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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Veterans Day Celebrations, Shepherdstown News, Solar Project Comment Open
Published 26 minutes ago • 13 min read
Observer Weekly
November 12, 2026
Jefferson County, WV news & events
With Halloween in the rear view mirror and Christmas lights already popping up, it seems as if we’re racing through November. Still, the folks in Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry held on to Halloween for a few more days with some light-hearted fun (see our Spotlight at the end of this week’s issue).
A reminder that our November calendar includes in-person conversation with The Observer team about the 2026 election results and the local issues ahead in 2027. We want to hear what’s on your mind and share what we’ve learned this year:
Sunday, Nov. 22, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Shepherdstown Opera House Free. Seating is limited to 100. Register here
The Towns of Bolivar and Harpers Ferry kicked off Veterans Day with a parade on Washington Street at 9 am in the morning (above), accompanied by music from the Harpers Ferry Middle School band (below). Following the parade, community members gathered for a brief wreath presentation ceremony and remarks at Harpers Ferry Middle School.
At 11:00 am members of the American Legion Post 71 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3522 in Charles Town came together for a ceremony at Jefferson Memorial Park. Beth Ann VanVleet (image below), a retired Army Sergeant, spoke during the ceremony. As she told the story of her service in Afghanistan, she reminded the audience that her story “is just one thread in the fabric” that links all of the veterans past, present, and future. VanVleet also noted the service that veterans continue in their communities, noting that while “the uniform may go into the closet, the oath of fidelity to the Constitution does not expire.”
Open enrollment is a good time to look at your health plan with a car wreck in mind. If you’re hurt in a crash, your health insurance is usually the first to pay, with reimbursement sorted out later if your case settles. Deductibles and copays add up fast, so your plan matters. Nobody plans on a wreck, but a little homework now means one less worry if it happens.
Skinner Law Firm 115 E Washington St., Charles Town WV 25414. 304.777.7777 SEVEN STATES. ONE FIRM. Andrew Skinner is admitted in VA,WV & IL and Stephen Skinner is admitted in WV, MD, DC & NY
Shepherdstown Snapshot
Bench unveiling on October 24, 2026
The Shepherdstown Town Council met for a regular meeting on Tuesday, November 10. Here’s the highlights:
Town’s floodplain ordinance to be updated — New FEMA flood maps for Jefferson County take effect Nov. 27, and the Town needs an updated floodplain ordinance by then to stay in the National Flood Insurance Program. The Town Council advanced the proposed ordinance during its Nov. 10 meeting and will take a final vote at its Nov. 24 meeting. The proposed ordinance is based on text provided by the state, Mayor James Gatz said. To see whether the new maps change the flood zone for a property, look it up on FEMA’s Flood Map Changes Viewer, which compares the current and new maps.
Accessory dwellings to be allowed — Starting Jan. 1, owners of single-family homes in town can add one accessory dwelling unit (ADU), either attached to the house or separate from it. The Town Council unanimously amended the Town’s zoning code to allow ADUs, as state law now requires. Units are capped at 1,000 square feet, need no extra parking and may be rented. In the Historic District, they need design approval.
Traffic safety updates — The Shepherdstown Police Department has deployed three new speed monitors and a blinking speed sign as part of the Town’s traffic safety efforts. Data from the movable monitors will help focus speed enforcement on the places and times that need it most, Sgt. Bryce Dickens said. Gatz is also forming an advisory committee on traffic enforcement, which he reported will include town residents as well as state Senator Patricia Rucker.
Experience Shepherdstown presentation. Shannon Thomas, president of Experience Shepherdstown’s board, updated the Town Council Nov. 10 on the nonprofit’s year, which included the launch of a new website (Shepherdstown.info), production of 10 First Friday events such as November’s Inflatables Race, and Easter, Halloween, and upcoming Holiday events including the Holiday Kickoff and Tree Lighting on Friday, November 27. The group is also coordinating a retail market study expected in January 2027.
