[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6161162,"mediaKeyId","5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562","parentId",5444166,"title","County recognizes first responders with Maryland Star of Life honors for life-saving extrication","audioSeconds",252,"startMs",505000,"endMs",757000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562&start=505&end=757","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562/thumbnail_505000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6161162/St-Marys-County/Maryland/County-recognizes-first-responders-with-Maryland-Star-of-Life-honors-for-life-saving-extrication","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161162-a4ebd42040276ad0a4d73ad907ba4e47/orig.mp4?Expires=1775550435&Signature=jhGFmuCPvm6gVOhvCHDGFjbK-MJCPtFvaVtoWl4~R8VaNrSylEVTmANLe2vL9rEQNiDX048WlZs~azQWOF5iJ4Va9ler7~jymPHlAuvLc6bDpR6IHogi04xEWBwVk~P1beiGZ7Gbq8lOuoMMO5prZusFn0bM5QP0bkPBf0K~olRPoAM7xobSUdV3ioLMlIxR51BeefDw~hluaV8pyHRddaOIJgIuUN1C~05Z7FzE4c6XfbUTsJLJJxvKf2pZb-0NyCT0-9ghnhpIoiqg4kGKRI88Tv2idwUC4dmyetG4Qw7M5SInCCRxcU8081XMPr272abS8BPMNAckGHk2FnorSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Mary's County, MD","date","2025-07-22T12:02:48Z","article","Commissioners of Saint Mary’s County used part of their July 22 meeting to recognize local first responders who received Maryland Star of Life awards for their actions during a Nov. 6, 2024 motor-vehicle crash.

County staff detailed the response: off‑duty volunteers arrived first, responders stabilized an entrapped 16‑year‑old with \"obvious multisystem trauma,\" applied hemorrhage control, and activated Maryland State Police Aviation before EMS arrival. The patient received whole blood on Trooper 7, regained consciousness in the ambulance, and was flown to the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore; staff said the patient has since returned home and is continuing recovery.

The commissioners named by staff several individuals who participated in the response and asked the public to join in recognizing them. \"We are most grateful to the commissioners' support as we celebrate the ordinary people who perform extraordinary work in our communities each day,\" staff said. Commissioners and attendees applauded the responders on the dais.

The presentation emphasized coordination among volunteer rescue squads, fire departments, EMS crews, and aviation assets as critical to patient outcomes in rural and suburban settings where expedited transport to a trauma center matters.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","7/22/25 Commissioners of St. Mary's County","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners recognized local first responders who assisted in a November 6, 2024 vehicle extrication and credited coordinated EMS, fire, and air-medical response with saving a critically injured 16-year-old.","taxTitle","St. Mary's County, Maryland","taxId",51086,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6161166,"County seeks MEDCO site-improvement grant to ready AeroPark West End for commercial hangars",414,5205000,5619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562&start=5205&end=5619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562/thumbnail_5205000.jpg","/articles/6161166/St-Marys-County/Maryland/County-seeks-MEDCO-site-improvement-grant-to-ready-AeroPark-West-End-for-commercial-hangars","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161166-09b5a36eba2491a7783f015d6aa7cae1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775550435&Signature=RSxSfQoNzpqvs5Q7jcdEwW7DMIQeWQ4NDO70VCK~h89vqoSd2PHgeG8x2whxPON8yH9W83SurBW5g4WoWKd8KTDeOBK0AXYrCkKTnHPvo3WGpE7dbF0fZ6qlE7VD1K5LjdBKqz6rXzajwkUcPULE~hrlMvNNBT1BwWaffb43YobbK5tZajh9pkKKCj1RBr7q~QZTyfiPdnaO8boIRmimdqM4SQ2BTlO9kDwTwfjjyb5JvZqTTylq4ChCtk~tfveJGCquJCh0aZFjk-evxTkNLsUvh5XrZkLNKcGY5~C--8NZ1X7zK00qcHdolt9cA0jHnI6pwcoCWy4f5gynDzAwKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Saint Mary’s County economic development officials told commissioners July 22 they will apply for a Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) Business Site Improvement Grant of up to $500,000 to advance preparation of a roughly 14‑acre county-owned parcel in the AeroPark Innovation District.

