House Bill 2006, passed by the legislature in February of this year, is intended to improve DHHR services. The 2023 bill ultimately reorganized DHHR into three parts — the Department of Health, the Department of Human Resources, and the Department of Health Facilities. Read the Full Story >>
Government
Some Bills That Failed in the Legislature This Year – Part 2
There have been many reviews of bills that passed and became law in West Virginia this year. However, there were far more bills that were introduced but not passed by the legislature. This month’s column points out some bills that did not pass but were sponsored by Delegate Hardy and Senators Barrett and Rucker 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 >>
Jefferson Orchards Requests Industrial Zoning Near Rockwool
A zoning change request in Ranson has prompted significant questions and concerns. Read the Full Story >>
Ambulance Plan Concerns
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 >>
Some Bills That Failed in the Legislature This Year – Part I
There have been many reviews of bills that passed and became law in West Virginia this year. However, there were far more bills that were introduced but not passed by the legislature. This month’s column points out some bills that did not pass but were sponsored by Delegates Clark, Espinosa, and Ridenour. Read the Full Story >>
Fourth Solar Project Comes to Jefferson County
The concept plan for the Flowing Springs Farm project proposes a solar panel installation on 660 acres adjacent to the Aspen Greens and Beallair subdivisions northeast of Charles Town. Read the Full Story >>
County Seeks Public Input on Transportation Concerns
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 >>
County Commission Sets $32 Million Budget
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 >>
Bills Passed in the 2023 WV Legislative Session
March 11 was the end of the sixty day legislative session for 2023. Legislators went home having passed 333 bills (293 bills passed in 2022). The Governor has signed nearly one-third of these bills and is expected to sign the remainder soon (he signed all but 13 bills passed in 2022). Absent a special session called by the Governor, our legislators will next meet in January 2024 to vote on new legislation. Read the Full Story >>
Tracking Hazardous Materials In Jefferson County
The Jefferson County office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) oversees the county’s system of preparation, response, recover,y and mitigation. Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson County Ambulance Services Now Operating As County Department
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 >>
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 >>
Public Hearing On Local Water System — Feb 6
The West Virginia Public Services Commission (PSC) will be holding a public hearing on Monday, February 6 at 6:30 pm to take comment on the proposed acquision of Jefferson Utilities by American Water. Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson County Seeks Public Comment For Comprehensive Plan Update
Jefferson County is updating its comprehensive plan that guides land use for future growth and development. Read the Full Story >>