Southern Maryland News Net

Large Comercial Fire Reported at Maximum Autobody in Hollywood

On Saturday, January 17, 2026, at approximately 3:48 p.m., fire and rescue crews responded to a large commercial fire at Maximum Autobody, located at 43904 Commerce Avenue in Hollywood. Initial reports indicate approximately 30 vehicles were on fire. Multiple fire and rescue units are on the scene actively working to control the blaze. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use caution, as emergency operations are ongoing and traffic disruptions are expected. Additional details will be provided as...
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Newburg Woman Sentenced for Filing False Sexual Assault Report Against St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Deputy

Destiny Jordan Pellegrini, 26, of Newburg, was sentenced to jail time and probation after pleading guilty to filing a false statement with law enforcement, according to court records from the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Pellegrini was charged with one misdemeanor count of making a false statement to a peace officer under Maryland Criminal Law § 9-501. The charge stemmed from a January 30, 2025, incident in which Pellegrini allegedly falsely reported that she had been sexually and...
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Two Arrested in St. Mary’s County for Having Sex in Applebee’s Parking Lot

Kaneesha Gross, 35, of Lexington Park, and James Washington, 58, of Capitol Heights, are facing charges after being arrested in connection with an alleged incident of public indecency on January 12, 2026. According to charging documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County, the two were observed by a witness engaging in sexual activity in the backseat of a vehicle parked outside an Applebee’s restaurant on Miramar Way in California, Maryland. The witness stated she saw “the...
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Port Tobacco Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Just 13½ Years for Role in Massive Regional Narcotics Enterprise

Wayne Glymph, 59, of Port Tobacco, Maryland, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 13½ years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking organization that imported and distributed large quantities of high-purity fentanyl, heroin, PCP and cocaine in the Washington metropolitan area and elsewhere, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Glymph pleaded guilty Sept. 15, 2025, before Judge Trevor N. McFadden to conspiracy to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, 100 grams or more of...
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Lexington Park Man Held Without Bond Following Alleged Threats to Kill Woman and Burn Her Home Down

Samuel Ray Green, 24, of Lexington Park, has been charged with harassment and making written threats of arson following a reported series of alarming and violent communications sent to a woman in Calvert County. According to court documents filed by the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, Green is accused of repeatedly contacting an adult female victim through social media, even after being told to stop. The alleged incidents took place on January 11, 2026, and were investigated by Deputy Campbell...
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UPDATE: St. Mary’s County Man and Calvert Woman Arrested for Waldorf Hookah Lounge Arson

UPDATE 1/14/2026: The Office of the State Fire Marshal arrested two people for arson at a Waldorf hookah lounge in October 2025. At 12:30 a.m. on October 30, 2025, the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department responded to an alarm at Pasha Lounge, 3242 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, Charles County. When they arrived, firefighters found the front door forced open and a fire inside. They contained the one-alarm fire in under 40 minutes. Deputy State Fire Marshals responded and determined the...
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Verizon Wireless Suffering Nationwide Outages and Issues – 911 and Non-Emergency Lines Possibly Affected As Well

Verizon Wireless is aware of an issue impacting wireless voice and data services for some customers. Verizon Wireless has reported that engineers are working to resolve the issue. The St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services has reported Verizon Wireless customers may be having difficulties connecting to 9-1-1 and non-emergency lines. If you are having issues connecting to 9-1-1, utilize a landline phone, alternate phone service carrier, or text message. Verizon Wireless is actively working on this issue. More...
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CH-53K Program Enters Multi-Year Procurement Contract With GE Aerospace

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD.: A five-year, multi-year procurement (MYP) contract was signed on January 8 between the Department of War (DOW) and GE Aerospace for both new production and spare T-408 engines, along with associated sustainment services for the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter. The $1.4 billion contract covers five years, Lots 9-13, providing more than $174 million in savings over the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP). The CH-53K program is critical to the Marine Corps’ strategic...
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UPDATE: Fourth Man Arrested in Armed Robbery and Weapons Case in St. Mary’s County

UPDATE 1/13/2026: On Monday, January 12, 2026, an arrest warrant was executed on a fourth suspect, Terrone Donte Milburn, 18, of Lexington Park, for the armed robbery that took place on Redwood Lane in California, Maryland, on on January 11, 2026. Milburn was charged with 10 counts, including Armed robbery Assault first-degree Assault second-degree Use of a firearm during the commission of a felony/violent crime Possession of a firearm by a minor Loaded handgun in vehicle Handgun in vehicle Loaded...
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UPDATE: Waldorf Man Dead, Sister in Custody After Domestic-Related Altercation and Shooting

