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Washington County, MD

Dry Conditions Lead To Statewide Open-Air Burn Ban In Maryland Due To Wildfire Threats Dry Conditions Lead To Statewide Open-Air Burn Ban In Maryland Due To Wildfire Threats
Dry Conditions Lead To Statewide Open-Air Burn Ban In Maryland Due To Wildfire Threats The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has implemented a statewide ban on open-air burning amid the "extremely dry conditions" that have plagued the region recently. According to officials, "extremely dry conditions persist across the state and have led to an above average number of wildfires statewide, and conditions are not expected to change in the near future." It was enacted on Friday, Nov. 1.  The ban will remain in effect until the Maryland Forest Service determines the state has received enough precipitation to reduce the threat of wildfires statewide, they added. …
These Are Maryland's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Maryland's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Maryland's Top Public Middle Schools: New Rankings Released Several middle schools in Montgomery and Howard counties are among the best in Maryland, according to a new Niche report. Cabin John Middle School in Potomac topped the list, followed by three in Howard County: Clarksville, Mount View, and Folly Quarter middle schools. To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected from millions of Niche users."  The results are similar to the top public high schools in the st…
PA Robber, Child Rapist Nabbed By US Marshals In MD Found Dead In Cell PA Robber, Child Rapist Nabbed By US Marshals In MD Found Dead In Cell
PA Robber, Child Rapist Nabbed By US Marshals In MD Found Dead In Cell A robber — who was caught by US Marshals in Northern Maryland in July 2023 — has died in prison while serving time for raping a child, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections announced on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024.  Anthony James Raimo, 35 at the time of his arrest, of the 700 block of Harrisburg Pike, Dillsburg, was arrested on July 7, 2023, by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Washington County, MD Sheriff's Office, as Daily Voice previously reported. Raimo, now 37, was found unresponsive in his cell at State Correctional Institution in Houtzdale, PA, on October 8, 2024, accord…
These Are Maryland's Top Public High Schools: New Rankings Released These Are Maryland's Top Public High Schools: New Rankings Released
These Are Maryland's Top Public High Schools: New Rankings Released A pair of Montgomery County public high schools were ranked the best in Maryland, followed by some in Howard County, according to a new Niche report. Poolesville High School took the top spot in Maryland - and 32nd overall in the nation - followed by Walt Whitman High School, River Hill High School, Winston Church Hill High School, and Marriotts Ridge High School. To determine the "best public schools in America," Niche's ranking was "based on rigorous analysis of academic and student life data from US Department of Education along with test scores, college data, and ratings collected …
Peeping Tom Caught By Minor At Maryland Target Location Busted With Child Porn: Sheriff Peeping Tom Caught By Minor At Maryland Target Location Busted With Child Porn: Sheriff
Peeping Tom Caught By Minor At Maryland Target Location Busted With Child Porn: Sheriff A Peeping Tom who was caught holding a phone under the door at a changing room in Washington County was also busted with child pornography, according to the sheriff's office. In June, the sheriff's office was advised about a suspicious suspect who targeted an underage girl who was trying on clothing at Target on Cole Road in Hagerstown. According to investigators, the minor spotted a black cellphone being held under the door by an unknown man who was later identified as 48-year-old Hancock resident Terry Lee Smith. During the investigation, a search and seizure warrant was served at S…
Bomb Threats Called In To Retirement Home Lands Man Behind Bars: Maryland Fire Marshal Bomb Threats Called In To Retirement Home Lands Man Behind Bars: Maryland Fire Marshal
Bomb Threats Called In To Retirement Home Lands Man Behind Bars: Maryland Fire Marshal The man who made several bomb threats targeting a retirement home on different occasions has been arrested, according to the Maryland Fire Marshal. Hagerstown resident John Calvin Walls, 60, is facing charges following an investigation into voicemails that were left at the Williamsport Retirement Village in Washington County. According to investigators, Walls allegedly "threatened to blow up the tranquil home offering assisted living, rehabilitation, long-term care, and respite care."  On Monday, investigators from the fire marshal's office responded to the retirement home when an emp…
Woman Charged For Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG Woman Charged For Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG
