For most of us, July marks the slow down of summer, but for Ranson and Shepherdstown it marks the start of the fiscal year with newly-elected candidates taking office.
The Ranson City Council was first out of the gate as it tried to organize and make some routine appointments. The many new (and younger) people on the Council quickly realized that the informal and casual approach to governance of prior City administrations was still hanging over its current and future plans. The new members seem intent on improving things, but they have a lot of issues to straighten out in a hurry before things get messy (see story below).
Shepherdstown had more luck getting organized with its new council members, but heard some unsettling news about a pedestrian who was gravely injured by a vehicle on July 4 (he has since died). A disturbing and cautionary note for a town that is about to welcome thousands of visitors for the month-long Contemporary American Theater Festival.
A Special Note to Readers
Harriet Pearson, co-owner of the Observer Weekly, was sworn in this month to Shepherdstown Town Council; going forward, Observer coverage touching Town Council business will note her role.
Data source: Jefferson County Office of Impact Fees (2026 data for January through June only).
The number of new homes being built in Jefferson County for 2026 is tracking roughly on the same pace as 2025.
In 2025, there were 805 new permits issued between January and June, split roughly 50/50 between single family homes and townhomes.
In the first six months of 2026, the Jefferson County Office of Impact Fees has tracked 718 new construction permits for residential housing. Approximately 54 percent of the permits were for single family homes and 44 percent were for townhomes, with a very small number of duplexes and multi-family (apartment) units.
The Impact Fee Office tracks the construction permits by jurisdiction. The numbers for the first half of 2026 show 76 percent of the permits were issued for projects within a municipality (primarily Charles Town and Ranson), which is similar to the municipality/county split for 2025.
Last year’s building permit numbers had a bump in May just before the impact fees were increased on June 1, 2025 and this year’s colder winter weather likely slowed early activity. The next six months should provide a cleaner year-over-year comparison — but another 1500+ new homes for the year is a good bet.
Data source: Jefferson County Office of Impact Fees (2026 data for January through June only).
A Different Story For Commercial
The number of permits for new commercial construction has decreased noticeably compared to prior years. Between 2019 and 2025, Jefferson County saw an annual average of 12 new commercial projects permitted. So far in 2026, only two building permits have been issued for new commercial construction.
Most Dangerous Intersections: WV Rt 340 & Cascade Road
Rt. 340 and Cascade Road has become one of the area's most dangerous intersections, where confusion and congestion collide daily. The crashes here don't just affect drivers, they impact entire families across the region. Here's a closer look at what makes this crossing so risky. Watch now to learn more.
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Ranson — New Additions and Struggles With Process
Ranson City Council on July 7 2026
There were lots of new things on the table for discussion at the July 7 meeting of the Ranson City Council.
New Police Officer Recruits — Police Chief Jeffrey Cisar announced that three candidates had passed the June testing and would be scheduled for the State’s academy training in Dunbar. Cisar reported that the department still has multiple positions to fill and will hold another recruit testing opportunity on August 29.
New Community Director — Mayor Ken Suits led off his report by inviting the City’s new Community Development Director to introduce herself. Summer Wilks, who became head of the the City’s Planning and Zoning department on June 23, worked previously in Purcellville, Virginia as the Zoning Administrator and Director of Planning and Community Development.
New Park — The Council voted to ask its Parks and Recreation committee to develop the plan for a new park on land provided to the City by the Briar Run neighborhood. The Council supported naming the park in the memory of Hunter Muse, a local youth who died in a car accident in 2020.
New Appointments — Stephanie Fagan was appointed to serve as Mayor Pro Tem (the councilperson who serves steps in when the Mayor is unavailable to perform official duties). New councilmember Chris Tarvin was elected to serve as the Council’s representative on the City’s Planning Commission
Roadblocks On Other Items
The Council had also planned to appoint citizen volunteers to the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Building Commission. After hearing from Todd Wilt, the City Manager, the Council voted to delay action on all of these appointments.
The issue, as explained by Wilt to the Council, is that many of the terms of the prior appointments to these boards and commissions were not consistent with the requirements defined in the City’s ordinances or West Virginia state law.
