PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – Oct. 2, 2026 – The Calvert County Department of Public Works advises that Stoakley Road will be closed to all traffic Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. while Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) crews remove a large tree. The roadway is expected to reopen the same day once the work is complete.

The closure will extend from 1921 Stoakley Road to the three-way stop at Stoakley Road, Barstow Road and Leitches Wharf Road in Prince Frederick. No vehicles will be permitted to travel through the closure area from either direction.

Drivers should use alternate routes and allow additional travel time.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay connected with Calvert County Government through the mobile app, newsletters, social media and more at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/StayInformed.

Story by Emily Winget

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Scientific Development Squadron ONE (VXS-1), commemorated the 63-year history of the P-3 Orion research aircraft and introduced its successor, the MC-12S Super King Air, during a ceremony Sept. 17 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River (Pax), Maryland.

The squadron, also known as the Warlocks, serves as NRL’s airborne research arm.

For more than three decades VXS-1 has operated the NP-3C Orion. On Sept. 22 the Warlocks bid farewell to the U.S. Navy’s last active-duty P-3 on the East Coast departed for long-term preservation at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.

“The P-3 Orion has served as the cornerstone of our heavy-lift, long endurance airborne naval science, bridging the gap between laboratory concepts and frontline Fleet capabilities,” said NRL Commanding Officer, Capt. Randy Cruz. “While we celebrate the aircraft’s extraordinary service from combat route clearance to hurricane reconnaissance, the arrival of the MC-12S Super King Air ensures our team continues to deliver agile, high-altitude test capabilities to the warfighter.”

A 63-Year Mission Heritage Capt. Mark Zematis, commanding officer of NAS Pax River, reflected on the history of the P-3 Orion. “When you think about American sea power, minds often race toward carrier decks – to strike fighters and bombers,” he remarked. “But over six decades, the true sentinels of the global commons were not catapulted from flight decks. It was that aircraft there [NP-3C Orion], launched from coastal runways, climbing into fog and squall on the muscle of four Allison T56 turboprops, carrying 11 crew members into the vast expanse of ocean.”

The modified Orion has served as NRL’s premier heavy-lift airborne lab, accelerating new technologies directly into Fleet operations. Throughout its service life, the platform executed critical combat support, geophysical intelligence, environmental monitoring, and Fleet readiness operations worldwide.

VXS-1 has flown many major scientific campaigns on the P-3 platform, highlighting operational execution, U.S. Navy and Department of War (DoW) impact, and mission outcomes. These missions include Counter-IED [improvised explosive device] support in Afghanistan and the Aerogeophysical Survey in Afghanistan demonstrating the DoW’s ability to conduct high-altitude, wide-area reconnaissance in complex terrain.

“The P-3 became a tactical guardian for coalition ground troops,” Zematis continued. “Hovering out of audible range, Orion crews used their camera and communication suites to identify roadside IED emplacements, trace vehicle convoys, and pipe real-time video directly into tactical operations centers.”

The squadron also mobilized the NP-3 Orion on short notice to advance naval meteorology during severe weather systems, including Hurricanes Idalia and Francine. The aircraft flew directly into the storms, deploying atmospheric sensors and dropping sonobuoys to measure and collect real-time ocean-atmosphere dynamics. Onboard systems directly transmitted these measurements to U.S. Navy operational weather models and national forecast systems, allowing meteorologists to track storms and protect naval fleet assets, ship movements, and coastal installations.

“Platforms come and go, but true legends are distinguished by their refusal to become obsolete,” Zematis remarked. “The P-3 Orion served continuously on the frontlines of American defense for over six decades. Every sonobuoy dropped, every periscope tracked, every overland convoy escorted, and every data packet downlinked carries the fingerprint of Naval Air Station Patuxent River.”

Testing Next-Generation Research Capabilities "Our aircrews and project engineers demand a platform that can adapt to rapid technological change without compromising safety," said Cmdr. Andrew R. Vawter, commanding officer of VXS-1. "While we bid a fond farewell to the workhorse NP-3C, the MC-12S Super King Air offers the precise modularity and high-altitude reach our teams require to test next-generation sensors in demanding real-world environments."

The MC-12S Super King Air delivers a modern, high-altitude research platform that accelerates scientific payload integration. While the legacy NP-3C reached an altitude of 30,000 feet and flew up to 12 hours, the MC-12S reaches altitudes up to 35,000 feet, flies at speeds between 125 and 263 knots indicated airspeed, and provides five to seven hours of mission endurance.

The new aircraft features an easy-on, easy-off modular cabin design that accommodates reconfigurable equipment racks and workstations. It supplies more than 11 kilowatts of dedicated project power across 120-volt alternating-current and 28-volt direct-current systems. To support diverse sensor payloads, the MC-12S incorporates a large configurable belly radome with fuselage pass-through plates, an extended nose that houses an MX-15-sized retractable turret, and external antenna mounting provisions for GPS, Iridium, and Starshield systems.

Conduct Research, Science, and Technology Development with the Warlocks VXS-1 provides a secure, flexible, and cost-effective airborne testbed for researchers across the DoW, federal agencies, academia, and private industry.

