(PIKESVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police are reminding motorists to drive responsibly ahead of Cinco de Mayo weekend.

To combat distracted, aggressive, and impaired driving, troopers at each of the 23 Maryland State Police barracks, as well as, the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) Team will conduct statewide DUI saturation patrols and high-visibility enforcement.  

A portion of the costs associated with the increased enforcement efforts will be paid through funds provided by the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Highway Safety Office.

Maryland State Troopers will be using a variety of patrol initiatives throughout Cinco de Mayo to keep traffic moving, respond quickly to highway incidents, and take appropriate enforcement actions when violations are observed that threaten the safety of motorists.

Along with saturation patrols, some of the initiatives planned by the State Police include:

• Eastern Region: Troopers from the Maryland State Police Berlin, Centreville, Easton, Princess Anne, and Salisbury barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along U.S. Routes 13, 50, 404, Maryland Route 413, and throughout their respective counties.
• Central Region: Troopers from the Maryland State Police College Park, Forestville, Golden Ring, Rockville, Waterloo, and Westminster barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along Interstates 495, 95, Maryland 185, 97, 193, and throughout their respective counties.
• Western Region: Troopers from the Maryland State Police Cumberland, Frederick, Hagerstown, and McHenry barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along areas known to have a higher number of impaired driving crashes and throughout their respective counties.
• Northern Region: Troopers from the Bel Air, JFK Memorial Highway, and North East barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along areas known to have a higher number of impaired driving crashes and throughout their respective counties. 
• Southern Region: Troopers from the Maryland State Police Annapolis, Glen Burnie, La Plata, Leonardtown, and Prince Frederick barracks will conduct high visibility enforcement along U.S. Route 50, Maryland Route 5, Interstate 97, and throughout their respective counties.

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation, on average, 158 lives are lost as a result of impaired driving and over 2,700 are injured. Over the past five years in Maryland, nearly 800 people have lost their lives in a crash involving an impaired driver. There are many ways to prevent these tragedies including rideshare services, taxis, designating a sober driver or public transportation.

Plan ahead and get home safely this Cinco de Mayo weekend, Maryland.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is implementing changes to nontidal fishing license and trout stamp fees effective June 1, 2025. This represents the first adjustment to nontidal–or freshwater fishing–fees in almost 20 years, addressing the rising costs of maintaining conservation efforts and angler programs in the face of inflation.

Maryland’s freshwater fishing licenses follow DNR’s user-pay, public-benefit model, in which license revenue directly and specifically supports the programs and resources that support nontidal fishing such as trout stocking and fish population assessments. 

The price of a Maryland nontidal fishing license has not changed for 18 years, while the expenses associated with maintaining fish populations and resources have risen 56% for nontidal fishing. The cost of a trout stamp has remained the same for 33 years. In that time, the cost of providing trout-related programs has increased by 129%.

“Fisheries management and conservation contribute to Maryland’s natural beauty and bolster our outdoor recreation economy,” said DNR’s Fishing and Boating Services Director Lynn Fegley.  “We approach fee adjustments deliberately because we know anglers make our work possible. Every nontidal fishing license purchased represents a direct investment in the future of Maryland’s aquatic resources and recreational opportunities.”

A workgroup consisting of members from the Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission, Black Bass Advisory Committee, and Coldwater Fisheries Advisory Committee recommended the new rates, which the Maryland legislature passed and Governor Wes Moore signed into law earlier this year. These advisory bodies represent the interests of Maryland’s freshwater anglers. The fee structure was based on the inflation rate calculated using the Bureau of Statistics Consumer Price Index, price benchmarking with fees of neighboring states, and the current national average for comparable licenses and stamps.

*Non-resident fees may be higher depending on the fees charged to Maryland residents by the non-resident’s home state for similar licenses.

Albert Powell Hatchery in Hagerstown produces trout for stocking seasons, Youth Fishing Rodeo Program and “Put and Grow” juvenile stocking requests from biologists. Maryland DNR photo.

This fee adjustment will enable the department to continue operating hatcheries to raise and stock sportfish, improve access to waterways, fight invasive species, and manage fisheries for long-term sustainability.

The Freshwater Fisheries and Hatcheries Division—responsible for monitoring, managing, stocking, and promoting access to freshwater species—receives 95% of its funding from angling-related activities. License purchase revenue accounts for 65% of the division’s funding, federal excise tax on fishing equipment contributes 30% of the budget, and general state tax revenue accounts for 5% of Maryland’s funds for nontidal fishing.

Fishing licenses can be purchased online, at DNR service centers, or at sport license agent retailers. Licenses and stamps are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase, unless otherwise specified. Current license holders may renew up to 90 days before their current expiration date for 365 more days of fishing added to their current license.

The Board of Education of Charles County at its April 28 work session approved the name Glymont Middle School to replace the name of General Smallwood Middle School. The name change takes effect July 1, 2025. General Smallwood Middle School will open for the 2025-2026 school year as Glymont Middle School.  

Eight Board members voted in favor of the recommendation to rename General Smallwood Middle School as Glymont Middle School. Board Member Jamila Smith made a motion for the Board to act on the name recommendation of Glymont Middle School, which was seconded by Board Member Brenda Thomas. One Board member voted against the motion, and one member abstained from taking a vote on the recommendation. 

Smith and Thomas serve as Board members in District 2 in Charles County, which is where General Smallwood Middle School is located. Earlier this month at the Board’s April 8 meeting, Smith and Thomas talked about the recommendation of Glymont Middle School and shared background about the name.   

While making the motion about the name Glymont Middle School, Smith shared with her colleagues the history about the town of Glymont and how it once served as a popular river port destination in the late 1800s/early 1900s for the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Earlier this month, Thomas also shared history about the former Glymont School in Indian Head. Before the population shifted and bigger schools were built, there was a Glymont Colored School and Glymont Two-Room School, which was historically known as the Glymont Colored School, then the Glymont School and lastly as the Glymont Two-Room School.

According to “Our Legacy — One- and Two-Room Schools of Charles County,” edited by John and Roberta Wearmouth and published in 2009 by the Charles County Retired School Personnel Association (CCRSPA), the Glymont Colored School had an enrollment of about 38 to 40 students in Grades 1 through 7. Some students who attended Glymont School were driven there by a former ambulance donated by the U.S. Navy Yard, however most students walked to school. After the Glymont School burned down, the Glymont Two-Room School was built. The two-room school still stands and is now the Williams Funeral Home in Indian Head.

As part of Board of Education Policy 7230, a school renaming committee was formed in Fall 2024 to review name recommendations for the renaming of General Smallwood Middle School. The Board last year approved for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) to move forward with renaming the school due to community concerns raised about the history of Gen. William Smallwood, who served as a general in the American Revolutionary War.

Community members submitted a total of 41 name recommendations for the committee to review, one of which was Glymont Middle School. The committee provided three name recommendations to the Board in March based on geographic regions and to represent both school and community pride.

The Board did not move forward with any of the committee’s name recommendations: Potomac Ridge, West Charles or West Side middle schools. Smith shared that Glymont Middle School stayed true to the committee’s efforts to rename the school for a geographical region with meaningful history rather than a person.

Given the Board’s action, CCPS is moving forward to implement the school’s name change to be effective July 1.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – Between preparing healthy food, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, St. Mary’s County Public Schools nutrition professionals have a lot on their plate. To celebrate their hard work and commitment, St. Mary’s County Public Schools will celebrate School Lunch Hero Day on Friday, May 2, 2025.

This day, celebrated annually since 2013, was designated by The School Nutrition Association and Jarrett Krosoczka, author of the “Lunch Lady” graphic novel series. School Lunch Hero Day provides an opportunity for parents, students, school staff, and communities to thank those who provide healthy meals to nearly 30 million of America’s students each school day.

“School nutrition employees must balance many roles and follow numerous federal, state, and local regulations to ensure safe and healthy meals are available in schools. School Lunch Hero Day provides the opportunity for the community to thank these hard-working heroes,” said Megan Doran, Director of Food and Nutrition Services. Federal nutrition standards ensure that school cafeterias always offer low-fat or fat-free milk, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. School meals also meet limits on calories, sodium, and unhealthy fats.

The importance and nutritional value of school meals are well documented. For many children, school lunch is the most important and nutrient-rich meal of their day.

Get the details about School Lunch Hero Day at www.schoollunchheroday.com. To learn more about the school nutrition program for St. Mary’s County Public Schools, visit our website at www.smcps.org/dss/food-services.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and 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 County Sheriff’s Office, Calvert Library, CalvertHealth, Calvert County Behavioral Health, the Local Behavioral Health Advisory Council, and Calvert County local businesses, will host the fourth annual “Chalk the Walk” event, happening May 4–10.

During the week, families, schools, businesses and community groups are encouraged to decorate sidewalks, driveways and pavements with chalk messages and artwork that promote hope, support and well-being for children and youth.

How to participate:

·         Use sidewalk chalk to write encouraging messages or draw uplifting images

·         Chalk your walk at home, school or workplace

·         Share your creations on social media using the hashtag #CalvertMentalHealthMatters to show support and spread awareness

Mental health affects how children think, feel and act. It plays a key role in how they handle stress, relate to others and overcome challenges. Talking openly about mental health helps reduce stigma and can make it easier for children and families to seek the help they need.

Calvert County offers a variety of resources for youth struggling with mental health needs and their families. Find local resources at www.OurCalvert.org or contact the Local Care Team at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/LocalCareTeam. For more information about children’s mental health, visit www.ChildrensMentalHealthMatters.org/find-help/parents-families/.

For more information about Chalk the Walk, contact the CCFN at 410-414-5997.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) began their business day with a joint meeting with the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS PAX) in the Frank Knox Building. This meeting was recorded and will be available post-production for on-demand viewing at www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.

After the joint meeting, the Commissioners reconvened for their regular business meeting, starting with an invocation and the pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda.

The CSMC then presented proclamations in recognition of Law Day, Hurricane Preparedness Week, Maryland Flood Awareness Month, and Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.  

The Commissioners then held a public hearing on ZONE24-0040 (20698 Goddard Rd.) regarding the request to change of the land use designation to Mixed-Use Medium-Intensity and zoning designation to Medium–Intensity Mixed Use. 

The CSMC then received a State of the College presentation from Dr. Tuajuanda Jordan, President of St. Mary's College of Maryland.

For their main agenda item, the commissioners approved a request for a public hearing to receive public comment on two partial road transfers with the Department of Natural Resources, for a portion of Camp Cosoma Road and a portion of Newtowne Neck Road.

During County Administrator Time, the Commissioners took the following action:

• Reviewed future CSMC meeting agendas.
• Adopted a No Parking Resolution on Willows Road at Lancaster Park.

The Commissioners wrapped their business meeting with Commissioner Time.

The CSMC will reconvene this evening for public hearings on the proposed revision to the Animal Ordinance and the proposed Ordinance to designate on which county roads golf carts may legally be driven. Public comment on these topics will be accepted through May 6, 2025. Additional information is available at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/PublicHearings.

The next CSMC meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room, on the 1st floor of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. There will also be a Budget Work Session that day at 1:30 p.m. CSMC decisions and related documents are available on the SMCG website in BoardDocs. Meetings are open to the public and can be viewed live on TV Channel 95 or on-demand via www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) will host measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine clinics for St. Mary’s County community members. SMCHD recommends the MMR vaccine for most children and adults who have not yet received it or who do not have evidence of immunity. For further guidance on who should receive the vaccine, please consult your primary care provider or see cdc.gov/measles/vaccines.

The clinics will be open to children and adults; no appointments are needed. Health insurance is not required however will be collected from those who have it. The MMR vaccine is also available daily, by appointment only, at SMCHD’s Health Clinic in Leonardtown and the School-Based Health Centers (SBHC).

MMR Vaccine Clinics - No Appointment Needed:

• Spring Ridge Middle School-Based Health Center, located at 19856 Three Notch Rd, Lexington Park
  • Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 9:00 - 11:00 AM
• Margaret Brent Middle School-Based Health Center, located at 29675 Point Lookout Rd, Mechanicsville
  • Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 4:00 - 6:00 PM
  • Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable viral infection. Currently, there is no evidence of ongoing transmission of measles in Maryland. However, there are rapidly expanding measles outbreaks affecting multiple U.S. states. For more information on the measles vaccine, visit cdc.gov/measles/vaccines. 

For SMCHD Health Clinic hours and location, visit smchd.org/health-clinic. For School-Based Health Center hours and locations, visit sbhc.smchd.org. 

Burglary: 25-30609 On April 14, 2025, DFC Shoemaker responded to the 5200 block of Knights Bridge Ct. in St. Leonard for the report of a burglary. The investigation revealed that an unknown male had entered a neighbor's residence through the front door while the homeowner was out of town and no one was authorized to be there. The suspect was identified as Jeremiah Phillip Long, 26, of St. Leonard. Long’s personal belongings were found inside the residence. He was taken into custody and charged with Burglary - 4th Degree. 

Burglary: 25-31235 On April 16, 2025, members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office responded to 12530 Perrywood Drive in Dunkirk for a reported theft. The investigation revealed that an unknown suspect broke into the victim’s garage, entered their vehicle, and stole several items, including a wallet containing credit cards. The suspect later made fraudulent purchases totaling $2,153.03 using the stolen credit cards. Detectives continue to investigate.

Burglary: 25-32031 On April 19, at approximately 12:26 a.m., Deputy Gadwill responded to the 9300 block of Atlantic Avenue in North Beach for the report of a disorderly male attempting to gain entry into a vehicle. Upon arrival, Deputy Gadwill located a male matching the suspect description, actively swinging and shoving a metal pole while attempting to pry open the victim’s garage door. The individual was identified as Keith Mikel Miller, 34, of Round Rock, TX. Deputies observed visible damage to the garage door, stair railing, and fence, with the total estimated damage valued at $8,000. Miller was taken into custody and charged with Burglary – 4th Degree, Malicious Destruction of Property, and Willfully Damaging/Tampering with a Motor Vehicle Without the Owner’s Consent. 

