Hammerhead flatworms, although recently touted as our latest alien threat, have been in the USA since 1891. Read the Full Story >>
Economy & Environment
Caterpillars With Eyes And Horns
Hog caterpillar (left) and sphinx caterpillar (right). Photo by D. Pifer. Last summer I was lucky to find two amazing-looking sphinx moth caterpillars. They were feeding together on a Virginia creeper vine growing up the bricks next to our back door. My wife had been asking me to remove the creeper vine before its tendrils Read the Full Story >>
Comprehensive Plan Survey Open For Public Comment
The general discussion at the June 5 session drilled down to identify specific concerns in these general areas. There was strong agreement among participants that natural beauty is a key asset of the county. Looking at the concern of growth and lack of infrastructure, participants suggested clustering development around existing urbanized areas of the county and a focus on improving the roads in those areas. Read the Full Story >>
Battle Between Kingbird and Hawk
Yesterday a hawk flew overhead. It was a Cooper’s hawk carrying prey in its talons, probably headed towards its nest of hungry young in our neighbor’s woods. But it also looked as if something was riding on its back. As the hawk flew over our upper pasture and headed for the woods, a smaller bird flew off the hawk’s back and returned to our field. I recognized the white banded tail tip of a kingbird. Drama over — and enemy departed — the kingbird returned to the vicinity of its nest. Read the Full Story >>
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 >>
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 >>
Jefferson Orchards Requests Industrial Zoning Near Rockwool
A zoning change request in Ranson has prompted significant questions and concerns. Read the Full Story >>
Downtown Emporium Nurtures Small Businesses
The evolution of the Needful Things Emporium is a tale of savvy merchants with a penchant for regeneration and grit. Melissa Glascock (or Missy as she’s locally known) is the current owner of this longtime family enterprise. From the warm greetings from literally every customer who passed by during our interview, it’s obvious she’s an integral part of downtown Charles Town Read the Full Story >>
Saluting A Habitat Tree
It’s good for a tree’s overall health to remove dead branches. And falling limbs can be a true hazard. But there is great value in keeping a dead tree standing in a safe spot in your yard or property. My wife and I were thrilled to discover a big Kentucky Coffee tree growing next to our driveway when we moved here. As it began to leaf out, we sadly learned it was near the end of its life. Read the Full Story >>
Tourism Growth Continues in West Virginia
There’s a lot of hard work going on in West Virginia. But there’s also a lot of fun and play too. According to the West Virginia Department of Tourism, travel-related spending totaled $4.9 billion in 2021. That works out to just under 7 percent of the state’s “gross domestic product” (GDP). Read the Full Story >>
Agriculture at Home Program Promotes Local Products
Drive around Jefferson County and you will see evidence of agricultural production. But, where can you buy locally-grown and made products? Later this month a new program launches to help make it easier to find and buy such products. Read the Full Story >>
Windy Days are Important
Looking out the kitchen window one morning last week, I thought it had started to snow. When I went out later, I saw that my “snowflakes” were really the fluffy seeds of sycamore trees. Read the Full Story >>
Rockwool Commits To Improving Stormwater Management At Its Ranson Factory
ROCKWOOL has agreed to additional studies, inspections, and drainage improvements that will further strengthen stormwater handling and control at its Ranson facility. Read the Full Story >>
West Virginia Legislators Consider Regulations For PFAS Chemicals
Proposed legislation would require the WV Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to identify sources of PFAS in water sources and address sources of PFAS for certain public water systems with action plans. Read the Full Story >>
New Housing Construction Up Again in Jefferson County
New Home Construction in Jefferson County continued at a rapid pace for the second year in a row in 2022 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2023. Read the Full Story >>