Brian Bergstrom

Buckhannon Police are reviving the Youth Police Academy after a seven-year hiatus, with spots already filling toward the 40-student cap.

Upshur County Schools enters its final standardized testing window this month, with leaders set to review new ELA and math data as the district works toward 2028–29 proficiency goals.

Buckhannon City Council approved up to $15,000 in opioid settlement funds to certify three more peer support coaches for first responders. The program certifies first responders as coaches who help colleagues cope with the emotional toll of the job.

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.

A choir director. An art teacher. An athletic director. Several Upshur County school employees stood up and fought for their jobs at reduction in force hearings. Officials listened but said little. Then the state approved every cut.

Country group Parmalee will headline the 84th West Virginia Strawberry Festival with a free concert on Main Street May 16. Former WVU fullback Owen Schmitt will serve as grand marshal of the Grand Feature Parade.

State-appointed Superintendent Christy Miller told the Upshur County Board of Education that the district has posted strong gains since 2022, including higher achievement in math and English, as well as lower chronic absenteeism.

A city police officer, a state trooper and an EMS worker helped rescue an elderly woman from a burning Buckhannon home. Fire Chief JB Kimble says the rescue reflects a new generation rebuilding camaraderie across departments.

Buckhannon Patrolman Dylan Major and Sgt. Tom Posey were honored with the Buckhannon Police Department’s Life Saving Award after calmly talking a young man off an icy Poe Bridge in January.

It’s been almost three years since the West Virginia Department of Education took over Upshur County Schools. State officials say the progress is real but won’t offer a timeline or benchmarks for restoring local control.