“We have a different mission set than that of most other Navy squadrons,” Vawter said. “We operate as the airborne research arm of NRL. We are tasked to operate highly modified aircraft that are designed to receive nearly any kind of equipment or sensor and install and operate it, test it, or gather technical data with it, rapidly. This unique mission set is both more broad and more niche than that of traditional test and well outside that of Fleet VP [Patrol] squadrons.”

By offering streamlined payload integration, dedicated project power, and experienced military air crews, the squadron eliminates the overhead of procuring individual test aircraft. Researchers can deploy custom sensor suites, communication arrays, and atmospheric instruments directly onto the MC-12S Super King Air's modular cabin racks and external mounting points.

To initiate a research flight or discuss payload integration requirements, scientific sponsors should contact the VXS-1 Project Management Office atmailto:vxs1_projects@nrl.navy.milor visit the squadron's official portal.

About the Scientific Development Squadron VXS-1 conducts airborne scientific experimentation and advanced technology development in worldwide operations supporting U.S. Navy and national science and technology (S&T) priorities and war fighting goals. Supporting broadly based, multidisciplinary programs across the full spectrum of scientific research and applied technologies, our focus is toward the maritime application of new and improved airborne data collection techniques, experimental equipment, and system demonstration. While directly supporting scientific programs across the globe, we ensure that our work environment provides for the learning, personal growth, and respect of all our men and women and their families.

About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL, located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, and California.

NRL offers several mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific community, within and outside of the Federal government. These include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements under the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and other applicable agreements.

For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at mailto:NRLPAO@us.navy.mil.

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – Oct. 2, 2026 – Calvert County Government and the Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board announce that applications are being accepted through Nov. 9, 2026, for the county’s Purchase and Retirement (PAR) Fund program.

Established in 1992, the program helps preserve agricultural land by purchasing transferable development rights (TDRs) and permanently removing them from the market. This protects farmland from development.  

The Calvert County Board of Commissioners recently approved a new purchase price of $6,500 per TDR, replacing the $6,230 price approved in September 2025. The county will purchase development rights from willing sellers until TDR funding is exhausted. There is $12.9 million available in the current fiscal year. The annual cycle will conclude by June 2027, the end of fiscal year 2027.

There is no limit on the number of TDRs an owner may sell. Owners of land in Agricultural Preservation Districts may apply. Applications are ranked using a formula established in the Agricultural Preservation Program rules and regulations.

Applications are available at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/CalvertAgPres. Completed applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. They may be emailed to Jennifer.David@calvertcountymd.gov or submitted by mail to:

Department of Planning & Zoning

Attn: Rural Planner Jennifer David

150 Main St.

Prince Frederick, MD 20678

For more information, email Jennifer David or call 410-535-1600, ext. 2238.  

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay connected with Calvert County Government through the mobile app, newsletters, social media and more at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/StayInformed.

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (October 2, 2026) — Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman today issued the following statement on the recently enacted changes to Medicaid coverage.

“On October 1, thousands of Maryland families lost their Medicaid coverage because of a provision in President Trump’s H.R. 1. The people losing care are lawfully-present immigrants: our neighbors, our coworkers, and our community leaders. They saved lives through translating for American troops in Afghanistan, fled war-torn Ukraine, and are seeking refuge from religious persecution in their own countries.

“Immigrants make up more than one-fifth of Maryland’s labor force. They are 23 percent of our registered nurses and the majority of our home health aides. They start businesses, pay taxes, and help keep our economy growing when our population is not. My office's research is clear that Maryland's economy is stronger because of them.

“Taking away their health care does not save money. It shifts the cost. When people lose access to preventive and routine care, they get sicker, and they end up in emergency rooms, where care is most expensive. Hospitals, employers, and taxpayers absorb those costs. Workers miss shifts, businesses struggle to fill jobs, and the pressure on our state economy grows.

“Government should be expanding access to affordable care, not stripping it from people who work hard and contribute to their communities. This policy will make Maryland less healthy, our workforce smaller, and our economy less resilient. I will keep working to protect the health and economic well-being of every Maryland family.”

 

LEONARDTOWN, MD (October 2, 2026) – On Tuesday, Sept. 29, detectives from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division served search and seizure warrants at a residence in the 46000 block of Chapman Drive in Lexington Park as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected drug activity.

 

During the search of the residence, detectives recovered six packages of suspected K-2, 48 Suboxone film packages, 43 fentanyl mixture capsules, 45.3 grams of suspected cocaine, 21.3 grams of crack cocaine, 24.2 grams of fentanyl, $3,335 in U.S. currency, and an unserialized, loaded .40-caliber handgun.

 

Additionally, while serving the warrants, deputies encountered multiple individuals outside the residence. Following searches, deputies recovered suspected crack cocaine, an unopened box of Suboxone sublingual film with no apparent prescription, and controlled dangerous substance paraphernalia.

 

Elvis Ray Brien, 35, of no fixed address, and Turez Lydell Creek, 38, of Lexington Park, were each arrested and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.

 

Justin David Raley, 38, of Lexington Park, was arrested and charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance and one count of possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.

 

Shameka Levae Harrod, 34, of no fixed address, was also arrested on an open warrant for outstanding theft charges.

 

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges or arrests may follow.

