Southern Maryland News Net

Fatal Crash Closes Indian Head Highway in Charles County; One Dead, One Driver and Three Dogs Removed from Burning Vehicle After Crash

On Monday, December 22, 2025, at approximately 5:30 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Indian Head Highway and Crestwood Place in Indian Head, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment and fire. 911 callers reported a two vehicle collision with one vehicle on fire with subjects trapped. Crews quickly arrived on the scene to confirm a two-vehicle collision with both vehicles on fire, with victims and animals trapped. Maryland State Police Aviation...
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Man Dead After Falling More Than 40 Feet During Tree Cutting Accident in Lusby

On Monday, December 22, 2025, at approximately 11:35 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services were dispatched to the 600 block of Grenada Lane in Lusby, for the reported long fall. 911 callers reported a 21-year-old male fell more than 18 feet from a tree during a tree cutting accident, Maryland State Police Aviation Command was pre-launched due to the nature of the call. A short time later, 911 callers then reported the man was not breathing. Crews arrived...
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Firefighters Quickly Find and Extinguish Overnight Apparatus Fire in Station 9 After Suspected Electrical Malfunction

In the early morning hours today, Monday, December 22nd, 2025, members of Station 9 were alerted to the smell of smoke within the firehouse. Upon investigation, firefighters discovered an active fire on the exterior of Tower 9, which was parked at the station. Personnel acted swiftly, deploying hose lines, removing the other nearby apparatus from the firehouse, and bringing the fire under control before it could spread further. Following suppression efforts, firefighters conducted a thorough check of the apparatus...
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Pedestrian Flown to Trauma Center After Being Struck by Vehicle in Mechanicsville

On Saturday, December 20, 2025, at approximately 8:40 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of 27450 Thompson Corner Road in Mechanicsville, for the reported pedestrian struck. The 911 caller reported they struck an unknown aged male in the area of the address and reported the victim was conscious and suffering from a head injury. Crews arrived on the scene to confirm a single pedestrian struck by a vehicle and requested a helicopter to land...
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UPDATE: Man Sentenced to 60-Years for Fatal Shooting of 6-Year-Old Girl in Prince George’s County

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Tara Jackson announced today that 34-year-old Rakeem Gilgeours has been sentenced to 60 years in prison. Gilgeours was sentenced to the maximum sentence for each count: 25 years for first-degree assault, 20 years for use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and 15 years for illegal possession of a firearm, all to run consecutively for a total sentence of 60 years, for his role in the neighborhood Fourth of July celebration...
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Helicopter Requested After T-bone Collision Involving Motorcycle in Charlotte Hall Leaves One Trapped

On Friday, December 19, 2025, police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Golden Beach Road and Triangle Drive in Charlotte Hall, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a motorcycle. Crews arrived on the scene to find a motorcycle and SUV involved in a T-bone style collision with one patient trapped in the SUV. Emergency medical services are evaluating one occupant from the SUV, and the operator of the motorcycle. Maryland State Police Aviation Command...
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UPDATE: GoFundMe Started for Man After Losing Everything in Mechanicsville Trailer Fire

UPDATE 12/22/2025: The American RedCross was contacted to assist the displaced 65-year-olod home occupant. A friend has set up this GoFundMe to assist, as the homeowner lost everything in the fire, including his vehicle. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and updates will be provided when they become available. If you’re unable to assist, we ask that you share to support him! If any list of items needed is provided, they will be shared below. 12/19/2025: On...
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New Maryland Laws Taking Effect on January 1, 2026

A package of new state laws will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026, bringing changes to tax-sale rules, rideshare driver reporting, and a wide slate of health insurance requirements — including new protections tied to pediatric care, anesthesia coverage, cancer screenings for firefighters, and limits on “fail-first” medication rules. Below are some of the most notable changes, based on the Maryland General Assembly Department of Legislative Services “Effective Dates” list. Housing and property tax New protections in the tax-sale...
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Senate Passes Honor Act, Recognizing Fire Fighter Cancer As Line-of-Duty Death

In a historic development, the U.S. Senate has passed the IAFF-endorsed Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), advancing a long-fought effort by the IAFF to secure federal recognition of occupational cancer as a line-of-duty death. The bill, which has strong bipartisan support in both chambers, now goes to President Donald Trump, who will sign it into law tomorrow. “We know the devastation occupational cancer has brought to our profession. When a fire fighter dies from job-related cancer, that is a line-of-duty death – and...
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UPDATE: Lusby Man Held Without Bond on Firearm Charges in St. Mary’s County

