Hendrix Announces Retirement, Governor Pushes Energy, Solar Project Revived
Published 4 days ago • 8 min read
Observer Weekly
September 11, 2025
Jefferson County, WV news & events
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.
Breaking: Shepherd University President Announces Retirement Plan
Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix has announced her plan to step down as President of Shepherd University at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year. She discussed her plans with the Shepherd University Board of Governors earlier today and shared a brief statement this evening:
“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve the institution and work with remarkably talented faculty and staff to provide a quality educational experience for our students—the next generation of leaders and model citizens,” said Hendrix. “Shepherd is fortunate to have a dedicated Board of Governors, a remarkable community of donors and volunteers, together with supportive state and congressional leaders, and it has been a privilege to work collaboratively with them to advance the school’s mission.”
Governor Morrisey Provides Details of 25-Year Energy Plan
Mount Storm power station in Grant County WV
More coal mining, more electricity generation, more transmission lines — Governor Patrick Morrisey wants West Virginia to be a powerhouse in energy production for the country.
The Governor mentioned his “50x50” energy generation plan during a speech at a WV Chamber of Commerce event at the Greenbriar Resort at the end of August. Yesterday evening he provided a more detailed outline of the plan in a speech at the West Virginia Energy Education Forum in Wheeling.
The plan looks ahead 25 years and sets a goal to increase West Virginia's electricity generation capacity from the current 15 gigawatts to 50 gigawatts of power by 2050. To put that in context, 1 gigawatt of electricity could power approximately 750,000 average homes, according to the United States Energy Information Administration, or 10 hyper-scale data centers, according to a recent analysis by the research organization RAND.
During his speech, the Governor emphasized the need for baseline generation, noting that PJM Interconnection (the organization that manages the power grid across the nine-state region that includes West Virginia) is forecasting a need for 110 gigawatts of additional capacity over the next two decades. Morrisey sees coal, natural gas, and nuclear power as key elements in meeting this demand.
Plan Calls For More Transmission Lines
Transmission lines east of Beddington substation in Berkeley County
As part of his 50x50 plan, the Governor stressed the importance of building up the region’s transmission grid to enable the export of power generated in West Virginia. Since the counties of the Eastern Panhandle (as well as Clarke and Frederick Counties in Virginia) lie between the likely sites for generation facilities in the western part of the state and the growth expected in Northern Virginia, Jefferson and its neighboring counties could see more proposals for transmission lines in the coming years.
The 50x50 plan also references recently-enacted legislation aimed at encouraging data centers to locate in West Virginia to take advantage of the state’s energy resources.
Most Dangerous Intersections: WV Rt 340 & Cascade Dr
Confusion and congestion meet at Rt. 340 and Cascade Road, creating one of the area’s most dangerous intersections. Accidents here affect countless families in the region. Understanding what makes this crossing unsafe is a simple way to drive smarter and safer. Stay prepared and protect yourself — watch now.
Solar Project Gets New Developer, Seeks Permit Extension
Proposed location of Wild Hill solar project, from 2022 application file
A different developer is looking to revive the Wild Hill industrial solar project and will appear before the Jefferson County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) on Thursday, September 25 to request a two-year extension of a conditional use permit that is set to expire at the end of this month.
The original developer listed for the Wild Hill Project was EDF Renewables, a subsidiary of a French energy company operating through a project-specific entity named Wild Hill Solar LLC. The new developer is Elawan Energy, a Spanish company that operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of the ORIX Group, a Japanese financial services company. The Observer has contacted Elawan and will update our readers with additional information about the company’s plans for the project as we receive it.
Plans submitted in 2022 for the original Wild Hill project show it located off Kabletown Road, approximately one mile south of the Blake industrial solar project at the intersection of Kabletown and Charles Town Roads. The original project plan proposed 841 acres of solar panels on multiple parcels. Unlike the Blake project, the Wild Hill project would lease the land from the current owners. The original project plan also shows that the solar panels would occupy only a portion of the total farm acreage of these properties, with most of the panels sited several hundred feet back from Kabletown Road.
Freedom’s Run Race Series | October 4th – Shepherdstown, WV
Experience the thrill of racing — where history meets endurance! Choose from the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, or kids fun run... all set against a stunning backdrop. Take in breathtaking views of Harpers Ferry, Antietam National Battlefield, the C&O Canal, and more. Whether you're going for a personal best or a scenic stroll, there's a distance for everyone — from first-timers to seasoned marathoners.
WV Appeals Court To Hold Session At Shepherd University
The Frank Center stage at Shepherd University will host real-life drama when the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) conducts a formal court session to hear oral arguments for several cases on September 16.
The ICA normally holds its sessions in Charleston and several satellite courtrooms across the state. The session in Shepherdstown is being hosted by Shepherd University and the Stubblefield Institute for Civil Political Communications as part of a week-long program that brings the ICA justices to the Eastern Panhandle for classroom sessions with students to discuss the judicial system.
The Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA) was established in 2022 to take on some of the workload of the state's Supreme Court of Appeals. The current judges serving on the 3-member bench are Daniel W. Greear, Charles O. Lorensen, and Ryan White. Judges Greear and Lorensen were appointed by Governor Jim Justice in 2022 and Judge White was elected in 2024 to serve a full ten-year term.
The ICA hears appeals of final orders from lower courts in civil litigation, family court, guardianship, and workers’ compensation cases as well as administrative court cases. The state’s Supreme Court of Appeals hears appeals in criminal cases, juvenile cases, and appeals from the ICA.