 

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office at 301-475-8008. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through tip411 by:

 

• Text 847411: start your message with “SMCSO”, add a space, and then your tip.
• Online: Submit a tip through the Sheriff’s Office website at www.FirstSheriff.com/tips.
• App: Send a tip directly through the SMCSO app. Download the free app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
• Phone: For those who prefer to make a phone call, tips can also be shared through the Crime Solvers line at 301-475-3333.

 

With Crime Solvers, you never have to give your name. You may be eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.

 

 

Noise Advisory – NAS Patuxent River Sets FCLP Noise Advisory for October 2, 2026

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Maryland – Communities surrounding the Naval Air Station Patuxent River are advised that noise-generating flights are scheduled to take place October 2, 2026 from 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

 

Pilots at NAS Patuxent River will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs). FCLPs are simulated carrier landings conducted to prepare the pilot to land safely on an aircraft carrier. The practices consist of series of touch-and-go maneuvers where airspeed, altitude, and power are all precisely choreographed in order for a pilot to approach the ship within an acceptable window to land on the deck safely. FCLP training is essential for the precision and safety of our aviators and the success of their mission. Residents may notice increased noise levels due to these operations.

 

As with all operations, NAS Patuxent River takes precautions to lessen the impact of testing activities on the community. For more information, call 1-866-819-9028. To view all current NAS PAX noise advisories please click the following link: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/PaxRiverNoise

The Calvert County Department of Community Resources, Office on Aging, advises residents that the Southern Community Center and Southern Pines Senior Center will be temporarily closed Thursday, Oct. 8, through Monday, Oct. 12, for scheduled maintenance.

The centers are scheduled to resume normal operating hours Tuesday, Oct. 13.

The Southern Community Center and Southern Pines Senior Center are located at 20 Appeal Lane in Lusby.

For more information about Calvert County senior centers and activities, visit www.CalvertCountymd.gov/OfficeOnAging.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay connected with Calvert County Government through the mobile app, newsletters, social media and more at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/StayInformed.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary's County (CSMC) began their business meeting with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by approval of the consent agenda.

As a part of the consent agenda, the CSMC approved the appointments to the Boards, Committees and Commissions.

The CSMC then presented proclamations in recognition of Homegrown School Lunch Week, World Architecture Day, Economic Development Week, and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndromes (PANS) Awareness Day.  

The Human Resource Department then held a special recognition ceremony for St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) employees with 10 or more years of service. Come join our amazing team and give back! View openings and apply at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/careers.

During County Administrator Time, the CSMC took the following action:

• Reviewed future CSMC meeting agendas.
• Approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the CSMC and Three Oaks Homeless Shelter, Inc., documenting the County’s existing in-kind contribution of County-owned property for eligible grant purposes.
• Approved the Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department’s request to refinance its current rolling stock loan.
• Directed staff to begin an update to the St. Mary’s County Air Installation Compatible Use Zone (AICUZ) Program.

The Commissioners then wrapped up their business meeting with Commissioner Time.

The Commissioners reconvened at 6:30 p.m. for the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Consolidated Transportation Program Tour.

The CSMC will have a joint meeting with the Commanding Officer of the Patuxent River Naval Air Station on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room, on the first floor of the Chesapeake Building, located at 41770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown. CSMC decisions and related documents are available on the SMCG website by clicking Board Documents from the home page. Meetings are open to the public and can be viewed live on SMCG TV Channel 95 or at www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with local rescue squads, fire departments and the Maryland State Police, will conduct a scenario-based training exercise at Spring Ridge Middle School, 19856 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to approximately 1 p.m.

 

Community members should expect a significant presence of law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services personnel and apparatus at and around the school during the exercise. This is a planned training exercise and not an actual emergency.

 

The training exercise is not open to the public.

 

The exercise provides participating agencies an opportunity to train together and strengthen coordination and response during a simulated emergency.

 

Anyone with questions about the training exercise may contact St. Mary’s County Volunteer EMS Training Assistant Kim Collins at 240-298-6400.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, County Commissioners held their annual Preliminary State Legislative Proposals Work Session. Commissioners considered 30 state legislative proposals for potential inclusion in the County’s 2027 State Legislative Package to be forwarded to the Charles County Delegation. Commissioners ultimately reached consensus to include 13 proposals and asked staff to return with additional information on two others before making a final decision.

State Transportation Program Update

Representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation presented the Draft Fiscal Year 2027–2032 Consolidated Transportation Program during the annual Consolidated Transportation Program Tour. The Consolidated Transportation Program is Maryland’s six-year capital budget for transportation projects. The presentation included an update on the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit project. The Maryland Transit Administration is finalizing the Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study for the approximately 19-mile project, which would extend from the Branch Avenue Metrorail Station in Prince George’s County to Waldorf and White Plains in Charles County.

Proposed Cannabis Growing Moratorium

Wes Adams, County Attorney, presented a proposed temporary moratorium on large-scale cannabis growing operations in all zoning districts except the General Industrial and Heavy Industrial zones. If adopted, the resolution would prohibit large-scale cannabis growing operations in other zoning districts through Sept. 1, 2027. The moratorium would give the Department of Planning and Growth Management time to develop recommendations for a zoning text amendment addressing where cannabis growing operations should be permitted.

