Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
New York Avenue Bridge-building a breeze
When officials announced last spring that the New York Avenue Bridge would undergo two years of major reconstruction, people on both sides of the orange barrels braced for traffic disaster. Published June 4, 2012
San Diego 14-year-old wins national spelling bee
Her final word was an educated term for an ambush, but 14-year-old Snigdha Nandipati handedly dodged any tricks and traps on Thursday, becoming the 2012 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, and fifth Indian-American in a row to nab the title. Published June 1, 2012
9 super spellers ready for national bee final round
The ring of a brass bell is the signal of defeat in the competitive spelling bee arena, but the whoop from 14-year-old Lena Greenberg on Thursday as she successfully spelled “cholecystitis” was unmistakably the sound of triumph. Published May 31, 2012
17 spellers eliminated in first rounds
The semifinal of the 85th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee is proving to be a tough one, as 17 spellers have been eliminated after only one-and-a-half rounds. Published May 31, 2012
Cookout aims to tip scales against snakehead in Maryland
If Maryland has its way, an invasive enemy could become a nontraditional entree. Published May 30, 2012
Va. reports 9 traffic fatalities over holiday weekend
Nine people died on Virginia highways over the Memorial Day weekend, three fewer victims than last year despite a record-high number of travelers, state police said. Published May 30, 2012
Metro mechanic hit by train, seriously injured
A 25-year veteran Metro mechanic was seriously injured Tuesday after he was hit by a train at the Shady Grove train yard and pinned beneath it for nearly an hour. Published May 29, 2012
‘It’s going to be fun,’ city’s top speller says
Quizzing 12-year-old Tuli Bennett-Bose on her list of spelling words is a humbling experience. Published May 28, 2012
Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally remembers POWs
It was just a parade. For years, that's what Cottage City resident Wanda Prue thought about the thousands of motorcycle riders who descended on the District in late May. Published May 24, 2012
Throngs to hit road for holiday weekend
A drop in gas prices means a boost in Memorial Day travel for D.C.-area vacationers, officials with AAA Mid-Atlantic said Tuesday. Published May 22, 2012
Maryland air show just as thrilling for crew
Mark Hatfield's job is far from typical. Sure, he's got co-workers, a uniform, and even an office with a view. But unlike other jobs that promise higher-level opportunities, the 30-year-old Annandale native's career puts him near the ceiling of an airplane cabin during a zero-gravity maneuver. Published May 20, 2012
Baltimore-Washington Parkway crash kills 2
A double-fatal car crash early Sunday shut down a portion of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway for hours. Published May 20, 2012
Fairfax police kill man threatening them with sword
A wanted sex offender was shot and killed Saturday night after threatening officers with a sword, Fairfax County police said. Published May 20, 2012
Police investigate possible murder-suicide in Silver Spring
A married couple found dead on Sunday are being investigated as part of a possible murder-suicide, Montgomery County police said. Published May 20, 2012
Book of Caruth all about faith, triumph
Sitting in his spacious office at the University of the District of Columbia, it's hard to imagine David Caruth, 52 and the father of two, as anyone other than a confident, well-dressed and well-spoken administrator. But on Aug. 18, 1977, he was a dead man. Published May 17, 2012
Customs not playing hide-and-seek with carry-on contraband
It's dinnertime at Washington Dulles International Airport, and Officer Steve Whittaker has found himself surrounded by a feast at the international-arrivals checkpoint — a pungent meal he has no plans to enjoy. Published May 17, 2012
Court plays tape of Marine’s killing
The last hour of Philip Bushong's life is captured in black and white images by a store's surveillance camera, from his warm embrace of friends to falling face-first to the pavement with a hole in his heart. Published May 16, 2012
D.C. mourns Chuck Brown
Chuck Brown, the "Godfather of Go-Go" and a native D.C. son, died Wednesday at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore. He was 75. Published May 16, 2012
Pit bull opinion triggers protests
The Court of Appeals of Maryland's opinion last month declaring pit bulls and pit bull mixes "inherently dangerous" has canine advocates and some state legislators furious. Published May 15, 2012
Dance festival draws fans to Dupont Circle
Dupont Circle has played host to numerous lazy afternoons, countless picnics, impromptu chess games, and one giant snowball fight. Published May 13, 2012