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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

A Primary Race to Watch: VA House District 86

Early Voting for Democratic Party Primary begins April 23 in Fairfax County

Early Voting at the Fairfax County Government Center for the Democratic Party Primary Election begins April 23.

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Tree Planting Ceremony Held in Herndon

Arbor Day Foundation Program recognizes the Town of Herndon as a Tree City USA community and recipient of the tree Growth Award

The Town of Herndon hosted its 32nd Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony on the Town Hall Square, Saturday, April 17.

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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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Community Helps Hoof Beloved Great Falls Horse’s Medical Bills

Delfina back home, but support needed for the long recovery

On April 8, a beloved 18-year-old Norwegian Fjord named Delfinia at the Lift Me Up equestrian center in Great Falls suffered a severe case of colic, abdominal pain.

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Reston Author Releases Patriotic Activity Book

'Misleading view of what patriotism is' fuels guidebook.

"Patriotic Activity Book for ALL Americans" (Adair, 2021) is the newly released interactive content book co-authored by Reston composer and former teacher Audrey J. Adair.

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Bluebells and Bald Eagle Nestlings Take Center Stage at Riverbend Park

Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Philanthropy Group holds the tour.

Tucked away in a remote setting of the floodplains along the Potomac River, Virginia bluebells made their ephemeral appearance just in time for the Bluebells & Bald Eagle Tour organized by Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Philanthropy Group.

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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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Town of Herndon Programs and Services at Stake

$5.3M-plus in proposed budget cuts

Programs and services are on the line in the Town of Herndon in the Proposed  FY 2022  Budget.

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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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Herndon’s Friday Night Live! May Not Live On

Chamber event threatened if Town axes in-kind donations

A 2021 kick-off date for the return of Friday Night Live!, billed as "DC-area's Best Free Outdoor Concert Series Every Friday, May through August on the Herndon Town Green," is threatened and may not happen.

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The Lure of Kids’ Trout Fishing Day in Reston

Finding trout and family

Reston Association moved forward with its ever-popular Kids’ Trout Fishing Day, Saturday, March 20.

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Express Services Open at Fairfax County Libraries

Patrons back to browsing the stacks

The Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) reopened for interior Express services Monday, March 22.

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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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Fairfax County Supervisors to Vote on zMOD

The record is open for written comments; pressure is on to get it right

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote on March 23 at 4:30 p.m. on the new and modernized zoning ordinance (zMOD).

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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.

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Limited Engagement: DMV Connect Coming to Herndon

Service outreach program processes REAL IDs and other DMV transactions

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicle's service outreach program called DMV Connect is coming to the Town of Herndon, thanks to the combined efforts of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, the Town of Herndon and Herndon Town Councilmember Naila Alam.

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Frying Pan Park Manager Retires

Three decades of stories to tell

On Tuesday, March 2, and after more than 31 years of public service, Yvonne Johnson, Manager of Frying Pan Farm Park, had only a few hours left to tie up loose ends before retiring, and something was bothering her.

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James Madison High Alumna Publishes Award-winning Book

Normandy D. Piccolo is author of ‘Why is Kristyn A. Kutter?’

Normandy D. Piccolo, James Madison High alumna, published writer, book reviewer, advertising copywriter, and freelance journalist, is the author of a book selected for the 2021 In the Margins Book Award: School Library Journal Top 10 Fiction/Non-Fiction and the Fiction Recommendation List for 2021.

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Heritage Lost Reclaimed in Chapter Book Series

Interview with author Terry Catasús Jennings of Reston

Terry Catasús Jennings of Reston is the author of the newly released children’s chapter book series, “Definitely Dominguita,” published by Simon & Schuster.

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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This Town of Herndon Protects Its Homeowners

Staff person reviews contractor agreements for free

In the Town of Herndon, homeowners, regardless of income levels, have an ally on their side when dealing with contractors.

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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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Drive-in-person Special Election Held in Great Falls

Citizens Association members endorse two special questions.

Members of the Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA), voting in the special drive-in-person election of the Executive Board and Officers held March 6, 2021, unanimously re-elected eight candidates and one new candidate.

