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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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‘Long May It Turn’ in Great Falls

Colvin Run Mill reopens with a new flume and waterwheel debut.

Colvin Run Mill opened in a grand celebration for its first grind of the season on Sunday, May 2, 2021.

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Fairfax County Police Chief Begins Job with Trust Deficit

Faith leaders question 'flawed' selection process and Supervisors' values during prayer vigil.

Approximately thirty interfaith leaders from across Fairfax County gathered in the "First Amendment" area outside the Fairfax County Government Center at noon, Tuesday, May 4.

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Davis Promises ‘Blue Waters Ahead’ for Fairfax County Police

Advocate ACLU People Power Fairfax joins the Fairfax County NAACP and others calling for new search

County To Hold “Community Meeting with Chief” Thursday, May 6.

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Kevin Davis Appointed Fairfax County Chief of Police

Supervisors respond to a new era of policing.

Coming out of a closed-door session on Friday, April 23, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors prepared, as Supervisor Penny Gross (D-Mason) said, “to select one of the most important hires it undertakes.”

Fairfax County Supervisors Validate Hire of New Police Chief

Aware of concerns, comments provided

Media reports concerning former Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, appointed last week as the new Fairfax County Chief of Police, raise concerns about his employment history, including allegations of excessive force and violations of civil rights in 1993 and 1999.

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Fairfax County Board to Review Colvin Run’s Concrete Channelization

Recommends proposed county, state, and federal process changes

Part 2 of a series. Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill District) presented a Joint Board Matter with Supervisor John W. Foust (D-Dranesville District) on Tuesday, April 13.

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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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Fairfax County Public Schools to Offer Four Days a Week In-school

Phased plan to start April 20 for most vulnerable students

Some students in the Fairfax County Public Schools system could be poised to clean off the family dining room table by April 20.

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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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Residents Mourn ‘The Death of Colvin Run’

Great Falls and Vienna residents argue that ‘George Washington would not recognize his stream of 1799.’

Colvin Run in Vienna died this spring.

Public Input Sought on Fairfax County Police Chief Selection

Increased expectations of public involvement and transparency drive forum

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is seeking public involvement as its nationwide search for the next Fairfax County Police Chief gets underway.

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Possible Tower of Trouble Ahead for Wireless Developer in Vienna-Great Falls Area

Sides clash over Rt. 7 proposed telecommunications facility

How best for everyone concerned to correct cellular coverage holes in the Vienna-Great Falls Route 7 area is one issue.

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A Lawsuit Challenges TJ Admission Changes

Parents sue to stop TJ’s admission policy changes, alleging anti-Asian race discrimination.

The Fairfax County School Board and Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Brabrand face a new lawsuit filed against them last week in United States District Court in Alexandria.

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County Highlights

Actions and words by Fairfax County leadership and citizens

In our new series,  County Highlights, the Connection spotlights actions and comments by Fairfax County officials, public servants, and local citizens who call the County's 406 square miles home.

Fairfax County Planning Commission Recommends Denial of Flag Limitations

It's not a done deal.

The Fairfax County Planning Commission voted 11-0 to recommend denial to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to replace the current zoning ordinance establishing specific regulations for flags and flagpoles in the New and Modernized Zoning Ordinance (zMOD Updates) countywide.

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Fairfax County Supervisors Foust and Alcorn on Years 1 and 2: COVID-19

Changing the pandemic's course through the lens of an equitable recovery

Year 1: Covid-19 comes to a close on March 10, 2021.

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Fairfax County Readies for Public Employee Collective Bargaining

Holds collaborative meetings with union reps to write rules

Most Fairfax County public employees who provide vital services in education, safety, healthcare, and sanitation like others in counties, cities, and towns across the Commonwealth, will gain a new right on May 1, 2021.

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Fairfax County’s FY 2022 Budget Plan

Focuses resources in targeted areas

“What a difference a year makes” said Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill.

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Downtown McLean Re-Imagined

Open House scheduled to review McLean re-planning effort

A virtual community open house is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 20, 9-11 a.m., regarding the re-planning effort for downtown McLean.

Meet Langley High’s Teacher of the Year

Recipient learns Publishers Clearing House-style

Langley High School announced its Teacher of the Year 20-21 during a virtual staff meeting.

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School Board Approves McLean High Boundary Adjustment

Monitoring continues as population explodes in Tysons

The Fairfax County School Board heard the final words on the McLean/Langley High School Boundary Study during a hybrid regular meeting of the Board held on Feb. 4, 2021.

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Fairfax County Severs Cooperation with ICE

Board adopts Trust Policy barring voluntarily sharing residents' immigrant status

Fairfax County's Board of Supervisors approved in a vote of 9-to1, the Public Trust and Confidentiality Policy (Trust Policy) introduced as a Board Matter on Jan. 26 by Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay and co-sponsored by Supervisors Dalia A. Palchik (D-Providence) and John W. Foust (D-Dranesville).

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Fairfax County School Board Votes for In-Person Learning

Students who opt-in would be due back by March 16.

Fairfax County Public School students, whose parents or guardians opt for in-person learning for their children, are headed back to the classroom at least two days a week by March 16.

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McLean High Boundary Change Down to the Wire

After the last public hearing, the School Board votes on Feb. 4.

The McLean/Langley High School Boundary Study is at the end of its multi-year process for the School Board to take action by vote and provide capacity relief, or not.

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Great Falls, McLean, Vienna Help Fight Hunger

Stuff the Bus rolls into action.

The Wheels on the Bus is a classic children's song that tells the story of a little bus going "All 'round the town."

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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.