During public comment at the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Christine Wimer of the Jefferson County Foundation had highlighted the issues with the Planning Commission, noting inconsistencies with the appointments and term dates of all five members. During the Council discussion, the City staff highlighted similar concerns with the previous appointments to the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
The Mayor described it as “a mess to figure out” as he asked the staff to come back with a plan for filling these positions.
Developer Sues City Over Planning Decision
The final item on the July 7 Council agenda was a lawsuit filed in June by Fairfax Crossing Real Estate LLC against the Ranson Planning Commission.
On May 11, the Planning Commission declared the approved development plan for the company's Lakeland Place project had expired. In the lawsuit, the company claims that it had been actively working with the City’s planning staff over the past several years and at no point prior to the May meeting had anyone from the City raised concerns that the project plan would be expiring. The Company’s petition to the Circuit Court cites constant staff turnover and inconsistent direction from the City as the root cause of the project delays. The company is asking the Court to either compel the City to reinstate the approved development plan or have the City pay the company $11 million in damages.
A Broader Problem?
At its July 6 meeting, the Planning Commission wrestled with similar questions about inconsistent direction, poor record-keeping, and uncertain deadlines during the discussion of two other development projects, Huntwell West and Parkland Commons. During that meeting, the Planning Commission voted to table both of those projects pending further staff review.
Summer Wilks, the new Community Development Director, says that she and the City Manager have agreed that examining and improving the City’s development review and approval processes will be her first priority.
During the July 7 meeting, the City Council voted to hire an outside attorney to defend the City in the Lakeland Place lawsuit. Wilks says the Planning Commission may need to schedule a special meeting to resolve the issues with the Huntwell West and Parkland Commons projects.
A message from WVU Medicine
The Future is Here!
WVU Medicine is bringing advanced specialty care, new services, and major investments directly to the Eastern Panhandle region. Advancements are underway to ambulatory services, cancer care, and more at WVU Medicine Jefferson Medical Center as part of a major $260 million investment to expand healthcare access in the Eastern Panhandle. Learn more about our new services and providers at WVUMedicine.org/FutureisHere, or follow us on social media.
The seven-member Shepherdstown Town Council held its first regular meeting of the new fiscal year on July 8, with Jim Auxer, Harriet Pearson (Town Recorder), Ashleigh Sanders, and Joe Yates as newly elected members, joining Mayor James Gatz and returning council members Marcy Bartlett and Cheryl Roberts (Pearson is also the co-owner of the Observer Weekly).
Discussions About Growth And Expansion
Following a proclamation to thank Jim Schmitt for shepherding the “Hometown Heroes" banner program into existence, the Mayor gave an update on revisions previously proposed for the Town’s zoning ordinance. The changes are focused on updating the “Planned Unit Development” provisions that would govern how newly-annexed properties are subdivided into multiple building lots. Recognizing the questions raised during the public hearing at the June meeting and anticipating additional questions from the new council members, the Council agreed to postpone its discussion on the ordinance until a special meeting to be scheduled later in July.
The Mayor also provided a brief update on three other planning-related topics:
Former elementary school property — Lawyers representing the Town and the Board of Education are working on drafting the final purchase agreement for the Town to purchase the former school property. Once those documents are finalized and signed, the Town will have 90 days to conduct inspections and finalize its financing for the acquisition. According to the Mayor, the Town anticipates a go/no-go decision based on the inspections and finance review, rather than a negotiation, as the $1.57 million purchase price is not up for discussion within the scope of the agreement with the Board of Education.
Market Study — Experience Shepherdstown has received a $15,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, in addition to previously-approved funding from the Town, to conduct a retail market analysis for the Town. An announcement of the project is available on the Town’s website.
Accessory Dwelling Units — The West Virginia Legislature passed legislation earlier this year that requires local governments to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Towns are allowed to regulate them in accordance with their local zoning provisions, but they cannot prohibit or unreasonably restrict ADUs. According to the Mayor, the Town has hired a lawyer to prepare a draft revision to its zoning ordinance to reflect the new state law.
