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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.

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Stars & Stripes NOVA Committee Food Donation

Stars & Stripes NOVA Committee Food Donation

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Restonstrong Entrenched Supporting Neighbors Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness

Interview with NPO’s co-founder

Interview with NPO’s co-founder

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Residences at Government Center II Groundbreaking, Mon. Dec. 9

Residences at Government Center II Groundbreaking, Mon. Dec. 9

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

Community News at a Glance

Community News at a Glance

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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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Critically Missing Adult

Police search for 80-year-old man.

Police search for 80-year-old man.

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Local Artists at Capital Art and Craft Festival Winter 2024

Coming to Dulles Expo Center, Dec. 13-15

Coming to Dulles Expo Center, Dec. 13-15

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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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Homecoming Day, Fighting Hornet Style

Community, school spirit, lasting memories, and winning the game in Herndon.

Homecoming Day, Fighting Hornet Style

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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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The Closet Celebrates 50 Years

Not your average thrift shop, makes significant impacts; "Kindness goes a long way."

Not your average thrift shop, makes significant impacts; "Kindness goes a long way."

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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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Children’s Book Festival by A Thousand Stories

The tale of embracing ‘no's’ to receive ‘yeses’ by award-winning author and Emmy Award winner Kwame Alexander..

books

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Reston, Herndon Community Tree Planting

Growing hope and democracy by ‘people who are different’ coming together.

Growing hope and democracy by ‘people who are different’ coming together.

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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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Clifton Day Festival 2024: Magical Moments

Clifton Day Festival 2024

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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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Help with Affordable Housing in Herndon?

Possible path for new affordable and accessible housing in the Town of Herndon

Fairfax County stands ready to assist, Bierman says.

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Coat Donations Needed Now

2024 Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Distribution is one month away

2024 Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Distribution is one month away

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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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Supervisors Honor Karla Bruce

One Fairfax Policy: Former Chief Equity Officer has 25 years of impactful service.

Karla Bruce honored

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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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Irish Folk Festival Comes to Arts Herndon

Vibrant Irish culture, music and dance at 27th Annual CCÉ O'Neill Malcom Irish Folk Festival

Vibrant Irish culture, music and dance at 27th Annual CCÉ O'Neill Malcom Irish Folk Festival

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Walking to End Alzheimer's Returns

Improving treatment through pharmaceuticals and care for the growing population through legislation.

Improving treatment through pharmaceuticals and care for the growing population through legislation.

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Accotink Pump Station Rehabilitation Groundbreaking

Accotink Pump Station Rehabilitation Groundbreaking

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Town of Herndon Mayoral Candidate Forum

Dhakal and LeBlanc take on the challenge.

Town of Herndon Mayoral Candidate Forum

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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.

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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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Four Pedestrians Struck and Killed in Ten Days

Supervisors to consider lowering the speed limit to 20 and 15 mph on some roads.

The memorial site of where a driver caused a crash that killed two girls in a 2022 pedestrian crash on Blake Lane, dubbed “Vienna’s racetrack,” according to a petition.

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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Reston Multicultural Festival Celebrates Diversity

Organizers stressed inclusiveness and joy, expressing pride in expanding the festival's reach and diversity.

Reston

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The Closet to Mark 50 Years of Service

Seeks former scholarship recipients; reach out.

Seeks former scholarship recipients; reach out.

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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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RCC’s Preference Poll Candidates 2024

RCC’s Preference Poll Candidates 2024

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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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