During the week of March 13 – March 19, 2023, Calvert County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to 2,027 calls for service throughout the community.

Theft: 23-18170

On March 15, 2023, DFC Aley received report of a theft. The complainant advised a pair of Maryland registration plates were stolen from the victim’s residence in the 9800 block of Golden Russet Drive in Dunkirk. The estimated value of stolen property is $100.00.

Theft: 23-18710

On March 17, 2023, Deputy Smith responded to the Planet Fitness located at 865 N. Solomons Island Road in Prince Frederick, for the report of multiple thefts from members’ lockers. The complainant advised the suspect entered the business, proceeded to the locker rooms and stole 3 locks off lockers and stole $210 in cash. The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 35 years old, 5 feet 11 inches tall, with a tattoo under his left eye and a goatee. He was last seen wearing a white shirt and a skull cap.

Theft: 23-19210

On March 19, 2023, Sgt. McCarroll responded to the Smoke King located at 4955 St. Leonard Road in St. Leonard, for the report of a theft. Investigation revealed an unknown suspect entered the business and took items out of the display case then fled the store. The suspect is described as a black male with a medium complexion, between 5’8”-5’10” tall, weighing 180-200 lbs., wearing a white colored hoodie style sweatshirt, a black face covering and dark jeans. The stolen items were two smoking devices described as: clear glass with pink colored accents and the other was described as a small “Banger Kit” in a tin case. The total value of stolen property was $115.00.

ARRESTS

On March 15, 2023, at 1:52 a.m., members of the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) Stop Team initiated a traffic stop in the area of Armory Road and Main Street in Prince Frederick. Upon approaching the car, deputies detected a strong odor of raw marijuana emitting from the vehicle. Further investigation revealed a significant amount of marijuana (107 grams), a digital scale, and a large amount of U.S. Currency ($960). Both the driver, Marques Ciantae-Jaleel Griffith, 18 of Lusby, and passenger, Adam Joseph Holland, 20 of Prince Frederick, were arrested and charged with CDS: Possession of Cannabis 10 grams , CDS: Possession with Intent to Distribute, and CDS: Possession of Paraphernalia.  

 On March 18, 2023, Deputy Claggett responded to the Calvert County Detention Center located at 325 Stafford Road in Prince Frederick for recovered property. Investigation revealed a routine search of a jail cell was conducted and multiple tabs of Suboxone wrapped inside a paper towel were recovered. Inmate Daniel Matthew Proctor, 55 of Upper Marlboro, was charged with Possession of Contraband in a Place of Confinement, CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis, and Possession/Receiving CDS While Confined Other Dangerous Drugs.

On March 18, 2023, DFC Savick conducted initiated a traffic stop in the 3700 block of E. Chesapeake Beach Road in Chesapeake Beach after observing a traffic violation. Upon making contact with the occupants, a strong odor of raw marijuana was emitting from the vehicle. The passenger, Khamari Michael Ruffin, 21 of Fort Washington, handed deputies two marijuana cigarettes and fled on foot. Ruffin was located and apprehended a short time later. Investigation revealed Ruffin was wanted on a felony warrant through Fairfax County. A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed 6 Ziplock bags of marijuana (456 grams total), 1 paper sheet containing 36 LSD tabs, 2 marijuana joints, 1 loaded Glock 19 9mm, and an extended magazine with 21 rounds in it. A scale, rolling papers, and multiple Ziplock bags were also recovered. A search of Ruffin’s person revealed $704.00 in US currency and a spring-loaded knife. Further investigation revealed the driver, Diamond Jean Booze, 24 of Washington D.C., was wanted by the Prince George’s County Sheriff’s Office. Both Ruffin and Booze were taken into custody and transported to the Calvert County Detention Center where they were served all subsequent charging documents. Booze was charged with CDS: Possession of Cannabis 10 GM , CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis, Loaded Handgun in a Vehicle and Handgun in a Vehicle. Ruffin was charged with CDS: Possession of Cannabis 10 GM , CDS: Possession-Not Cannabis, Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm and Illegal Possession of Ammunition, and Handgun in a Vehicle.

The victims of an early Monday morning house fire in Lexington Park have been positively identified as 59-year-old Jerome Garcia Barnes and 61-year-old Mary Jacqueline Queen. According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, both died due to smoke inhalation. 

Deputy State Fire Marshals have concluded the fire originated within the basement. While the fire remains under investigation, they have not recovered evidence that it was an act of arson and continue to explore all possible accidental causes. 

At around 1:20 a.m. on Monday, an occupant awoke to smoke and discovered a fire within the basement. The person who discovered the fire and two others escaped the two-story home.

Upon the arrival of firefighters, they were told two people were still trapped inside the home. They immediately located Barnes and Queen on the second floor. Investigators learned the home was being rented, and everyone within the home was related.

It took 40 firefighters from the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments to control the one-alarm blaze.

The Office of the State Fire Marshals continues to work in collaboration with the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, which is a standard operating procedure whenever a fatal fire occurs.

This double fire fatality comes on the heels of three children tragically losing their lives in a Baltimore City fire last Saturday. The Office of the State Fire Marshal requests all Marylanders to remain vigilant in maintaining smoke alarms in their homes. 

