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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets Releases TREDS Study

VDOT's Traffic Records Electronic Data System

Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets released its inaugural study on VDOT's Traffic Records Electronic Data System (TREDS) data of pedestrian and bike crashes in Fairfax, Alexandria, and Arlington.

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Fairfax County Updates Its ActiveFairfax Transportation Plan

Would you feel comfortable walking on any of these and others? Survey feedback and comments will be accepted through Dec. 20, 2024.

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Fear, Emotion Play Out in Herndon

Town’s immigrant residents plead for protection; others counter, ‘You break the law, you are deported.’

Fear, emotion

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What Could Mass Deportation Plans Mean Here?

Local officials emphasize welcoming policies.

Local officials emphasize welcoming policies.

Cornerstones: Hope for Tomorrow for So Many

Thousands of individuals and families served.

Thousands of individuals and families served.

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Something Has to Give

County’s FY 2026 Budget Forecast is not looking good.

Something Has to Give

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Military Monday Dinners To End After 18 Years

Last dinner in Great Falls, Dec. 9, supports Stop Soldier Suicide

Military Monday Dinners To End After 18 Years

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Is Fairfax County’s Co-Responder Program the Right Fit?

Advocates, public cite concerns.

It has been over three years since Fairfax County initiated its pilot co-responder program intended to help police respond to mental health emergency calls. Some county residents are raising multiple concerns about the program.

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County Honors Its Former Planning Commission Chairman

Peter F. Murphy: ‘Not driven by ideology or politics’

Planning award

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Election Day 2024, in Fairfax County

Early voting impacts turnout.

Election

Coat Donations Needed Now

Coat Donations Needed Now

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Wait, Halloween Didn’t Originate in the U.S.?

Born of telling tales and rooted facts as seen in Fairfax County, Va

Born of telling tales and rooted facts as seen in Fairfax County, Va

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Police Fatally Shoot Woman During Welfare Check

Welfare check went deadly in three minutes. What happened?

For 459 days, the Fairfax County Police Department maintained a record free from incidents involving the shooting and killing of an individual by one of their officers. On Monday, Oct. 14, the department released the body-worn camera (BWC) video footage from a police wellness check in Reston conducted on mid-morning Sept. 16, which escalated into a fatal police shooting of a woman within three minutes.

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Junk Fee Warning: Rent at Your Own Risk

Are the 2024 Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act updates on your lease?

In Virginia, tenants, prospective tenants and landlords should know that the 2024 General Assembly introduced several bills to amend the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA). The following story is the first in a series addressing tenant-related bills in Virginia that were enacted on July 1, 2024.

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Seven Corners Pedestrian Dies Weeks after Crash

Marks 17th pedestrian fatality, year to date in Fairfax County.

Sunday, Oct. 13, marked the 17th pedestrian fatality in Fairfax County in 2024.

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Eight Local Children Are Missing

Could a CODI Alert have helped return them home?

The Virginia State Police launched its "Critical Operation for a Disappeared Child Initiative," (CODI) Alert Program nearly a month ago, on Sept. 26.

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9/11 Ceremony in Great Falls

Honoring and remembering those who perished.

Honoring and remembering those who perished.

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Jury Convicts Former Officer In Death of Unarmed Suspect

Guilty of reckless handling of firearm; not guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

On Friday, Oct. 4, a jury made up of eight women and four men convicted former FCPD Sergeant Wesley Shifflett, 36, of reckless handling of a firearm, related to the shooting death of Timothy McCree Johnson, 37, on February 22, 2023. The jury found him not guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

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Walker Road Bridge Replacement Coming

Safety concerns on the bridge approaches and road speed?

Safety concerns on the bridge approaches and road speed?

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Historical Marker Unveiled and Dedicated

Celebrates the legacy of Robert Gunnell and Gunnell’s Chapel.

Celebrates the legacy of Robert Gunnell and Gunnell’s Chapel.

Don’t Miss It, Great Falls Oktoberfest this Friday

Benefits Cornerstones and Great Falls Grange Foundation

The Great Falls Grange Foundation and the Rotary Club of Great Falls will present the Great Falls Oktoberfest on Friday, October 4, from 6 to 10 p.m.

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Former Fairfax County Deputy Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison

Provided contraband and info to inmates; drugs for cash.

The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office announced on Sept. 19 that former deputy Robert T. Sanford Jr., 37, received a 78-month prison sentence for smuggling drugs and contraband into the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

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‘Boosted Is Better’

Protect yourself against the next waves of viruses, says Inova and FX Health District.

Infectious disease specialists at Inova and the Fairfax Health District emphasize the importance of updated COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccinations, including flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and pneumonia for everyone, especially vulnerable populations.

