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

Central West Virginia Republican Women to welcome gubernatorial candidates Monday

The West Virginia State Capitol Building gleams in the sunlight in this aerial shot. / Photo courtesy of Robbie Skinner

BUCKHANNON – The president of the Central West Virginia Republican Women’s Club knows May 12, 2020 – the day of the primary election in the Mountain State – will be here soon.

So, to help club members and other Republicans in the area make an informed decision about who to cast their ballot for when electing West Virginia’s next governor, LeVera Gillum has invited all three gubernatorial candidates to speak at the CWVRW’s Monday, Aug. 26 meeting.

Gov. Jim Justice, Woody Thrasher and Michael Folk have all been invited to discuss their individual platforms at Monday’s meeting, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the 88 Restaurant & Lounge/BiCentennial Inn on Main Street.

“I am pleased to have the candidates attending our meeting to give our members and guests an opportunity to get to know them and discuss their platform,” Gillum said. “This is not a debate, but there will be a question-and-answer session.”

Incumbent governor and agriculture and coal mining businessman Jim Justice is being challenged by third-generation civil engineer Woody Thrasher, who founded Thrasher Engineering Firm in 1983 with his father.

Michael Folk is a former Republican member of the House of Delegates from 2012-2018 for District 63 and is employed as a pilot.

The meeting is open to all Republicans – men or women – in the county and central West Virginia area, and Gillum says the club is always ready to welcome new members.

“The membership is growing, and we welcome new members,” she said. “Registered Republican women are invited to join. Annual dues are $17. Registered Republican men are invited to join as an associate member. Annual associate dues are $10.”

Please call Gillum at 304-472-3175 for more information about Monday’s meeting or joining the Central West Virginia Republican Women’s Club. Meetings take place on the fourth Monday of each month. CWVRW’s mission is to work to positively impact West Virginia and the U.S., while strengthening the Republican Party by recruiting, educating, supporting and electing Republicans.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon City Council Agenda: December 18, 2025

The Buckhannon City Council will meet December 18, 2025, and this agenda outlines items to be discussed at that session.

Upshur County Board of Education Agenda: December 16, 2025

Get the full agenda for the Upshur County Board of Education meeting scheduled for December 16, 2025. See what’s on…

Denise St. Clair Straight

Denise St. Clair Straight, 71, a beloved Buckhannon kindergarten teacher, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and community volunteer, died December 11, remembered for her generosity, humor, baking and lifelong service to students and neighbors.

Loretta Rose (Kelley) Westfall

Loretta Rose (Kelley) Westfall, 63, of Tallmansville, WV, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and Tenmile Baptist Church singer, died December 13, 2025; she will be cremated and a memorial service held later.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar lists local basketball games, swimming meets, and wrestling events for Buckhannon-Upshur and area schools from Dec. 15–21, with several home and away contests and some TBA times.

Wesleyan women cruise past Salem in non-conference win, 71–43

West Virginia Wesleyan dominated Salem 71–43, shooting 50.9%, outrebounding the Tigers 44–28, getting 54 points in the paint and four double-digit scorers to improve to 4–2 (2–1 MEC).

Basketball ‘Cats drop heartbreaker to Salem, 76-75

West Virginia Wesleyan lost a 76–75 heartbreaker at Salem after late free throws gave the Tigers a one-point edge despite Curtis Litton’s 18 points, Wesleyan’s 47–34 rebounding advantage and a go-ahead three with one second left.

Tenney, Baisden earn Second Team All-State honors for Buckhannon-Upshur

Two Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers, senior utility QB Dawson Tenney and junior defensive lineman Kadyn Baisden, were named to the WVSWA 2025 Class AAAA Second Team All-State Football roster.

Upshur County Sheriff appoints officer with 23 years of experience as chief deputy

Sheriff Mike Coffman appointed Theron Caynor, a 23-year veteran of the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, as chief deputy during a Dec. 11 swearing-in in the circuit courtroom.