"Within the first three months of the new year, we're seeing an uptick in tragedies associated with home fires across Maryland," said State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci, "We need families to be aware of the fire hazards in their homes and put into practice, some straightforward safety tips. First and foremost, test your smoke alarms; this single device is the most effective tool in preventing injury or death. Make a plan. Please come together as a family and make a home escape plan so you all know what to do in an emergency. Please move to your family's safe spot when the smoke and CO alarms sound. Remember to get out and stay out and dial 911 from a safe location." stated Geraci

Bomb Threat Being Investigated: Investigators with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office Homeland Security and Intelligence Section and school resource officers are working with Charles County Public Schools to investigate a bomb threat that was sent to students via an air-dropped message to their cell phones earlier today. The threat indicated a bomb would be detonated at all Charles County schools on March 24. Students reported the message to school administrators. A preliminary investigation shows the sender’s source is unknown; however, investigators learned schools throughout the nation have been receiving similar air-dropped messages about bomb threats. Anyone with information is asked to call PFC Joffe at 301-609-3282 ext. 0608. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app.

The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) is suspending wet season perc testing effective Friday, March 24, 2023. The suspension is due to declining groundwater levels, made clear by observing conditions within a network of monitoring wells in the county.
 
All perc test applications that were not scheduled and evaluated will be suspended and rescheduled first when groundwater levels are adequate for the next wet season, expected in 2024. Applicants may also request a refund; however, they must then reapply when the wet season returns and will lose their place/priority for scheduling during the next perc testing season.
 
For more information, please contact the Environmental Health Division at (301) 475-4321 or via email at smchd.env@maryland.gov. For additional information about perc testing, please visit smchd.org/perc-testing.

Drugs and Firearm Recovered during Traffic Stop: On March 22 at 6:41 a.m., a patrol officer initiated a traffic stop in the 3600 block of Leonardtown Road after observing a registration violation. Upon approaching the driver, the officer detected the strong odor of burnt marijuana. Further investigation revealed the driver was in possession of a Polymer 80 firearm – the gun does not have a serial number – a fully loaded magazine, and suspected marijuana. The driver, Craig Matthew Wilkerson, 30, of Waldorf, was arrested and charged with transporting a firearm in a vehicle, possession of a firearm without a serial number, and driving a vehicle without current registration, insurance, and suspended registration. On March 22, a district court commissioner released Wilkerson from the Charles County Detention Center on personal recognizance. Sgt. J. Morales investigated.

Patrol Officers Recover Drugs and Loaded Firearm during Traffic Stop: On March 21 at 1:38 a.m., a patrol officer was in the area of Promenade Place when he observed a van in the middle of the apartment complex parking lot. As the officer began to investigate, the driver suddenly fled. At the same time, the officer received an alert on the vehicle’s license plate that there was a flag issued for insurance lapses. The van was observed by another officer who initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in the area of Technology Place. When the officer approached the van, he noticed a handgun in plain view. The driver was taken into custody. A computer check revealed the driver was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a previous conviction. The driver was also in possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms. Conrad Fitzgerald Marshall, Jr., 36, of Baltimore, was charged with illegal possession of a firearm, transporting a firearm in a vehicle, and possession of drugs. On March 21, a district court commissioner released Marshall from the Charles County Detention Center after he paid 10 percent of a $7,500 bond. M/CPL Saunders and Sgt. Arends are investigating.

On Tuesday, March 21, Commissioners received a briefing on the Charter form of government and voted 3-2 to approve a resolution to form a charter board. The nine-member board would be composed of county residents, two from each district and one at-large, who are appointed by Commissioners to manage the process of drafting a charter to change Charles County to a charter form of government. Four public hearings, with one scheduled in each district, will be held to gather input on the draft charter. The charter board will be appointed to begin their work on June 1, 2023, and be required to complete its work by June 1, 2024.

Commissioners directed staff to immediately begin work by advertising the opportunity for community members to apply for appointment to the board. The board will be responsible for engaging the community, holding public hearings, and providing opportunities for public input and feedback in drafting a proposed charter. The charter would be subject to voter approval at the next general election.

Legislative Update

Associate County Attorney Danielle Mitchell provided a legislative update on the 2023 General Assembly session. All the Commissioners’ proposals received hearings by the crossover date of March 20. Senate Bill 521, a legislative proposal regarding the volunteer emergency responders’ tax credit, was amended to a cap of $150,000 in the House and maintained at $250,000 in the Senate.

FY 2024 Budget Work Session

The Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services staff provided a Fiscal 2024 Budget Work Session on the Enterprise Funds Operating and Capital Improvement Projects, as well as fees and charges.  Overviews of the Water and Sewer Fund and Water and Sewer Capital Improvement Program, Recreation Fund, and the Cable Fund were provided.

The proposed water and sewer fund budget was increased to add staff for engineering, maintenance and program management, and one-time costs for wastewater maintenance projects. Capital projects include new water tower construction and maintenance, improvements to aging wastewater infrastructure, and expanded connections and waterlines throughout the county. Anticipated fees and charges would be adjusted to pay for these investments.

The budget public hearing is scheduled on Wed, Apr 26. All documents and information related to the budget process is located on the county’s website.

