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

DEA’s Take Back Day is Saturday; Find out where you can dispose of unwanted medications and — for the first time — vaping products

WHEELING — U.S. Attorney Bill Powell is encouraging residents across the Northern District of West Virginia to safely dispose of unused and unwanted medications and vaping products at the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Drug Take Back Day this weekend, according to a press release from Powell’s Office.

Drug Take Back Day is Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The event, in its ninth year, offers a safe way to rid homes of unwanted and unused medications, preventing them from falling into the wrong hands.

Starting with this October’s campaign, collection sites will now accept vaping devices and cartridges – in addition to tablets, capsules, patches, and other medications in solid forms – at any of its drop off locations.

So, where can Upshur County and north-central West Virginia residents drop off such items? A list of official drop-off locations is accessible here, and among the closest are the Weston Detachment of the West Virginia State Police (86 Glady Fork Road in Weston), the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office (110 Center Ave. in Weston) and the Weston Police Department (102 W. 2nd St. in Weston).

And although the Buckhannon Police Department isn’t listed as an official drop-off location for Saturday’s Take Back Day, the BPD accepts unwanted prescription medications, etc. during regular office hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Local resident and member of the Upshur County Tobacco Prevention Coalition Tim Higgins said he hopes Upshur County residents realize they can turn in vaping products this year, too. Higgins cited the Centers for Disease Control’s warning that e-cigarette use, commonly known as vaping, is associated with a recent outbreak of lung injury.

The DEA is doing all it can to help dispose safely of vaping devices and liquids to get these products off our streets and out of the hands of children, according to Powell.

In April the DEA’s Drug Take Back Day collected nearly 940,000 pounds – or 469 tons – of prescription drugs — more than twice the weight of the Statue of Liberty.

In 2018, nearly 1,000 West Virginians died because of a drug overdose, with 82 percent of those deaths involving an opioid.

The find the nearest collection site, go to www.deatakeback.com.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

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.

Mountain CAP to host free tax assistance, financial services event January 30

The Mountain CAP Family Support Center and the North Central EITC Coalition/VITA will host a free Earned Income Tax Credit event on Jan. 30 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at 30 E. Main St. in Buckhannon. Tap the story for details.

St. Joseph’s Hospital launches Senior Life Solutions program to help older adults manage anxiety and depression

St. Joseph’s Hospital is bringing the Senior Life Solutions program to Buckhannon to support seniors facing depression, anxiety and major life changes. The program offers group sessions, individual and family therapy, and medication management—no referral required.

Charles James Poundstone Jr.

Charles James Poundstone Jr., 68, of Buckhannon, WV, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, storyteller and outdoorsman, passed away January 12, 2026, and will be remembered for his warmth, generosity and love of family.

Wesleyan swim teams fall to Davis & Elkins

Davis & Elkins swept West Virginia Wesleyan, winning the women’s meet 125–26 and the men’s meet 112–35 despite season-best performances from Wesleyan swimmers including Bre Waldron and Aaron Dworsky.