Patrick Lane, a lifelong Upshur County resident and longtime local business manager, has announced his candidacy for Upshur County Commissioner in the 2026 election.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary is accepting applications for its 2026 healthcare scholarship program, awarding two $1,000 scholarships to eligible Upshur County students. Applications are available now and must be submitted by May 1.

The Buckhannon Upshur Camera Club showcased 124 photos at the Pickens Maple Syrup Festival, drawing 900+ People’s Choice ballots. The ribbon went to Al Tucker for “Dolly Sods Sunrise.” The club’s next exhibit is at the WV Strawberry Festival in May.

The Upshur County Public Library’s 31st Annual Ramp Dinner returns April 17, with dine-in and carryout options. Tickets are on sale until 10 a.m. April 15, and proceeds support library programs and summer reading.

A community bench donated by the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur to the Gibson Library was taken overnight on April 8 and returned the next day amid an active police investigation.

Hello, Buckhannon! Catch up on all the latest buzz in this edition of Buckhannon Banter.

The Buckhannon-Upshur Chamber of Commerce is hiring a full-time executive director to lead operations, grow membership, coordinate events and strengthen community partnerships. The role offers a flexible schedule; applications are now being accepted.

A candidate forum is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at WVWC’s Performing Arts Center, hosted by the B-U Chamber of Commerce, My Buckhannon and WVWC Student Senate. The event will feature candidates running for county commission, board of education and city council.

Buckhannon-Upshur’s 10th-ranked Lady Bucs returned from spring break and notched Big 10 wins over Lincoln (6-4) and East Fairmont (14-2).

West Virginia Wesleyan swept Salem University in Buckhannon, with both the women’s and men’s tennis teams earning 6-1 non-conference wins. The women took key singles and doubles points, while the men rolled with five straight-set singles victories.

The latest Hank Ellis All-Stars are Angelina Winter and Jaxon Spratt. Winter went 2-0 in singles and doubles to help the Lady Bucs earn their first win, while Spratt crushed two homers and drove in six in a 13-1 win over Lewis County.

Jaxon Spratt blasted a three-run homer in the fourth to break open a tight game and lift Buckhannon-Upshur past East Fairmont, 5-1, in Big 10 play. Spratt went 3-for-3, while Jerin Westfall struck out 11 over 5 2/3 strong innings.

Buckhannon-Upshur’s Lady Bucs bounced back from a rough 0-2 Friday at Myrtle Beach to close their spring break trip with an 11-1, five-inning win over Wildwood (NJ). Kynnedy Marple struck out six and Madi Knabenshue had three hits as B-U improved to 7-5.

West Virginia Wesleyan scored in three straight innings and got a solo homer from Adrian Amezquita, but Akron’s fast start and six-run fifth powered a 14-4 win Tuesday at Skeeles Field. Amezquita had both Bobcat hits as Wesleyan fell to 9-25 while Akron improved to 14-17.

Brody McDaniels powered Buckhannon-Upshur to a 6-4 road win at Fairmont Senior, blasting a two-run homer and pitching five strong innings as the Bucs improved to 4-1. Jacob Frye closed the door with a two-inning save after a late Polar Bears rally.

West Virginia Wesleyan swept West Virginia State 6-5 and 8-2 in a Mountain East Conference doubleheader at Hank Ellis Field. The Bobcats stormed back with a four-run fifth to win the opener, then jumped ahead with a five-run first and cruised in Game 2.

West Virginia Wesleyan split a Friday doubleheader with Salem at The Bridge, winning the opener 6-3 before falling 9-1 in six innings. Ella Fournier and Emma Putman powered game one, but Salem’s four-run first inning in game two proved too much to overcome.