Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
‘Frankenstorm’ could haunt East Coast’s Halloween
The collision of two severe storms this weekend could wreak unprecedented havoc along the entire East Coast through Halloween, bringing hurricane-force winds, flooding and even a layer of snowfall to some parts of the mid-Atlantic region. Published October 25, 2012
Lottery for D.C. Christmas tree lighting tickets starts
The mercury might have hit 80 degrees this week, but the National Park Service has its sights set on the holiday season. Published October 24, 2012
Profilers suspect killer’s Malvo note a ruse
A note promising a series of murders until D.C. sniper Lee Boyd Malvo is released from prison was found beneath the body of a slain pregnant woman in her Brooklyn, N.Y., apartment over the weekend. But criminal profilers say they are skeptical of the killer's professed identification with the series of shootings that terrorized the D.C. area 10 years ago. Published October 23, 2012
P.G. adds patrols after two drag-racing crashes
Back-to-back street racing crashes in Prince George's County over the weekend left one man dead and another critically injured, as county safety officials ramped up surveillance in a county with a history of deaths resulting from illegal drag-racing. Published October 22, 2012
Dupont Metro’s escalator face-lift comes full circle
For the first time in 8 1/2 months, it was business as usual at Metro's Dupont Circle south entrance, with no construction equipment or maintenance crews to be seen as officials opened three new escalators at the busy subway station. Published October 21, 2012
P.G. officer killed in car crash
An off-duty Prince George’s County police officer died Thursday after his cruiser collided with another vehicle and hit a utility pole, marking the second time in two months that a county police officer has been killed in a car crash. Published October 18, 2012
Ready for next time an earthquake hits the region
Hundreds of thousands of New Englanders learned with a jolt Tuesday night the same lesson D.C. area residents realized during last August's magnitude-5.8 earthquake: Quakes are not always destructive, but they are unpredictable, and it's in everybody's interest to learn the correct reaction to one. Published October 17, 2012
UMd. transplant team gives Virginia man new face after 15 years
The Virginia man, who about 100 days ago underwent the most extensive face transplant surgery ever performed, has regained the ability to smell and taste, as well as what he called a sense of normalcy after 15 years of hiding. Published October 16, 2012
Man arrested in Georgia on D.C. homicide charges
A Northeast man was tracked to Georgia and extradited to the District on murder charges for an August shooting, D.C. police said Tuesday. Published October 16, 2012
Police ID man killed in Hillcrest Heights
Prince George's County Police on Tuesday were investigating a shooting that killed a 19-year-old Hillcrest Heights man. Published October 16, 2012
Police investigate Hillcrest Heights homicide
Prince George's County police were investigating a homicide Monday in the Hillcrest Heights area, a spokeswoman said. Published October 15, 2012
High school student stabbed in buttocks on campus
A 15-year-old Northwood High School student was stabbed in the buttocks by a fellow student, Montgomery County police said. Published October 15, 2012
P.G. community pushes for stop to sagging pants
Prince George's County community leaders frustrated by the precariously low waistbands of young men are collecting belts this month to put a stop to sagging pants. Published October 14, 2012
Maryland task force poised to renew pit bull debate
Maryland lawmakers tasked with reviewing a court ruling on the danger of pit bulls are scheduled to meet next week to continue the complicated debate on the rights of dog owners, the safety of residents and the protection of the breed. Published October 14, 2012
Nationals fans revved up for decisive Game 5
Maybe it was the brisk weather, perhaps it was the sense of decisiveness, or it could have been the "Natitude," but Nationals Park on Friday rippled with unprecedented energy for the final game of the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals match up. Published October 12, 2012
Panda cub died of underdeveloped lungs, liver damage
The giant panda cub that died last month did not survive because of underdeveloped lungs and liver damage, National Zoo officials said Thursday. Published October 11, 2012
Nats fans savor D.C. baseball history despite shutout
A record crowd ignited Nationals Stadium on Wednesday as season-ticket veterans and fair-weather fans alike swarmed the riverfront area to be a part of D.C. baseball history. Published October 10, 2012
Nationals Park staff has been preparing for the big day since July
The Washington Nationals have their playbook on how to beat the St. Louis Cardinals. Frank Gambino's team has a three-ring binder on how to host the playoffs. Published October 9, 2012
Prosecutors must turn over Muth evidence
A D.C. Superior Court judge Tuesday ordered prosecutors to turn over any remaining evidence against a Georgetown socialite charged with murder in the death of his 91-year-old wife. Published October 9, 2012
Parents of missing Fairfax teen say body in woods is their son
The parents of a Fairfax County teenager missing for a week confirmed in a statement that the body found in a park on Monday was their son. Published October 9, 2012