Open Session Briefings

• Staff briefed Commissioners on the Agritourism bill, which was developed based on input from the Rural Planning and Zoning Task Force to promote new opportunities for existing and proposed agritourism in Charles County. They highlighted the economic development, regulatory, and legal considerations for agricultural business operations. The Commissioners directed staff to pursue modifications in the language to ensure clarity for customers.
• The Charles County Military Alliance Council briefed Commissioners on its role in advocating for the important role of the Naval Support Facility Indian Head. Representatives shared the goals, economic impact, and community support it provides to Charles County.
• Destination Southern Maryland Executive Director Lucille Walker briefed Commissioners on the recent designation of southern Maryland as a National Heritage Area. This federal designation recognizes that this region has “natural, cultural and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. A formal celebration is planned on Sat, May 25, at 12 p.m. at Piscataway Park in Accokeek, MD.
• Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services Director Jeni Ellin provided an update on Commissioners’ request to identify a funding source for transferring $200,000 for the Maryland Money Market program. The funds would assist Charles County residents experiencing food insecurity to purchase fresh foods from local farmers markets, farm stands and CSAs. Ms. Elin recommended that Commissioners consider transferring American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the initiative.

Approval Items

• A budget amendment increase of $296,400 in the Inspection and Review Enterprise Fund to pay for an increase in the amount of plan reviews completed by contractors.
• A budget transfer request of $96,150 to cover current and anticipated overruns in various salary accounts within the Environmental Service Enterprise Fund.
• A letter of support from Commissioners affirming the commitment to match additional grant funds from the Federal Transit Administration, to pay for increased construction costs for the VanGO operations and maintenance facility.

Actions on Boards, Commissions and Committees

• Commissioners reappointed Kevin Wedding and appointed Denard Earl to the Planning Commission.
• Commissioners appointed Cynthia Ybanez-Cazarez to the Board of Appeals.

Recognition

Commissioners recognized employees who provided support for the Oath of Office Ceremony on December 6.

Viewing option of meetings: Click Here

Next Commissioners Session March 28-29, 2023

Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Commissioners of St. Mary's County will hold a public hearing on April 18, 2023, at 9: 15 a.m. in the Chesapeake Building located at 41 770 Baldridge Street in Leonardtown, Maryland to consider public input on a proposed amendment to amend the water and sewer service categories from W-6D and S-6D (service in 6 to 10 years, developer financed) to W-3D and S-3D ( service in 3 to 5 years, developer financed) for 2.00 acres described as Tax Map 34, Gird 02, Parcel 0183 in the 6th Election District, Tax ID 025390. The property is located at 23836 Mervell Dean Road, Hollywood, MD 20636. The proposed ordinance can be viewed at http: //www.stmarysmd.com/publichearing.asp. Those wishing to address the Commissioners may also participate via email, written correspondence, or prerecorded video submissions. The public hearing may be viewed on SMCG Channel 95 or the SMCG YouTube Channel. In lieu of appearance, comments may be submitted via: a. Phone: 301-475-4200 x 1234 to speak via telephone during the public hearing b. Email: csmc@stmarysmd.com c. U.S. Mail: PO Box 653, Leonardtown, MD 20650 d. Submit a 3-minute video clip to publicmtgs@stmarysmd.com no later than 5:00 PM on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. All submissions will be considered by the Commissioners at the Public Hearing and/ or the seven (7) days following the Public Hearing. Public Hearing Guidelines are subject to change. Appropriate accommodations for individuals with special needs will be provided upon request. In order to meet these requirements, we respectfully ask for one week's prior notice. Please contract the Commissioners' Office at 301-475-4200 Ext 1340. Proceedings are televised live and/ or recorded for later broadcast on television. All content of these proceedings is subject to disclosure under the Maryland Public Information Act. Photographic and electronic audio and visual broadcasting and recording devices are used during the Commissioners' meetings. These are public meetings and attendance at these meetings automatically grants St. Mary's County Government permission to broadcast your audio and visual image. COMMISSIONERS OF ST. MARY'S COUNTY By: Courtney Jenkins, AICP, Deputy Director, Department of Land Use and Growth Management Please publish as a legal notice in the Southern Maryland News on March 24, 2023 and March 31, 2023. Requested by: Department of Land Use and Growth Management Resolution No. 2023- Subject: Amendment to the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan by Designating 2.00 Acres at 23826 Mervell Road, Hollywood. Maryland 20636 as Water Category W-3D and Sewer Category S-3D. Case No. CWSP #22-0307, O'Reilly's Auto Parts Pagel of2 RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE ST. MARY'S COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE WATER AND SEWERAGE PLAN BY DESIGN A TING 2.00 ACRES AT 23926 MERVELL DEAN ROAD HOLLYWOOD, MARYLAND 20636, AS WATER CATEGORY W-3D AND SEWER CATEGORY S-3D WHEREAS, O'Reilly's Auto Parts (the "Applicant") made application to access community water and sewer service for proposed commercial development on 2.00 acres described in a deed recorded among the Land Records of St. Mary's County in Book No. 2373, Page 130 and located at 23826 Mervell Dean Road Hollywood, Maryland 20636 and designated as Tax Map 34, Grid 026, Parcels O 183, Tax ID 025390 in the 6th Election District of St. Mary's County, Maryland (the "Property"); and WHEREAS, this access necessitates amendment to the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan (hereinafter the "CWSP"); and WHEREAS, pursuant to §9-506 of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, on January 23, 2023, the St. Mary's County Planning Commission recommended adoption of the proposed amendments to the Commissioners of St. Mary's County; and WHEREAS, in accordance with §9-503(d)(2) of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, a notice of a public hearing was advertised on March 24, 2023 and March 31, 2023, in The Southern Maryland News, a newspaper of general circulation in St. Mary's County, and a public hearing was held on April 18, 2023, to receive public comment and consider adoption of the amendments of the Plan; and WHEREAS, the Commissioners of St. Mary's County find that it is in the best interest of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of St. Mary's County to adopt the amendments of the Plan. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Commissioners of St. Mary's County, pursuant to §9-503 of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, that: SECTION I. Service Area maps III-50 and IV-50 in the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan are amended as follows: 2.00 acres described in a deed recorded among the Land Records of St. Mary's County in Book No. 2373, Page 130 and located at 23836 Mervell Dean Road Hollywood, Maryland 20636, is designated as Water Category W-3D and Sewer Category S-3D. SECTION II. The amendments of the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan shall be submitted to the Maryland Department of the Environment. SECTION III. This Resolution shall be effective on the date of approval of the amendments by the Maryland Department of the Environment. 