CDS Violation: 25-30918 On April 15, 2025, Deputy Deinert responded to the 400 block of N Solomons Island Road in Prince Frederick, for a welfare check. The caller reported that a female had been sitting motionless in a vehicle for over 20 minutes and appeared to be under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. Upon arrival, deputies located a female slumped over the steering wheel. The individual was identified as Meghan Carroll Spalding, 36, of Mechanicsville. A preliminary investigation revealed Spalding was in possession of two empty bottles of Methadone. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered two cut straws, a plastic bag containing suspected Fentanyl, and three half-pills of Xanax. Spalding was placed under arrest and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center, where she was charged with CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis and two counts of CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia.

CDS Violation: 25-30995 On April 15, 2025, at approximately 5:41 p.m., Cpl. Kelly initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment and moving violation in the area of Dares Beach and Double Oak Road in Prince Frederick. The driver failed to stop, accelerated, and fled, entering the oncoming lane of traffic. A vehicle pursuit was initiated, during which the suspect vehicle operated in a reckless manner, including speeding, passing vehicles in the opposing lane and on the shoulder, and disregarding posted stop signs. The pursuit continued onto Rt. 2 North, where the suspect vehicle lost control and crashed into a wooded area in front of 7125 N Solomons Island Road in Sunderland. Two male occupants fled on foot. A perimeter was established and K-9 teams with drone support were deployed. Isaiah Future Andrews, 20 of Prince Frederick, was located laying in a ditch. Over 465 grams of Cannabis, a digital scale, a THS vape pen, cannabis paraphernalia, and accessories were located on Andrews. Andrews was placed into custody and was charged with CDS: Possession with Intent to Distribute Cannabis and CDS: Possession of Cannabis Over Civil Use. A second suspect Miles Frederick Warrick, 21 of Bowie, was located in the nearby woods during a K-9 track. Deputies recovered 114.6 grams of Psilocybin along with a digital scale, multiple containers and baggies of cannabis residue, a 9mm Luger shell casing, two Apple iPhones, cannabis paraphernalia, and vape additives from Warrick’s person and backpack. Warrick was placed into custody and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center and charged with CDS: Possession with Intent to Distribute: PCP/LSD/HALLUCINOGEN, CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis, and CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia, Fleeing and Eluding, and multiple related traffic offenses.

CDS Violation: 25-31667 On April 18, 2025, at approximately 3:26 a.m., DFC Huy responded to the 11200 block of Southern Maryland Boulevard in Dunkirk for the report of a suspicious vehicle with two individuals sleeping inside. Upon contacting the occupants, deputies observed a syringe in plain view on the vehicle’s floorboard. The passenger, identified as Nicholas Edward Large, 44 of Dunkirk, informed deputies that he had drugs in his pockets. A subsequent search revealed two pills containing Fentanyl, burnt copper wiring, a smoking device with white powdery residue, and a burnt copper filter. A search of the vehicle uncovered additional items, including three capsules containing Fentanyl, a syringe with white powdery residue, multiple unopened syringes, three metal push rods with residue, and a glass vial containing an unknown liquid. Large was placed under arrest and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center, where he was charged with CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis and CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia.

Property Destruction: 25-30905 On April 15, 2025, DFC Plant responded to the 900 block of Sixes Rd in Prince Frederick for the report of property destruction. The complainant reported sometime between 5 p.m. on April 14 and 9 a.m. on April 15, an unknown suspect damaged the front and rear windows of a L90F Volvo front loader. The estimated value of damaged property is $2,000.

Property Destruction: 25-31450 On April 17, 2025, DFC Mister responded to the 5300 block of Williams Wharf Road in St. Leonard for the report of property destruction. The complainant reported sometime between 11 p.m. on April 16 and 9 a.m. on April 17, an unknown suspect(s) busted out the rear window to the victim’s vehicle parked outside the residence. The estimated value of damaged property is $1,000.

Theft: 25-30908 On April 15, 2025, DFC Sylver responded to the 10100 block of Mackall Road in St. Leonard, for the reported theft. The complainant reported sometime between April 10 – April 12, an unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s trailer tag off a trailer parked outside the residence. The estimated value of stolen property is $50.

Theft: 25-31553 On April 17, 2025, DFC Lewis responded to the 2700 block of Queensberry Drive in Huntingtown for the reported theft. The complainant advised an unknown suspect(s) stole her vehicle registration card and registration stickers from her unlocked car. The estimated value of stolen property unknown at this time.

Weapons Violation: 25-30961 On April 15, 2025, Deputy Hill conducted a traffic stop near Dares Beach Road and Wilson Road in Prince Frederick for an equipment violation. During the stop, further investigation revealed that the driver, James Andrew Marsh, 32, of Chesapeake Beach, was carrying five concealed knives on his person. A sixth knife, measuring 18 inches in length, was found on the vehicle’s floorboard within arm’s reach of Marsh. He was taken into custody and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center, where he was charged with Concealing a Dangerous Weapon.

Students in the Academy of Health Professions and Biotechnology career and technical education (CTE) programs at North Point High School will represent Maryland in the 2025 HOSA International Leadership Conference in June. HOSA is a student-led organization for future health professionals. It works to promote health professions while encouraging middle and high school students and those in college to become leaders in the healthcare industry.

Students in HOSA Maryland, the state-based organization, first took online qualifier tests in January before advancing to the virtual state leadership conference in March.

The following are students who placed in the state competition and have been invited to represent Maryland at the HOSA International Leadership Conference this summer in Nashville.

North Point High School students recently took part of a HOSA competition which tests a student’s knowledge of what they are learning in health professions and biotechnology fields. From left are Sydney Ivory, Ti’Laisha Cooper, Alea Smothers, Mabel Brantuo, Heaven Linton, Larissa Miller and Sydnee Smalls.

Biotechnology

· Ti'Laisha Cooper, junior.

· Sydney Ivory, junior.

CPR/first aid

· Heaven Linton, junior.

· Alea Smothers, junior.

Medical reading

· Mabel Brantuo, junior.

Nursing assisting

· Larissa Miller, senior.

· Sydnee Smalls, senior.

Other students who placed among the Top 5 in the Maryland HOSA competition include

Emmanuel Pearson, junior, in biotechnology; juniors Renee Carr and Janae Ross in CPR/first aid; seniors Yvonne Edwards and Helen Huynh in health career display; Danna Calabag, senior, in medical spelling; and Kirestin Brown, senior, in nursing assistant.

CTE students at North Point interested in health and bioscience industries are either in the certified nursing assistant program or the biotechnology program. The nursing assistant pathway incorporates and correlates instruction in the classroom and the laboratory with planned clinical experiences in multiple health care settings while the lab-based biotechnology program introduces students to techniques used in biotechnology fields.

Instructors for certified nursing assistant and biotechnology programs at North Point are Jill Bodamer, Megan O'Rourke and Heidi Ortolano.

(MECHANICSVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Thursday evening in St. Mary’s County.

The driver of a GMC Envoy, identified as Jean Gagnon, 59, of Mechanicsville, was pronounced deceased on the scene. The driver and passenger of a GMC Canyon, identified as Casper Bradbury Sr., 92, and Norma Bradbury, 90, both of Mechanicsville, were transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center by Maryland State Police Aviation Command for treatment of their injuries.

At approximately 5:58 p.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack responded to the area of Maryland Route 235 (Three Notch Road) at Mt. Zion Church Road for a crash involving two vehicles.  The preliminary investigation indicates that the GMC Canyon, driven by Bradbury, was attempting to make a left turn from southbound Rt. 235 onto Mt. Zion Church Road and failed to yield to the GMC Envoy, driven by Gagnon, traveling northbound on Rt. 235, subsequently causing the GMC Envoy to strike the passenger side of the GMC Canyon. 

Personnel from the St. Mary’s County Sherriff’s Office and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration assisted with road closures, which lasted approximately three hours.

The Maryland State Police Crash Team is leading the investigation. Once their investigation is complete, they will submit their findings to the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, who will decide whether charges will be filed in this case. The investigation is active and ongoing.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – 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, Earth Day, and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The Commissioners then recognized three students from the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center for their work as apprentices with the St. Mary’s County Government.

The CSMC then received a presentation from the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission on their FY2026 Capital Improvement Budget and FY2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan. 

For their main agenda item, the commissioners authorized the County Attorney’s Office to sell surplus county-owned real property. Listings of the surplus properties and applications can be obtained online at: https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/CountyAttorney/

During County Administrator Time, the Commissioners took the following action:

• Reviewed future CSMC meeting agendas.
• Approved the Sheriff’s Office FY2026 Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement for the Maryland Department of Human Services Child Support Grant.
• Approved a request from the State’s Attorney’s Office to convert three positions to the following: Deputy State's Attorney, Chief of Staff, and Communications Coordinator.
• Approved the renewal of the employment contract for the Golf Course Manager.

The Commissioners wrapped their business meeting with Commissioner Time.

The CSMC reconvened in the evening for a Public Hearing on the FY2026 Recommended County Budget and related topics. Public comment on these topics will be accepted through April 29, 2025. Budget documents, recordings of all budget work sessions, and the online community feedback forum are available at: https://bit.ly/SMCG-FY26-Budget.

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County will have a joint meeting with the Commanding Officer of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station on April 29, 2025, at 9 a.m. This meeting will be held at the Frank Knox Building, additional information is available at: https://www.stmaryscountymd.gov/pio/docs/2025-088NewsReleaseNASPAXJointMeeting.pdf

The CSMC will reconvene that day for their regular business meeting at 11 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room, on the 1st floor of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. CSMC decisions and related documents are available on the SMCG website in BoardDocs. Meetings are open to the public and can be viewed live on TV Channel 95 or on-demand via www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, Gov. Wes Moore, and Treasurer Dereck Davis approved 95 initiatives representing a total expenditure of more than $ 950 million during Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of Public Works.

During the meeting, the Board approved a new 10-year lease to relocate one of the Office of the Comptroller’s 11 regional branch offices from Elkton in Cecil County to Bel Air in Harford County. The lease with Klitenic Family Properties, LLC, of Hunt Valley, has a five-year option and will begin July 1, 2025.

“We are relocating our regional branch office from Elkton to Bel-Air to better meet the needs of Marylanders,” Comptroller Lierman said, sharing her excitement for the move, and applauding Maryland Comptroller team members working behind the scenes and closely with the Maryland Department of General Services for the project. “This is a new, easily accessible, visible and geographical location in Bel Air. “We are hoping to open by the end of summer or early fall to allow us to better serve taxpayers and Marylanders in Cecil or Hartford Counties or wherever they come from.”

On the heels of Earth Day, Comptroller Lierman also praised the Maryland Transportation Authority for utilizing 75 hybrid SUVs in support of its paratransit transportation services, demonstrating the agency’s continued commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the state’s climate resiliency and sustainability.

As the meeting wrapped up, Comptroller Lierman noted the passing Monday of Pope Francis and his contributions to the Catholic community and to the world.

“Pope Francis was an amazing human being. He was a humble man in incredibly challenging times,” she said. “I know that I, as well as millions of people around the world, were grateful for his very humble service and outspoken advocacy for migrants and the climate and human rights. I will miss him and hearing of him. I am thinking of Catholics and all those who loved him around the world.”

In all, the Board of Public Works approved 95 items, representing a total State expenditure of $950,602,129.69, including: 

• Grant agreements for 16 recipients for 16 projects located in six counties and Baltimore City with a total value of $10,808,352.
• Seven items awarding $15,194,193.45 to prime certified small business primes.
• Two items awarding $9,945,529.10 to certified minority business enterprise primes.
• One item awarding $954,365.05 to an Employment Works Program provider.
• Five items awarded with established participation goals for minority business enterprises.
• One item awarded with established participation goals for veteran-owned small business enterprises.

The next meeting of the Board of Public Works is May 7, 2025. 

(St. Mary’s City, Md.) Wednesday, April 23 2025 - U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md., 8th) will be the 2025 commencement speaker for St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM). The commencement ceremony will be held on the College’s Townhouse Green on Saturday, May 10, starting at 10 a.m.

"A liberal arts education, regardless of the chosen academic major, should prepare every student for success across multiple careers during their lifetime. And, as an honors college, that educational experience should inspire in each of our students a high level of responsibility for humankind and the world in which they live. Congressman Raskin's life is the manifestation of all of this and represents an aspirational model for all our students," said St. Mary's College President Tuajuanda C. Jordan, PhD.

Raskin will be presented with an honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree and joins approximately 380 students getting a degree in the SMCM class of 2025 including the College’s first-ever NCAA Division III national champion and one Fulbright semi-finalist. 

Raskin is in his fifth term representing Maryland's 8th Congressional District in the House of Representatives. He is the Ranking Member on the House Committee on the Judiciary and was appointed to the Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

He began serving Marylanders as a three-term state senator from 2007 to 2016, rising to majority whip from 2012-2016. While in the Maryland Senate, Raskin earned a reputation for building coalitions in Annapolis to deliver a series of landmark legislative accomplishments, including marriage equality, abolition of the death penalty, passage of the first benefit corporation law in America and the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. 

A graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, Raskin was a professor of law at American University's Washington College of Law for over 25 years.

He has authored several books, including “We the Students: Supreme Court Cases for and About America’s Students” and "Overruling Democracy: The Supreme Court vs. the American People,” a Washington Post bestseller. Most recently, he penned the New York Times #1 best-seller "Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth and the Trials of American Democracy."

The 2025 commencement ceremony marks the final class Jordan will preside over as president of St. Mary’s College. Jordan retires on June 30 after eleven years leading the National Public Honors College.

(PIKESVILLE, MD) – The Maryland State Police, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and allied law enforcement agencies across the country, are asking residents to dispose of unneeded prescription medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 26, 2025.

The biannual program allows people to safely dispose of unwanted prescription drugs, while educating the public about medication misuse. All state police barracks are equipped with secure drug collection boxes that are available 24/7. Residents can locate the closest Maryland State Police barrack by visiting: https://bit.ly/3L27LDj. Additionally, the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s Glen Burnie Branch located at 6601 Ritchie Highway is also a registered location.

