(SYKESVILLE, MD) – The Maryland State Police, in partnership with other State of Maryland agencies, are hosting a Career Expo, set to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Maryland State Police Training Academy, located at 6852 4^th Street in Sykesville, Maryland.

The goal of this free event is to introduce those who are interested in a career with the State of Maryland to potential job opportunities.  Numerous state agencies will be on-site to promote careers for various sworn law enforcement positions and civilian professional opportunities. State agencies to be in attendance include the Maryland State Police; the Office of the State Fire Marshal; the Maryland Department of Budget and Management; Maryland Natural Resources Police; and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Those interested in a potential career with any of these state agencies will be able to receive a tour of the training academies, experience hands-on activities like simulators and dispatching scenarios as well as gather employment information directly from representatives in law enforcement, public safety and government.  

Interested individuals do not need to make a formal appointment to attend the Career Expo. Parking on-site is free and can be located on the campus site map. While there is no formal dress code, those who attend are recommended to wear business casual attire. Providing a resumé on the day of the Career Expo is not necessary, as the State of Maryland uses an online portal to track applications.

Weapons are not allowed on the campus, unless you are in a law enforcement uniform. For more information regarding the Career Expo, please visit: https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Documents/Career Expo (1).docx

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers license-free fishing days for all state residents and visitors on Saturday, June 3, Saturday, June 10, and Tuesday, July 4. 

Maryland’s annual license-free fishing days offer anglers a unique opportunity to explore the state’s diverse fishing without needing a fishing license, trout stamp, or registration. On these days, any individual may catch and possess finfish for recreational purposes in any tidal and nontidal waters of Maryland. All anglers must follow current size and catch limits found in the department’s fishing and crabbing guide. 

The department also has dozens of other resources to help new or experienced anglers, including angler access maps and fish identification charts. In addition, anglers of any level are encouraged to sign up for the weekly Maryland Fishing Report, which provides up-to-date fishing information. 

Aside from these free fishing days and certain license-free areas, anyone 16 or older fishing in Maryland must possess a license, which can be obtained or renewed online or on the department’s mobile app. 

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County Government’s Department of Emergency Services urges community members to be prepared for the next Atlantic hurricane season, which starts on June 1, 2023, and goes through November 30, 2023.

Forecasters at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center, a division of the National Weather Service, predict near-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season predicts a 40% chance of a near-normal season with a range of 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher).

Disasters will not wait; neither should you. Visit stmaryscountymd.gov/prepare to learn more about how you can be prepared.

Patrol Officers Apprehend Burglary Suspect: On May 29 at 3:16 a.m., officers responded to a hotel in the 9300 block of Crain Highway in Bel Alton for the report of a burglary in progress. A preliminary investigation revealed the suspect was observed entering a room through an unsecured window. Additional evidence showed he tried to enter several other rooms as well. Officers established a perimeter and observed the suspect leaving the back of the building. The suspect was apprehended without incident. Devon Everett Dyson, 28, of Newburg, was arrested and charged with burglary, malicious destruction of property, and other related charges. A computer check revealed Dyson also had two active warrants. On May 30, a judge ordered Dyson to be held without bond at the Charles County Detention Center. PFC Sady is investigating.

Charles County Crime Solvers Offering Cash Reward in Assault Cases: On May 28 at 7:13 p.m., unknown suspects drove by a woman in the area of Huntington Circle in Waldorf and shot her with a suspected airsoft or paintball gun, striking her in the arms and legs. The same suspects are believed to be responsible for a similar assault minutes later. The vehicle is described as a four-door, dark-colored passenger car. Officers are pursuing leads. Anyone with information is asked to call Officer Otey at 301-609-3282 ext. 0771. Tipsters who want to remain anonymous may contact Charles County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app, which can be found in the Android Store and Apple store by searching P3tips. A cash reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest of the suspects.   

The Department of Public Works Utilities Division will enhance the water system’s reliability in the Cliffton on the Potomac neighborhood by installing two water main interconnections. Construction will start in June and include Overlook Circle to Channelview Drive and Sylvan Turn to Cliffton Drive in Newburg.

The contractor is scheduled to work Monday through Saturday, weather permitting, and construction is expected to last approximately eight months. There will be truck traffic as well as construction-related noise across the project site, while the more visible and impactful portion of the work will occur just south of the Channelview and Meadowview Drives intersection. When the new waterlines are connected to the existing system, specific residents will experience an anticipated one-time, 2–4 hour disruption of water service.  They will be notified 48 hours prior to service interruption.  

