In the dog days of the pandemic I often wandered over to my neighbor’s yard. As we had for the past two decades, we’d explore new gems growing in her gardens while pondering the problems of the world. She’s a retired social worker, long-time resident, and youth volunteer in the community, and I’ve always valued her wisdom and enjoyed our talks. Read the Full Story >>
Community
Tending to the Herb Garden
Hillary Banachowski, founder and owner of Sacred Roots in Shepherdstown, welcomes me to the land with bare feet and open arms. “This spring has been so weird!” she muses as sparse rain falls from a sunny sky. Banachowski has been an herb grower, educator, and steward on these beautiful 30-plus acres for seven years. Read the Full Story >>
The Burdens of Defunct HOAs
Are you stuck in a neighborhood with an HOA board that has gone rogue by not following its own rules or not taking care with your HOA fees? Know someone in an area where nobody knows who is supposed to maintain the roads? You might be living in a “zombie HOA.” Here in West Virginia, we have great neighbors, but we don’t have an effective way to protect our neighborhoods from rogue and zombie HOAs. Read the Full Story >>
Moving Around Jefferson County
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 >>
National EMS Weeks Awards for Jefferson County
Since 1974, the third week of May has been designated National Emergency Medical Services Week, to recognize the important work that these professionals perform in their communities. Locally, the Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency recognized several individuals. Read the Full Story >>
Award for Shepherdstown Water Operator
Woody Coe of the Shepherdstown Water Department wins the 2023 Perkins Boynton award. Read the Full Story >>
Shepherdstown Water Operator Wins Award
Since 1974, the third week of May has been designated National Emergency Medical Services Week, to recognize the important work that these professionals perform in their communities. Locally, the Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency recognized several individuals. Read the Full Story >>
Public Input Session for Comprehensive Plan Update On June 5
What do you like about living in Jefferson County? What are your concerns about the community? These are the types of questions you’ll hear as the County’s planning team works on updating the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan. Read the Full Story >>
County Continues Restructure of Ambulance Department
Prior to July 2022, Jefferson County’s ambulance services operated with a mix of volunteer EMTs, ambulances owned by the 7 volunteer fire companies, and full-time medics and EMTs employed by the county’s Emergency Services Agency (ESA). The ESA was structured as a public corporation, with oversight by a 7-member board appointed by the County Commission. Read the Full Story >>
Summer Construction at Shepherd University
When students return to Shepherd University in the fall, they will notice some changes to the east campus. Over the next few months, two former dormitories on the East Loop — Kenamond Hall and Turner Hall — will disappear. Read the Full Story >>
Local Residents Aim To Preserve Historic Home In Harpers Ferry
Local residents have launched a fundraising campaign to save a historic structure in Harpers Ferry. The group seeks to raise $5,000 by June 30. Read the Full Story >>
Finding Balance in Conflict
During the 1890s, America faced an environmental crisis similar in many ways to our situation today. Our country had nearly ended its westward expansion. Read the Full Story >>
Local Herbalist Focuses on Training & Self-Direction
Herbalism is a traditional folk medical practice with a timeless mythology, and Jefferson County is lucky to have one of the few comprehensive, in-person herbalism schools on the east coast within its borders. I spoke with Ashley Davis, clinical herbalist and co-owner of Tonic Therapeutic Herb Shop & Elixir Bar, to learn about the evolution of the store, which has been located on German Street in Shepherdstown for seven years. Read the Full Story >>
Byrd Center Summer Fun
The Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education will host its third Summer Fundraiser on Saturday, June 10 from 6 to 8 pm (rain or shine) on the grounds of historic Patterson’s Mill in Martinsburg. The event will support the Center’s civics education initiatives, including its intern program, and celebrate its twentieth anniversary as a non-profit organization on the campus of Shepherd University. Read the Full Story >>
County-Wide Emergency Planning
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will hold its next bi-monthly meeting on June 21. The meeting starts at 8:15 am and is open to the public– the LEPC includes many members from first responder and public health organizations, but also includes business owners, educators, community groups, and other residents. (and citizen participants are encouraged). Read the Full Story >>