Meredith Somers
Articles by Meredith Somers
Freedom Plaza protesters to extend their stay
The Occupy encampment at Freedom Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest was granted a new permit, the National Park Service said Wednesday. Published December 28, 2011
AAA report: Parking tickets issued at rate of 6 a minute
Parking enforcement officers in the District issued 1.6 million tickets fiscal 2011, equal to roughly six a minute, according to a report issued Wednesday by AAA Mid-Atlantic. Published December 28, 2011
Multiple-vehicle crash in Bethesda kills one
A multiple-vehicle crash Wednesday night in Bethesda involving a Metro bus killed one person and snarled traffic along Rockville Pike through the evening rush hours, officials said. Published December 28, 2011
Audit urged for Union Station managers
Two members of Congress have asked the Transportation Department for "the first full federal audit" of the organization that manages Union Station, as major redevelopment at the historical site gets under way. Published December 27, 2011
No rest for the weary as post-Christmas rush to stores begins
Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the crunch time of last-minute Christmas shopping are past, but retailers say they anticipate an equally busy Monday as shoppers take advantage of the three-day holiday weekend. Published December 25, 2011
Stories pour from Virginia pub owner at Ireland’s Own
Pat Troy rattles off the names of famous hands he's shaken with the same matter-of-factness that the bartenders at his well-known Irish pub in Old Town Alexandria have when reciting the draft-beer list. Published December 25, 2011
Firm wins pact to develop monument-repair plan
The engineering firm Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates was awarded the contract to design a restoration plan for the earthquake-damaged Washington Monument, National Park Service officials said Thursday. Published December 22, 2011
Council considers one color for D.C. cabs
On most any day in the District, cabs of all colors are patrolling curbs, cruising hotel entrances and lingering at Metro stations for their next fare. Published December 22, 2011
Metro removes 16 rail cars after brake malfunction
The mechanical failure Tuesday that shut down a section of the transit agency's Blue and Orange lines and stranded passengers for hours underground was caused by brake equipment failure, Metro officials said Wednesday. Published December 21, 2011
Fill-ins for Santa give gift of realism
Even wearing blue jeans, there's no doubt that Mike Graham is the man in red. Published December 20, 2011
Bail denied to suspect in Obama shooting try
A U.S. District judge on Monday ordered the man charged with attempting to assassinate President Obama to remain behind bars until his trial. Published December 19, 2011
Fairfax dancers step lively for Christmas
Holiday revelers bundled against the December wind enjoyed the dancing and twirling of young performers who performed as part of a month-long celebration near the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse Sunday. Published December 18, 2011
Preliminary hearing delayed for accused White House shooter
A preliminary hearing for an Idaho man accused of attempting to assassinate President Obama was delayed on Wednesday after lawyers for both sides continued to squabble over whether additional mental evaluations are necessary. Published December 14, 2011
Police: Va. Tech shooter obtained gun legally
The man who fatally shot a Virginia Tech police officer before killing himself legally obtained the handgun used in the shooting, Virginia State Police said Tuesday. Published December 13, 2011
Officers find 12 lbs of heroin in suitcase at Dulles
Authorities found 12 pounds of heroin worth $375,000 in a suitcase at Washington Dulles International Airport. Published December 13, 2011
Issa to Interior: Has politics prevented police from evicting Occupy D.C.?
A Republican member of Congress wants the Interior Department to explain whether politics played into the decision to let Occupy D.C. illegally "damage or destroy" a downtown park recently rehabilitated with $400,000 in stimulus funds. Published December 13, 2011
AAA: Beltway speed camera nabbed 21,100 in 3 months
A speed camera deployed along the Capital Beltway in Silver Spring — the first of its kind to be used on the highway — issued 21,100 tickets worth $840,000 since August, a motor association analysis showed on Monday. Published December 12, 2011
Virginia Tech: 2 dead in shooting on campus
A campus police officer and another person were found fatally shot at Virginia Tech, but authorities stopped short of confirming reports the second victim was the gunman. Published December 8, 2011
Occupy protesters block K Street; 62 arrested
A massive protest Wednesday along the K Street lobbying corridor in Washington resulted in 62 arrests, closing busy downtown streets and marking the second such mass arrest in the city in four days. Published December 7, 2011
Santa-skeleton-on-a-cross figure sparks jeers
A Santa Claus skeleton draped across a crucifix on Loudoun County property sparked outcry Tuesday from as far away as California and prompted local leaders to demand a change in First Amendment interpretation. Published December 6, 2011