Community

Brandywine Military Veteran Wins Two Pick 5 Prizes in One Drawing

Brandywine Military Veteran Wins Two Pick 5 Prizes in One Drawing

A military veteran who enjoys the Maryland Lottery Pick games had an excellent week as he was among many winners in the April 9 evening Pick 5 drawing when the combination 10110 hit. Not only did the Prince George’s man take home a $50,000 top prize thanks to a $1 bet, he also played...
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Butterfly Effect Project Launched in Southern Maryland With Goals for Mental Health and Wellness Programs

Butterfly Effect Project Launched in Southern Maryland With Goals for Mental Health and Wellness Programs

The Butterfly Effect Project, Inc. (The BEP) has launched in Southern Maryland. This new non-profit provides an innovative approach to meet the need for wellness services in the community. The BEP aims to provide mental health and related services to those who face financial barriers. To achieve this goal, The BEP has partnered with...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – April 21, 2026

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – April 21, 2026

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) began their business meeting with an invocation and the pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The CSMC then presented proclamations in recognition of Administrative Professionals’ Day, National County Government Month, Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week, and Earth Day. During County Administrator Time, the Commissioners took the following action: Reviewed future CSMC meeting...
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Statement from GMHS Principal Following Incident on Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Statement from GMHS Principal Following Incident on Wednesday, April 22, 2026

As of 4/23/2026: No statement, release or information has been released by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. A statement released on 4/22/2026 by Great Mills High School Principal: Hello Hornet Nation, We are writing to inform you of a significant altercation that occurred on campus at 1:02 pm on Wednesday, April 22, 2026,...
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2026 Town Council Candidate Forum Held at the Rex on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026

2026 Town Council Candidate Forum Held at the Rex on Tuesday, April 28th, 2026

Residents are invited to attend the 2026 Leonardtown Town Council Candidate Forum, scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Rex Theatre. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the forum beginning promptly at 6:00 p.m. The event will be hosted and moderated by the Leonardtown Business Association. The forum provides an opportunity for...
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Historic Sotterley Hosts Visitor Experience Center Grand Opening

Historic Sotterley Hosts Visitor Experience Center Grand Opening

Historic Sotterley invites the public to the grand opening of its brand-new Visitor Experience Center on May 2nd, 2026. The new Visitor Experience Center is located centrally on the site, giving visitors better access to the historic corridor and providing additional space for a series of rotating exhibits on local and national history. This...
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Local Law Firm Empowers Community with Free Annual Expungement Day in Lexington Park

Local Law Firm Empowers Community with Free Annual Expungement Day in Lexington Park

On Friday, April 10, 2026, Williams McClernan, & Stack LLC (“WMS Lawyers”) hosted its annual Expungement Day at the St. Mary’s County Library in Lexington Park. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. citizens were able to receive free legal services from attorneys Marsha Williams, Kathleen McClernan, Alycia Stack, Tiffany Young, and Tylore Bell about...
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Longstanding Charlotte Hall 7-Eleven Closing at End of April

Longstanding Charlotte Hall 7-Eleven Closing at End of April

A long-standing convenience store in the heart of Charlotte Hall is set to close its doors for good at the end of April. The 7-Eleven, located at 29969 Three Notch Rd., will officially cease operations on April 30, marking the end of its presence in the community after years of serving local residents. The...
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Monthly ‘Second Saturday’ Activities Return to St. Mary’s County Museums

Monthly ‘Second Saturday’ Activities Return to St. Mary’s County Museums

Community members of all ages are invited to enjoy new educational activities at the St. Clement’s Island Museum, U.S. Colored Troops Interpretive Center, and Piney Point Lighthouse Museum on the second Saturday of each month throughout the year. These activities encourage visitors to explore nature and the outdoors through curiosity and play. Modeled loosely after “Forest School” learning styles popular...
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CH-53K Lifts CH-53K Expanding Capabilities

CH-53K Lifts CH-53K Expanding Capabilities

The CH-53K King Stallion helicopter, under the direction of H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261), achieved a major milestone by successfully lifting another CH-53K King Stallion. The test, performed by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 (HX-21), is part of the CH-53K aircraft recovery rigging evaluation and a critical step toward developing new...
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Panera Bread in California to Close April 26, Possible Future Return Indicated

Panera Bread in California to Close April 26, Possible Future Return Indicated

The Panera Bread located in the South Plaza Shopping Center at 45250 Worth Avenue is set to close later this month, according to a notice posted at the restaurant. The sign on the front door states the café will permanently close on April 26, thanking customers for their years of support and loyalty. The...
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May 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

May 2026 Events at the Calvert Marine Museum

May brings a full lineup of events to the Calvert Marine Museum, from the return of seasonal experiences to signature celebrations like the Solomons Maritime Festival. Visitors can enjoy hands-on activities, on-the-water adventures, and family-friendly programs throughout the month. The museum also marks a meaningful milestone with the 15th anniversary of Night at the...
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Team from La Plata High School to Represent Charles County Public Schools at State Envirothon Competition

Team from La Plata High School to Represent Charles County Public Schools at State Envirothon Competition

A team from La Plata High School will advance to the Maryland Envirothon after coming in first place at the county’s April 15 competition. Held at Gilbert Run State Park, the Charles County Envirothon caps off a school year of studying aquatics, forestry, soils and wildlife. Students are also quizzed on a fifth topic...
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Maryland Forest Service Offers Safety Rules and Tips for Spring Wildfire Season – Southern Maryland Under Level 2 Drought Conditions