During the last event in October, the DEA collected more than 10,000 pounds of unwanted drugs at 99 collection sites in Maryland from 29 law enforcement agencies. This included nearly 2,000 pounds from Maryland State Police barracks. Among those collections included:

• Frederick Barrack: 157 pounds
• Glen Burnie Barrack: 205 pounds
• Westminster Barrack: 281 pounds
• Prince Frederick Barrack: 96 pounds
• Cumberland Barrack: 110 pounds
• Centreville Barrack: 452 pounds

Maryland State Police since 2014 has removed nearly 34,000 pounds of prescription drugs through the initiative. For more information, visit Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response at https://stopoverdose.maryland.gov.

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will perform routine maintenance on the MD 4 (Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge) ?at the Calvert County/Saint Mary’s County line starting at 6 a.m. Sunday, April 27.

All lanes will open to traffic no later than 2 p.m. that afternoon, weather permitting.

Maintenance crews will clean the drainage systems and the bridge deck (driving surface). Drivers can expect single-lane closures guided using a flagging operation. The State Highway Administration will use flaggers and portable variable message signs to guide motorists safely through the work zone.

In case of inclement weather, this work will be performed on Sunday, May 4.

Drivers are asked to slow down in the work zone for the safety of all drivers and the crews working to improve our roadways.

For a list of all major State Highway Administration projects, go to Project Portal, or visit the homepage at roa?ds.maryland.?gov. For a look at real-time traffic conditions, go to md511.mary?land.gov.

Leonardtown is the place to be on Sunday, April 27, 2025, as the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department proudly hosts the 79th Annual Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association (SMVFA) Convention & Parade! This year’s celebration is extra special as we honor one of our own — Lifetime Member and Past Chief, Thomas A. Mattingly Jr., who will be installed as President of the SMVFA. Come out and help us cheer on our hometown hero and experience the pride, tradition, and excitement of Southern Maryland’s fire service community.

Parade Details: •

Sunday, April 27, 2025 • Parade steps off at 12:00 PM •

Route: The parade begins at St. Mary’s Ryken High School, heads down Fenwick Street, through Historic Leonardtown, to Lawrence Avenue, where it takes a right and passes the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department at 22733 Lawrence Ave.

Bring your chairs, line the streets, and enjoy the show! Parking: Convenient parking will be available at: • Leonardtown Elementary School • College of

Southern Maryland Road Closures & Traffic Restrictions: To ensure the safety of participants and spectators, the following road closures and restrictions will be in effect Sunday, April 27, beginning at 11:00 AM until approximately 1:00 PM. The roads will reopen as the parade passes, however, if possible, avoid requiring access to these streets during this time. FULL ROAD CLOSURES: • Fenwick Street: Closed from Route 5 to Lawrence Avenue • Lawrence Avenue: No turns permitted from Route 5; closed between Park Avenue and Shadrick Street • Intersecting streets downtown will also be closed/limited access, including: o Washington Street o Pope Street o All feeder streets along the parade route ROUTE 5 IMPACTS: • Northbound right lane closure at Lawrence Avenue — no right turns permitted • Northbound and Southbound blocked at Fenwick Street intersection for safety and traffic control NO PARKING ZONES (Effective 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM): • Around the Upper Square • Along Fenwick Street We appreciate your cooperation and encourage everyone to plan accordingly. Come early, stay late, and enjoy this cherished community tradition with us! For updates and more information, call the Town of Leonardtown at 301-475-9791 or email aris.nazarova@leonardtownmd.gov

Calvert County Farmers Markets are back for the 2025 season, offering an abundance of fresh foods and plants from Calvert County’s farmers, bakers and agri-businesses. Patrons can find local produce, bedding plants (vegetables and herbs) and a bounty of other offerings.

For those interested in being a vendor at the markets, please visit www.CalvertAg.com/FarmersMarketVendor. For more information on Calvert County’s agricultural community and other updates, visit www.CalvertAg.com or contact the Calvert County Department of Economic Development at 410-535-4583 or info@choosecalvert.com.

Markets will be held on the following schedule:

·         Tuesdays in Prince Frederick at CalvertHealth Medical Center back parking lot
(130 Hospital Road) 2:30-5:30 p.m., April 29 to Nov. 25, 2025
Farmers Market Association market

·         Thursdays in Dunkirk at the entrance of Dunkirk District Park

(10750 Southern Maryland Blvd.) 2:30-5:30 p.m., May 22 to Aug. 28, 2025
Farmers Market Association market

·         Saturdays in North Beach at the North Beach Senior Center parking lot
(9010 Chesapeake Ave.) 8-11:30 a.m., April 19 to Oct. 25, 2025
Town of North Beach municipal market

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

Burglary: 25-28246 On April 7, 2025, Deputy Daily responded to the 12800 block of Bay Dr. in Lusby, for the report of a burglary that had already occurred. The complainant reported the front door of the residence had been kicked in resulting in damage to the door frame. Investigation revealed an unknown suspect(s) forced entry to the residence and damaged a chair and kitchen table. Numerous cans of alcoholic beverages were found. Personal items including photos and documents were thrown throughout the home. The estimated value of damaged property is $1,100.

CDS Violation: 25-28630 On April 8, 2025, Deputy Robey responded to a suspicious vehicle at Sea Horse Beach in Lusby. Upon making contact with the driver, David Edward Kroliczek, 44 of St. Leonard, a vodka shooter was observed in the center console of the vehicle. Kroliczek admitted to drinking vodka while sitting in the vehicle. A series of Standard Field Sobriety Tests were administered and it was determined Kroliczek was unable to safely operate a motor vehicle. Kroliczek was then placed under arrest for driving while impaired by alcohol. A search of Kroliczek’s person revealed a suspected crack pipe in his shoe. A search of the vehicle revealed suspected crack cocaine, a cut straw with suspected crack cocaine residue, a ball of copper strands, and 3 vodka shooters. Kroliczek was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center and charged with
DWI, CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis, and CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia.

Property Destruction: 25-30231 On April 13, 2025, Master Deputy Burgraff responded to the 100 block of White Sands Drive in Lusby, for a report of property destruction. The complainant advised that an unknown suspect had egged the victim’s residence. Upon arrival, several broken eggs were observed on the ground, along with dried egg splatter on the exterior of the home. One of the eggs also caused damage to a window screen. The estimated value of the damaged property is $100.

Theft: 25-28325 On April 7, 2025, DFC Lewis responded to the Walgreens located at 355 Market Square Drive in Prince Frederick, for the reported theft. The investigation revealed that two black males, both wearing face coverings, entered the store and proceeded to the medicine aisle, where they began placing multiple nasal medications into a shopping bag. The suspects then exited the store, passing all points of sale without making payment. The total value of the stolen merchandise is estimated at $1,086.66. The investigation is ongoing.

Theft: 25-29265 On April 10, 2025, DFC Plant responded to the Walgreens located at 355 Market Square Drive in Prince Frederick, for a report of a suspicious person. The complainant advised that a white male wearing a hoodie was seen placing items into his pockets at the nearby Wawa before walking into Walgreens. Upon arrival, DFC Plant located a male matching the description, identified as Marvin Charles Dickerson, Jr., 41 of Prince Frederick. A Jack Link’s meat stick was visibly protruding from Dickerson’s pants pocket. He admitted to stealing the item, and store surveillance footage confirmed he had concealed four meat sticks and exited the store without paying. The total value of the stolen merchandise was $13.11. Dickerson was taken into custody, transported to the Calvert County Detention Center, and charged with Theft: Less than $100 and Trespassing: Private Property.

Theft: 25-29783 On April 12, 2025, DFC R. Jones responded to Calvert Marina located at 14485 Dowell Road in Solomons, for the reported property destruction and theft. The complainant reported an unknown suspect(s) damaged one of the washing machines, vandalized the bathroom stalls and stole a heater from the men restroom. The estimated value of stolen property is $50 and the estimated value of damaged property $250.

Trespassing: 25-30358 On April 13, 2025, Deputy Tunnell responded to the Wawa located at 305 Market Square Drive in Prince Frederick, for the reported trespassing. Upon arrival contact was made with Anthony Eugene Gross, 60 of Chesapeake Beach. Gross had been previously trespassed indefinitely from the property. Gross was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center and charged with Trespassing Private Property.

PHILADELPHIA - Today, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that President Donald J. Trump appointed Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey as EPA’s Mid-Atlantic (Region 3) Regional Administrator. Regional Administrator Van Blarcom-Lackey will oversee the implementation of federal environmental laws and priorities of the administration’s agenda in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and of EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program. She is the first woman appointed to lead the EPA Mid-Atlantic Region in the agency's history.

“Amy's experience and dedication to both agriculture and the environment make her a tremendous asset to the agency and the Mid-Atlantic Region,” said Administrator Zeldin. “I am confident she is well equipped to carry out our mission and help deliver on our agenda to Power the Great American comeback.”

“My commitment to sustainability traces back to over 30 years ago, when I founded a county-wide environmental group focused on watershed management and agricultural best practices. I’m excited to harness my passion for the environment to facilitate progress and support the Great American Comeback under the leadership of Administrator Zeldin and President Trump,” said Regional Administrator Van Blarcom-Lackey.

Van Blarcom-Lackey has a distinguished history of service, having been appointed as the first Agricultural Ombudsman in the state of Pennsylvania where she served as a crucial link to agriculture communities, addressing conflicts related to agriculture, land use, and environmental planning. She brings more than a decade of experience as a lobbyist for both state and federal agricultural interests and over 20 years of experience in finance and business management.

A lifelong conservationist, Van Blarcom-Lackey was raised in rural Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed on her family’s dairy farm. Her successful tenure managing her own family enterprises, along with her work in the financial industry, equipped her with a keen understanding of the intersection between business, environmental, and community needs.

Van Blarcom-Lackey resides in Philadelphia with her family.

 Here’s what people are saying about Amy’s presidential appointment

“We congratulate the EPA and Administrator Lee Zeldin on the selection of Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey to serve as the agency’s Region 3 Administrator. Amy is enormously qualified, bringing both extensive experience and a strong understanding of the region she will be overseeing,” said Representative Dan Meuser (PA-09). “Her commonsense approach, sharp cost-benefit skills, and first-hand knowledge of the Mid-Atlantic will ensure she is a productive and effective Regional Administrator. The region has many unique nuances, which Amy is not only well acquainted with, but also approaches with a deep commitment to the short- and long-term growth and integrity of our communities and industries.”

“I extend my congratulations to Amy Van Blarcom-Lackey on her appointment to serve as Region 3 Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Amy is a constituent of my Senate District from Bradford County, and I am proud to see that she has been appointed to this very important position,” said Pennsylvania State Senator Gene Yaw (R-23). “Amy comes from a farming family who I have known and worked with for more than a decade. Her background and experience in agriculture and conservation will serve her well in addressing water quality, flood control, the Chesapeake Bay and the myriad of other environmental issues impacting our region. I look forward to working with Amy in this new position.”

“Amy‘s commitment to balance protecting the environment and common sense will serve our area, state, and region well,” said Pennsylvania State Representative Clint Owlett (R-68). “She will be a solid voice for our rural values and brings stability and predictability to our communities.

“Amy is a great choice for Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator. She brings to the position a Cornell education, a background in both agriculture and energy, a great knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, and past work in finance, which all make her the best possible choice. Bradford County is proud of her and we know she will serve the region well,” said Doug McLinko, Bradford County Commissioner.

“I met Amy in 2000 when she was hired as the very first ombudsman with the State Conservation Commission. In the few years I worked with Amy it was very apparent that she was very pragmatic and thoughtful when going to meetings and listening to some of the contentious situations between agriculture and the community. Amy had a soft ear and a desire to understand the concerns of the community,” said Chris Strohmaier, Managing Director, Chester County Conservation District. “I have no doubt that Amy will do an excellent job in this position to protect the environment, but to also understand the many industries that operate within that environment.”

"I have known Amy since our freshman year at Cornell University. Amy was a natural leader on campus and continued that path in her professional career,” said Harriet Wegmeyer, COO of Wegmeyer Farms and retired Executive Director of Nutrients for Life Foundation. “Her life-long experience as a farmer, combined with her years of advocating for farmers and the environment, make her a perfect match for this position."

“Amy is a tenacious leader, a devoted mom, and a go-getter with a growth mindset whose deep roots in agriculture and steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship make her uniquely positioned to lead with both heart and expertise,” said Heather Madland, Managing Director, Business Development, Novacap.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) will host a Public Forum on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the CSMC meeting room in the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown.

Public Forums allow residents to speak directly to the Commissioners on topics of their choosing. Residents may offer appreciation, questions, or suggestions in a mutually respectful format. Those wishing to speak at the forum will receive up to three minutes to address the Commissioners.

For those unable to attend in person, feedback can also be submitted to the CSMC via:

• Email to: CSMC@stmaryscountymd.gov
• Mail to: Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, PO Box 653, Leonardtown, MD, 20650

The CSMC are dedicated to ensuring equal access and participation for all residents. Individuals requiring accommodation for disabilities, special needs, or language support services are encouraged to contact the Public Information Office at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1340 at least three days in advance of the forum, so that arrangements can be made.

Public Forums are broadcast live on St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) TV Channel 95 and streamed online at YouTube.com/@StMarysCoGov for those wishing to watch remotely.

In addition to these Public Forums, the annual Budget Public Hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on April 22, 2025, at Leonardtown High School, focusing on the county’s annual budget process. Visit https://bit.ly/SMCG-FY26-Budget to learn more about the budget, watch meeting videos, provide feedback, and more!

The Commissioners encourage all community members to take advantage of these opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions and contribute to the betterment of St. Mary’s County. For more information on the CSMC, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/csmc.

For more information on SMCG, please visit www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) and the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS PAX) will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Frank Knox Building, located just outside of NAS PAX Gate 2 at 21866 Cedar Point Road, Patuxent River. 

 "Our partnership with Naval Air Station Patuxent River is vital to the success and prosperity of St. Mary’s County,” said Commissioner President Randy Guy. “These joint meetings provide an important opportunity to strengthen our collaboration, address shared priorities, and continue working together to support our shared community." 