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Open in the Winter in Great Falls

Shoppers make Great Falls Community Farmers Market a weekly event

Even though winter continues in the area, the Great Falls Community Farmers Market drew customers to its location at 778 Walker Road, Great Falls, on March 6.

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Two Giraffes Die in Reston Blaze

Two giraffes at Roer's Zoofari at 1228 Hunter Mill Road in Reston died in a barn fire Monday evening.

Congregation Adat Reyim Welcomes New Rabbi in Springfield

Rabbi Chana Leslie Glazer helps congregation grow despite pandemic

Rabbi Chana Leslie Glazer is a collaborator.

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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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Record-Setting Day at States for Herndon High School Boys Swim Team

Hornets place as two champions

Members of the Herndon High School Boys Swim Team won two champion places and ranked eighth overall, with only four swimmers, at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 6 State Championship at the Jeff Rouse Swim and Sport Center in Stafford, Va., on Thursday, Feb. 25.

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Food Insecurity in Herndon is Not Going Away

Herndon Rotary holds food drives

The Rotary Club of Herndon’s Satellite Club was at it once again.

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The In-Person and At-Home Class is One Community in Reston

Lake Anne ES Welcomes Kindergarteners, Pre-K, and Special Ed Students in the Building.

On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Fairfax County Public Schools continued to welcome additional grade levels and groups to school buildings for in-person learning as part of its Return to School plan.

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Breathing Life into a Community of Faith in Great Falls

A Prayer Cross welcomes all.

Leaders at Great Falls United Methodist Church invite parishioners and visitors now through Easter Sunday, April 4, to share in their Community Lenten Prayer Cross at 10100 Georgetown Pike.

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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.

Trust and Transparency Enhance Public Safety in Reston

Supervisor Alcorn hosts Hunter Mill Town Hall With FCPD

Leadership at the Fairfax County Police Department, Reston District Station are "very proud" of their work but acknowledge there is more work to come.

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Nothing But the Best for Family: Pets of Reston and Herndon

For us lucky ones, pets are part of our lives.

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Herndon Mayor Asks for Integrity and Respect

Councilmembers' purported harsh rhetoric impacts morale and governing.

Jolted by an escalating trend of interruptions and statements by Town of Herndon Councilmembers, most recently at the Council Discussion of Strategic Initiatives on February 9, Mayor Sheila Olem intervened.

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Nothing But the Best for Family: Pets of Great Falls

For us lucky ones, pets are part of our lives.

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Great Falls Citizens Association Opposes Flag Restrictions

Long-time Great Falls resident and Great Falls Citizens Association Board member Ruth Carver says she finds it "highly offensive" that Fairfax County advertisement of the Zoning Ordinance Modernization (zMOD) program is equating the American flag to a commercial banner.

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The Madness of Trust and Betrayal in Reston

Months of no hot water for mixed-use Reston condo

It's a losing game in the long run for any condo association to postpone needed maintenance on their buildings or make band-aid fixes.

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Keeping Hunter Mill Residents Warm This Winter

No one needs to go without a coat.

The Hunter Mill District Winter Coat Closet that Cornerstones ran in partnership with the Hunter Mill District Supervisor’s office continues to be a much-needed resource for the community.

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Controversial Solutions at Play for Springvale Road Bridge in Great Falls

Great Falls Citizens Association invites VDOT to Feb. 25 Town Hall.

Policies passed down to state levels encouraging single-lane deteriorating bridges to be replaced with two-lane bridges because of purported safety concerns are once again at the forefront for discussion between the Great Falls Citizens Association, community members, Fairfax County Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville District), and the Virginia Department of Transportation.

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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.

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See Reston’s Historic Sites

Online map recalls ‘Yes, in my backyard.’

Reston Historic Trust & Museum recently released its online interactive Reston History Map that highlights critical historical sites throughout the community.

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Heightened Needs Demand One-Stop Mobilizations in Reston

Drive-through supports three resources.

“It was quite a day,” said Roberta Gosling of Reston, co-founder of South Lakes High School PTSA  Food Pantry.

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A Bike for Bamilak

Good things happen when groups partner.

Herndon-based personal injury attorney Doug Landau of Abrams Landau Law Firm recently met Bamilak Robi, 11, of Reston after he and his family were involved in an automobile crash.

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.