Mercia Hobson

Is Fairfax County’s Co-Responder Program the Right Fit?

Advocates, public cite concerns.

It has been over three years since Fairfax County initiated its pilot co-responder program intended to help police respond to mental health emergency calls. Some county residents are raising multiple concerns about the program.

County Honors Its Former Planning Commission Chairman

Peter F. Murphy: ‘Not driven by ideology or politics’

Planning award

Coat Donations Needed Now

Wait, Halloween Didn’t Originate in the U.S.?

Born of telling tales and rooted facts as seen in Fairfax County, Va

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Historical Marker Unveiled and Dedicated

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