Welcome back to EP Digest. Every Thursday morning, the best local news, events, and happenings from Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties — tailored to what you actually care about. No doom-scrolling, no algorithm. Just the stuff that matters in the Eastern Panhandle. Let's get into it.
The Transmission-Line Fight Reaches Jefferson County.
Several large electric transmission projects are pushing across West Virginia, and the fight over them now has a clear Jefferson County front. The line slated to cross the county is FirstEnergy's Gore-Dobbs-Goose Creek (GDGC) 500-kilovolt project. The County Commission voted to oppose its route back in February 2025, and residents have organized as Jefferson County VOLT to keep fighting it. FirstEnergy says it would use taller monopoles to keep the line inside an existing right-of-way, and it hasn't yet filed formal plans with the state Public Service Commission. WV Independent Observer.
The frustration runs statewide. At a June 15 legislative interim meeting, Del. Bill Ridenour (R-Jefferson) and others pressed on why West Virginia ratepayers should foot the bill for lines built largely to serve Virginia's data centers. On a separate line crossing other parts of the state — the MidAtlantic Resiliency Link (MARL) — the PSC has logged about 40 letters of protest for every one in support. WV Public Broadcasting.
Worth watching: a third project — Valley Link's 765-kilovolt Valley North line — hasn't locked in a route yet, and it's holding a public open house in Shepherdstown on June 30 (details in This Week & Upcoming). With routes still on the drawing board, this is the window when public comment carries the most weight. We'll keep tracking all of it.
What's the PSC? The West Virginia Public Service Commission is the state board that regulates private utilities — electric, gas, water, and phone. Big transmission lines need its sign-off, and before deciding it takes public comment and lets affected parties file as formal “intervenors.” For projects like these, the PSC is where most of the decision — and most of the leverage for residents — sits.
What Local Government Is Working On
Berkeley County is merging its EMS boards. Starting July 1, 2027, the county will fold its emergency-medical-services boards directly under the county commission — eliminating a separate board and creating one department of 100-plus employees. County Administrator Gary Wine pitched it as a more efficient use of tax dollars; commission President Eddie Gochenour and county EMS director Brandon Truman say the change should be seamless for employees and the public alike. The Journal.
Jefferson County stands up a new Agritourism Taskforce. The county's new taskforce on agritourism — the farms, orchards, and on-the-land experiences that draw visitors — holds its first meeting Monday, June 22 at 3 p.m. (393 N. Lawrence St, Charles Town) to elect officers and set its workplan. The County Commission itself doesn't sit again until its next regular meeting on July 2; there's no third-Thursday session in June. Agendas, minutes, and webcasts.
The data-center law is facing new opposition. The fight we've followed all spring keeps moving: House Democrats' minority caucus is taking aim at the 2025 law that limited counties' say over data centers, and Berkeley County officials — home to the state's first high-impact data center at Bedington — are still pressing the state for clarity on how the tax revenue gets split. WV MetroNews.
Development Watch
Shepherdstown moves to buy a former school property. The Corporation of Shepherdstown is working to purchase a former school site — a town land acquisition that could shape what gets built or reused there. WV Independent Observer.
Part of South King Street could go car-free. Shepherdstown is weighing a public-use pilot that would block off a section of South King Street to pedestrianize it — the kind of small downtown experiment that tends to draw strong opinions both ways. Spirit of Jefferson.
Ranson is upgrading its public works building as the city grows. The mayor says the improvements will help the city keep pace with its expansion — one more sign of how fast that corner of Jefferson County is adding rooftops and the services to match. Spirit of Jefferson.
Berkeley County offices closed — West Virginia Day
County offices are closed Thursday, June 19 in observance of West Virginia Day — a heads-up if you've got county business that day. Berkeley County.
Agritourism Taskforce — first meeting — Charles Town
3 p.m. • County Commission Meeting Room, 393 N. Lawrence St (East entrance) • The new Jefferson County taskforce elects officers and sets its workplan; public comment is on the agenda, and it streams on the county's YouTube channel.
Berkeley County Comprehensive Plan — public input — Martinsburg
Two come-anytime sessions on the draft "Plan for the Future": a pop-up at the Martinsburg Public Library (101 W. King St) 10 a.m.–noon, and a drop-in at the County Administration Building (400 W. Stephen St) 5–7 p.m. Berkeley County.
NIGHTS
Free MAC Summer Concerts — Berkeley Springs
The Morgan Arts Council's free Friday Night summer concert series is back on the Ice House's Charlotte's Cafe Garden Stage. Morgan Messenger.
Pride in the Park — Berkeley Springs
11 a.m.–4 p.m. • Berkeley Springs State Park • The 6th annual Pride Picnic in the Park — live music, local vendors, and food in Morgan County. Discover Berkeley Springs.
Valley Link transmission open house — Shepherdstown
4–7:30 p.m. • Storer Ballroom, Shepherd University Student Center, 210 N. King St • Public meeting on the proposed 765-kV "Valley North" line; the route isn't set yet, so this is the moment to weigh in. Project info.
OPEN
CATF summer season — Shepherdstown
The Contemporary American Theater Festival's 2026 season is underway at Shepherd University. Check the festival site for the full schedule and tickets. CATF.
8–11
IBO World Championship — Cacapon Resort State Park
Looking ahead: the International Bowhunting Organization brings its World Championship to Cacapon near Berkeley Springs — a national archery event landing in Morgan County. Berkeley Springs events.
Watching the Water, Planning the Fourth.
A Morgan County study to watch: the first preliminary planning study of Warm Springs Run since the U.S. 522 bypass was built is examining flood risk through Berkeley Springs — useful context for anyone downstream. Morgan Messenger.
Early Fourth of July planning: if you're hosting visitors, Harpers Ferry keeps turning up on regional July 4 travel roundups — an easy, historic day trip without leaving the Panhandle. WV Explorer.
Got a tip? Send it over.
Story, event, business, government, school, neighborhood, weird-and-wonderful — if it's local, we want to hear it. Saw a new sign go up? Heard about a meeting no one's talking about? Know of a shop opening, closing, or expanding? Spotted something on your street that turned out to be interesting? Send us a note at [email protected] — tips of every kind keep the Digest sharper than any source list could. We protect our sources, and we verify before we publish.
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