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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

COVID-19

Unlocking Options for Renters & Landlords in the Pandemic

March 5, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, eviction moratorium, mortgage relief

scales of justice

Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit last spring, landlords and tenants have struggled to address challenges created by economic losses. Governmental responses include restrictions on evictions to curtail homelessness. Read the Full Story >>

Feb 5 — Shepherd University Music Virtual Concert

February 1, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, Shepherd University, Shepherd University Music Salon Series, virtual

The Shepherd University Music Salon Series presents a free virtual concert showcasing School of Music faculty. Read the Full Story >>

Transportation Hub for the Eastern Panhandle

February 1, 2021 Tagged With: commuting, COVID-19, economic development, MARC train

Martinsburg’s Caperton Station

The question to ask is, “do you want to take advantage of economic development opportunities?” said Shane Farthing, Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Martinsburg. He suggested that if the city did not have a train station and “we did a study on how to improve the economy, we’d ask how great it would be to have a train station. Sometimes it’s hard to recognize the good things you already have.  Read the Full Story >>

Tracking the Train in West Virginia’s 2021 Budget Debates

February 1, 2021 Tagged With: commuting, COVID-19, MARC train, Maryland Transit Administration, West Virginia Legislature

The pandemic has strained the MTA’s workforce and put a dent in ridership and revenue. Discussions about West Virginia’s rail funding for the next fiscal year (from July 2021) will begin when the state Legislature receives the Governor’s budget proposal in early February. Read the Full Story >>

Perspectives On America In 2020

February 1, 2021 Tagged With: Black Lives Matter, Charly Palmer, COVID-19, Eileen Berger, Just Lookin' Gallery, Michael Escoffery, Michael Gibson, Robin Holder

Charly Palmer, Eileen Berger, and Michael Gibson.

The Observer asked Eileen Berger, owner of Just Lookin’ Gallery, to recommend some artists who have been addressing the issues that have riveted our collective attention over the past year.  Read the Full Story >>

CATF Shares Highlights of New Theater Online

January 16, 2021 Tagged With: Contemporary American Theater Festival, COVID-19, theater, virtual

The discussion and development of new theater goes on, even if the stages are dark. With the continued presence of COVID-19, the theater community continues to create and explore new avenues for sharing and collaborating online — offering the public glimpses into the process that would normally not be so visible. The Contemporary American Theater Read the Full Story >>

The Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority Rides Out The Pandemic

January 4, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority, public transportation

Elaine Bartoldson, Director of the Eastern Panhandle Transit Authority (EPTA), describes EPTA’s mission as “providing service for the workforce, individuals who have no other way to get around.” She summarized her perspective on the value of EPTA, saying, “without public transportation, things will stop for the people who use it." Read the Full Story >>

Talking Across Time & Space

January 4, 2021 Tagged With: Adam Booth, Appalachian traditions, COVID-19, Shepherd University, storytelling, virtual

Adam Booth

Adam Booth credits a course he took with Rachael Meads in the Appalachian Studies department at Shepherd University for starting him on the path to becoming a professional storyteller, a passion he has pursued as a career for the past fifteen years.  Read the Full Story >>

The Pandemic is Here & Now

December 22, 2020 Tagged With: COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Terrence Reidy, Jefferson County Health Department

Dr. Terrence Reidy shares thoughts and observations about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as his advice for reducing risk while the vaccine rollout begins. Read the Full Story >>

Stocking the Shelves

December 1, 2020 Tagged With: COVID-19, food pantry, Jefferson County Community Ministries, Shepherdstown Shares

empty shelves at the JCCM food pantry.

When The Observer spoke with Greg Petersen of the Jefferson County Community Ministries (JCCM) for our July 2020 issue, the Food Pantry operated by JCCM in downtown Charles Town was in the early days of navigating the pandemic and the staff was anticipating a sharp increase in demand. We recently touched base with John Cloyd, Greg’s colleague at JCCM to see what they experienced over the summer and what they expect this winter. Read the Full Story >>

Running the COVID Marathon

December 1, 2020 Tagged With: active adults, COVID-19, diabetes, healthcare, heart disease, immune system, obesity

Dr. Mark Cucuzzella and James Munnis stand atop a rocky outcrop during a hike.

Health experts around the globe have been warning of the risk of a pandemic like COVID-19 for years — and they tell us that we can expect similar viruses to break out in the future. Dr. Mark Cucuzzella suggests that our current approach has focused on hiding from this virus and he makes the case that it’s just as important to strengthen our resistance to COVID-19 and future viruses — in other words, healthier lifestyles for healthier immune systems. Read the Full Story >>

Music Performance Transposed for COVID-19

October 29, 2020 Tagged With: COVID-19, music, performance, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown School of Music, virtual

The Music School at Shepherd University makes a point to be a highly personalized experience for its students. In contrast to many programs at larger institutions, Shepherd is focused on undergraduates and emphasizes the opportunities for its students to study directly with faculty. Unfortunately, the very adjectives that one would use to describe music programs in general and Shepherd’s program specifically — intimate, group, performance, together — also describe the activities the health department advises against during the pandemic health crisis. Read the Full Story >>

Navigating A Difficult Road

October 27, 2020 Tagged With: Bondy Shay Gibson, COVID-19, Jefferson County Schools, online learning, virtual

looking down the school bus line at Shepherdstown Middle School

The Observer asked Stephen Willingham to explore how the local public school system is managing through the current public health crisis. The author interviewed the Superintendent and also spoke with teachers about their experiences in the classroom and online. Read the Full Story >>

Still Cooking Family Recipes

October 1, 2020 Tagged With: Bushel & Peck, Charles Washington Hall, COVID-19, Mave Ortega Greene, Natalie Greene, Ortega's Taco Shop, tacos

Sign for Ortega's Taco Shop

Today Ortega's Taco Shop is still busy, but with a different atmosphere. The same approach to the food, but a lot of rethinking about the operations. Read the Full Story >>

How To Vote in Jefferson County

October 1, 2020 Tagged With: absentee ballot, COVID-19, elections, voting

The Jefferson County Courthouse

The West Virginia Secretary of State maintains the GoVoteWV.com website portal to assist with voting questions, registration, and absentee ballot requests. Here are some quick tips and links to help navigate key dates and actions so you can make sure your vote gets counted. Read the Full Story >>

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