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Upshur County Schools is hiring a part-time MedEd nursing instructor — a licensed RN or certified medical assistant — to lead high school students through hands-on training in clinical and hospital settings, in partnership with WVU Medicine St. Joseph's Hospital. Read more →
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BUCKHANNON — Upshur County sheriff’s deputies arrested a French Creek man Sunday morning after he allegedly drove through a barricade on flood-damaged Stonecoal Road and then resisted the deputies who tried to stop him.
Larry Christopher Alderman, 53, has been charged with three counts of assault on a police officer, one count of battery on a police officer, four counts of obstructing an officer, fleeing from an officer in a motor vehicle and driving under the influence, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office said.
Deputies have been working alongside the West Virginia Division of Highways, the West Virginia National Guard, utility crews, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Police and the West Virginia State Police “to secure flood-damaged roadways and ensure the safety of the public while emergency repairs are underway,” the sheriff’s office said.
At about 10 a.m. Sunday, Alderman was stopped at a barricaded section of Stonecoal Road and advised that the roadway was closed because of heavy equipment, multiple work crews and hazardous conditions resulting from the recent flooding. He was told traffic would be permitted through once it was safe to do so.
Alderman reportedly said no one was going to prevent him from continuing, accelerated through the barricades and fled from deputies, according to the sheriff’s office. His vehicle was ultimately stopped when it could proceed no farther because of large boulders and heavy equipment blocking the roadway.
“After stopping, Mr. Alderman refused lawful commands and physically resisted deputies,” the sheriff’s office said. “During the arrest, he allegedly assaulted officers, including headbutting one deputy.”
Deputies deployed a Taser before Alderman was taken into custody.
Stonecoal Road remains closed because of flood damage. It is closed 24 hours a day to all traffic except local residents, and law enforcement officers are stationed at the closure around the clock.
The sheriff’s office said the closures “are in place to protect lives and allow emergency personnel, utility crews, and the Division of Highways to restore infrastructure as quickly and safely as possible.”
“During the current State of Emergency, the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance for individuals who ignore road closures or fail to comply with lawful orders from law enforcement,” the office said. “Violations will result in enforcement action and, when appropriate, arrest.”
