Southern Maryland News Net

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies Make Drug Arrests Following Proactive Traffic Stops

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputies recovered drugs and cash following two separate traffic stops. At approximately 12:27 a.m., on April 22, 2024, Deputy First Class Travis Wimberly stopped a 2021 Nissan Versa at the intersection of Pleasant Mill Drive and Great Mills Road in Great Mills for equipment and traffic violations. After observing controlled dangerous substance (CDS) related items in the vehicle, Deputy Wimberly conducted a search of the car and located a quantity of suspected heroin and...
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Second 2-Alarm Fire in St. Mary’s County Destroys Residence, Damages Two Others

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at approximately 3:55 a.m., firefighters from Second District, Bay District, Leonardtown, Hollywood, and NAS Patuxent River were dispatched to the 17500 block of Whitestone Drive in Piney Point, for the reported structure fire. The first 911 caller came from an alarm company who advised smoke alarms were going off with the homeowner confirming a fire inside the residence. Multiple callers and neighbors called reporting the house was fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters arrived on the...
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UPDATE: 2-Alarm Fire at Champion Auto Parts in Valley Lee Ruled Accidental by Fire Marshal

UPDATE 4/24/2024 @ 9:50 a.m.: The Office of the State Fire Marshal estimated the total financial loss at $1,100,000. The loss of the strucure was estimated at $600,00 and the contents were valued at $500,000. Over 95 firefighters responded to the incident and the fire was placed under control in 2 hours. The cause was determined to be accidental after a fire ignited while an employee was working on a vehicle inside the building. The same employee sustained burns...
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UPDATE: Police Investigating Motor Vehicle Collision in Waldorf That Killed Fort Washington Man

UPDATE 4/23/2024: On Monday, April 22, 2024, at approximately 2:58 p.m., Troopers from Maryland State Police La Plata Barrack responded to United States Route 301 (Crain Hwy) at Acton Lane for a report of a serious motor vehicle collision. Due to the circumstances, the Maryland State Police CRASH Team responded to assume the investigation. A preliminary investigation conducted by Troopers from the MSP La Plata Barrack and the MSP CRASH Team indicates a GMC Envoy operated by Stacy Jermain...
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Patuxent River Sailor Commended for Providing Life-Saving Roadside Assistance After Tragic Crash in Hollywood

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Isaiah Mercado is no stranger to high-stress scenarios. As a Navy armament weapons support equipment technician with Navy Munitions Command Atlantic Detachment Patuxent River (NMCLANT DET Pax) his duties include supporting both air- and surface-launched weapons by performing intermediate level maintenance on both peculiar and common ordnance handling and transportation equipment. Maintaining the equipment that transports explosive ordnance requires a strong nerve, so it is no surprise that he was able to coolly and calmly...
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Chalk the Walk for Children’s Mental Health Awareness May 6-11, 2024

Residents are invited to “Chalk the Walk” at participating public locations throughout Calvert County to raise awareness about the importance of children’s mental health. The Calvert County Family Network (CCFN) and Department of Parks & Recreation, in partnership with Calvert County Public Schools, Calvert Library, CalvertHealth, Calvert County Behavioral Health, the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Council, and Calvert County local businesses, will host the third annual “Chalk the Walk” event recognizing Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week from May 5-11....
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UPDATE: Police in St. Mary’s County Investigating Motor Vehicle Collision That Killed a 21-Year-Old Motorcyclist and Child

UPDATE 4/19/2024: The juvenile passenger from the SUV that was transported to Children’s Hospital has succumbed to her injuries. UPDATE 4/7/2024: On Sunday, April 7, 2024, at approximately 10:19 a.m., were dispatched to the scene of an automobile collision involving a motorcycle and an SUV at Three Notch Road and Tom Hodges Drive in Hollywood. Upon arrival, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office determined that a 2006 Yamaha Motorcycle had collided with a 2008 Hyundai Sonata. The initial...
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UPDATE: Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison for Car Crash in Nanjemoy That Killed 20-Year-Old Woman

UPDATE 4/19/2024: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge Makeba Gibbs sentenced Michael Darrell Dukes, 22, to 10 years with all but 18 months suspended in prison for the Gross Negligent Manslaughter of Zkiara Kemp. Dukes will also be on supervised probation for five years. Dukes entered a guilty plea to the aforementioned charge on February 26, 2024. On July 8, 2022, officers from the Charles County...
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UPDATE: Suspect in Sledgehammer Assault Two Weeks Ago in St. Mary’s County Still on the Run

