This year’s census marks a turning point for the Eastern Panhandle. Consider the following: the population of Charles Town grew 63.9 percent from 2000 to 2008. Shepherdstown grew 42.71 percent and Martinsburg’s change was 13.68 percent. While the rest of the state is generally losing population, our region has experienced unprecedented growth. One need only [...]

By Thomas Harding
This month I intend to overwhelm you with data . . . so strap on your seatbelts and let’s go for it.
First, let me introduce a new statistic to my loyal readers: the ratio between homes sold (“solds”) and homes on the market (“inventory”). Let’s call this ratio the sold/inventory ratio.
This ratio is [...]

By Dominic Valentine
In November’s general election, West Virginia voters will decide whether to amend the state’s constitution to allow lawmakers to change the tax code. At issue is whether commercial and industrial machinery, equipment, and inventory can be exempted from real property tax, also known as ad valorem taxation. Currently, businesses pay yearly taxes akin [...]

By David Lillard
Imagine this. A couple of West Virginia high-school kids commit some pranks one weekend. Local officials decide to teach them a lesson, and file criminal charges. One of the kids, call him Ted, happens to be 18 years old, an adult. The case is heard by a circuit court judge who only recently [...]

The Eastern Panhandle Chapter of the American Red Cross, in an effort to protect both our volunteers and clients, will be opening a shelter at Jefferson High School to provide a safe and warm environment for Jefferson County residents who may be suffering from long-term power and/or water outages.  This shelter will open at 11AM [...]

By Davic Lillard
West Virginia was once a leading producer of maple syrup. Today, even though 80 percent of the Mountain State is covered with hardwoods—about 110,000 square miles of them—West Virginia barely registers in syrup production. Neal Super’s Mountain State Maple is starting a homegrown sugarin’ renaissance here in the relative flatlands of Jefferson County. [...]

By Roger Munro
“If every house in the United States were to improve using Energy Star home sealing you could shut down 90 power plants.” — Steve Thomas of “This Old House.”
Odds have it that you are reading this edition of The Observer in a conventionally built home and you think your energy bills are too [...]

by Jeff Feldman
Some people wait for the stars to align before initiating action; for Barbara Humes, it had more to do with the Sun. Humes had been waiting eight years to see solar electric panels raised on the roof of her Harpers Ferry’s home. In late 2009, the pieces finally fell into place, and renewable [...]

By Thomas Harding 
Another year, another round of political battles in West Virginia. The filing period for the 2010 political races is now closed, and there are many interesting matchups. Here are a few of them.
 
West Virginia Supreme Court
Just over a year into his first term, Circuit Judge John Yoder is running for West Virginia Supreme Court. [...]

By Thomas Harding    
Each New Year the Jefferson County Assessor sends notices to local property owners informing them of any increase in their real estate assessments. This year’s letters have been mailed, and they bring with them good news for most homeowners. Of the 30,000 parcels in the county, only 800 will see an assessment increase [...]