For questions or concerns, contact the Department of Public Works Project Manager, Cameron Neal, at 240-585-0536 or  NealC@CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711 or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

The Calvert County Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management will conduct a full-cycle test of the alert and notification sirens throughout Calvert, St. Mary’s and Dorchester counties Monday, June 5, 2023, at noon.

The full-cycle test includes a three-minute activation of all sirens within the 10-mile area around Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. Citizens are encouraged to be aware of the testing and relay this information to friends, family and neighbors.

The testing is conducted to check siren operation and increase public awareness of the alert and notification siren system. If the sirens sound at any other time outside of scheduled testing, residents should tune to one of the listed local radio stations for information and instructions.

Emergency Alert System stations include:

·         WKIK FM 102.9 MHz - California

·         WPRS FM 104.1 MHz - La Plata

·         WTOP FM 103.5 MHz - Frederick and Washington, D.C.

·         WMDM FM 97.7 MHz - Lexington Park

·         WPTX AM 1690 kHz - Lexington Park

·         WSMD FM 98.3 MHz - Mechanicsville

·         WRAR FM 105.5 MHz - Tappahannock

·         WNNT FM 107.5 MHz - Warsaw

·         WCEI FM 96.7 MHz - Easton

·         WKHZ AM 1460 kHz – Easton

·         WGOP AM 540 kHz - Pocomoke

·         WCEM FM 106.3 MHz - Cambridge

·         WCEM AM 1240 kHz – Cambridge

Visit www.CalvertCountyMd.gov/AlertNotificationSystem to learn more about the Calvert County siren alert system and to find other emergency planning and mitigation information from the Department of Public Safety, Emergency Management Division.

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.

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD – Communities surrounding the naval air station are advised that noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place June 5 – 19, 2023 from 8 a.m. – 6 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, called “bounces.” 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 service members and the success of their mission. Landing on an aircraft carrier is one of the most difficult tasks in military aviation, a highly complex and perishable skill, and one that requires an intensive period of training before pilots deploy. 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. 

LEONARDTOWN, MD – There will be a full-cycle test of the alert and notification sirens throughout St. Mary’s, Calvert, and Dorchester counties on Monday, June 5, 2023, at noon.

This test includes a three-minute activation of all sirens within the 10-mile area around Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. All citizens should be aware of this scheduled testing and relay this information to friends, family, and neighbors.

The testing is conducted to check siren operation and increase public awareness of the alert and notification siren system. If the sirens sound at any other time, residents should tune in to one of the local radio stations for information and instructions.

Knowing what to do before, during, and after an emergency is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference, when seconds count.

To learn more about how you can be prepared and stay informed, please visit:

• stmaryscountymd.gov/em
• calvertcountymd.gov/101/Emergency-Management
• dorchestercountymd.com/emergency-management-division

The County Administrator wishes to remind residents of changes to operating schedules for the month of June: 

Monday, June 19 (Juneteenth Day)

• All Charles County Government offices and the Charles County Animal Care Center in Hughesville will be closed.
• The Nanjemoy Community Center, senior centers, and all school-based community centers are closed.
• Waldorf Senior and Recreational Center will be open for recreational activities.

• All indoor and outdoor pools are closed.

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

For questions about County Government holiday closures, contact the Public Information Office at 301-885-2779 or PressRoom@CharlesCountyMD.gov.  Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) is pleased to announce that the Class of 2023 commencement ceremonies will be available for online viewing via live streaming through our school system website at http://www.smcps.org/graduation and on Channel 96.

Commencements are scheduled as follows:

• Wednesday, May 31, 2023: Great Mills High School, 10:00 a.m.

• Thursday, June 1, 2023: Chopticon High School, 10:00 a.m.

• Friday, June 2, 2023: Leonardtown High School, 10:00 a.m.

At the conclusion of each ceremony, SMCPS will post a video to the SMCPS YouTube Channel. The videos will be made available for free download once they are posted to the SMCPS YouTube channel.