 The joint meeting will feature discussion on the following topics: 

• Encroachment Agreement 

• Hogpoint Shoreline Restoration Project on NAS PAX 

 • Impact of Federal Reductions on NAS PAX 

• Defense Communities Infrastructure Program Sidewalk Project Completion 

• Return to Work Impact Mitigation: Traffic and Gate Operations 

• Comprehensive Plan Update – St. Mary’s 2050: Charting Our Tomorrow 

This meeting is open to the public and will be recorded. The recording will air on St. Mary’s County Government TV Channel 95 as part of the regular CSMC meeting replay and will be available for on-demand viewing via our YouTube Channel post-production. CSMC decisions and related documents are available on the St. Mary’s County Government website in BoardDocs. 

Please note the following security measures will be in place for in-person attendees: 

• ID checks 

• Bag checks 

• Sign in at entry

• Escorts to the meeting room 

“It's always a pleasure to meet with our community partners in St. Mary's County," said Capt. Douglas Burfield, NAS PAX Commanding Officer. “These meetings help us to be better neighbors and partners, and to find ways to benefit our community.”

Information on the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, including meeting schedules, minutes, and more is available at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/csmc. For more details on the meeting or to request accommodation, please call the Public Information Office at (301) 475-4200, ext. 1340.

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD – NAS Patuxent River will participate in an annual hurricane preparedness and recovery exercise April 21-May 2, 2025.

HURRICANE EXERCISE/CITADEL GALE (HURREX/CG) 2025 is an annual hurricane preparedness/ disaster response and recovery exercise conducted by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC). All Navy regions and installations on the eastern seaboard and the Gulf will be actively participating in the exercise.

Command leadership joined NAS Patuxent River Chaplain Lt. Israel Alvarado and RP2 Oluwadamilola Adeyemi to officially open the service to all on base in a ribbon cutting ceremony April 18.

The Pax River Food Pantry is available to anyone on base on a referral basis from the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Chaplain's Office, Ombudsman, or an individual's command.

Food donations are accepted, and can be coordinated by contacting the Religious Programs Office at (301) 342-3811.

LEONARDTOWN, MD (April 18, 2025) – Two juveniles have been arrested and charged as adults with attempted murder in connection with a shooting that occurred on March 5, 2025, in the 46000 block of Marshall Boulevard in Lexington Park.

During the incident, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 1 a.m. and located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the face.

Following an investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division, detectives served District Court arrest warrants on April 17, 2025, at residences in Lexington Park.

A 14-year-old juvenile has been charged with the following:

• Attempted first-degree murder
• Attempted second-degree murder
• First-degree assault
• Second-degree assault
• Firearm use in a felony/violent crime
• Loaded handgun on person
• Handgun on person

A 17-year-old juvenile has been charged with:

• Attempted second-degree murder
• First-degree assault
• Second-degree assault
• Firearm use in a felony/violent crime
• Loaded handgun on person
• Handgun on person

Both juveniles were transported to the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center pending bond hearings.

Law enforcement agencies are prohibited from publicly identifying a juvenile, even when charged as an adult, due to legal protections safeguarding the juvenile’s identity throughout the judicial process.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Warren Forinash at 301-475-4200, ext. 8072, or by email at Warren.Forinash@stmaryscountymd.gov.

 Deputy State Fire Marshals continue to investigate the cause of a house fire that claimed the life of two Charles County residents. 

On April 17, 2025 at 6:15 a.m. the Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments were dispatched to 9690 Brunswick Road in Faulkner for a structure fire.  Upon their arrival, they observed a two-story house fully involved in fire and received reports that the owners of the home were not accounted for. 

Firefighters encountered severe hoarding conditions inside the home during suppression efforts.  It took 50 firefighters two hours to bring the blaze under control. 

Firefighters located the second-floor occupants and owners of the home 62-year-old Robert Bowling and a 70-year-old Kim Dickens deceased in the remains of the home. 

A tenant that resided on the first level of the home was able to escape uninjured.  Damages to the structure are estimated to be $175,000.00 and another $75,000.00 to the structure’s contents.  Smoke alarms were found in the home but it is unknown if they were working.

The two deceased men have been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine the cause of death. 

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday, May 6, at 7 p.m. to present and receive comments regarding the fiscal year (FY) 2026 commissioners’ recommended operating and capital improvement budget. The public hearing will be held in the Commissioners Hearing Room, located in the Calvert County Circuit Courthouse, Second Floor, at 175 Main St. in Prince Frederick.

The public may dial in by phone (audio only) to participate remotely:

·         Toll-free: 301-715-8592

·         Meeting ID: 899 4188 8251

·         Passcode (if asked): #

·         To provide comment: #9

The FY 2026 commissioners’ budget document will be made available for public viewing in advance of the hearing at www.calvertcountymd.gov/PublicHearings. Hard copies will be available at the public libraries or by contacting the Department of Finance & Budget at 410-535-1600, ext. 2435, or Mary.Williams@calvertcountymd.gov. 

To ensure full public access and transparency, the meeting will be streamed live on the Calvert County Government YouTube page at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov. The meting will also be broadcast live on Comcast channel 99 and 1070 HD.                                                              

Reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities or linguistic barriers should be requested by contacting the BOCC office at 410-535-1600, ext. 2202, or TTY 1-800-735-2258.

Individuals may also submit written comments. Written comments may be submitted by email to Mary.Williams@calvertcountymd.gov or mailed to the BOCC at 175 Main St., Prince Frederick, MD 20678.

Interested persons are encouraged to attend the public hearing in person or virtually.  To learn more about the budget development process visit www.CalvertCountymd.gov/FY26.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of commercial burglaries in the 29000 block of Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville.

Early Thursday morning, deputies responded to a report of a burglary and, upon arrival, discovered that two additional businesses in the same strip mall had signs of forced entry. Damage to rear doors and evidence of break-ins were found at all three locations. Additionally, power meters for the affected businesses had been tampered with or damaged.

The Criminal Investigations Division has assumed the case, and anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Taylore Nauman at 301-475-4200, ext. 8109, or by email at Taylore.Nauman@stmaryscountymd.gov.

Tipsters can also call Crime Solvers 24/7 at 301-475-3333 or text Crime Solvers at 274637. In the message block, type "Tip239" and select SEND. After you get a response, continue your conversation.

Note: Tip239 is case-sensitive and must be typed in the message block as shown. With Crime Solvers, you never have to give your name. You may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

Calvert County’s Homeless Service Board will host a Community Resource Fair to connect community members with multiple services at one convenient location. The event will take place on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the College of Southern Maryland Prince Frederick Campus, located at 115 J. W. Williams Road in Prince Frederick.

More than 50 local agencies and service providers will be there to help. Attendees can connect to resources related to housing, utilities, employment, family needs, veteran resources, transportation, food, medical and personal care, legal services and vital records. Attendees can also win giveaways. LifeStyles of Maryland Inc. will provide free shuttle services from various locations. For transportation arrangements, call 301-609-9900, ext. 602.

The Community Resource Fair is sponsored by the Calvert County Homeless Service Board, the Nonprofit Institute at the College of Southern Maryland, the Southern Maryland Local Homeless Coalition, and the Calvert County Department of Community Resources. For more information, including transportation options, visit www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/CommunityResourceFair.

For additional information contact the Calvert County Department of Community Resources at community.resources@calvertcountymd.gov or call 410-535-1600, ext. 8803.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

The Calvert County Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division, will host free paper shredding events for county residents and businesses. Shredding documents helps prevent identity theft by destroying confidential or sensitive information.

The following shred events will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine:

·      Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Huntingtown High School, located at 4125 Solomons Island Road in Huntingtown

·      Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Huntingtown High School, located at 4125 Solomons Island Road in Huntingtown

·      Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Appeal Landfill, located at 401 Sweetwater Road in Lusby

Proof of Calvert County residency or business location is required. Paper clips and staples are acceptable. Binders and binder clips are not acceptable.

Businesses are allowed up to five banker boxes of paper per business, or the equivalent volume of five banker boxes in alternate containers. There is no limit for residents. Certificates of destruction will be provided if requested.

Shredding events are held monthly. For information about other recycling events, contact the Calvert County Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division at 410-326-0210 or visit www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/Recycle.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

###

Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River and Fort Mary Walker, Virginia are advised that nighttime noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place April 17, 2025 from 5:45 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.  

Night testing and training is essential for the precision and safety of our military personnel and the success of their mission. Residents may notice increased noise levels due to these operations.
 
As with all operations, NAS Patuxent River takes precautions to lessen the impact of testing activities on the community. For more information, call 1-866-819-9028. 

(TIMONIUM, MD) – More than 140 individuals were honored on Wednesday at an award ceremony in Timonium for their outstanding acts of courage, dedication to duty, lifesaving efforts and humanitarianism.

Honorees including Maryland State Troopers, civilian employees from the Agency, allied law enforcement officers, and emergency personnel were presented with Governor’s Citations, Superintendent Salutes, the Life Saving Award and other distinguished awards.

“These individuals are often the first to take action in critical moments, going above and beyond to protect, prevent and provide for those who live and visit our State,” said Maryland State Police Superintendent Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr. “That is nothing short of extraordinary and I’m incredibly proud to be able to recognize each person for their actions.” 

Among the 142 recipients were personnel from agencies including the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office, Baltimore County Police Department, Maryland Natural Resources Police, Montgomery County Police Department, Prince George’s County Police Department, Worcester County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery County Department of Fire and Rescue Services. 

Below are a few of the award recipients and their stories:

The Maryland State Police Underwater Recovery Team (URT) was presented with a Governor’s Citation for their search and recovery efforts after the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024. Leading coordinated dive teams from state, local and federal partners, the URT worked countless hours amidst bridge debris, steel and other hazardous materials to recover the six victims and provide closure to their families.

Among those honored and pictured above are members of the Underwater Recovery Team. From Left to Right: Corporal Lyle German, Detective Sergeant Justin Updegraff, Commander of the Underwater Recovery Team, Sergeant William Jansen, Corporal Harry Lloyd, Colonel Roland L. Butler, Jr., Superintendent of the Maryland State Police, Master Trooper James Price, Sergeant Scott Bell, Corporal Matthew Huntington, Sergeant Adam Matthai, Corporal Colton Davis, Corporal Brian Key and (not pictured) Sergeant Michael Dawson.

Trooper First Class Chase Passwaters (pictured above) was honored with a Governor’s Citation for his life-saving actions that directly saved a woman from taking her own life on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge last year. Four other members of the Department were honored with Certificates of Recognition for their critical roles during this incident.

Trooper First Class Karan Desai (pictured above) received a Superintendent’s Commendation for his life-saving actions in August 2024 after being dispatched to a crash of a suspected impaired driver involved in a fiery crash. Upon his arrival, TFC Desai jumped into the vehicle, which was engulfed in flames, to rescue the driver and ensure there were no other passengers. TFC Desai’s quick thinking saved the driver’s life.

 Maryland state lawmakers ended this year’s session addressing a major budget shortfall and countless other issues in the state. But their work might not be over for the year. Through a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts, lawmakers passed a balanced budget, despite a three-point-three-billion-dollar budget deficit. Maryland taxpayers who make more than half a million dollars a year will pay more in taxes, along with higher taxes on sports betting and marijuana sales. Brenda Wintrode, with the Baltimore Banner, says lawmakers had to tackle multiple pressing issues for the state.

"The budget took the oxygen out of the session. It took up all the space. They had an energy crisis to resolve, which they did pass a sweeping energy package to try to make some room for more energy production in the state."

The legislature passed a major energy initiative meant to ramp up energy production through nuclear, natural gas, solar power and battery storage, along with a small rebate for electric bills. Lawmakers also made more than two billion dollars in spending cuts.

Republicans in the state, however, objected to tax hikes to balance the budget. But despite the end of the regular session, Wintrode says there might be more work to do this year. All eyes are on Washington as President Donald Trump’s cuts to the federal workforce and spending could impact the state.

"They have a balanced budget that is going to meet where we are as a state in this moment to get us through the end of the federal government’s fiscal year. They are not ruling out having a special session, possibly coming back in October after the federal government looks at what it’s going to be doing."

A report by Moody’s Ratings finds Maryland faces the greatest risks of any state from federal spending cuts.

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners announces county offices will be closed on Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of Good Friday. In addition:

·         The Appeal Solid Waste Facility, which includes the landfill and transfer station, and all county customer convenience centers will be open with normal operating hours Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19. All facilities will be closed on Sunday, April 20.

·         The Solomons Septage Receiving Facility will be open Friday, April 18, with normal operating hours.

·         The Water & Sewerage billing and customer service office will be closed Friday, April 18.

·         All Calvert County senior centers will be closed Friday, April 18, and Meals on Wheels will not be delivered. Meal delivery is scheduled to resume Monday, April 21.

·         All community centers will be closed on Friday, April 18, and Sunday, April 20.  Community centers will be open Saturday, April 19.

·         There will be no county bus service Friday, April 18; service will resume Saturday, April 19.

·         Calvert Library locations will be closed Friday, April 18, and will reopen at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 19. Downloadable materials and virtual services are available 24/7 at CalvertLibrary.info/.

·         The Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter and Animal Control Division will be closed Friday, April 18. Animal Control Officers will be available for emergencies at 410-535-3491.

·         The Calvert Marine Museum and Museum Store will be open with normal hours on Friday, April 18, through Sunday, April 20. Special spring break programming and the Fossil Egg Hunt will be happening throughout the weekend.  Visit www.CalvertMarineMuseum.com for information on upcoming events.

·         Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center will be open with normal operating hours on Friday, April 18, and will be closed on Sunday, April 20.

·         Edward T. Hall Aquatic Center will be open Friday, April 18, and Saturday, April 19, with normal hours. The aquatic center will be closed Sunday, April 20.

·         All recreation parks including Dunkirk District Park, Ward Farm Recreation & Nature Park, Hallowing Point Park and Cove Point Park will be open with normal hours on Friday, April 18, and Sunday, April 20.

·         Chesapeake Hills Golf Course will be open Friday, April 18, and Sunday, April 20, with normal operating hours.

·         Flag Ponds Nature Park and Kings Landing Park will be open on Friday, April 18, with normal operating hours. Battle Creek Cypress Swamp and trails will be open with normal hours, but the nature center remains closed due to fire damage. For a full nature park schedule, visit www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/NaturalResources.