Governor’s Use of Power & Authority Questioned

Sparked by Executive Order establishing cell phone-free education

Cell phones

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Criminal Trial Underway for Ex-Fairfax County Officer

On-duty shooting and killing of unarmed shoplifting suspect

Trial

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Cornerstones Seeks Cook Volunteers and Donors

Small act of kindness makes big impact.

Small act of kindness makes big impact.

Centreville Immigration Forum 2024 Honorees

Celebrating diversity at annual dinner.

Celebrating diversity at annual dinner.

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USGS Headquarters in Reston Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Where and what USGS studies may surprise you.

Where and what USGS studies may surprise you.

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Great Places According to Dogs

Volunteers and staff of Fairfax County Animal Shelter share their favorite dog-friendly places

Great Places According to Dogs

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Fairfax County Is Doggone Friendly

Our county seen through the eyes of our dogs.

Our county seen through the eyes of our dogs.

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Herndon Armors Up Amendment for Downtown Redevelopment

Did 7-year agreement merry-go-round leave town unprotected?

The original Comprehensive Agreement on Nov. 1, 2017, between the Town of Herndon and developer Comstock Herndon Venture LC “had notable gaps that heavily favored Comstock,” said Herndon Councilmember Pradip Dhakal on Sept. 15.

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Herndon’s Mayoral Candidates To Face Off at Forum

On Monday, Sept. 30, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Cornerstones and the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce will host the Town of Herndon Mayoral Candidate Forum at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 651 Dranesville Road.

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Supervisors Approve New Requirements for Data Centers

Stricter standards elicit reactions during and after vote.

On Sept. 10, following extensive community engagement efforts that helped shape the final recommendations presented to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, the Board approved the long-awaited Data Center Zoning Ordinance by a vote of 8-2.

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County Executive Reviews Taxing Authorities, Including Meals Tax

County Executive Reviews Taxing Authorities, Including Meals Tax

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Can U.S. Citizens Experiencing Homelessness Vote?

Registering with no fixed address.

Registering with no fixed address.

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County Clears Two Homeless Encampments

Addressing encampments humanely to address needs.

Addressing encampments humanely to address needs.

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Fairfax County Animal Shelter Hosts ‘Clear the Shelters’

Fairfax County Animal Shelter Hosts ‘Clear the Shelters’

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FCPS Superintendent Attempts to Unwind Misrepresentations

Dear Governor: FCPS outperforms state averages in all state-mandated subjects.

FCPS Superintendent Attempts to Unwind Misrepresentations

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Reston Encampment To Be Shut Down Sept. 10

County officials don’t answer the tough questions.

County officials don’t answer the tough questions.

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Great Falls Studios Holds Online Art Auction This Week.

Funds raised support Studio Tour 2024

Great Falls Studios Holds Online Art Auction This Week.

Reston Community Center 2024 Preference Poll

Reston Community Center (RCC) announced it is seeking interested candidates to run for this year’s Preference Poll to fill three three-year term position seats on its nine-member Board of Governors responsible for oversight of RCC.

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Providing Students Opportunities To Register To Vote

FCPS students advocate for the national High School Voter Empowerment Act.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) highlighted their July 31, 2024, TeacherDirect Bulletin with a reminder of the April 2, 2020, Code of Virginia amendment that added the provision, § 22.1-203.4 Public high schools; mandating that students have access to voter registration.

Herndon Eagle Scout Candidate Completes Service Project

On June 29, one week before his 18th birthday, Anthony Sasso of BSA Troop 1081 completed his Eagle Scout service project.

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12.5 Percent Fare Hike Hits Fairfax Connector Riders July 29

On Monday, July 29, fare increases for riding the Fairfax Connector began. Riders will pay 12.5 percent more.

USDA’s Free Summer Meal Services Ending

Where to turn? New USDA program SUN Bucks and local help available.

Where to turn? New USDA program SUN Bucks and local help available.

Virginia’s Tax-Free Sales Holiday August 2-4

Hurricane preparedness, school supply and certain energy saving products and more eligible.

Hurricane preparedness, school supply and certain energy saving products and more eligible.

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Office Building Razed for Affordable Housing

Groundbreaking for Somas at McLean Metro

Groundbreaking for Somas at McLean Metro

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Fairfax County Awarded $50.5 Million for New Low-Emission Buses

Federal grant paves the way.

Federal grant paves the way.

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12.5 Percent Fare Hike Hits Fairfax Connector Riders July 29

Not small change, given increased consumer costs and decreased dollar buying power.

Not small change, given increased consumer costs and decreased dollar buying power.

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School Board Changes Boundary Policy

Changes to boundary policy emphasize capacity, removes concern for impact on students.

Poised to observe its annual summer recess from July 19 to Aug. 19, 2024, during its meeting on the evening of July 18, the Fairfax School Board voted 9 to 2 on the main motion that the School Board amend Policy 8130 on Local School Boundaries, Program Assignments, and School Closings, as amended and detailed in the agenda item attachment.

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