The Observer Weekly covers the stories of Jefferson County and West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. Published by WV Independent Observer LLC, PO Box 3044, Shepherdstown WV 25443. Distributed weekly via free email subscription and online at ObserverWV.com. Send tips and event information to connect@ObserverWV.com.
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Morrisey Dumps Nuclear Proposal, County Moves Ambulances
Published about 22 hours ago • 17 min read
Observer Weekly
October 1, 2026
Jefferson County, WV news & events
The story about the Governor’s nuclear campus ambitions didn’t stick around very long, but it certainly got a lot of attention. We do applaud the Governor for changing course. Whether willingly or unwillingly, he did listen to the people on this issue.
Beyond the headlines, the story highlights some other important themes. Chief among them is the importance of FOIA — this was a clear example of journalists doing the research and standing up for truth. It gave the citizens of West Virginia the leverage, and forced the government to listen. After 250 years, the basic principles of American democracy still work.
The other theme is the Morrisey Administration’s interest in pursuing the HB 2014 framework in areas beyond data centers and energy generation. The recent action led by the Jefferson County Commission collaborating with other local governments (story below) is a hopeful sign that the state’s push to undermine local control will not go unchallenged.
The Observer is a nominee for Best Small Local Newspaper in WV Living's Best of West Virginia 2026 contest — an honor we won in 2025, thanks to you. Vote for us once a day through Oct. 12 at WV Living.com website (look for Best Small Local Newspaper — The Observer, under Community & Culture).
West Virginia Pulls Out Of Nuclear Program
West Virginia informed the U.S. Department of Energy on September 30 that the state would not continue its participation in the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus program.
According to reporting by Steven Allen Adams in the Wheeling Intelligencer, West Virginia’s Office of Energy Director Nicholas Preservati informed the U.S. Department of Energy in a letter, thanking the “Department of Energy (DOE) for considering West Virginia to host the Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus (NLIC)” and stating that “[w]hile we are unable to execute the Hosting Agreement and commit fully to its requirements, West Virginia remains fully committed to supporting President Trump and Secretary Wright’s vision for a national nuclear renaissance. Please know that we stand ready and willing to support the DOE, its NLIC initiative and future NLIC recipients.”
Pushback, Then A Quick Change
The Governor first announced the state’s interest in the nuclear campus program during a press conference on September 8, but shared few details. On September 25, reporter Mike Tony of the Charleston Gazette-Mail reported on the details of the state's proposal (which included a site in Jefferson County) after he received information from the state in response to a FOIA request.
The Governor immediately pushed back on the Gazette-Mail story, claiming it was “fake news.” However, The Observer and other news organizations around the state reviewed the documents and came to the same conclusion as Tony — the Governor’s description of the program was radically different from what the state had included in its proposal.
West Virginia had a deadline of September 30 to sign a “Host Agreement” to formally accept the offer from the DOE to participate in the NLIC program. Neither the Governor’s Office nor the Office of Energy offered any explanation for the decision to drop out of the program, beyond what was said in the letter to the DOE.
Centralized Power?
The reporting around this story highlighted two issues of concern beyond the immediate subject of the nuclear innovation campus project:
West Virginia’s lack of transparency in sharing documents about the program compared to the other states who were accepted into the program. One of the requirements in the MOU signed by the Governor was a requirement that the state “[w]ork collaboratively with local communities, including counties, municipalities, and other governmental entities, to coordinate development activities and ensure robust community engagement and transparency.”
The state’s proposal highlighted its desire to use the HB 2014 framework (the legislation that removed local control over data center and microgrid projects) for this and potentially other programs.
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County Commission OKs Changes To Ambulance Service
The Jefferson County Commission voted unanimously to approve a significant change to the County ambulance service presented by Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency (JCESA) Chief Todd Gorman during the Commission’s October 1 meeting.
JCESA Chief Todd Gorham at October 1 County Commission meeting
Gorham’s recommendation involves changing the locations where two of the County’s six ambulance crews are stationed during their shifts. These changes will become effective on November 1:
Move one of the two 24-hour EMS units from the Citizens Fire Company (outside of Charles Town) to the Middleway Fire Company station.
Move the 12-hour peak-period EMS unit from Independent Fire Company (in Ranson) to the Blue Ridge Mountain Company station.
The deployment of the other 24-hour EMS units — at Citizens, Harpers Ferry, Independent, and Shepherdstown — would remain unchanged.
According to Gorham, “this is not an increase or decrease in the number of EMS units we operate. It is a redistribution of our existing resources based on current data and operational needs.”