Morgan’s Grove path update — Work on the Route 480 path to Morgan’s Grove Park starts Monday, Nov. 16. A contractor hired by the state will begin at the Morgan’s Grove end and work toward town. Completion is scheduled for July 2027.
Another Bench Along The Wall
A memorial bench for Todd Hartman will be dedicated Saturday, Nov. 14, at noon at The Wall in front of McMurran Hall. Built by his stepfather and painted by local artist Morgan Wisniewski, it is the latest in the Town’s public bench initiative. All are welcome.
Note: The Observer’s publisher serves on the Shepherdstown Town Council.
A message from Over The Mountain Studio Tour
All year long, the artists of the Over the Mountain Studio Tour prepare to open their studios each fall, welcoming visitors to discover their newest creations and experience the inspiration behind their work. Nestled among the beautiful rolling hills of Jefferson County, our studios offer a unique glimpse into the creative process and the lives of local artists. From expansive farms and rustic workshops to charming historic homes, each stop offers its own special experience. This free, self-guided tour invites you to explore at your own pace, meet the artists, and enjoy a weekend of art, inspiration, and discovery.
The Shepherdstown Fire Department dedicated its newest vehicle, “Tanker 3,” during a community ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 8.
Chief Ross Morgan speaking on Nov. 8
Chief Ross Morgan opened the formal part of the ceremony by recounting the history of the dedication tradition, noting past honorees for their service and support:
Charles Tice Tennant (2006 EMS chase buggy)
Kenneth Shipley (2012 Engine 3)
Shepherdstown Homemakers Club (2016 Ambulance 3)
Rev. Charles Cathcart (2016 Ambulance 3-1)
Chief D. Lee Morgan (2018 Aerial truck)
Doug & Judy Pittinger (2022 chase buggy)
The new tanker was dedicated to honor retired Chief Leon Catrow. According to Morgan, Catrow joined the department in 1959 and became Chief Engineer in 1962. He served as Assistant Fire Chief from 1966 until 1999, when he was appointed Fire Chief, a position he held until he retired in 2005. Morgan noted that in his 47 years of service, Catrow was instrumental in acquiring several tankers for the Department, including a repurposed 1947 fuel delivery truck and an early 1960s converted milk truck. In 1977, Catrow organized the purchase of the Department’s first new tanker and also its 2000 replacement, which will be sold after the newly-dedicated tanker is put into service.
Following the dedication ceremony, Chief Marshall DeMeritt invited community members to participate in the hose-down and push-in transition — a ceremonial washing of the new vehicle and then all hands-on-deck effort to push the truck into the station (image below).
Morgan pegged the all-in cost of the new tanker at $780,000 — funded by years of bingo, apple butter sales, and Sportsman’s Bashes. The escalating costs of new fire apparatus will be a key point in the County Commission’s discussions of how it plans to support a viable fire fighting service in the coming decades.
A message from WVU Medicine
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.
Community Food Market Has Thanksgiving Items — Community Markets now offers delivery throughout Jefferson County as well as Thursday pickup at its St. Isidore Market (49 Crosswinds Dr, Charles Town). Preordering for St. Isador pickup is open from 4 pm on Thursdays through 8 am on Tuesdays. This month’s offerings include locally-sourced turkeys, hams, pies and other holiday items. >>>Learn more…
Running With The Dogs — Looking for dog-friendly places and events around Jefferson County and beyond? A community-driven project just launched with information on dog-friendly places, events, weekend weather and rescues. Learn more and sign up for the free newsletter at PotomacPack.com.