Director Chris Casalemas and Deputy Kelly Henkel said the county’s ongoing site-characterization work with MEDCO makes the West End parcel eligible for the second-stage site-improvement grant, which covers infrastructure upgrades, environmental remediation, utility extensions and transportation improvements required to make a site \"shovel ready.\" The county’s concept plan shows five hangars with runway access and two commercial buildings without runway access.

The grant requires a 3-to-1 match; staff said previously incurred AeroPark expenses are expected to qualify toward the local match and that no new county funds are being requested at this time. Casalemas said private-sector interest exists from at least three developers who have discussed long-term leases of improvements and construction of hangars.

Commissioners asked about utility extensions and the airport master plan; staff said water is adjacent to the site and MEDCO’s site-characterization work has identified where utilities and extensions will be needed. The board voted to authorize the county to pursue the MEDCO application and to have the commission president sign related documents.

If awarded, MEDCO grants will be used to complete site improvements so private firms can build hangars and other industrial/commercial facilities with runway access. Staff said MEDCO’s business-ready sites program is competitive and statewide funding is limited, but that the AeroPark site is a strong fit because the county has completed much of the site-characterization work already.","County economic development staff said they will apply for up to $500,000 from Maryland Economic Development Corporation to support infrastructure and site improvements at AeroPark’s West End to prepare five runway-access hangars and commercial buildings for development.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6161170,"Sheriff’s office cleared to buy upgraded evidence software; annual federal equitable-sharing report filed",449,4430000,4879000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562&start=4430&end=4879","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562/thumbnail_4430000.jpg","/articles/6161170/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Sheriffs-office-cleared-to-buy-upgraded-evidence-software-annual-federal-equitable-sharing-report-filed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161170-3970add5f21713e04c45500ab37e0099/orig.mp4?Expires=1775550435&Signature=J1DzT8~5SQNUL9o4PFfNWQRbEE14foTX~2-vnPxGw5FPktFeNXerGylCYC2XPXUC37DrlTFiVtKTR7N5c~dqYvrLl~aC~vnpXMHfcEGF6PfmNymYX1GaoGFkhi4zCaVz23YwypriqdORNQF9vXYd2FRR-9zL6iARXh2ZxCfHQH5gbybDUpYcs7QrYXxCTjzoL3NmQF49zz859sNSiImCbi4hrd7fF3C-OmzIdY56bldu~L1qxvBOJ23BPYXsc5R-dK01828oR2iNzNUssKJ6~kVBZA~G7B-wTC1GAK30D55I7V3HfDgHypdglFLP02DjHoWzl1XR40SWMwc7XuYoCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of Saint Mary’s County on July 22 approved the sheriff’s request to purchase upgraded evidence-extraction software and additional equipment for investigative purposes using locally forfeited funds.

Sheriff’s office representatives said the upgrade will add capacity and remove a current bottleneck in digital evidence processing; staff noted the upgrade carries an annual recurring increase of $24,065 beginning in fiscal year 2027. The equipment purchase is a one-time request paid from locally forfeited funds, and commissioners approved a related budget amendment to realign accounts within the project.

During the same meeting the board approved the sheriff’s annual equitable-sharing agreement and certification for fiscal year 2025. The sheriff’s office reported receiving $4,777.50 in federally forfeited funds for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025; there were no federal equitable-sharing expenditures in FY25.