A Data-Driven Decision
Gorham assumed the Chief role in March and says he set a goal to fully evaluate the system within his first six months. During his presentation to the Commission, Gorham highlighted four key considerations in his analysis:
Response times: The call records show that the response times in the Leetown, Middleway, and Summit Point communities often exceed 15 minutes.
Call volumes: In 2026, JCESA handled an average of 600 calls per month. This compares to an average of 426 calls per month in 2023 and an average of 538 per month in 2025.
Utilization rates: The utilization rate of the ambulance crews averages around 15% — meaning they are not dispatched on calls 85% of the time. According to Gorham, this indicates the system has capacity to handle additional activity.
Risk tolerance: Gorham described the adjustments as increasing the likelihood that the remaining ambulances in Charles Town and Ranson would be busier, but balanced that against the improvement of response times from the Middleway and Mountain stations.
Summarizing his proposal, Gorham summed up his goal for the ESA: “to have the right resources, in the right places, with the right level of capability, supported by a reliable workforce, at the right time. That is how we build a sustainable emergency services system for Jefferson County. Our responsibility is to protect the citizens we serve, and to build the system they will need tomorrow.”
Gorham also gave a preview of additional changes he plans to present to the County Commission later this year, which will include:
Significant pay increases for JCESA employees
Deployment of chase cars to provide advanced life support capability, which could reduce the need to staff every ambulance with a paramedic
Additional staffing for fire apparatus
Deploying EMS resources to other areas of the County, including Bakerton
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.
Protection of Groundwater Resources and Responsible Water Use
Protection of Air Quality and Public Health
Stormwater Management and Soil-Contamination Mitigation
Local Staff and First-Responder Safety Review
Requirements for noise mitigation, screening and setbacks
A Collaborative Effort
A draft version of the guardrails was discussed and amended during a September 28 meeting attended by the County Commissioners along with elected officials from Charles Town, Ranson, Harpers Ferry, and Bolivar. The Harpers Ferry representatives pushed to include requirements for “dark skies" in the final document and the setback requirements were based on consensus input from all of the meeting attendees.
The public was also given the opportunity to comment on the draft document during the September meeting. A request to add a guideline on effluent from the data center facilities came from a suggestion made during that public comment.
Commissioner Cara Keys had proposed developing the data center guardrails document. At the end of the September 28 meeting, Keys said she was “proud that we are able to pull all of our local partners together to support this effort” and she expressed confidence that the state would pay attention to what was said.
A Unified Message To The State
The guardrails document will be circulated to all five municipalities in Jefferson County with the request that they add their support before the document is sent to the Governor.
Commissioner Keys described two goals she had for the County’s efforts:
To clearly communicate expectations to data center developers who are planning projects in Jefferson County so that these companies have specific direction on how to be “good neighbors” as they build these projects, and
To share a framework that could be adopted by other counties who expect data center projects.
Keys also expressed optimism that the recommendations included in this document could be incorporated into future amendments to the HB 2014 legislation. To that end, she asked that the document be shared with all of the state Senators and Delegates who represent Jefferson County.
A message from the Middleway Conservancy
Celebrate local history and community spirit at the Middleway Day festival on Saturday, October 10!
Organized by the Middleway Conservancy, this free, family-friendly street fair honors our 18th-century heritage with children's craft activities, vendors, revolutionary reenactments, and historic tours dedicated to preserving our community's unique past.
Fall Burning Hours In Effect — WV state regulations restrict outdoor debris burning between 7 am and 5 pm, beginning on October 1 through December 31. Burning is allowed between 5 pm and 7 am, but fires must be completely extinguished before 7 am. In Jefferson County, residents can call 304-725-8484 to notify the E911 dispatch center prior to a controlled burn.
Community Health Fair (Oct 3) — Asbury United Methodist Church is sponsoring a community health fair on October 3 that will offer affordable health screenings, wellness education, community resources, and opportunities to connect with healthcare professionals. The pre-registration deadline for discounted medical screenings has passed, but there are other activities and resources available on a walk-up basis. The event will be held at the church (4257 Kearneysville Pike, Shepherdstown). >>>Details…
Food Box Giveaway (Oct 3) — Community Markets will be conducting a food box giveaway during the community health fair at Asbury United. >>>Details and volunteer info…
Rockwool Open House (Oct 20) — Rockwool will host an open house tour of its stone wool manufacturing facility on Tuesday, October 20 between 4 and 6 pm. The facility is located at 665 Northport Avenue in Kearneysville. Pre-registration via email (ransonquestions@rockwool.com) is required due to capacity limitations. Attendees taking the tour should wear long pants and sturdy walking shoes (no high heels or open-toed shoes are permitted on the factory floor).
