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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

Harpers Ferry & Bolivar

Temporary Quarters: Park Association Pop-Up Book Store

September 1, 2020 Tagged With: COVID-19, Harpers Ferry, Harpers Ferry Park Association

Harpers Ferry Park Bookshop.

The Harpers Ferry Park Association bookstore in lower town has been closed since March due to COVID-19, but starting in September, the organization will have a pop-up bookstore outside on the green across the street from the bookstor.  Read the Full Story >>

The Vintage Lady Doesn’t Sit Still

August 1, 2020 Tagged With: Cindy Dunn, COVID-19, Harpers Ferry, made in West Virginia, Vintage Lady

Sign for The Vintage Lady shop in Harpers Ferry

Cindy Dunn has owned The Vintage Lady shop since 2004, and she’s seen a lot of people walk through the door in the past sixteen years. That changed when the pandemic shut down her shop in March. 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 >>

Hamilton’s Tavern 1840: Creating A New Space in the Community

July 1, 2020 Tagged With: COVID-19, Hamiltons Tavern 1840

Owners of Hamiltons Tavern restaurant and bolivar bread bakery standing together smiling.

Chef Jeremiah Brooks and his partner in business & life, Anthony Brooks, were looking forward to the spring of 2020 when crowds would begin returning to the small restaurant they had opened in historic Harpers Ferry the previous July. With a small dining room and patio, and an even smaller kitchen, Hamilton’s Tavern 1840 was an intimate space guaranteed to draw in travelers and locals alike Read the Full Story >>

A Local Artist Finds Inspiration During The Pandemic

July 1, 2020 Tagged With: Dinner and Nature, Gil Garcia

Gil Garcia standing next to a fence in front of a field.

Although Gil Narro Garcia may be best known for his nature-inspired dinner plates, his fascination with the natural world is reflected in all of his work.  Read the Full Story >>

Why Would a Woman Hike the Entire Appalachian Trail at 50? Why Not?

April 6, 2020 Tagged With: Appalachian Trail, hiking

Annie Wisecarver sits atop the sign marking the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail with a clear blue sky behind her.

In the spring of 2012, Shepherdstown resident Annie Wisecarver decided to celebrate a milestone event—her 50th birthday—by setting off on a six-month, 2,000-mile-plus hike. You might have heard of the place: the Appalachian Trail. 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 >>

Whither Hilltop House?

March 9, 2020 Tagged With: development, Hilltop House, historic preservation, tourism, zoning

Hilltop House

A bill has passed the Legislature taking away the authority of the Harpers Ferry Town Council regarding anything relating to the Hilltop House hotel. Read the Full Story >>

The Vintage Lady Still a Marvel After Fifteen Years 

March 9, 2020 Tagged With: Harpers Ferry, made in West Virginia, Vintage Lady

The Vintage Lady

The Vintage Lady sits perfectly about halfway up “the hill” in Lower Town, Harpers Ferry (169 High St.) Boasting a variety of unique items—a little something for everyone—from West Virginia hand-blown glass, pottery, carved coal, food, wine, and beer, owner Cindi Dunn also sells her own handmade jewelry. 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 >>

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