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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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Time to Hang up Bird Feeders

GFCA host noted

Birds

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Impact of Vehicle-Bicycle Collisions in Fairfax Courts

FABB's discussion with Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney for Community Justice and Policy

Bike ruling

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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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Great Falls Native Is U.S. Ambassador to Algeria

Langley journalism teacher gave her confidence for international affairs.

Ambassador

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New Governor Revokes Mask Mandate for Schools

FCPS says masks requirement remains in effect.

Mask Mandates

MCA: Build Pedestrian Bicyclist Friendly Projects in McLean

$100 million available countywide over six years.

Bike Ped Projects

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Matters of Importance to Great Falls in 2022

Supervisor John W. Foust's perspective.

Stuff happening in Great Falls

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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

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Bicyclist and Pedestrian Killed in McLean as 2021 Closes

Separate crashes kill two vulnerable road users.

Bicycle fatality

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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Share Inc. of McLean Request the Community's Help

Gift cards and more needed for clients this holiday season.

Share Inc

Challenged Books, Ballooning Waitlists for Mental Health, ADA Playgrounds

What you might have missed at the Dec. 2 School Board meeting.

School Board

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New Fire Station Opens in McLean

Station No. 44 will help serve Tysons areas.

New fire station

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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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Application Drought for McLean CBC: No Inquiries

Zoning and land use attorney discusses project challenges

Developers may be working quietly on plans or assembling parcels for future development in downtown McLean.

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Back to School: The Best Shot: Vax Up!

Fairfax County families and educators discuss COVID-19 School Year 2021-22.

The first day of the much-anticipated, in-person return to school for SY2021-22 looms for many families, friends, and educators in Fairfax County's independent, public and home-based education systems.

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McLean Neighborhood Hosts National Night Out

Block party fosters police-community partnerships and rediscovers neighborhood camaraderie

Residents and friends of the Timberly neighborhood in McLean took part in a block party with visits by Captain Dalton Becker, commander of McLean District Station, Fairfax County Police Department, and his officers, and Fairfax County/Fairfax City Sheriff Stacey Ann Kincaid and her deputies for National Night Out (NNO) 2021.

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Fairfax County Public Schools Priority One: Get Eligible Students Vaccinated

Expansion of school COVID-19 vaccination clinics underway

The level of community transmission of COVID-19 in Fairfax County is increasing again.

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Fairfax County Supervisors Proclaim August 3 National Night Out

Proclamation celebrates neighborhood spirit and cooperation among residents and police

National Night Out is a time to celebrate, whether the clock that day says noon or 8 p.m. It is a time to have community fun, to say thank you to law enforcement officers, and get more involved in the community.

Fairfax County Holds County-wide Vaccine Equity Clinics

Bringing the COVID-19 vaccine to the people rather than relying on them to find their way to a site is one option to get people vaccinated and slow the surging Delta variant.

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Delta Variant Has Room to Run Rampant

Removing invisible vaccine barriers for communities in Fairfax County

Jump on a moon bounce, grab an empanada from a food truck and get a Covid vaccine.

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New Food Scrap Composting at Select Fairfax County Farmers Markets

Nature’s recycling reduces methane and lowers carbon footprint

Fairfax County residents have another option for managing organic wastes such as fruit and vegetable peels, food left on dinner plates, coffee grounds, and even paper towels and napkins.

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Langley High School Saxons Boat Wins Gold at States

Crew Team also wins three Bronze medals at championships

The Langley High School Crew knocked it out of the water when the athletes ended their rowing season on June 19 at the 2021 Virginia Scholastic Rowing Championships regatta hosted by the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association.

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Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent to Depart at End of Next School Year

Dr. Scott Brabrand, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, announced on a YouTube video released Thursday, July 15, 2021, that he is leaving FCPS at the end of the next year, consistent with his FCSB contract.

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‘Celebrating Rainbow Families and Inclusion’ in McLean

Drag Queen Storytime at Dolley Madison Library

Fairfax County Public Library co-hosted, with McLean Community Center, “Drag Queen Storytime” held in two sessions at Dolley Madison Library on Saturday morning, June 26 at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.

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School Buses and Sites Provide Free Grab and Go 7-day Meal Kits in Fairfax County

No questions asked, no IDs needed – County children under 18 and all FCPS students eligible

Ten Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) buses began rolling Monday, June 28, on a mission to deliver their precious cargo: coolers full of nutritious breakfast and lunch items packed in seven-day, bulk meal kits, grab-and-go style.

