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

Courthouse, other county facilities to reopen Monday, Oct. 26

Upshur County Courthouse
The Upshur County Courthouse / File photo by Katie Kuba

BUCKHANNON – The Upshur County Commission voted Thursday to reopen the courthouse Monday Oct. 26 in accordance with its regular COVID-19 operations.

The commission made the decision during the Oct. 22 county commission meeting, after having most county facilities closed to due to high COVID-19 case numbers. Commissioner Kristie Tenney said facilities should reopen because case numbers were down.

“Currently, with the numbers and percentage being where they are and we are coming up on the end of the month, I think it would be nice if we could open back up,” Tenney said. “Since it’s the end of the month, it would be nice if the tax office and the assessor’s office was open.”

Tenney did ask if Upshur County Clerk Carol Smith wanted to keep her office on an appointment-only basis due to early voting, but Smith said she would rather her office reopen as well.

Early voting started Oct. 21 and goes through Saturday, Oct. 31 at the Upshur County Courthouse located at 40 West Main Street. Office hours for early voting are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Commissioners voted Oct. 5 to approve a new policy that would limit the courthouse and other county properties to essential business only when the WVDE school map shows Upshur County as red. The school map refers to the West Virginia Department of Education’s School Alert System: Saturday Education Map that is released for the week at 5 p.m. each Saturday, but county administrator Carrie Wallace said the county was green during the Oct. 22 meeting, so they doubted it would be red on Saturday.

“I can tell you if for some reason we’re red on the school map, then I’d say they’re going to have another meeting,” Wallace said. “What they voted on today was that the courthouse would reopen on Monday, and we’re green, so it would be pretty difficult to go all the way back to red at this point.”

The commissioners reiterated people should try to conduct any business that can be accomplished over the phone or online. Tenney made the motion to reopen county facilities Monday and commissioner Sam Nolte seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Free COVID-19 testing will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 in the Buckhannon-Upshur High School parking lot.

Here’s a handy list of numbers:

  • For emergencies: Dial 911
  • Assessor: 304-472-4650
  • Circuit Clerk: 304-472-2370
  • Circuit Court: 304-472-5556 / 304-472-0195
  • Commission: 304-472-0535
  • County Clerk: 304-472-1068
  • E911 Communications Center: 304-472-9550
  • Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: 304-472-4983
  • Family Court: 304-472-1065 / 304-269-0432
  • Floodplain/Building Permits: 304-472-1673
  • Magistrate Clerk: 304-472-2053
  • Sheriff’s Department: 304-472-1182
  • Tax Office/Fire Fee: 304-472-1180

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Ketha Pearl Simmons

Ketha Pearl Simmons, 83, of French Creek, died at home on June 30, 2025, is survived by three children, ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and will be remembered at a Frenchton Community Church service.
Fred Eberle Technical Center

Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Administrative Council to meet July 8

The Fred W. Eberle Technical Center Administrative Council is scheduled to hold a regular meeting on July 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the center, focusing on career and technical education programs.

Man faces new charge related to stolen UTV from Barbour County

Travis Medina, 41, of Buckhannon, faces a new charge of receiving or transferring stolen goods after authorities found a UTV reportedly stolen from Barbour County.

River Fest returns in August with free food, live music and paddling for the whole community

River Fest will return August 23 with free food, live music, beginner kayaking, and community activities for all ages, aiming to attract 200 attendees and celebrate the Buckhannon River in memory of its founder, April Keating.

On the City of Buckhannon calendar: June 30 – July 4, 2025

Buckhannon has announced upcoming public meetings, July 4th holiday closures, a community celebration and fireworks, yard waste collection dates, and information on utility payments and city service requests available online.

Buckhannon City Council Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Buckhannon City Council has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting scheduled for July 3, 2025.

Deloris Y. Jack

Deloris Jack, 91, a homemaker and Lifetime Member of the Upshur County E.M.S., passed away June 28, 2025, leaving behind her son, sister, extended family, and a legacy of community service.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Director of Nursing earns Nurse Executive Board certification

Karla Tucker, Director of Nursing at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital, has earned the prestigious Nurse Executive-Board Certified credential, reflecting her leadership and commitment to excellence in nursing practice and patient care.

WVWC’s new Director of Technical Theatre finds passion in set design

Boyd Wolz, an experienced set designer and educator with credits in theatre, film, and television, has been appointed as West Virginia Wesleyan College’s new director of technical theatre.