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County are seeking applications from residents who are interested in serving on a local Board, Committee, or Commission. Volunteering to serve as member of these groups is an excellent way to meet new people while contributing to the successful operation and development of our community!

Please visit stmaryscountymd.gov/boards for the membership application or detailed descriptions; all applications must include a resume and be submitted no later than May 19, 2023.

Current vacancies:

• Agriculture, Seafood & Forestry Commission
• Airport Advisory Board
• Animal Control Advisory Board
• Board of Trustees Museum Division
• Commission for Women
• Commission on Aging
• Commission on the Environment
• Economic Development Commission
• Housing Authority Board
• Human Relations Commission
• Library Board of Trustees (May 1^st application deadline)
• Local Management Board
• Police Accountability Board
• Social Services Board
• Transportation Advisory Committee

Please note the following vacancies have special requirements:

• Adult Public Guardianship Review Board – Applicants must have a physical disability.
• Historic Preservation Commission – Must have disciplines of architecture, architectural history, history, or archaeology.
• Metropolitan Commission – Applicants must live in the 1^st District.
• Plumbing Fuel Gas Board – Must be a licensed plumber.

Interested residents can download an application online at stmaryscountymd.gov/boards or call Diane Gleissner at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1707 for more information.

Student Falls Ill After Ingesting Edible / Edibles Recovered from High School Student: On March 21 at 10:53 a.m., a student from Lackey High School approached a school counselor and indicated they were hallucinating and felt sick. The student was taken to a school nurse where the student indicated they obtained an edible from another student while attending morning classes at Robert D. Stethem Educational Center. The student was evaluated and sent home with a parent. Through investigation, school resource officers (SROs) determined the student obtained the edible from a North Point High School student who was also at Stethem earlier today. North Point High School administrators located the student and found the student to be in possession of edibles and several vape chargers. School resource officers from Lackey and North Point High Schools and the SRO from Stethem Educational Center are continuing the investigation and the Charles County State’s Attorney’s Office is being consulted regarding charges. The students also face disciplinary action by CCPS.

Parents are asked to talk with their children about the dangers of ingesting foods or liquids that contain dangerous substances, as there is a risk the substance could contain life-threatening poisons such as fentanyl or other toxic materials. Anyone with additional details is asked to call Cpl. Ondrish at 301-609-3282 ext. 0636. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary's County (CSMC) held their regular business meeting on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, beginning with the invocation and pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda.

The Commissioners then presented a proclamation for National Agricultural Day.

During County Administrator time, the Commissioners took the following action:

• Approved the Department of Land Use & Growth Management’s request for a public hearing to consider an amendment to the St. Mary’s County Comprehensive Water and Sewerage Plan for the property located at 23836 Mervell Dean Road.
• Approved the Office of the State’s Attorney’s request to apply for the Gun Violence Reduction grant; Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program grant; and the Performance Incentive Grant Fund Program.
• Approved the Department of Emergency Services Hazard Mitigation Plan Update and Resolution 2023-04.
• Approved the Department of Aging & Human Services’ acceptance of the FY2024 Community Partnership Agreement for $501,520 in State funds and $1,102 in County funds.
• Approved the Department of Public Works & Transportation’s request to apply for the FY2024 St. Mary’s Transit System Annual Transportation Grant for $3,641,416.
• Approved the Department of Recreation & Parks’ acceptance of the Waterway Improvement Fund Grant Modification in the amount of $74,903 for the repair of Bushwood Wharf.
• Approved the Office of the County Attorney’s quit claim deed transfer to BMC Enterprises, LCC.

The Commissioners then received a legislative update from the Office of the County Attorney.

The CSMC will host their next regular business meeting on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 9 a.m. CSMC decisions and related public documents are available on the county government website in BoardDocs. CSMC meetings can be viewed live Tuesday mornings on SMCG Channel 95 or as a replay Friday at 6:30 p.m. Meetings are also available for on-demand viewing on the St. Mary's County Government YouTube Channel.

The Calvert County Department of Public Safety has issued the following statement regarding the safety hazard of cliff erosion and an exposed septic tank in the area of Driftwood Beach in Lusby.