Ribbon Cutting at Cliffton Wastewater Treatment Plant

Before the Sept. 29 meeting, commissioners joined Department of Public Works staff in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Cliffton Wastewater Treatment Plant. A photo gallery from the morning event is available online.

For more information on the meeting, including a full list of briefings, approval items, actions on boards and commissions, and more, visit the Charles County Board of County Commissioners webpage and select “Available Archives.”

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) are seeking interested applicants to fill a vacancy on the St. Mary’s County Library Board of Trustees. The opening is for a five-year term beginning January 1, 2027.

The Library Board of Trustees works closely with the Library Director to provide oversight of the library’s budget and policies. Trustees serve as advocates for the library and play a vital role in helping shape the future of library services in St. Mary’s County.

Applicants should expect to attend twelve meetings per year. The monthly meetings are typically in the afternoon during the second Thursday of each month at 3 pm. Familiarity with and use of the St. Mary’s County Library system is strongly preferred.

Interested residents can complete the online application at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/boards.

All applications must include a resume and be submitted by October 30, 2026.

All applications will be reviewed by the current Library Board of Trustees, who will make recommendations to the CSMC for final selection.

For more information, contact Gillian Bacon at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1709.

For more information, please visit www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

SOLOMONS, Md. – Oct. 1, 2026 –As of today, Otodus megalodon, commonly known as megalodon, is Maryland’s official state shark. The extinct species was the largest shark ever to live.

With this designation taking effect, Maryland becomes the first state in the nation to recognize an official State Shark.

 

Known primarily through its fossilized teeth, the megalodon is closely associated with Maryland’s geologic record. Its fossils are found in the Chesapeake Bay region, offering important insights into the area’s prehistoric marine ecosystems.

 

Although megalodon disappeared millions of years ago, its legacy underscores the long-standing ecological importance of sharks in ocean systems—past and present. The designation highlights Maryland’s rich paleontological and modern marine heritage and provides new opportunities for public education about marine life, conservation, and Earth’s history.

 

The Calvert Marine Museum, Maryland’s State Paleontology Center and where this initiative started, has long supported research, education, and public engagement related to the region’s fossil record, including the study of ancient sharks such as megalodon.

 

The museum extends its appreciation to the Maryland General Assembly for passing the bill and Governor Wes Moore for signing it into law. We also gratefully acknowledge Senator Jack Bailey, Delegate Todd Morgan, and their respective staff for sponsoring the legislation, as well as to the many individuals and organizations who contributed their support throughout the process.

Two kayakers are safe today after a grueling 30-hour ordeal on the Potomac River ended in a dramatic nighttime rescue on Thursday, September 24, 2026.The missing paddlers were discovered uninjured on Craney Island, huddled inside a duck blind just north of Potomac Heights in Charles County, Maryland.
The incident began Wednesday, prompting a massive multi-agency search spanning both the Maryland and Virginia shores of the Potomac River. For nearly a day and a half, rescue crews combed the water with no sign of the duo.
The breakthrough came around 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening when Fireboat 8 from the Tenth District Volunteer Fire Department launched a five-member crew to aid Fairfax County authorities in a final push to locate the missing kayakers.
As Fireboat 8 pushed through the darkness toward Craney Island, crew members scanning the Maryland shoreline spotted a frantic commotion. The two missing individuals were inside a duck blind, waving their arms wildly to catch the vessel's attention.
Rescuers quickly pulled the kayakers aboard Fireboat 8, where a preliminary medical evaluation confirmed that, despite their extended exposure, both were in good health and uninjured.
The kayakers were subsequently transferred to Fairfax County Fireboat 420 and transported back to the Virginia shoreline, where their fateful journey had originally begun.
Local officials are reminding residents to always check river conditions, wear life jackets, and carry communication devices when heading out onto the water.

GLEN BURNIE, MD (September 30, 2026) – The Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is reminding customers of several new state laws taking effect on October 1 that aim to enhance roadway safety, modernize administrative processes and simplify requirements for Maryland drivers and vehicle owners. 

Starting tomorrow, October 1, the MVA will begin issuing official warning notices to Maryland residents who own vehicles registered in another state. Chapter 487/Senate Bill 111, which was signed into law by Governor Wes Moore, is one of a handful of new laws going into effect in Maryland October 1 and is intended to bring improperly registered vehicles into compliance. The notices begin a 60-day period for vehicle owners to properly register their vehicles or provide proof that Maryland registration is not required. No fines will be assessed during this period. The warning period also follows two direct outreach efforts in January and July,  where the MVA sent courtesy letters encouraging vehicle owners with possible out-of-state registrations to register their vehicles in Maryland. The MVA has also engaged in continuous outreach through social and traditional media channels.

Vehicle owners who remain out of compliance after the 60-day warning period will be fined $7 per day, up to a maximum of $420 for each improperly registered vehicle. If vehicles are not properly registered after 120 days, the MVA will notify the appropriate local jurisdictions for additional penalties, which may lead to civil action including booting, towing, vehicle impoundment and/or the seizure of out-of-state plates.
“At the MVA, we are committed to being a partner and a resource for our customers. We want to provide Maryland residents the support they need to comply with state law and make that process as easy as possible,” Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer said. “If customers have questions or other concerns that stop them from plating where they live, don’t wait. Reach out to us now. We will help you work through the process of becoming compliant.”