·         Breezy Point Beach & Campground is closed for the season.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, Calvert County proudly announces its participation in the “Two Lights for Tomorrow” initiative: a nationwide tribute to the legendary midnight ride of Paul Revere.

To honor this historic milestone, two symbolic lights will be illuminated at the Calvert County Circuit Courthouse on the evenings of April 18 and 19, representing the two lanterns famously hung in Boston’s Old North Church to signal the British advance. Residents and businesses are encouraged to place two lights or candles in their windows on the evenings of April 18 and 19 to honor America’s fight for freedom.

On April 18, 1775, lantern signals were used to communicate and warn the colonial militia how the British troops were advancing; one illuminated lantern indicated the troops were coming by land, while two lanterns signaled the troops were coming by sea. This lantern system ensured the message could spread quickly, even if Revere and others were captured.

The “Two Lights for Tomorrow” initiative is part of the national America 250^th commemoration, recognizing Paul Revere’s ride and the spirit of courage and freedom it represents. Across the country, communities are lighting two candles, lanterns or other lights to honor this pivotal moment in American history.

For more information on America’s 250^th anniversary events, visit www.visitcalvert.com/calvert250.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

The Calvert County Department of Public Works, Solid Waste Division, will host a free household hazardous waste collection event for county residents on Saturday, April 19, 2025. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, at the Mt. Hope Convenience Center located at 96 Pushaw Station Road in Sunderland.

Hazardous household products are common in many homes and must be disposed of properly to prevent dangerous chemical reactions, fires, burns, harmful vapors or groundwater contamination. A substance is considered hazardous if it is corrosive or toxic, ignites easily, reacts or explodes when mixed with other substances.

Acceptable waste items include auto and floor care products, medications, pesticides, gasoline, fertilizers and more. To determine if a product is hazardous, check the label for warning words or symbols such as caution, danger, poison or toxic. Latex paint will not be accepted at this event.

There is no limit on the amount of material residents may bring to the event. Proof of residency is required. Businesses are prohibited from this event.

For a full list of accepted items contact the Calvert County Solid Waste Division at 410-326-0210 or visit www.CalvertCountymd.gov/HazardousWaste. 

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) and the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS PAX) will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the Frank Knox Building, located just outside of NAS PAX Gate 2 at 21866 Cedar Point Road, Patuxent River.

"Our partnership with Naval Air Station Patuxent River is vital to the success and prosperity of St. Mary’s County,” said Commissioner President Randy Guy. “These joint meetings provide an important opportunity to strengthen our collaboration, address shared priorities, and continue working together to support our shared community."

The joint meeting will feature discussion on the following topics:

• Encroachment Agreement
• Hogpoint Shoreline Restoration Project on NAS PAX
• Impact of Federal Reductions on NAS PAX
• Defense Communities Infrastructure Program Sidewalk Project Completion
• Return to Work Impact Mitigation: Traffic and Gate Operations
• Comprehensive Plan Update – St. Mary’s 2050: Charting Our Tomorrow

This meeting is open to the public and will be recorded. The recording will air on St. Mary’s County Government TV Channel 95 as part of the regular CSMC meeting replay and will be available for on-demand viewing via our YouTube Channel post-production. CSMC decisions and related documents are available on the St. Mary’s County Government website in BoardDocs.

Please note the following security measures will be in place for in-person attendees:

• ID checks
• Bag checks
• Sign in at entry
• Escorts to the meeting room

“It's always a pleasure to meet with our community partners in St. Mary's County," said Capt. Douglas Burfield, NAS PAX Commanding Officer. “These meetings help us to be better neighbors and partners, and to find ways to benefit our community.”

Information on the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, including meeting schedules, minutes, and more is available at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/csmc. For more details on the meeting or to request accommodation, please call the Public Information Office at (301) 475-4200, ext. 1340.

For more information, please visit www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

Prince Frederick, Md. – April 15, 2025  – The Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation (CCPR) advises residents the Mt. Hope Community Center, located at 104 Pushaw Station Road in Sunderland, will be closed for scheduled floor maintenance from Friday, April 18, through Tuesday, April 22. Normal hours of operation will resume Wednesday, April 23. CCPR appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as we work to improve our recreation facilities.

For updates on Parks & Recreation services, park availability, field closures and more visit Parks & Recreation at www.Facebook.com/CalvertCountyParks and follow @CalvertCountyParksandRec on Instagram.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

Burglary: 25-26394 On April 1, 2025, DFC Aley responded to the 2300 block of Sixes Road in Prince Frederick for a reported trespassing. The investigation revealed that Yulia Gennadyevna Uvarova, 34 of Miami Beach, FL, had entered a residence uninvited and refused to leave the property. Uvarova was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center and charged with Fourth Degree Burglary.

CDS Violation: 25-26660  On April 2, 2025, Sgt. Norton responded to Beach Elementary School, located at 7900 Old Bayside Road in Chesapeake Beach, for a traffic complaint. The caller reported that a truck had struck the curb several times before stopping in the school’s parking lot. The vehicle then left the property and came to a stop in the 3900 block of Old Bayside Road. Upon making contact with the driver, identified as Derek James Ward, 39, of Friendship, deputies observed a glass smoking device with burn marks in plain view. A probable cause search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of two additional smoking devices, a bag containing numerous white pills (23 whole and 19 broken suspected Alprazolam pills), a folded paper towel and a separate folded piece of paper—both containing suspected crack cocaine—along with $1,500 in U.S. currency and two cellular phones. Ward was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center and charged with CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis (x2), CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia, CDS: Possession with Intent to Distribute, and CDS: Possession with Intent to Distribute: School Bus/Property. 

CDS Violation: 25-26529 On April 1, 2025, Deputy Blackistone responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle at the Solomons Island Boat Ramp, located at 14195 S. Solomons Island Road in Solomons. Upon arrival, Deputy Blackistone observed a vehicle with its lights off, occupied by three individuals. A strong odor of marijuana was detected coming from inside the vehicle. During the encounter, one of the passengers, identified as Andre Charles Morris, 20 of Great Mills, voluntarily handed Deputy Blackistone a bag containing suspected marijuana. A subsequent consent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a bag containing suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Morris was arrested and charged with CDS: Possession – Not Cannabis and two counts of CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia. 

CDS Violation: 25-26085 On March 31, 2025, DFC Sylver conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for an expired registration at the intersection of S Solomons Island Road and Coster Road in Lusby. The driver was identified as Felicia Diane Passmore, 36, of Leonardtown. During the stop, a knife was observed in plain view inside the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Passmore was operating the vehicle on a suspended license. A search of her purse led to the discovery of a pill crusher and three cut straws, all bearing white residue. Passmore was placed under arrest and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center where she charged with Concealing a Dangerous Weapon, CDS: Possession – Not Cannabis, and CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia. 

Theft: 25-26460 On April 1, 2025, DFC Plant responded to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office located at 30 Church Street in Prince Frederick, for the reported theft. The complainant reported an unknown suspect(s) stole two handicap placards from the victim’s two vehicles parked outside a residence in the 6300 block of Hollow Way in Huntingtown. The estimated value of stolen property is $2.00.

Theft: 25-27134 On April 3, 2025, DFC R. Jones responded to the 700 block of Hickock Trail in Lusby, for the reported theft. The complainant reported that sometime between March 30 and April 3, an unknown suspect(s) stole the registration plate from the victim’s utility trailer. The estimated value of stolen property is $100.00.

Theft: 25-27096 On April 3, 2025, Deputy Robey responded to the 300 block of Red Cloud Road in Lusby, for the reported theft. The complainant reported sometime between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) stole the victim’s black Kate Spade wallet and all its contents. Multiple credit cards had been charged with fraudulent transactions. The estimated value of stolen property is $5,000.00.

Theft: 25-26971 On April 3, 2025, DFC Huy responded to the 6300 block of Hollow Way in Huntingtown, for a reported theft. The complainant reported sometime between 8 p.m. on March 27 and 3:50 a.m. on March 28, an unknown suspect(s) broke into the victim’s vehicle and stole clothing. The estimated value of stolen property is $80.00.

Theft: 25-27056 On April 3, 2025, Deputy MacWilliams responded to the 3200 block of Hewitt Court in Dunkirk, for the report of a theft. The complainant reported an unknown suspect(s) stole the new registration stickers off a vehicle parked at the residence. The estimated value of stolen property is $150.00.

Theft: 25-28026 On April 6, 2025, DFC Sturdivant responded to the 100 block of Miss Sam’s Way in Huntingtown, for the reported theft. The complainant reported his yellow DeWalt 400 psi pressure washer and hoses were stolen out of his shed. The estimated value of stolen property is $1,000.00. 

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Emergency Services (DES) urges community members to be prepared for the next Atlantic hurricane season, which starts on June 1, 2025, and goes through November 30, 2025. While severe weather can happen outside of this timeframe, it is the most active for hurricane and tropical storm activity.

In effort to support community preparedness, the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) will provide self-service sandbag pickup for residents on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the St. Andrews Landfill located at 44837 St. Andrews Church Road.

Residents are encouraged to stock up on sandbags now so that they are prepared before a storm strikes our area. Sandbags are not pre-filled and are limited to 10-25 bags per person, while supplies last. Community partners and DES will also be onsite distributing free hurricane preparedness supplies and information.

“Preparedness is one of the most important ways we can protect ourselves, our families, and our community,” said Commissioner President, Randy Guy. “By offering sandbags and sharing emergency planning resources ahead of time, we’re helping residents take proactive steps before a storm is on the horizon. I encourage everyone to get ready now—don't wait until it's too late.”

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

• Make emergency kits: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/kit
  • Home Kit: include a flashlight, batteries, blankets, spare clothing, a battery-operated radio, hygiene supplies, medication, a first aid kit, food that is easy to open and prepare, and clean drinking water. 
  • Be sure to consider the needs of your family, including infants and children, the elderly, those with functional needs, and pets.
• Have a plan: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/plan
  • Know Your Zone and plan your evacuation route ahead of time. Identify a safe place to go, and a way to get there, if an evacuation is ordered by local officials.  Keep your gas tank full in case you need to evacuate quickly.
  • Discuss with loved ones how you will communicate before, during, and after a potential emergency or severe weather event.
• Sign up for local emergency notifications at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/CodeRed
• Hurricane preparedness basics:
  • Secure or bring indoors all outdoor toys, furniture, and items that could be moved by heavy winds; de-clutter drains and gutters; and consider hurricane shutters.
  • Check on your neighbors, friends, and family members, especially if they are elderly and/or have functional needs. 
  • Bring your pets indoors during severe weather.
  • Know where the main valves and switches are for gas, water, and electricity – and ensure someone you trust can operate them in case you need to shut them off.
  • Follow the instructions of local emergency management officials.

Knowing what to do before, during, and after an emergency is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference, when seconds count.

Learn more about and prepare for potential emergencies at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/em.

Prince Frederick, Md. – April 14, 2025  – Spring into a new adventure and celebrate the season of renewal by giving a shelter pet a loving home. The Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter is offering “golden egg” adoptions for all qualified adopters during its Hoppy Tails Easter adoption event, taking place Tuesday, April 15, through Saturday, April 19, 2025. The shelter is closed Friday, April 18, in observance of Easter.

Shelter staff will randomly select pets to be sponsored with a “golden egg discount,” meaning their adoption fees will be waived. Every adopter will also receive a special gift from their new companion and take home an Easter basket with sweet surprises for them and a treat bag for their pet.

Whether you’re a longtime pet owner or a first-time adopter, the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter is dedicated to making the adoption process a joyful and rewarding experience. Find your perfect match by visiting the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information on the adoption process, visit www.CalvertCountyAnimalShelter.com/Adoption.

To schedule an intake appointment, call 410-535-7387. The shelter is located at 5055 Hallowing Point Road in Prince Frederick. For more information about adopting from the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter visit www.CalvertCountyAnimalShelter.com. Visit the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter on Instagram at @calvertcountyanimalshelter and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyAnimalShelter.  

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

LEONARDTOWN, MD (April 14, 2025) – State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Thomas Moreland, 22, of Lexington Park, Maryland, was sentenced to LIFE in prison for his involvement in the 2022 Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department’s Annual Carnival shooting murder.

On July 15, 2022, Moreland and others carried out a violent attack that claimed the life of a 16-year-old victim and left another teenager suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

“The Hollywood Carnival is a long-standing community event that families have enjoyed for decades. The Defendant’s vindictive and reckless actions not only devastated the victims and their families but also shattered the sense of safety in our community during what should have been a safe and fun family event,” said State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling. “This sentence ensures that the Defendant will be held accountable for the terror he inflicted on the entire community.”

Following a five-day jury trial in April 2024, Moreland was convicted of:

• First-degree murder
• Attempted first-degree murder
• Conspiracy to commit first-degree assault

During the sentencing hearing, the State urged the court to impose the maximum penalty of Life in prison, emphasizing the Defendant’s complete disregard for human life and the long-lasting impact on the victims and the community that go beyond the physical trauma.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Alena Mosier served as the prosecuting attorney for both the jury trial and the sentencing hearing on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County.

Detective Tyler Payne and Corporal Daniel Sidorowicz of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were the lead investigators.

The Honorable Joseph Stanalonis presided over the case.

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) students recently competed and placed at the 52nd annual SkillsUSA State Championship held March 28 and 29 in Westminster.

Thirty-one students from the Robert D. Stethem Educational Center and 33 students from North Point High School participated in events meant to test their skills in the career and technical education (CTE) fields they are studying.

Students who earned gold medals go on to the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta in June.

Gold medalists

· Marcus Burnette, junior, pin design, North Point.

· Jamie Caero, senior, advertising design, North Point.

· Sydney Diggs, junior, Melina Dominguez-Amaya, junior, and Mia Ubri, junior, Career Pathways Showcase — industrial and engineering technology, North Point.

· Shealyn Oakes, senior, first aid and CPR, Stethem.

Silver medalists

· Jaiden Benitez, junior, Ethan Sekonde, junior, and Logan Wachsmuth, junior, engineering technology — design, North Point.

