Observer WV

The WV Independent Observer covers the stories of Jefferson County and West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.

The Observer looks beyond the headlines to inform the public discusssion on important topics relevant to the community, including the local economy, environment, education, politics, and public health. We also spotlight local artisans, artists, musicians, businesses & community organizations.

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day!

Every week, The Observer digs into the details that matter in Jefferson County. Our content is free for everyone to read, but producing well-researched local news isn’t free.

06/20/2025

👀 Have you seen the Observer Weekly?

📰 The Observer Weekly is your free Thursday inbox fix for what’s happening around Jefferson County — local government, events, and more.

👉 Read the latest & sign up here:
https://observerwv.news/posts/county-commission-charles-town-council-prioritize-different-issues

06/15/2025

The community marked the 250th anniversary of the Bee Line March to honor the 98 volunteers who answered the call to defend liberty and fight tyranny as America's first organized army units to fight in the Revolutionary War.

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — The community marked the 250th anniversary of the “Bee Line March” on Saturday, June 14 2025.

05/02/2025

Subscribers to the Observer Weekly (our free weekly email newsletter) saw this article yesterday, along with our Weekend Events Snapshot for Jefferson County.

If you haven't already, 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗪𝗩.𝗰𝗼𝗺 (look for "Newsletter Signup").

JEFFERSON COUNTY, WV — West Virginia lost between 300 and 400 community service jobs this week due to funding cuts to AmeriCorps programs.

04/13/2025

The West Virginia House of Delegates made a final amendment to the Data Center Microgrid bill (HB 2014) late in the afternoon on April 12 before passing the bill and returning it to the Senate. The amendment changed the property tax distribution again (see chart).

The Senate accepted the House amendment, and HB 2014 is now listed as "completed legislation awaiting Governor's signature."

Read more:https://observerwv.com/data-center-microgrid-bill-passes-wv-house-senate-to-governor-for-signature/

04/12/2025

The West Virginia Senate passed HB 2014, the Microgrid & Data Center bill, earlier today (April 11) after amending how the local taxes will be distributed.

The Senate version of the bill keeps the exemption from local zoning and subdivision regulations for all structures located in certified microgrid districts.

Full story: https://observerwv.com/senate-passes-data-center-bill-after-changing-tax-distribution-formula/

04/09/2025

The Data Center bill (HB 2014) will have a 1st reading this morning in the WV Senate.

Yesterday, a Senate committee adjusted the property tax split to allow counties to keep a percentage of the new revenues, but most of the money will still go to the state. The committee kept the provisions to strip county zoning control in the version of the bill it sent to the full Senate.

https://observerwv.com/wv-senate-committee-amends-data-center-to-adjust-property-tax-allocation/

04/08/2025

News: Kearneysville data center plan approved.

Plus: Data center bill in WV Senate today.

https://observerwv.news/posts/data-centers-coming-to-west-virginia

04/06/2025

https://observerwv.com/hundreds-rally-in-charles-town-during-national-hands-off-event/

CHARLES TOWN, WV — Hundreds of area residents joined the "Hands Off" protest rally in front of the Jefferson County courthouse on April 5 2025.

04/03/2025

ICYMI: This week's Jefferson Weekly Newsletter - quick-read news for Jefferson County. Subscribe at ObserverWV.news

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. joined West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey last Friday in Martinsburg to promote Morrisey’s “four-pillar” plan to improve West Virginians’ health. To improve the Mountain State’s last-in-the-nation rankings for obesity, diabete...

03/26/2025

Bigger budgets, Bigger buildings - The latest article from the Jefferson Weekly email newsletter.

Sign up to receive our weekly email at ObserverWV.news - it's FREE

One county budget. Five municipal budgets. They all add up, but in different ways, according to a revenue analysis prepared by The Independent Observer (publisher of the Jefferson Weekly).

03/21/2025

The Jefferson County Commission "did a thing last night" -- sign up for the Jefferson Weekly newsletter at ObserverWV.com to keep up with important news and events in Jefferson County.
https://observerwv.com/county-commission-to-buy-second-apus-building-for-new-courthouse/

The Jefferson County Commission plans to purchase the building at 330 North George Street in Charles Town to house the county court system.

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PO Box 3044
Shepherdstown, WV
25443

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The Observer is committed to bringing Jefferson and Berkeley County, WV, the Eastern Panhandle, and beyond, the engaging, impactful columns and stories they want, as well as the community information they need. We also pride ourselves on offering our advertisers a top-shelf promotional opportunity through both print and online platforms. We're changing the game in community news. We hope you can join us as we build a new way forward!