McLean, Langley High Boundaries to Change

Next public hearing on Jan. 28, School Board vote on Feb. 4

The Fairfax County School Board held a hybrid regular meeting on Jan. 21.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Headaches in Fairfax County

IT and supply problems worry residents.

“I want to assure you that everyone who wants to be vaccinated will be,” said Jeffrey McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors.

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McLean Couple Honored for Leadership in Adoption

Alexandria-based nonprofit recognizes a lifetime of service to children, birth parents, and adoptive families

The National Council for Adoption (NCFA) in Alexandria, a leading voice among national adoption and child welfare organizations, announced Dr. Wayne Winston Sharp, Ph.D. of McLean and his wife Linda Whitbeck Sharp the recipients of NCFA's The Ruby Lee Piester Adoption Award.

Fairfax County Residents List Assembly Expectations

County General Assembly Delegation holds pre-2021 Session Public Hearing

The Fairfax County General Assembly Delegation held a Pre-2021 Session Public Hearing on Saturday, Jan. 9.

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Dunn Loring Center to Become School

Capacity relief coming for Shrevewood ES and Tysons Periphery

A new school project to help bring sustainable capacity relief for Shrevewood Elementary School and the Dunn Loring, Tysons, and Falls Church communities is on the way.

McLean, Langley High Communities Weigh in on Boundary Adjustment

Capacity relief sought with eyes on Langley High School

Fairfax County Public Schools presented three possible options and a no change option for capacity relief at McLean High School during a virtual community meeting held Mon., Dec. 7.

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McLean Teacher Authors Memoirs-in-Essays

Allison B. Kelly: Seeking the perfect day and finding joy in the imperfect

Allison B. Kelly, ESOL Teacher at Haycock Elementary School, is the author of the newly released book, “There's Spaghetti on My Ceiling.”

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A Look Inside the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Meeting Dec. 1, 2020

Highlights of discussion and actions that impact all who live, work and play in the diverse county

Dec. 1 marked the final Fairfax County Full Board of Supervisors Meeting with Public Comment of 2020.

Students and Parents Navigate Virtual Learning in Fairfax County

FCPS Virtual and In-Person Learning During COVID 2020

Dec. 1 marked the day that Fairfax County Public Schools students in Group 5, those in Early Head Start, PreK, Kindergarten, and some who receive special education services were to at last transition out of distance learning and walk through school doors to receive two days a week of in-person learning.

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In-Person Learning Delayed for Some Fairfax County Public Schools Students

Superintendent and staff update school board on return-to-school plans

A surge in COVID-19 cases in Fairfax County forced Fairfax County Public Schools to delay its planned return of in-person instruction for an additional 6,800 students on Monday, Nov. 16.

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Veterans Day Observed with Caution in Great Falls

Cancellation of formal celebration could not stop informal ceremony

A dozen or so hardy souls quietly gathered in the drenching rain at the Great Falls Freedom Memorial at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to pay tribute to America's veterans in an unofficial ceremony.

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Possible Funding Threat for Fairfax County Public Schools

COVID cases increase, yet leadership hangs their star on families returning and increased enrollment.

Fall membership as of Sept. 30, 2020 at Fairfax County Public Schools declined by 8,859 students, dipping to 180,151 compared to data recorded last year at the same time, according to Assistant Superintendent of Facilities and Transportation Services Jeff Platenberg.

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Pressure Mounts on Return to School in Fairfax County

School Board members face sensitive voting items.

The week of Oct. 19 held important information for Fairfax County Public Schools families.

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Tysons Ten Years Into Comprehensive Plan

Supervisors discuss what’s on track and challenges.

On Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, the McLean Citizens Association hosted a forum on Tysons – Ten Years After the New Comprehensive Plan.

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Advancing Diversity and Inclusion Through Changes in TJ Admissions

Newest proposed merit lottery admissions policy fuels concern.

Top-level discussions concerning proposals by Fairfax County Public Schools leaders and School Board members to increase the population of underrepresented students of color at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (TJHSST) have flown fast and furious the last four weeks.

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Fairfax County Public Schools Staff Uncomfortable With In-Person School Plan

Fairfax County Federation of Teachers releases survey results.

Staff at Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) are overwhelmingly uncomfortable with returning for in-person instruction, given the incomplete information about the implementation that has been currently shared, according to a report released by the Fairfax County Federation of Teachers (FCFT) on Oct. 6 during a press conference.

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Life Hangs in the Box Checked in Fairfax County

HR for County Schools tells staff to make a decision.

Tia Williams is an instructional assistant with diabetes and severe asthma at Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).

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McLean Activist and County Leader Dies

Lilla Richards served as County Supervisor, 1988-91.

Long-term McLean resident and two-term Dranesville District Supervisor (1988-91) Lilla McCutchen Richards, 81, died on Sept. 22 of congestive heart failure at The Jefferson, a retirement community in Arlington.

Viewpoints: Residents Revel in Old McLean

Future changes pend for area in and near McLean CBC Study.

The Connection asked McLean residents in or near the McLean Community Business Center what the greatest things about living in the area were.

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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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Extraordinary Commitment Honored

2019 Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Awards presented.

On Wednesday, Sept. 2, the Fairfax County Volunteer Fire Commission honored recipients of the 2019 Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Awards.

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Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees Revisits July Controversy

Trustee Rosenthal apologies for ‘wrong words’ and retains board seat.

Fran Millhouser, Chair of Fairfax County Library Board, said she received "many emails voicing public concern" for statements made by Trustees Phil Rosenthal (Springfield District) and Darren Ewing (Dranesville District) during the previous board meeting in late July.