Woman Charged For Running Sex, Human Trafficking Ring Across Maryland: AG A Baltimore woman has been indicted by a Washington County grand jury in a 135-count indictment stemming from a years-long investigation by the Maryland Attorney General's Office into a human and sex trafficking ring, authorities announced. Kenika Danielle Leach, 33, has been charged following a two-year multi-agency investigation, which helped the AG's Organized Crime Unit to identify nearly a dozen women from Hagerstown who were allegedly trafficked by her and her organization at hotels and motels throughout Maryland. According to the AG, in December 2021, the Baltimore Police Department …
Dozens Of 'Zombie Deer' Test Positive For Disease In Maryland: Department Of Natural Resources Dozens Of 'Zombie Deer' Test Positive For Disease In Maryland: Department Of Natural Resources
Dozens Of 'Zombie Deer' Test Positive For Disease In Maryland: Department Of Natural Resources Dozens of white-tailed deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease, a neurological disorder found in several species that results in death. According to a recent report from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 52 animals tested positive for the disease in 2023, including two in new parts of the state.  The deer were sampled in Allegany, Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery and Washington counties. Of the positive samples, 49 came from within the existing Chronic Wasting Disease Management Area (Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, and Washington counties), while one positive …
Dilapidated Building Collapses In Hancock (UPDATE) Dilapidated Building Collapses In Hancock (UPDATE)
Dilapidated Building Collapses In Hancock (Update) Responders were at the scene of a building collapse Monday morning, March 25 in Washington County. Hancock's volunteer fire company said the incident happened at 55 W. Main Street. The first and second floors collapsed. The state's highway administration reported major delays along Main Street in Hancock near Route 522 as of 12:30 p.m. 55 W MAIN ST IN DOWNTOWN HANCOCK FOR A BUILDING COLLAPSE REPORTS OF THE 1ST & 2ND FLOORS HAVE COLLAPSED INTO THE... Posted by Washington County MD Fire Calls on Monday, March 25, 2024 Firefighters said the cause was due to the building being old…
Here's Who Got The Most Snow In Maryland, Virginia Here's Who Got The Most Snow In Maryland, Virginia
Here's Who Got The Most Snow In Maryland, Virginia The National Weather Service has released snowfall totals for the DMV in this week's storm. In Maryland, Sabillasville which appears to have gotten the most amount of snow: 8.5 inches on Tuesday, Feb. 13, the NWS said. In Virginia, Gavel Springs in Frederick County got about 4.5 inches. Here's the breakdown by county: BALTIMORE Lineboro: 3.5 inches Bentley Springs: 3 Owings Mills: 1 Pikesville: 0.4  CARROLL Millers: 4.7 Manchester: 4.3 Taneytown: 4 Westminster: 2 Uniontown: 1.1 CECIL Elkton: 3.0  Rising Sun: 1  Port Deposit 1 FREDERICK Sabilla…
Maryland School Closings: These Districts Have Announced Plans For Friday's Storm Maryland School Closings: These Districts Have Announced Plans For Friday's Storm
Maryland School Closings: These Districts Have Announced Plans For Friday's Storm With several inches of snow expected to coat the area, some schools in Maryland are already making preparations to ensure the safety of students and staff. The worst of the snow is expected to hit the area beginning at around 6 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, and lasting throughout the day, prompting schools to begin announcing closures and delays on Thursday night. As of 8 p.m. on Thursday, these public schools have announced their plans - which are subject to change depending on the weather conditions:  Anne Arundel County Schools: Previously planned off-day, decision on athletics and ex…
Loaf Of Bread Leads To Load Of Cash For $100K Maryland Lottery Winner Loaf Of Bread Leads To Load Of Cash For $100K Maryland Lottery Winner
Loaf Of Bread Leads To Load Of Cash For $100K Maryland Lottery Winner A Frederick County grandfather went to the store for a loaf of bread, and he came home with a load of cash after taking his chances playing a Maryland Lottery scratcher. What started as a routine trip to the grocery store for the Frederick County man led to a six-figure windfall when he picked up a top-prize winning "Snow Globes 7s" ticket worth $100,000, Lottery officials announced.  The regular Lottery player was back in the Winner's Circle on Friday to claim what he described as the biggest prize of his life after turning the $10 ticket into a small fortune. According to the winner…
Suspected Judge Killer's Mercedes Found In Maryland, Sheriff Says (DEVELOPING) Suspected Judge Killer's Mercedes Found In Maryland, Sheriff Says (DEVELOPING)
