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Latest Stories

Two Commissioners Refuse To Meet

Local Woman Plays For USA Team In Amputee Soccer Tournament

Shepherdstown Day Care Center Celebrates 50 Years

Imaginary Horribles – An Artist’s Perspective

Local Residents Will Perform “The Anvil” At Courthouse In October

Friends Of Music Presents Poulenc Trio In October

Halloween Fun In Jefferson County

Events & Activities – October 2023

Comment On Air Permit Modification For Rockwool Factory In Ranson Due Oct 23

Jefferson County Planning Commission Takes Comments On Future Land Use

The Emotional Benefits Of Fishing

Stall Tactics On Jefferson County Commission

Read all stories

In Print

Observer 2023-08 cover

COVID-19

Help For Rent, Mortgage & Utility Payments

February, 2022 Tagged With: COVID-19, financial assistance, In Print Mar 2022, Jefferson County Community Ministries, Mountaineer Rental Assistance Program, rental assistance, Shepherdstown

individuals and families throughout West Virginia, but there are grant programs available to help keep people in their homes.  Read the Full Story >>

Two Years of COVID in the Eastern Panhandle

February, 2022 Tagged With: COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Terrence Reidy, In Print Mar 2022, Jefferson County Health Department

A chart showing covid cases in west virginia from March 2020 to February 2022.

wo years ago, in early March 2020, West Virginia was the only state in the country without a documented COVID-19 case. Anticipating the virus would soon arrive, Governor Jim Justice issued an order to close all West Virginia schools (pre-K to grade 12) after Friday the 13th of March. At the time there was very limited information about the virus, but the date was an omen of what was to come. Four days later the first case of COVID was diagnosed in Jefferson County. Read the Full Story >>

Helping People Get Back on Their Feet

January, 2022 Tagged With: COVID-19, In Print Jan 2022, Jefferson County Community Ministries, volunteering

A JCCM staff meeting in progress.

Jefferson County Community Ministries is more than a food pantry. The organization helps clients find their path to stability with a strategic offering of services. Read the Full Story >>

Jefferson Virtual Academy Offers Online Options

January, 2022 Tagged With: Charter School, COVID-19, In Print Jan 2022, Jefferson County Schools, virtual school

Two sisters, at home in their kitchen classroom.

al Academy is part of Jefferson County Schools’ commitment to offer education options to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of a diverse student population. Read the Full Story >>

Postponed: Chamber Music Festival Winter Residency

December, 2021 Tagged With: Appalachian Chamber Music Festival, COVID-19

n December 22, 2021, the Appalachian Chamber Music Festival announced that its 2021 Winter Residency will be postponed until 2022 due to the recent increase in Covid-19 cases. Read the Full Story >>

Shepherd University Men’s Basketball Back on the Court

November, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, Justin Namolik, Shepherd University, Shepherd University basketball

Shepherd University men's basketball team.

Shepherd University basketball is back after a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Jefferson County resident Rob Kuska is a career science writer and the author of three books on basketball. Kuska spoke with Justin Namolik, now entering his 14th season as head men’s basketball coach, to get his thoughts on Shepherd’s return to the hardwood and running a college basketball program during a pandemic. Read the Full Story >>

Main Street America Recognizes Charles Town’s Recovery Efforts

July, 2021 Tagged With: Charles Town Now, COVID-19

A mural in Charles Town that incorporates the phrase "historically hip."

When the Governor issued the stay-at-home order closing restaurants and retail shops in March 2020, the organizers of Charles Town Now (CTN) moved quickly to implement a curbside takeout and gift card program. One year later CTN noted the anniversary with the slogan “One Year, Still Here.” The group’s plucky attitude helped earn Charles Town a second place award nationally in the American Express “Order In, Help Out Innovation Challenge. Read the Full Story >>

Crafting Art in COVID — JUL 22 to AUG 1

July, 2021 Tagged With: consumerism, COVID-19, evolve gallery

The “Creating Art in COVID” exhibit at Evolve Shepherdstown this month will document the pandemic from the perspective of ten artists. Read the Full Story >>

Over The Mountain Studio Tour Takes A New Path

June, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, Over the Mountain Studio Tour, Shenandoah Planing Mill

logo for the over the mountain studio tour.

The conversation that would lead to the creation of Over The Mountain Studio Tour started at a kitchen table, recalls Anne Bowers, an original member. “We were a few artists looking for a way to represent ourselves beyond just going to shows.  Read the Full Story >>

Can They Do That? Questions About COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements.

May, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine

scales of justice

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in the United States has been met with both enthusiasm and skepticism. With many public and private entities requiring a COVID-19 vaccination, any concerns about the vaccine go beyond evaluating the personal health and risk choices into questions of law. Take a quick look into the most likely answers to the following questions about the legality of vaccine requirements. Read the Full Story >>

Shepherdstown Library Gets a New Website

April, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine, Shepherdstown Public Library

The Shepherdstown Library website has a new look and a new address. Read the Full Story >>

Unlocking Options for Renters & Landlords in the Pandemic

March, 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 >>

Volunteers Boost Efforts to Vaccinate Community

March, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Terrence Reidy, Jefferson County Community Organizations in disaster, Jefferson County Health Department

Robyn Lance, a nurse practitioner, seated behind a folding table at a covid-19 vaccination clinic.

“We could not do this without these volunteers,” says Dr. Terrence Reidy, a sentiment echoed by everyone else working with the Jefferson County Health Department to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Ranson Civic Center.  Read the Full Story >>

Feb 5 — Shepherd University Music Online Concert

February, 2021 Tagged With: COVID-19, online, Shepherd University, Shepherd University events, Shepherd University Music Salon Series

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

Transportation Hub for the Eastern Panhandle

February, 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 >>

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