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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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Wrapping Up Matters in 2023, or Not

Supervisors to take action on two controversial items, a data center in Chantilly and Dark Skies in Great Falls.

Election

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Virginia Dems: Blue Wall in Both Houses

One Republican Supervisor-elect, zero Republican-endorsed school board member-elects

Election

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Nov. 7 General Election

What’s happening at polling places on Election Day.

Election Day

County’s Hypothermia Prevention Program Opens Dec. 1

2023 homelessness statistics show 10 percent increase in people experiencing homelessness at the Point in Time count.

Hypothermia

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SPARC’s Inaugural Gratitude Gala

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine and State Sen. Richard L. Saslaw honored.

SPARC’s Inaugural Gratitude Gala

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2023 Walk to End Alzheimer's

Northern Virginia’s Alzheimer's Association provides support, help, research and more.

Northern Virginia’s Alzheimer's Association provides support, help, research and more.

District Members, Board of Supervisors

Braddock, Franconia, Mount Vernon, Providence & Springfield Districts

The Nov. 7 election includes the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Nine members are elected by voters in local districts to serve four-year terms. Twenty-one district candidates are in the race, with seven incumbents.

Member School Board by District

Franconia, Mount Vernon Districts

In November, Fairfax County voters will choose 12 school board members to serve four-year terms starting Jan. 1, 2024. Nineteen candidates are running for the nine magisterial district seats. There are also three at-large seats in the November election. Virginia's School board elections are nonpartisan, meaning that party affiliations can not appear on the ballots for school board candidates. Nevertheless, parties may publicly endorse their candidates.

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Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week, Nov. 11-18

Hunger and homelessness growing in Fairfax County

Hunger and homelessness growing in Fairfax County

Candidate Connection

Election - Chairman-Board of Supervisors

Chairman-Board of Supervisors

Police Challenge Some Professional Recommendations

Chief gives status implementation to supervisors.

Police

Candidate Connection: Candidates for Sheriff, Fairfax County, City of Fairfax

Candidates for Sheriff, Fairfax County, City of Fairfax

Election

Candidate Connection: School Board At Large

Three open seats, zero incumbents, nine challengers

School Board

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Fairfax County NAACP Condemns Chief Davis’s Action

Chief rejects recommendations and measures to save lives.

Fairfax County police chased and killed Timothy Johnson during a foot pursuit seven months ago; he was suspected of stealing sunglasses. Community leaders, Fairfax NAACP, ACLU People Power, and faith leaders say Fairfax County must prioritize police reform before another death.

Can FCPD Drones See You?

Did the public have any input to county policies on use of drones?

Drones

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Chief to Present Foot Pursuit Policy to Supervisors

Oct. 3 Public Safety Committee meeting will bring some long awaited responses from FCPD.

Foot

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Students Protest VDOE’s Policies

Flash point awaits as some schools balk at implementing policies.

Policies

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Great Falls Author Unravels an Eight-Generation Truth

"The Politzer Saga" tells the story of a remarkable family whose history was shrouded in secrecy when they came to the U.S.

Author

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Hidden and Not-So-Hidden Gems

Faves of Fairfax County Supervisors

Hidden Gems

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Year One, the 2023 Annual Report in South Fairfax

Steps taken to implement Fairfax County Strategic Plan.

South Annual Report

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Photo Journal 2023: New Countywide Strategic Plan Shapes North Fairfax

One of three parts covering the entire county.

Photo Journal 2023: New Countywide Strategic Plan Shapes Fairfax

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Learning Outside the Classroom

Students raise funds to build schoolhouse in Africa.

School house

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First for Fairfax County 9-1-1

Public Safety Day Open House from Fairfax County

9-1-1

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FCPS First Day of School 2023

New strategic plan, expanded bus pass, and Metrobus program.

School Starts

Environmental Groups Sue to Stop Exit from RGGI

Legal action calls for Virginia to remain in Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and continue participation; challenging Youngkin administration action.

Greenhouse gas

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Fairfax County’s First Independent Police Auditor

Use of force policy, recommendations to FCPD, executive director vacancy on the Police Civilian Review Panel

Police Auditor

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Bandaid Approaches to Food Insecurity

School system extends summer food program at public school sites.

School food program

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Forty-four of the Nation’s Highest Poverty Schools in FCPS

These schools serve free breakfast and lunch to all students

Schools

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FCPS Responds to State Policies for Trans Students

Reactions and concerns

Trans students

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Does FCPS Have Enough Air Purifiers?

Deadline passed for more free help for classroom air.

Air purifiers

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Programs Assist Seniors and Others with Home Repairs

Help is on the way, one way or another.

Home repair

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Executive Director of Police Review Panel to Resign.

Richardson served less than 18 months in the newly created position.

Resignation

Phase 1, Fairfax County’s Master Arts Plan, Facilities

Supervisors unanimously accept the plan.

Master Plan

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PERF: FCPD Lacked Crisis, Decision Making Training

5 of 7 police shooting incidents involved mental health crises, but training for such situations has been lacking for years.

Police training

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Women's Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund Breaks Fundraising Records

All-volunteer organization raises $100,000; learn how.

The Women's Club of Great Falls Scholarship Fund reached new fundraising heights last month. The organization's spring fundraiser, Miami Vice, raised over $100,000, shattering previous records. As the board and the event committee put in many hours of preparation. They raised $53,000 more than they did the year before.

Action Deferred on Reston Comp Plan Study

Public hearing testimony fraught with details, one-offs and major issues.

When the Fairfax County Planning Commission convened for its meeting on Wednesday, June 14, it granted unanimous approval to defer action on the Reston Comprehensive Plan Study application PA 2020-III-UP1 Hunter Mill, until June 28. Additionally, the commission approved keeping the record open for written comments through June 28.

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Significant Uptick in FCPD Officer-Involved Shootings

PERF review of FCPD policy and shooting incidents

Police Shootings

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Final Visioning Presentation for Lake Anne

Streetsense and county staff conduct community meeting; Phase 2 in the works

Streetsense and county staff conduct community meeting; Phase 2 in the works

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Herndon Festival Returns After Four Years

Final attendance expected to break 30,000.

Final attendance expected to break 30,000.

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Last Minute Concerns Erupt Over Reston Comprehensive Plan

Planning commissioner hosts event one week before public hearing.

Why the urgency? The Planning Commission Public Hearing is June 14, Planning Commission Action is June 28, and the Public Hearing and Final Approval by the Board of Supervisors is July 25.

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Memorial Day Weekend 2023

Remembering those who served, and welcoming summer.

Remembering those who served, and welcoming summer.

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State Highways with Confederate Names Officially Renamed

State decision snagged a month ago.

Street names

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McLean Day 2023

A festival for welcoming, inclusive community

New MCC Board announced.

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Reimagining Lake Anne in Two Directions

Neighborhood draw or regional appeal?

Neighborhood draw or regional appeal?