Rabies Clinic (Nov. 14) — The Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County will offer a rabies vaccination clinic on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 8 am to 10 pm at the Moose Lodge in Ranson (77 Universal Products Rd, Ranson). $10 for one-year vaccination; bring a prior (unexpired) rabies certificate to get a new three-year certificate. >>>Event details…
CPR Class (Nov 17) — The Jefferson County Emergency Services Agency will conduct a free First Aid training class at the JCESA building (419 Sixteenth Ave, Ranson) on Tuesday Nov. 17 at 6 pm. Free to community members, registration is recommended >>>Details and registration…
Valley North Transmission Line Meeting (Nov 18) — Valley Link will have updated maps and information about its plans to construct a 765 kilovolt transmission line across Jefferson County during an “open house” event on Nov. 18 from 4 – 7 pm at the Ranson Civic Center (432 West 2nd Ave, Ranson). >>>More information…
Register for LEGO Competition (Dec 5) — The Berkeley County Civitan Club will hold its 3rd annual LEGO competition on December 5. Entry fee is $5, with youth and adult category prizes. To register, email CivitanHannah@gmail.com before November 29.
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) is accepting public comment through Dec. 5, 2026 for the draft Stormwater Pollution Protection Plan (SWPPP) submitted by Torch Clean Energy for its Rippon solar project.
According to the description included in the SWPPP, the Rippon Solar project will be constructed in three separate areas connected by an underground medium-voltage collection system. The total project size is approximately 600 acres. The 1,000+ page SWPPP document is available to download from the WV DEP website (click here).
Comments can be emailed to DEP.Comments@wv.gov. Comments should reference permit number WVR113220 in the email subject.
The proposed 765-kV Valley North line would cut through Jefferson County’s homes, farms, history, and groundwater. It won’t deliver power to our homes. It’s built to move electricity to Northern Virginia and its data centers.
We get the towers. They get the power. We pay the cost.
Don’t let them decide without you.
Valley Link Open House Wednesday, November 18, 4-7 PM Ranson Civic Center 432 W. 2nd Ave, Ranson, WV
Highlights of upcoming events around Jefferson County:
Theater: Twelfth Night — Shepherd University’s Rude Mechanicals Medieval and Renaissance Players perform a 1990s take on Shakespeare’s comedy. Marinoff Theater, Shepherd University, 62 West Campus Drive, Shepherdstown. Thursday–Saturday, November 12–14, 7 pm. Sunday, November 15, 3 pm. $5 at the door, free for Shepherd students, faculty and staff. Tickets & Info…
Film: Blazing Saddles — Mel Brooks’ 1974 comedy, which the American Film Institute named the funniest film of all time to mark his 100th birthday in June. A Shepherdstown Film Society selection. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Friday, November 13, 7 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Outdoor School — Potomac Valley Audubon Society program on the changing seasons and the science behind them. Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Rd, Charles Town. Friday, November 13, 9 am-3 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Over the Mountain Studio Tour — Self-guided weekend tour of art and craft featuring 20 artists at 11 studio locations in Jefferson County. Saturday–Sunday, November 14–15, 10 am-5 pm. Free. Info…
Pancake Breakfast — Pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and more. New Street United Methodist Church, 202 West New St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, November 14, 7-11 am. $ Tickets & Info…
Veterans Challenge 5K — The hilly course travels through the streets of Brunswick and passes local veterans memorials before finishing near Square Corner Park. Square Corner Park, Brunswick, MD. Saturday, November 14, 8:30 am. $ Tickets & Info…
Chess Tournament — Open tournament with five rounds of play for all ages with a $500 prize pool. Shepherd University Student Center, 210 North King St, Shepherdstown. Saturday–Sunday, November 14–15, 10 am. $ Tickets & Info…
Nature Journaling — Potomac Valley Audubon Society nature journaling session. Yankauer Nature Preserve, 438 Whitings Neck Rd, Martinsburg. Saturday, November 14, 10 am. Free. Info…
Nature Center Open Day — Potomac Valley Audubon Society nature center open to visitors. Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Rd, Charles Town. Saturday, November 14, 10 am. Free. Info…
