Owner of lost baby ornament, found by county, sought

A “Baby’s First Christmas” ornament, presumed to be accidentally left on a Christmas tree, was recently found at a Christmas tree drop-off site on St. Nicholas Drive in Waldorf (off Smallwood Drive, next to BJ’s Wholesale Store).

If you recognize this ornament, email your contact information to PressRoomWCharlesCountyMD.gov or call the Environmental Resources Division at 301-932-3599.

Cedarville Road Bridge temporairly closed for bridge replacement

The Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation temporarily closed Cedarville Road Bridge on Thursday, Jan. 12, to allow for the replacement of the existing bridge over Mattawoman Creek. The current bridge has deteriorated, requiring replacement of the entire structure. There is a detour plan in place during construction of the replacement bridge.

While some preliminary construction activities have already begun, major construction activities associated with the bridge replacement will begin after the closure. Construction is expected to take one year, and motorists should use the primary detour routes of Brandywine Road, Crain Highway (U.S. 301) and

County announces Econ. Development Advisory Board members

Charles County announced today the members of the newly formed Economic Development Advisory Board, an entity created by the board of commissioners. The advisory board is one of the key recommendations from the county’s recently launched five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan, “A Proactive Approach to Shaping the Economic Future of Charles County, Maryland,” and consists of 10 board members, all with corporate level experience in business, particularly in the county’s target industries.

Chosen from a pool of applicants based on business experience, the advisory board members, whose terms will be three years (with initial terms varying for one or two years for staggered terms), include:

• Randall Williams, Meinhardt Properties president and Economic Development Advisor y Board chair;

• Andrew Welburn, The Welburn Organization president;

• Bradley Gottfried, College of Southern Maryland president;

• Darlene Breck, Southern Maryland Busi- ness Center owner;

• Paul Blackwood, University of Mar yland Medical System Planning vice president;

• Harry Shasho, Shasho Consulting, P.A. Commercial Real Estate president and broker;

• Jeffrey Guido, Community Hub for Oppor- tunities in Construction Employment for Charles County field representative;

• Kimberly Hill, Charles County Public Schools superintendent;

• Olajide Ijadare, Mesmo, Inc. founder and president;

• Sheila Zattau, Advanced Vision Systems Inc. marketing manager.

The advisor y board will play an integral role in advising the Economic Development Department by sharing ideas, solutions, and creative approaches to business and economic development issues facing the county.

For more information about the Economic Development Advisor y Board, email EDAB@ MeetCharlesCounty.com. For more information about the county’s economic development efforts, go to www. MeetCharlesCounty.com.

Educational seminars about law, court processes for public available

The Charles County Circuit Court is hosting free three-hour seminars for the public to learn about common family law issues and court procedures. Upcoming seminars are currently scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, and Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Charles County Public Librar y Waldorf West Branch, 10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf. The Family Law for the People seminars are for informational purposes only and are not intended to provide legal advice. Participants must attend the seminar in order to obtain participant handbooks. Topics include: • Child custody and support; • Divorce; • Starting a case; • Alternatives to trial; • Trial process and procedures; and

• Finding and working with an attorney.

Seminars are for adults only. Child care is not provided. Family Law for the People was developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts Department of Family Administration, Maryland State Bar Association Juvenile Law Section and the People’s Law Library of Mar yland.

To register for the seminar, email Juliana. davis@mdcourts.gov, or call 301-932-3278. Registration is confidential and is used for the purposes of notifying participants of any changes in the schedule and for statistical report- ing. To find additional monthly seminars, visit the Charles County Gov- ernment online calendar at www.CharlesCountyMD.gov. Citizens with special needs may contact the Mar yland Relay Service at 711, or Relay Service TDD: 866269-9006.

DSS to sponsor human trafficking presentation

The Charles County Department of Social Services is sponsoring a “Human Trafficking in High Definition” assembly 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at Servants of Christ at the Dome on New Life Church Campus, 9690 Shepherds Creek Place, La Plata. The event will be facilitated by Marlene Carson, a former trafficking victim and a nationally-recognized subject matter expert regarding sex trafficking. Carson has consulted with state and federal legislators, law enforcement agencies and public schools across the United States, aiding in the establishment of policy and best practices aimed at effecting change within communities.

The “Human Trafficking in High Definition” event is free and open to the public. Registration via Eventbrite is available at https:// www.eventbrite. com/e/human-trafficking-in-high-definition-tickets-30932192019?aff=efbnreg. For more information, contact assistant director for administration at the Charles County Department of Social Services Maurice Butler at maurice.butler@maryland.gov.

State fire marshal encourages carbon monoxide alarm installation

In 2016, the Maryland General Assembly passed House Bill 0849 and its companion Senate Bill 0182. Both bills require the installation of carbon monoxide alarms for any new and existing rental dwelling units. This includes any type of dwelling unit that can be rented to an individual or family.

This legislation requires that a carbon monoxide alarm (CO) be installed outside of each sleeping area and on every level to include the basement in a building that contains any fuel burning equipment, wood burning appliance or has an enclosed attached garage. They are not required in rental dwelling units that are powered solely by an electric power supply.

Carbon monoxide alarms can be hardwired with a battery backup, battery powered that has a ten year battery with a sealed tamper resistant compartment or connected to an on-site control unit that monitors the carbon monoxide alarm remotely so that a responsible party is alerted when the device activates the alarm signal and receives its primar y power from a battery or the control unit. The recommendation for multi-family units is to replace the current hard wired smoke alarm with a combination smoke alarm/carbon monoxide alarm unit. The applicable requirements of Title 9 of the Public Safety Article regarding the installation of smoke detection systems would still apply for this installation.

The installation of the carbon monoxide alarms shall be in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations and NFPA 720 for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide Warning Equipment in Dwelling Units. Carbon monoxide alarms must be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory that is approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, tasteless, and potentially toxic gas that is produced by the incomplete combustion of liquid fuels, solid fuels, or natural gases. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause symptoms similar to the flu, such as: headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and irritability. High concentrations of CO can cause vomiting, loss of consciousness, and even death. Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in small amounts over a long period of time and in large amounts in a short period of time.

Although earlier is highly recommended, carbon monoxide alarms must be installed in all rental dwelling units by April 1, 2018.