Buckhannon, be alert: Bear sighted in city Monday

Community Bulletin

The Healthy Hero Hustle 5K Run/Walk in Buckhannon will return for its third year on Saturday, September 19, 2026, as WVU Medicine St. Joseph's Hospital and West Virginia Wesleyan College team up again to benefit nursing students. Read more →

This story brought to you paywall-free, courtesy of the My Buckhannon team and our community partners

The latest: Read our update to this story by clicking here.

Upshur County officials are urging residents to be alert after more bear sightings have been reported inside Buckhannon city limits.

Shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, the Upshur County Office of Emergency Management sent out a text message urging residents near Randolph Street to go inside after bear sightings were reported to the E-911 Communications Center.

About 10 minutes later, an Upshur County Sheriff’s deputy spotted a bear cub near Micrologic, headed east, away from the city, roughly along the Old Elkins Road. According to radio traffic, a wildlife biologist from Elkins is en route with a trap.

At 2 p.m., the OEM sent a second message canceling the ‘shelter in place’ notice.

Davis Health System

The most recent sightings come after a woman was mauled by a bear at her home in Tennerton early Friday morning. A bear was also spotted by a West Virginia Wesleyan college administrator on campus last week.

On Monday, city information coordinator Callie Cronin Sams told My Buckhannon the police department was actively coordinating with the W.Va. Department of Natural Resources on a plan in response to the sightings.

Local Businesses

In-Home Services
My Buckhannon

Recent Stories

Training today, protecting tomorrow

WVU Medicine staff joined law enforcement and first responders for a realistic active-shooter drill at its nursing education center. The exercise tested split-second decisions, communication and partnerships essential to protecting patients during emergencies.