Devin Nichles Gear, 20, of Lusby, has been charged with multiple misdemeanor offenses in St. Mary’s County in connection with the alleged illegal transportation and sale of firearms, according to court documents. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on June 20, 2025. Gear is accused of transporting a firearm without a serial number, unlawfully selling or transferring a regulated firearm, and illegally selling or transferring a regulated firearm. All three charges are classified as misdemeanors under Maryland...
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Police Investigating Another Shooting on Gallery Place in Waldorf, Victim Flown to Trauma Center

On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at approximately 9:30 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the 3000 block of Gallery Place in Waldorf, for the reported subject shot. 911 Dispatchers advised the 911 callers were uncooperative, stated someone had been shot but provided no further information. Police arrived on the scene to find an adult male laying in front of the residence with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services advised the victim suffered at least two gunshot...
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UPDATE: 26-Year-Old Drayden Man Succumbs to Injuries After Mechanicsville Collision

UPDATE 12/17/2025: The family has sadly announced the passing of Darius Jackson-Jordan, age 26 of Drayden. Funeral arrangements and additional information will be provided in the coming days. The motor vehicle collision remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash or events leading up to it and has not already provided a statement is asked to contact Corporal Rachael Owens at 301-475-4200, ext. 8108, or at [email protected]. UPDATE 12/16/2025: On Saturday, December 13, 2025, at around 4:48 p.m., patrol...
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UPDATE: High-Speed Chase in Calvert County Ends in Crash That Kills 58-Year-Old Woman

UPDATE 12/16/2025: Savon Quincy Samuel, 32, of Pikesville, has been charged with felony negligent manslaughter by vehicle following a fatal multi-vehicle crash that occurred during an attempted traffic stop by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office on December 12, 2025. According to court documents, the incident began when a deputy attempted to stop a gray Nissan Maxima for an inoperative brake light on northbound Prince Frederick Boulevard. The vehicle, driven by Samuel, failed to stop and fled at speeds reaching...
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UPDATE: Mechanicsville Man Convicted for Attempted Kidnapping, Assault and Armed Robbery After Attacking Woman with Knife

UPDATE 12/15/2025: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that William Francis Dixon, 52, of Mechanicsville, Maryland was convicted of attempted kidnapping, armed robbery, and other charges stemming from a March 2025 incident where he attacked a female victim with a knife in Mechanicsville, Maryland. After a five-day trial, a St. Mary’s County jury found Dixon guilty of the following offenses: Attempted kidnapping (maximum penalty of 30 years in prison); Armed robbery (maximum penalty of 20 years in prison); First-degree assault...
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UPDATE: Capitol Heights Man Sentenced to Life After Shooting Hollywood Teen in the Head and Placing Body Into Trash Can

UPDATE 12/16/2025: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Lee L. Richardson, 24, of Capitol Heights, Maryland, was sentenced to LIFE in prison for the first-degree murder of a 19-year-old victim. In January 2025, the victim’s family reported their loved one missing. The family communicated daily with the young man until January 21, 2025, when all communications suddenly ceased. Following a thorough and comprehensive investigation, investigators from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office determined that Lee Richardson, a person known...
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Woman Flown to Trauma Center After Serious Crash in Waldorf

On Monday, December 22, 2025, at approximately 3:49 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Crain Highway and Mattawoman Drive in Waldorf, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment. Crews arrived on the scene to find a two-vehicle T-bone style collision and confirmed one adult female was trapped....
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Mechanicsville Woman Accused of False Identity and Obstruction During Five Below Theft Investigation

Kelly A. Martone, 35, of Mechanicsville, is facing new criminal charges after allegedly providing false information to police during a response to a reported theft at the Five Below store in California, Maryland. According to court documents, Martone now faces four misdemeanor charges, and this is not her first encounter with law enforcement in...
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$30K in Damage and Stolen Sports Cards Linked to Calvert County Store Break-In

Bradley Tippett Morris, 30, of Lexington Park, has been charged in connection with two separate incidents of burglary and theft, one in Calvert County and another in St. Mary’s County. According to court documents, the most recent charges stem from an alleged break-in at Blue Crabs Sports Cards located on Solomons Island Road in...
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MS-13 Members Sentenced to Mandatory Life for Racketeering, Two Murders, and Stabbing Five Victims, Including a 16-Year-Old Girl

Three men received life sentences, today, for federal conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise involving murders, attempted murders, and drug trafficking, as well as murder in aid of racketeering charges. Wilson Arturo “Humilde” “Marco Saravia” Constanza-Galdomez, 26, of El Salvador; Edis Omar “Little Felon” Valenzuela-Rodriguez, 24, of Honduras; and Jonathan “Truney” Pesquera-Puerto, 24,...
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Maryland Judiciary to Launch New Maryland Judiciary Case Search & Record Portal on January 9, 2026

