Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Dispute over spare change leads to ax attack
A late-night brawl over spare change ended with a flesh wound and a hospital visit after one combatant wielded a medieval ax against his adversary, Frederick, Md., police said. Published August 3, 2011
Four Metro employees charged with theft
Metro Transit Police on Wednesday arrested four people for swindling $25,000 from the transit system. Published August 3, 2011
Beltway chain of crashes kills two
Police on Tuesday were investigating the cause of a six-car crash on the Capital Beltway in Prince George's County that killed two people, seriously injured two others and closed the Inner Loop through the morning rush hour. Published August 2, 2011
Two dead in Beltway crash
Police on Tuesday were investigating the cause of a six-car crash on the Capital Beltway in Prince George's County that killed two people, seriously injured two others and closed the Inner Loop through the morning rush hour. Published August 2, 2011
Stars get their kicks in charity soccer match
Athletic royalty visited the District's Southwest waterfront Sunday for a charity soccer game to raise awareness about bone-marrow donations and give a boost to the growing business district. Published July 31, 2011
Walter Reed Army Medical Center officially closes after 102 years
The Walter Reed Army Medical Center has for more than a century helped soldiers stand on new legs, welcomed newborns into military families and offered top-notch care to U.S. leaders. Published July 27, 2011
Montgomery County OKs first charter school
Montgomery County has approved its first public charter school, a Montessori facility scheduled to open next year in Kensington. Published July 26, 2011
!["[The curfew would be] "used as a tool" [and the] "deterrent effect would be the strongest part of this. We know we can't arrest our way out of every problem," said Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger.](https://twt-thumbs-staging.washtimes.com/media-staging.washtimes.com/media/image/2011/07/26/20110726-205944-pic-390263087_c0-436-1934-1563_s652x380.jpg?73c3603ae4075a8547efbde83ea832349eb36bdb)
Police see proposed teenage curfew as ‘deterrent’ for mischief, violence
Most Montgomery County teenagers likely were soaking up the sun Tuesday, enjoying the last few weeks of summer freedom. But 17-year-old Abigail Burman spent the day standing up to a proposed law that could take away a valued privilege. Published July 26, 2011
Walter Reed Army Medical Center set to shutter historic hospital
The maroon flag that's flown for more than a century above the Walter Reed Army Medical Center will be lowered for the last time Wednesday as part of a weeklong series of events marking the hospital moving its operations from the District to Maryland and Virginia. Published July 25, 2011
Cannons boom at Bull Run in Civil War re-enactment
Cannon fire and troop movement began under a hazy sky Sunday morning, as thousands of Civil War re-enactors fought the Battle of Bull Run amid heat and a crowd similar to those that came out to watch the original battle. Published July 24, 2011
150th anniversary of Battle of Bull Run remembered
The 150th anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run began Thursday much as the skirmish itself did in 1861 - with artillery men on a sparse Manassas field, ignoring the heat to focus on the boom of a cannon. Published July 21, 2011
Area officials sweat about safety of heat
Triple-digit temperatures are expected to hit the region Thursday and remain through Saturday, forcing officials to implement emergency-ready plans while residents scramble for air conditioning and outdoor workers move to survival mode. Published July 20, 2011
Museum tells story of black soldiers during the Civil War
District leaders in tailored suits mingled with re-enactors portraying Union soldiers and 19th century farmwives during the grand opening Monday of the new African American Civil War Museum. Published July 18, 2011
Northwest’s Ruff & Ready to move on
The eclectic collection inside Ruff & Ready Furnishings rivals Mary Poppins' carpet bag and perhaps some museum warehouses. But the longtime U Street Corridor fixture has served bargain-hunting shoppers no matter what their design taste. Published July 17, 2011
Stitches help repair ravaged American flag, broken hearts
The sound of a nation healing is the quiet prick of a needle through nylon fabric, the whisper of red, white or blue thread tightening into a stitch. Published July 14, 2011
A final reunion for Harry Potter fans
Fourteen years ago, the door opened at No. 4 Privet Drive, ushering millions of people into the life and adventures of Harry Potter - arguably the world's most famous wizard. And Thursday night, as the credits begin to roll, the story of the boy who lived there will come to a close. Published July 13, 2011
Montgomery smoking ban includes apartment areas
The signs at the entrance to Americana Centre Condominiums in Rockville reads: "No skateboarding, no roller blading, no roller skates." Published July 12, 2011
Montgomery’s move to further curb smoking meets resistance
Montgomery County is set Tuesday to further restrict smoking by banning lighting up in such non-public places as apartment lobbies and playgrounds, but not without opposition. Published July 11, 2011
Metro striving to keep up on escalators
At the top of the escalator Sunday at the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro station, Justine Jayet paused in relief as she steadied her large suitcase and descended to the rail platform. Published July 10, 2011
Officials diplomatic toward Dulles Metro
Metro officials avoided taking sides Thursday over a compromise proposal to move a planned underground rail station at Washington Dulles International Airport above ground to save money, but board members warned the final choice should not be at the expense of transit or customer service. Published July 7, 2011
