Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Cold weather sparks series of holiday fires
Prince George's County fire officials are blaming the drop in temperatures for a series of fires that forced several families from their homes and critically burned one man over the Thanksgiving holiday. Published November 25, 2012
Baker puts heart, soul into abbey’s fruitcake
Whether it's a deep-seated hatred, cold-hearted humor or blind affection, no other food prompts as visceral a reaction as fruitcake. Published November 22, 2012
For Bethesda siblings, the true spirit of giving to Sandy victims
Like many people watching images of the devastation left in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the Bethesda children were stunned by what they saw and felt compelled to do something. Published November 21, 2012
Email from Iraq added to record in Muth’s case
Albrecht Muth, the Georgetown man who claims to be an Iraqi army general and says his 91-year-old wife's death was a botched assassination attempt by Iranian agents, has received a cease-and-desist letter from the Iraqi Embassy, according to court records. Published November 19, 2012
Ineligible player knocks Wilson High out of title game
Woodrow Wilson High School's football team was disqualified from this week's Turkey Bowl after D.C. school officials learned that one of the players lives in Maryland. Published November 18, 2012
Arundel Mills casino promises more fun
Maryland Live Casino officials announced Wednesday that they were all in for table games and 24-hour operations at the Anne Arundel County gambling house, promising 1,200 additional jobs and an atmosphere of excitement on the floor of the nation's third-largest casino. Published November 14, 2012
Henderson announces plan to close 20 D.C. schools
D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson on Tuesday announced 20 schools that could be closed next year, among them the alma mater of four former NBA players, the District's first junior high school and an educational center built in 1927. Published November 13, 2012
Bill proposed to ban smoking on all Montgomery County property
A Montgomery County lawmaker is proposing a bill that would ban smoking on all county property — including parking garages and jail — as part of what she called a "filling in the gap stage" for a county that's been at the forefront of the anti-smoking movement. Published November 12, 2012
Pit bulls attack woman in NE apartment
Four pit bulls attacked a District Heights woman Saturday in a Northeast apartment, according to a D.C. police report, sending her to the hospital with "multiple bite marks, scratches, and bruising." Published November 11, 2012
Police investigate killing of Lewisdale man
A 20-year-old Lewsidale man was shot and killed Sunday, Prince George's County police said. Published November 11, 2012
Wedding planners in Maryland await calls from same-sex couples
The marriage proposal in August from his longtime partner was a surprise for Harford County resident Stephen Formwalt. Tuesday's affirmation of the law giving gay Marylanders the right to marry was just the icing on the wedding cake. Published November 8, 2012
Storm could bring snow flurries to evening commute
D.C.-area residents could face snow flurries during their commute home on Wednesday, weather officials said, thanks to a nor'easter packing wind and rain that's making its way up the East Coast. Published November 7, 2012
Obama supporters turn out, excited about ‘what’s next?’
Outside many D.C.-area polling centers on Tuesday, the scene could have been mistaken for 2008 -- long lines of voters shivering in the crisp autumn air, multicolored campaign leaflets fluttering in the breeze -- but behind the lawns full of campaign signs and "I Voted" stickers, there was a change in energy that even President Obama's supporters could feel. Published November 6, 2012
Wintry storm headed to D.C. area, possibly bringing snow
A storm featuring strong winds, rain and snow is forecast to follow in Superstorm Sandy's path on Wednesday, threatening battered coastal towns and perhaps bringing the D.C. area this season's first glimpse of snow. Published November 5, 2012
Hall selected to replace Alston in Md. legislature
The Prince George's County Democratic Central Committee on Friday chose Gregory A. Hall, a businessman and 2010 delegate hopeful, as the replacement for Maryland Delegate Tiffany Alston. Published November 2, 2012
Severn Scouts prepared to chunk a punkin
It's not a good weekend to be a pumpkin. Starting Friday, the bright orange squashes will be loaded, launched and landing in dozens of pieces during the 27th annual World Championship Punkin Chunkin competition. Published November 1, 2012
New National Christmas Tree survives the storm
National Park Service officials faced a planting predicament: Leave the soon-to-be National Christmas Tree in its shipping crate to ride out superstorm Sandy, or plant the 30-foot Colorado blue spruce and risk having it blow over like its predecessor last year. Published October 31, 2012
Storm can’t stop Halloween
Hurricane Sandy left more than 7 million people on the East Coast without power and forced the closure of schools, government offices and transportation systems. Published October 30, 2012
City will stay shut down Tuesday
The D.C. area remained largely shuttered for a second day in anticipation of what weather officials call an unprecedented storm system barreling along the entire East Coast. Published October 29, 2012
Storm or not, some report for duty
National Weather Service officials are predicting savage weather conditions for the next 72 hours, warning residents to stay home to avoid blistering winds and heavy rainfall. Published October 28, 2012