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

Man faces felony after allegedly stealing truck from Upper Childers Run Road

BUCKHANNON — A South Carolina man was arrested last week after allegedly stealing a truck.

According to a press release from the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, on Thursday, May 12, at approximately 1 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a report of a stolen 2021 Chevrolet Colorado from Upper Childer’s Run Road in Upshur County.

Sheriff Virgil Miller located the stolen truck near the intersection of Brushy Fork Road and Route 33, and he activated his lights and siren in an attempt to stop the truck. The driver continued before he was stopped near WBUC Road.

Miller and Chief Deputy Michael Coffman detained Brandon Lee Smith, 28, of Marion, South Carolina, according to the release. Smith was charged with grand larceny, driving while licensed suspended and fleeing in a vehicle. He was also arrested on a petit larceny warrant from Putnam County.

Bail was set at $18,000 cash only by Upshur County Magistrate Alan Suder.

The potential penalty for grand larceny is confinement in the penitentiary for not less than one nor more than 10 years, or in the discretion of the court, confinement in jail for not more than one year and a fine of not more than $2,500.

The potential penalty for driving with a license suspended is a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500.

The potential penalty for fleeing in a vehicle is confinement in jail for not more than one year, a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500, or both.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Football Bucs fall to Philip Barbour 34-10 after game was called in third quarter due to weather concerns

Philip Barbour defeated Buckhannon-Upshur 34-10 after a lightning delay ended the game in the third quarter, powered by Cameron Bennett’s long returns and a 265-yard ground attack as the Bucs fell to 0-2.

West Virginia is taking control of more local school systems. Here’s what it means for students.

West Virginia has taken control of eight county school systems serving nearly 25,000 students, citing administrative and financial failures, and can appoint superintendents, manage budgets and consolidate schools until issues are fixed.

Allegheny Metallurgical powers up longwall in Barbour County, securing West Virginia jobs

Allegheny Metallurgical powered up its state-of-the-art longwall after more than $1 billion in investment, securing hundreds of high-paying West Virginia jobs and gearing to produce about 3.5 million metric tons of metallurgical coal annually.

New faculty finding their home at West Virginia Wesleyan College

West Virginia Wesleyan College welcomed new faculty across sciences, nursing, music, education, English, counseling and technical fields, bringing diverse research, clinical and teaching experience to the 2025–26 academic year.

Bennie Eugene Nazelrod II

Bennie Eugene Nazelrod II, 65, of Buckhannon, WV, a business owner, school bus driver and longtime Adrian Volunteer Fire Department chief, died Sept. 3, 2025; he is survived by his wife, son and grandchildren.
BUHS Girls Soccer Feature Image

Hollen hat trick helps Lady Bucs to 5-1 win over Preston

Sidney Hollen scored a hat trick and Ella Whitehair added a goal and two assists as Buckhannon-Upshur defeated Preston 5-1 in Big 10 play, marking the Lady Bucs’ third straight win.
BUHS Boys Soccer Feature Image

Soccer Bucs, behind defensive gem, blank Preston 2-0 for second straight win

Buckhannon-Upshur’s defense blanked Preston 2-0, allowing zero shots on goal as Coby Smith and Jimmie Green scored, giving the Bucs their second straight win and a 2-0 Big 10 start.

Wesleyan tumbles under the lights to Clarion in home opener, 48-20

Clarion dominated West Virginia Wesleyan 48-20, building a 41-0 halftime lead behind Anthony Guercio’s three passing and two rushing touchdowns and 306 rushing yards, despite a third-quarter rally led by Logan Landers.

Buckhannon to enhance signage at Wesleyan wildflower garden, River Walk nature trail

Buckhannon approved donating a metal signpost for a campus wildflower garden and agreed to help replace and install signage along the Buckhannon River Walk Nature Park and Learning Trail.