In October 2020, cliff erosion following a storm exposed a septic tank located on a residential property along the cliffs in the Driftwood Beach area of Lusby. Following the recommendation of the Calvert County Health Department, Division of Environmental Health, the septic tank was pumped and capped. The home was voluntarily vacated by the resident soon after. Due to the instability of the cliff, staff and equipment cannot safely be brought onto the property to remove the septic tank.

Signs are posted warning the public to stay out, however members of the public continue to walk along the beach in the area. The cliff remains unstable and creates a potential hazard to anyone walking on the beach.

This property is one of several high-risk properties that are continually monitored by the county. Since November 2020, the Calvert County Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division, has been diligently working with the property owner to secure funding through FEMA to acquire the property. The acquisition of any high-risk, residential property is voluntary and done by request of the owner. Calvert County continues to work with our local, state and federal partners navigate the complex hazard mitigation process.

The cliffs of Calvert County are a remarkable part of our county’s natural heritage; however, many areas of the cliffs may be vulnerable to collapse. The areas at highest risk were identified during a Cliff Stabilization Study conducted in 2010. The study identified residential properties at highest risk, as well as areas where presence of the Puritan tiger beetle, a protected species, would limit cliff stabilization efforts.

Citizens are advised to explore only in areas designated safe for public access and always remain aware of your surroundings. While Calvert County values exploration of our natural world, we urge you to do so safely and responsibly. The well-being of our citizens and environment are vital to the future of our community.

Calvert County Government is upgrading and consolidating its human resources and financial management systems to a single cloud-based software application called Workday. While the new system will officially go live for county employees on March 27, 2023, the transfer of data and user training is taking place now through early April. County government services and operations will continue as usual, though minor interruptions may occur.

The Workday system will integrate tools for employee data, compensation, recruiting, training and finance information. In order to facilitate a seamless transition to the new system, vendors doing business with the county have been notified that any invoices received between now and Friday, April 7, will be held for processing until after Monday, April 10. Vendors may contact the Department of Finance & Budget at FinanceAP@calvertcountymd.gov or 410-535-1600 with any questions.

“This has been a major undertaking with intense collaboration between departments to modernize the tools our employees use every day,” said Board of County Commissioners President Earl F. “Buddy” Hance. “We are bringing together business components that are currently managed through different systems into a single tool. While the direct impact of this change will be on county employees, we are certain the public will reap the benefits of more streamlined procedures and accountable business practices.”

The software launch is the culmination of a 12-month, $2.4 million implementation effort spearheaded by the Technology Services, Finance & Budget, Human Resources and Communications & Media Relations departments to design, develop, test and train users on the integrated system.

Find information on Calvert County Government services online at www.CalvertCountyMd.gov. Stay up to date with Calvert County Government on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyMd and YouTube at www.youtube.com/CalvertCountyGov.

LEONARDTOWN, MD (March 21, 2023) - The Rotary Club of Charlotte Hall and Community Bank of the Chesapeake have awarded the St. Mary’s County Health Department with a $10,000 grant to promote the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young people age 15-44 in the United States. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline connects anyone in crisis - via call, text or chat - to a trained call specialist who will provide support and connect them to local resources as needed.   

“The Rotary Club of Charlotte Hall’s members recognize that suicide is a fight that can affect anyone, and we are proud to partner with the St. Mary’s County Health Department and Community Bank of the Chesapeake to help with the County’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline initiative,” said Theresa Dorsey, President, Rotary Club of Charlotte Hall. “I have experienced the tragedy of losing coworkers to suicide. Our Club feels that it is important for the citizens of St. Mary’s County to know there are resources to help with suicide crisis intervention, whether they call the Crisis Lifeline, or if they are treated at a nearby medical facility or emergency room.  We are thankful to St. Mary’s County Health Department for caring about its citizens in their time of need.”

“We’re proud to support the St. Mary’s County Health Department’s 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline initiative. We hope the funds contributed to this cause help build community awareness of suicide prevention and assist those in their time of need. With suicides on the rise, it is vital to have resources and support readily available. Thank you, St. Mary’s Health Department, for leading this initiative,” said Jimmy Burke, President and CEO at Community Bank of the Chesapeake.
 
“The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is important to getting immediate support to people when they are in the vulnerable moments of a crisis related to mental health or substance use,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “We greatly appreciate this grant from the Rotary Club of Charlotte Hall and Community Bank of the Chesapeake. The funding will connect residents to the new 988 resource and other community services that can help get them through their time of crisis.”
 
For more information about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or to find local resources for behavioral health support, please visit smchd.org/crisis. 
 
If you or someone you know is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.

Forever Maryland announces that 31 grants totaling $92,000 have been awarded to support environmental education, community cleanup, and beautification projects through the Keep Maryland Beautiful program. The annual grants are funded by the Maryland Environmental Trust, Forever Maryland, and Maryland Department of Transportation.  

The grants are administered by Forever Maryland; it is the oldest program of the Maryland Environmental Trust, a unit of the Department of Natural Resources.

“Since its inception, the Keep Maryland Beautiful grants program has awarded grants to engaged citizens and land trusts that are developing innovative solutions to local environmental problems,” said Forever Maryland President Wendy Stringfellow. “I’ve been involved with this rewarding program for the past decade, and have seen its enormous impact. Thank you to the sponsors and the awardees for your contributions to Maryland!”