LEONARDTOWN, MD – In an effort to advance equal access to technology for our residents, St. Mary’s County Government (SMCG) is excited to announce plans to distribute 4,500 HP Chromebooks for free to local households with an income at or below the national poverty level. Households participating in any of the following programs automatically qualify:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps
• Medicaid
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 
• Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
• Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
• Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision schools
• Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year

Eligible households are limited to one device per qualifying address and must show proof of residency/home address and verification of income eligibility or participation in one of the above programs. 

 “Access to the internet and current technologies is becoming essential to our everyday lives,” said James Randy Guy, Commissioner President. “This initiative will help to bridge the digital divide by delivering valuable resources to those in our community who need them most.” 

Distribution will begin in June of 2023, with varied times and locations across St. Mary’s County, while supplies last.

Please visit stmaryscountymd.gov/fasttrac for the schedule of distribution dates, to pre-register, or for additional information. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. Interested seniors may contact any of the St. Mary’s County Senior Activity Centers for more information.

“These distribution days will offer a wide range of services, to include tech support from the University of Maryland Extension Office, help enrolling in internet assistance programs, and more,” said Bob Kelly, Director of Information Technology at SMCG. 

This initiative is part of the Fast TRAC program and is funded by the Connected Devices Grant from the Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband. SMCG is working to Fast TRAC our citizens on the information highway through:

• Training – Provided by the University of Maryland Extension Office.
• Resources – 4,500 HP Chromebooks to be distributed in St. Mary’s County.
• Affordability – Assistance programs to help pay for internet service or technology needs.
• Connectivity – Assistance getting broadband connectivity to your home.

Special thanks to our partners: Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, St. Mary’s County Department of Aging and Human Services, St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks, St. Mary’s County Housing Authority, St. Mary’s County Libraries, St. Mary’s County NAACP 7025, St. Mary’s County Public Schools, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, St. Mary’s County Health Department, St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services, the Minority Outreach Coalition, and the Unified Committee for Afro-American Contributions.

LEONARDTOWN, MD (May 30, 2023) - The Environmental Health Division of the St. Mary’s County Health Department (SMCHD) tests the water quality of public beaches in St. Mary’s County from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Water quality advisories for beaches monitored by SMCHD can be found online at smchd.org/beach. Results are typically updated weekly on Fridays, pending sampling schedule and processing.

Swimming in natural waters is never risk free. Beachgoers should stay informed of water quality advisories and practice healthy beach habits for a safe and healthy beach experience this summer.

Information on conditions for beaches monitored across the state is available through the Maryland Healthy Beaches Program.

Phone scammers are now using artificial intelligence to steal money from victims with realistic-sounding facsimiles of loved ones. Scammers take existing recordings uploaded to social media and use AI to create a dynamic version of the voice that can read a script, and is then used to trick others out of cash. Seniors are often targeted, and when AI voice cloning is coupled with phone "spoofing", which falsifies the caller ID to appear as a familiar and trusted phone number, these calls become very convincing frauds. Dr. Katie Shilton is a professor of information science at the University of Maryland who says raising awareness is currently the best defense.
"People should know that this is a growing kind of crime and should be a little bit suspicious of frantic, threatening phone calls. One of the best countermeasures right now is to try to call the person back on their number. "
Phone spoofing can also be used to mimic the phone number of a government agency or reputable organization. The Federal Trade Commission reports that scammers may use an intermediary posing as an authority figure, such as a fake lawyer or police officer. Scammers will often ask victims to pay or send money in ways that make it difficult to recover, including wire transfers, buying gift cards and sending them the number and PIN, or cryptocurrency. If you encounter a scam, you can report it to the F-T-C at 'ReportFraud.ftc.gov.'
Shilton says the A-I that enables scammers was originally developed for beneficial purposes.
"AI-powered phone scams are powered by a form of AI development that was meant for pro-social purposes. Originally, the voice mimicking was for art or for film; a lot of this work has been about accessibility, right, to create voice assistants. Some of this work was to create voice assistants for business purposes."
The National Science Foundation has established an institute for Trustworthy A-I in Law and Society or TRAILS. The TRAILS Institute is a partnership between the University of Maryland, George Washington University and Morgan State University. It seeks to develop mechanisms to ensure A-I trustworthiness via both technological and public-policy responses. Dr. Shilton says one area of innovation for researchers is the concept of 'watermarking' A-I output.
"Watermarking is a really promising area of research for generative AI in general, including voice mimicking technologies. The idea that we should have some sort of way for people to tell when something has been generated by AI as opposed to naturalistic recordings of people or something like that."
Shilton says one approach the TRAILS institute is using to improve public trust in A-I is including stakeholder communities in the design process.
"We have participatory design projects with the teachers union in Baltimore, to talk about tools for the classroom. These are frequently designed outside of classrooms. Could we design them with teachers and parents, and teenagers? Or we have accessibility design projects with blind communities to do object recognition. "
More information on the TRAILS Institute is online at 'trails.umd.edu.'