Suspected Judge Killer's Mercedes Found In Maryland, Sheriff Says (Developing) There may have been a break in the days after a Maryland Circuit Court judge was shot and killed in Washington County by a wanted man who is in the midst of a contentious custody hearing. On Saturday afternoon, the Washington County Sheriff's Office issued an alert that there will be a "significant" police presence in Williamsport after a silver Mercedes being driven by Pedro Argote was located in the area. There is a significant police presence in the Williamsport, MD area. The Washington County Sheriff's Office asks the... Posted by Washington County Sheriff's Office, Maryland on S…
'Armed, Dangerous' Suspect At Large After Targeted Murder Of Maryland Judge: Sheriff (UPDATED) 'Armed, Dangerous' Suspect At Large After Targeted Murder Of Maryland Judge: Sheriff (UPDATED)
'Armed, Dangerous' Suspect At Large After Targeted Murder Of Maryland Judge: Sheriff (Updated) A contentious divorce may have led to the murder of a Maryland Circuit Court Judge who was found gunned down in his Washington County driveway while his family was inside their residence, officials say.  At around 8 p.m. on Thursday night, deputies were called to the 19100 block of Olde Waterford Road in Hagerstown, where they found 52-year-old Judge Andrew Wilkinson suffering from gunshot wounds outside of his home. He was rushed to Meritus Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Judge Andrew WilkinsonWashington Count…
Judge Found Shot To Death In Driveway Of Maryland Home: Sheriff (DEVELOPING) Judge Found Shot To Death In Driveway Of Maryland Home: Sheriff (DEVELOPING)
Judge Found Shot To Death In Driveway Of Maryland Home: Sheriff (Developing) A manhunt has been launched after Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson was killed at his Washington County home. At around 8 p.m. on Thursday night, deputies were called to the 19100 block of Olde Waterford Road in Hagerstown, where they found the 52-year-old judge suffering from gunshot wounds in his driveway. He was rushed to Meritus Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. On Friday morning, the agency issued a BOLO for 49-year-old Pedro Argote, who was described as being 5-foot-7, weighing 130 pounds with blac…
Grandmother Wins $100K Playing Baltimore Ravens-Themed Maryland Lottery Scratcher Grandmother Wins $100K Playing Baltimore Ravens-Themed Maryland Lottery Scratcher
Grandmother Wins $100K Playing Baltimore Ravens-Themed Maryland Lottery Scratcher Football season is off to a good start for a grandmother of 12 who won big on a Ravens-themed Maryland Lottery scratcher in Washington County. The lucky Lottery player from Hagerstown claimed a $100,000 top prize on the new "Ravens X5" scratch-off ticket just days before the football season kicks off its regular season. She mused this week that she joked with her husband about ticket, saying "what would we do if we won $100,000?"  Well, now they're going to find out. Some of the money is earmarked for their five children and 12 grandchildren, who can expect something special, she sai…
Skeletal Remains Found In Maryland; Murder Suspect In Custody, Police Say Skeletal Remains Found In Maryland; Murder Suspect In Custody, Police Say
Skeletal Remains Found In Maryland; Murder Suspect In Custody, Police Say Police say that they have apprehended a man in connection to the murder of Shawn Eric Hall, whose missing body was found in Prince George’s County. Boisey Neal, 57, of Glen Burnie, has been charged with the murder of Hall, a Hagerstown resident, one day after skeletal remains were found in the 13300 block of Old Marlboro Pike in Upper Marlboro, police announced on Thursday. Boisey NealPrince George's Police Department In early June, the Hagerstown Police Department contacted the Prince George’s County Police Department as they sought assistance in tracking down Hall, who had been report…
Maryland Counties Having Technical Issues With 911 Calls Maryland Counties Having Technical Issues With 911 Calls
Maryland Counties Having Technical Issues With 911 Calls At least two locales in Maryland are having issues at their 911 call centers, officials are advising. Alerts were issued in Washington and Anne Arundel counties on Tuesday, Aug. 22, as they dealt with technical difficulty involving emergency calls. Both were still reporting outages as of 2 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. 8/22/23 at 1:45pm: Anne Arundel County is currently experiencing technical issues with the 9-1-1 system which is also impacting the City of Annapolis. Call 410-222-0701 for emergencies or text 9-1-1 until further notice. @CityofAnnapolis @AnnapolisPD @AnnapolisFire — Annapo…
Man Wanted For Homicide Busted After Crashing Into Police Cruiser In Maryland: MSP (DEVELOPING) Man Wanted For Homicide Busted After Crashing Into Police Cruiser In Maryland: MSP (DEVELOPING)
Man Wanted For Homicide Busted After Crashing Into Police Cruiser In Maryland: MSP (Developing) A homicide suspect took police in Frederick County on a wild ride before smashing into a police cruiser on Saturday, authorities announced. Ohio resident Jose Aguilera Cespedes, 25, was arrested on an outstanding warrant after attempting to elude state police troopers during a lengthy pursuit that ended in Washington County. Shortly before 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12, Maryland State Police in Hagerstown were alerted about a driver in a black Honda Accord who was driving on I-70 in the area who was wanted for a homicide and felony assault in Ohio. State police troopers were able to track d…
