Southern Maryland News Net

LSM Emerging Leaders Give Back with Christmas in April Calvert County

The Leadership Southern Maryland Emerging Leaders Program (LEAP) Class of 2024 joined forces with Christmas in April Calvert County this month to apply their servant leadership muscle to realizing the home improvement dreams of a Huntingtown resident. Class members are early- and mid-career professionals from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties, who are devoting six months to developing their leadership acumen with a particular focus on community leadership. They spent several months working with Christmas in April Calvert County...
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Lexington Park Woman Charged for Possession with Intent to Distribute

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Deputies from the Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions arrested and charged Danielle Lynette Washington, 37, of Lexington Park, with CDS: Possession With Intent to Distribute Narcotics, CDS: Possession with Intent to Distribute, and two counts CDS: Possession – Not Cannabis. On Thursday, May 16, 2024, while conducting proactive traffic enforcement on Great Mills Road, deputies initiated a stop on a Chevrolet Uplander for suspected illegal window tint. During the stop, a K9 free air...
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UPDATE: First Responders Locate Woman Who Jumped from Thomas Johnson Bridge, Victim Succumbs to Injuries

UPDATE: 11:00 A.M.: We regret to say the victim has died from their injuries. No other updates will be provided. Please, if you or anyone you know is battling depression and are considering suicide, reach out to someone. You are not in this alone. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255 or text HELLO to 741741, which is the Crisis Text Line. Both services are free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week....
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UPDATE: Police Make Arrest for April 2024 Shooting at Applebee’s in California

UPDATE 5/15/2024: Following an ongoing investigation by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Jontae Lamont Proctor, 21, of No Fixed Address, was apprehended on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in connection with the April 2, 2024 shooting at Applebee’s in California, MD. Proctor was arrested without incident in the parking lot of a business in Mechanicsville on open warrants for Attempted First-Degree Murder, Attempted Second-Degree Murder, Assault First-Degree, Assault Second-Degree, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime...
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Report Dolphin Sightings and Help Scientists with Chesapeake Bay Research

Thousands of residents and visitors with their eyes on the water have helped scientists understand when bottlenose dolphins are visiting the Chesapeake Bay. Are you ready to be one of them? Researchers at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s (UMCES) Chesapeake Biological Laboratory launched the Chesapeake DolphinWatch App in 2017 to get real-time reports of dolphin sightings on the largest estuary in the United States. Since then, scientists have received over 7,000 reports of dolphin sightings—submitted by over 14,600 registered app users—to...
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UPDATE: Juvenile Female Dies from Injuries Sustained in High Speed Crash After Suspects Flee Calvert Police

UPDATE 5/14/2024: The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General is investigating a fatal crash following a police pursuit that began in Calvert County and ended in Harwood, in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, Monday morning. On May 13, 2024, during the overnight hours, Calvert County Sheriff’s deputies received multiple reports of cars being broken into in neighborhoods in the Huntingtown area. While investigating the crimes, deputies were alerted to a car driving in the...
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UPDATE: Piney Point Man Indicted for Sex with a Dog and Killing a Rabbit and Hamster

UPDATE 5/13/2024: Sean Patrick Kraese, age 24, of Piney Point, was indicted by a Grand Jury in St. Mary’s County on six criminal counts related to the killing of animals and having sex with a dog. Indictment one stated that Kraese did knowingly distribute an obscene video of him manually stimulating a dog’s aroused penis. Indictment two stated that Kraese did knowingly have in his possession with intent to distribute an obscene video of him manually stimulating a dog’s...
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Capitol Police Officer Convicted in Child Pornography Case in Calvert County

UPDATE 5/13/2024: Jared Michael Lemon, 43, of Owings, was convicted on Friday, May 10, 2024, of five counts of unlawful possession of child pornography. The conviction followed a trial in Calvert County Circuit Court before the Honorable Mark S. Chandlee. In late 2022, an acquaintance of Lemon’s found disturbing images on Lemon’s cell phone. She reported it to the police and to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force...
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Firefighters Respond to Reported Structure Fire and Find Vehicle Into Residence, One Flown with Serious Injuries

On Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 7:40 a.m., firefighters from St. Mary’s and Charles County responded to the 28400 block of St. Mary’s Avenue in Mechanicsville, for the reported smoke coming from a residence. The 911 caller, who was riding on the Three Notch Trail called 911 after observing smoke coming from the garage located next to the residence. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find smoke showing from a detached garage. Upon entering the garage the crew located...
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UPDATE: Jury Convicts Man for First-Degree Murder of Teenager and Attempted Murder of Five Additional Teens in Drive-By Shooting