The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Class of 2023 will be honored during outdoor graduation ceremonies set for May 30 through June 2 at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf.  

The Class of 2023 includes 2,013 graduates who earned a record-breaking number of scholarship offers totaling almost $200 million. The total is likely to increase as graduates report scholarship offers to their respective high schools.  

First in the CCPS high school graduation schedule is North Point High School at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 30.  

The schedule is as follows. All graduations will stream live at www.ccboe.com.  

• Tuesday, May 30: North Point High School, 9 a.m.  
• Tuesday, May 30: Henry E. Lackey High School, 1 p.m.  
• Wednesday, May 31: St. Charles High School, 9 a.m.  
• Wednesday, May 31: Maurice J. McDonough High School, 1 p.m.  
• Thursday, June 1: Westlake High School, 9 a.m.  
• Thursday, June 1: La Plata High School, 1 p.m.  
• Friday, June 2: Thomas Stone High School, 9 a.m.  

Valedictorians and salutatorians for the Class of 2023 were announced this week and represent the top academic achievers among graduates at each school. These positions are determined by student GPAs.  

Leading the Henry E. Lackey High School graduating Class of 2023 is Raymond Guzzone as valedictorian and Kaylee Alvey as salutatorian. Guzzone will attend the University of Maryland, College Park, in the fall and plans to study mechanical engineering. Alvey plans to study computer engineering at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.  

La Plata High School Class of 2023 leaders include valedictorian Devon Bragunier and salutatorian Brady Keech. Bragunier plans to study chemical engineering and material science at the University of Maryland, College Park. Keech plans to study computer science and will attend the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) in the fall. He plans to finish his degree at the University of Maryland, College Park.  

The Maurice J. McDonough High School Class of 2023 is led by valedictorian William Edwards and salutatorian Jean Hughes. Edwards plans to study chemical engineering and will attend the University of Maryland, College Park. Hughes plans to major in cybersecurity and will attend Rochester Institute of Technology.  

Valedictorian for the Class of 2023 from North Point High School is Julianne Tinana and class salutatorian is Amira Abujuma. Tinana will study finance and economics at the University of Maryland, College Park. Abujuma also heads to the University of Maryland, College Park, in the fall and plans to major in aerospace engineering with a minor in science, technology, ethics and policy.    

St. Charles High School senior Maya Dixon leads the Class of 2023 as valedictorian. Monet Fisette is the class salutatorian. Dixon will attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute to study physics. Fisette plans to study Biology with a pre-medicine track and will attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall.  

Valedictorian for the Class of 2023 at Thomas Stone High School is Olivia Warren and class salutatorian is Jonathan Rand-Crawford. Warren will attend the College of William and Mary in the fall and plans to study computational applied mathematics and statistics on a biology track. Rand-Crawford heads to St. Mary’s College of Maryland in the fall and plants to study Biology with a possible pre-medicine focus.    

The graduating class from Westlake is led by valedictorian Nina Dizon and salutatorian Jolie Prasad. Future plans for Dizon were not available as of May 26. Prasad will attend James Madison University in the fall and plans to major in performing arts with a focus in music.  

2023 graduation numbers by school (scholarship totals may increase as offers are received).  

Henry E. Lackey High School  

Total graduates: 224  

Scholarship offers: $24,924,946  

La Plata High School  

Total graduates: 285  

Scholarship offers: $22,604,388  

Maurice J. McDonough High School  

Total graduates: 234  

Scholarship offers: $20,652,943  

North Point High School  

Total graduates: 425  

Scholarship offers: $61,764,398  

St. Charles High School  

Total graduates: 328  

Scholarship offers: $28,054,035  

Thomas Stone High School  

Total graduates: 251  

Scholarship offers: $24,929,718  

Westlake High School  

Total graduates: 266  

Scholarship offers: $12,687,716  

Total Class of 2023 graduates: 2,013  

Total scholarship offers: $195,618,144  

Suspect in Shooting Case on Leland Place Identified and Arrested: On May 24 at 4:03 p.m., officers responded to the 11400 block of Leland Place in Waldorf for the report of the sound of gunshots. When officers arrived, they located a juvenile male who reported someone shot at him; however, he was not struck by gunfire. Investigators developed leads and identified a 15-year-old juvenile as a suspect in this case. On May 26, the suspect was arrested and charged as an adult with attempted murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and other related charges. He is currently being held at the Charles County Detention Center. The shooting was not random. Detective Pickeral and Officer Kunz are investigating.

