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

First Lady Justice announces grand-prize-winning recipe in West Virginia Birthday Cake Contest

Photo courtesy W.Va. Governor's Office

CHARLESTON — First Lady Cathy Justice announced the winner of her West Virginia Birthday Cake Contest during today’s celebration of the state’s 159th birthday at the Culture Center.

Kim Wymer of Scott Depot was named the grand prize winner and her recipe – “Ms. Van’s Blackberry Skillet Cake” – is now the official birthday cake of West Virginia. It will be served annually on June 20 to commemorate the anniversary of West Virginia’s statehood.

“It’s my honor to welcome Kim to our West Virginia Day ceremony today. I congratulate her in every way. It’s a wonderful recipe,” First Lady Justice said. “Everyone in my office had a chance to eat the cake and not only did it taste great, but it also is a taste that reminds you of West Virginia.”

You can find the full recipe here.

In addition to her recipe becoming the state’s official birthday cake, Wymer also won a $500 Visa gift card, a custom cake platter, and was awarded a certificate as the contest’s grand prize winner.

The Blackberry Skillet Cake was selected as the best of the best among seven outstanding cake recipes that were selected as finalists in the contest. All finalist cake recipes were taste-tested by the First Lady, Gov. Jim Justice, Executive Assistant to the First Lady Vicki Shannon, Special Assistant to the First Lady Katie Morris, and other staff members.

Those who submitted cake recipes that were selected as finalists have each won a $100 Visa gift card and have been awarded a participation certificate. All of the finalist cake recipes are now available on the West Virginia Birthday Cake Contest webpage.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon River

Buckhannon River Watershed Association among recipients of state infrastructure grants

The Buckhannon River Watershed Association will receive a $5,000 Stream Partners Program grant as part of more than $15.4 million announced for water, sewer and conservation projects statewide. The funding supports river and watershed protection work.

Southern Upshur Business Association returns Fiddler’s Mill to Upshur County Commission

The Southern Upshur Business Association says it can no longer maintain Fiddler’s Mill because of limited funds and volunteers. SUBA will officially relinquish operations Dec. 31, 2025, and the property will revert to the Upshur County Commission.

St. Joseph’s Hospital welcomes the first baby of 2026

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital rang in the new year with the birth of Charlotte Renea Mitchell at 4 a.m. Jan. 1.

Sandra Kay Currence

Sandra Kay Currence, 78, a longtime Buckhannon educator and former Tennerton Elementary teacher and principal, died December 31, 2025, and is survived by her husband Kenneth Currence, two sons, and four grandchildren.

Carpenter Crunch Time: That’s a wrap!

After a brief break, local sports columnist Duane Carpenter wraps up the 2025 football season, highlights surprising high school and college outcomes, criticizes excess bowl games, and announces contest winners and plans for 2026 coverage.

Joshua Bowers joins Buckhannon Fire Department as new paid firefighter

Joshua Bowers was sworn in as Buckhannon Fire Department’s newest paid firefighter at the Dec. 18 city council meeting, with Mayor Robbie Skinner administering the oath and his wife Grace pinning his badge.

First Holiday Furtastic Elimination Dinner raises nearly $8,500 for animal rescue organizations

The first Holiday Furtastic Elimination Dinner raised nearly $8,500 for local animal rescue groups and the Buckhannon Dog Park.

Ronald Earl “Ronnie” Grall Sr.

Ronald Earl “Ronnie” Grall Sr., 83, of Buckhannon, a 2006 Sago Mine Disaster survivor and former coal mine fire boss, died December 29, 2025; he is survived by his wife Helen, five children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

Upshur County sports schedule runs Dec. 29–Jan. 4 with multiple Buckhannon-Upshur basketball games in winter classics and out-of-state tournaments, wrestling entries in Powerade and regional meets, and a Mohawk Invitational swim.