Candidate Forums — All of these events will take place at the Jefferson County Government Center auditorium (393 North Lawrence St, Charles Town):
Oct 6 (Tue, 6:00 pm): League of Women Voters will ask questions of Jefferson County Commission candidates at 6:15 and State Senate and House of Delegates candidates at 7:30
Oct 8 (Thu, 7:00 pm): Jefferson County NAACP will ask questions of State Senate and House of Delegate candidates
Oct 9 (Fri, 7:00 pm): Jefferson County NAACP will ask questions of Jefferson County Commission candidates
A message from the Shepherdstown Opera House
6 Performances — Oct 2, 3, 4 & 9, 10, 11
The Town Run Theater Company presents a powerful drama that explores the courage of young people who risked everything to speak out against Nazi tyranny in World War II Germany. Meyer’s play premiered at the 2017 Contemporary American Theater Festival and this staging premiers a newly-rewitten script at the Shepherdstown Opera House.
Friday & Saturday at 7, Sunday at 3. The first night (Oct 2) is pay-what-you-can.
Shepherdstown Kicks Off Halloween Events — Residents within the town can participate in the Halloween decorating contest. Email SmallTownGhostTours@gmail.com to register. Decorations need to be in place by October 15 to compete for prizes. 1st Place $100 cash sponsored by Bistro 112; 2nd Place $75 cash sponsored by Stoney’s Pub; 3rd Place $50 cash sponsored by Shepherdstown Ghost Tours. For more Halloween details, visit the Experience Shepherdstown website and the BooFest Facebook page.
Misdemeanor Charges in Shepherdstown Pedestrian Death — According to a statement released last week, the Shepherdstown Police Department has filed misdemeanor charges with the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office in connection with a vehicle-pedestrian collision on July 4, 2026 that resulted in the death of Shepherdstown resident Joseph Steven Bullock. The police investigation determined that the driver of the vehicle, Jose Rosales-Matos, failed to maintain adequate attention to the roadway and crosswalk. The investigation did not identify speed as a contributing factor in the collision. Investigators also found no evidence that Rosales-Matos was using a cellular telephone at the time of the collision.
In a statement posted on the Town’s Facebook page, Mayor Gatz said “This is a tragic loss for our community, and our thoughts remain with Steven’s family and everyone who knew and loved him. The circumstances of this tragedy underscore how much can be happening at once at some of Shepherdstown’s downtown intersections, particularly where vehicles, pedestrians, crosswalks, and turning traffic come together. Drivers need to remain constantly aware of pedestrians crossing the street, and pedestrians should remain alert to the traffic around them. Even a momentary distraction can have tragic consequences. The Town is very appreciative of our Police Department for its thorough investigative work and the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office for its assistance.”
Ranson Appoints Interim City Manager — The City Council convened a special meeting on Wednesday, September 30 to meet with Rick Rinehart, who was serving as the City’s Operations Director. The Council had voted last week to authorize the Mayor to offer the interim position to Rinehart. Wednesday’s meeting provided the full Council the opportunity to speak directly with Rinehart about the role and their expectations. The discussions over the terms of his employment took place in executive session and Ranson Mayor Ken Suits confirmed after the meeting that Rinehart had accepted the role.
Ranson Pays Severance to Former Manager — In a separate action during the September 30 meeting, the Ranson City Council approved a $177,708 severance payout to former City Manager Todd Wilt. The payout was approved in two votes, with Council members Bound, Fagan, Tarvin, Strickland and Wildrick supporting a $141,456 payout equivalent to the remaining 9 months of Wilt’s contract plus unpaid leave, medical, and retirement benefit contributions; Council member Colandrea abstained from the vote. A separate vote for an additional $36,252 payout requested by Wilt was supported by Council members Fagan, Tarvin, Strickland and Wildrick. Council members Bound and Colandrea abstained from the second vote. Mayor Suits did not vote (the standard practice on the Ranson Council is that the Mayor votes only to break a tie).
Charles Town Needs Volunteers — The City of Charles Town is seeking volunteers to serve on various boards and commissions. These positions are a great way to get involved in the community. >>>Details…
Fixes Coming To Charles Town Intersection — The West Virginia Department of Transportation is marking progress on the Congress & Lawrence Streets Intersection Improvement project. According to a statement published today by the Hagerstown/Eastern Panhandle Metropolitan Planning Organization (HEPMPO), the project has been put out for construction bids. The scope of the project includes the repair of existing sidewalks, installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps & continental crosswalk, along with other improvements to the intersection adjacent to Wright Denny Intermediate School.