This program is administered by Forever Maryland and is the oldest program of the Maryland Environmental Trust, a unit of the Department of Natural Resources.

“The Keep Maryland Beautiful Program builds a strong partnership between our communities and state, in our shared goals of cleaner water and access to green space for all Marylanders,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz. “Funding these efforts also increases stewardship in every corner of Maryland.”

“Keep Maryland Beautiful grants demonstrate the power of partnership to create cleaner, greener communities for all Marylanders,” said Maryland Department of  Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The Maryland Department of Transportation is proud to join with other state agencies, schools, nonprofits and individual citizens to protect and enhance our state’s natural beauty and inspire a passion for environmental stewardship in future generations.”

Keep Maryland Beautiful recipients included schools, nonprofit groups, municipalities and land trusts in 12 counties and Baltimore City. Many of these grants focus on developing and supporting communities, families, youth and students who take personal responsibility for the health of their communities, protecting nature in their backyards and seeking ways to help reduce or resolve environmental challenges. 

Awards this year included:

• One Aileen Hughes award totaling $5,000, awarded to an individual representing a Maryland land trust for outstanding leadership, partnership and innovation in a conservation project. The grant is awarded to the Maryland land trust in recognition of the individual’s efforts and good work. The grant is given annually to honor the late Aileen Hughes, a leader in the conservation movement.
• 21 Citizen Stewardship awards totaling $37,000, given in honor of Bill James, who drafted the legislation that founded Maryland Environmental Trust, and Margaret Rosch Jones, former executive director of the Keep Maryland Beautiful program. The Citizen Stewardship grants are awarded to schools, nonprofits and other community organizations whose missions are centered upon directly engaging community members in environmental education and stewardship. These grants also support organizations that demonstrate active engagement as defenders of the environment by developing innovative solutions to local environmental problems. 
• 9 Janice Hollmann Grant awards totaling $50,000, given to Maryland land trusts to increase capacity, support community programming and innovation and foster stronger, better connected land trusts. All grants require a 100 percent match from the land trust of in-kind services and privately raised funds. The grant is given in memory of Janice Hollmann, who exemplified citizen leadership of local land trusts in Maryland.

2023 recipients of Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants include:

Anne Arundel County

Annapolis Maritime Museum & Park

Scenic Rivers Land Trust Inc.

Baltimore City

Baltimore Green Space – A Land Trust for Community Managed Open Space Inc.

Civic Works, Inc

Environmental Justice Journalism Initiative

Grow & Eat Inc. aka Harlem Park Community Farm

Lafayette Square Community Development Corporation

Living Classrooms Foundation 

Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm

The Sixth Branch

The Urban Oasis

Baltimore County
Gwynn Oak Community Association

NeighborSpace of Baltimore County Inc.

Calvert County

American Chestnut Land Trust Inc.

Charles County

Conservancy for Charles County Inc.

Gale-Bailey Elementary Green Club

Frederick County
Catoctin Land Trust

Garrett County

Crellin Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization Inc.

Harford County
Harford Land Trust Inc.

Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway

Howard County

Glenelg Country School

Patapsco Heritage Greenway Inc.

The Howard County Conservancy

Montgomery County
Amula Foundation (Also known as Rise N Shine Foundation Inc.)

Bethesda Green

Charles Koiner Center for Urban Farming Inc.

Montgomery Parks Foundation

St. Mary’s County
Greenwell FoundationJosh 

Talbot County

Eastern Shore Land Conservancy

Washington County
Antietam-Concocheague Watershed Alliance

More information on the grants is available online.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today published its Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Report, which provides an overview of the department’s success and operations last fiscal year. The department’s $2.4 billion investment provided an economic impact of approximately $4.9 billion for the state, including $83 million in state and local taxes. Nearly 22,000 full-time equivalent jobs with $1.1 billion in wages and salaries were created.

“The department continues to create jobs and drive economic impact while working to shelter all Marylanders,” said Secretary Jake Day. “DHCD programs provide funding for everything from housing developments, neighborhood revitalization projects and affordable mortgages, to broadband infrastructure and digital equity initiatives.”

The department’s productivity remained at historic highs while continuing to adapt to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. DHCD has served as the lead agency to administer more than $2 billion in state and federal resources toward COVID-19 response and recovery. In Fiscal Year 2022, approximately $1.2 billion has been invested in affordable rental housing development and rental services, including $504 million in federal low-income housing tax credits and state funds. The department’s Neighborhood Revitalization programs invested $232.8 million to support revitalization projects and services to improve communities across the state.

Through the Neighborhood BusinessWorks business lending program, the department provided $9.3 million in capital to 44 new and growing small businesses. Additionally, an investment of $37.9 million went toward energy efficiency and home repairs last fiscal year, which improve the quality of life for Maryland homeowners and renters by making their homes modern and comfortable while reducing utility costs. For the third consecutive year, the Maryland Mortgage Program made an average of more than $1 billion in loan reservations with borrowers receiving an additional $20.2 million in down payment assistance.

Read more about the department’s activities here.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County and the Commission on the Environment are pleased to announce the winners of the 4th annual St Mary’s County Sustainability Awards:

• The Southern Maryland Sierra Club
• The Environmental Division, Department of Public Works, Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS Pax River)

The Sustainability Awards recognize outstanding students, restaurants, businesses, non-profits, and farms in St Mary’s County for their environmental stewardship, resource conservation, innovative best practices, and pollution prevention efforts. All nominees for the 2022 calendar year demonstrated impressive commitment to improving local environmental impacts. 

