Southern Maryland’s week of May 3-9, 2025, buzzed with cultural, civic, and sporting highlights across Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s counties. On May 6, La Plata’s General Election saw Jeannine E. James elected mayor, alongside council members like Paul C. Guttenberg, with competitive races shaping the town’s leadership. The Charles County Youth Orchestra’s Spring Concert on May 4 captivated audiences with performances by the Prelude Strings and Encore Band, featuring classics like Beethoven’s Prometheus Overture and Mozart’s Symphony No. 35, free to the public. Meanwhile, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs thrilled fans with a 7-4 victory over the Lancaster Stormers on May 7 at Penn Medicine Park, driven by standout plays from Rafi Vazquez and Alejandro De Aza.
The region also focused on governance and community planning. On May 6 and 7, the Charles County Commissioners reviewed the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, discussing health updates, climate resilience, and approvals for the VanGO transit plan and a land transfer. These events underscored Southern Maryland’s vibrant community spirit, from cultural enrichment to local governance and sports. Residents can follow ongoing developments through local government websites and community news outlets for updates on these and other regional stories.
Calvert County
Ten Calvert Schools Earn Purple Star Status: Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) has been awarded the 2025 Purple Star School designation for ten schools by the Maryland State Department of Education, recognizing their outstanding support for military-connected students and families.
Charles County
Charles County’s Moore Lee Takes National Education Roles: Yonelle Moore Lee, Esq., Chairperson of the Board of Education of Charles County, has been appointed as chairperson of the National Black Council of School Board Members (NBCSBM) and named an ex officio director of the National School Boards Association (NSBA).
St. Mary’s County
Great Mills Shooting: Brothers Face Murder Charges: St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested two suspects, Cameron David Louis Curtis, 22, of Valley Lee, and Peyton James Robert Curtis, 20, of Callaway, on May 6, 2025, following a shooting in Great Mills that injured three men.
State of Maryland/National
Supreme Court hears Maryland case on opting children out from LGBTQ+ book lessons: The Supreme Court heard arguments on April 22 about whether families have the right to excuse their children from public school lessons featuring books with LGBTQ+ themes.