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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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Triple Homicide in Town of Herndon Home

Families grieve the loss of two young children and their mother; suicide in Reston connected to murders

The families of two young Town of Herndon children, a boy and girl, slain with their mother Saturday morning, June 19, are devastated by the triple homicide and the loss.

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Juneteenth Celebrated at Historic Fairfax County Site

Walking on grounds where slaves worshipped, and Confederates camped

The Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park sponsored its inaugural Juneteenth Celebration on June 19 at Frying Pan Spring Meeting House on Centreville Road.

A Gift of Being a Father

Father’s Day 2021: Capturing dad moments

Being a father is a gift.

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WANTED Feedback Involving No-chase/Chase Fairfax County Police Department Vehicle Pursuits

Flurry of proposed revisions should discourage pursuits of suspects in non-violent felony incidents.

Police vehicle pursuits create the potential for officers, residents and suspects to be killed or seriously injured.

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Saying Good-bye at Herndon High

Cheers loud and proud honor HHS grads.

Herndon High School held its "Class of Two Thousand Twenty-One Commencement" on June 2 at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Va.

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Holding Dear: 2,364 Local Souls Lost to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Northern Virginia Regional Commission holds Remembrance Ceremony

On March 21, 2020, the Fairfax County Health Department reported its first death of a resident due to COVID-19.

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Falling in Love with ‘The Beautiful Game’

Local teen coaches young players with disabilities.

For more than a year, Aeshan Kapil, 16, of Herndon volunteered as a TOPSoccer coach for the Great Falls Reston Soccer Club, U.S. Youth Soccer.

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Rolling to Remember Convoys Out of Herndon

Iconic town tavern holds Memorial Day event

On May 30, Jimmy’s Old Town Tavern in Historic Herndon held its annual Memorial Day Weekend event.

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Fairfax Dems Clash with Supervisors

Demand firing of FCPD Chief Kevin Davis

The Fairfax County Democratic Committee (FCDC) called on the Board of Supervisors ("Board") on May 25 to terminate Kevin Davis's employment as Chief of the Fairfax County Police Department.

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Bike to Work Day Returns for 2021

20th Anniversary subdued, but carries double the fun in Herndon

May is National Bike to Work Week, and this year, Bike to Work Day celebrated its 20th Anniversary.

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Fairfax County School Board Member’s Post Fosters Heated Reactions

Amid division, voices seek to be heard.

With Ramadan's ending on May 13 and on May 14, Fairfax County School Board Member Abrar Omeish posted what some considered controversial statements on her Twitter and Facebook accounts.

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Mother's Day 2021, With Love

Motherhood is a messy, complex state of being.

Motherhood comes in all shapes and sizes, not designated by birth or raising another human.

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Ceremonial Swearing-in of Fairfax County Police Chief Davis

On Monday, May 10, the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) tweeted, "This morning, Chief Davis was surrounded by family, senior staff, and members of the Board of Supervisors for his ceremonial swearing-in as Chief of Police."

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Fairfax County Community Presses New Police Chief and Chairman for Answers

Citizens call for starting over on police chief, not being part of Davis' “redemptive” career journey.

On day four in his new position as Chief of Police Fairfax County, the ghosts of Kevin Davis' law enforcement past clung heavily in the County's public arena of the May 6 virtual Community Input Session hosted by Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay (D-At-large), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and Supervisor Rodney Lusk (D-Lee).

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It’s Freshest and Tastiest at Herndon and Reston Farmers Markets

Local Fairfax County Park Authority Markets open.

The 2021 Fairfax County Park Authority Reston Farmers Market and Herndon Farmers Market recently opened under COVID-19 guidelines.

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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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Fairfax Supervisors Didn’t Know About Davis History

Community organizations call for Chairman McKay to rescind Davis' appointment.

Police Chief

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Mother Nature and Beer at Earth Daze in Herndon

Clean Fairfax and Aslin Beer Company, Herndon location celebrate the 51st Anniversary of Earth Day.

Looking to better the environment and celebrate the 51st anniversary of Earth Day, Clean Fairfax and Aslin Beer Company hosted Earth Daze on April 24 at the Elden Street Herndon brewery.

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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.

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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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.

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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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.

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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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.

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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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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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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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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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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.

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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.

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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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.