· Tierra Delmar, senior, early childhood education, North Point.

· Makaila Lowe, senior, medical math, Stethem.

· Matthew Smith, junior, photography, Stethem.

Bronze medalists

· Landon Andrews, senior, automotive service technology, Stethem.

· Dylan Gautier, senior, electrical construction wiring, North Point.

· Kevin Hamilton Jr., junior, HVAC, Stethem.

· Gabriella Varela, sophomore, customer service, North Point.

A new curriculum resource for English Language Development (ELD) services is being proposed by a Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) committee made up of instructional specialists, ELD teachers, parents and students. If approved, the resource will be used starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

“English 3D,” by Kate Kinsella, Ed.D., is being considered by the Board of Education of Charles County as a curricular resource to be used by staff and students in the ELD program. The resource is required to provide evidence-based materials and teaching practices that will support student growth in English language development. The resources are aligned with Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and WIDA Consortium standards for ELD programs.

To view the digital resources, follow the steps below: · Click here to reach the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HRH) website.

· View the materials from the teacher perspective or the student perspective.

· To view the materials from the teacher perspective, use the following login information.

o Username: Teacher277 Password: E!4lutetium

· To view the materials from the student perspective, use the following login information.

o Username: Student277 Password: E!4lutetium

· Click the tab “Discover” to explore the resources. The materials will be available to review through Sunday, May 11, at the HRH site. Click here to provide feedback before May 11. To view the survey in Spanish, click here.

The Board of Education will act on the curriculum proposal at its May 13 meeting. Community members are encouraged to review the books and provide comment in writing to the Board of Education, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD, 20646; by email to boardmail@ccboe.com; or via the feedback form listed above.

Charles County, MD – Detectives have identified and arrested two suspects in connection with passing counterfeit money, burglary, and possessing stolen vehicles. On February 24, a lone male suspect used a counterfeit bill at a fast-food drive-through located on Mall Circle in Waldorf. The cashier recognized the bill as fraudulent but observed what appeared to be a firearm in the suspect’s lap. The cashier complied with the transaction and provided the suspect with cash change, but immediately contacted the Sheriff’s Office as the suspect drove away.

Officers in the vicinity quickly located the suspect’s vehicle, a BMW, and attempted a traffic stop. However, the suspect fled. The BMW was later discovered abandoned on Mattawoman Lane. Officers noted that the car’s VIN appeared altered, and they observed what appeared to be fake currency on the ground beside the vehicle. The car was impounded. Patrol officers obtained a search warrant for the car and recovered documents with a potential suspect's name and multiple fake bills within the vehicle. It was also confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen from another county.

As detectives worked to identify the suspect, an unknown male, matching the suspect’s description, targeted a storage lot where the stolen BMW was being kept. Surveillance footage revealed the suspect was driven to the lot and gained access several times. The second time, he gained entry into the stolen BMW but did not appear to remove anything, though he left incriminating evidence on the vehicle.

Through further investigation, detectives positively identified the suspect as Titus Zing Mayo, 21, of Waldorf. Niquerial Battle, 21, of Waldorf, was identified as an accomplice. Arrest warrants were obtained on March 13 for both suspects. On March 14, Battle was located by detectives and arrested and charged with conspiracy of burglary, theft, and other related crimes. She was released by a district court commissioner on an unsecured bond later that day. 

On March 19, Neighborhood Enforcement Officers observed Mayo operating a Chevrolet Corvette in the area of St. Ignatius and Village Street. Officers attempted to stop Mayo, but he again fled. On March 20, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Capital Area Regional Task Force, Mayo was located while operating the same Chevrolet Corvette, which was determined to be stolen from Charles County. Officers were able to apprehend Mayo without further incident. A search warrant was executed at Mayo’s residence, leading to the recovery of additional evidence –over $12,000 in counterfeit bills and an extended handgun magazine. Detectives also linked him to similar counterfeit currency cases at pizza carry-outs in the county.  

Mayo was charged with burglary, possession and distribution of forged U.S. currency, auto theft, and other related crimes. Detectives are working with other law enforcement agencies to determine if Mayo can be connected to similar cases. Mayo is currently being held at the Charles County Detention Center without bond. Detective Chadbourne is investigating.

The project is scheduled to begin on or about Monday, April 14, 2025, with completion in approximately 30 days, weather permitting. A traffic control plan will be implemented for the duration of the road and sidewalk construction.

Message boards and signage will be deployed in the area prior to and during the project to serve as a reminder. Motorists are advised to use caution and follow signage. Please remain alert to work crews, changing traffic patterns, and equipment and consider alternate travel routes to avoid delays in traffic.

Questions may be directed to John Wise with DPW&T at 301-475-4200, ext. 3531.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

Dear CCPS Community,

Earlier today, an incident occurred at Billingsley Elementary School when a student brought a loaded handgun to school, which unfortunately discharged. I am deeply grateful that no students or staff members were injured. My heartfelt thanks go out to the principal, her dedicated staff, and the school resource officer (SRO) who acted quickly to ensure everyone’s safety.

As a precaution, the school was dismissed early. Billingsley staff, along with school system pupil personnel workers, transportation and the Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Office of School Safety and Security staff, worked tirelessly to manage the logistics and ensure all students safely made it home. I also want to thank our families for their cooperation and for following protocols during today’s early dismissal.

At this moment, our main priorities are to collaborate with law enforcement in a thorough investigation of the incident and to provide the necessary support to Billingsley staff, students and their families. To allow everyone time to process what happened, Billingsley Elementary School will be closed tomorrow for both students and staff. Support services from the CCPS Student Services Department will be available on-site at Billingsley to offer assistance and counseling for students, staff and families. All other CCPS schools will operate as normal tomorrow.

This is a situation that no student, teacher, staff member, parent or community member should ever have to face. I recognize the emotional impact this has on our community, and I am committed to keeping everyone informed as we learn more about what happened. We will be hosting a community meeting after spring break to discuss the incident and answer questions with the Billingsley community. More information will be shared at a later date.

Above all, I am incredibly thankful that no one was hurt or injured. School safety is not just a responsibility of our schools—it is a shared commitment that involves all of us working together. I encourage you to have open, age-appropriate conversations with your children about the importance of making safe and responsible choices. Let’s work together to help keep our schools safe, supportive and nurturing for all.

Thank you for your continued support, understanding, and commitment to the safety and well-being of our CCPS community.

Sincerely,

Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

LEONARDTOWN, MD (April 10, 2025)—The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is introducing a new Digital Online Reporting System and encouraging community members to use it. This new tool allows residents to easily file certain reports online, helping the agency allocate resources and personnel better. By using the online system, community members can support more efficient operations and improved service from our office.

This service provides a fast and efficient way for community members to report various incidents, including lower-priority incidents such as minor crashes, identity theft, and lost property. Community members can now report minor incidents online rather than visiting a district station in person or having an officer dispatched to them.

Please visit www.FirstSheriff.com to access these services. The Digital Online Reporting System link is on the website's front page.

“Online reporting tools enhance both efficiency and accessibility for the public,” said Captain Stephen Simonds, Patrol Community Services Commander. “It empowers community members to report non-emergency incidents at their convenience, while allowing Deputies to spend more time engaging in proactive policing and community outreach.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) will begin to accept Pre-Kindergarten 4 Applications on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future allows for families with children who are 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025, to apply for full-day Pre-Kindergarten. All families are welcome to apply; however, income is the primary qualifier for eligibility. Families with an annual income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or families that are experiencing homelessness are deemed income eligible and will be accepted first. In 2025-2026 only: Children who are identified as a multilingual learner, where English is not the home language, and/or children with a current Individualized Education Plan (IEP)/ Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), and the annual family income is at or below 600% of the Federal Poverty Level may be admitted. The Maryland State Department of Education has provided a Federal Poverty Level calculator to assist in determining income eligibility.

All applications will be screened and identified on a System of Tiers.

2025-2026 Blueprint Tier I Tier II Tier III

Federal Poverty Level (FPL) < 300% 301 –360% >361%

< 600% Active IEP

< 600% Multilingual Learner

Families with an annual income that exceeds 301% FPL, are placed on the over-income/waitlist. Families are advised to seek alternate options to meet their childcare needs should seat capacity be filled. After October 1, 2025, depending on available seats and school location,

waitlisted families may be contacted in rank order and offered a seat where available. Families will be notified Mid-May of their acceptance or waitlist status by the Early Childhood Education Team.

Families must submit the following required documents with the applications so it may be screened for eligibility:

Proof of Birth (Birth Certificate, Valid and un-expired Passport/Visa, Physician’s Certificate, Baptismal/Church Certificate, or Birth Registration)

Proof of Residency (Deed, Mortgage, Rental Agreement/Lease, Current Property Tax Bill, or Current Utility Bill (PO Box is not acceptable))

Income Verification (2024 W-2, or three (3) recent consecutive pay stubs. Additional

income sources includes: Child Support, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Social Security Benefits (SSA), Social Security Insurance (SSI) or Medicaid)

The SMCPS website, www.smcps.org has information and guidance for the completion of the 2025-2026 Pre-Kindergarten Application. You may also contact us with the helpdesk form, call 301-475-5511, ext. 32285, or contact Mrs. Charlottis Woodley, Director of Parent & Family Engagement, at cmwoodley@smcps.org. Spanish language assistance is available.

Warrant Unit seeking fugitive’s whereabouts: Officers assigned to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office US Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Task Force are seeking the whereabouts of Antwone Demetrious Grooms, age 35, of Washington, D.C. Grooms has three warrants for his arrest. Grooms is 5’7” and weighs approximately 145 lbs. He has been known to carry firearms. Anyone with information on Grooms’ whereabouts is asked to call Cpl. Rickard at 301-752-9258. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app. A cash reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for the tip that leads to Grooms’ arrest.

Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman today issued the following statement on the implementation of new state taxes in 2025: 

“I commend Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland General Assembly for passing a balanced budget amid an incredibly difficult fiscal climate. The Comptroller’s Office has already begun the process of reviewing the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025 (BRFA) and internally outlining the next steps for implementing the newest taxes set to take effect later this year. Implementing these new tax types and changes, though a standard practice for this agency, will be done in coordination with our active work to migrate our personal income tax system to our new, secure, cloud-based integrated tax system. 

“The Office of the Comptroller routinely provides resources for businesses, individuals, and tax professionals, including regulations, tax tips, and answers to frequently asked questions. Our legal division also provides private letter rulings for specific situations not covered through other sources.

“For the updated information technology services tax, businesses will be able to pay and file all of their relevant tax returns through the Maryland Tax Connect portal. Business owners who do not yet have an account should log on to MarylandTaxConnect.gov, create an account, and view webinars that will take them through the tax filing and payment processes. 

“In the coming days and weeks, we will be scheduling webinars for businesses and standing up a dedicated page on our new website that will be updated frequently with information and resources for taxpayers. I encourage Marylanders and Maryland businesses to sign up for our newsletters for timely updates as they happen.  

“We look forward to fulfilling our role as a partner in state government: administering the tax code equitably and ensuring Maryland has the resources needed to support the budget priorities for fiscal year 2026 and beyond. Collaboration and cooperation are needed at every level to support thriving communities during challenging times and to create a more equitable, resilient, and prosperous future for all Marylanders.” 

Maryland’s Commission on Public Health (CoPH) will hold a special virtual meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. The agenda with a link for virtual meeting participation is available at health.maryland.gov/coph. The meeting will also be recorded and posted to the website for later viewing.

For more information on the Maryland Commission on Public Health, please visit health.maryland.gov/coph.

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The Maryland Commission on Public Health was established in 2023 to study and make recommendations to improve Maryland’s public health system. The 16-member body is comprised of local health officers, academic partners, thought leaders, and legislators. The Maryland Department of Health is represented by the Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, the Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health, and the Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities. Many additional leaders and professionals are contributing to the Commission’s five workgroups. The Commission’s goal is to ensure the public health system is designed to help all Marylanders achieve their best health and a lifetime of wellness. Meetings are held monthly and streamed online. For more information, please visit health.maryland.gov/coph.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary's County Government (SMCG) administrative offices will be closed on Friday, April 18, 2025, in observance of the Good Friday and Easter holidays. Offices will resume normal operating schedules on Monday, April 21, 2025.

The April 18 closure includes:

• All three Senior Activity Centers (Garvey, Loffler, and Northern), and there will be no home-delivered meals.
• The St. Mary's Transit System (STS), including ADA and SSTAP.

The following SMCG operations will be open on April 18:

• All three St. Mary's County Libraries (Charlotte Hall, Leonardtown, and Lexington Park).
• St. Mary's Animal Adoption & Resource Center.
• The six Convenience Centers and the St. Andrews Landfill.
• St. Clements Island Museum, Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, and the Old Jail Museum.
• The Wicomico Shores Golf Course and the Riverview Restaurant.
• Department of Recreation & Parks programs and facilities*.

*Please note that Recreation and Parks programs held at St. Mary’s County Public School locations will not operate on April 18.

Additionally, the following SMCG operations will be CLOSED on Sunday, April 20:

• Department of Recreation & Parks programs and facilities.
• St. Mary's Animal Adoption & Resource Center.
• The Lexington Park Library.
• The six Convenience Centers and the St. Andrews Landfill.
• The St. Mary's Transit System (STS), including ADA and SSTAP.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, please visit: stmaryscountymd.gov.

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Anthony Cleaver Mason, 65, of Leonardtown, Maryland, was convicted of assault, arson, and reckless endangerment in connection with a fire that displaced several motel guests and caused extensive damage to a California, Maryland motel.

On June 3, 2024, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported disturbance at a motel on Three Notch Road. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that Mason had barricaded himself inside a third-floor room, assaulted an occupant of the room, and started a fire. As the fire spread, deputies swiftly activated the fire alarm and began evacuating the building.

Firefighters from multiple departments responded to battle the blaze. Several victims suffered injuries and others lost personal property to the fire.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office’s investigation revealed that Mason deliberately set the fire, causing over $750,000 in damage.

“The Defendant’s dangerous actions put dozens of lives at risk, resulting in serious injuries and devastating property loss,” said State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling. “Our office is committed to prosecuting those who recklessly put our community in danger.”