UPDATE 4/18/2024: The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the whereabouts of Devone Articis Hall, 33, no fixed address, in connection with an assault that happened on April 3, 2024, in Lexington Park. The suspect is approximately 5’ 6” tall with a thin build. UPDATE 4/3/2024 @ 3:15 P.M.: On April 3, 2024, at approximately 12:35 a.m., deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported assault at a residence in the 46000 block of...
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State Fire Marshal Investigating Suspected Arson in St. Mary’s Square

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at approximately 2:10 p.m., firefighters from Bay District, Second District, Hollywood, Leonardtown and Solomons responded to the St. Mary’s Square located at 21600 Great Mills Road, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find smoke showing from the rear of the 1-story stripmall. Firefighters found multiple wooden pallets on fire located on the loading dock of the Potomac Total Fitness to the rear of the building. The fire was extinguished...
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Police Investigating Student That Brought a Shotgun to Leonardtown High School

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, a member of the administration from Leonardtown High School received a report that a student may have a weapon in his vehicle. They immediately notified the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, School Resource Officer and the Department of Safety & Security of this report. A search of the student’s vehicle was conducted and a .410 shotgun was recovered. The gun was unloaded, it is unknown if any ammunition was recovered. This student will be...
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Summer Boost and Summer School Set for Charles County Public School Students

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is preparing for summer with academic programs such as Summer Boost for elementary school students and Summer School for middle and high school students. High school students who have at least one year of high school under their belt who are looking to get ahead for the upcoming school year can take one original class credit virtually this summer. And for the youngest learners, story hours will be offered in July and held at five locations...
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Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Welcomes 6 New Deputies

On Tuesday, April 16, 2024, six new deputies were sworn in by the honorable Kathy P. Smith (Clerk of the Circuit Court), pinned, and signed their Oath of Office during the Calvert Board of County Commissioners’ public meeting. Calvert deputies will join their classmates from the St. Mary’s County and Charles County Sheriff’s Offices for a final inspection and graduation exercise on Friday, April 26, 2024, as graduates of the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy, Police Entrance Level Training...
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Police in Charles County Arrest Four Suspects for Armed Robbery and Recover a Loaded Handgun – All Released on Personal Recognizance

On April 13, 2024, at 10:06 p.m., officers from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Meadow Lane in Waldorf for the report of a citizen armed robbery. The caller, a male victim,stated he was robbed and the suspects fled in a white Camero. While responding, Charles County Sheriff’s Office broadcast a lookout for the suspect vehicle and Pfc. Karopchinsky located a vehicle matching the description on Berry Road turning on to Crain Highway northbound. Karopchinsky...
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UPDATE: Former Substitute Teacher Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Multiple Counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Fourth-Degree Sexual Offense

4/16/2024: Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Monday, April 15, 2024, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Malcolm Fluellyn, 27, of Bryans Road, to 46 years in prison with all but 15 years suspended for two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and six counts of Fourth-Degree Sexual Offense. Fluellyn will be on supervised probation for five years upon release. On February 26, 2024, Fluellyn entered a guilty plea to the...
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Maryland State Police Continue Search For Calvert County Boy Missing Since 1968

Maryland State Police are asking the public for assistance as investigators continue the search for a 10-year-old boy who was reported missing more than 55 years ago in Calvert County. Bob Boyes was last seen on Dec. 26, 1968, while walking home with his pet deer on Wash Hance Road in Port Republic. Hundreds...
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UPDATE: 6 Displaced After House Fire in Waldorf, State Fire Marshal Investigating

On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at approximately 5:47 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to the 2100 block of Briarwood Drive in Waldorf, for the reported house on fire. The 911 caller was a nextdoor neighbor who stated their neighbors deck was on fire, with dispatchers advising the residence was possibly occupied...
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Unveiling History: Karen Stone, St. Mary’s County Museum Division Manager to Author the First-ever Published Book on the Black Diamond Disaster

St. Mary’s County Government is very proud to announce that our own Karen Stone, Manager of the Museum Division within the Department of Recreation & Parks, will soon be the published author of the first-ever book about the Black Diamond Disaster. This “forgotten” tragedy occurred on the Potomac River near St. Clement’s Island during...
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Calvert County Public Schools Kindergarten Registration for 2024-2025 School Year

Calvert County Public Schools is strongly encouraging all parents to register their child by July 1, 2024. This will support adequate staffing for each school. Your child must be 5 years old by September 1, 2024, in order to be eligible for kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. Only a parent or legal guardian may...
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Woman Flown to Trauma Center After Striking NAS Patuxent River Security Fencing in Lexington Park

