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Maryland Independent
Detectives investigate Waldorf homicide
Charles sheriff’s officers responded to the 11300 block of Snow Owl Place in Waldorf on Saturday at 8:37 p.m. for the report of gunshots. Upon arriving at the scene, officers located Jayden Samari Reed, 18, inside a vehicle and suffering from gunshot wounds, according to a Charles County Sheriff’s Office press release. As emergency medical responders were providing care to Reed, he succumbed to his injuries. A preliminary investigation revealed that the gunfire resulted from a potential drug transaction, in which Reed and another individual were struck, the release said. The other individual’s injuries are not life-threatening. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Johnson at 301-609-6453.
Charles County briefs
Special education parent survey opened Parents and guardians of children who receive special education services in Maryland recently received a copy of the Maryland Special Education Parent Involvement Survey in the mail from the Maryland State Department of Education. By completing the survey, parents and guardians can share how their children’s school can better partner with them. The feedback helps guide efforts to improve special education and related services in...
Museum matters
Here is what is happening at museums around Southern Maryland this week. Charles The Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park will host Cindy Bliss, who will give a lecture titled “Veterans Bloom — Assist Veterans and Improve Health with Therapeutic Experience” 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, at 11000 Crain Highway in Newburg. Go to www.mdvets.cc. ...
Man airlifted after bus crash
Emergency personnel on Wednesday morning respond to the 5000 block of Mason Springs Road in Indian Head, where a collision between a school bus, with no children onboard, and a pickup truck occurred. Personnel found the driver trapped inside the truck and had to cut through the vehicle to free him. A medical duty officer operated on the scene due to the severity of the injuries before the man was airlifted to an area trauma center for further treatment.
Charles reviews elementary school redistricting
Some elementary students in Charles County are destined for redistricting, and the school board discussed two potential alternatives at its monthly board meeting on March 12. A new elementary school, temporarily referred to as Elementary School 23, is being built in White Plains and is scheduled to open in the 2025-2026 school year. A committee was formed in October 2023 to form redistricting proposals for the new school and its...
Charles sheriff's office investigates shooting in Waldorf
Detectives are investigating a March 11 shooting on Leonardtown Road in Waldorf. Around 2:28 p.m., an 18-year-old was walking in the area of Ryon Court when he observed several males wearing ski masks approaching him, according to a release from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. The teenager fled into the lobby of a nearby office building located in the 3600 block of Leonardtown Road and removed an expensive jacket he...
Driver in 2020 murder sentenced to 8 years in prison
A Waldorf man was sentenced to 8 years in prison for his role in the 2020 shooting death of a teenager. On March 7, the Charles state’s attorney’s office announced that Tyliek Anthony Spence, 22, was sentenced to life in prison with all but 8 years suspended for the murder of 17-year-old Daniel McClellan-Givens. Upon release, Spence will be on supervised probation for five years. Spence pleaded guilty to the...
New 'Calm Cove' offers respite for those with sensory needs
On March 6, the Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism invited residents to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Calm Cove Sensory Space. The Calm Cove Sensory Space is an area at Elite Gymnastics & Recreation Center in Waldorf that provides multi-sensory resources to support people with sensory needs and captivate participants in fun and engaging activities. The space can be stimulating or calming depending on the user’s needs,...
Indian Head Highway bill could create a 'speeding tax' for Charles residents
Charles County commissioners argued at their meeting on Mar. 5 over whether or not to support House Bill 974 — a bill introduced by Prince George’s County delegation that would increase penalties from speed cameras on Indian Head Highway. “It essentially does two things — creates a graduated fine schedule depending on the speed in excess of the legal limit and then it also creates additional fines for subsequent offenses,” Danielle Mitchell, an associate Charles County attorney, said. ...
Fire destroys garage
Fire destroys garage During the late morning on March 6, Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the 2900 block of Old Washington Road in Waldorf for a structure fire. Responders arrived on the scene to find a carport, located behind a house, with multiple vehicles on fire. The fire, which was determined by the state fire marshal’s office to be accidental, was contained to the carport structure and caused an estimated $6,000 in damages.
Charles County briefs
Town halls with commissioners scheduled this month Commissioner Vice President Ralph E. Patterson II (D) will host a town hall on Monday, March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Redtails Ocean Grille, located at 173 St. Patrick Drive in Waldorf. The topic will be the Charles County fiscal 2025 budget. Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins II (D) will host a town hall on Thursday, March 21, at 6 p.m....
Charter board asks for help narrowing cost ranges, but few answers given
The Charles County Charter Board met last week, discussing salaries along with some uncertain scenarios, including a potential new administrative building, if a new form of county government is approved by voters in November. Dottery-Butler Washington, vice chair of the charter board, asked Jacob Dyer, the acting director of fiscal and administrative services, “We’ve been hearing a lot of the cost of a new charter. It’s going to put a lot of money on us. Frederick and Cecil County were the two most recent Maryland...
County agencies point at each other to stop Fire Tower Road gun range
Despite sanctions and a civil injunction, gunfire has allegedly resumed on Fire Tower Road from an unlicensed gun range, and it seems that there is no end in sight. Byron David Bell Sr., who is listed as the owner of the property in Welcome, was handed a $350,000 sanction for civil contempt for failing to abide by the Sept. 9, 2022, injunction. Details on how the sanction would be applied...
Charles schools' bocce teams place at state tournament
Four Charles County Public Schools teams participated in the Feb. 14 Special Olympic Maryland’s Interscholastic Unified Sports Indoor Bocce Tournament at Hagerstown Community College. The state tournament welcomed teams from Charles, Allegheny, Baltimore, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and Baltimore city. The tournament’s divisions are named for cities in Italy, the country where bocce was developed. Team 5 of Maurice J. McDonough High School earned a bronze medal...
Jazzing up the library
Organist Anthony Pocetti of Annapolis, left, and New Jersey-based Abe Ovadia perform March 1 at the Charles County Public Library’s P.D. Brown Memorial branch in Waldorf. The duo performed “jazzified” renditions of hits such 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.”
Man enters Waldorf car dealership with firearm
On Feb. 27, Charles sheriff’s officers responded to numerous reports of an armed person at a car dealership in Waldorf. The suspect, later identified as Rodriguez Cornelius Hagens, 43, was allegedly walking along Crain Highway with a gun before entering the Toyota dealership, according to charging documents. Officers arrived on the scene around 9:30 a.m. that Tuesday morning and a witness pointed to Hagens, who was squatting in the area...
Charles school system holds chess tourney
Charles County Public Schools held its annual winter chess tournament Feb. 10 at Henry E. Lackey High School. There were 165 students competing in the tournament which was under the direction of Felix Cummings. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade participated with each receiving a certificate and medal for taking part in the tournament. Each division had a top scorer — or champion. The following students earned the champion award...
Waldorf fire starts in garage
On Feb. 26 around 12:19 a.m., Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the 2000 block of Blue Anchor Court in Waldorf for a house fire. Upon arrival on scene, first responders found smoke coming from the garage. A fire was located and was placed under control within 20 minutes.
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...
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