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Southern Maryland News
Planned waterfront park in Charles secures federal funding
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced earlier this spring that the Popes Creek Waterfront Park Living Shoreline Design was one of 22 recipients of funding through the federal Coastal Zone Management Act. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources submitted the project and secured $120,865 in funding to be awarded to the Resilience Authority of Charles County. The park is slated to be built on the site of the former Gilligan’s Pier Restaurant in Newburg and will provide access to the water along with aiding...
Man shoots at house in Waldorf, misses teen's head by inches
On May 25, Charles sheriff’s officers responded to Ravenglass Road in Waldorf for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers observed what appeared to be three holes in a second-story window, presumed to be from a handgun, charging documents say. There were six occupants in the house, including a 15-year-old and 11-year-old. The room of an 18-year-old resident was struck by bullets. When the bullets came through the window,...
Commuter bus routes preserved, service to still be reduced
The Maryland Department of Transportation announced earlier this month that it will be preserving commuter bus service on all 36 routes in the state. Service on all routes will be retained at reduced frequencies to connect riders from the suburbs to job centers in the metropolitan Baltimore and Washington region, according to the Maryland Transit Administration. The new schedules will go into effect on July 1, the agency said in a release. ...
Online tool makes it easy to beat the heat
With the summer swimming season upon us, the Maryland Department of the Environment is urging the public to use its online water quality tool before jumping into your favorite natural waters. “Nothing is better than spending the day swimming in the Chesapeake Bay and our wonderful waterways with friends and family,” Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain said in a release. “While swimming in natural waters is never risk free, routine monitoring for indicator bacteria will help ensure that a little sand in...
A veteran remembered
King Herbert Norris, 73, of Chaptico died April 16 at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital from complications related to cancer. Norris was drafted into the United States Army five days after graduating from high school and was the last person from St. Mary’s County processed for the Vietnam War. He was assigned to the 212th MP Company at Long Bihn ammunitions dump 10 miles northwest of Saigon, but exposure to the toxic defoliant Agent Orange first caused health problems related to his central nervous system in 1979. Southern Maryland News ran a story on King’s exposure to Agent Orange titled “Vet says Agent Orange ‘could knock a dragon out’” in the March 29 edition. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014. In 2020, he was diagnosed with leukemia, and earlier this year, his cancer returned and metastisized to his spinal column.
SMAC athletes shine at 4A/3A state meet
Although none of the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference teams could duplicate the Westlake High School boys’ track team’s ability to win a state title in the early session, a number of athletes from the conference departed with gold medals in individual events and relays in the 4A/3A state track and field meet May 23 at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex. Northern’s girls settled for minor spoils while third this spring in the title defense of their 3A state championship with 42 points, but...
Huntingtown softball falls in 2A state final
Throughout most of last Friday’s 2A state softball championship game at the University of Maryland, the Huntingtown High School squad executed at a much higher level defensively than the reigning champions from Rising Sun High, who also arrived with an unblemished record. Except for one instance early in the contest, however, Huntington (18-5) could not take advantage of the Tigers’ four miscues and eventually the Hurricanes yielded the state crown to Rising Sun in a 4-2 setback. Rising Sun earned its eighth state title in...
Man left temporarily unable to speak after Waldorf robbery
Officers responded earlier this month to a local hospital for an assault that had previously occurred in a Waldorf neighborhood. Upon their arrival at University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center on May 16, a man was lying in bed and officers observed severe swelling to his eyes and face, charging documents say. His mouth was stuck open and he could not close it due to the severity of his...
St. Mary's school board fine-tunes its budget
St. Mary’s public schools’ Superintendent Scott Smith said the fiscal 2025 budget “is the most challenging budget I’ve ever seen put together.” And at a board of education meeting on May 22, Smith and school board members helped to finalize that budget. Following the county commissioners’ budget work sessions and public hearing, modifications were needed on the local school system’s operating and capital budgets. The board of education approved a...
