Water extraction is not defined as a use in the Jefferson County Zoning Ordinance. Read the Full Story >>
Steve Pearson
WVDOH Planning Roundabout For Middleway Intersection
The West Virginia Division of Highways is planning to construct a roundabout at the Leetown Road - Middleway Pike intersection. Read the Full Story >>
Preservation Alliance Of WV Designates Middleway Historic District As Endangered
The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia (PAWV) has added the Middleway Historic District to its West Virginia Endangered Properties List. Read the Full Story >>
County Commission Discusses 2025 Plans
The Jefferson County Commission has approved several priorities on which it will focus during 2025. Read the Full Story >>
County Begins Work On 2025-2026 Budget
The Jefferson County Commission will spend the next several months to prepare the FY2026 county budget. Read the Full Story >>
Making Changes In 2025
The Observer marks 5 years under the current ownership and looks forward to changes in 2025. Read the Full Story >>
Public Hearing For Middleway Water Bottling Project Postponed To February
The special meeting of the Jefferson County Planning Commission that was scheduled for Tuesday, December 17 has been cancelled. Read the Full Story >>
Middleway Values History & Community
Middleway traces its history to a land grant of 420 acres from the Governor of Virginia to John Smith in 1734 Read the Full Story >>
Residents Are Asking Questions
Many Jefferson County residents are frustrated with the decisions of our local governments and how our elected officials conduct business. Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson County 2024 Election Results
There were 46,016 registered voters eligible to vote in Jefferson County according to the report provided by Nikki Painter, the Chief Deputy Clerk of Jefferson County, following the official election canvass completed on November 12 and 13. Painter’s report shows that 29,447 ballots were cast in Jefferson County during the recent election (including election day, Read the Full Story >>
County Commission Looks At Changes To Impact Fees
Jefferson County has been collecting impact fees on new construction projects since 2004. The initial fee schedule was based on a 2003 report prepared by TischlerBise, a Maryland-based consulting firm that specializes in fiscal and economic planning for local governments. The county had TischlerBise update its recommendations again in a 2015 report. At that time, Read the Full Story >>
Public Hearing for Draft Comprehensive Plan Will Be December 4
The Jefferson County Planning Commission formally delivered the draft of the “2045 Comprehensive Plan” to the County Commission on October 17. This started a 90 day window for the County Commission to schedule a vote to adopt, amend, or reject the comprehensive plan and the accompanying future land use guide. The County Commission’s first order Read the Full Story >>
Home Building Construction Continues On Fast Pace In Jefferson County
County-wide, including Charles Town and Ranson, there were 612 permits issued to begin new home construction in the first half of 2024. Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson County Commission Rejects Solar Project Tax Abatement Request
The Jefferson County Commission voted to reject a tax abatement agreement request for the Wild Hill solar project. Read the Full Story >>
Debut Performance Of “The Niagara Movement Suite” In Harpers Ferry
The Appalachian Chember Music Festival will perform “The Niagara Movement Suite,” a new work by composer Rufus Reid, during a free concert on Sunday August 11 at the Mather Campus in Harpers Ferry. Read the Full Story >>