Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 21, 2026
West Virginia Wesleyan College professor Greg Popovich will take life-size West Virginia cryptids to Gaming Community Expo at Universal Studios, an annual event that attracts about 10,000 gamers.
Spotted lanternfly has been confirmed in St. Albans, making Kanawha the 22nd West Virginia county with the invasive pest. Officials urge residents to inspect vehicles, remove tree-of-heaven and report sightings to bugbusters@wvda.us.
More than 15,000 scouts and volunteers will bring heavier traffic to southern West Virginia during the July 22-31 National Jamboree. Expect peak congestion on arrival and departure days, especially along U.S. 19, W.Va. 16 and I-77.
WVU engineers developed WildFIRE-DS, an AI framework that helps satellites detect wildfires, coordinate observations and reposition for continued monitoring. The system could give firefighters faster, more accurate information as blazes spread.
The Buckhannon Consolidated Public Works Board will meet July 23, 2026. View the meeting agenda.
A flash flood emergency was issued for Buckhannon and central Upshur County after 3 to 5 inches of rain triggered rescues, road closures and flooded structures. Residents were urged to avoid travel, move to higher ground and never drive through floodwater.