The Southern Maryland Sierra Club has continued their 1,000 Trees initiative that began in 2018.  In 2022, Club volunteers planted 162 native trees in local parks and sports complexes to rebuild the native tree canopy. Additionally, they planted 27 shrubs at Lexington Manor Passive Park in a 7,500 square foot Native Exhibition Garden, showcasing information on native plants and alternatives to invasive species. The Club also demonstrated a commitment to sustainable and healthy foods by completing buildout of 36 gardens at eight locations. These pollinator-friendly gardens provide vegetables to local food pantries and opportunities to teach the benefits of sustainable, local gardening. Get involved at: sierraclub.org/maryland/southern-maryland-group.

The Environmental Division of NAS Pax River’s Public Works Department completed a shoreline restoration project along their Fishing Point shoreline. This project stabilized 960 linear feet of shoreline from further erosion. Rather than merely restoring the shoreline, the Environmental Division worked to create a living shoreline that offers protection and provides habitat for several aquatic organisms using structural materials (rip rap, cobbles, etc.) and vegetative materials (grasses, shrubs, and wetland plugs).  Additionally, low marsh, high density plantings of Spartina alterniflora will accelerate the establishment of the marsh vegetation. High marsh and coastal species were planted for further sediment stabilization, and to encourage establishment and future resilience of shoreline habitat. Living shorelines have several benefits to aquatic organisms, including the Diamondback Terrapin, which have a large presence at NAS Pax River. Living shorelines allow aquatic organisms to adapt to rising sea levels resulting from climate change and shift their habitats inland as sea levels rise. Living shorelines help limit erosion, provide habitat for native species, purify water, buffer floods, store carbon, protect community infrastructure, and they perform better in major storms when compared to hardened shorelines, as they can adapt to changing water levels and intense storms.

Selection of the Sustainability Award winners was based on outstanding demonstrated efforts to improve the environment and for initiatives and projects exceeding business norms and requirements. For more information on the Commission on the Environment, please visit stmaryscountymd.gov/coe. 

LEONARDTOWN, MD (March 20, 2023) - The St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) and the St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) announce local results of the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The national survey, conducted biennially by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provides aggregate-level data representative of 9th through 12th grade students in public and private schools in the United States. Through a partnership with local education systems and health departments, data can be localized to represent youth in specific jurisdictions.

Since the 1990s, the YRBS has assessed health-risk behaviors of the nation’s high school students that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social issues among youth and young adults. Assessed topics include mental health; tobacco, alcohol and other drug use; violence; nutrition and exercise; and presence of obesity, asthma, and other health conditions. With adequate student participation and a vigorous data analysis process, results can statistically represent the larger population of high-school age youth.  

“Data from the local YRBS effort gives us a much better understanding of emerging health trends in our St. Mary’s County youth,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, St. Mary’s County Health Officer. “This then helps our health department and community partners work to improve health for our young people."

The 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey was administered to students in the public high schools in St. Mary’s County. Participating students voluntarily completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire about their health behaviors. Survey procedures were designed to protect the privacy of participating students and adhered to local parental permission protocols.

For more information on the YRBS, visit www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/ or smchd.org/data.

ST. MARY'S COUNTY, MD (March 20, 2023) - A team of investigators from the Office of the State Fire
Marshal, and the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office, are investigating a dwelling fire that claimed two lives in the 21700 block of Cabot Place in Lexington Park.

The first 911 call was received at 1:19 a.m. when an occupant woke up to smoke and discovered a fire within the basement. The person who discovered the fire and two others escaped the two-story home.

Upon the arrival of firefighters, they were told two people were still trapped inside the home. They later subsequently located the two victims on the second floor, identified as a male in his late 50s and a female in her early 60s.

It took 40 firefighters from the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding departments to control the one-alarm blaze.

The victims were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore to determine the exact cause of death and where they will be positively identified.

Deputy State Fire Marshals remain on the scene and have confirmed the fire originated within the basement. St. Mary's Metropolitan Commission, the local water and sanitary department, is assisting with removing several feet of water, so investigators can safely enter the home and begin investigating the cause.

A joint investigation between the police agency having jurisdiction and the Office of the State Fire Marshal is standard operating procedure whenever a fatal fire occurs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is making it easy to monitor air quality by allowing organizations in the Mid-Atlantic Region to borrow low-cost, portable air monitoring equipment. The Mid-Atlantic Region includes Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia and seven Tribal partners.

“Everyone deserves to know if the air they breathe is clean,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz.  “The Air Sensor Loan Program will help its users learn about air quality in their communities and what actions they can take to protect their health.”

The program will assist community groups, schools, state agencies, local agencies, and tribes with conducting small-scale, localized air monitoring projects, as well as provide information and education on local air quality impacts.

The air quality sensors can be used to gather pertinent air quality informational data, which loanees can use to assess local air quality.

EPA will not be collecting the data from these sensors, nor will the data be used for regulatory decision making.

Additionally, this equipment is not to be used for confined space evaluations or to meet any other health and safety requirement.

More information can be found at EPA’s Air Sensor Loan Program .