Focusing On Pedestrian Safety
The Town Council discussed several distinct topics over the course of the meeting that all tied back to a core issue of traffic flow and pedestrian safety:
Pedestrian Struck on July 4 — A town resident was struck by a vehicle while crossing German Street in front of the War Memorial Building on July 4. According to Police Chief Mike King, the individual had almost completed crossing the street when he was hit at low speed by an SUV-type vehicle. King reported during the July 8 meeting that the individual was in critical condition in a Winchester hospital. According to social media posts on July 9, the individual has succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing and King is asking anyone who witnessed the incident to call the Police Department at 304-876-6036 or email tips@shepherdstown.gov.
Market House Plaza — The Mayor announced that the Town won a $13,500 grant from AARP to conduct a pilot study of reconfiguring the area around the Market House to be more pedestrian friendly. The next step in the project is for the Town staff to draft a plan for the pilot. The Mayor said he expects that plan, which will include both concepts for the temporary configuration and a formal process for evaluating the temporary project, to be ready for review by the end of July. In response to questions from the Council, the Mayor confirmed that the Council will be responsible for approving the staff plan, evaluating the pilot results, and approving any next steps following the conclusion of the study period, which is expected to begin in late August or early September.
Flower Beds — The Town has approved a contract with Native Havens to redo and maintain the landscape plantings in downtown along German Street, Princess Street, and a small stretch of King Street in front of Town Hall. The proposal submitted includes extensive use of native plants and plans for large planter boxes at the German and King Street intersections. During the discussion of this topic, Councilmember Pearson asked whether the height of the plantings would block visibility and create hazardous conditions at the intersection.
Town Finances In Balance, But Tight
The Town’s 2025–2026 fiscal year ended on June 30. Maged Kirollos, the Town’s Finance Director, projects that the Town’s revenues for the year will exceed expenses by about $300,000. During the meeting Kirollos described the amount as a “surplus” that would be carried forward in the general fund for the next fiscal year.
In the context of WV municipal budgeting, this year-end “surplus” also has to be compared to the “general fund carryover” amount included in the budget as a revenue line at the beginning of the fiscal year.
If the year-end “surplus” exceeds the beginning “carryover” amount, it means the municipality took in more revenue that it spent. If the “surplus” is less than the “carryover” amount, the municipality was spending from its reserves. For the year that just ended, the Shepherdstown budget includes a carryover of $352,479 from the prior year, so the $300,000 operating surplus means the Town spent about $50,000 from its reserves to cover operating expenses over the course of the year.
A message from the Contemporary American Theater Festival
YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURE OF THE MIND.
For over three decades the Contemporary American Theater Festival has been shaping the landscape of American theater while providing audiences with fearless art that sparks conversations.
Join the conversation! Create your own curated package or see all five plays, then meet the playwrights, performers, and more in discussions and lectures, mingle with fellow theater lovers, and add context to your experience.
Immersion. Amazement. Ambience. All happening in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, a place transformed each summer by a gathering of theater makers and theater lovers, joined in the act of creation.
Jefferson County Schools — The Jefferson County Board of Education met on July 6 to vote on organizational items for the upcoming year. Kathy Skinner was elected as President of the Board in a 3-2 vote and Natalie Grantham Friend was elected as Vice-President, also in a 3-2 vote. The next BOE meeting will be on July 13.
Power Line Open Houses — Valley Link has held 8 community meetings as of July 8 to collect comments on route options for the proposed 765 kilovolt transmission line that the company plans to build across West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. The attendance at the Virginia meetings has been much higher than at the meetings in West Virginia and Maryland according to the sign-in sheet counts provided by the company:
Theater Ushers Needed — If you want to volunteer and see a play at the same time, both the Contemporary American Theater Festival and the Old Opera House Theater Company are seeking volunteer ushers for upcoming performances:
CATF is looking to fill slots for the next four weeks. The volunteer sign-up portal has links to each performance along with information about what to wear, when to show up, what you’ll be doing, etc. >>>Details & signup…
The Old Opera House in Charles Town is looking for volunteer ushers for The Little Mermaid performances on July 30, July 31, August 1 and August 2. Email Gaye.Snyder@gmail.com for details.
Farmland Protection Legislative Engagement Session (Jul 13) — The Jefferson County Farmland Protection Board will hold a special meeting with state legislators to discuss how the state can support farmers and farming. There is a public comment period at the end of the agenda. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 - 8:30 pm at the WVU Tree Fruit Research and Education Center (67 Apple Harvest Lane, Kearneysville).
