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

Commission approves grant application that would pay for X-ray machines at courthouse annex entrance

Meeting in-person for the first time in nearly two months, pictured front left behind plexiglass for safety reasons, are commissioner Sam Nolte, commissioner Kristie Tenney and commission president Terry Cutright.

BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission on Thursday approved a grant application requesting $71,289 that would, among other items, pay for the purchase of an X-ray machine that would be installed at the entrance of the Upshur County Courthouse annex.

The court security grant application was approved during the May 28 Upshur County Commission meeting, which took place in-person for the first time in weeks. If the grant is approved, the Courthouse Security Board intends to use the money to purchase an X-ray machine, three emergency exit-only alarms and card readers, six cameras with supporting equipment, four camera monitors with supporting equipment and one additional panic bar.

The grant is available through the West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services’ Court Security Fund grant program.

Chairman of the Courthouse Security Board and Upshur County Magistrate Mike Coffman said purchasing this equipment has been part of the security upgrade plan from the start.

“The goal was to get the front door security installed, which we have gotten, the officers, and then to add the metal detectors. We actually had the metal detectors for each courtroom already (circuit court, magistrate court and family court), so we’ve just moved those downstairs, instead of the courtroom doors,” Coffman said. “We have that equipment now, so we’re requesting the X-ray machine, which you see in other courthouses and federal court buildings.”

The cameras will allow for more panning and zooming in certain areas that do not have enough coverage, and the panic bar will help ensure people go in and out using the front doors. The X-ray machine will be located in the annex entrance to the courthouse because the majority of people with business at the courthouse go through that entrance.

Coffman said people may only use the entrance at the main building to go to the County Clerk’s office.

“We’re hoping the grant will be approved by July 1, and the funds would be available then,” Coffman said. “Of course, we’d have to order the equipment, so we’re looking at potentially fall by the time we get the equipment, get it delivered and the employees would have to be trained on the X-ray machine, and then the cameras and the panic bars would have to be installed.”

The new courthouse security measures have been in the works for several years, but the officers at the entrances, metal detectors and searching visitor’s bags were implemented in October 2019.

“The officers are doing great, and I think everybody’s very appreciative here, and we haven’t heard any complaints from the public, so we feel that it’s working very well,” Coffman said.

“They’ve gotten quite a bit of contraband off people – everything from guns, knives to they’ve found people trying to smuggle urine in for drug testing, so it’s very effective. Not only does it protect employees, but it protects the public who come in to do business at the courthouse. We appreciate everybody’s understanding and compliance – we know it takes a couple extra minutes to get in, but we appreciate it.”

A document provided by Coffman said officers have found 102 guns, 1,242 knives, 58 pepper sprays, nine tasers and eight illegal or dangerous items since the measures started in October.

“You get the item back unless it’s something illegal,” Coffman said. “They lock the item in a lockbox, you get a tag that matches the number on the lockbox, and when your business is done at the courthouse, then you come back and give them your tag with the number, and you get that item returned.”

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Really Really Free Market and Community Potluck scheduled for Sunday, July 13

A community Really Really Free Market and potluck will be held Sunday, July 13, from 1–3 pm at Walnut and Chestnut streets, featuring free goods, services, food and opportunities to connect and volunteer.

Man arrested for attempted murder after allegedly attempting to run someone over in Walmart parking lot

Rayne Prince Marion Chuma was arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to hit a man with his vehicle in the Buckhannon Walmart parking lot before leaving the scene.

Suspect held without bail in Brushy Fork Road robbery case

Bruno Martins Ferreira has been arrested and is being held without bail on felony robbery and conspiracy charges after allegedly participating in an armed robbery at a Brushy Fork Road residence, during which $12,000 was transferred from the victim’s bank account.

Upshur County Board of Education Agenda: July 8, 2025

The Upshur County Board of Education has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting scheduled for July 8, 2025.

City of Buckhannon calendar: July 7-11, 2025

Buckhannon has announced a series of July public meetings, bulky item and yard waste collections, family-friendly events such as Festival Fridays, deadline reminders for firefighter applications, and performances of “Mamma Mia!” at the Colonial Arts Center.

Sherry Esenwein

Sherry Esenwein, a devoted educator, animal lover, and Buckhannon native, passed away peacefully at 71 in Annapolis, remembered for her adventurous spirit, cherished family, and lifelong dedication to teaching and her beloved dogs.

Summer Basketball League kicks off

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League began its season last week, featuring multiple games with standout performances from players such as Josh Trent, Andrew Holcomb, and Sterlin Thropp, while several matches ended in forfeits.

Post 7 falls in twin bill to Charleston

Buckhannon Post 7 suffered two losses to Charleston Post 56 on Sunday, dropping the first game 14-0 by mercy rule and falling 5-2 in the second despite a late rally.

Upshur County Commission partners with development authority, eyes $550k in grants for proposed rec hub

The Upshur County Commission partnered with the Development Authority and authorized applications for $550,000 in grants, as well as a joint property transfer, to support construction of the proposed John C. Allen Regional Hub recreation complex.