Drivers who are new to Maryland or maintain out-of-state registrations can find resources at mva.maryland.gov/PlateWhereYouLive. Active-duty military service members, spouses, and dependents can receive non-resident permits free-of-charge. Customers who need to register their vehicle in Maryland but have outstanding debt or other financial restrictions are encouraged to contact the MVA for assistance identifying payment options and next steps. Customers can reach the MVA online through ContactMVA or call 410-768-7000 to speak with an agent.

Other Key Initiatives Effective October 1

Improved Accessibility to Ignition Interlock Program (Chapter 81/SB 38): Individuals over the age of 21 who violate an alcohol restriction can participate in the Ignition Interlock System Program in order to modify a license suspension or revocation or receive a restricted license. Previously, this was only available to individuals under age 21. Failure to successfully complete the program would result in a one year license suspension.

Motorcycle Safety Awareness Questions (Chapter 539/SB 68): Every driver skills examination will feature at least one question related to motorcycle safety awareness. MVA has increased the variety of potential motorcycle safety questions in its test question pool as a result of the legislative change covering sharing the road with motorcyclists, proper lane positioning, following distance, crash prevention and other topics covered in the Maryland driver’s manual and rookie driver’s manual. MVA developed question options in consultation with safety advocates, who testified in support of the law.

Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) System Pilot Program (Chapter 870/HB 107): MVA will establish the ISA System pilot program by October 1, 2027. Individuals with enough points to trigger suspension or revocation of their license under state law are required to enroll in the pilot program. Over the next year, the agency will develop a framework and regulations for the program to support participants in safe operations of vehicles equipped with ISA systems. The law includes strict data protection guardrails, prohibiting the sale of program data and requiring deletion within 30 days. MVA will provide a report on the pilot program to the Governor and General Assembly by December 30, 2030.

Vulnerable Road User Protection Act (Chapter 285/SB 487): Enables and establishes a process for the State Highway Administration and local jurisdictions to install speed cameras to improve safety for vulnerable roadway users on critical corridors. Maryland’s Vulnerable Road User Assessment identifies corridors eligible for automated speed enforcement cameras.

Clear Before You Drive (Chapter 668/HB 474): The MVA is required to assess one point against a violator’s driver’s license if they fail to make reasonable efforts to remove snow and ice from their vehicle. If a violation contributes to an accident the MVA will assess three points against the violator’s license.

Reducing Costs for Credentials (Chapter 116/HB248): Reduces printing costs for identification cards, driver’s licenses and moped operator permits by no longer requiring pictures to be in color. This is expected to save $114,000 in FY 2027 and $152,000 during subsequent years.

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will perform routine maintenance on the?MD 4 (Governor Thomas Johnson) Bridge ?at the Calvert County / St. Mary’s County line starting 6 a.m. Sunday, October 4. One of two lanes will be closed, and the lane will open to traffic no later than 2 p.m. that afternoon, weather permitting.

Maintenance crews will replace reflectors and clean the drainage system and bridge deck (driving surface). Drivers will be guided using a flagging operation. The State Highway Administration will use flaggers and portable variable message signs to guide motorists safely through the work zone.

Drivers are asked to slow down in the work zone for the safety of all drivers and the crews working to improve our roadways. Portable variable message signs will provide advanced notification of the work. Customers may contact the District 5 Office at 410-841-1000 or 1-800-331-5603 with any questions.?

The State Highway Administration is?Serious About Safety.?Motorists are urged to remain alert and avoid distractions when traveling through the work zone. Motorists should obey all posted speed limits.?Motorists can dial #77 on their mobile devices for roadside?assistance. 

For a list of all major State Highway Administration projects, news and travel information, visit roads.maryland.gov.

 

CDS Violation: 26-80784 On September 16, 2026, Sgt. Kelly conducted a traffic stop in the area of Rt. 4 and Steeple Chase Drive in Prince Frederick, for equipment violations. Upon making contact with the driver, Kwantae Shamar Wright, 19, of Baltimore, the odor of marijuana was emitting from the vehicle. During a probable cause search, deputies located Suboxone strips and one Ziploc bag containing cannabis. Wright was placed into custody and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center, where he was charged with CDS: Possession- Not Cannabis.

 

CDS Violation: 26-80531 On September 16, 2026, Deputy Flaherty attempted to stop a vehicle for a moving violation near Mackall Road and Parran Road in St. Leonard. The driver, Conway Glen Savoy, 40, of Lusby, failed to stop and fled at a high rate. Deputies stopped the vehicle in a private driveway off Ross Road and took Savoy and passenger Julia Nicole Gallodoro, 31, of St. Leonard, into custody. A search of the vehicle revealed suspected crack cocaine in pill capsules near Gallodoro’s seat, in three straws in the passenger door pocket, and in a pill grinder and another straw. Both were transported to the Calvert County Detention Center and charged with CDS Possession—Not Cannabis and CDS Possession of Paraphernalia.

 

Damaged Property: 26-80668 On September 16, 2026, Deputy Connolly responded to the 7200 block of 7th Street in North Beach for the report of damaged property. The complainant reported damage to the residence’s front door jamb near the handle and deadbolt, possibly caused by a pry bar. The damage is estimated at $500.

