Waldorf, MD
Police & Fire
Possible Victim Of Waldorf Brush Fire Identified By Investigators: Authorities Possible Victim Of Waldorf Brush Fire Identified By Investigators: Authorities
Possible Victim Of Waldorf Brush Fire Identified By Investigators: Authorities The Office of the State Fire Marshal is cautioning that a statewide burn ban is in effect after a 94-year-old man was killed in a brush fire they believe started when he was burning trash. Waldorf resident Donald Halter has been identified by investigators as the person believed to have been killed when a blaze broke out near his home and rapidly spread. First responders from the Charles County and Prince George's County fire departments were called shortly before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13 to a reported brush fire that spread to a vacant mobile home on the property. While extinguishing …

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by Zak Failla
Waldorf, MD
Schools
Student’s Threatening Post Prompts Urgent Action At Charles County Middle School Student’s Threatening Post Prompts Urgent Action At Charles County Middle School
Student’s Threatening Post Prompts Urgent Action At Charles County Middle School Authorities in Charles County are investigating a threat made against a teacher at General Smallwood Middle School after a disturbing social media post circulated, officials said. Earlier this week, alarm bells sounded for some students and parents who saw a social media post threatening to kill a teacher, prompting a call to the sheriff's office and school district. An investigation was launched by patrol officers, who were able to identify the person who shared the post, according to the Charles County Sheriff's Office. They then went to the student's house to speak with the parents; how…

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by Zak Failla
Waldorf, MD
Police & Fire
Man Who Defied Protective Order 111 Times Released On Bond In Charles County, Sheriff Says Man Who Defied Protective Order 111 Times Released On Bond In Charles County, Sheriff Says
Man Who Defied Protective Order 111 Times Released On Bond In Charles County, Sheriff Says A North Carolina man was released by a judge, but faces a long list of charges in Maryland after allegedly violating a domestic-related protective order a staggering 111 times, according to the sheriff's office. Officers assigned to the sheriff's office's Judicial Services Domestic Violence Unit were recently tipped off that Dennis Lee Jalbert, 44, who was wanted in connection to the violations involving a Charles County resident, was in North Carolina. Investigators say that the officers contacted the State's Attorney's Office, which agreed to extradite him back to Maryland to fa…

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by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
Business
Luck Strikes Twice in Maryland: 'Powerball' and 'Bonus Match 5' Winners Rake In $200K In Prizes Luck Strikes Twice in Maryland: 'Powerball' and 'Bonus Match 5' Winners Rake In $200K In Prizes
Luck Strikes Twice in Maryland: 'Powerball' and 'Bonus Match 5' Winners Rake In $200K In Prizes If you’re a Maryland lottery player, check those tickets!  This weekend saw a lucky streak with Marylanders raking in a combined $200,000 in draw game winnings, courtesy of Powerball and Bonus Match 5. In Charles County, a Powerball ticket purchased at NSR Mart in Hughesville matched the numbers 03-21-24-34-46, with a Powerball of 09 for the drawing on Monday, Nov. 11.  The player opted for the Power Play multiplier, which was 3X for that draw, elevating the $50,000 prize to $150,000. Meanwhile, in Westminster, a Bonus Match 5 ticket sold at the 7-Eleven on Baltimore Boulevard o…

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by Zak Failla
Gaithersburg, MD
Schools
These Are Maryland's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Maryland's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Maryland's Top Public Elementary Schools: New Rankings Released Montgomery County is the place to be for parents with young children according to a new Niche report listing Maryland's top elementary schools. It was a clean sweep in the top five for Montgomery County, which led the latest rankings recently released by the organization following lists for the top middle and high schools in the country.  To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche use…

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by Zak Failla
Waldorf, MD
Weather
'Extremely Dry Conditions' Lead To Four-Acre Brush Fire In Waldorf: Authorities 'Extremely Dry Conditions' Lead To Four-Acre Brush Fire In Waldorf: Authorities
'Extremely Dry Conditions' Lead To Four-Acre Brush Fire In Waldorf: Authorities First responders used every tool in their tool belts on Wednesday when a fast-moving brush fire rapidly spread through the woods in Charles County. More than 100 firefighters from multiple agencies were called to Slater Drive in Waldorf on Nov. 6, where there was a large brush fire that was further fueled by the recent stretch of dry weather in the region. The fire consumed approximately four acres, according to a Charles County Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson. Officials said that the fire was under control by 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, with MD Forestry units and …