Maryland Forest Service Offers Safety Rules and Tips for Spring Wildfire Season – Southern Maryland Under Level 2 Drought Conditions

Maryland’s wildfire season is underway and the Department of Natural Resources urges residents to be prepared and help protect our wildlands. Southern Maryland remains under a level 2 of 5 Drought Warning. March 2026 is the 18th driest March on record (since 1895) “Wildfire occurrence is highest in the spring when forest fuels are the driest and weather...
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Governor Moore Breaks Ground on $65 Million ARLIS Headquarters, Bolstering Maryland’s Leadership in Quantum Innovation

Governor Moore Breaks Ground on $65 Million ARLIS Headquarters, Bolstering Maryland’s Leadership in Quantum Innovation

Governor Wes Moore celebrated World Quantum Day at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new 110,000-square-foot headquarters for the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) at the University of Maryland Discovery District. The $65 million capital project will advance national defense technology and solidify the state’s status as a global leader in quantum....
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Police Recovered Loaded Handgun from 13-Year-Old Glymont Middle School Student

Police Recovered Loaded Handgun from 13-Year-Old Glymont Middle School Student

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, school administrators at Glymont Middle School were notified that a 13-year-old seventh-grade student was in possession of a handgun. The student had reportedly shown the firearm to another student, who informed additional students. The information was ultimately reported to school administration and a school resource officer. The student was...
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From Huntingtown to Waldorf, Missing Cat Reunited With His Family Nearly 8 Months Later

From Huntingtown to Waldorf, Missing Cat Reunited With His Family Nearly 8 Months Later

Almost Eight Months.. That’s how long Liam’s family held onto hope… almost eight months of wondering, searching, and missing their boy. Then, one small act of kindness changed everything. A woman in another county noticed a new cat quietly appearing around her neighborhood. Instead of assuming he had been abandoned, she chose to help....
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St. Mary’s County Public Schools 2-Hour Early Dismissal on Thursday, April 16, 2026 Due to Excessive Heat

St. Mary’s County Public Schools 2-Hour Early Dismissal on Thursday, April 16, 2026 Due to Excessive Heat

St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will implement a 2-hour early dismissal for all students tomorrow, Thursday, April 16, in response to continued excessive heat. Our school buildings are equipped with commercial heating and cooling systems that operate differently from residential (home) systems. Most homes can switch between heating and cooling with the touch...
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Recreation & Parks Seeks Local Talent for Summerstock Production of Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical

Recreation & Parks Seeks Local Talent for Summerstock Production of Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Recreation & Parks (R&P) is seeking local youth actors and actresses to showcase their talents for the chance to be cast in this year’s Summerstock production of Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical! Auditions will take place at Carver Recreation Center in Lexington Park on Friday, April 17, and Saturday, April 18, 2026. Registration is...
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Commissioners of St. Mary’s County & Board of Education Joint Meeting Agenda for April 14th, 2026

Commissioners of St. Mary’s County & Board of Education Joint Meeting Agenda for April 14th, 2026

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) and the St. Mary’s County Board of Education (BOE) will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room, on the 1st floor of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. “These joint meetings are an...
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Local Favorite O’Gannigans in Prince Frederick Closing Permanently April 30

Local Favorite O’Gannigans in Prince Frederick Closing Permanently April 30

O’Gannigans, a family-owned and operated Irish pub-style restaurant located at 98 Solomons Island Road South, will permanently close after April 30, 2026. The restaurant has long been a staple in the community, offering a family-friendly atmosphere with a mix of American-style food and traditional Irish dishes. Popular menu items have included corned beef and...
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GET READY TO TROT! Third Annual Otter Trot 5K Returns To Calvert Marine Museum on April 18th, 2026

GET READY TO TROT! Third Annual Otter Trot 5K Returns To Calvert Marine Museum on April 18th, 2026

Lace up your running shoes and get ready for otterly awesome fun at the Third Annual Otter Trot 5K on Saturday, April 18, at 8 a.m.! This family-friendly, timed race offers a fun and active way to support the museum while enjoying the scenic Solomons waterfront. Participants can run, walk, or “trot” their way...
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Governor Moore Signs FY 2027 Budget, Delivering Historic Education and Public Safety Investments without Raising Taxes or Fees

Governor Moore Signs FY 2027 Budget, Delivering Historic Education and Public Safety Investments without Raising Taxes or Fees

Governor Wes Moore signed the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget​ into law, delivering on key commitments to make Maryland more affordable and competitive while securing historic investments in education and public safety. The budget, which passed with bipartisan support from the Maryland General Assembly, includes no new taxes or fees, maintains the state’s Rainy Day...
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Honoring the Bond: Custom Pet Urns from The Stinson Urn Company

Honoring the Bond: Custom Pet Urns from The Stinson Urn Company

For many families, pets are not simply animals — they are companions, confidants, and cherished members of the household. They bring comfort during difficult moments, companionship in daily routines, and joy that fills countless memories. The bond between a pet and their family is deeply personal and profoundly meaningful. The experience of losing a...
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Proposed Bay Ferry System Gains Momentum, Solomons Named Potential Stop

Proposed Bay Ferry System Gains Momentum, Solomons Named Potential Stop

A long-discussed plan to establish a passenger ferry system across the Chesapeake Bay is gaining traction, with state and local leaders continuing to evaluate its feasibility as a supplemental transportation option and economic driver for coastal communities—including those in Southern Maryland. Officials from multiple Maryland counties, including Calvert and St. Mary’s, have been working...
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