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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

Jefferson County Commission

Two Commissioners Refuse To Meet

September, 2023 Tagged With: In Print Oct 2023, Jane Tabb, Jefferson County Commission, Jennifer Krouse, Steve Stolipher, Tricia Jackson

Jefferson county Commission - 3 commissioners

The Jefferson County Commission failed to convene to conduct business at its regularly scheduled meeting on September 21. Read the Full Story >>

Stall Tactics On Jefferson County Commission

September, 2023 Tagged With: In Print Oct 2023, Jefferson County Commission, Jennifer Krouse, Steve Stolipher, Tricia Jackson

blue wheelbarrow with manure and pink rake

Jefferson County Commissioners Jackson and Krouse block routine county operations over political conflict.  Read the Full Story >>

Hill Top House Hotel In Harpers Ferry Seeks Special Tax District

July, 2023 Tagged With: Harpers Ferry, Hill Top House Hotel, In Print Aug 2023, Jefferson County Commission, Tax District

Road closed at Hill Top Hotel site

The Hill Top House Hotel project is seeking a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District for its 9 acre property in Harpers Ferry. Read the Full Story >>

Commission Deadlocks

July, 2023 Tagged With: Clare Anne Ath, In Print July 2023, Jefferson County Commission, Jefferson County GOP

Clare Ath announced at the end of May that she would resign, six months after she was first elected to the County Commission. Read the Full Story >>

Moving Around Jefferson County

July, 2023 Tagged With: Clare Anne Ath, economic development, editor's note, In Print July 2023, Jefferson County Board of Education, Jefferson County Commission, zoning

The Board of Education kept to its timetable of appointing a new Superintendent, who starts on July 1. He inherits some big holes from his departing predecessor — literally in terms of the two elementary school construction projects, one of which has yet to even go to bid despite the hoopla of a ground-breaking ceremony over a year ago. The twin challenges of retaining & recruiting staff and addressing the fall-off in student achievement are arguably even more complex. All of these issues will no doubt be topics for the School Board election next May. Read the Full Story >>

Ambulance Plan Concerns

May, 2023 Tagged With: Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Services Agency, In Print May 2023, Jefferson County Commission

On March 1 of this year, the Jefferson County Commission officially reorganized the county’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations as a department reporting to the County Administrator. Previously, the EMS operations were managed by the Emergency Services Agency (ESA), an independent organization created to coordinate both fire and emergency medical services throughout the county.  Read the Full Story >>

County Seeks Public Input on Transportation Concerns

May, 2023 Tagged With: budget, In Print May 2023, Jefferson County Commission, Transportation

bike trail entrance off Route 9

The Jefferson County Commission will host a Transportation Summit on May 23 to discuss priorities for transportation funding in the County. Read the Full Story >>

Creating Connections in Our Community

April, 2023 Tagged With: Contemporary American Theater Festival, editor's note, In Print May 2023, Jefferson County Commission, Needful Things Emporium, Shepherdstown Ministerial Association

The word angel was used more than once. Even if you had never met Sara Lueck, you could feel her kindness and positivity in the tributes offered during a recent vigil. She made a career as a librarian at Jefferson County Schools and a vocation of serving the community. And those connections live on. Read the Full Story >>

County Commission Sets $32 Million Budget

April, 2023 Tagged With: budget, In Print Apr 2023, Jefferson County Commission

The Jefferson County Commission unanimously approved a budget to submit to the State, following a short public hearing at 9:30 in the morning on Monday, March 27. The lone citizen commenter who attended the hearing questioned the short notice and lack of detail in the draft budget document that was released at 4 pm on the previous Friday. This budget covers the fiscal year (FY24) that starts on July 1, 2023 and runs through June 30, 2024. Read the Full Story >>

Jefferson County Ambulance Services Now Operating As County Department

March, 2023 Tagged With: ambulance, Emergency Services Agency, EMS, In Print Mar 2023, JCESA, Jefferson County Commission

jefferson county ambulance

As of 8 am on March 1, the Jefferson County Commission officially took on responsibility for ambulance services in the county. Read the Full Story >>

Jefferson County Seeks Public Comment For Comprehensive Plan Update

January, 2023 Tagged With: In Print Feb 2023, Jefferson County Commission, Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan, Jefferson County Planning Commission, land use, population growth

snippet of future land use map

Jefferson County is updating its comprehensive plan that guides land use for future growth and development. Read the Full Story >>

County Commission Begins 2023 With Many Disagreements

January, 2023 Tagged With: ambulance, EMS, In Print Feb 2023, Jefferson County Board of Education, Jefferson County Commission, Jefferson County Schools

Jefferson County Commissioners for 2023

Jefferson County Commission starts 2023 with several disagreements and big change ahead.  Read the Full Story >>

Jefferson County Selects Comcast For GigReady Program

January, 2023 Tagged With: high speed internet, In Print Feb 2023, Jefferson County Commission, Jefferson County Development Authority

internet cable on trailer

The Jefferson County Commission selected Comcast to expand high speed internet throughout Jefferson County. Read the Full Story >>

Changes & Choices In 2023

January, 2023 Tagged With: editor's note, housing trends, In Print Feb 2023, Jefferson County Commission

looking east from Aspen Green (Jan 2023) - construction

Many changes and choices ahead for Jefferson County in 2023.  Read the Full Story >>

John Nissel Resigns As Jefferson County Administrator

January, 2023 Tagged With: ambulance, EMS, In Print Feb 2023, JCESA, Jefferson County Commission

County Administrator John Nissel (left) and Commissioner Tricia Jackson (center) and Commissioner Clare Ath (right)

Jefferson County Administrator John Nissel announced his resignation effective January 27, 2023. Read the Full Story >>

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