What do you like about living in Jefferson County? What are your concerns about the community? These are the types of questions you’ll hear as the County’s planning team works on updating the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan. Read the Full Story >>
Community
County Continues Restructure of Ambulance Department
Prior to July 2022, Jefferson County’s ambulance services operated with a mix of volunteer EMTs, ambulances owned by the 7 volunteer fire companies, and full-time medics and EMTs employed by the county’s Emergency Services Agency (ESA). The ESA was structured as a public corporation, with oversight by a 7-member board appointed by the County Commission. Read the Full Story >>
Summer Construction at Shepherd University
When students return to Shepherd University in the fall, they will notice some changes to the east campus. Over the next few months, two former dormitories on the East Loop — Kenamond Hall and Turner Hall — will disappear. Read the Full Story >>
Local Residents Aim To Preserve Historic Home In Harpers Ferry
Local residents have launched a fundraising campaign to save a historic structure in Harpers Ferry. The group seeks to raise $5,000 by June 30. Read the Full Story >>
Finding Balance in Conflict
During the 1890s, America faced an environmental crisis similar in many ways to our situation today. Our country had nearly ended its westward expansion. Read the Full Story >>
Local Herbalist Focuses on Training & Self-Direction
Herbalism is a traditional folk medical practice with a timeless mythology, and Jefferson County is lucky to have one of the few comprehensive, in-person herbalism schools on the east coast within its borders. I spoke with Ashley Davis, clinical herbalist and co-owner of Tonic Therapeutic Herb Shop & Elixir Bar, to learn about the evolution of the store, which has been located on German Street in Shepherdstown for seven years. Read the Full Story >>
Byrd Center Summer Fun
The Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education will host its third Summer Fundraiser on Saturday, June 10 from 6 to 8 pm (rain or shine) on the grounds of historic Patterson’s Mill in Martinsburg. The event will support the Center’s civics education initiatives, including its intern program, and celebrate its twentieth anniversary as a non-profit organization on the campus of Shepherd University. Read the Full Story >>
County-Wide Emergency Planning
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will hold its next bi-monthly meeting on June 21. The meeting starts at 8:15 am and is open to the public– the LEPC includes many members from first responder and public health organizations, but also includes business owners, educators, community groups, and other residents. (and citizen participants are encouraged). Read the Full Story >>
Shepherd University Sports Camps
Shepherd University will host multiple soccer camps this summer, run by student-athletes and coaches from the men’s and women’s soccer teams. Read the Full Story >>
Actors Wanted in Charles Town
The Old Opera House Theater Company is holding auditions for its summer show, “The Sound of Music,” Read the Full Story >>
Art Classes in Charles Town
The Firehouse Gallery in Charles Town (108 North George St, Charles Town) is offering an Introduction to Pen and Ink Drawing class. The class will meet on June 7, 14, 21, 28 (Wednesdays), 5:30 to 7:30 pm ($85 fee). Read the Full Story >>
Art Camps in Hagerstown
The focus of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts (401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown, MD) 2023 summer camp for kids is “Little Vikings: Explore Legends and Magic.” Read the Full Story >>
Changes Underway in Jefferson County
A lot of the articles in the June 2023 issue touch on change (we didn’t plan it that way, it just happened — a sign of the times). Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson Orchards Requests Industrial Zoning Near Rockwool
A zoning change request in Ranson has prompted significant questions and concerns. Read the Full Story >>
Guns to Gardens Turns Firearms into Garden Tools
The Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church is hosting a gun surrender event on June 11 at the Shepherdstown Fire Department. The event in Shepherdstown is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s national Guns to Gardens Day observance, in which Presbyterian churches all around the country will be participating. It will be the first ever Guns to Gardens event in West Virginia. Read the Full Story >>