Mercia Hobson | Staff

Mercia Hobson

Freelance Reporter

Recent Stories

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Police Fatally Shoot Woman During Welfare Check

Welfare check went deadly in three minutes. What happened?

For 459 days, the Fairfax County Police Department maintained a record free from incidents involving the shooting and killing of an individual by one of their officers. On Monday, Oct. 14, the department released the body-worn camera (BWC) video footage from a police wellness check in Reston conducted on mid-morning Sept. 16, which escalated into a fatal police shooting of a woman within three minutes.

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Seven Corners Pedestrian Dies Weeks after Crash

Marks 17th pedestrian fatality, year to date in Fairfax County.

Sunday, Oct. 13, marked the 17th pedestrian fatality in Fairfax County in 2024.

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Junk Fee Warning: Rent at Your Own Risk

Are the 2024 Virginia Residential Landlord Tenant Act updates on your lease?

In Virginia, tenants, prospective tenants and landlords should know that the 2024 General Assembly introduced several bills to amend the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA). The following story is the first in a series addressing tenant-related bills in Virginia that were enacted on July 1, 2024.

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Eight Local Children Are Missing

Could a CODI Alert have helped return them home?

The Virginia State Police launched its "Critical Operation for a Disappeared Child Initiative," (CODI) Alert Program nearly a month ago, on Sept. 26.

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Jury Convicts Former Officer In Death of Unarmed Suspect

Guilty of reckless handling of firearm; not guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

On Friday, Oct. 4, a jury made up of eight women and four men convicted former FCPD Sergeant Wesley Shifflett, 36, of reckless handling of a firearm, related to the shooting death of Timothy McCree Johnson, 37, on February 22, 2023. The jury found him not guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

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Historical Marker Unveiled and Dedicated

Celebrates the legacy of Robert Gunnell and Gunnell’s Chapel.

Celebrates the legacy of Robert Gunnell and Gunnell’s Chapel.

Don’t Miss It, Great Falls Oktoberfest this Friday

Benefits Cornerstones and Great Falls Grange Foundation

The Great Falls Grange Foundation and the Rotary Club of Great Falls will present the Great Falls Oktoberfest on Friday, October 4, from 6 to 10 p.m.

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Accotink Pump Station Rehabilitation Groundbreaking

Accotink Pump Station Rehabilitation Groundbreaking

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‘Boosted Is Better’

Protect yourself against the next waves of viruses, says Inova and FX Health District.

Infectious disease specialists at Inova and the Fairfax Health District emphasize the importance of updated COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccinations, including flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and pneumonia for everyone, especially vulnerable populations.

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Former Fairfax County Deputy Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison

Provided contraband and info to inmates; drugs for cash.

The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office announced on Sept. 19 that former deputy Robert T. Sanford Jr., 37, received a 78-month prison sentence for smuggling drugs and contraband into the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.

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