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Mercia Hobson

Stories by Mercia

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Cornerstones Seeks Cook Volunteers and Donors

Small act of kindness makes big impact.

Small act of kindness makes big impact.

Centreville Immigration Forum 2024 Honorees

Celebrating diversity at annual dinner.

Celebrating diversity at annual dinner.

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USGS Headquarters in Reston Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Where and what USGS studies may surprise you.

Where and what USGS studies may surprise you.

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Great Places According to Dogs

Volunteers and staff of Fairfax County Animal Shelter share their favorite dog-friendly places

Great Places According to Dogs

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Fairfax County Is Doggone Friendly

Our county seen through the eyes of our dogs.

Our county seen through the eyes of our dogs.

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Herndon Armors Up Amendment for Downtown Redevelopment

Did 7-year agreement merry-go-round leave town unprotected?

The original Comprehensive Agreement on Nov. 1, 2017, between the Town of Herndon and developer Comstock Herndon Venture LC “had notable gaps that heavily favored Comstock,” said Herndon Councilmember Pradip Dhakal on Sept. 15.

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Herndon’s Mayoral Candidates To Face Off at Forum

On Monday, Sept. 30, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Cornerstones and the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce will host the Town of Herndon Mayoral Candidate Forum at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 651 Dranesville Road.

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Supervisors Approve New Requirements for Data Centers

Stricter standards elicit reactions during and after vote.

On Sept. 10, following extensive community engagement efforts that helped shape the final recommendations presented to the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors, the Board approved the long-awaited Data Center Zoning Ordinance by a vote of 8-2.

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County Executive Reviews Taxing Authorities, Including Meals Tax

County Executive Reviews Taxing Authorities, Including Meals Tax

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Can U.S. Citizens Experiencing Homelessness Vote?

Registering with no fixed address.

Registering with no fixed address.

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County Clears Two Homeless Encampments

Addressing encampments humanely to address needs.

Addressing encampments humanely to address needs.

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Fairfax County Animal Shelter Hosts ‘Clear the Shelters’

Fairfax County Animal Shelter Hosts ‘Clear the Shelters’

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FCPS Superintendent Attempts to Unwind Misrepresentations

Dear Governor: FCPS outperforms state averages in all state-mandated subjects.

FCPS Superintendent Attempts to Unwind Misrepresentations

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Reston Encampment To Be Shut Down Sept. 10

County officials don’t answer the tough questions.

County officials don’t answer the tough questions.

Reston Community Center 2024 Preference Poll

Reston Community Center (RCC) announced it is seeking interested candidates to run for this year’s Preference Poll to fill three three-year term position seats on its nine-member Board of Governors responsible for oversight of RCC.

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Providing Students Opportunities To Register To Vote

FCPS students advocate for the national High School Voter Empowerment Act.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) highlighted their July 31, 2024, TeacherDirect Bulletin with a reminder of the April 2, 2020, Code of Virginia amendment that added the provision, § 22.1-203.4 Public high schools; mandating that students have access to voter registration.

Herndon Eagle Scout Candidate Completes Service Project

On June 29, one week before his 18th birthday, Anthony Sasso of BSA Troop 1081 completed his Eagle Scout service project.

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12.5 Percent Fare Hike Hits Fairfax Connector Riders July 29

On Monday, July 29, fare increases for riding the Fairfax Connector began. Riders will pay 12.5 percent more.

USDA’s Free Summer Meal Services Ending

Where to turn? New USDA program SUN Bucks and local help available.

Where to turn? New USDA program SUN Bucks and local help available.

Virginia’s Tax-Free Sales Holiday August 2-4

Hurricane preparedness, school supply and certain energy saving products and more eligible.

Hurricane preparedness, school supply and certain energy saving products and more eligible.

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Fairfax County Awarded $50.5 Million for New Low-Emission Buses

Federal grant paves the way.

Federal grant paves the way.

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12.5 Percent Fare Hike Hits Fairfax Connector Riders July 29

Not small change, given increased consumer costs and decreased dollar buying power.

Not small change, given increased consumer costs and decreased dollar buying power.

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School Board Changes Boundary Policy

Changes to boundary policy emphasize capacity, removes concern for impact on students.

Poised to observe its annual summer recess from July 19 to Aug. 19, 2024, during its meeting on the evening of July 18, the Fairfax School Board voted 9 to 2 on the main motion that the School Board amend Policy 8130 on Local School Boundaries, Program Assignments, and School Closings, as amended and detailed in the agenda item attachment.

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Supervisors Defer Decision on Data Center Zoning

Public hearing confirms, ‘The devil is in the details.’

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted 10-0 to defer their decision on a proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment regarding data centers until their July 30 regular meeting. This unexpected move occurred late Tuesday evening, July 16, after a staff presentation, Q&A between the board and staff, and four-and-a-half hours of public testimony. The record would still be open for written testimony.

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National eCYBERMISSION Competition Winners Hail from Fairfax County

Status update local STEM-In-Action Grant recipient team, the biodegradable and affordable diaper.

Status update local STEM-In-Action Grant recipient team, the biodegradable and affordable diaper.

