Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for February 18, 2025

Buckhannon-Upshur held steady at No. 8 in the latest WVSACA Class AAAA boys’ basketball poll after a 50-46 road win at Fairmont Senior. Now 11-5 with wins over Elkins and Grafton, the Bucs face a big neutral-site test Thursday vs. No. 5 AA Bluefield at WV State.

West Virginia’s Natural Resources Commission meets Thursday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m., with public access at six in-person district locations statewide and a view-only livestream on YouTube.

Stockert Youth Center’s after-school and fitness programs have faced cancellations and scheduling headaches amid heavy snow and cold weather. Director Debora Brockleman says building maintenance issues, including a worsening gym ceiling leak, are also adding to the strain.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, Upshur County Schools and the Education Alliance are launching MedEd, a free two-year pathway that trains Buckhannon-Upshur High sophomores to become Patient Care Technicians.

West Virginia hospitals are urging lawmakers to keep state healthcare policy stable as sweeping federal changes threaten more than $1 billion in lost resources.

Tennerton Elementary will soon have new safety gates around its playground after two local businesses agreed to cover all materials and labor at no cost. The gates aim to prevent cars from cutting through the area during the school day and improve student safety.