Mercia Hobson | Stories

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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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Brabrand: 'Stay the Course'

We have a right to do things up until that right impinges or infringes on the rights of others.

Masks

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FCPS Takes Legal Action Challenging Gov. Youngkin's Ex. Order No. 2

County School Board files suit jointly with six other boards.

Executive order

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New Governor Revokes Mask Mandate for Schools

FCPS says masks requirement remains in effect.

Mask Mandates

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Return to School 2022

After a week of weather closures, FCPS opens with Covid-19 surging

Returning to school

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FCPS Faces Staff Shortages in the Face of Omicron

Superintendent pledges to keep students in the classroom, but it will “not be business as usual.”

School with Covid

2022 Real Estate Forecast

Real Estate Forecast

2022 Northern Virginia Association of Realtors Forecast

Single-family homes in Arlington are still the hottest real estate ticket in town.

Realtors Forecast

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VolunteerFest, 2021

Volunteers work on projects countywide for the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Volunteers

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Crisis in Afghanistan Reverberates Locally

Afghan Americans speak out.

The United States and other countries have welcomed more than 150,000 Afghans and their families since the emergency evacuations began in mid-August.

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Crisis in Afghanistan Reverberates Locally

Afghan Americans speak out.

The United States and other countries have welcomed more than 150,000 Afghans and their families since the emergency evacuations began in mid-August.

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Overcoming Mental Health Stigma

Suicide Walk-a-Thon brings awareness

The pandemic's psychological and socioeconomic fallout may be driving an accelerated trend in depressive symptoms and suicide ideation, attempts, and deaths in Fairfax County, reported experts in mental health at the "Fight Suicide" Walk-a-Thon at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston held Aug. 21.

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Holding Dear: 2,364 Local Souls Lost to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Northern Virginia Regional Commission holds Remembrance Ceremony

On March 21, 2020, the Fairfax County Health Department reported its first death of a resident due to COVID-19.

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Results of Arlington and Montgomery County Collaboration on Airplane Noise

Contractor proposes randomizing approaching flight path to share the noise of disturbing DCA flight tracks; testing underway

Local officials in Arlington and Montgomery counties continue their collaborative efforts following upticks in their communities' airplane noise complaints as aircraft approach and depart Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, DCA, located in Arlington County.

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Two Lawsuits Threaten Virginia Public Schools

Appellants ask courts to halt implementation of Student Transgender Policies; local FCPS Pride reacts

The outcome of two lawsuits filed in Circuit Courts the last week in March threatens the treatment of transgender students in all Virginia school divisions, including Fairfax County Public Schools.

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Tightening Criteria for Entering into Gang Database

Gang Task Force use of DataWalk under scrutiny

On Oct. 2, 2018, Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force selected DataWalk as their analytical platform to support its fight against gangs according to a headline on BUSINESS WIRE.

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Questioning Racially-Biased Gang Database

Activists: Residents can be entered into GangNet merely for living in neighborhoods where gang activity takes place.

With no recourse for review, a nebulous definition of gang membership led an activist, an immigration advocate, and a Virginia legislator to fight for change.

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Mobilizing for the Biden-Harris Ticket

Virginia's former Governor, House of Delegate Speaker and Senate Majority Leader at Fairfax County Government Center.

The second and third day of early voting at Fairfax County Government Center brought enthusiastic voters exercising their rights to vote and more.

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Kamala Harris Speaks at Fairfax 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony

At Fairfax County Public Safety Headquarters, County Fire Chief John S. Butler stepped to the podium at the 9-11 Remembrance Ceremony to commemorate lives lost on September 11, 2001.

EagleForce Warrior Foundation Donates $30K

Funds launch Capital Caring Health's ‘So No One Dies Alone Program.’

The local nonprofit provider of elder health, hospice and advanced illness care, Capital Caring Health, received a $30K donation from EagleForce Warrior Foundation to launch the provider's 'So No One Dies Alone Program' for Veterans from Northern Virginia and nearby areas and their families.

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Let’s Get This Right: Mask Up NOVA

It’s Phase One and Executive Order 63 for Northern Virginia’s reopening.

On May 29, The Northern Virginia Regional Commission announced that it produced a Public Service Announcement emphasizing the importance of wearing a face mask in public indoor spaces.

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Hunkered Down to Opening Up in Virginia

Northern Virginia leaders urge regional approach to reopening state.

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Northern Virginia Reopening Should Occur When Metrics Met

Regional mayors and chairs send letter to Gov. Northam.

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Amazon Gives $1 Million Locally to Fight the Impact of COVID-19

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia Awards Block Grants.

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Global to Local: Coronavirus Defines Us

Week Two 03/15-03/21– feeding children is priority for FCPS.

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Opinion: Commentary: ‘Our Priority Is to Save Lives’

Governor Northam orders statewide closure of certain non-essential businesses: all public and private schools K-12 closed for the rest of the academic year.

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Global to Local: This Is Not a Test

Week one: 03/09-03/15: COVID-19 pandemic hits the area.

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Focus on Social Justice at First Baptist Church of Vienna

Church hosts its fourth annual Justice and Legislative Sunday.

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Fairfax County: Proclamations and Resolutions, Board Matters and Votes

It’s Day One; Take Action for Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

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New Action-packed Mystery Thriller by Local Author

A roller-coaster read set in the DC-NOVA area.

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Change in the Virginia Landscape

401st VA General Assembly reconvenes with a tsunami of filed legislation.

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Virginia Assembly – Week One

Highlights of some of the bills proposed.

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Environmental Priorities for Virginia

Virginia Conservation Network Hosts 2019 General Assembly Preview.

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First National Suffragist Memorial Breaks Ground

Site in Lorton to mark women’s struggle for right to vote.

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Horses Heal and Teach Life Skills

Equestrian program touches everyone involved.

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No More Curbside Pickup for Glass in Northern Virginia

Residents will have to take their glass bottles and jars to a purple bin.

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Building Community that Works for Everyone

Maj. Gen. Carl H. McNair Jr. receives community leadership award.

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What’s Car-Loving NOVA To Do?

Not more lanes, not more tolls.

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Northern Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge Awards Presented

Local police and special law enforcement agencies awarded for best traffic safety programs in the state.

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Suicide and Trauma Sound Alarm for First Responders

Fairfax County Chief of Police takes action to relieve stress and encourage officers to ask for help when needed.

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Local Talent on Global Stage

USA Special Olympics Team heads to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for World Games 2019.

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E-bikes: Friend or Foe in Virginia?

Parks agencies present proposed changes allowing e-bikes on their trails.

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Board The Starlight Express at Lake Fairfax

It’s a magical winter light show and more.

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Sunrise Chefs in Head-to-Head Competition

Event demonstrates healthy from-scratch cooking with seasonal ingredients.

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‘Collect for Kids’ Seeks Help

Donations and help from organizations is requested.

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Operation Medicine Cabinet Cleanout April 28

Service is free, anonymous and no questions asked.

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