Seeing Red: Video Shows Bad Maryland Drivers Narrowly Avoiding Crashes Speeding Through Lights Seeing Red: Video Shows Bad Maryland Drivers Narrowly Avoiding Crashes Speeding Through Lights
Seeing Red: Video Shows Bad Maryland Drivers Narrowly Avoiding Crashes Speeding Through Lights Bad driving in Maryland is nothing new, but a recently released video truly shows how many narrow calls there have been in some areas. To celebrate “Stop on Red Week,” the Howard County Police Department released a two minute video depicting several cases where reckless drivers sped through red lights, forcing others to take evasive measures or even stop in the intersection to avoid being struck. This week is the @SaferRoadsUSA #StoponRedWeek & @HCPDNews is once again REMINDING #HoCoMD to #StopforRedLights. In this quick video, HCPD shows just a sample of some of the close-call inci…
PA Robber Wanted For Child Sex Abuse Nabbed By US Marshals In MD PA Robber Wanted For Child Sex Abuse Nabbed By US Marshals In MD
PA Robber Wanted For Child Sex Abuse Nabbed By US Marshals In MD A York County, PA robber was caught by US Marshals in Northern Maryland — three months after a second child told authorities they were sexually abused by him.  Anthony James Raimo, 35, of the 700 block of Harrisburg Pike, Dillsburg, was arrested on July 7 by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Washington County, MD Sheriff's Office, according to a release on Friday. Raimo had been under investigation by the Upper Allen Township Police Department since April for allegedly sexually abusing a child. During the investigation, police learned of the second victim and an ar…
Massive Black Bear Spotted Wandering Near MD School Massive Black Bear Spotted Wandering Near MD School
Massive Black Bear Spotted Wandering Near MD School Some residents in Prince George's County had to grin and bear it this morning when an unexpected visitor came to town. A massive black bear took in the sights in Hyattsville on Thursday morning, causing both fascination and fear for some homeowners who spotted it making the rounds. Officials say that the bear was spotted early on Thursday, June 8 in the 4300 block of Oglethorpe Street, not far from DeMatha Catholic High School. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anacostia Watershed Society (@anacostiaws) "Smokey the Bear in Univer…
Maryland Volunteer Fire Chief Zachary Reid Killed In Crash Maryland Volunteer Fire Chief Zachary Reid Killed In Crash
Maryland Volunteer Fire Chief Zachary Reid Killed In Crash An off-duty fire chief in Washington County who was also a career firefighter in Hagerstown died in a single-vehicle crash on US 40, officials confirmed. Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Chief Zachary Reid, 32, was found unconscious inside his truck by police shortly before 6:40 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 5 on Route 40 near Rockdale Road approaching Wilson in Washington County. Police say that Reid was driving a 2013 Ford F650 east on the highway when he lost control for unknown reasons and hit the pole. He was rushed to Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown, where he was pronounced dead at approxi…
'International Fugitive' From MD Sentenced After Four Years On The Lam For Stalking Co-Working 'International Fugitive' From MD Sentenced After Four Years On The Lam For Stalking Co-Working
'International Fugitive' From MD Sentenced After Four Years On The Lam For Stalking Co-Working Authorities say that a Maryland man who spent more than four years as an international fugitive attempting to avoid prosecution for stalking a younger co-worker will spend less than a year behind bars after being tracked down and re-arrested. Washington County resident Ranjith Keerikkattil, of Catonsville, left the United States after being found guilty of stalking a junior co-worker before he was re-arrested four years later and sentenced to an 11-month prison term, US Attorney Matthew Graves and Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee announced. Prosecutors said that Keerikkattil was foun…
Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu Detected In Birds, Poultry At Maryland Farm Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu Detected In Birds, Poultry At Maryland Farm
Highly Pathogenic Bird Flu Detected In Birds, Poultry At Maryland Farm Federal laboratory testing has confirmed a case of the highly pathogenic H521 avian influenza (HPAI) - more commonly known as bird flu - at a farm in Maryland. The investigation by the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed that poultry from a Washington County farm has tested positive for HAPI. Officials say that all affected premises and birds on the properties have been quarantined and separated to help curtail any further spread of the disease. Any animals from the affected flocks will never…