 

Damaged Property: 26-81667 On September 19, 2026, DFC Grierson responded to the 2300 block of Park Chesapeake Dr in Lusby for the report of damaged property. The complainant advised that upon returning to their home they discovered the glass window on their front door had been shattered. The estimated value of damaged property is $300.

 

Theft: 26-80018 On September 14, 2026, Deputy Brown responded to the 12800 block of Rousby Hall Road in Lusby for a reported theft. The complainant advised her vehicle had been tampered with and approximately 3 to 5 gallons of gas were siphoned from her vehicle. The estimated value of stolen property is $15.

 

Theft: 26-80335 On September 15, 2026, DFC Deinert responded to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office located at 30 Church Street in Prince Frederick for the reported theft. The complainant advised a package he ordered and had delivered to the 500 block of Patuxent Reach Drive in Prince Frederick had been stolen. The estimated value of stolen property is $138.

 

Theft: 26-80314 On September 15, 2026, Deputy Angell responded to Weis Market at 750 Prince Frederick Boulevard in Prince Frederick for a reported theft. Witnesses and store surveillance showed a woman placing multiple containers of crabmeat into a grocery bag without paying. Deputies located the woman at a neighboring business and identified her as Marie Savona Carrington, 68, of Prince Frederick. The investigation determined that Carrington stole $92.33 worth of merchandise. She was charged with Theft: Less than $100.

 

Trespassing: 26-80655 On September 16, 2026, Deputy MacWilliams responded to Jerry’s Subs and Pizza, located at 10290 Southern Maryland Blvd. in Dunkirk, for the reported trespassing. Investigation revealed Micheal Joseph Keller, 63, of no fixed address, had been previously trespassed from the entire Dunkirk Marketplace. Keller was transported to the Calvert County Detention Center and charged with Trespassing: Private Property. 

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – ?Sept. 30, 2026? – The Calvert County Department of Public Works, Water & Sewerage Division, is notifying the public of a wastewater overflow that occurred at the pumping station located at 204 Prince Frederick Blvd. in Prince Frederick. An estimated 500,000 gallons of untreated wastewater was released into Mill Creek.  

On the morning of Monday, Sept. 28, staff identified abnormal flow readings and pump run times at the pumping station. Crews immediately responded, brought the flow under control and completed disinfection of the affected area with lime by approximately 9:30 a.m. 

The Calvert County Health Department and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) were notified in accordance with state reporting requirements. 

The overflow is believed to have resulted from damage caused by recent heavy rainfall. Significant storm-related erosion undermined the streambank, causing it to collapse onto an exposed sewer line. The damaged sewer line fractured, allowing untreated wastewater to discharge into Mill Creek. 

The incident did not affect drinking water quality or wastewater service to customers. 

County staff have stabilized the site and are working with engineering consultants and MDE to evaluate the damage and develop a permanent repair for the sewer line. The county will continue to monitor the area throughout the repair process. 

As a precaution, the Calvert County Health Department's Division of Environmental Health advises residents and visitors to avoid direct contact with the waters of Mill Creek in the affected area for 10 days, through Oct. 8, 2026.  

For questions about the wastewater overflow, contact the Department of Public Works, Water & Sewerage Division, at 410-535-2204, or email WaterandSewerage@calvertcountymd.gov. For more information on protective actions and recommendations contact the Calvert County Health Department at 410-535-5400. 

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at?www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay connected with Calvert County Government through the mobile app, newsletters, social media and more at?www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/StayInformed.  

Jerry Beatty, convicted in the 1982 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 22-year-old college student Stephanie Roper, will appear for a parole hearing on Thursday, October 1, 2026 at the Maryland Correctional Training Center in Hagerstown, MD. The hearing follows Beatty's petition for a sentence reduction under Maryland's Juvenile Restoration Act (JUVRA), which allows people convicted as juveniles to seek shorter sentences after serving 20 years. His JUVRA hearing was originally scheduled in 2024. The court denied his request in February 2026. In explaining its decision, the court addressed the brutality of the crimes, the opportunities Beatty had to change the course of events, and his failure to address his mental health diagnoses. Parole is a separate process, and Stephanie's family and Maryland Crime Victims' Resource Center (MCVRC) will once again be there to make sure her voice is heard. Stephanie’s family faces a predicament that has become familiar to victims’ families across Maryland: repeated proceedings over the possible release of the person who harmed their loved one. Under JUVRA, an eligible person may seek a sentence reduction as many as three times, with another motion permitted at least three years after a denial. A new law taking effect on October 1 also bars the Maryland Parole Commission from permanently denying parole and requires future parole hearings after a denial. These separate processes can overlap, requiring families to prepare for hearing after hearing, relive the crime, and speak again for their loved ones and the safety of their communities.

Stephanie's mother, Roberta Roper, has spent the last 44 years fighting for her daughter and for crime victim throughout Maryland. The family has consistently opposed Beatty's release. Facing a parole hearing only months after the court denied his sentence reduction adds another painful burden to a family that has carried this loss for decades.

The property contains a network of streams that flow toward the Patuxent River, helping protect forest habitat, water quality, and the rural character of Southern Maryland.

