Columbus
Maryland Independent
Community briefs
Earth Day contest closing Maryland Transit Authority is accepting submissions for its Earth Day art contest through March 8. The contest is open to original designs by Maryland residents ages 5 to 17. Artwork must align with the Earth Day theme. Go to www.mta.maryland.gov/EarthDayArt. LEAP online auction set LEAP Forward Inc.’s Creative and Striving Hard...
Library links
Free showers will be available 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, at the Waldorf West branch. No registration required. Go to https://ccplonline.libnet.info. Vita Tax Prep is offering free preparation 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 9, and 9:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at the Waldorf West Branch. Go to https://ccplonline.libnet.info/event/9968987. Dungeons and Dragons — Homebrew will be held virtually 11 a.m. to 1 p.m....
Charles County briefs
Town halls with commissioners scheduled this month Commissioner Amanda Stewart (D) will host a town hall on Saturday, March 9, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center at 90 Post Office Road. The topic will be a discussion of the 2025 fiscal budget for Charles government and public school system. Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling (D) will host a town hall on Thursday, March 14, from...
College of Southern Maryland hosts Vex robotics
The College of Southern Maryland’s competitive robotics team Talons recently hosted its Southern Maryland VEX Robotics Competition. A total of 30 Charles County middle schools and high schools took part in the competition, which marked the return of the in-person robotic competition since the pandemic. The competition, which was presented by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation, is the largest middle school and high school robotics program globally, with more...
Jazz time
Abe Ovadia performs March 1 at the Charles County Public Library's P.D. Brown Memorial branch in Waldorf. The New Jersey-based singer and organist Anthony Pocetti of Annapolis performed "jazzified" renditions of such hits as "Come Together" by The Beatles, "American Woman" by The Guess Who, "We Will Rock You" by Queen, "Time of Your Life" by Green Day and Bob Marley's "Get Up, Stand Up."
Phone CPR training saves lives in Charles attempting to expand statewide
Tony Rose, the chief of 911 for Charles County, was given unanimous permission from the Charles County commissioners on Feb. 28 to go to Annapolis and testify on behalf of House Bill 1092. House Bill 1092 would require the Maryland 911 Board to establish training standards for public safety answering point personnel concerning telecommunications CPR and alter the purposes of the 911 Trust Fund to include funding the costs of certain telecommunications CPR training. ...
Commissioner shares concerns about proposed solar panel bill
Charles County’s commissioners have been monitoring legislation related to solar panels for months now, worried that Charles and other rural communities may have to take on a burden to help Maryland meet renewable energy quotas. Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling (D) shared his concerns at the board’s Feb. 27 meeting, saying, “My fear is that there’s going to be a push for solar panels in rural counties, taking up other land that could otherwise have commercial use.” ...
Charles sheriff's office salutes Medal of Honor recipient
Army Col. Paris Davis, a recipient of the Medal of Honor for heroic actions during the Vietnam War, was honored in a ceremony held by the Charles County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday. “As a part of [the sheriff’s office] celebration of Black History Month, Sheriff Berry arranged for our organization to have this unique and wonderful opportunity to welcome and make known to you an honorable leader, a true patriot and a hero who served our country with the highest degree of professionalism and bravery,”...
Charles school board hears early education curriculum change
The Charles County Board of Education on Monday heard recommendations from a pre-K curriculum committee, giving a glimpse into what the future of early childhood education in the county will look like. The committee, headed by Beth Sorsby, an early childhood specialist, chose to recommend the “Frog Street Threes Curriculum,” which includes nine thematic units that each span four weeks, be used for the pre-K program for 3-year-old students. Members...
Waldorf fire destroys home
Firefighters responded to a fire at a home on Blue Anchor Court in Waldorf at 12:17 a.m. on Feb. 26. The occupants were alerted by smoke detectors within the home owned by Agnes Carter and were able to evacuate. Responders discovered the fire, which caused over $100,000 in damage to the structure and contents, inside the attached garage. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Southern Regional Office, at 443-550-6835.
Lukas files for reelection in Charles school board race
Michael Lukas, the incumbent in the 2024 Charles County Board of Education at-large election, has filed for reelection. Lukas said he seeks to create opportunities for scholars, a consistent goal since first being elected. He wants to provide appropriate resources to all children and work with community partners to assist students in developing real-world skills they can use to live and work in Charles County. ...
SMECO holds 30th annual MATHCOUNTS
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative held its 30th annual Southern Maryland MATHCOUNTS competition on Feb. 3 at Calvert High School. This year’s competition featured more than 150 middle school students from 18 schools. MATHCOUNTS features rounds of math problems to challenge students one-on-one and as teams over the course of the three-hour event. First up is the sprint round, a 30-question test that students complete individually. The competitors then compete in...
Community briefs
Bluegrass series continues Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out will perform 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at the Calvert Elks, 1015 Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick. The concert is part of the Southern Maryland Bluegrass at the Elks series. Tickets are $20, free for ages 11 and younger. Go to www.somdbluegrass.com. Become a mixologist ...
Library links
Free showers will be available 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the Waldorf West branch. No registration required. Go to https://ccplonline.libnet.info. Abe Ovadia will perform jazzified pop 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the P.D. Brown Memorial branch. Listen to popular, rock, and contemporary tunes with a jazz twist. Go to https://ccplonline.libnet.info/event/9099802. Vita Tax Prep is offering free preparation 9:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday,...
Charles County briefs
New ‘sensory space’ to open next week The Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism is inviting residents to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Calm Cove Sensory Space on Tuesday, March 6, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Elite Gymnastics & Recreation Center located at 2745 Old Washington Road in Waldorf. Calm Cove provides multi-sensory resources to support sensory needs and captivate participants in fun and engaging activities. The space can be stimulating or calming depending on the user’s needs. It will be...
Helping out with the toys
The Harry White Wilmer Sons of The American Legion Squadron 82 recently made a donation of $500 to Toys for Tots of Charles County. Above, Charles County Toys for Tots Coordinator Rebecca Elliott, left, accepts the check from Squadron 82 Commander Dave Tatman. For more information on American Legion Squadron 82, go to alpost82.org.
Museum matters
Here is what is happening at museums around Southern Maryland this week. Charles The Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park will host Bill Talbot, who will give a lecture titled “Maryland Units in the Revolutionary War” 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, at 11000 Crain Highway in Newburg. Go to www.mdvets.cc/. The Historic McConchie One-School committee...
Avian flu found in Charles County backyard flock
Preliminary laboratory testing confirmed avian flu in a Charles County backyard flock of birds, according to Maryland Department of Agriculture officials. Birds in the flock had a high mortality rate and were submitted to the state lab for necropsy, confirming they had died of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory is expected to have the final results of the testing in the coming...
Panel reflects on segregation in Charles schools
Members of the Bel Alton High School Alumni Association reminisced on their experiences at a segregated school during a panel discussion on Tuesday evening. Matthew Wills, current president of the alumni association and a 1962 graduate of the school, delivered quick facts before the Feb. 20 panel began. Bel Alton High School was the only segregated school in Charles County built pre-World War II that remains standing today, and the...
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