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Stories of West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle

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Latest Stories

Unlocking Options for Renters & Landlords in the Pandemic

March 5, 2021

March 21 — Virtual Walk In The Woods Fundraiser with PVAS

February 26, 2021

2021 American Conservation Film Festival

February 26, 2021

Exhibit at Berkeley Art Works Celebrates Historic African-American Cemetery

February 26, 2021

Book Review: Pop

February 26, 2021

March 5 — Virtual Concert: A Celtic Celebration

February 26, 2021

Feeling The Heartbeat Of Spring Emerging

February 26, 2021

March 9 — Speak Stories Presents Chetter Galloway

February 26, 2021

Take An Online Art Class This March At Berkeley Art Works

February 26, 2021

Connecting Solar In Jefferson County

February 24, 2021

A Look At Rural Zoning In Jefferson County

February 24, 2021

Inkwells Tavern Reopens in Charles Town

February 24, 2021

Read all stories

In Print

Charles Town & Ranson

The Water Connecting Us

September 1, 2020 Tagged With: brownfields, cave, groundwater, karst geology, Lakeland Caverns, rockwool, USGS, water pollution, WVDEP, zoning

map of Caverns in Jefferson County, West Virginia.

One hundred years ago, underneath the Old Opera House in Charles Town, locals and tourists danced the night away beside a crystal-clear lake inside a cavern filled with orchestral tones. Today, the Lakeland Caverns cave is quiet, all entries sealed off from the public.  Read the Full Story >>

Believing in the Community

August 1, 2020 Tagged With: COVID-19, fresh-roasted coffee, Sibling Coffee

Logo for Sibling Coffee in Charles Town printed as a decal on the stores glass window.

For Libby Powell, it started with a carnival-type popcorn popper that her kids got her as present. Thinking it might be fun to repurpose the popper to roast coffee, Libby began to experiment a quarter cup of beans at a time.  Read the Full Story >>

Perspectives from a Local Solar Professional

July 30, 2020 Tagged With: renewable energy, SIGHTLINE, solar, zoning

high stalks of corn with solar panels barely visible over the top of the cornstalks.

For the first article in this series, we invited Danny Chiotos to research and address some questions about the nature of the specific solar generation project that initiated the request for proposed zoning amendment ZTA 19-03. Read the Full Story >>

Solar in Jefferson County

July 29, 2020 Tagged With: renewable energy, SIGHTLINE, SIGHTLINE INTRODUCES, solar, zoning

lines of solar panels that extend far into the distance which are part of a commercial solar array.

With this post, The Observer introduces SIGHTLINE stories, in-depth explorations intended to engage and inform the community on key topics. Our first SIGHTLINE story explores the implications of large-scale solar development in Jefferson County.  Read the Full Story >>

The Challenges and Hope of a Food Pantry

July 1, 2020 Tagged With: COVID-19, food insecurity, food pantry, homelessness, Jefferson County Community Ministries

Two volunteers at Jefferson County Community Ministries collect groceries for a pick-up order.

For community services organizations, the pandemic & economic crisis have forced drastic changes to operations and funding - at the same time they are called to meet needs on a scale they’ve never experienced. Read the Full Story >>

Medical Marijuana Loses Traction in Charleston

April 4, 2020 Tagged With: medical cannabis, West Virginia Legislature

medical marijuana

The West Virginia Legislature passed a bill three years ago legalizing the use of medical marijuana. But that law has never really taken effect. Read the Full Story >>

How Will We Vote During Corona?

April 4, 2020 Tagged With: absentee ballot, COVID-19, elections, voting, voting by mail

Numerous "I voted" stickers strewn across a white surface.

Given the current COVID-19 situation across the country, a recent press release from Washington Monthly stated: The 2020 election is at risk. Short of significant reform, voter participation is expected to plummet. Read the Full Story >>

CEG Receives $500K Grant to Bolster HIV Fight in West Virginia

April 4, 2020 Tagged With: Gilead Sciences, HIV, opioid epidemic, Shepherdstown Community Education Group

Community Education Group.

A new $500,000 grant will support CEG’s efforts to improve HIV prevention, testing, screening, and treatment in the state. Read the Full Story >>

And That Works for Me

April 1, 2020 Tagged With: WV Observer

WV Observer

The July 2020 issue marks a change in ownership of The Observer from Mike Chalmers to Steve Pearson as Editor in Chief & Harriet Pearson as Publisher.  Read the Full Story >>

Country Roads Not Friendly to Rockwool

March 9, 2020 Tagged With: air pollution, Jefferson County Vision, Mountaineer Gas, rockwool, water pollution

Jefferson County Vision

The Rockwool factory in Ranson has been encountering some rocky roads as of late and the fight to keep them from their final destination continues. Read the Full Story >>

COVID-19 Vaccines & Testing

February 26, 2020 Tagged With: CommunityImmunityWV, COVID-19, COVID-19 Resources, COVID-19 vaccine

Pre-Register for COVID-19 Vaccine All West Virginia residents over the age of 16 are encouraged to register with the West Virginia Vaccine Registration System (click here). This is the “everbridge system” and replaces all of the county-specific registration systems. Even if you put your name on a county waitlist, you should register in the state Read the Full Story >>

Big Manufacturers Want a Big Property Tax Break

February 5, 2020 Tagged With: economic development, West Virginia Manufacturers Association

a refinery with towers and smokestacks belching smoke surrounded by a dreary, overcast, flat landscape.

Once again, the West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA) is coming to the Legislature with a proposal to give large manufacturers and mining companies a property tax break. Read the Full Story >>

A Panhandle Adventure and So Much More

January 8, 2020 Tagged With: Bavarian Inn, Harpers Ferry, Hike Adventures, hiking

Hike Adventures

While some people enjoy exploring new places on their own, they can sometimes miss the special things that locals know about. On the other hand, many people just dislike the hassle of making schedules and itineraries, preferring to let someone else do the work. And some locals are so busy with their daily routines that they miss things that are right in their own back yards. To that end, Hike Adventures is a new business headquartered in Harpers Ferry (WV) offering locals and visitors alike something beyond a hike. Read the Full Story >>

Clean Drinking Water Bill to be Introduced

January 3, 2020 Tagged With: department of environmental protection, drinking water, Tracy Danzey, water pollution

A narrow, winding river courses off into the distance through the connected valleys of surrounding forested mountains.

On December 16, several members of the House of Delegates, I included, held a press conference in Charleston at which we announced that we would be sponsoring a bill that would significantly improve drinking water protection. Read the Full Story >>

Food Delivery Lands in the Panhandle with DubvEatz

January 2, 2020 Tagged With: food delivery

logo for DubVEatz.

Have you ever had one of those days where everything went wrong at work, you got stuck in traffic, you’re exhausted, and when you step into your home, your family is staring back at you wondering what’s for dinner? Well, you’re in luck, because all you need to do now is visit the DubvEatz website or app and order any type of cuisine you prefer, and get it delivered right to your doorstep. Read the Full Story >>

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