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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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Options Set for Real Estate, Meals Taxes

Advertised rates are a cap on options; actual rates can be less or equal but not more.

Advertised rates are a cap on options; actual rates can be less or equal but not more.

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How Far Will Dominion Energy Go?

Reactions to Clear-Cutting NOVA Parks W&OD Trail

Dominion

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‘Rest Easy, K9 Max,’ FCPD’s Got It From Here.

On March 10, the Fairfax County Police Department announced the death of K9 Max, who served the department for eight years, from 2012 to 2020.

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Free Formal Dresses and Accessories for Students

RCC’s 23rd Annual Diva Central Giveaway

Reston Community Center announced it is hosting its 23rd Annual Diva Central Formal and Prom Dress Giveaway at RCC Lake Anne, 609-A Washington Plaza, on Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Fairfax County Teen Job Fair Draws Over 400 Students

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) Hosts Event at Chantilly High

Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) hosted his second 2025 Teen Job Fair on Saturday, March 15.

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Beavers Are a Native Keystone Species Here

Humane coexistence tactics can protect trees; beavers benefit. wildlife.

Beavers

Former FCPD Sergeant Sentenced to Five Years

Mother of fatal police shooting victim, Timothy McCree Johnson, speaks out.

Former Fairfax County Police Sergeant Wesley Shifflett was processed into the county jail Friday evening, Feb. 28. At his sentencing hearing earlier that day, Fairfax County Circuit Judge Randy I. Bellows sentenced Shifflett, 36, to five years in prison with two years suspended.

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Immigration Raids Evoke Horror in Fairfax County

Three so far this week; more expected.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids are sweeping across Northern Virginia this week.

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Board of Supervisors, School Board Joint Meeting

Given project revenue increases, FCPS reports a negative $149.62 million available balance for meeting FY 2026 requirements.

$149.62 million

Supervisors React to Budget Prospects

Some comments were lightly edited for clarity.

Community News at a Glance: The 2025 Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl

Four days of free adoptions for dogs 45 pounds or more.

Community News at a Glance

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Royal Flush for Opponents of ‘Casino Bill’.

Virginia Senate Bill 982 dead for 2025.

Casino Bill

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Is Help On The Way?

Thousands of federal employees and contractors fired or furloughed; more in the works.

Federal Workers

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Remembering Local Victims of Jan. 29 Plane Crash

Remembering Local Victims of Jan. 29 Plane Crash

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Help On The Way

Kaine and Warner offer tele-town hall meeting Monday.

Fear and uncertainty threaded throughout the Fairfax County federal workforce after an unexpected email with the subject line "Fork in the Road" arrived in their employee email inboxes on Jan. 28, as it did nationwide for over 2.3 million federal employees.

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Meeting on Georgetown Pike/Great Falls Library Pedestrian Refuge Improvements

Crosswalk project heads toward finalization

A community meeting on Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Great Falls Grange brought the Georgetown Pike - Great Falls Library Pedestrian Refuge Improvements project closer to its construction start date.

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Surovell Defends His Casino Bill

Bill passed the Senate (24-Y 16-N) on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Opponents question source of $1.8B casino revenue prediction.

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Superintendent addresses immigrant enforcement.

Superintendent addresses immigrant enforcement.

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Vienna Delays Vote on Meals Tax Again

At its Jan. 27 meeting, the Vienna Town Council voted to temporarily defer the proposal to raise the meals tax from 3 to 4 percent.

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Casino Bill for Tysons Advances

Opponents make repeated trips to Richmond to testify against the bill.

The subcommittee pushed SB982, introduced by Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), to the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 9 a.m. The bill proposes to allow Fairfax County residents to vote in a referendum on a casino in Tysons.

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$4 Billion for School Budget

State shortfall in funding for local schools creates expanding needs.

Division Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented what she called the “needs-based” Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget at the Fairfax County School Board meeting on Thursday evening, Jan. 23.

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Retired Supervisor Gerry Hyland Remembered

Retired Supervisor Gerry Hyland Remembered

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Supervisors: Casino Bill Muddies Waters

Real issue is state underfunding of schools, they say.

A senator's comments Monday to the Virginia Senate Subcommittee on Gaming regarding SB982 (Casino Gaming; eligible host localities) led the chair of the No Fairfax Casino coalition, Lynn Mulston, to email the senators a letter titled "URGENT: SB982 Reaction to Chief Patron's Comments."

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Notorious Norovirus Stalks Region

Frequent handwashing with soap and water could help avoid the scourge.

Notorious Norovirus Stalks Region

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Act Three: Crescent Apartments, 2025

The initial plan and mission looked solid until…

Supervisor Walter Alcorn’s reading of his board matter marks what could be defined as Act Three of the Crescent Property saga.

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New Life for Affordable Housing in Reston?

Future of Crescent apartments property gets a hand up.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized the redevelopment of the 1960s Crescent Apartments in Reston on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

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Water Main Break In Reston at Lake Anne

It’s a dirty job.

Fairfax Water responded to gushing water at 11459 Washington Plaza, Lake Anne, Reston, on Jan. 13.

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Bill Paves Way for Fairfax Casino Referendum

Coalition seeks to ‘kill the bill;’ sponsors say Fairfax County needs the money for schools and property tax relief.

A 50,000-member Facebook group called the No Fairfax Casino Coalition is out to "kill the bill," SB982 — Casino gaming; eligible host localities in the Virginia Senate.

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How To Spend $2 Billion

Home care providers who save Virginia millions of dollars each year, but most earn less than $15 an hour in 2025.

Budget

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Herrity Joins 2025 Race for Lt. Governor

Pat Herrity, the current Fairfax County Board Supervisor for the Springfield District and lone Republican on the board, posted a video on social media on Jan. 4 announcing his candidacy for Virginia lieutenant governor.

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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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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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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

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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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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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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