A message from the Harpers Ferry Park Association
John Brown's March Commemoration — October 16
“We will proceed to the Ferry.” With these words, abolitionist John Brown launched an attack on the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry — an event that helped ignite the Civil War. Follow in the footsteps of Brown’s small “Provisional Army” during this solemn five-mile walk from his headquarters in Washington County, Maryland, to Harpers Ferry. Organized by the Harpers Ferry Park Association, this rarely offered experience, invites participants to consider how acts of moral conviction have influenced the nation’s course across generations. In addition to the processional walk led by retired park Chief Historian Dennis Frye, this event includes shuttle service to Brown’s headquarters at the Kennedy Farm, presentations, music, and an authentic period meal. Limited tickets available; advance purchase required.
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Shepherdstown First Friday: Live Music — Howling at the Earth! performs live music for Shepherdstown's First Friday. Market House Plaza (behind the Market House on South King St), Shepherdstown. Friday, October 2. 5-7 pm. Free. Info…
Outdoor School: Not-So Creepy Crawlies — Outdoor school program focused on animals and plants that have a reputation of being yucky, spooky or just weird. Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town. Friday, October 2 and three more dates in October, 9 am-3 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Live Theater: We Will Not Be Silent — A play about the White Rose resistance against the Nazis, presented by the Town Run Theater Company at the Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3 at 7 pm and Sunday, October 4 at 3 pm. Performances continue next weekend, October 9-11. $ Tickets & Info…
Tintype Photography Demonstration and Sittings — John and Christine Milleker demonstrate Civil War-era wet plate collodion tintype photography, with sittings available. Lower Town, Harpers Ferry. Saturday, October 3, 9 am-5 pm. Free admission; tintypes available for a fee. Tickets & Info…
Brunswick Railroad Days — Family-friendly event celebrating Brunswick's history as a railroad town, with music, model train displays and activities. Brunswick, MD. Saturday, October 3–Sunday, October 4, 10 am-5 pm both days. Free. Info…
Harpers Ferry Highland Games — Music, athletic competitions, displays and more at this annual tradition celebrating ancient Scottish traditions. Sam Michael’s Park, 235 Sam Michael’s Lane, Harpers Ferry. Saturday, October 3–Sunday, October 4, 9 am-6 pm both days. $ Tickets & Info…
Frederick Festival of Flight — Learn about aviation and see the aircraft at this annual festival with local vendors at Frederick Municipal Airport. 111 Airport Drive East, Frederick, MD. Saturday, October 3, 9 am-3 pm. Free. Info…
Martinsburg Fall Food Festival — Food trucks, music, a beer garden and family activities. Downtown Martinsburg. Saturday, October 3, 11 am-6 pm. Free admission. Tickets & Info…
Firehouse Gallery: All Member Show Reception — Reception for the Firehouse Gallery's all-member show. Firehouse Gallery, 108 North George St, Charles Town. Saturday, October 3, 1 pm. Free. Info…
Charles Town’s Old Opera House Annual Auction — Annual fundraiser for the Old Opera House in Charles Town includes a social hour at 6 pm, followed by a live auction at 7:30 pm. Old Opera House, 204 North George St, Charles Town. Saturday, October 3. $ Tickets & Info…
Contra Dance — Shepherdstown Music and Dance hosts October’s contra dance with David Gusti calling to live music provided by Kate MacLeod and her band Mind the Gap. All levels welcome. War Memorial Building, 102 East German St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, October 3, 7:30 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra — The Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra kicks off its 2026-27 season with a concert called Treasures, Classic & Contemporary featuring 16-year-old sensation Ava Pakiam on violin. Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, 100 West Washington St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, October 3, 7:30 pm; Sunday, October 4, 3 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Middleway Fire Dept Open House — Family-friendly open house at the Middleway Volunteer Fire Department including tours of fire station, fire safety education, kids activities, and food & drink. 110 Dark Hill Road, Kearneysville. Sunday, October 4, 1-4 pm. Free admission. Info…
Eco-Craft Workshop — Workshop on designing a nature junk journal for ages 8 and up. Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whitings Neck Road, Martinsburg. Sunday, October 4, 1-4 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Pride in the Park — 2nd annual Pride celebration in Martinsburg. War Memorial Park, 500 North Tennessee Ave, Martinsburg. Sunday, October 4, 1-6 pm. Free. Info…