Good Shepherd Housing School Supply Drive Underway

Monetary donations are also crucial.

The Good Shepherd Housing School Supply Drive is underway, a crucial initiative that will directly impact the lives of children in need. The nonprofit organization is collecting backpacks and school supplies for the 2024-2025 school year and would like to receive all donations by Aug. 1.

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Low-flow Level on Potomac River Kicks off Monitoring.

Low-flow Level on Potomac River Kicks off Monitoring.

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Virginia League of Conservation Voters 2024 General Assembly Conservation Scorecard Released

Fairfax’s state legislators sweep the Scorecard’s honor roll.

Of the 22 elected officials in the Virginia General Assembly who represent all, or a portion of, the citizens of Fairfax County, 19 achieved a perfect score of 100 percent, earning the honorary title of "Legislative Hero” from the Virginia LCV. The remaining three achieved a near-perfect score of 95 percent, earning them the title of "2024 Legislative Leader."

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Sheriff’s Office, ICE Square Off

Springfield rapist of Herndon child sentenced; found to possess child sexual abuse material says U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A June 27 press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia, reported that a “Honduran national who raped a 13-year-old victim was sentenced to five years in prison for receiving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and assaulting a federal officer.”

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Highlights of Virginia LCV’s Scored Legislation Patroned by Lawmakers of the Fairfax County Delegation to the General Assembly

LCV’s positions and governor’s actions.

Gov. Youngkin vetoed 201 bills in 2024, including bipartisan environmental protection legislation. Virginia LCV classified scored legislation into five categories: energy and climate, good government, land conservation, land use and transportation, and water quality. Virginia LCV provided its position, whether supporting or opposing the bills, and compared such against Gov. Youngkin’s actions, whether he signed the bills into law or vetoed them.

Community News at a Glance

News Briefs

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Schools: Community News at a Glance

School Board To Update School Boundary Policy Later This Month

Schools

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School Board To Update School Boundary Policy Later This Month

The Fairfax County School Board scheduled action to amend Policy 8130 on adjusting school boundaries at its meeting on July 18, 2024. The revised draft policy, Policy 8130.8, is subject to updates. Updated policy will focus more on capacity, staff discussions indicate.

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Winners of A. Heath Onthank Award

Three employees receive the county’s highest government honor award.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recognized Tajweer Beaufort, Leila Gordon, and Kim Young with the A. Heath Onthank Award, the highest government employee honor.

COMMUNITY NEWS AT A GLANCE

County’s Sheriff’s Office Is Recruiting.

County’s Sheriff’s Office Is Recruiting.

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StarKist, Cornerstones and Feed the Children Partner to End Hunger

2024 Summer Food and Resource Rally

On June 6, Cornerstones, StarKist, and Feed the Children gathered for the third annual summer food and resource rally at Cornerstones Food Rescue Empowerment Enterprise in Sterling. Three Fairfax County nonprofits — LINK Against Hunger, South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry, and Fellowship Square — and two in the Dulles corridor, Dulles South Food Pantry and Community Lodgings, participated.

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Governor Says Virginia Is Exiting Clean Car Commitment

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has no interest in a roadmap to a zero-emission future for vehicles in Virginia. Youngkin cites Attorney General Jason Miyares’ official opinion, which "confirms that Virginians are no longer legally bound to follow the emission standards of California.”

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Unremitting Data Center Demand Pushes County to Act

Balancing an economy that can’t happen without data centers with homeowners’ rights and quality of life.

The relentless march of data center growth in Northern Virginia has reached a reported 70 percent of the total number of data centers on our planet.

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Red-shouldered hawk attacks Great Falls family

Red-shouldered hawk attacks Great Falls family

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County Supervisors Act Now

Increase Trust, Preserve Sanctity of Life, Reduce Disparity.

Police

School Board Adopts FY 2025 Budget

Can’t win ‘em all.

Community News at a Glance

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Police Reform Recommendations Sit on a Shelf

Inaction by Supervisors compounded by FCPD stalling on life-saving measures.

Police reform

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Are Supervisors Leaving Police Reform Efforts to Languish?

Stymied by FCPD, ‘We need the board to act.”

Police Reform

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National Police Week 2024, Annual Candlelight Vigil

National Police Week 2024, Annual Candlelight Vigil

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Homelessness Point-in-Time Count 2024

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee's regional point-in-time counts are a "limited and imperfect perspective."

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Pay Increase Goes from 6% to 3% for All FCPS Staff

Last-ditch attempt for 5% raises for teachers, support staff.

On Thursday, May 23, Mateo Dunne, the Mount Vernon District Representative on the Fairfax County School Board, launched an effort to amend the superintendent’s proposed FY 2025 Approved Budget.

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School Board Hearing on Budget Poorly Attended

Why didn’t more people testify?

Dr. Ricardy Anderson (Mason District representative) welcomed the six people who testified Tuesday evening, May 14, at the Fairfax County School Board Public Hearing on the budget. The time between the first speaker, Nancy Trainer, starting her testimony, and Arthur Purves, the sixth speaker, ending his testimony was approximately sixteen minutes.

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