UPDATE 1/12/2026: On January 11 at 3:30 a.m., officers responded to the 3400 block of Williamsburg Drive in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. A preliminary investigation revealed there was a physical altercation between siblings involving a male, age 38, and a female, age 29. During the altercation, the male was shot by the female. Medical aid was rendered; however, the male was pronounced deceased. He has been identified as Jerome Christian Edward Benoit, age 38, of Waldorf....
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Indian Head Woman Succumbs to Injuries Sustained from Christmas Day Motor Vehicle Collision

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal three-vehicle collision that occurred in December of 2025 in Accokeek. The deceased passenger of one of the involved vehicles is 75-year-old Linda Howell of Indian Head. She died of her injuries on December 26th, 2025. On December 25, 2025, at approximately 11:30 PM, officers responded to a collision in the 14000 block of Indian Head Highway. The preliminary investigation revealed the collision occurred in...
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Police Make Quick Arrests After Reported Armed Robbery of Citizen in California

On Sunday, January 11, 2026, at approximately 6:10 p.m., police responded to the 44000 block of Redwood Lane in California, for the reported armed robbery. The 911 caller reported at least two suspects armed with firearms robbed them of personal belongings before fleeing in a Grey sedan. Police responded to the area and obtained suspect and vehicle description. Upon searching the area, Deputies quickly located a vehicle matching the victims description which lead to the recover at least one...
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Waldorf Man Arrested After Fleeing in Stolen Camaro; Loaded Stolen Handgun Recovered

Khobe Manuel Prospere David, 24, of White Plains, was arrested on January 6, 2026, after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop in a stolen vehicle and crashing in Waldorf. Court documents indicate that David faces multiple charges, including felony motor vehicle theft, weapons violations, and several traffic offenses. According to charging documents, officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the rear of a residence on St. Luke Drive in White Plains at approximately 7:26 a.m. to...
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Man Flown to Trauma Center After Serious Single Vehicle Rollover in Park Hall

On Friday, January 9, 2026, at approximately 8:00 a.m., police, firefighters and emergency medical services responded to the area of Point Lookout Road and Tripple E Farm Way in Park Hall, for the serious motor vehicle collision with entrapment and rollover. 911 callers reported a single vehicle into a tree with the vehicle on its side with the operator trapped. Crews from Ridge and Bay District Volunteer Fire Departments responded with crews quickly arriving on the scene to confirm...
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UPDATE: Firefighters Home Destroyed, Three Pets Killed in Early Morning Fire in Leonardtown, Fire Marshal Investigating Cause

UPDATE 1/8/2026: Bell and his family of firefighters have selflessly supported our communities and dedicated countless years to our local fire departments. This assistance link is setup through TheYardFoundation, by his IAFF Local 1619 in Prince George’s County with the following message. Click here to support, please share if you can’t. “Every firefighter knows the risk. But no one expects to be on the other side of the 911 call. Early this morning, Brother Chris Bell (IAFF Local 1619)...
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Police Arrest Leonardtown Woman After Alleged Public Disturbance and Drug Possession

Heather Marie Garner, 37, of Leonardtown, has been formally charged following an incident earlier this month that led to her arrest by the Maryland State Police. According to court documents, Garner faces seven misdemeanor charges stemming from events on January 11, 2026. These include one count of intoxicated public disturbance, three counts of possession...
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Waldorf Woman Charged with First-Degree Assault After Alleged Knife Threat in Early Morning Incident

Tia Nicole Williams, 20, of Waldorf, has been formally charged with first-degree assault following an early morning incident that allegedly involved threats with a knife during a domestic dispute, according to charging documents filed by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. The alleged assault occurred around 4:30 a.m. on January 7, 2026, at a residence...
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Lexington Park Woman Charged with Felony Theft Scheme Involving Over $21,000

Latoya Nicole Sewell, 43, of Lexington Park has been charged with two felony counts related to an alleged theft scheme involving more than $21,000, according to court documents filed in the District Court for St. Mary’s County. Sewell is facing charges of theft scheme: $1,500 to under $25,000 and theft: $1,500 to under $25,000,...
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U.S. Navy Demonstrates AI-Enabled Autonomy for Future Collaborative Combat Aircraft