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Equipment available for loan:

• PurpleAir PA-II-SD* – stationary sensor that measures fine particulate matter (PM_2.5); for outdoor and indoor use; plug-in powered; data available locally on the microSD card or connected to WiFi for private or public data streaming.
• Cairsens – stationary sensor that measures nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), or non-methane volatile organic compounds (nmVOC); for outdoor and indoor use; plug-in powered.

Eligibility: State agencies, local agencies, tribes, community groups, schools, and other interested organizations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Training: Links to virtual training from non-EPA sources are available. The EPA Air Sensor Toolbox website for resources can be found at https://www.epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox.

Information for Shipping of Equipment: Sensors can be shipped to any location within the Mid-Atlantic Region at the loanee’s expense or picked up at the EPA Regional office in Philadelphia. EPA will coordinate with loanees on a situational basis for shipment logistics.

Application Submittal: The Mid-Atlantic Region prefers to receive applications through the website, but applications may also be emailed to the Sensor Loan Contacts found at EPA’s Air Sensor Loan Program.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday he's aiming for "the most full assault on child poverty" to ever happen in Maryland during his first legislative session, touching on a wide variety of topics in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press.

The governor, a Democrat, spoke about concerns in the banking industry after the second and third largest bank failures in U.S. history, his support for President Joe Biden, his thoughts on reparations for slavery, expanding the use of electric vehicles and police reform during the interview, among other topics.

Two months into his tenure, Moore, who is Maryland's first Black chief executive and the third Black governor ever elected in the nation, noted the historical nature of his landslide November victory. He said his portrait will look "a little bit different" than the ones of white governors on the walls inside Maryland's Capitol.

"I received more individual votes for governor than anyone else on these walls," Moore, a Democrat, said. "But I also know that Marylanders didn't vote for me because they wanted me to make history. They voted for me because they believed in our vision."

His proposal to extend and expand tax credits for low-income residents is moving forward in the Democratic-controlled Legislature. His push for accelerating a minimum wage increase to $15 an hour also is advancing but so far without a provision he proposed to create automatic increases in future years to adjust for inflation.

Here's what the governor had to say some key issues facing the nation and the state he is governing:

BANKING
In the aftermath of the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, Moore, who is a former investment banker, said Maryland has not had any significant impacts. He said a big reason for that partially was the swift movements of the federal government to be able to ensure that the depositors were not hurt and were covered.

"You have to make sure that you have supports for your small regional banks," Moore said. "The second thing, though, is we want to make sure that the depositors are not the ones being hurt by all this."

PRESIDENT BIDEN
Moore said he's excited about the partnership that the state of Maryland has right now with the White House and Biden.

"I want that partnership to continue," Moore said. "And I'm not only supporting President Biden's reelection; I plan on helping however I can."

REPARATIONS FOR SLAVERY
As the city of San Francisco considers how to address the thorny question of how to atone for centuries of slavery and systemic racism, Moore said he understands why people continue to debate the issue "because the consequences that we saw from the transatlantic slave trade still continue to be real in people's lives now."

"I also know that we have to move now to be able to address the issues of housing insecurity and food insecurity, the racial wealth gap, the educational disparities — the things that we know right now we can get done," Moore said. "We have an obligation to move with a sense of urgency, so we don't continue watching how families who have often times historically have been disadvantaged continue to be disadvantaged by policies that we still continue to put in place."

ABORTION

Moore has stood in full support with Democrats in the legislature to enshrine abortion rights in the Maryland Constitution and other measures to protect abortion rights in the state.

"As long as I'm governor, Maryland will be a safe haven for abortion rights," Moore said.

ELECTRIC CARS
The governor announced this week that Maryland will move forward with requiring all new vehicles sold in the state to be electric by 2035, as California has decided.

"Is it going to be hard? Yes. Is it bold? Yes. Will Maryland get it done? Absolutely, we will," Moore said. "And it means we are going to focus on things like the electrification of the grid, so we actually have the infrastructure in place to be able to manage it."

POLICE REFORM
Moore said he supports an expansion of police reform laws approved two years ago in Maryland. Part of those reforms requires the Maryland attorney general to investigate police-involved deaths but leaves local prosecutors with the decision to prosecute. Legislation advancing in Maryland would give the attorney general the authority to independently prosecute officers.

CHILD SEX ABUSE
The governor said he supports legislation advancing in the state Senate to end the statute of limitations on bringing a civil lawsuit against a public or private entity for child sex abuse.

"I support the bill, because I believe that in order for us to actually truly be able to work towards making it right for that individual and for that victim, that we have to make sure that there are laws that are responsive to the fact that that pain still continues to endure," Moore said.

FBI HEADQUARTERS
Moore, who met with the General Services Administration last week on Maryland's intense competition with Virginia to be the location for a new FBI headquarters, said he's confident the administration will listen to concerns raised by him and members of the state's congressional delegation that the evaluation process has been unfair to Maryland. Maryland officials contend the Virginia location is more costly and will take longer than either of two Maryland sites under consideration.

REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
Moore emphasized that he has already appointed the most diverse Cabinet of secretaries to ever lead state agencies in Maryland.

"I think Maryland is on America's mind right now, because I think what we're able to do inside of the state of Maryland and show that democracy can be not just participatory, but inclusive," Moore said. "And that's what makes it strong."