Commissioners also voted to accept a FY26 state grant covering administrative support for offender registry clerical duties. The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services award allocates $12,772 to Saint Mary’s County for registry administration; no local match was required. Sheriff’s staff said the county’s registry count was 132 as of the prior day, with most registrants classified as tier 3 (lifetime) offenders.","The county approved the sheriff’s request to purchase upgraded evidence-extraction software and related equipment using locally forfeited funds; commissioners also approved the annual equitable-sharing certification and a small state grant for offender registry support.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6161174,"Commissioners approve additional funding and construction award for St. Clements Island Museum",818,4113000,4931000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562&start=4113&end=4931","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562/thumbnail_4113000.jpg","/articles/6161174/St-Marys-County/Maryland/Commissioners-approve-additional-funding-and-construction-award-for-St-Clements-Island-Museum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161174-579d8aef24d4908d00bb4d82cc4d5478/orig.mp4?Expires=1775550435&Signature=FMGkRSMeq9lGPlWRoe4gee~iPmFzoRgQKCZHn90gFpGdaH7c4xEsZZZy6yE0xFJnSIAHrhufMRRZRjdNQrnhAYlxObdrchyzI0ELSoPH2NwwqNy~tdPW~tRspMfZ8P5YKx5AerihaGm6UIGwpTnv-pVCffCyIa0jpp5bBUiHFkakpQshxYy2b~BnXK36hbGIx41n6QSEbXu66fASa5IYFBMHj2307cjTVSS9xRubYZVH4pq6INOcdY2YbfeQEInC6JxJ6w5wi~bJoAlByPDGoauO0K7UW9YzqsTmGjKSltr6dfgRfIS59k51x~vawGmuMmIsamVlJ8BnIRnF7fnCqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of Saint Mary’s County approved July 22 a budget amendment to fund construction of the new St. Clements Island Museum and authorized the procurement officer to award the construction contract.

Public works staff told commissioners the lowest reliable construction estimate after competitive bidding rose from an earlier budgeted figure of roughly $4.4 million to about $6.3 million, driven largely by higher-than-anticipated mechanical, electrical and site-work costs. Acting Department of Public Works director Donny Mills and CFO Vanetta Van Cleef presented two options: reallocate funds from the FIN (capital reserve) or move money from another capital project, Shannon Farm. After discussion, commissioners approved transferring funds from the capital reserve to cover the gap.

Procurement staff said the county received nine bids and recommended awarding the construction contract to WM Davis Incorporated. Commissioners praised the local award. \"Getting a local bidder or a local builder ... is a good thing, and that's good for Saint Mary's County and our citizens,\" one commissioner said.

The board voted to authorize the procurement officer to award the project to WM Davis subject to receipt and acceptance of contract documents and to approve the budget amendment transferring capital-reserve funds into the museum project. Staff said some related permitting and lease approvals (the museum sits on DNR property) contributed to earlier schedule delays; recent completion of a pre-bid and extended bidding period produced a fuller market response.

Public works noted that staff will consider independent cost-estimating practices for major future projects; commissioners discussed the risk that long lead times and public-sector requirements can increase costs and stressed the need for third-party cost reviews on large procurements.","Facing bid-price increases, the board approved a budget amendment transferring capital reserve funds to cover a roughly $1.9 million shortfall and authorized award of the construction contract to a local firm.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6161175,"St. Mary’s commissioners direct staff to draft zoning text amendment on future fuel-sale locations",1812,1100000,2912000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562&start=1100&end=2912","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5444166-0f452b28620904eb5a1600366d8ed562/thumbnail_1100000.jpg","/articles/6161175/St-Marys-County/Maryland/St-Marys-commissioners-direct-staff-to-draft-zoning-text-amendment-on-future-fuel-sale-locations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161175-38d12151f3d261c844db42652f1bbadb/orig.mp4?Expires=1775550435&Signature=BEvpKk1eAMmWaMSWVWhuCRwp7T-7fIOTWM0zCW~NtUEWBxY-Li4AaWbqy35AQDCQazTsVp1c9PiogUUmgBGtN7wu3rBoLGV5xXXJx5WUyhHJFT3KeD-RE81ds68mdPJ8D~ZuCwOpMS2FI3wn0DPooiPMZAo92WxwE13kfaCnSHRQYbq~Wp3i8FHi32T7T4~ka9ob7OBNiX~i9dfyUEtuVfMOH~Lt2M9omijVTurpSvup0s36yrKvvgdQViCEv0KY8iLRjTI2qk7Sm2QmuIBfrLy37JLniIDzASn74CR3AP980BgpQhlwMQMMzmSqr~zwdTl9rGwXAv0JF4-Mq1-xHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County voted July 22 to direct the county attorney’s office and the Department of Land Use and Growth Management to draft and recommend an ordinance amending the county’s comprehensive zoning ordinance to address future locations for fuel sales.

