When what we might think of as history is still present in the minds of the living, the need for an emphatic rejection of groups that seek to instigate race-based fear and political violence seems to be self-evident — so that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” are secured as rights of our common future, not just hollow words left behind, buried by the burden of a hidden past. Read the Full Story >>
Steve Pearson
Barbara Kingsolver Talks About Being A Writer
Barbara Kingsolver will speak at the 2022 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence award ceremony at Shepherd University. Read the Full Story >>
Appalachian Heritage Writer-In-Residence Program Hosts Week-Long Program with Author Barbara Kingsolver
The 2022 Appalachian Heritage Writer-In-Residence events on Shepherd University campus (Sept. 23-30), featuring author Barbara Kingsolver, are open to the public. Read the Full Story >>
Appalachian Heritage Festival at Shepherd University
“Celebrating Women’s Voices in Appalachia” is the theme of the 2022 Appalachian Heritage Festival (Sep 25) on the Shepherd University campus. Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson County Fair Marks End of Summer
The Jefferson County Fair is a week-long celebration of local agriculture, with arts & crafts and competitions in all sorts of categories for all ages. The main focus is on youth and encouraging the traditions of animal husbandry and farming that run deep in the local community. Read the Full Story >>
Building Character, Mending Fences
The white picket fence will look good for Middleway Days on October 8 2022, thanks to the volunteer efforts of the cadets of the Jefferson HS Air Force Junior ROTC program. Read the Full Story >>
Face to Face for Democracy
The norm we’ve come to expect, enshrined in laws, is for meetings of local government commissions, councils and committees to be open to the public with opportunities for comment. It can be tiring for the folks sitting at the official table to listen, and sometimes it gets a little heated, but as has been said about other activities, if it’s too quiet, you’re not doing it right. Read the Full Story >>
Year-Round Excitement at Summit Point Motorsports Park
We’re in the recreation and entertainment business, but it’s important not to lose sight of seeing what we do through the eyes of the participants and visitors — the drivers and fans. Our goal is to be a top-notch, world-class facility with regional appeal.” Read the Full Story >>
A Timeline Of Zoning For Solar
Jefferson County began to amend its zoning ordinance to allow for utility-scale solar in 2020. The process has had several setbacks, but a vote by the County Commission on April 5, 2022 has restarted the amendment process. Read the Full Story >>
Connecting the Trails
Today, it’s possible to cycle directly from Pittsburgh to Harpers Ferry or Shepherdstown on a direct path — and these communities see the economic impact of this increasingly popular recreation vacation activity. Imagine if the rest of Jefferson County could be connected to this network. Not unlike high speed internet, if we can connect to it, good things will come. Read the Full Story >>
Building The Shepherdstown Opera House
Construction of the Shepherdstown Opera House began in December 1909 and the theater opened its doors for its first show in June of 1910. Read the Full Story >>
Blowing Warmer & Cooler
spring, we’re never quite sure if we’re getting warmer or cooler with some of these conversations. Read the Full Story >>
Ambulance Proposal Raises Alarms — Inside the Fitch EMS Report
Consultants' study recommends reductions in ambulance service, accuracy of data questioned. County Commission eager to proceed, citizens raise multiple concerns. Read the Full Story >>
Ambulance Response Times Explained
The report from Fitch & Associates recommends the adoption of standards from CFAI (Commission on Fire Accreditation International). Following the “rural” standards, the report indicates that the "goal time" for EMS unit response (turnout + travel) would be 15 minutes (the "benchmark"). The same standard also indicates an acceptable time of 19 minutes, 42 seconds. Read the Full Story >>
Local Conversations About The Future
Like a family we may squabble, but we also need to work together and tackle these problems, listening to the advice of experts, but also listening to the expertise of experience right here at home. Read the Full Story >>