On Wednesday, April 24 at 7:00 pm The Observer hosted a panel discussion on the growth that is expected to affect Shepherdstown-area residents in the next decade. Following the presentations, the panel took questions from the audience participants.  Read the Full Story >>
Feature
New Mural Coming To Downtown Shepherdstown
Shepherd Unversity art students are working on a mural that will be hung on the side of Betty's Restaurant in downtown Shepherdstown. Read the Full Story >>
Critical Time For Public Input On County’s Future Land Use Map
The Jefferson County Planning Commission intends to finalize the draft future land use map by August 2024. Read the Full Story >>
Craft Brewing Around Jefferson County
The tradition of local beer brewing in Jefferson County continues, with modern flavors and welcoming taprooms. Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson County Commissioners Fail To Hire Key Staff To Prepare Budget
The Jefferson County Commission has left the Finance Director position vacant for almost a year. Read the Full Story >>
Jefferson County Commission Passes Budget For Fiscal Year 2025
The Jefferson County Commission voted on March 21 to approve a $34.4 million operating budget for fiscal 2025. Read the Full Story >>
Ranson City Council Plans To Adopt New Comprehensive Plan
The Ranson City Council is scheduled to have a final reading and vote on the ordinance to adopt the 2035 comprehensive plan at it’s regular meeting on April 9 2024. Read the Full Story >>
Charles Town City Manager Welcomes Public To Chat
The next Charles Town “meet the city manager” sessions will be on Wednesday, April 10 in the Charles Town City Hall (101 East Washington St, Charles Town). Read the Full Story >>
Local Artist Inspired By Historic Mill
Local artist Shannon Thomas will be hosting an open house and exhibit of her work, titled “A View to a Mill,” on Saturday and Sunday, April 13-14, from 10 am to 5 pm. Read the Full Story >>
Bridge Gallery Celebrates Local Artist Wayne Skinner
The Bridge Gallery presents an exhibit of Wayne Skinner's paintings from April 3 to May 1 2024. Read the Full Story >>
County Planning Survey Seeks Public Comment On Zoning & Future Land Use
February 6 is the deadline to add comments to the Jefferson County Planning Commission survey on zoning and future land use.  Read the Full Story >>
Blake Solar Project Receives Multiple Environmental Violation Notices
The Blake industrial solar facility near Charles Town has received numerous violation notices involving stormwater runoff. Read the Full Story >>
Housing Construction Continues To Rise In Jefferson County
County-wide, including Charles Town and Ranson, there were 776 permits issued to begin new home construction in 2023.  Read the Full Story >>
Harvest Hills Project Requests Rezoning, Plan Shows 1,000 New Houses
Arcadia Land, the developer of the Harvest Hills subdivision, is asking to rezone the land from Rural (which limits density) to Residential Growth (which would allow high density).  Read the Full Story >>
American Conservation Film Festival To Screen 27 Films In March
The 22nd edition of the American Conservation Film Festival will run from March 7 through March 10 in Shepherdstown. The 2024 festival will screen 27 films at the Frank Center on the Shepherd University campus. Read the Full Story >>