Watch Party: Rachel Carson documentary — Screening of a film about the famous author and environmentalist Rachel Carson at the Case Nature Center at Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Road, Charles Town. Tuesday, October 6, 6-8 pm. Free/donations accepted. Info…
Bird Walk on the C&O Canal Towpath — Bird walk along the C&O Canal towpath at Town Creek Aqueduct. Wednesday, October 7, 9:30 am. Free/donations accepted. Info…
Lifelong Learning Spark Lecture: A Life in Mine Safety — J. Davitt McAteer, former head of Mine Safety & Health Administration, will speak about his experiences as a lawyer, author and activist for mine safety. Byrd Auditorium, 213 North King St, Shepherdstown. Wednesday, October 7, 1 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Walk About Nothing — Mystery walk through Charles Town inspired by CLUE, the Old Opera House's October show. 101 East Washington St, Charles Town. Wednesday, October 7, 6-7:30 pm. Free. Info…
Film & Art Show: Appalachia Vs Goliath — Environment-themed documentary sponsored by WV Rivers Coalition. Film starts at 7 pm. A photography exhibit accompanies the film and is available to view starting at 6 pm. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St., Shepherdstown. Wednesday, October 7, 7 pm. Pay-What-You-Can. Tickets & Info…
Lecture: Gettysburg’s First Blue-Gray Reunion — Codie Eash of the Seminary Ridge Museum and Education Center in Gettysburg to share his research on Gettysburg's first Blue and Gray reunion in 1869. 7 pm at the Shepherd University Student Center (Cumberland Room), 210 North King St, Shepherdstown. Free. Info…
Ongoing
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…
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. Saturdays, 11 am-5 pm and Sundays, 1-4 pm. Admission by donation ($5 suggested). Info…
Charles Town Farmers Market — Weekly open-air farmers market featuring local produce, baked goods and artisan vendors. South Samuel St between Washington St and Congress St, Charles Town. Saturdays, 9 am-noon. 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…
Women's Ride on the C&O Canal — A group bicycle ride on the C&O Canal. Shepherdstown. Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 pm. Free. Info…
The Shepherd University Farm invites the community to participate in two fun-filled events this month.
The annual Farm-to-Table Dinner will take place on October 4 from 5 to 7 pm. All fresh produce and herbs used in the meal will come from Tabler Farm, with beef from Red House Farm. All funds raised from this dinner will contribute to the farm’s vegetable production site, primarily providing paid job opportunities for students. Space is limited and advance ticket purchase is recommended. >>>Details…
On October 10, the Farm will host its Annual Fun Day from noon to 4 pm. This is a family-friendly event with music, hay rides, pumpkin painting, farm animals, face painting, and other activities. There will be a square dance from 2 to 4 pm. >>>Details…
The Farm is part of Shepherd University’s Agricultural Innovation Center, located at 482 Billmyer Mill Road (approximately 1 mile from the main campus). The Center offers academic programs and runs an incubator farm program in addition to the student farm.
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.
The Observer Weekly covers the stories of Jefferson County and West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle. Published by WV Independent Observer LLC, PO Box 3044, Shepherdstown WV 25443. Distributed weekly via free email subscription and online at ObserverWV.com. Send tips and event information to connect@ObserverWV.com.
Observer Weekly September 28, 2026 Jefferson County, WV news & events The Observer has been investigating a story that broke late last week about a West Virginia proposal to the US Department of Energy that outlines the state’s intent to develop one or more nuclear innovation campuses. The documents include a site in Jefferson County. We’ve summarized our initial research in the story below. Governor Morrisey has scheduled a press conference at 10 am this morning with the US Department of...
Observer Weekly September 24, 2026 Jefferson County, WV news & events The weather turned chilly this week, and so did the Ranson City Council’s relationship with its City Manager. Listening to the discussion at the special meeting this week, it’s pretty clear that a majority of the Council wanted Wilt to leave, citing a loss of trust (story bel0w). What’s not clear is how much trust the Council members have in each other as they move forward from this decision. Across town, the Charles Town...
Observer Weekly September 17, 2026 Jefferson County, WV news & events At some point the excuses grow thin. The Jefferson County Commission’s record of not responding to FOIA requests as required by state law has drawn complaints and now a lawsuit. When The Observer looked at this problem in August, the County had 20 unanswered FOIA requests from 2026. Now it's up to 34. The County says it hired an outside attorney to assist, but the Commission does not seem to have tasked that person with any...
