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

New ER Medical Director chosen at Webster County Memorial Hospital

Health Doctor

WEBSTER SPRINGS, W.Va. – Janak “Jay” Raman Patel, M.D., a board certified family practice physician, has been named the ER Medical Director and Chief of Staff at Webster County Memorial Hospital (WCMH). In his role he will provide leadership and guidance to the hospital emergency department.

Since joining WCMH’s medical staff in 2017, Dr. Patel has served as an emergency department physician. In this capacity, he has also served on the WCMH emergency department Peer Review Committee.

He is a 1991 graduate of the Medical College of the University of Georgia, and completed his family medicine residency program at Wheeling Hospital in Wheeling, W.Va.  He has earned the following honors: American Academy of Family Medicine, Member; West Virginia Academy of Family Medicine, Member; Academy of Family Practice, Fellow; American Board of Family Medicine, board certification.  Additionally, he is certified in ACLS, ATLS, BLS, and PALS.

Webster County Memorial Hospital

WCMH is a 25-bed critical access hospital serving the Webster County, WV region.  In addition to acute care, WCMH provides 24/7 emergency care, diagnostics, pharmacy, a rural health clinic, and therapy and rehabilitation programs.

It operates affiliate care services in Webster County including the following: Cowen Pharmacy, Emergency Medical Services, school-based physical therapy, and The Cowen Clinic which provides family medicine, pain management care, and a Prenatal Primary Care program through collaboration with Davis Medical Center in Elkins.  WCMH currently has a clinical affiliation with Davis Medical Center.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

First Community Bank takes fourth-quarter lead in men’s golf

First Community Bank took the fourth-quarter lead with a 26-14 win over Highland Landscaping; Chris Brady shot 33 to win Low Actual and share Low Net honors.

Soccer Bucs battle but go down to Wheeling Park, 4-1

Wheeling Park defeated Buckhannon-Upshur 4-1 as Wilson Hanna’s hat trick led the Patriots; Coby Smith scored for B-U and goalie Landon Wright made nine saves.

Volleyball Lady Bucs take down Fairmont Senior, fall to Clay-Battelle in debut

Buckhannon-Upshur opened the season 1-1, defeating Fairmont Senior in straight sets but falling to Clay-Battelle in three, with Avery Hamer leading kills and Becca Pastorius contributing multiple aces.
Subscribe Today  ›

Teachers warn combining Tennerton with Buckhannon Academy would create one of West Virginia’s largest elementary schools

Upshur County residents asked that officials reverse plans to close Rock Cave and Tennerton elementaries and consolidate the middle and high schools, citing community harm, overcrowding concerns and a lack of local authority amid a state takeover.

Out of this world: WVWC Planetarium hosting monthly public shows year-round

West Virginia Wesleyan College’s 40-seat planetarium will host year-round monthly public shows on the first Saturday at 8 p.m., featuring themed videos, night-sky tours and optional telescope viewing, low-cost admission, and strong attendance.

Call for artwork for ‘Home Among the Hills’ exhibition featuring West Virginia Wesleyan College

West Virginia Wesleyan College and CAC Gallery seek framed artwork from students, alumni and the community inspired by WVWC for Home Among the Hills exhibition Sept. 19–Oct. 4; submissions due Sept. 12, reception Sept. 26.

City of Buckhannon funds small business start-up support grant

City Council unanimously approved a $25,000 investment to the Upshur County Development Authority to provide up to $5,000 grants, plus mentorship, for new Buckhannon brick and mortar small businesses to offset start-up costs.

City of Buckhannon temporarily closes Henry and Meadow intersection

City of Buckhannon Sanitary Department has temporarily closed the Henry and Meadow intersection to perform work on a system on Henry Street; the closure will remain until the job is completed.

Carol Ann Long

Carol Ann Long, 81, of Tennerton, WV, died Aug. 26, 2025; a longtime community volunteer, columnist and Strawberry Festival leader, she is survived by three children, grandchildren and extended family.