On Monday, April 22, 2024, at approximately 10:02 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Melissa Moore Lane in Lexington Park, for a motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle off the roadway and into the NAS Patuxent...
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Navy Accepts First Delivery of T-54A Training Aircraft

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD: The new multi-engine training system brings modernized training, prepares pilots for advanced aircraft in fleet The U.S. Navy received the first two operational T-54A multi-engine training system aircraft last week at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The T-54A will replace the aging T-44C Pegasus aircraft, which...
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Prince George’s County Police Department Investigating Three Separate Fatal Collisions Over Weekend

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal three-vehicle collision that occurred in Oxon Hill on Friday. The deceased passenger of one of the involved vehicles is 71-year-old Herminia Gamit of Suitland. On April 19, 2024, at approximately 1:20 pm, officers responded to a collision in the...
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Anne Arundel County Firefighters Respond to 2-Alarm House Fire in Baltimore City, One Citizen and Multiple Puppies Saved

The Baltimore City Fire Department and Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to a two alarm fire in the 4200 block of Morrison Court in Curtis Bay in Baltimore City on Monday, April 22, 2024. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find fire and smoke showing from the two story middle of the group...
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St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office Hosts 34th Annual Memorial Service for Crime Victims

The St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office hosted their 34th Annual Memorial Service for Maryland Crime Victims and their families from Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s counties on Sunday April 21st, 2024. The annual memorial service creates a safe and nurturing environment for families of crime victims to share their stories. The...
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State Highway Administration Performs Routine Maintenance on MD 4 and MD 231 Bridges in Southern Maryland

The Maryland State Highway Administration will perform routine maintenance on two bridges over the Patuxent River in southern Maryland this month. Maintenance crews will clean the bridge grates and drains along the MD 4 (Governor Thomas Johnson) Bridge on Sunday April 21, and then will work along the MD 231 (Benedict) Bridge on Sunday,...
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Kings Landing Fishing Pier and Access Road Closed April 22-25

The Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation, Natural Resources Division, advises residents that contractors will be repairing the gravel access road to the fishing pier at Kings Landing Park, Monday, April 22 through Thursday, April 25. The pier, kayak launch and gravel access road will be closed to the public during this time....
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PG County Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Federal Prison for Conspiracy to Commit Visa and Marriage Fraud

Defendant Alleged to Have Facilitated 60 Sham Marriages and submitted over 100 fraudulent documents to perpetrate his scheme U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman sentenced Joshua Shonubi, age 59, of Bowie, Maryland, for federal charges of Conspiracy to Commit Visa and Marriage Fraud and a charge of Aggravated Identity Theft. The sentence was announced...
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Suspect Wanted for Gym Shooting in Custody, Victim Shot More Than 5 Times Over Basketball Argument

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Gun Crimes Unit identified and charged the suspect wanted for a recent shooting at a gym in the city of Glenarden. The suspect is 24-year-old Nelson Ballard III of Landover. On April 11, 2024, at approximately 8:30 pm, officers with the Glenarden Police Department responded to the 9400...
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Calvert County Students Participate in Local MESA Competition

CCPS students showcased their incredible talents and skills at the 2024 Regional MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) Day at Huntingtown High School. First place winners will advance to the Statewide MESA Day Showcase and Awards Ceremony that will be held on May 4, 2024, at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab Campus in Laurel,...
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Charles County Public School Applications Open for Maryland Corps/Service Year Option Program for 18 and Older

Applications are open for the Maryland Corps and the Service Year Option Program, two streams of service created by Gov. Wes Moore’s administration as part of its commitment to public service. The programs were launched last year when the state’s newly created Department of Service and Civic Innovation piloted the service pathway to education...
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Last Day of School for Charles County Students Set for June 10th; Last Day for Teachers is June 11, 2024

The last day of school for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students for the 2023-2024 school year is Monday, June 10. The last day of school for teachers is Tuesday, June 11. These dates are final, barring any unforeseen inclement weather as CCPS still has two inclement weather days left for use if needed....
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Historic St. Mary’s City Free Plant Swap Day – Saturday, April 20, 2024

All plant lovers! The Historic St. Mary’s City is hosting an absolutely FREE Plant Swap this Saturday, April 20, 2024, and you’re all invited! From 9:30 a.m., to 11:00 a.m., rain or shine located at the Margaret Brent Pavilion. 47414 Old State House Road. St. Mary’s City. If you’re wondering what a Plant Swap...
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