News Release

WVU Medicine rheumatologist Colleen Watkins, M.D., has been named the 2026 Andrew D. Bunta Own the Bone Clinician of the Year by the American Orthopaedic Association.

Alan Turner returns to Clarksburg’s Robinson Grand with “Real Love: Kenny & Dolly” on Aug. 23 at 3 p.m., pairing his Kenny Rogers tribute with Laurie Lynn as Dolly Parton.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital general surgeon Dr. Susan Long has been named WVSOM’s 2026 Outstanding Preceptor Award recipient for the Central East Region.

Fairmont State University Chief of Staff Dr. Brian Selmeski has been selected for the national Executive Leadership Academy, a competitive program preparing 36 senior leaders for presidential roles.

WVDNR is taking applications for a controlled waterfowl hunt Oct. 3-11 at McClintic WMA near Point Pleasant, with entries due by 11:59 p.m. Aug. 14.

A Bridgeport, West Virginia, physician assistant was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for falsifying VA medical records to steal disability benefits and wipe out $242,528 in federal student loans. Christina Nolte was also ordered to pay $355,179.13 in restitution.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey and transportation leaders opened a new 11-mile, four-lane stretch of Corridor H from Kerens toward Parsons, boosting safety, cutting travel times, and strengthening links between Randolph and Tucker counties.

LUCAS, WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, brings low-dose CT scans to Weston (July 14), Rock Cave (July 15–16) and Buckhannon (July 17).

Buckhannon’s June 22-26 calendar includes a June 25 Consolidated Public Works Board meeting and the return of Festival Fridays with Full Circle, plus the weekly Farmers Market in Jawbone Park.

NRGRDA executive director Jina Belcher has stepped down after more than seven years leading economic development efforts in Southern West Virginia.