Route 9 Traffic Pattern Shift (Jul 14) — Loudoun County has issued a construction advisory for the Route 9 and Route 287 (Berlin Turnpike) intersection located just east of Hillsboro. The traffic through this intersection will be shifted starting Monday, July 14. >>>Project details…
A message from Bridge Gallery & Framing
The Bridge Gallery welcomes artists Lynn, Jennifer, and Evan Boggess for a new exhibit opening July 11th. The exhibit will run in conjunction with the Contemporary Theater Festival at Shepherd University where Evan Boggess teaches in the Department of Art and Theater. Lynn Boggess is an accomplished artist with an international collector base and representations at galleries across the United States and Scotland. Jennifer Boggess is Art Professor Emeritus at Fairmont State University. Each artist draws deeply from childhood experiences in the Appalachian landscape. The exhibit runs July 11th through August 2.
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Contemporary American Theater Festival — Annual festival featuring world-premiere and new American plays, readings and special events on and around the Shepherd University campus in Shepherdstown. Friday, July 10–Sunday, Aug. 2. The public is welcome at two opening weekend parties: Friday, July 10 9:30 - 11:00 pm at the Bavarian Inn and Saturday, July 11, 9:30 - 11:00 pm at the “Copper Canyon,” 62 West Campus Dr, Shepherd University. $ Tickets & Info…
Over the Mountain Studio Tour: Summer Show — Exhibition of fine art and fine craft by regional artists featuring basketry, glass, painting, fiber, jewelry, ceramics, wood and photography. Eclectic, 100 West German St, Shepherdstown. Friday, July 10–Sunday, July 12. Opening reception Friday, 5-8 pm; gallery hours Saturday, 11 am-7 pm and Sunday, 9 am-4 pm. Info…
Foam Fridays — Cool off with foam-filled fun for kids at The Amp at Sam Michaels Park, 235 Sam Michaels Ln, Shenandoah Junction. Friday, July 10, 10 am-noon. Bring swimsuits. $5 admission per child. Info…
Cruise In & Cake Auction — Classic car cruise-in begins at 5 pm followed by a cake auction at 7 pm. Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department, 8052 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown. Friday, July 10, 5 pm. Free. Info…
Music: West Virginia Banshee — Fundraiser concert for The Timber Frame Folly, 301 Big Oak Dr, Shepherdstown. Friday, July 10, 5-8 pm. $ Info…
Martinsburg Fridays @ Five — Outdoor concert featuring Soda Pop Gypsies. Downtown Martinsburg, 202 S. Queen St, Martinsburg. Friday, July 10, 5 pm (music at 6 pm). Free. Info…
Art in Bloom Exhibit — Enjoy unique pairings of floral arrangements and original art. Friday, Ticketed preview reception for the Art in Bloom exhibit with light fare by Hay-Mar Kitchen on Friday, July 10, 6-8pm. General reception (free to public), Saturday, July 11, 3-6 pm. Skull City Studio, 105 S. Princess St, Shepherdstown. $ Tickets & Info…
Lawn Concert: Robert Sykes Jazz Quartet — Outdoor jazz concert on the lawn at Happy Retreat. Happy Retreat, 600 Mordington Ave, Charles Town. Friday, July 10, 6 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Movie in the Park: Hoppers — Family-friendly outdoor movie at The Amp at Sam Michaels Park, 235 Sam Michaels Ln, Shenandoah Junction. Friday, July 10, gates open at 7:00 pm, movie starts around 8:30 pm. Free. Info…
Town Run Stream Cleaners — Volunteer stream cleanup organized by the Town Run Watershed Group. Meet in the lower parking lot of Morgan's Grove Park, 4198 Kearneysville Pike, Shepherdstown. Saturday, July 11, 9 am-noon. Free. Info…
Hampshire Highlands Farm Crawl — Self-guided tour of farms throughout Hampshire County with an interactive map of participating locations. Multiple locations, Hampshire County. Saturday, July 11–Sunday, July 12, 10 am-4 pm. Free. Info…
Barrel Racing — Competition featuring riders and horses racing for the fastest time around a cloverleaf barrel pattern. Berkeley County Youth Fairgrounds, 2419 Golf Course Rd, Martinsburg. Saturday, July 11, exhibitions start at 1 pm, race starts at 4 pm). Info…