Patrol Officers Recover Stolen KIA Vehicle: On May 24 at 9:25 a.m., officers responded to the 6000 block of New Forest Court in Waldorf for the report of a suspicious person and vehicle. When officers arrived, they located a juvenile near a KIA SUV. A computer check revealed the KIA had been reported stolen from Washington, D.C. The juvenile was also in possession of items stolen from the car. The juvenile was charged with theft and is being held by the Department of Juvenile Services. Officer Hopp is investigating.

The Calvert County Office on Aging advises citizens the North Beach Senior Center, located at 9010 Chesapeake Ave., North Beach, will be temporarily closed from Tuesday, May 30 through Friday, June 2, 2023, for repairs and maintenance to the building. The center will reopen with normal hours of operation on Monday, June 5.

While the center is closed, Meals on Wheels will still be delivered to recipients. For more information visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CalvertCountyOfficeonAging  or www.calvertcountymd.gov/Aging. 

 Calvert County Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteer drivers, route coordinators and board members. If you are interested in serving or have any questions, please contact 410-535-4606 or 301-855-1170.

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.

Charles County is pleased to announce that the 2022 Annual Report and Year in Review video are available online for public viewing. The Annual Report and Year in Review video offers a comprehensive look back at 2022 and is organized by departments showcasing the county’s accomplishments and key milestones.

Commissioner President Reuben B. Collins, II, Esq. said, "The 2022 annual report is a snapshot into what steps the Board of Commissioners have taken to meet our goals and objectives.  I am proud of what the Board has been able to accomplish for our Charles County residents."

The Annual Report and video cover areas of education, health, public safety, and quality of life that were achieved in 2022, using local area photos and charts.

Visit www.CharlesCountyMD.gov/AnnualReport, to view or download a Portable Document Format (PDF) version of the annual report or to view the 2022 Year in Review video. Adobe Reader is required to view PDF files.

To request a copy of the report, email PressRoom@CharlesCountyMD.gov or 301-885-2779. DVD copies may be requested here. Citizens with special needs may contact the Maryland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 800-735-2258.

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced over $1 million in grant funding to help protect public health in coastal and Great Lakes beach communities in the Mid-Atlantic Region. The funding is being awarded to Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia to assist with water quality monitoring and public notification programs for local beaches.

“So many of us have a rich tradition of spending our summers splashing, swimming, and playing at our favorite beach, which is why it’s so important for EPA to help our local partners protect the water at coastal and Great Lakes beaches,” said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. “These grants help Tribes, states, and territories fund programs to test water quality at beaches to ensure it’s clean for swimming and boating.”

Under the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, eligible states, territories, and tribes use the grant funds to monitor their beaches for bacteria, maintain and operate a public notification system to alert beachgoers, provide technical assistance to communities to assess pollution sources at specific beaches, and report annually to EPA on the results of monitoring and notification actions.

“With summer right around the corner, tens of millions of Americans are making plans to travel to our beautiful beaches in Delaware and around the country,” said Senator Carper (DE), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Fortunately, EPA is providing states and communities with the tools to ensure the safety of the water at our nation’s beaches, which are an integral part of our tourism economy and important ecosystems for wildlife and migratory birds.”

Since 2001, EPA has awarded nearly $216 million nationwide in BEACH Act grants to test beach waters for indicators of illness-causing bacteria and help with public notification and identification of the problem. This program is essential for protecting the public health of beachgoers across the country.

Contingent upon their meeting the eligibility requirements, EPA’s 2023 BEACH Act grant funding will be allocated to as follows: Delaware - $223,000; Maryland - $283,000; Pennsylvania - $235,000; and Virginia $291,000.

More information on BEACH Act grants.

Check the relevant Tribal, state, or territorial beach program website for closing or advisory information at a particular beach.