Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
EU embassies open doors to visitors Saturday
A royal marriage that touched the hearts of romantics, a diamond jubilee that has captured the minds of nostalgics. It's been a remarkable year for Great Britain, and with the Summer Olympics in London, the excitement is still going. Published May 10, 2012
D.C. visitors spent 6 percent more in 2011, agency says
Visitors to the District last year spent $6 billion on items like hotels, restaurants, transportation and attractions, an increase of more than 6 percent over 2010, tourism officials said. Published May 8, 2012
Drivers injured in school bus crash
A collision between a school bus and van early Monday injured 12 students and sent both drivers to the hospital, Prince George's County Police said. Published May 7, 2012
10-year-old in car shot in leg
A 10-year-old girl was shot in the leg by an errant bullet fired at the car she was riding in, D.C. police said. Published May 7, 2012
Mall redesigners show ‘real passion’
Caretakers of the Mall on Thursday announced their selection of firms to give America's backyard some much-needed improvements. Published May 3, 2012
Speeders accelerate cash flow for P.G.
Prince George's County issued 200,000 speeding tickets to lead-foot drivers under its eight-month-old Automated Speed Enforcement Program, a number that county officials said is good for safety - but critics argue only benefits the bottom line. Published May 3, 2012
Hot issue: ‘Town center’ amid houses near UMd.
Scores of Prince George's County residents slogged through a marathon public hearing on Monday during which county leaders considered a zoning change that could pave the way for a new shopping area near the University of Maryland. Published April 30, 2012
Osteen draws 40,000 to Nationals Park
Joel Osteen, the youthful megachurch pastor with a bright smile and slick style, performed at least one miracle while he was in Washington this weekend: selling out Nationals Park. Published April 29, 2012
Man dies from gunshot wounds in Northeast
A 22-year-old man was fatally shot in Northeast, D.C. police said. Published April 29, 2012
Metro OKs increases for rail, bus, parking
Metro's board of directors on Thursday approved fare hikes for bus and rail and raised parking fees as part of an effort to close a $103 million budget gap. Published April 26, 2012
Judge orders further mental evaluation for Muth
A D.C. Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered an additional two months of mental health treatment for Albrecht Muth, based on the recommendations of doctors tasked with determining whether he is competent to stand trial in the killing of his 91-year-old wife, Viola Drath. Published April 25, 2012
Drath murder case exposes bizarre lifestyle of Georgetown couple
For two decades, Viola Drath and her husband, Albrecht Muth, lived among the relatively secluded houses on a quiet Northwest Washington street. It wasn't until police threw open the door of their Q Street home on a night in August that the eccentric — and at times abusive — life of the bizarre couple was thrust into the spotlight. Published April 24, 2012
Five killed by carbon monoxide poisoning in Oxon Hill
Five people in an Oxon Hill home died of carbon monoxide poisoning Monday night after the toxic gas leaked out of a rusty heating pipe, Prince George's County fire department officials said. Published April 24, 2012
Witness heard Marine say, ‘I’m going to stab somebody’
A Marine charged with fatally stabbing a fellow Marine during a late-night brawl had a history of drug use and belligerent behavior and had been heard by witnesses about an hour before the crime saying he was looking to stab someone, prosecutors said Monday. Published April 24, 2012
After Discovery’s final journey, space shuttle lands in new home
The Space Shuttle Discovery, which in its 27 years logged more than 148 million miles, regularly withstood 3,000-degree temperatures and circled the Earth more than 5,000 times, finally came to rest on Thursday. Published April 19, 2012
Smithsonian ceremony welcomes space shuttle Discovery
Space shuttles Discovery and Enterprise stood nose to nose during a stirring ceremony at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum on Thursday. Published April 19, 2012
Arlington priest once in charge of child protection investigated
A Catholic priest formerly in charge of the Diocese of Arlington's child protection and safety office was placed on administrative leave while police investigate whether he was involved in sexual misconduct with a boy in the late 1990s, officials said Wednesday. Published April 18, 2012
Space shuttle’s final ride gives Washington ‘awe-inspiring’ sight
Space Shuttle Discovery, the NASA orbiter that spent a year's worth of time among the stars, completed its final journey Tuesday when it landed at Washington Dulles International Airport on the back of a Boeing 747. Published April 17, 2012
Shuttle Discovery flyover dazzles D.C. area
The space shuttle Discovery passed low over the D.C. area Tuesday morning, drawing spectators to gathering spots atop buildings and aside roads for a glimpse of the onetime workhorse of NASA's orbiter fleet before it is delivered to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Published April 17, 2012
Space shuttle Discovery ready for final flyover
The space shuttle Discovery, carried on the back of a jumbo jet, will fly over Washington on Tuesday as the onetime workhorse of NASA's orbiter fleet is delivered to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Published April 16, 2012