Mason remains held without bond pending a sentencing hearing. He faces a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorneys Alena Moiser and Donna Pettersen prosecuted the case on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County.

The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal led the investigation, with assistance from Sergeant James Bare, Devin Absher, and David Katulich of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office.

The Honorable Amy Lorenzini presided over the case.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) will hold Public Hearings on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at Leonardtown High School (LHS), located at 23995 Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown, on the following topics:

1. Establishing a Volunteer Firefighter and Rescue Squad Response Rewards Program
2. Increasing Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad tax rate to .030
3. Increasing Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad tax rate to .030
4. Changes to the St. Mary’s County Health Department Environmental fee schedule
5. Changes to St. Mary's County Government fees and charges:
   1. Animal Control Division – Licenses
   2. Department of Public Works – Solid Waste Service Fees
   3. Department of Recreation & Parks – Recreation Activity Fees
6. FY2026 Recommended County Budget

Additional information on each topic is available at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/publichearings.

The hearings will be held in the LHS auditorium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and sign-up sheets to participate will be available in the school foyer. The public is encouraged to attend and participate in these hearings. Those wishing to address the Commissioners may participate in-person or provide their feedback via:

• Email to: csmc@stmaryscountymd.gov 
• Mail to: PO Box 653 Leonardtown, Maryland 20650

All submissions must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. All submissions will be considered by the CSMC at the Public Hearing and/or up to seven days following the Public Hearing.

Appropriate accommodation for individuals with language or other special needs will be provided upon request. To support these needs, we respectfully ask for one week’s prior notice. Please contact the Public Information Office at 301-475-4200, ext. 1340 or via email to pio@stmaryscountymd.gov by April 15, 2025, to arrange.

CSMC Public Hearings are televised live on St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) TV Channel 95 and streamed live at www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.

Community members are encouraged to visit our Budget Engage Page at https://bit.ly/SMCG-FY26-Budget to view the county budget timeline, watch budget work session videos, leave feedback on priorities, and more!

For more information, please visit www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – 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 National Animal Control & Care Week, Week of the Young Child, National Public Health Week, and National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

The CSMC then held a public hearing on the disposition of surplus county-owned real property.

During County Administrator Time, the Commissioners took the following action:

• Reviewed future CSMC meeting agendas.
• Approved the modification to the Day Reporting Grant and the conversion of one full-time Case Manager position to a temporary part-time hourly Case Manager position.
• Approved the FY2026 Performance Incentive Grant Fund grant application.
• Approved the FY2026 Gun Violence Reduction grant application.
• Adopted the resolution waiving landfill fees for Christmas in April projects.
• Approved the St. Jerome’s Creek Dredge Material Placement Site Construction Easement Agreement and budget amendment.
• Approved a letter of support for Comcast’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant application.
• Approved the Joint Encroachment Mitigation and Prevention Agreement with Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
• Approved the FY2026 Community Partnership Agreement Notice of Funding Availability Application on behalf of the Department of Aging and Human Services.
• Approved the FY2026 Senior Rides Grant Application.
• Approved the request for an increase to the FY2025 Special Events Revenue and Expenses Budget from the Department of Aging and Human Services.
• Amended the 2010 Comprehensive Plan Land Map to change the land use designation of the property at 25741 Three Notch Road in Hollywood, Maryland from Rural Preservation to Rural Commerce and the property’s zoning district from Rural Preservation to Rural Commercial Limited.

The CSMC then received a legislative update from the Office of the County Attorney.

The Commissioners wrapped their business meeting with Commissioner Time.

There will be no CSMC business meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The next Commissioner’s business meeting will be on April 22, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room, on the 1st floor of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. The FY2026 Budget Public Hearing will also take place that evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Leonardtown High School Auditorium. CSMC decisions and related documents are available on the SMCG website in BoardDocs. Meetings are open to the public and can be viewed live on TV Channel 95 or on-demand via www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

LEONARDTOWN, MD (April 8, 2025) - The St. Mary’s County Health Department announced 95 recipients of the 2024 Gold Star awards given annually to food service facilities that achieve superior food safety standards. The award recipients were recognized at a ceremony held on April 7 in Leonardtown by the St. Mary’s County Health Department. Leadership from the St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce and St. Mary’s County Government were also present to offer congratulations to the awardees. 

Since its inception in 2007, the Gold Star Program has recognized food establishments that demonstrate exceptional attention to public health, safety, and sanitation. Each year, Environmental Health Specialists at the health department regularly inspect over 550 food service facilities located in St. Mary’s County. About 1,200 inspections were conducted in 2024. 

During routine annual inspections, health department inspectors determine Gold Star eligibility based on strict criteria and standards. The requirements to earn the Gold Star are:

• No critical violations (based on COMAR 10.15.03)
• No temperature violations cited during a monitoring inspection
• A 30-day follow-up inspection must correct all violations noted by an inspector
• No con?rmed unsafe food handling complaints for sanitation or food-borne illness
• At least one food service worker completed a recognized and approved “Food Service Sanitation and Safety Class” within the last two years

“Thank you to our 2024 Gold Star recipients for their hard work and dedication in preventing food-borne illness in St. Mary’s County,” stated Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “We are proud to recognize these organizations for achieving such high standards and for their attention to food safety, sanitation, and public health.” 

For more information about the Gold Star Program and for a list of the 2024 Gold Star Award winners, visit smchd.org/gold-star. 

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The community is invited to join the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, the Department of Aging & Human Services (DAHS), and the Triad/SALT Council to celebrate this year's Law Enforcement Officers of the Year and to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to their community.

Law Enforcement Appreciation Day will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at The White Rose, located at 21030 Point Lookout Road in Callaway, MD.

The Officer of the Year from each agency will receive recognitions from the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, Governor Wes Moore, the Maryland Senate, the Maryland House of Delegates, the Triad/SALT Council, and more.

This event is free and open to the public. The community is invited to stay for a complimentary lunch following the ceremony. Advance registration is appreciated but not required to attend.

For more information or to register, please contact Nicoletta Pollice DAHS at (301) 475-4200, ext. 1074 or nicoletta.pollice@stmaryscountymd.gov.

For more information on DAHS, please visit www.stmaryscountymd.gov/aging or follow them on social media at Facebook.com/SMCDAHS.  

LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West sentenced Adam Marks, 37, to 5 years in prison for four counts of Soliciting Child Porn. Marks will also have to register as a Tier II Sex Offender.

On March 17, 2025, Marks entered a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges.

On April 26, 2024, a detective with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office made contact with the juvenile victim at the Waldorf District Station. The victim reported that the suspect, later identified as Adam Marks, asked him on numerous occasions to send inappropriate pictures of himself.

An investigation revealed that the then 12-year-old victim joined a community chat room on a popular video game where Marks was soliciting children to reach out to him directly for friendship. In response, the victim sent Marks a private message within the game. Marks, under the guise of a female player, and the victim exchanged phone numbers. When the victim called Marks’ number, he heard a male voice, but Marks quickly hung up.

Marks then began texting the victim and asking him for inappropriate pictures on multiple occasions. The victim asked Marks to delete his number and not contact him anymore; however, Marks continued to send requests for inappropriate pictures and threatened the victim that he would give his number to other people to harass him if he did not comply.

The victim’s mother witnessed the victim acting suspiciously with his phone and upon questioning, the victim told his mother what was happening. The victim’s mother then contacted the police.

At sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorney Ed Stickles told the judge, “This act could have easily progressed, so the State has significant concerns about the protection of the community.”

Before sentencing Marks, the Honorable Judge West stated, “It is shameful that a mother has to be so worried about their children and their participation in kids’ games. What’s even worse is that her worry was correct.”

WALDORF, MD – The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the disappearance of Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra, age 23, of Waldorf, who was reported missing by her boyfriend on April 2. Guerra was last physically seen on the evening of March 31 at her residence on Adams Court in Waldorf, where she lives with several individuals, including her boyfriend, who is the father of her two children.

During the investigation, detectives identified unusual and suspicious activity at Guerra’s residence the day after she was last seen. Due to the nature of the circumstances, foul play is suspected in Guerra’s disappearance. Detectives obtained a search warrant for her home, but she was not located. A family vehicle, believed to be involved in the case – a red Toyota 4Runner – was at her house on the day she was reported missing.     

Detectives are working diligently to develop additional information and are asking for the public’s help. Anyone with knowledge of Guerra’s whereabouts or who may have seen the Toyota 4Runner between March 31 and April 2, including areas that are isolated and or remote, is asked to contact Detective Burgess at 301-609-6494 or submit a tip anonymously through Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. 

During the search of her residence, detectives located federal documents belonging to Guerra’s boyfriend that appeared to be counterfeit. Detectives reached out to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to verify his identity, where it was learned the documents were fraudulent and he was not in the country legally. Representatives from ICE responded and took custody of him. 

At this time, no additional details can be provided to the public. Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

The CCSO was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) in 2001 and has since earned the highest rating of Excellence. Established in 1658, the CCSO is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States. For more information, visit www.ccso.us.

Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of a person responsible for a crime in Charles County. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Anyone with information about an unsolved crime or the location of a fugitive may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app, which can be found in the Android Store and Apple Store by searching P3tips. For more information about the P3 program, click on this link: www.p3intel.com. 

State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Daisaun Altay Eric Culpepper, 31, of Lexington Park, Maryland, was sentenced to 27 years in prison, with 15.5 years of active incarceration for the possession of a large amount of fentanyl, destruction of evidence, and a probation violation.

On October 16, 2024, detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office executed a search and seizure warrant at a residence in Lexington Park, as part of an ongoing investigation into drug trafficking activities.

Upon law enforcement arrival, Culpepper fled into a back bedroom and remained there for approximately 40 minutes before surrendering. Inside the residence, detectives uncovered approximately 685 grams of a fentanyl mixture, multiple plastic bags tied off with the drugs, digital scales with drug residue, and more than $6,000 in cash.

Culpepper was arrested on an outstanding violation of probation warrant related to a prior fentanyl distribution conviction. Subsequently, he was charged for possessing large amounts of fentanyl and additional offenses related to the October 16, 2024 incident.

“This case underscores the deadly threat that fentanyl poses to our community,” said State’s Attorney Sterling. “I want to commend the members of the Vice Narcotics Unit for their diligent work in seizing over half of a kilo of fentanyl and preventing its distribution into our community. Our office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners and aggressively prosecute those involved with this poison.”

Members of the Vice Narcotics Unit within the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Division successfully investigated this case.

Senior Assistant State’s Attorney Lisa Ridge, Chief of the Narcotics Unit, prosecuted the case on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County.

The Honorable Joseph Stanalonis presided over the case.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – It’s time to clean out your filing cabinets and desks to get rid of confidential, private, or other important personal documents that you no longer need to keep! 

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) will host their 17^th annual Community Shredding Event on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 8 a.m. – noon at the St. Andrews Landfill, located at 44837 St. Andrews Church Road.

This community event gives residents the opportunity to have their confidential, private, and important documents destroyed by a professional shredding service at no cost. This type of shredding turns sensitive documents into confetti-sized pieces, ensuring that confidential material cannot be copied. All paper material shredded during the event will then be recycled.

Please refrain from bringing materials that are not confidential in nature, such as newspapers and magazines (acceptable for recycling at the six Convenience Centers) as they will cause the truck to fill up more quickly. The shredder can handle simple staples, paper clips, spiral notebooks, and thin metal prongs, however it cannot accept 3 ring binders.  Please limit the number of boxes you bring to 3 standard bankers’ boxes (10"H x 12"W x 15” D) per person so we can serve as many residents as possible.

For more information, please call DPW&T at (301) 475-4200, ext. 3550.

For more information on DPW&T, please visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/dpw or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – Maryland State Highway Administration, with assistance from St. Mary’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T), will perform traffic control on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, for the installation of new traffic signal heads to provide protected left hand turns on the northbound and southbound lanes of FDR Boulevard at the Maryland Route 237 (MD 237) intersection.

Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., crews will deactivate power to the traffic signal located at the MD 237 (Chancellors Run Road) and FDR Boulevard intersection; traffic will be directed. A temporary change in travel pattern will occur on the FDR Boulevard northbound and southbound lanes approaching this traffic signal, allowing for right turns only and blocking the intersection to through traffic. 

Message boards and signage will be deployed in the area prior to and during the project to serve as a reminder. Motorists are advised to follow temporary lanes, signage, and traffic direction. Please remain alert for work crews, changing traffic patterns, and equipment and consider alternate travel routes to avoid delays in traffic.

Questions may be directed to DPW&T at 301-475-4200, ext. 3525.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – Clean out your barn, basement, garage, and other home storage areas in preparation for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day!

St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) will offer Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Andrews Landfill, located at 44837 St. Andrews Church Road in California, Maryland. This event provides the opportunity for residents to safely dispose of potentially toxic or dangerous materials.

Hazardous waste items accepted for collection include acids, ammonia, bleach, cleaners, fuels, gas/oil mixtures, gasoline, household and lawn pesticides, mercury thermometers, photography chemicals, pool chemicals, solvents, wood preservatives, paint thinners and alkyd (oil-based) paint. Unacceptable items include ammunition, asbestos, explosive materials, latex paint*, medical waste, pharmaceuticals, radioactive materials, and picric acid. *Latex paint can be hardened by adding a paint hardener; once it is completely hardened, it may be disposed of at any Convenience Center or at the St. Mary’s County Landfill.

For more information, please visit www.stmaryscountymd.gov/dpw or contact DPW&T at (301) 475-4200, ext. 3550.

LEONARDTOWN, MD (April 7, 2025) – Deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office arrested Donell Davonne Rothwell, 54, of no fixed address, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, in connection with a series of motor vehicle break-ins in the California and Lexington Park areas.

Following reports of thefts from unattended vehicles, deputies canvassed local businesses and residential neighborhoods. During the investigation, evidence was collected linking Rothwell to multiple incidents in which credit cards and other valuables were stolen and later used to make purchases at area stores.