The U.S. Navy recently completed a second successful demonstration advancing multi-platform coordination of autonomous systems, an essential step toward developing future Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The Dec. 11 event at Point Mugu Sea Range in California focused on maturing manned-unmanned teaming capabilities for CCA, which are intended to extend the reach of carrier air wings and deliver scalable, cost-effective platforms capable of operating...
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Olympian Tanya Hughes to Deliver Keynote at 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Celebration at St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Celebrate the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Celebration on Monday, Jan.19, at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The celebration takes place in the Great Room of the College’s Campus Center. Breakfast will begin at 6:30 a.m. and costs $17.85 at the door. The...
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Prince Frederick Woman Claims a JURASSIC PARK $50,000 Top Prize

“I’m still in shock,” said a Calvert County woman after claiming a $50,000 JURASSIC PARK scratch-off top prize this week. She was grocery shopping when she decided to play. The Prince Frederick resident was checking out her groceries at the Giant store at 655 Solomon’s Island Road North when she decided to purchase some...
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Calvert Optimist Club Sponsors Essay Contest for Students

The Optimist Club of Calvert is encouraging area students to contemplate the phrase “How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me” as part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for the 2025/26 school year. The contest is open to students (1) under age 19 (as of October 1, 2025)...
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Maryland’s Primitive Deer Hunt Days Scheduled Feb. 2nd to 4th, 2026

Maryland’s annual Primitive Deer Hunt will be open Feb. 2-4 statewide. Hunters with a valid hunting license, or those exempt from the hunting license requirement, may use primitive bows or muzzleloaders to hunt antlered and antlerless sika and white-tailed deer during these three days. Primitive hunting devices are defined as long bows, recurve bows, flintlock, or...
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MDOT SHA Performing Routine Maintenance on Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge This Weekend, January 18th, 2026

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will begin routine structural and maintenance work on the MD 4 Bridge over the Patuxent River (Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge) at the Calvert/St. Mary’s County line beginning Sunday, January 18. The nighttime work will continue through late February, weather permitting. Crews will close a single-lane and...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – January 13, 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 a commendation to Gloria Edwards in recognition of her retirement. During County Administrator Time, the CSMC took the following action: Reviewed future CSMC meeting agendas. Approved the Metropolitan Commission’s request to submit...
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CORRECTION: One Transported to Trauma Center After Single Vehicle Collision in California

On Saturday, January 11, 2026, at approximately 2:12 p.m., while Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Members were responding to a call of service, they came across a single vehicle collision at Three Notch Road and MacArthur Boulevard in California and reported one patient unconscious. Firefighters and additional emergency medical services responded to the scene,...
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Maryland Natural Resources Police Reports in St. Mary’s County

The Maryland Natural Resources Police took action related to alleged violations of criminal and natural resource laws from September through November of 2025. During the fall months, individuals were charged for violations including spotlighting, hunting out of season, weapons charges, oyster and crabbing violations, illegally baiting wildlife, and other crimes. Silver Spring Gillnetters Found...
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Hoyer Announces Decision to Not Seek Re-Election After Decades in Office

Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered remarks on the House Floor on his decision to retire at the end of the 119th Congress. Below is a full transcript and video of his remarks: “Mr. Speaker, my dear and close friend Steve Womack, Madam Speaker, thank you for being here. My colleagues, my dear friend...
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Maryland Takes Action to Protect Yellow Perch Following Low Recruitment

In response to six years of low recruitment, Maryland recreational anglers who fish this year for yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in tidal waters, and freshwater streams and rivers will be allowed to keep five yellow perch per person per day. The minimum size for recreational anglers remains 9 inches. The Maryland Department of Natural...
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Maryland Car Rally Task Force Dismantles Four Car Rallies, Prevents Four Others and Make Five Arrests, Loaded Firearms Recovered

Multiple large-scale illegal car rallies were dismantled by the Maryland Car Rally Task Force and partner law enforcement agencies on Saturday in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard and Prince George’s counties leading to the arrest of five people and the recovery of five firearms. Maryland State Police arrested and charged a 16-year-old male and 17-year-old...
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Woman Arrested in St. Mary’s County Allegedly Makes Racial Comments & Escapes Police Car Following Drunk Driving Arrest

Kimberly Vanessa Higgs, 61, of Chevy Chase, is facing eleven charges following an alleged road rage incident and suspected DUI that unfolded in the parking lot of a Starbucks on January 1, 2026, in California, Maryland, according to court documents filed by the Maryland State Police. The incident began around 5:12 p.m. when Trooper...
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Lexington Park Woman Indicted on Six Charges in Ongoing Child Neglect Case

Darlisha Rochelle Mackall, 38, of Lexington Park, has been formally indicted in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court on six misdemeanor charges, including three counts of child neglect and three counts of desertion of a minor child. The indictment, filed on January 12, 2026, follows an incident reported on November 7, 2025, at a hotel...
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