Art Exhibit: Bogess Family — Opening reception for a family exhibit of artwork; exhibition continues through Aug. 2. Bridge Gallery, 8566 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown. Saturday, July 11, 4-7 pm. Free. Info…
Roving Peregrine Annual Gala & Season Announcement — Annual fundraising gala and announcement of the Roving Peregrine Theatre company's upcoming season. Black Box Arts Center, 113 S. Princess St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, July 11, 7-10 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Movie in the Park: Hamilton — Outdoor screening of the filmed Broadway production hosted by the Shepherdstown Community Club at Morgan's Grove Park, 4198 Kearneysville Pike, Shepherdstown. Saturday, July 11, 8 pm. Free. Info…
Book Talk & Signing: Jeff Groff — The author, a popular Shepherd University professor, will discuss his new book on Yellowstone National Park and sign copies. Four Seasons Books, 114 W. German St, Shepherdstown. Sunday, July 12, 1:30 pm. Info…
Concerts at the Gazebo: Furnace Mountain — The Corporation of Harpers Ferry sponsors this summer outdoor concert Furnace Mountain. Harpers Ferry Gazebo, 575 Washington St, Harpers Ferry. Sunday, July 12, 7-9 pm. Free. Info…
Shepherd University Lifelong Learning Preview — Learn about courses and programs offered during the Fall 2026 semester. Byrd Center at Shepherd University, 213 N. King St, Shepherdstown. Monday, July 13, 4-6 pm. Free. Info…
South Morgan Volunteer Fireman's Carnival — Annual carnival featuring rides, games and food. South Morgan Volunteer Fire Department, 10166 Winchester Grade Rd, Berkeley Springs. Tuesday, July 14–Saturday, July 18. Open Tuesday-Friday, 6-10 pm and Saturday, 4-10 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
CATF: TalkTuesday — A staged reading of Thursdays Come at Morning by Lee Cataluna. Advance reservations required. Shepherd University campus, Shepherdstown. Tuesday, July 14, 5 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Story Artist: The Reverend Robert B. Jones Sr. — Storytelling performance presented by the Speak Story Series. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education, 213 N. King St, Shepherdstown. Tuesday, July 14, 7:30 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Walks About Nothing — Free guided walk exploring downtown Charles Town; meet at City Hall. Charles Town City Hall, 101 E. Washington St, Charles Town. Wednesday, July 15, 5 pm. Free. Info…
Ongoing
PVAS StoryWalk Installations — Self-guided outdoor StoryWalk experiences featuring illustrated children’s books at multiple nature preserves and parks. Cool Spring Preserve (Charles Town), Yankauer Nature Preserve (Harpers Ferry), and Morgan’s Grove Park (Shepherdstown). Available now until Sunday, July 12, dawn to dusk. Free. Info…
Historic Shepherdstown Museum — The museum is open for its 2026 season for visitors to explore exhibits on local history and heritage. Historic Shepherdstown Museum, 129 East German St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, 11 am-5 pm and Sunday, 1-4 pm. Admission by donation ($5 suggested). Info…
St. Isidore Market — Weekly market featuring local produce, baked goods and artisan products. St. James Church, 49 Crosswinds Dr, Charles Town. Thursdays, year round, 5-6:30 pm. Info…
Brunswick Main Street Farmers Market — Farmers market featuring local produce, food vendors and handmade goods. East Potomac St, Brunswick, MD. Second and last Friday of each month, May-October, 4-7 pm. Info…
Martinsburg Farmers Market — Seasonal farmers market featuring local produce, meats, baked goods and crafts. 125 West King St, Martinsburg. Saturdays, April-October, 10 am-2 pm. Info…
Shepherdstown Farmers Market — Weekly farmers market featuring local produce, meats, baked goods and artisan products. Behind the Market House, 100 South King St, Shepherdstown. Sundays, April-December, 9 am-1 pm. Info…
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.