Duo Sentenced For Distributing Enough Fentanyl To Kill 600K People In Maryland: Feds Duo Sentenced For Distributing Enough Fentanyl To Kill 600K People In Maryland: Feds
Duo Sentenced For Distributing Enough Fentanyl To Kill 600K People In Maryland: Feds Two Maryland men have been convicted following a two-week trial for their roles in distributing enough fentanyl to kill hundreds of thousands of people, federal authorities announced. Jarvis Antonio Coleman-Fuller, 35, of Hagerstown, and Eric Tyrell Johnson, 38, of Owings Mills were both convicted by a federal jury on charges related to a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, specifically fentanyl and heroin in Washington County. Prosecutors say that beginning in April 2019 through November 2019, both men and other co-conspirators conspired to distribute heroin and fentanyl in th…
Double Hotel Homicide Under Investigation In Maryland: Police Double Hotel Homicide Under Investigation In Maryland: Police
Double Hotel Homicide Under Investigation In Maryland: Police Authorities say that a double homicide in a Maryland hotel - possibly a mother and young daughter, according to a report - is under investigation after two bodies were found on Wednesday afternoon. In Washington County, embers of the Hagerstown Police Department responded to the APM Inn and Suites on Dual Highway on Wednesday, Nov. 16, where they were met by two dead bodies inside one of the hotel rooms. According to WUSA, the victims were a mother and her young daughter. Investigators and members of the Western Maryland Regional Crime Lab were called to the scene, where it was determined…
Two In Custody Following Home Invasion Robbery Involving Child In Maryland, Police Say Two In Custody Following Home Invasion Robbery Involving Child In Maryland, Police Say
Two In Custody Following Home Invasion Robbery Involving Child In Maryland, Police Say A weeks-long investigation into a violent home invasion robbery involving a young girl in Maryland who was forced to call her mom to ask for money has led to the arrest of two Washington County men, authorities announced. Denzell Jamare King, 31, and Raymon Purnell Taylor, 19, both of Hagerstown, were arrested by members of the Montgomery County Department of Police for their roles in a September robbery, officials said on Monday, Nov. 7. Shortly before 10:10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 4th District officers responded to the 15400 block of Gallaudet Avenue for the report of a robbery invol…
Death Of Maryland Man Found In Homemade Lab With Chemicals Under Investigation By State Police Death Of Maryland Man Found In Homemade Lab With Chemicals Under Investigation By State Police
Death Of Maryland Man Found In Homemade Lab With Chemicals Under Investigation By State Police The death of a man found dead in Washington County by Maryland State Police troopers surrounded by “an excessive amount of unknown chemicals” in a homemade laboratory is under investigation. Bradley Ray Roberts, 60, was pronounced dead in his Foxville Road home in Smithsburg on Thursday, Nov. 3 after state police investigators were contacted by his family who had not spoken to him in several days. According to police, at approximately 11 a.m. on Thursday morning, troopers from the Hagerstown Barrack responded to Roberts’ home in Smithsburg to conduct a welfare check. Family members from …
Maryland Motorcyclist Killed In Crash After Striking Deer, State Police Say Maryland Motorcyclist Killed In Crash After Striking Deer, State Police Say
Maryland Motorcyclist Killed In Crash After Striking Deer, State Police Say A 58-year-old Maryland motorcyclist was killed early on Wednesday morning after striking an animal and crashing in Washington County, state police announced. Hagerstown resident Mark Anthony Deangelis was killed at approximately 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2 following a single-vehicle crash in the area of Sharpsburg Pike and Taylors Landing Road in Hagerstown. According to state police investigators, Deangelis was driving a 2011 Suzuki M109 R motorcycle south on Sharpsburg Pike when he struck a deer, leading to the crash. Deangelis was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials noted that the…
Dog Dies In Maryland Trailer Blaze, Fire Marshal Says Dog Dies In Maryland Trailer Blaze, Fire Marshal Says
Dog Dies In Maryland Trailer Blaze, Fire Marshal Says A dog was killed in Maryland when a fast-moving blaze broke out in a Washington County trailer, according to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal. Late on Sunday, Oct. 9, members of the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Department responded to Sharpsburg Pike in Boonsboro, when a resident living in the trailer reported a fire in the area of the front porch steps. It took a team of more than five dozen firefighters just 10 minutes to get the flames under control, but not before it caused $30,000 ($20,000 to the structure, $10,000 to its contents) in damage. A dog also died during the fire,…