Counties

903 PM EDT Mon Mar 16 2026 – The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Southern Anne Arundel, St. Mary’s, Calvert, Southern Prince Georges County, Charles County * Until 945 PM EDT. * At 902 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from near Quantico...
Read More »

Archives