The Maryland Judiciary will be implementing the new Maryland Judiciary Case Search & Record Portal as part of its commitment to use technology effectively and responsibly. The new portal, launching on January 9, 2026, will redesign and integrate the existing Maryland Case Search and the Maryland Judiciary Record Search. The Maryland Judiciary Case Search...
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NAVAIR Enables Cross-Service Collaboration, Forward Thinking With Additive Manufacturing

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD.: The NAVAIR Additive Manufacturing team supports Navy and Marine Corps maintainers with AM training, engineering support and technical data to increase readiness in forward-deployed locations where traditional logistics are contested. Recently, Marine Aircraft Logistics Squadron 36 (MALS-36) and 18th Maintenance Group (18 MXG) maintainers used AM to...
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Lexington Park Man Held Without Bond Following Multiple Firearm Charges and Protective Order Violation

Terell Dre’Shawn Greene, 25, of Lexington Park, is facing five misdemeanor charges following a traffic stop in St. Mary’s County that led to the discovery of a loaded rifle and allegations of a protective order violation. According to court documents, Greene was pulled over on December 17, 2025, by Sgt. D. Potter of the...
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Son’s Go-Kart Racing Benefits from St. Mary’s Man’s $50K Powerball Win

A Lottery enthusiast from Chaptico in St. Mary’s County took home a $50,000 third-tier Powerball prize when he matched five of the six numbers drawn in the Dec. 13 drawing. James Quade Jr., and his dad who accompanied him to Lottery headquarters on Dec. 16, were excited about winning, but they said they’d have...
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CSM Talons Robotics Team Opens Season with Top Scores

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Talons Robotics Team earned top scores at the international VEX Robotics Competition and is now ranked in the top 20 teams in the world. The team traveled to Manassas, Virginia on November 22 to compete against teams from across the globe, winning the Programming Skills, Driver Skills, and...
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Fins, Fur, and Feather: Maryland’s Destination Species Draw Anglers and Hunters From Afar

Each year, anglers, hunters, and other wildlife enthusiasts flock to remote areas of the United States in pursuit of regional species for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Many are familiar with the classics: Bull elk hunting in the Rockies, casting for elusive tarpon in the Florida Keys, and searching for ducks along the Mississippi Flyway. Each...
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Maryland’s 5 Million Trees Program Surpasses 1.5 Million Trees Planted

Maryland’s 5 Million Trees program has reached more than 1.5 million native trees planted, marking a major milestone and reflecting strong momentum toward reaching the state’s ambitious goal of planting 5 million trees by 2031. More than 555,330 trees were planted in Fiscal Year 2025, according to a new annual report prepared for the Maryland General...
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Charles County Fire Departments Receive $124,174 for New Gear Washers and Dryers

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer, Andy Harris, Kweisi Mfume, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, Sarah Elfreth, April McClain Delaney, and Johnny Olszewski (all Md.) announced $6,966,579 in federal funding to support firefighters and first responders across Maryland. The funding will enhance departments’ emergency response capabilities through hiring,...
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GoFundMe Started for Family After Losing 16-Year-Old to Medical Emergency

On Monday, December 15, 2025, at approximately 2:26 p.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the Take It Easy Campground in Callaway, for the reported one not breathing. First Responders arrived on the scene to find the 16-year-old patient not breathing after having a seizure, and confirmed CPR was in progress. Crews...
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Lexington Park Woman Arrested After Assault in Courthouse Bathroom, Released on Bond Despite Lengthy Criminal History

Trinik Shatega King, 31, of Lexington Park, was arrested and charged with second-degree assault after an altercation inside the St. Mary’s County District Court building in Leonardtown, on December 16, 2025. According to charging documents, the incident occurred around 2:50 p.m. in the female restroom of the courthouse. An adult female victim reported being...
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Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary Mourns the loss of Past President Mary C. “Peggy” Lee

Mary Ellen Caywood “Peggy” Lee, 91 of Mechanicsville, MD died December 6, 2025, in Lexington Park, MD with her loved ones by her side. Born November 6, 1934 in Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington DC, she was the daughter of the late Grace Raley Caywood and Alexander Caywood. She was preceded in death...
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Marylanders Asked to Stay Alert For Cold-Stunned Aquatic Wildlife

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources asks those visiting the Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic coast to be vigilant of sea turtles who exhibit signs of cold-stunning, a condition that causes animals to become debilitated and experience hypothermia-like symptoms due to prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. Cold-stunning typically occurs in late autumn and early winter...
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NAVAIR P-8A Poseidon Upgrade Hits Cloud-Connectivity Milestone With Minotaur “Labyrinth” Hub

The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft program office (PMA-290) achieved an airborne connectivity landmark when the P-8A Poseidon Increment 3 Block 2 (I3B2) aircraft successfully connected to the Minotaur Family of Systems (MFoS) Labyrinth hub. This pivotal connection occurred during a combined development test / operational test event this December at Naval Air Systems...
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