The move followed a multi-hour discussion in which county legal staff outlined options ranging from a narrow text amendment to a temporary moratorium while staff studies the issue. \"A moratorium is just one of the options,\" county attorney staff said during the briefing. Commissioners said they wanted planning staff to have additional tools to evaluate whether a proposed fuel-sale site meets local needs.

The county attorney’s office told commissioners there are roughly 45 gas stations in the county with about half concentrated in several ZIP codes in the Lexington Park/Greater Lexington Park Development District and nearby areas. The attorney’s memorandum and remarks noted that current county zoning does not treat community need as a standard for permitting gas stations; the comprehensive zoning ordinance specifically references community-need review for only four uses (commercial cell towers, private waste transfer/recycling, new water-dependent facilities in the critical area, and educational facilities in the Rural Preservation District).

Commissioners debated alternatives. Supporters said a written needs analysis or a conditional-use standard would give the planning commission and Board of Appeals discretion to consider local impacts. Opponents warned that imposing new requirements could restrict property owners and small businesses, and that large corporate applicants typically commission market studies before developing sites.

The county attorney’s office presented legal background, citing that courts have allowed local governments to regulate land use under police powers where tied to the public good; staff referenced the Montgomery County-era Lucky Stores decision as an example of a jurisdiction that treats fueling stations as a conditional use and asks for a showing of community need. The county attorney said some neighboring counties use conditional-use or spacing requirements for fueling sites, and that Saint Mary’s County has the legal authority to adopt similar measures if the commissioners choose to do so.

Commissioners discussed whether a moratorium would be appropriate. County attorneys warned moratoria are temporary measures that must meet constitutional standards and that projects with validly issued permits and substantial construction in progress typically retain rights to complete construction under the laws in effect when permits were issued. The attorney added that there were no pending new concept site plan applications that a moratorium would halt, and that the three sites already in active development had permits and construction underway.

After discussion, a commissioner moved and another seconded a motion directing staff to draft a zoning text amendment regarding future fuel-sale locations and to coordinate with the planning commission as appropriate. The motion was approved by the board. The commissioners did not adopt a moratorium; they directed staff to return with draft language and recommendations for next steps, including whether to refer matters to the planning commission for further review and public hearing.

Next steps identified by the board include staff drafting proposed text changes, evaluating whether a needs-analysis requirement should be narrowly targeted to fueling stations or applied more broadly, and reporting back to the commissioners with legal analysis and recommended procedures for public hearings and implementation.","After a lengthy discussion about perceived oversaturation of gas stations, the St. Mary’s County commissioners voted to direct the county attorney and planning staff to draft a comprehensive zoning text amendment to give planning authorities tools to evaluate future fuel-sale sites.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County recognizes first responders with Maryland Star of Life honors for life-saving extrication

County seeks MEDCO site-improvement grant to ready AeroPark West End for commercial hangars

Sheriff’s office cleared to buy upgraded evidence software; annual federal equitable-sharing report filed

Commissioners approve additional funding and construction award for St. Clements Island Museum

St. Mary’s commissioners direct staff to draft zoning text amendment on future fuel-sale locations