Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for February 20, 2025

John Michael “Mike” Whitehair, of Buckhannon, passed away on May 8, 2026, after battling lung cancer. A Navy veteran and longtime coal miner, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.

Marie-Luise Elisabeth Busz Flor, 89, of Buckhannon and formerly of the Eden/Gaines Community, Rock Cave, WV, passed away on May 9, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Hospital. She was an active church and senior center member and an artist.

See the agenda for the City of Buckhannon Water Board meeting scheduled for May 14, 2026, including the items set for discussion and action. Stay informed on upcoming water board business and decisions affecting the community.

Nine Buckhannon-Upshur High School sophomores signed certificates committing to the county’s first MedEd program. The free WVU Medicine-backed pathway offers hands-on training, classroom instruction and a paid internship at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

West Virginia Wesleyan College will launch a sport management concentration in its MBA starting fall 2026, pairing seven core business courses with five sport-focused classes taught by industry experts.

Gov. Patrick Morrisey appointed Charleston native and avid hunter LeFlore Barbour Lucas to the West Virginia Natural Resources Commission, filling an at-large seat representing sportsmen and women statewide.