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Huntingtown High hosts energy expo
On Feb. 27, Huntingtown High School hosted an energy expo, which featured projects illustrating and demonstrating how various sources of power work. The event was organized by Jamie Rowder, a Huntingtown High science teacher. Rowder started the expo several years ago and about five years ago, science students from Calvert's three other high schools were invited to attend. As was the case with many in-person events, the energy expo was a casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rowder told Southern Maryland News she hopes to have the event restored to its pre-COVID days, when many more outside vendors participated. In addition to Huntingtown High students, representatives from Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative and Berkshire Hathaway Energy were presenters at the expo.
St. Mary's school board, EASMC move toward contract; teachers to start at $60,500
St. Mary’s public school teachers and employees may be earning a lot more thanks to a tentative four-year agreement reached Feb. 23 between the board of education and the Education Association of St. Mary’s County. The agreements are in line with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s education reform plan. “I do think we have some really great improvements in the language, and of course as far as money...
Calvert board approves hunting pact with state for sportsmen with disabilities
A measure that proponents feel will provide those with disabilities a chance to enjoy the great outdoors gained unanimous approval from the Calvert County commissioners Tuesday. As a result of the vote, Commissioner President Earl F. “Buddy” Hance (R) has been authorized to sign a cooperative wildlife management agreement with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. In a memo to the commissioners, Karyn Molines, chief of the county government’s natural...
New student member of Calvert's school board selected
A few dozen students gathered last week in the Huntingtown High auditorium to cast their votes, not for president or senator but for who would next represent their voices on the Calvert County Board of Education. Once votes were tallied, student government associations from the county’s public middle and high schools had elected Grace Minakowski to be their student member of the school board for the 2024-2025 school year. Minakowski,...
Former Charles substitute teacher pleads guilty to sexual offenses
A former substitute teacher for Charles public schools pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse of a minor and other sexual offenses on Feb. 26. Malcolm Xavier Fluellyn, 27, of Bryans Road worked as a permanent substitute teacher at Gen. Smallwood Middle School from December 2022 through February 2023. On Feb. 10, 2023, a school resource officer at Smallwood Middle contacted the Charles County Sheriff’s Office to report a...
Negotiations, budget, draw comments at Calvert school board session
Money-wise, difficult decisions are likely to be needed in a climate where everyone is clamoring for more money. That appears to be the current state of Calvert County Public Schools as a result of comments made at the local school board’s Feb. 22 work session. The combination of a potentially large budget cut for fiscal 2025 from the state and ongoing contract negotiations with two employee unions is causing heartburn for the county’s public education leaders. ...
Allen makes run at seventh term on St. Mary's school board
There are three seats on the St. Mary’s County’s school board that are up for election in 2024. Incumbent Cathy Allen filed Feb. 8 for reelection for the District 2 seat. The 68-year-old Hollywood resident was first elected to the local board of education in 2000 and has served six terms. She is currently serving in the at-large seat, which is also up for election this year, but decided to...
SMAC swimmers shine at state meet
Although the swimmers from the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference may have found the going considerably tougher in the Maryland 4A/3A state swim championships on Saturday morning at the University of Maryland, those from the smaller schools fared much better in the evening session. On the heels of the seeing the school’s girls indoor track team garner the 3A state title three days earlier, the Northern High School girls swim team attained 307 points to finish well clear of runner-up Damascus (257), while La Plata (187)...
316th Wing celebrates previous year’s achievements, legacy
The 316th Wing held its 2023 annual awards ceremony, where its members gathered to celebrate the organization’s achievements, Feb. 22. U.S. Air Force Col. Todd E. Randolph, 316th Wing and installation commander, offered congratulations and gratitude to all attendees for their dedication and contributions over the past year. “Our annual awards ceremony is a testament to the dedication and excellence displayed by the members of our community,” Randolph remarked. “I...
Off-duty Prince George's officer faces attempted murder charge in Charles
A Prince George’s County police officer was arrested and charged with attempted murder and first-degree assault after firing his service weapon at a man in Charles County while off-duty. On Feb. 23, the Charles County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Crain Highway and Budds Creek Road in Newburg for reports of shots being fired at a moving vehicle, charging documents say. Charles County emergency communications received ongoing updates...
Anti-war protests, rises in antisemitism magnify challenges for free speech on college campuses
The war in Gaza after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks inside Israel has birthed contentious protests on college campuses magnifying debates around free speech and how universities should handle ramped up and controversial rhetoric — including antisemitism. The debate can pit students’ and staff’s free speech rights — especially at public universities — against safety and harassment concerns voiced by other students and employees. “I think we forget that there is...
Practice makes perfect
Quartermaster 3rd Class Arianna Granville, left, a native of Waldorf, provides in-rate training to Quartermaster Seaman Tracy Torres, a native of Los Angeles, in the pilot house aboard USS Boxer (LHD 4) last fall. Boxer is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship currently underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations.
Drys files for St. Mary's school board seat
There are three seats on the St. Mary’s County’s school board that are up for election in 2024. David C. Drys of Hollywood filed Feb. 7 for the District 4 seat. The 45-year-old is a program manager for the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency in Washington, D.C. “Seeing that my background is in program management, budgets, complex problems, various stakeholders, I thought that with my background and with our integration...
Parrish takes the reins at Westlake football
Not long after guiding the Henry A. Wise High School football team to the 2023 Maryland 4A state title, Waldorf resident DaLawn Parrish decided to resign as head coach of the Pumas to pursue the same position at Westlake High School where his two daughters are current students. Parrish, 47, a Wake Forest University graduate who previously coached football briefly at DuVal High in Prince George’s County, has been the only football coach in Wise history and literally built the program in Prince Georges’s from...
Parrish takes the reins at Westlake football
Not long after guiding the Henry A. Wise High School football team to the 2023 Maryland 4A state title, Waldorf resident DaLawn Parrish decided to resign as head coach of the Pumas to pursue the same position at Westlake High School where his two daughters are current students. Parrish, 47, a Wake Forest University graduate who previously coached football briefly at DuVal High in Prince George’s County, has been the only football coach in Wise history and literally built the program in Prince Georges’s from...
St. Mary's school system celebrates Black history, recognizes teachers
The St. Mary’s County Board of Education on Feb. 21 received a presentation on what schools were accomplishing during Black History Month. The school system’s theme for the month-long recognition was African Americans in the Arts, and a presentation shared images and facts about the national holiday. “Our community can get a glimpse of the role and presence Black and African American history has in our daily lives,” said Director...
Income tax hike unlikely in Maryland, at least this year
Some Democratic lawmakers in Maryland are proposing a set of income tax hikes this year, but even bill sponsors have admitted that getting their colleagues on board will likely be a long-haul effort. The lawmakers aim to address a looming state budget deficit with a bill that would raise an estimated $1.6 billion per year for the state’s general fund once it’s fully phased in, supporters say. Supporting lawmakers want...
Meet the bikers who try – and fail – each year to erode Maryland’s helmet law
A group of bikers in leather vests and wispy beards greets lawmakers here each Monday of the legislative session, hoping this is the year they’ll succeed in their galvanizing cause: gutting a Maryland law that requires them to wear helmets. The group, which calls itself A Brotherhood Against Totalitarian Enactments, has experienced decades of setbacks on the helmet issue. Its vociferous critics say ABATE’s position is at a minimum, eccentric and at worst, dangerous. ...
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