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by Zak Failla
La Plata, MD
Schools
Student Made Threat Of Violence At Milton Somers Middle School, Sheriff Says Student Made Threat Of Violence At Milton Somers Middle School, Sheriff Says
Student Made Threat Of Violence At Milton Somers Middle School, Sheriff Says A student at a Charles County middle school will avoid any criminal charges due to his age after allegedly making threats of violence, according to the sheriff's office. Last week, an SRO at Milton Somers Middle School in La Plata was tipped off about comments a student made threatening violence toward the building. Investigators say that a home visit was conducted at the student's home, and officers were told that the student does not have access to weapons. Despite the threats and subsequent evaluation, officials said that the student cannot be charged under Maryland law due to their age…

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by Zak Failla
La Plata, MD
News
Parolee Convicted Of Killing Witness Coordinator Learns Fate For La Plata Assault Parolee Convicted Of Killing Witness Coordinator Learns Fate For La Plata Assault
Parolee Convicted Of Killing Witness Coordinator Learns Fate For La Plata Assault A parolee who was convicted of the murder of Gayle Cooke in a 2000 shooting during a domestic dispute is heading back to prison, according to the Charles County State's Attorney's Office. La Plata native Damion Anqwan Wilson, 42, was sentenced to 20 years in prison following an incident earlier this year at a Dash In location when he broke out a gun during an altercation while still on parole. Prosecutors say that on Jan. 17, officers were called to the 600 block of Charles Street in La Plata, where there was an altercation involving Wilson and a stranger, during which, the former pointed a…

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by Zak Failla
Lexington Park, MD
Police & Fire
Shooting Suspects Apprehended After Multi-County Pursuit In St. Mary's: Sheriff Shooting Suspects Apprehended After Multi-County Pursuit In St. Mary's: Sheriff
Shooting Suspects Apprehended After Multi-County Pursuit In St. Mary's: Sheriff Four people were taken into custody following a multi-county pursuit in Southern Maryland following a shooting in St. Mary's County.  Shortly before midnight, deputies from the sheriff's office were called to investigate a reported shooting in the 45000 block of Breezy Lane in Hollywood, where they found a person suffering from a gunshot wound in the area. Deputies were able to render aid at the scene until the shooting victim was airlifted by Maryland State Police to an area hospital for treatment of what are believed to a be non-life-threatening injury. No other injuries were report…

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by Zak Failla
Waldorf, MD
Business
Winning 'Powerball' Ticket Worth $150K Sold At Waldorf 7-Eleven Winning 'Powerball' Ticket Worth $150K Sold At Waldorf 7-Eleven
Winning 'Powerball' Ticket Worth $150K Sold At Waldorf 7-Eleven One lucky Maryland Lottery player tripled their winnings and is now sitting on a Powerball ticket worth $150,000 sold in Charles County. The golden ticket worth the six-figure prize was purchased by the winner at 7-Eleven in the 11500 block of Berry Road in Waldorf for the latest drawing on Oct. 30, officials say. The winning numbers for Wednesday's drawing were 13-22-29-43-58 with a Powerball of 22 and the Power Play was 3X. Lottery officials said that by adding the Power Play option, the third-tier prize tripled from $50,000 to $150,000. It marks the 52nd big Powerball winner in Maryland…

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by Zak Failla
Southern Anne Arundel, MD
Schools
These Are Maryland's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Maryland's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Maryland's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released Several middle schools in Montgomery and Howard counties are among the best in Maryland, according to a new Niche report. Cabin John Middle School in Potomac topped the list, followed by three in Howard County: Clarksville, Mount View, and Folly Quarter middle schools. To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche users."  The results are similar to the top public high schools in the st…

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by Zak Failla
Waldorf, MD
Police & Fire
Waldorf Man Shouting Racial Slurs At Shoppers In Charles County Arrested, Sheriff Says Waldorf Man Shouting Racial Slurs At Shoppers In Charles County Arrested, Sheriff Says
Waldorf Man Shouting Racial Slurs At Shoppers In Charles County Arrested, Sheriff Says A shotgun-wielding man shouting racial slurs at a pair of shoppers at an area business during an altercation is facing serious charges in Charles County, according to the sheriff's office. Waldorf resident Harold Andrew Howard, 53, was arrested on Sunday afternoon after directing a diatribe at two people inside a White Plains business before allegedly threatening them with the shotgun. Shortly after 4 p.m. on Oct. 20, an officer parked in his patrol car in the parking lot of the business was approached by a man who ran up stating that another shopper just pointed a shotgun at them, accordin…

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by Zak Failla