The public is invited to attend the court session, which will begin promptly at 10:00 am and run until 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 16. Pre-registration is required (click here) and an information packet about the cases is available for download. The schedule includes four sessions of official oral argument, each followed by a 10-minute Q&A where participating attorneys will answer questions from students in the audience.
A message from Experience Shepherdstown
Saturday, September 13, experience a day of FREE workshops, demonstrations, and opportunities to learn about Appalachian music and history featuring West Virginia old-time musician Ben Townsend, bluegrass banjoist Joshua Jimmerson, dancers Kim Forry and Jan Scopel, West Virginia storytelling legend Bil Lepp, and more. Activities will all be held either on the outdoor stage on King Street or in Reynolds Hall auditorium. >>>Details & Parking info…
Events Snapshot: Arts, Culture & Community
View eastward from the Hill Top House site above Harpers Ferry (see Sep 13 event below)
Lenny Burridge Concert — Laid back live music at Happy Retreat (600 Mordington Ave, Charles Town). Friday, Sept 12, 6–9 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
A Fish Story — A comedy about loss, love, and family dysfunction at the Shepherdstown Opera House (131 West German St., Shepherdstown). Sept 12–14 & 19–21. Friday Sept 12 is Pay-What-You-Can. $ Tickets & Info…
Chicken-Fried-Fabulous – A comedy about small business and friendships at Charles Town’s Old Opera House (204 North George St., Charles Town). Friday, September 12 –Sunday, September 14 $ Tickets & Info…
Family Movie Night — Eastern Panhandle Preparatory Academy hosts a drive in family-friendly movie with snacks and tours at 449 Rose Hill Drive in Kearneysville. Friday, Sept 12, 7–9 pm. Free. Info…
Kings, Queens and Things, O My! Drag Show — Presented by Roving Peregrine Theatre at the Black Box Arts Center (113 South Princess St., Dr, Shepherdstown). Friday, Sept 12, 8 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Pancake Breakfast — Eat in or take out, all are welcome. New Street United Methodist Church (202 W New St., Shepherdstown). Saturday, Sept 13, 7–11 am. $ Info…
Town Run Stream Cleaners — Volunteers help maintain the Town Run every second Saturday in Shepherdstown. Saturday, Sept 13, 9 am–noon. Free. Info…
29th Annual Appalachian Heritage Festival — Dance demonstrations, storytelling by Bil Lepp, and live music on outdoor stage in downtown Shepherdstown starting at 1:30 pm on Saturday, Sept 13. Additional events at other times and locations starting Friday, Sept 12. Free. Info…
The Big Flea — Secondhand and vintage treasures on Main Street in Berryville, VA. Saturday, Sept 13, 8 am–3 pm. Free admission. Info…
The Dill Pickers at the Charles Town Farmers Market — Listen to American traditional music while shopping at the Farmers Market (100 block of South Samuel St., Charles Town). Saturday, Sept 13, 10 am to noon. Free. Info…
Book Launch: Among the Mountains: The Lovetts and Their Hill Top House — Music, hors d’oeurves, and book signing by author Lynn Pechuekonis whose new book tells the story of the original developers of the Hill Top House. Hill Top Overlook (East Ridge St., Harpers Ferry). Saturday, Sept 13, 6 pm. Free. Info…
Spelling Bee Fundraiser — Adult contestants compete for trophies and bragging rights with raffles and refreshments for sale during this event presented by the Friends of the Shepherdstown Library (145 Higbee Ln, Shepherdstown). Saturday, Sept 13, 6–9 pm. Info…
Movie Night: Spirited Away (PG) — Last outdoor movie night of the summer season hosted by the Shepherdstown Community Club at Morgan’s Grove Park (3988 Kearneysville Pike, Shepherdstown). Saturday, Sept 13, 7–10 pm — Free. Info…
Seven Voices: Tribute to Patsy Cline — Annual event honoring Winchester-born Patsy Cline’s unique sound at the Barns of Rose Hill (95 Chalmers Ct, Berryville, VA). Saturday, Sept 13, 7 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
The Davisson Brothers Band — Live music concert by West Virginia band at The Amp at Sam Michaels Park (235 Sam Michaels Ln, Shenandoah Junction). Saturday, Sept 13, 7:30 pm (gates open at 6 pm). $ Tickets & Info…
NHES Founders Day — Annual celebration features raffles, kids’ activities, color run, opportunities to meet adoptable animals, and (new this year) overnight camping at the NHES Campus (201 Patrick Henry Way, Charles Town). Saturday, Sept 13, 11 am–3 pm. Free admission. Some events have fees. Info…
Pancakes & Planes — Family-friendly event at the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport (170 Aviation Way, Martinsburg). Sunday, September 14, 10 am–1 pm. Free. Info…
Court is in Session — The Intermediate Court of Appeals of West Virginia will hear actual cases on campus at the Frank Arts Center at Shepherd University (260 University Dr., Shepherdstown). Tuesday, Sept 16, 10 am (doors 9:15). Free but registration is required. Info…
History on Tap: The Great Virginia Flood of 1870 — Historian and author Paula Green tells the story of the flood and its aftermath at Allstadt’s Ale House (1236 Washington St, Harpers Ferry). Thursday, Sept 18, 6–7 pm — Free admission. Refreshments for purchase. Info…