5/10/2024: Latres Javontae Cockerham, 26, of California, was convicted of the first-degree murder of Joseph James Oakes, 19 of Lexington Park, and the attempted first-degree murders of five additional teenagers for his participation in a drive-by shooting that occurred on January 12, 2022. “The Defendant deliberately maneuvered his vehicle as his co-defendants rapidly fired bullets into another vehicle on a busy road in broad daylight, which provided for the murder of one teenager and the extreme endangerment of five...
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Police Investigating a Motor Vehicle Accident Involving a Mini-Bike

On Thursday, May 9, 2024, at approximately 12:47 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of North Essex Drive and Saratoga Drive in Lexington Park, for the reported motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle had struck a mini-bike with the adult male operator laying in the roadway. A helicopter was requested due the patients injuries. Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 7 landed nearby and transported the...
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Prince Frederick Man Charged with Attempted First-Degree Murder

On May 9, 2024, around 1:35 a.m., deputies from the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Bureau responded to the Yardley Hills neighborhood in Prince Frederick, for the report of a stabbing. A preliminary investigation revealed an altercation ensued between the victim and suspect, escalating into a physical confrontation resulting in the victim, Calvin Antonio Robertson, 37 of Prince Frederick, receiving multiple stab wounds. The victim was flown by Trooper 7 of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command to an...
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226 Fallen Firefighters to be Honored at NASCAR Xfinity Series Race in Daytona, August 2024

Release and all photos taken by and thanks to Whelen, NASCAR, and Richard Childress Racing: We were extremely proud and honored to bring so many to our booth for the unveiling of the special paint scheme for the No. 2 Whelen Chevy Camaro honoring 226 firefighters who died in the line of duty, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Among those in attendance for the unveiling were Richard Childress Racing’s Jesse Love, driver of the No. 2 car,...
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Lexington Park Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Murder at Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Carnival

UPDATE 5/8/2024: State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling announced today that Devron Ny’Quez Murray, 20, of Lexington Park, Maryland, was sentenced to life in prison plus five years consecutive to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the shooting homicide that took place at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Carnival on July 15, 2022. Following an eight-day jury trial in November 2023, a St. Mary’s County jury convicted Murray of first-degree murder for the death of a 16-year-old victim and...
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Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter Announces Temporary Closure Due to Animal Control Investigation

The Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter announces the shelter will be closed to the public on Wednesday, May 8, and Thursday, May 9, 2024, for administrative duties related to an animal control investigation. During the closure, the shelter will remain accessible for emergencies and intakes for stray animals but will not be open for adoptions or owner surrenders. Animal Control officers still will be available to respond to emergencies during the planned closure on Wednesday, May 8, and will...
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Lackey High School Student Charged with Destruction of Property, Possession of Concealed Deadly Weapon on School Property

On Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 6:40 a.m., officers responded to a home in the 6800 block of Arbor Lane in Bryans Road for the report of a vandalism in which a suspect slashed the tires of a vehicle and threw eggs on the house and car. Through further investigation, officers identified the suspect...
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Police Investigating House and Vehicle Struck by Gunfire in Waldorf – Huntington Apartments

On Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 3 p.m., officers responded to the 3000 block of Gallery Place in Waldorf for the report of the sound of multiple gunshots. When officers arrived, they canvassed the area but did not locate any victims; however, they did locate shell casings between two apartment buildings. Further, officers found...
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Lottery Homework Pays Off for Retired Federal Employee with $50,000 Win

A Prince George’s County woman is enjoying her biggest-ever Lottery prize today, a $50,000 second-tier win that she is convinced came as a result of the time she spent studying information on the Lottery’s website. Although she expected to eventually win big, the Upper Marlboro resident confided to Lottery officials that she is no...
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Police in Charles County Arrest Man for Armed Robbery in Waldorf

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division have identified and arrested a man wanted in connection with an armed robbery case. On February 22, 2024, a male and a female entered the Home Depot on Jefferson Place in Waldorf. They picked up several items and approached a cashier. The female...
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Maryland Summer-Fall 2024 Striped Bass Season Opened May 16th, 2024

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced regulations for the summer recreational striped bass fishing season beginning May 16, 2024, which continues existing conservation measures put in place in an effort to protect the striped bass fishery on the East Coast. Striped bass season in the mainstem of the Chesapeake Bay will be open May 16; the remainder...
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Police in Charles County Recover Guns and Large Quantity of Fentanyl Pills

On May 15, 2024, pursuant to an ongoing drug investigation, Charles County Sheriff’s Office Detectives assigned to the Narcotics Enforcement Section served a search warrant at a residence on Jameson Court in Indian Head. The subject of the investigation, Carlos Leon Baker, age 35, of Indian Head, was arrested on-site. During the search, detectives...
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Meet Tori Tayman, The Executive Assistant for Naval Test Wing Atlantic at NAS Pax River!