Rothwell was located and taken into custody Saturday afternoon. He was charged with the following offenses:

Four counts of rogue and vagabond

Four counts of theft less than $100

Three counts of theft, $100 to less than $1500

Four counts of credit card theft: stealing another’s

Four counts of credit card theft/another charge less than $100

Four counts of credit card theft/another charge of $100 to less than $1500

One count of malicious destruction of property of less than $1000

Rothwell also had an outstanding warrant through the Maryland State Police for failure to appear in District Court on unrelated traffic charges.

Following the arrest, Rothwell was transported to the Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown.

This remains an active investigation, and additional charges are pending. Anyone with information related to these incidents is asked to contact Deputy First Class Alexander Wynnyk at 301-475-4200, ext. 8020, or by email at Alexander.Wynnyk@stmaryscountymd.gov.

Tipsters can also call Crime Solvers 24/7 at 301-475-3333 or text Crime Solvers at 274637. In the message block, type "Tip239" and select SEND. After you get a response, continue your conversation.

Note: Tip239 is case-sensitive and must be typed in the message block as shown. With Crime Solvers, you never have to give your name. You may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

LEONARDTOWN, MD (April 4, 2025) - The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) reports two animals collected in the Mechanicsville area have tested positive for rabies. On April 1, 2025, a skunk was collected from Baptist Church Road, and on April 3, 2025, a second skunk was collected from the Helen Farmettes area. The test results were confirmed by the State’s laboratory at the Maryland Department of Health in Baltimore. 

Rabies is a potentially fatal virus that is transmitted through the saliva of an infectious animal. Residents are advised to use caution when approaching wild animals or unknown domesticated animals. Pet owners in the area are advised to examine their animals for bites, scratches, or wounds of unknown origin and report suspect injuries to the St. Mary’s County Animal Control Office at 301-475-8018.

The following precautions are recommended to protect your pets and family members from the threat of rabies: 

• Be sure your pet has an up-to-date rabies vaccination. Maryland law requires that all cats, dogs, and ferrets four months and older have a current rabies vaccination. Low-cost rabies clinics are provided by the health department and St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League (SMAWL) from March – November.
  • The next Low-Cost Vaccination Clinic is scheduled for Monday, April 14, 2025, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds.
• Keep pets in your home or yard and walk them on a leash.
• Never approach or touch animals unknown to you.
• Do not feed pets outdoors. Pet food and other food sources, such as unsecured garbage cans, may attract unwanted and unhealthy animals into your yard.

The health department investigates reports of animal bites and, based on the outcome of the investigation, refers the affected person(s) to the hospital’s emergency department or to their primary healthcare provider for treatment and vaccination. Residents are asked to report any animal exposures involving humans to the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008.

For more information about rabies and the rabies vaccination clinics, visit the health department’s website at smchd.org/rabies-prevention.

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Great news for wildlife lovers!

The osprey pair here at Smallwood State Park has laid their first egg of the season on Sunday, March 30 around
10 a.m.! We’ll be keeping a close eye as we anticipate more eggs and, eventually, hatchlings.

Ospreys are known for their incredible parenting skills, and through the next several weeks, you can watch as they incubate the egg and prepare for the arrival of their young. Tune in to the Smallwood Osprey Cam to witness this incredible journey in real time!

LEONARDTOWN, MD – Maryland State Highway Administration, with assistance from St. Mary’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T), will perform traffic control on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, for the installation of new traffic signal heads to provide protected left hand turns on the northbound and southbound lanes of FDR Boulevard at the Maryland Route 237 (MD 237) intersection.

Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., crews will deactivate power to the traffic signal located at the MD 237 (Chancellors Run Road) and FDR Boulevard intersection; traffic will be directed. A temporary change in travel pattern will occur on the FDR Boulevard northbound and southbound lanes approaching this traffic signal, allowing for right turns only and blocking the intersection to through traffic. 

Message boards and signage will be deployed in the area prior to and during the project to serve as a reminder. Motorists are advised to follow temporary lanes, signage, and traffic direction. Please remain alert for work crews, changing traffic patterns, and equipment and consider alternate travel routes to avoid delays in traffic.

Questions may be directed to DPW&T at 301-475-4200, ext. 3525.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman joined Lt. Governor Aruna Miller and Treasurer Dereck Davis in approving  82 initiatives, representing a total expenditure of $271 million during a meeting of the Board of Public Works. 

During Wednesday’s meeting, Comptroller Lierman asked Maryland Department of Labor Secretary, Portia Wu, about a five-month contract extension with consulting firm Accenture to provide additional call center agents in anticipation of an influx of unemployment insurance claims from federal workers laid off by the Trump administration. 

Comptroller Lierman noted that the original contract with Accenture began during the COVID-19 pandemic under the previous administration. “[The contract] has now ballooned to nearly 1500% of where it was originally, and I believe it was even a sole source originally. It just started off as a very problematic contract.” Comptroller Lierman added that by repeatedly extending the contract, “we are now compounding the challenge here and the damage.” 

Secretary Wu explained that the contract has been drastically scaled back, and the goal is to add 20 more state staff to the current team of 100 and train other individuals across the agency to answer phones to meet increases in demand.  

Comptroller Lierman acknowledged the challenges facing the Department of Labor and stressed that the state must ensure that contracts are a good use of public resources. 

“I also don’t want us to use this federal-government-made disaster to waste taxpayer dollars and for all of us, I think we are understanding the fiscal situation in the state,” Comptroller Lierman said. “We have to make sure we move on from contracts like this that were not competitively bid and frankly just are seemingly expensive.”  

In all, the Board of Public Works approved 82 items, representing a total State expenditure of $271,046,884.95, including:? ?

• Grant agreements for 20 recipients for 23 projects located in 10 counties and Baltimore City with a total value of $69,555,000. 

• Nine items awarding $27,390,085.55 to prime certified small business primes. 

• Six items awarding $19,596,464 to certified minority business enterprise primes. 

• Nine items were awarded with established participation goals for minority business enterprises. 

• One item awarded with established participation goals for veteran-owned small business enterprises. ? 

The next meeting of the Board of Public Works is April 23, 2025.? 

(FORESTVILLE, MD) – Maryland State Police arrested a Philadelphia man following an alleged road-rage shooting that occurred on March 28 in Prince George’s County. 

The accused is identified as Andre Howard, 34, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Howard is charged with two counts of felony assault, using a handgun during a crime of violence, possessing a loaded handgun on his person, and additional offenses.  Howard has been transported to the Prince George’s County Division of Corrections, where he awaits an initial appearance before a District Court Commissioner. 

Shortly before 3:30 p.m. on March 28, troopers from the Maryland State Police Forestville Barrack received a call for a report for an alleged road rage shooting on the ramp from southbound Route 4 to Woodyard Road in Prince George’s County. The victim, who is not being identified at this time, told State Troopers that he was stationary in traffic when his vehicle was struck by gunfire.  The victim was not injured. 

Troopers from the Maryland State Police Highway Gun Crimes Initiative assumed the investigation and recovered a projectile from the victim’s trunk.  A canvas of the crime scene with the assistance of a Maryland State Police K9 revealed a spent shell casing in the roadway.  Through review of dashcam and other investigative methods, Howard was identified as a suspect.  The investigation revealed that Howard was allegedly attempting to shoot at a subject with whom he was engaged in a road rage encounter; however, Howard’s shot struck the victim’s vehicle instead.

The Maryland Department of State Police is dedicated to creating safer communities within Maryland, including actively addressing all reported incidents of gun violence on our highways. Police continue to seek information in the investigations into the murders of Delonte Hicks, Charles Marks, and Nyah Hairston. Police urge anyone with information relating to these investigations or other highway gun crimes, to contact investigators by calling 410-538-1887. Callers may remain anonymous.

Detectives from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division (CID) arrested John Alan Lynch, age 28, of Indian Head, MD, after a Charles County Grand Jury indicted him in connection with charges of sexual abuse of a minor, sexual solicitation of a minor, and solicitation for prostitution. An arrest warrant was issued and Lynch was taken into custody today. The facts of the case are as follows:

On January 23, 2025, the suspect – who was a building service worker at Henry E. Lackey High School – solicited a student for sex via a social media app, offering her money for sexual favors. The victim reported the incident to school staff and the CCSO’s school resource officer. Detectives from CID initiated an investigation. Upon reviewing the messages from the suspect, detectives confirmed he was an employee and that he had reached out to a student via social media and made inappropriate requests. Detectives ask anyone who may have been inappropriately contacted by Lynch to call Detective Sapienza at 301-609-6554. The investigation is ongoing.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – 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 Fair Housing Month, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Healthcare Decisions Day, and National Library Week.

For their main agenda items, the Commissioners approved requests to schedule public hearings on the following topics:

• The proposed Animal Control Ordinance revision (April 29, 2025, time TBD).
• The proposed Ordinance to repeal and replace Ordinance 2017-30 to designate County highways in which golf carts may be lawfully operated (April 29, 2025, time TBD).

Public Hearing information can be found at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/PublicHearings.

During County Administrator Time, the Commissioners took the following action:

• Reviewed future CSMC meeting agendas.
• Approved the Department of Emergency Servies sub applicant request for the FY2024 FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant.
• Approved the recommendation to the Governor appointing the Emergency Manager for St. Mary’s County.

The CSMC then received a legislative update from the Office of the County Attorney.

The Commissioners wrapped their business meeting with Commissioner Time.

The next Commissioner’s business meeting will be on April 8, 2025, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room, on the 1st floor of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. CSMC decisions and related documents are available on the SMCG website in BoardDocs. Meetings are open to the public and can be viewed live on TV Channel 95 or on-demand via www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

LEONARDTOWN, MD (April 1, 2025)—The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a burglary at a pharmacy in the 25000 block of Point Lookout Road in Leonardtown after responding to a commercial burglary alarm early Tuesday morning.

Deputies arrived at the business at approximately 3 a.m. and discovered that the power to the building had been switched off at a breaker box. Upon further inspection, they found evidence of forced entry into the pharmacy and observed clear signs of theft inside.

The Criminal Investigations Division has assumed the case, and anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Taylore Nauman at 301-475-4200, ext. 8109, or by email at Taylore.Nauman@stmaryscountymd.gov.

Tipsters can also call Crime Solvers 24/7 at 301-475-3333 or text Crime Solvers at 274637. In the message block, type "Tip239" and select SEND. After you get a response, continue your conversation.

Note: Tip239 is case-sensitive and must be typed in the message block as shown. With Crime Solvers, you never have to give your name. You may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

LEONARDTOWN, MD (April 1, 2025) – State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced that Marvin Orlando Johnson, 39, of Mechanicville, Maryland, was sentenced to Life, plus an additional 20 years in prison, for the premeditated murder of his stepfather on May 24, 2023

Following a four-day jury trial in July 2024, a St. Mary’s County jury found Johnson guilty of first-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence for shooting and killing his stepfather.

On May 24, 2023, deputies from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Three Notch Road in Mechanicsville for a report of a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was pronounced deceased by responding deputies who observed injuries consistent with the victim having been shot in the head with a shotgun.

The State requested the Court to impose the maximum sentence of Life plus 20 years in prison. The Defense requested the Court to deviate from the sentencing guidelines and recommended a sentence below the sentencing guidelines, which was Life to Life. 

The Court carefully listened to arguments presented by both the State and the Defense and ultimately sentenced the Defendant to the maximum sentence of Life plus 20 years, as follows:

• First-degree murder: Life in prison;
• Use of a firearm in the commission of a violent crime: 20 years in prison, to run consecutive to the first-degree murder charge.

Special Assistant State’s Attorney Jeff Maylor, Team Captain, Gun Violence Enforcement Division of the Baltimore City State's Attorney Office and Assistant State’s Attorney Zach Varda prosecuted the case on behalf of the citizens of St. Mary’s County.

Detective Andrew Burgess of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office was the lead investigator.

The Honorable Amy Lorenzini presided over the case.

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) will be closed on Thursday, April 8, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for employee activities. This includes the main office in Leonardtown and all satellite offices. Services will reopen for community members at 2:00 p.m. for the remaining business hours on this date. 

Visit smchd.org for more information on SMCHD locations and services.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) continues to offer free mulch for residents to pick up from the St. Andrew’s Landfill.

Mulch is available for residents to pick up between the hours of 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday, as supply allows. The St. Andrew’s Landfill is closed on Sundays.

Residents are reminded that they are responsible for the loading and delivery of the free mulch at and from the landfill. Please bring a shovel, pitchfork, or similar hand tool to load the mulch and a tarp to cover the load, if necessary.

More information is available by calling DPW&T at (301) 475-4200. Additional recycling and solid waste program information is also available online at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/dpw.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

North Beach, MD – Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch is pleased to announce an upcoming program titled "PTSD Support for Loved Ones," scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The event will feature a presentation by Dr. Elspeth Cameron Ritchie, MD, MPH, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and current Chair of Psychiatry at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. 

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Dr. Ritchie brings extensive experience in military and veteran mental health issues, with a distinguished 28-year career in the Army and a focus on forensic psychiatry. Her expertise encompasses the psychological challenges faced by service members, veterans and first responders. PTSD can lead to symptoms such as flashbacks, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event, impacting both the individuals and their loved ones. 

?The "PTSD Support for Loved Ones" program aims to provide families and friends with a deeper understanding of PTSD, offering strategies to support affected individuals effectively. Dr. Ritchie's presentation will cover: 

• Understanding PTSD: An overview of the condition, its symptoms, and its impact on daily life and family life. 

• Support Strategies: Practical advice for family members to assist loved ones in managing PTSD and also taking care of their own mental and emotional health. 

• Resources: Information on local and national support services available to families and individuals dealing with PTSD. 

The event will be held at the new Calvert Library Twin Beaches Branch, located at 4100 5th St, North Beach, MD 20714. 

Attendance is free, but registration is encouraged due to limited seating. To register or for more information, please visit the Calvert Library website at PTSD Support for Loved Ones or contact Twin Beaches Branch at 410-257-2411. 

This program is part of Calvert Library's ongoing commitment to providing valuable resources and support to the community, addressing critical issues that affect residents' well-being. 

Links:  

https://www.guilford.com/author/Elspeth-Cameron-Ritchie?srsltid=AfmBOoo7ibuBNZB3k6xfdpPwTtS88tr82UgZeG3JYgJtRm1duvZfV6qC