Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Maryland voters to get shot at reversing redistricting
Maryland voters are getting the chance in November to get rid of the new congressional district map, marking the first time in 50 years that a referendum on redistricting has made it to the state ballot. Published July 11, 2012
Judge tells Montgomery County to release land data
A Montgomery County judge on Tuesday upheld a public information request from a coalition of well-funded citizen groups who had been stonewalled in their efforts to uncover details about a county project to transform a 20-acre farm in an affluent neighborhood of Potomac into soccer fields. Published July 10, 2012
P.G. Council moves toward Whole Foods development
The Prince George's County District Council on Monday voted in favor of taking another step toward a mixed-use development in Riverdale Park that includes a Whole Foods grocery store. Published July 9, 2012
Record heat waves goodbye to area
The excruciating heat that smothered the mid-Atlantic under triple-digit temperatures came to an end Sunday, leaving in its wake buckled roadways, kinked train tracks, withered yards and a newfound sense of what it means to be hot. Published July 8, 2012
African roses bloom on Dulles’ runways
Acres of flowers carpeting the ground in bold hues might seem more at home in a Monet painting or the land of Oz, but it's a sight that's become a familiar part of the Ethiopian landscape. Published July 8, 2012
Metro Green Line reopened with likely delays
High temperatures caused a "heat kink" along a stretch of Metrorail track, officials said, closing a portion of Green Line service throughout the weekend and likely impacting the Monday morning rush hour. Published July 8, 2012
Crane topples in Bethesda family’s yard
The week had been difficult enough for the Weinberger family after a rare derecho storm knocked out power to their Bethesda home for four nights and an enormous oak tree had been toppled by the wind into their roof. Published July 8, 2012
Three killed, three others shot or stabbed during some of D.C.’s most violent 48 hours
Three men died of shootings or stabbings this weekend, during one of the most violent 48 hours of the year, D.C. police said. Published July 8, 2012
Maryland special session on gambling unlikely
The chances of Maryland lawmakers spending next week in a special session shrank more on Thursday, as Gov. Martin O'Malley continued to focus his attention on the weather and fellow legislators remained as much in the dark about plans as some of their constituents did in their homes. Published July 5, 2012
Loudoun votes yes on Dulles rail
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday decided by a 5-4 margin to remain committed to the Dulles rail project, a $6 billion plan that promises a boost for economic development through the benefits of mass transit. Published July 3, 2012
Washington-area outages ‘almost unprecedented’
Outages numbered in the hundreds of thousands for a second day, as officials warned residents across Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia that power might not be restored until late in the week, and crews worked in temperatures nearing triple digits to make repairs from a devastating storm that claimed more than a dozen lives. Published July 1, 2012
Power may be out for a week for some customers
Outages numbered in the hundreds of thousands for a second day, as officials warned residents across Maryland, the District and Virginia that power might not be restored until late in the week and crews worked in temperatures nearing triple digits to make repairs from a devastating storm that claimed more than a dozen lives. Published July 1, 2012
Weather from West turns up the heat
A warm front that scorched the middle of the country has made its way to the D.C. area, bringing with it blistering heat, sticky humidity and the strong chance of record-breaking temperatures this weekend. Published June 28, 2012
Smoke from Va. wildfires drifts to the District
Two wildfires in western Virginia on Thursday worried some residents when the scent of smoke drifted as far as the District. Published June 28, 2012
Maryland motorist takes his best shot at speed camera
Bruce May got nabbed twice in recent weeks by Howard County speed cameras. Published June 27, 2012
Three robberies on bikes in D.C. Tuesday evening
Three ride-by robberies — involving suspects on bikes — occurred Tuesday evening. Published June 27, 2012
Woman stable after being stabbed by boyfriend
A fight between a boyfriend and girlfriend in Southeast escalated into a stabbing incident, D.C. police said Wednesday. Published June 27, 2012
Making July Fourth an injury-free blast
Sitting at his kitchen table, a window curtain obscuring the view outside, the man tinkered with a homemade firework in preparation of the July Fourth holiday. With a bright flash and deafening crack, the room was flattened and the man — actually a plastic mannequin — was blown to pieces, his torso scorched and limbs blown yards away. Published June 26, 2012
Woman stabbed on Metrobus
A teenager was stabbed Sunday during an argument on a Metrobus, Metro officials said. Published June 24, 2012
Reston Zoo head arrested after wallaby death investigation
The director of the Reston Zoo was arrested Friday, following a months-long investigation that stemmed from the death of an adult wallaby. Published June 24, 2012