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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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FCPS School Boundary Scenario Explorer

Fairfax County Public Schools plans to update the school boundary change scenarios this summer.

Five FCPS High School Seniors Awarded Corporate-Sponsored National Merit Scholarships

More merit scholarship awardees will be named in coming weeks.

Five academically talented Fairfax County Public High School students are awarded 2025 “Corporate-sponsored Scholarships” from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

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Gerry Connolly Dead at 75

Longtime congressman succumbs to esophageal cancer.

Congressman Gerry Connolly, the longtime Virginia politician and influential Democratic statesman on Capitol Hill, died early Wednesday, May 21.

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Local Details of 2025 Point-In-Time Count

Fairfax County findings of individuals and families experiencing homelessness, vs. other jurisdictions.

Homelessness

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Honoring John Lovaas of Reston

Activist, volunteer founded Reston Farmers Market

Activist, volunteer founded Reston Farmers Market

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Remembering Reston Activist and Philanthropist

Barbara Cheryl Terio-Simon (1944-2025)

Barbara Cheryl Terio-Simon (1944-2025)

International Workers’ Day Rally in Town of Herndon

Organized by New Virginia Majority.

Organized by New Virginia Majority.

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Recognizing Girl Scout Leader Serving 25 Years.

Kuzmack teaches needs assessment followed by project ideas.

Girl Scouting

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Supervisors Formally Adopt FY 2026 Budget

Maintain $149.7 million less than school board’s request / Chairman McKay says 6 percent increase for teachers.

Budget

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Update on Comstock-Town of Herndon Controversy.

Mediation between the parties begins.

Mediation between the parties begins.

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On Arbor Day

New agreement to protect vegetation along the W&OD, and the possibility of a W&OD Visitors Center in Vienna.

In a show of environmental resilience, on Friday afternoon, April 25, Arbor Day 2025, Fairfax County Supervisor Walter Alcorn joined the Mayor of the Town of Vienna, Linda Colbert; Paul Gilbert, executive director of NOVA Parks; Virginia State Delegate Holly Seibold; and others who gathered on a portion of the Town Green in Vienna behind the Freeman House and Museum.

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Primary Voters Head to Polls for Early Voting

There are no GOP candidates for 8 of 15 House of Delegates seats representing Fairfax County.

Early voting started Friday, May 2, at some locations in Fairfax County for the June 17 Democratic primary.

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Ticket Sales and Donations Down for GLOBAL’s Annual AcceptAbility Gala May 21

NIH Funding Cuts Loom for Down syndrome research.

Michelle Sie Whitten, president and CEO of the non-profit organization Global Down Syndrome Foundation (GLOBAL), fears the impact of two impending financial blows to the foundation.

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Get Your Fruit and Veggie Fix at FXCO Farmers Markets

Fairfax County Farmers Markets are opening; the Park Authority operates ten markets.

Farmers Markets

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U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly Won’t Run in 2026

Resurgence of cancer deals him a blow.

Resurgence of cancer deals him a blow.

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Two FCPD Officers Shot, Wounded

Traffic stop turns deadly as third officer shoots, kills driver.

Shooting

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Tax Increases vs. Program Cuts

Fairfax County residents disagree; Day 1, Public Hearings.

Fairfax County residents testified passionately during the Tuesday, April 22 public hearings.

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FCPS Student Stabbed Inside West Potomac High School

County authorities prohibit parents from signing students out afterwards.

County authorities prohibit parents from signing students out afterwards.

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Fairfax County Public Hearings on FY26 Budget

Firefighters and paramedics warn cutting ambulances puts lives in danger.

Firefighters and paramedics warn cutting ambulances puts lives in danger.

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FCPS Wants it All

Superintendent says she can’t cut $150M from her $4B budget.

Superintendent says she can’t cut $150M from her $4B budget.

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Awaiting Governor’s Action on Legislation, Deadline May 2.

Status update on bills introduced by local delegation

Status update on bills introduced by local delegation

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Medicaid, What’s At Stake

Medicaid, What’s At Stake

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Options Set for Real Estate, Meals Taxes

Advertised rates are a cap on options; actual rates can be less or equal but not more.

Advertised rates are a cap on options; actual rates can be less or equal but not more.

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How Far Will Dominion Energy Go?