Tori Tayman is the Executive Assistant for Naval Test Wing Atlantic at NAS Pax River. She provides high-level administrative support to NTWL leadership in a number of ways, including research, preparing reports, information requests and clerical functions (i.e. travel arrangements, correspondence, schedules, etc). Tori is a graduate of Chopticon High School in 2020 (the...
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Charles County Public Schools Teams Compete and Place in State MESA Competition

Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) teams recently competed in the Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) state competition, with four CCPS elementary school clubs taking first place in challenges designed to test engineering know-how, creativity and teamwork. The Statewide MESA Day Showcase and Awards Ceremony was held May 4 at the John Hopkins Applied...
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St. Clement’s Island Museum & Piney Point Lighthouse Museum Offering Free Admission to Military Members from May to September

Through the Blue Stars Museum Program, the St. Mary’s County Museum Division will offer free admission to museums and historic sites for actively serving members of the armed forces, as well as up to 5 family members, from Armed Forces Day (Saturday, May 18, 2024) until Labor Day (Monday, September 2, 2024). Participating sites...
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Two Grants Awarded for Nontidal Water Monitoring Program in Calvert County

The Calvert County Department of Planning & Zoning is pleased to announce it has been awarded two grants to fund a Nontidal Water Monitoring Program. Calvert County has been awarded the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Small Watershed Grant (SWG) and the Cove Point Natural Heritage Trust Nontidal Water Monitoring Grant, for a...
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PGPD Officer Suspended Following Off-Duty Arrest for Domestic Assault

A Prince George’s County Police officer is suspended following his arrest early morning on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, while off duty. Corporal Robert Harvin III is charged with second degree assault stemming from a domestic incident. The arrest took place shortly after midnight in the city of Laurel. Corporal Harvin joined the department in...
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Maryland’s License-Free Fishing Days Provide Access to Angling for All

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will offer license-free fishing days for all state residents and visitors on June 1, June 8, and July 4. These annual events provide anglers a unique opportunity to explore the state’s diverse fishing without needing a fishing license, trout stamp, or registration. The department hosts license-free fishing every...
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Parks & Recreation to Host Community Appreciation Day at Hallowing Point Park on Sunday, June 2nd

The Calvert County Department of Parks & Recreation (CCPR) is excited to announce its Community Appreciation Day event, set to take place at Hallowing Point Park on Sunday, June 2, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is free and open to people of all ages. Community Appreciation Day aims to foster...
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Maryland DNR Biologists Monitor a Critical Year of Striped Bass Eggs, Larvae

Laughing gulls circled and cawed in anticipation. An osprey hauled an improbably large branch through bright green treetops. It was Earth Day, April 22, and the living things on the Choptank River marked the occasion by going on as usual. But below the water’s surface, a process was underway that repeats every year in...
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Charles County Public Schools Expands Pre-Kindergarten for 3-Year-Olds

Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) will offer additional space in its prekindergarten program for three-year-old students. To be considered for a three-year-old PreK space, a child must be three years old on or before Sept. 1, 2024. The child’s family must also meet income eligibility requirements to apply...
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The Week in Winners: $1 Million Prize in Columbia, $100,000 Big Spin Win Highlight the Week

The biggest Maryland Lottery prize of the past week was a $1 million scratch-off win on a ticket sold in Columbia. But perhaps the Lottery’s highlight of the week came on the morning of May 6, when a lucky lady from Baltimore visited the Winner’s Circle room at Lottery headquarters and became the first...
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Prince George’s County Police Department Investigating Fatal Shooting at MGM Resort and Casino in Oxon Hill

UPDATE May 13, 2024: The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Daniel Antonio Thomas of Washington, DC. 5/12/2024: Homicide Unit detectives from the Prince George’s County Police Department are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at MGM Resort and Casino in Oxon Hill. The victim, an adult male will...
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