For Gwen Bankins, however, protecting the property was about more than its natural resources. It was about preserving a family legacy that reaches back generations.

“It was about building and preserving the legacy of land in the first county in Maryland, St. Mary’s County,” Bankins says.

The property has been in her family since her great-great-grandfather purchased it. At a time when African Americans faced significant barriers to land ownership, his ability to acquire and retain land represented an important achievement. Today, Bankins sees the conservation easement to ensure that legacy continues.

“Being an African American at the time my great-great-grandfather purchased it was not something easy, and to leave a legacy of African American ownership is not something to be taken lightly,” she says.

The Rural Legacy Program of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources helps protect the state’s most important agricultural, forest, and natural resource areas through permanent conservation easements. The Bankins property adds an important block of protected forest within the Patuxent River watershed while ensuring that the land’s conservation values will endure.

For Bankins, working with PTLT has particular importance. “PTLT cared about my property and what the legacy of land means in St. Mary’s County,” she says. “PTLT cared about preserving the land for future generations.”

The conservation of the Bankins property also contributes to the protection of the Patuxent River watershed. Its 83 acres of woodland and streams provide habitat and help maintain the natural functions of the landscape by slowing runoff, filtering water, and protecting stream corridors.

Bankins views the future of the property through the same lens as its past.

“Resilience, strength, it gives you the opportunity to pass a legacy to future generations. These are the roots for the future.” That sense of stewardship takes on particular meaning as Maryland approaches its 400th anniversary.

“The Founders came across the water for something better. We need to preserve their intent,” Bankins says.

The Bankins easement represents both environmental conservation and the preservation of a family story—one rooted in land ownership, perseverance, and a commitment to ensuring that future generations have something to inherit.

“Conservation easements are about much more than keeping land undeveloped,” says Abigail Greenwell, Executive Director of Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust. “They protect the places that tell the story of our communities and provide families the opportunity to define their legacy. The Bankins property is a powerful example of how land conservation can preserve both land and the history carried by it.”

About Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust

Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting the farms, forests, streams, and natural lands of Southern Maryland. PTLT works with landowners to conserve important properties through conservation easements and provides ongoing stewardship to ensure that protected lands remain protected for generations to come. To date Patuxent Tidewater Land has conserved over 7,000 acres of rural Southern Maryland in perpetuity. To inquire about conserving land contact saveland@ptlt.org.

The Charles County Department of Health is alerting all citizens and visitors to a rabies case identified in Charlotte Hall, MD. One skunk tested POSITIVE for rabies on September 28, 2026 in the vicinity of Ryceville Road and Pudges Place.  If you or your pet recently had contact with a skunk from this location, please call the Charles County Department at 301-609-6768.

 

We urge everyone to avoid contact with unknown animals and wildlife. Rabies is a disease of animals and people, spread through the saliva of a rabid animal. Usually, this occurs when a rabid animal bites or scratches a person or animal. Secondary exposure can occur from saliva on the coat or fur of an animal that was exposed to a rabid animal. The virus can get into the body through open cuts or wounds, or through the eyes, nose, or mouth.

 

Domesticated animals like dogs, cats, and ferrets can contract rabies from wild animals such as raccoons, foxes, skunks, and bats. Getting your pets vaccinated against rabies will prevent them from contracting the disease. Livestock may also be infected with rabies. You should contact your veterinarian for information on rabies and livestock vaccination. It is important to teach your children to stay away from wild and unknown animals.

 

A current rabies vaccination for your pet is vital. Please get in touch with your local vet for an updated vaccine for your pets. Rabies vaccines are available through your veterinarian, as well as at local businesses including Petco, Banfield, and Tractor Supply, as well as through the FREE drive-through rabies clinics hosted by the Charles County Department of Health and Charles County Animal Control on Sunday, October 18th and November 15th for dogs, cats, and ferrets. The clinics will be held at 10425 Audie Lane in LaPlata, MD, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Please bring your previous rabies certificate to receive a 3-year vaccine. Please contact 301-609-3425 or 301-609-6751 for questions.

 

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) and the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS PAX) will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 9 a.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room, located at 41770 Baldridge St. in Leonardtown.

 

This meeting is open to the public and will be recorded. The recording will air on St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) TV Channel 95 as part of the regular CSMC meeting replay and will be available for on-demand viewing via our YouTube Channel post-production. CSMC decisions and related documents are available on the SMCG website by clicking Board Documents from the SMCG home page.

Information on the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, including meeting schedules, minutes, and more is available at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/csmc. For more details on the meeting or to request accommodation, please call the Public Information Office at (301) 475-4200, ext. 1340.

For more information on SMCG programs and operations, visit: www.stmaryscountymd.gov or follow St. Mary’s County Government on Facebook, X, and Instagram for regular updates.

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – ?Sept. 29, 2026? – The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners voted to award the sale of $75.9 million in public improvement general obligation bonds during its Aug. 18, 2026, meeting.  

The bond sale helps finance public projects to improve, upgrade and build county infrastructure and facilities previously approved in the FY 24-26 capital improvement plans.  

The winning bid for the bond sale Sept. 29 came from Hilltop Securities, at a true interest cost of 4.66%.  

