John Steffen, assistant professor of biology at Shepherd University, researches how painted turtles change color in response to the foods they eat, whether turtles actively seek out food with color-inducing pigments, and whether turtle stripes and spots can function to indicate aspects of their health. Read the Full Story >>
Library Repairs Begin In Shepherdstown
Repairs on the library have begun in Shepherdstown — the services of Gruber-Lattimer of Sharpsburg, Maryland have been selected to restore the historic brick structure of the Old Market House. The home of the Shepherdstown Library was damaged by a vehicle on July 4. Read the Full Story >>
Locals Loving Cocina Plantosaurus in Charles Town
Cocina Plantosaurus, at 216 West Washington Street in Charles Town, has gotten rave reviews from customers since it opened in July. The tastes are from Puerto Rico, the ingredients are from plants, and the smiles are everywhere. Read the Full Story >>
New Location for Bolivar Bread
cation). Owner Katie Kopsick is planning for a takeout counter for bread and other delicious items. Read the Full Story >>
Green Bank: The Town That Stood Still
For decades, Green Bank and its surroundings have attracted people seeking a quieter life, including Stephen Kurczy, a rara avis reporter who hadn’t “owned a cellphone in nearly a decade” when he decided to make it the theme of his book, The Quiet Zone: Unraveling the Mystery of a Town Suspended in Silence. Read the Full Story >>
A Letter From The Editor — October 2021
The fall equinox really did signal a change of season this year, sending us to the closet looking for sweaters for an evening walk with the dogs. Orb-weaver spiders (above) seem to be in unusual abundance this year too — perhaps they want to get back to normalcy and just hang out like everyone else. Read the Full Story >>
Events & Activities: OCT 25 — OCT 31
The Observer's weekly guides highlight music, comedy, theater, and other fun events happening around Jefferson County WV in October. Read the Full Story >>
Opioid Use Disorders and Family Crisis
Children whose parents or caregivers suffer from opioid use disorders are at risk for immediate trauma and negative health outcomes as well as lifelong consequences related to parental or personal opioid use. According to a 2019 report jointly produced by United Hospital Fund and the Boston Consulting Group, the rate of children affected by the opioid crisis in West Virginia was 5.4 percent in 2017— the highest rate in the country. Read the Full Story >>
The Prairie Grass Season
Years ago the highway department scraped and graded a steep bank along the road past our property. In order to prevent erosion and to enhance the area as wildlife habitat, we seeded the bare clay soil with a mixture of native perennial plants and warm season grasses. Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) are both useful and dramatically beautiful native grasses. Read the Full Story >>
Events & Activities: OCT 18 — OCT 24
The Observer's weekly guides highlight music, comedy, theater, and other fun events happening around Jefferson County WV in October. Read the Full Story >>
Events & Activities: OCT 11 — OCT 17
The Observer's weekly guides highlight music, comedy, theater, and other fun events happening around Jefferson County WV in October. Read the Full Story >>
Events & Activities: OCT 4 — OCT 10
The Observer's weekly guides highlight music, comedy, theater, and other fun events happening around Jefferson County WV in October. Read the Full Story >>
Mason Ellsworth – Art Show & Sale
Artist Mason Ellsworth with family members. Read the Full Story >>
Loudoun Arts Film Festival Returns For 2021
The Loudoun Arts Film Festival (LAFF) returns for a second year with an entertaining and thought-provoking mix of indie films. Read the Full Story >>
Events & Activities: SEP 20 — SEP 26
The Observer's weekly guides highlight music, comedy, theater, and other fun events happening around Jefferson County WV in September. Read the Full Story >>
