Mercia Hobson

Freelance Reporter

Recent Stories

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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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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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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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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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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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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