SMAC athletes earn hardware at state tennis tournament
Southern Maryland Athletic Conference athletes descended upon Wilde Lake Tennis Club in Columbia on Saturday, May 25, eager to return home with the conference’s first state title in just over five years. After valiant efforts with SMAC athletes represented in each of the four Maryland state classifications, SMAC earned three third place and two state finalist finishes for their efforts. SMAC was best represented in the Class 2A brackets with...
Joint Base Andrews observes National Police Week
Defenders from across Joint Base Andrews participated in a series of events commemorating National Police Week during the week of May 13-17, 2024. Established by President John F. Kennedy on October 1, 1962, National Police Week revolves around Police Officer Memorial Day, May 15, which recognizes the sacrifices of law enforcement officers throughout the nation. Defenders kicked off the week by honoring past and present members of law enforcement with an opening ceremony in front of the Jones Building at Joint Base Andrews. Later in the day, working dogs across the National Capital Region displayed their athletic capability and obedience in the Capitol K9 Trials. On Wednesday, Defenders marched in the early morning rain during a Ruck to Remember to honor those lost in the line of duty. The week culminated in a sequence of sporting events, including a bowling tournament, golfing tournament and sports day cookout.
Leonardtown softball takes state title
In the week leading up to the Maryland 4A state softball championship game Saturday afternoon at the University of Maryland, the Leonardtown High School softball team had become accustomed to playing in dramatic contests that were invariably decided in the final at-bat. But on May 25 in their state title clash with previously undefeated Eleanor Roosevelt High of Prince George’s County, much of the suspense and drama was erased less than an hour into the contest as Leonardtown scored twice in the first, once more...
Leonardtown High baseball claims state title
Through much of the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference schedule this spring, the Leonardtown High School baseball team appeared to be treading water and the Raiders stood at 8-8 with the postseason just around the corner. But from there Leonardtown was perfect and the Raiders ended an improbable run to claim the 4A state title by upending Walt Whitman of Montgomery County 2-0 on Friday evening at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf. Leonardtown (15-8) had grown accustomed to facing the best pitchers in SMAC and those...
Westlake boys win 2A state track and field title
After playing the bridesmaid role through the Southern Maryland Athletic Conference regular season and championship meet, the Westlake High School boys track team finally got to the altar at the most opportune time when the Wolverines captured the 2A state title on May 23 at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex. Westlake athletes attained 73 points at the state meet to finish well clear of runner-up Harford Tech (47) and Hereford (40), with county and SMAC champion La Plata another four points back in...
La Plata council adopts tax increase in 3-2 vote
After last week’s public hearing where the La Plata Town Council had a considerable turn out for and against a proposed property tax increase, the discussion continued on May 21. Ultimately, the council adopted the hike in a split vote. La Plata Mayor Jeannine James said she heard from a resident that they heard from their mortgage company their mortgage is going up $145 a month after an assessment that...
Festival dedicated to Calvert native, longtime veterans secretary
Whether in or out of public office, Memorial Day was always an important observance to George W. Owings III. In 2024, the longtime Maryland veterans affairs secretary, who died last October at age 78, will be forever associated with Memorial Day weekend in the Twin Beaches area. Earlier this year, the Chesapeake Beach Town Council issued a resolution declaring Owings’ birthday, April 11, as George W. Owings III Day. It also resolved that the town’s annual Stars and Stripes Festival will, going forward, be known...
Habitat breaks ground on newest home in St. Mary's
Saturday’s dreary weather couldn’t dampen the joy felt by LaToya Carroll and her 9-year-old daughter Callie. The pair are the soon-to-be owners of a new home being built on Loudon Lane by Patuxent Habitat for Humanity. The nonprofit hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on the site of their 22nd home build over the weekend. “Although it’s rainy, it’s a beautiful day to be here,” Tim Barnes, president of Patuxent Habitat for...
Property, income tax increases on the table in Calvert
To open the May 16 hearing on the county’s proposed operating budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Calvert Commissioner President Earl F. “Buddy” Hance (R) conceded, “There are some proposals you’re not going to like.” While Hance’s comment was directed to the members of the public in the hearing room, the overflow audience watching in two other nearby rooms and anyone watching the live stream, he may have also been speaking to his fellow commissioners. ...
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