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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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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.

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The Impact of zMOD

Discussing the Zoning Ordinance Modernization: How to protect the character of Great Falls?

Testimony by 46 County citizens about the Zoning Ordinance Modernization (zMOD) project, started in 2017 and nearing the end of its process, elicited more than five hours of testimony at the Fairfax County Planning Commission Meeting held Jan. 28.

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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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Fighting Hunger in Reston Neighborhoods

Fairfax County’s 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."

Herndon Town Council Fills Vacancies

On Jan. 26, the Town Council of the Town of Herndon approved in a vote of 7-to-0 four items on the consent agenda.

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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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Great Falls Friends and Neighbors Supports Artemis House

Donation of $5,500 to help victims of domestic and sexual violence

Members of Great Falls Friends and Neighbors (GFFN) Philanthropy Committee presented a donation check for $5,500 on Jan. 26 to Joe Meyer, Executive Director & CEO of Shelter House, and Nurjan Ahmedova, Director of Development, to support the organization's 24-hour emergency shelter, Artemis House for domestic and sexual violence victims, stalking, and human trafficking.

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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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‘Morale Boosters’ for the Local Herndon Community

Three new initiatives in the planning stages

During the early days of the pandemic, K Scarry set up Herndon Cares.org, of First Baptist Church of Herndon.

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The First Shots to Knock Out COVID-19 in Reston

Fellowship Square’s seniors inoculated

Lake Anne Fellowship House residents Steve McAvoy, 71, and Jin Liu, 84, of Reston were among the first of seven hundred anxious older adults at one of the three senior affordable housing communities operated by Fellowship House in Reston and Woodbridge who were inoculated last week against COVID-19.

Friends of Reston Introduce New Executive Director

Kia Cole-Hines of Reston has been tapped as the new Executive Director of Friends of Reston (FOR), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization for Reston Association (RA).

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Celebrating the Passion of Music Making in Great Falls

Virtuoso pianist, sought-after worldwide, finds a home at Great Falls United Methodist Church.

There were particular moments in Thomas Pandolfi's earliest days of his existence, he said, when hearing music, particularly piano music, whether it was part of an orchestra, choral music, or opera, set him on a course of "tremendous work."

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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Reston Celebrates Dr. King’s Day

In cooperation with supporters, Reston Community Center (RCC) pivoted amidst the coronavirus pandemic to present, for the 36th year, the Reston Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration.

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CORE Foundation Celebrates 15th Anniversary

Nonprofit recognizes community partners, volunteers

CORE Foundation in Reston, "Helping Others Be the Change for 15 Years," held its MASKerade and Community Hero Awards Saturday evening, Jan. 16.

Herndon Council Hosts Housing Panel

State senators and legal counsel weigh in

Herndon Town Council hosted a Panel Discussion on Housing Tues., Jan. 5 to build proficiency and understanding in matters related to housing policy development.

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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.

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Great Falls Citizens Voice Environmental Concerns

GFCA submits documents to County's Environmental Quality Advisory Council 2021

Members of Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) believe development pressure and environmental concerns are no longer balanced, shifting away from recognizing the importance of environmental protection.

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.

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Ponchos of Sunshine to 'Frequent Flier' Hospital Children

Cape Ivy aims to provide warmth, comfort and support to children who have chronic or critical illnesses.

In honor of her son, Gavin Grey Smith of Great Falls, who lost his 12-year battle to a rare form of CVID (Common Variable Immune Deficiency), his mother, Meg Elliot Smith, threw herself into providing fleece poncho capes to ''frequent flier'' children in hospitals.

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Local College Student Launches Tutoring Company

Education is his passion.

In the wake of the coronavirus and its impact on students' learning in Fairfax County Public Schools, a 2019 alumnus of South Lakes High School in Reston and second-year engineering student at Georgia Institute of Engineering recently founded S4S Tutoring.

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Cesar del Aguila Named Vice Mayor of the Town of Herndon

At its first work session of 2021, the Town Council of the Town of Herndon approved a resolution in a vote of 6-0 to elect second term Councilmember Cesar del Aguila the Vice Mayor for a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2021.

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Local Hospitals Roll Out First COVID-19 Vaccines

Communities keep lights up for healthcare heroes

December 2020 held the darkest days yet during the pandemic but also lights of hope.

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Herndon Wreaths Across America Site Remembers, Honors, Teaches

Veterans did not give up and neither did Herndon Woman's Club: 863 remembrance wreaths remain in place

Herndon Woman's Club (VA0143P) found a different way to carry out and join Wreaths Across America on National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 19, 2020.

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Vivid Chill Opens in Great Falls

Shopping handcrafted, ethically produced, nontoxic products

It all started with the local artisan's handbags, the love of little boutique shops that featured brands with morals and values, and telling her mom that more than anything else, she wanted to open a store in the Great Falls Village Centre with a showroom for those bags and other ethically and sustainably produced items.

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Herndon High Runner Captures First at Cross Country League 5k Race

Gillian Bushée flies through school's cross county record

The most challenging distance to go for Herndon High School freshman and cross country runner Gillian Bushée of Reston was the distance from her bed to the front door each morning.

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Reston Association State of the Environment Report 2020

Highlights bring to life what is good, fair and poor environmentally; The Greatest Zoom on Reston Thursday, Dec. 17.

Anyone who has met Doug Britt of Reston knows he has a wealth of information on the creepy, crawly, slimy, majestic, utterly beautiful creatures, insects, and flora that call Reston home.

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Sheila Olem Sworn in as Town of Herndon Mayor

Councilmembers sworn in during COVID-19 restricted ceremonies

Mayor Sheila A. Olem was administered the oath of office and sworn in as the duly elected Mayor of the Town of Herndon for a term commencing Jan. 1, 2021, and ending Dec. 31, 2022, by Town Clerk Viki Wellerhaus on Wed., Dec. 10.