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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Solar Project Permit, County Budget Crunch, Halloween Fun
Published about 5 hours ago • 10 min read
Observer Weekly
October 29, 2026
Jefferson County, WV news & events
Even with the upcoming elections dominating the headlines, we still have other news to cover, including the long-running plans to develop a solar project at the southeast edge of Charles Town (our lead story below).
Earlier this week I attended a candidate forum in Middleway hosted by the Gateway Republican Women. The Jefferson County Republican candidates for County Commission, Prosecuting Attorney and House of Delegates fielded questions about data centers, certificates of need for hospitals, surveillance cameras, and large-scale water extraction.
Public Comment For Rippon Solar Project Opens Nov 5
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) has approved the draft Stormwater Pollution Protection Plan (SWPPP) submitted by Torch Clean Energy for its Rippon solar project.
Map image from Rippon Solar SWPPP document (October 2026)
The WV DEP will open public comment before it approves the draft and issues the stormwater construction permit for the full project (the company had previously received a permit for the switchyard construction only). According to the WV DEP, the public comment window for permit WVR113220 will open on November 5 and close on December 5, 2026.
According to the description included in the SWPPP, the project will be constructed in three separate areas, connected by an underground medium-voltage collection system.
The SWPPP document also provides detail on the location and scope of the project:
“The Project is a 99 MWAC utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) generation facility with an associated project substation and FirstEnergy interconnection switchyard, located on Myerstown Road near Charles Town, Jefferson County, West Virginia. The overall property comprises approximately 761 acres. The total limits of disturbance (LOD) is approximately 599.25 acres, consisting of approximately 588.58 acres in the PV responsibility area and approximately 10.67 acres in the HV responsibility area.”
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In the chart above, the red bars represent the annual operating expenses and the green bars represent the annual revenues from taxes, fees and other sources.
In 2022-24 and 2023-24, the County budget generated an operating surplus that increased the carryforward in the general fund. The County had an operating deficit in fiscal year 2024-25 and 2025-26, and the budget for the current year (2026-27) also projects an operating deficit.
Rainy Day Funds & Capital Projects
By law, the County must balance its budget each year. If revenue exceeds expenses, the extra funds can be assigned to a capital outlay reserve fund, a fiscal stabilization (“rainy day”) fund, or simply carried over in the general fund for the following year. The chart below outlines the budget flow when the county keeps its operating expenses below its annual revenues.
The County can still adopt a “balanced budget” with operating expenses that exceed annual revenues. To do so, it uses money carried forward in the “general fund” — basically the accumulated savings from prior year surpluses. For the past three years, the Jefferson County Commission has been drawing down this “general fund” to bridge the gap between its annual revenues and its operating expenses.
The chart below shows the general fund balance reported at the beginning of each fiscal year. The drop between July 2025 and July 2026 was approximately $1 million, based on the numbers the County provided to the WV Auditor’s Office.
The question for the Commission is whether it can sustain this imbalance between revenues and expenses over the next several years.
Register for Middle School STEM Fest (Oct 31) — A day of discovery for students (grades 5 – 8) with hands-on lab activities and opportunities to learn about academic options and career paths. At Shepherd University, Saturday, October 31, 9 am - 3:30pm. >>>Info & registration…
Day Light Savings Ends — Reminder to to set your clocks back 1 hour on Sunday morning, November 1.
Harpers Ferry Deer Season — The urban deer hunt in Harpers Ferry is underway through December 31. The Town issues a limited number of licenses for archery hunting each year. >>>Details on the Town website…
Health Insurance Costs Set To Rise — According to a story published in The Washington Post on October 29, individuals and families who purchase health insurance through the ACA market can expect to see significant rate increases in the upcoming enrollment season. The Post reviewed proposed and approved insurance plan costs nationwide, finding that the typical plan cost will increase by 15 percent. In the Eastern Panhandle, the Post’s analysis projects a 24 percent increase in annual premiums. >>>More at the Washington Post…
Jefferson County officials gathered in front of the historic courthouse in downtown Charles Town on October 26, 2026 (above) to mark the 225 anniversary of the establishment of Jefferson County.
Originally chartered as a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Jefferson County became part of West Virginia on November 2, 1863, several months after the state was officially established. According to Circuit Court Judge David Hammer, the current courthouse dates to 1872, when it was rebuilt and expanded following the destruction of the previous courthouse on the same site during the Civil War.
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.