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High Hopes for McLean Downtown

Newly approved CBC Comprehensive Plan Amendment most aggressive that residents could support

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved on June 22 Plan Amendment (PA) 2018-II-M1 that proposed new Comprehensive Plan guidance for the McLean Community Business Center (CBC).

Remembering Glenn Wiggs

Owner-Operator of McLean Hardware turned a store into a gathering place

Glenn Kirby Wiggs, 71, the beloved owner and operator of McLean Hardware, passed away on June 5, 2021, at Medstar Washington Hospital Center.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Seen in TJ’s Freshman Class

In 2021, the U.S. News Best High Schools report ranked TJ the number one school nationwide for the second year running.

Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology admitted 550 students strong as its Class of 2025.

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WANTED Feedback Involving No-chase/Chase Fairfax County Police Department Vehicle Pursuits

Flurry of proposed revisions should discourage pursuits of suspects in non-violent felony incidents.

Police vehicle pursuits create the potential for officers, residents and suspects to be killed or seriously injured.

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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.

Viewpoints: Langley High Graduates Reflect on Graduating in Pandemic Time and the Next Chapter of Their Lives

As the Langley High School graduate candidates lined up for their Commencement Exercises at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va., on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, The Connection asked random groups of students three questions: How do you feel graduating in the pandemic time? Where do you go next? Where do you see yourself five years from now?

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A Roller Coaster Ride for the Langley High Grads

Saxons learn life lessons during the pandemic.

Langley High School held its Commencement Exercises on June 2 at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va.

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‘Godspeed,’ McLean High Class of 2021

Highlanders honored at June 1 Commencement

Members of McLean High School's Senior Class of 2021 who processioned in their red caps and red gowns across the stage at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va, on June 1, left with more than their diplomas and academic learning.

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Decision Time for Virginia Democrats

Democratic Party Primary Tuesday, June 8: Initial voter turnout low but enthusiasm high

Voters across Fairfax County headed to the polls Tuesday, June 8, to cast their votes in person at the Democratic Party Primary.

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Fairfax Dems Clash with Supervisors

Demand firing of FCPD Chief Kevin Davis

The Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) called on the Board of Supervisors ("Board") on May 25 to terminate Kevin Davis's employment as Chief of the Fairfax County Police Department.

Candidates in the 2021 Democratic Primary for HD34

Meet Jennifer Adeli and Kathleen J. Murphy (Incumbent).

Voting has begun for the 2021 Democratic Primary on June 8.

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Fairfax County School Board Member’s Post Fosters Heated Reactions

Amid division, voices seek to be heard.

With Ramadan's ending on May 13 and on May 14, Fairfax County School Board Member Abrar Omeish posted what some considered controversial statements on her Twitter and Facebook accounts.

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McLean Farmers Market Opens

Flavorful, nutrient-dense fruits, veggies, produce, and more

The McLean Farmers Market at Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road, opened for the second day of its weekly spring to late fall season on Friday, May 15, from 8 a.m. to noon.

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It's a No to Fire Station #42 Monopole in Vienna

County and Milestone had not reached a lease agreement

The proposal to construct a telecommunication facility, with a 114-foot monopole tower at County-owned Wolf Trap Fire Station #42 in Vienna, died on May 4 after Supervisor John W. Foust (D-Dranesville District) presented a Board Matter concerning Milestone Communications/ Special Exception to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors during its regular meeting.

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Mother's Day 2021, With Love

Motherhood is a messy, complex state of being.

Motherhood comes in all shapes and sizes, not designated by birth or raising another human.

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Ceremonial Swearing-in of Fairfax County Police Chief Davis

On Monday, May 10, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) tweeted, "This morning, Chief Davis was surrounded by family, senior staff, and members of the Board of Supervisors for his ceremonial swearing-in as Chief of Police."

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Fairfax County Community Presses New Police Chief and Chairman for Answers

Citizens call for starting over on police chief, not being part of Davis' “redemptive” career journey.

On day four in his new position as Chief of Police Fairfax County, the ghosts of Kevin Davis' law enforcement past clung heavily in the County's public arena of the May 6 virtual Community Input Session hosted by Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay (D-At-large), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Supervisor Rodney Lusk (D-Lee).