Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for March 27, 2025

Kynnedy Marple and Payton Brown went deep as Buckhannon-Upshur’s Lady Bucs opened the 2026 season with a 12-5 Big 10 win over Robert C. Byrd, piling up 12 hits. Marple earned the relief win with seven strikeouts, while Brown, Marple, Knabenshue and Pastorius powered the offense.

Upshur County Schools’ state-appointed leaders are proposing a sweeping reduction in force that would terminate dozens of teachers and other professional staff, eliminate more than 30 service positions, and transfer many more, impacting over 120 employees countywide.

Willard J. Scott, 89, of Buckhannon, died March 19, 2026, at Crestview Manor in Jane Lew. He was a retired coal miner who enjoyed hunting and fishing.

The state Republican Executive Committee voted to close the party’s primary ballot beginning in 2026, meaning that unaffiliated voters will not be able to select a Republican ballot during the upcoming election. They can still select the Democrat or nonpartisan ballots.

Jeffrey Phares, owner of four north-central West Virginia cemeteries, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after taking payments meant for grave markers and using the money for himself.

Colonial Arts Center Gallery’s Upshur County Youth Arts Exhibition runs through April 11, featuring multi-media artwork from local students from elementary through high school. Vote for your favorites, and stop by the April 10 reception (4–7 p.m.) for free caricatures by J.R.