Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Metro replacing slippery floor tiles at rail stations
Metro officials will replace floor tiles in rail stations with larger, less slippery ones, agency officials said Thursday. Published April 28, 2011
Baltimore turns out for final tribute to Schaefer
The ex-governors, Capitol Hill lawmakers and state legislators had by Wednesday largely said their goodbyes to William Donald Schaefer, and now it was time for this working-class city to bid farewell to their beloved mayor and native son. Published April 27, 2011
British royal wedding a spectacle across pond
The marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton on Friday will be celebrated thousands of miles away in England with millions of people watching worldwide. But area residents, especially early risers, will have plenty of opportunity to take part in royal-esque events, from the self-indulgent to the charitable. Published April 27, 2011
Zoo to review security in light of stabbing
The director of the National Zoo said Tuesday he intends to continue annual Easter Monday events despite several fights and a teen's stabbing this year - but not without a major review that includes security improvements and plans to close gates to control overflow crowds. Published April 26, 2011
Dulles Metro station appealed
Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell on Monday put his political weight behind the effort to get the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board to reconsider its decision to build the more expensive of two Dulles Metrorail station options, calling the move a "stunning" blow to the collaborative process. Published April 25, 2011
UPDATE: Teen arrested in National Zoo stabbing
Police have made an arrest in the stabbing Monday afternoon at the National Zoo, according to news reports. Published April 25, 2011
Sharing faith on Easter Sunday
The archbishop of Washington urged Catholics on Easter Sunday to boldly rejuvenate their faith and share it with others. Published April 24, 2011
Georgetown flooding spurs class-action suit on behalf of restaurants
A D.C. lawyer has filed a $5 million class-action lawsuit against the property managers at Georgetown's Washington Harbour on behalf of employees and businesses who have been affected by flooding this week. Published April 21, 2011
MWAA standing by Dulles Metro decision
The chairman of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority closed the door Wednesday on further talks about whether the authority's board should reverse its decision to build the more expensive of two Dulles Metrorail stations. Published April 20, 2011
Rep. Wolf opposes more costly Dulles stop
A Northern Virginia congressman has joined the mounting opposition to building the more expensive of two proposed Dulles Metrorail stations, saying Monday that he hoped the 13-member board that made the choice will reconsider the cheaper option. Published April 18, 2011
Shakespeare’s works celebrated at library’s 446th birthday party
In the hushed, dimly lit theater of the Folger Shakespeare Library, a young fair-haired girl stepped to the microphone Sunday to recite the heartfelt lines of Juliet, a woman synonymous with tragic, forbidden love. Published April 17, 2011
Metro gives initial OK to fewer weekend trains
Metro's Board of Directors on Thursday advanced proposals to cut bus and rail service to help close a $72 million budget gap. Published April 14, 2011
1 dead, 1 hurt in NoVa barber shop shooting
One person was killed and another was in stable condition on Wednesday after a man walked into a Northern Virginia barbershop and shot several rounds. Published April 13, 2011
UPDATE: Metro board nixes 5-cent surcharge for Union Station rail riders
Metro's board of directors on Thursday withdrew a proposal to add a 5-cent surcharge on trips to and from Union Station to pay for improvement projects. Board members said more research and input is needed. Published April 13, 2011
Suspect surrenders in fatal shooting at No. Va. barbershop
The suspect in a fatal shooting at a Northern Virginia barber shop Wednesday has surrendered to authorities, according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Published April 13, 2011
Neighbor hurt rescuing dog from fire
A Beltsville man was injured Monday when he broke a window to rescue a 12-year-old dog from his neighbor's burning home, Prince George's County fire officials said. Published April 11, 2011
Son pleads guilty to pension fraud
Published April 11, 2011
Soaring memories at Blossom Kite Festival
With surgeonlike care and precision, Don Stark gently replaced a splintered kite dowel with a new one, tied a series of loops in the white string to demonstrate its sturdiness, returned the kite to the relieved owner, then turned to the next person waiting for the "kite doctor" at the Blossom Kite Festival on Sunday. Published April 10, 2011
Metro Board ponders 5-cent surcharge
The Metro Board on Thursday discussed a 5-cent surcharge for rail riders coming and going from some of the transit system's heavily traveled rail stations, especially Union Station in the District, in an effort to fund capital improvements. Published April 7, 2011
Kite Festival’s day in the wind awaits word on shutdown
This year was supposed to mark the inaugural Blossom Kite Festival on the Mall, the National Cherry Blossom Festival having taken the event's strings from the Smithsonian Institution. Published April 7, 2011
