The Observer

Stories of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle

Government

Byrd Center Summer Fun

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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 >>

Ambulance Plan Concerns

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On March 1 of this year, the Jefferson County Commission officially reorganized the county’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations as a department reporting to the County Administrator. Previously, the EMS operations were managed by the Emergency Services Agency (ESA), an independent organization created to coordinate both fire and emergency medical services throughout the county.  Read the Full Story >>

Some Bills That Failed in the Legislature This Year – Part I

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There have been many reviews of bills that passed and became law in West Virginia this year. However, there were far more bills that were introduced but not passed by the legislature. This month’s column points out some bills that did not pass but were sponsored by Delegates Clark, Espinosa, and Ridenour. Read the Full Story >>

County Commission Sets $32 Million Budget

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The Jefferson County Commission unanimously approved a budget to submit to the State, following a short public hearing at 9:30 in the morning on Monday, March 27. The lone citizen commenter who attended the hearing questioned the short notice and lack of detail in the draft budget document that was released at 4 pm on the previous Friday. This budget covers the fiscal year (FY24) that starts on July 1, 2023 and runs through June 30, 2024. Read the Full Story >>

Bills Passed in the 2023 WV Legislative Session

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March 11 was the end of the sixty day legislative session for 2023. Legislators went home having passed 333 bills (293 bills passed in 2022). The Governor has signed nearly one-third of these bills and is expected to sign the remainder soon (he signed all but 13 bills passed in 2022). Absent a special session called by the Governor, our legislators will next meet in January 2024 to vote on new legislation. Read the Full Story >>