All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Buckhannon River Paddlers receives Celebrating Healthy West Virginia award

The West Virginia State Department of Health, Bureau for Public Health, Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease announced the recipients of the 2024 Celebrating Healthy West Virginia Award at Glade Springs Resort. The Buckhannon River Paddlers group was among those honored.

The awards were hosted by Active Southern West Virginia. This recognition celebrates 43 organizations committed to fostering environments that offer everyone the opportunity to live a healthier life.

Cabinet Secretary Sherri Young praised the recipients, stating, “The dedication and passion of these organizations are truly inspiring. Their commitment to improving the health and well-being of our communities reflects the very best of West Virginia. By supporting and acknowledging their work, we hope to encourage even more initiatives that promote healthy living across our state.”

The 2024 award recipients include a diverse range of organizations making significant strides in health promotion and community wellness:

  • Active Southern West Virginia
  • Arthurdale Heritage
  • Buckhannon River Paddlers
  • Cabell-Huntington Health Department
  • Center for Active WV
  • Circles Campaign of the Mid-Ohio Valley, Inc.
  • Clendenin Elk River Walking Club
  • Columbia Forest Products
  • Community Markets Inc.
  • Elk River Trail Foundation
  • Faith in Action of the Greater Kanawha Valley, Inc.
  • Free Meals Appalachia
  • Fun Fitness Foundation Inc.
  • Girls on the Run of the Shenandoah Valley
  • Grayhound Youth Sports
  • Grrl Gang Runners and Friends
  • Healthy Berkeley County
  • Heart+Hand Outreach Ministries
  • HoH-Share
  • Keep Your Faith Corporation
  • KEYS 4 HealthyKids
  • Laughlin Memorial Chapel
  • Lewis County Family Resource Network
  • Mon Health Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital
  • Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center
  • Mountaineer Food Bank
  • Mountains of Hope Outreach
  • Niterra North America, Inc
  • Parents Auxiliary Inc. Ken Ellis Memorial Park
  • Plant the Seed Project
  • Potomac Valley Audubon
  • Rebuilding Together Charleston
  • Refresh Appalachia
  • Roane General Hospital- Prescription for Your Health
  • Southern Appalachian Labor School
  • Southern West Virginia Health System
  • Spotted Owl Healthcare Organization
  • The Amputee Center
  • Try This WV
  • We Bike WV
  • Wetzel County Family Resource Network
  • WV National Interscholastic Cycling League
  • WVU School of Dentistry’s Certified Tobacco Treatment Training Program

Several organizations received special honors for their exceptional contributions:

  • Arthurdale Heritage was recognized with the 2024 Inspiring Innovator Award.
  • The Amputee Center received the 2024 Jessica G. Wright Health Equity Award.
  • Rebuilding Together Charleston was awarded the 2024 Community Care Award.
  • WV National Interscholastic Cycling League earned the 2024 Trailblazer Award.

“These organizations work tirelessly each day to create a healthier and more vibrant community for their members,” said Sheryn Carey, Director of the West Virginia HPCD. “We are thrilled to celebrate their remarkable efforts and the positive impact they have made across our state.”

The Celebrating Healthy West Virginia awardees will receive special signage and promotional materials to highlight their commitment to policies, programs and practices that foster healthier lifestyles.

To learn more about the Celebrating Healthy West Virginia initiative and discover how your community can get involved, please visit celebratinghealthywv.com.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Local Rotary club expands soft-plastics recycling drop-off sites in Upshur County

The Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur has added more drop-off locations for its soft-plastics recycling project, keeping thousands of pounds out of local landfills. The effort helps fund balers and inclusive playground equipment made from recycled materials.

WVWC Center for Community Engagement & Leadership Development to host Community Labs on fundraising, marketing

WVWC’s Center for Community Engagement & Leadership Development is hosting free Community Labs to help local nonprofits, mission-driven groups, and businesses strengthen fundraising and marketing.

Upshur County Board of Education Agenda: January 20, 2026

The Upshur County Board of Education will hold a meeting January 20, 2026, and this notice outlines the agenda for that session.

Upshur County Convention & Visitors Bureau seeking executive director

Upshur County Convention & Visitors Bureau is hiring an executive director to lead tourism development, marketing and community engagement.

Basketball ‘Cats have no answers for UC’s offense in 100-58 setback

Charleston rolled to a 100–58 Mountain East Conference win over West Virginia Wesleyan, led by Matthew Shelton’s 20 points and strong depth as the Bobcats fell to 0–14.

Wesleyan women drop game at the buzzer to Charleston, 53-51

West Virginia Wesleyan fell 53-51 to Charleston after a final-second layup, despite Sydney Baird’s 14 points and Kilah Dandridge’s 12 points and five assists in a tightly contested Mountain East Conference game.

Tucker and Pingley record double-doubles as B-U secures first win of the year with a 58-43 victory over Robert C. Byrd

Madelyn Tucker and Emma Pingley each posted double-doubles as Buckhannon-Upshur earned its first win, defeating Robert C. Byrd 58-43 behind Tucker’s 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Election Update: The latest local candidate filings as of January 14

Candidate filings are underway for the May 12, 2026, Primary Election, with early entries for county commission, school board and city recorder. The filing deadline is Jan. 31, 2026.

Winter weather advisory issued for Upshur County as snow moves in

A winter weather advisory is in effect for Upshur County from 4 p.m. Wednesday to 1 p.m. Thursday as a fast-moving system could bring 2–4 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 35 mph.