Cocoa with Mrs. Claus — Cocoa and a visit with Mrs. Claus. Old Opera House, 204 North George St, Charles Town. Saturday, November 14, 10 am. Free admission (bring donation for food pantry). Info…
Wool Needle Felt Mouse Class — Learn how to make a needle-felted wool mouse. Firehouse Gallery, 108 North George St, Charles Town. Saturday, November 14, 1:00-4:00 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Beauty & the B Flats CD Release Concert — Vocal and instrumental jazz band with deep Shepherd roots plays the great classics in fresh arrangements. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Saturday, November 14, 7 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Masterworks Chorale — Shepherd University’s Masterworks Chorale performs Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. Frank Arts Center, 260 University Dr, Shepherdstown. Saturday, November 14, 7:30 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Two Rivers Brass Quintet — Friends of Music concert, “Bach, Bernstein & Beyond.” Trinity Episcopal Church, 200 West German St, Shepherdstown. Sunday, November 15, 3 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
National Theatre Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses — Filmed National Theatre production of Christopher Hampton’s play, starring Lesley Manville and Aidan Turner and directed by Marianne Elliott. Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St, Shepherdstown. Sunday, November 15, 3 pm. $ Tickets & Info…
Shepherd University Trombone Choir — Concert by the Shepherd University School of Music Trombone Choir, directed by James Martin. Frank Arts Center, 260 University Dr, Shepherdstown. Sunday, November 15, 5:30 pm. Free. Info: music@shepherd.edu
Wellness Nature Walk — Potomac Valley Audubon Society guided walk. Murphy-Chambers Farm, 123 Murphy Rd, Harpers Ferry. Tuesday, November 17, 10 am. Info…
Bird Walk — Potomac Valley Audubon Society morning bird walk. Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Rd, Charles Town. Wednesday, November 18, 7:30 am. Info…
Wee Naturalists Program — Potomac Valley Audubon Society Wee Naturalists program. Cool Spring Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Rd, Charles Town. Wednesday, November 18, 9:30 am. Info…
Valley Link Public Meeting — Open house on the proposed Valley Link 765-kilovolt transmission line and its route options. Ranson Civic Center, 432 West 2nd Ave, Ranson. Wednesday, November 18, 4-7 pm. Info…
GIS Day — Introduction to the mapping tools available from the Jefferson County GIS Department. Jefferson County Government Center, 393 North Lawrence St, Charles Town. Wednesday, November 18, 6-8 pm. Free. Info…
Lectures & Libations — Shepherd University faculty Matt Kushin, Jeff Groff and professor emeritus Larry Daily discuss how scholars write, create and explore across disciplines. Study Hall Sports Pub, 126 East German St, Shepherdstown. Thursday, November 19, 5-7 pm. Free. Info…
Writing Club — Writing group for writing to prompts and workshopping poems. Skull City Studio, 105 South Princess St, Shepherdstown. Thursday, November 19, 6-8 pm. 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…
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…
Time Change for the Opening Reception! Starting at 4 pm.
The Bridge Gallery starts the holiday season with an exhibit featuring paintings by Seth Hill, Ed Ramsburg, Joshua Hoffman and David Bottini. Come to the reception and meet these talented painters! Joshua Hoffman will also be doing a painting demo at the gallery on Sunday afternoon starting at 2. Everyone is welcome.
The Bridge Gallery is located at 8566 Shepherdstown Pike, Shepherdstown, WV.
Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry held on to the Halloween spirit for a few more days with some post-holiday events that brought their communities together for some light-hearted fun.
On Nov. 6, Shepherdstown’s “First Friday” celebration featured its first “Inflatables Race” with dozens of costumed contestants racing in multiple heats on a short course in front of Town Hall. Organized by Experience Shepherdstown volunteers, the races might be better described as “jiggly jaunts of leftover haunts.”
On Saturday, Nov. 7, the Harpers Ferry community gathered for the 5th annual Pumpkin Roll. When Harpers Ferry Mayor Greg Vaughn convinced the Town Council to sponsor the first event in 2023, it drew a small crowd of 20 participants. According to Town officials, the 2026 event drew 82 rollers and raised $800 for the Harpers Ferry Middle School band.
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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