Reactions to Clear-Cutting NOVA Parks W&OD Trail

Dominion

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‘Rest Easy, K9 Max,’ FCPD’s Got It From Here.

On March 10, the Fairfax County Police Department announced the death of K9 Max, who served the department for eight years, from 2012 to 2020.

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Free Formal Dresses and Accessories for Students

RCC’s 23rd Annual Diva Central Giveaway

Reston Community Center announced it is hosting its 23rd Annual Diva Central Formal and Prom Dress Giveaway at RCC Lake Anne, 609-A Washington Plaza, on Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Fairfax County Teen Job Fair Draws Over 400 Students

Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) Hosts Event at Chantilly High

Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) hosted his second 2025 Teen Job Fair on Saturday, March 15.

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Beavers Are a Native Keystone Species Here

Humane coexistence tactics can protect trees; beavers benefit. wildlife.

Beavers

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Where is Best for Arts Herndon?

When Comstock dropped downtown redevelopment, many things changed for Arts Herndon.

Arts

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Town of Herndon Faces FY26 Budget Season

Nearly 30 percent increase year over year in the proposed budget: countered by tax and fund increases, cuts.

Herndon budget

Former FCPD Sergeant Sentenced to Five Years

Mother of fatal police shooting victim, Timothy McCree Johnson, speaks out.

Former Fairfax County Police Sergeant Wesley Shifflett was processed into the county jail Friday evening, Feb. 28. At his sentencing hearing earlier that day, Fairfax County Circuit Judge Randy I. Bellows sentenced Shifflett, 36, to five years in prison with two years suspended.

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Immigration Raids Evoke Horror in Fairfax County

Three so far this week; more expected.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids are sweeping across Northern Virginia this week.

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Food for Neighbors Drive at North County Government Center

Ensuring local middle and high school students don’t go hungry

Ensuring local middle and high school students don’t go hungry

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Board of Supervisors, School Board Joint Meeting

Given project revenue increases, FCPS reports a negative $149.62 million available balance for meeting FY 2026 requirements.

$149.62 million

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Comstock Fails to Transfer Property Back to Herndon

Town files termination declaration in Fairfax County Circuit Court

Town files termination declaration in Fairfax County Circuit Court

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SYN, a Rooftop Bar and Lounge, Opens in Expanded Reston Town Center

SYN, a Rooftop Bar and Lounge, Opens in Expanded Reston Town Center

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Dominion Energy Clear-Cuts Four Miles Along W&OD Trail

Officials react as Dominion rejects long standing agreements.

Dominion

Community News at a Glance: The 2025 Chief vs. Chief Adoption Bowl

Four days of free adoptions for dogs 45 pounds or more.

Community News at a Glance

Supervisors React to Budget Prospects

Some comments were lightly edited for clarity.

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‘Harsh Penalty’ Slams Senator

Boysko loses leadership positions after opposing Senate majority leader’s ‘casino bill.’

Boysko loses leadership positions after opposing Senate majority leader’s ‘casino bill.’

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Royal Flush for Opponents of ‘Casino Bill’.

Virginia Senate Bill 982 dead for 2025.

Casino Bill

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Is Help On The Way?

Thousands of federal employees and contractors fired or furloughed; more in the works.

Federal Workers

Highlights of Fairfax County Proposed FY 2026 Budget

More challenging than COVID year budgets.

Budget

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Remembering Local Victims of Jan. 29 Plane Crash

Remembering Local Victims of Jan. 29 Plane Crash

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Help On The Way

Kaine and Warner offer tele-town hall meeting Monday.

Fear and uncertainty threaded throughout the Fairfax County federal workforce after an unexpected email with the subject line "Fork in the Road" arrived in their employee email inboxes on Jan. 28, as it did nationwide for over 2.3 million federal employees.

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Meeting on Georgetown Pike/Great Falls Library Pedestrian Refuge Improvements

Crosswalk project heads toward finalization

A community meeting on Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Great Falls Grange brought the Georgetown Pike - Great Falls Library Pedestrian Refuge Improvements project closer to its construction start date.

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Surovell Defends His Casino Bill

Bill passed the Senate (24-Y 16-N) on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Opponents question source of $1.8B casino revenue prediction.

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Superintendent addresses immigrant enforcement.

Superintendent addresses immigrant enforcement.

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