In September, Calvert County Government’s AAA credit rating was reaffirmed by three independent credit rating agencies, reflecting the county’s strong economy, robust revenues and sound financial management. The AAA credit rating allows the county government to secure funding through bond sales at lower interest rates, reducing borrowing costs for major capital projects.  

Bond funding is included for the following ongoing projects: Northern Middle School improvements; Prince Frederick Loop Road; Barstow Convenience Center upgrade; Hall Aquatic Center roof/HVAC replacement; sewer collection rehabilitation; Solomons Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades; Back Creek loop water main; West Prince Frederick storage tank; Southern Middle School HVAC; St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad facility replacement; Boyd’s Turn Road; Brooks Administrative Building; Calvert Pines Senior Center renovation/expansion; and Little Cove Point Road curve repair.   

The bond sale also provides funding for several other projects.    

For additional information, contact the Calvert County Department of Finance & Budget at 410-535-1600, or email budgetteam@calvertcountymd.gov.    

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at?www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay connected with Calvert County Government through the mobile app, newsletters, social media and more at?www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/StayInformed.  

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – ?Sept. 29, 2026? – The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners appointed Bradley J. Neitzel as the new attorney for Calvert County Government on Sept. 29, 2026. Neitzel, currently chief of litigation for the Baltimore County Office of Law in Towson, was selected after a competitive recruitment process. He will join Calvert County Government on Oct. 19.  

“We are extremely pleased and fortunate to have such a qualified and experienced attorney joining Calvert County Government,” said Commissioner President Todd Ireland. “Neitzel brings with him decades of legal experience serving the citizens of Maryland.”     

Neitzel has served as an assistant county attorney in Baltimore County since 2021. Before that, he was a senior assistant county attorney for Harford County from 2016 to 2021 and worked for the Maryland Office of the Attorney General as an assistant attorney general and senior counsel for litigation. He also served as assistant state’s attorney in the St. Mary’s County Office of the State’s Attorney from 2007 to 2008.  

Neitzel received his law degree from the University of Illinois in 1998, a master’s degree in biblical studies from Union Theological Seminary in 1995 and a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from the University of Virginia in 1993.  

The Calvert County Office of the County Attorney provides legal services to the Board of County Commissioners, the county administrator, county departments and advisory boards and commissions when instructed by the county commissioners. Services include providing legal advice; reviewing deeds, bonds, contracts and other legal documents; handling civil litigation involving the county, its officers and employees; advising commissioners during meetings; drafting local and state legislation; and maintaining the county code.  

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at?www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay connected with Calvert County Government through the mobile app, newsletters, social media and more at?www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/StayInformed.  

LEONARDTOWN, MD – Stanley Martin Homes has withdrawn its request to change the land use designation for the Wildewood Preserve property. As a result, this application will not be included for consideration by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County and will not be subject to public comment during the public hearing for the St. Mary’s 2050 Comprehensive Plan. 

 

The public hearing will be conducted on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the CSMC Meeting Room of the Chesapeake Building located at 41770 Baldridge St. in Leonardtown.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and sign-up sheets for those wishing to speak will be available in the lobby.

Residents are encouraged to attend and share their feedback on the draft St. Mary’s 2050 plan. Those wishing to address the Commissioners may participate in person or provide feedback via:

• Email to: csmc@stmaryscountymd.gov 
• Mail to: PO Box 653 Leonardtown, Maryland 20650

The deadline to submit public comments is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. All submissions will be considered by the CSMC at the Public Hearing and for up to seven days following the hearing. Additional details regarding the Public Hearing are available at: www.stmaryscountymd.gov/publichearings.

For more information or assistance, please contact the Department of Land Use & Growth Management (LUGM) at (301) 475-4200, ext. 1500, or via email to StMarys2050@stmaryscountymd.gov. Community members are also welcome to stop by the LUGM office to speak with a member of our team. Additional information, including office hours and location details, is available at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/LUGM.

About St. Mary’s 2050

St. Mary’s 2050: Charting Our Tomorrow is an update to the County’s Comprehensive Plan that will guide future land use and development decisions while supporting economic vitality, environmental stewardship, and quality of life. Continued community engagement is a key component of creating a plan that reflects a shared vision for St. Mary’s County’s future. 

[September 29, 2026] The County Administrator wishes to remind residents of changes to operating schedules for the month of October: 

Monday, Oct. 12 (Indigenous Peoples' Day)

• All Charles County Government offices and the Charles County Animal Care Center in Hughesville will be closed.
• All school-based community centers are open.
• All indoor pools will be open noon to 5 p.m. for open swim (Donald M. Wade Aquatic Center and North Point). Lackey Indoor Aquatic Center is closed.
• The Waldorf Senior and Recreation Center will be closed.
• Port Tobacco Recreation Center will be open for scheduled programs.
• Elite Gymnastics & Recreation Center will be open for normal operating hours.

Thursday, Oct. 22

• The Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services and treasury offices will close at 11 a.m. for staff training. 

Operating status for other county-affiliated agencies:

• Charles County Parks and Tourism Facilities: www.CharlesCountyParks.com/about-us/operating-status
• Charles County Public Library: www.ccplonline.org
• Charles County Health Department: www.CharlesCountyHealth.org
• Charles County Public Schools: www.ccboe.com