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Brunswick Live — Monthly evening in downtown Brunswick with extended shop hours, live music and special events. Downtown Brunswick, Potomac St, Brunswick, MD. Friday, October 30, 4-9 pm. Free. Info…
Hitchcock Festival: Psycho — Screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” with a live introduction and post-film discussion by Hitchcock expert Christine Madrid French, author of “The Architecture of Suspense”; first of three films in the festival. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Friday, October 30, 7 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Lantern Tour: Strange Story of Harpers Ferry — Guided evening walk led by Harpers Ferry Park Association executive director Cathy Baldau, sharing tales from Joseph Barry’s 1903 book “The Strange Story of Harpers Ferry.” Bring a flashlight or lantern. Registration required. Harpers Ferry Train Station, 182 Potomac St, Harpers Ferry. Friday, October 30, 7-8:30 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Jazz Ensemble Concert — The Shepherd University Jazz Ensemble performs in honor of the inauguration of President Cameron B. Wesson. Frank Arts Center, 260 University Drive, Shepherdstown. Friday, October 30, 7:30 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Apple Butter Festival — Annual fundraiser for the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department, with craft vendors, tours, and food and apple butter for sale. Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department, 8052 Martinsburg Pike, Shepherdstown. Saturday, October 31, 6 am-1 pm. Free. Info…
Hitchcock Festival: North by Northwest — Screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest,” with a live introduction and post-film discussion by Christine Madrid French, author of “The Architecture of Suspense.” Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, October 31, 1 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Haunted Symphony — The Charles Washington Symphony Orchestra performs on the lawn of McMurran Hall during downtown trick-or-treating. McMurran Hall, 101 East German St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, October 31, 6 pm. Free. Info…
Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast — Screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” with the Apollo Shadow Cast performing alongside the film. Doors at 11 pm, show at midnight. Apollo Civic Theatre, 128 East Martin St, Martinsburg. Saturday, October 31, 11 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Hitchcock Festival: Vertigo — Screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Vertigo,” with a live introduction and post-film discussion by Christine Madrid French, author of “The Architecture of Suspense”; final film in the festival. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Sunday, November 1, 1 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
John Brown’s Raid & Trial — Two-part ranger-led program marking the anniversary of John Brown’s Raid, starting in Lower Town Harpers Ferry and continuing at the Jefferson County Courthouse, where Brown was tried. About 1 mile of walking. The Green, Lower Town, Harpers Ferry, and Jefferson County Courthouse, 100 East Washington St, Charles Town. Monday, November 2, 11 am (Part 1) and 1:30 pm (Part 2). Free with park admission. Info…
Giving Back Through Art — Exhibition and sale of work by artist Marie Botsford to benefit the library, with an artist reception Saturday, November 7, 3-5 pm. Shepherdstown Public Library, 145 Higbee Lane, Shepherdstown. November 3–30. Free. Info…
Walks About Nothing — Informal one-hour community walk through downtown Charles Town. Kids and dogs welcome. Charles Town City Hall, 101 East Washington St, Charles Town. Wednesday, November 4, 6 pm. Free. Info…
Lecture: Roger Hanshaw — West Virginia House Speaker Roger Hanshaw speaks on “Civic Leadership in a Divided Era: How State Governments in Partnership with Universities Could Build Solutions.” Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, 213 North King St, Shepherdstown. Thursday, November 5, 6:30 pm. 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 — This is the last weekend in the museum’s 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…
~ Halloween Weekend at the Shepherdstown Opera House ~
Three screenings with live introduction and post-film discussion by author Christine Madrid French, author of the acclaimed book “The Architecture of Suspense”
Costumes Invited! Come dressed as your favorite Hitchcock character, a building from the films, the mood of suspense—or the master director himself. Oct 30, Oct 31 & Nov 1.
Trunk or Treat — Most of the trunk or treat events in Jefferson County took place last weekend or earlier this week, but we’ve found a couple on the schedule for this weekend:
Trunk or Treat at Blue Ridge Mountain Volunteer Fire Co. — Friday (Oct 30), 6 - 8 pm. 181 Keyes Gap Rd, Harpers Ferry. >>>Info…
Trunk or Treat at the State Police — Friday (Oct 30), 7 - 9 pm. 409 Industrial Blvd, Kearneysville. >>>Info…
Trick or Treat on October 31 — Bolivar, Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, Ranson, and Shepherdstown have official trick or treat hours from 6 to 8 pm. A good time to slow down and keep a sharp eye out for little ghouls and goblins walking around.
Halloween in Shepherdstown — The festivities start early Saturday morning (Oct 31), with multiple events around town, including themed puzzle contests, art classes, scavenger hunt, and ghost tours, and a haunted house. Shepherdstown will close several downtown streets to vehicles starting at 5:30 pm (German Street between Church & Mill Streets, King Street in front of Town Hall and behind the Market House, and Princess Street between High and New Streets). >>>Map…
The Halloween fun in Shepherdstown continues on Saturday evening for adults after trick or treating. On Sunday (Nov 1), The Shepherdstown Farmers Market will have trick or treating; there will also be a costume parade, witches dance, and a haunted house. >>>Complete schedule…
Children’s costumes on a budget — The Shepherdstown Public Library (145 Higbee Ln, Shepherdstown) is running a “costume swap” through October 31. Bring in gently used children's Halloween costumes your family no longer needs, and browse the rack for a "new-to-you" outfit. >>>Info…
Scarecrows on Display — The Town of Harpers Ferry will be judging the entries to its annual Scarecrow Contest on October 30, but the scarecrows will be up for a while.
Happy Halloween!
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.
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