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

Office of Minority Affairs takes listening tour to Barbour, Preston, Taylor and Tucker counties

HHOMA Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs (HHOMA) continues its statewide listening tour in October with stops in Barbour, Preston, Taylor, and Tucker counties.

The tour was launched in August to hear what communities need and how the state’s American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) allocation can help. HHOMA will continue to conduct the tour through December 2022.

Congress passed the ARPA to stimulate the nation’s recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. West Virginia has been allocated $1.6 billion of ARPA funding.

“We all have a story of how the COVID pandemic has affected us. We have ideas on how we can recover together as a state. This listening tour is your chance to be heard,” said Jill Upson, executive director of HHOMA. “We want to identify what are the communities’ needs and where investments should be allocated. Governor Jim Justice has called for transparency, sustainability, and sound fiscal management that strengthens equity and includes unserved and underserved populations in our state.”

The scheduled stops are:

Wednesday, Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m. – Preston County
Craig Civic Center
313 Tunnelton St, Kingwood, WV 26537

Thursday, Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m. – Taylor County
Church of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
3025 Lucas Dairy Rd, Grafton, WV 26354

Monday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. – Tucker County
Parsons Community Center
96 Parkwood Ln, Parsons, WV 26287

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m. – Barbour County
Lil’ Moe’s Taj Moe Hal
31 N. Main St, Philippi, WV 26416

At each stop, the HHOMA team will meet with local community leaders, followed by public forums where all community members will be invited to receive information and share their ideas.

Topics of discussion will include the following:
• Pandemic-related challenges
• Targeting greatest needs
• Making an impact
• Sustainability
• Pooling resources

Upcoming event dates and locations will be announced throughout the listening tour and can be found online at minorityaffairs.wv.gov/ARPAtour. Details will also be shared on HHOMA’s social media pages.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

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.

MLK Day dinner and program planned for January 19 at WVWC

West Virginia Wesleyan College will celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 19 with an annual dinner and program. Keynote speaker Danielle Walker will discuss “Non-violence 365: Creating a Community of Peace and Love,” with music by student and guest vocalists.

Buckhannon woman faces felony charges after allegedly fleeing from deputy, crashing into tree

A Buckhannon woman is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly fleeing from a deputy and crashing a minivan into a tree early Tuesday. Authorities say she then tried to run away on foot.

Karen Gail Eubanks Oxford

Karen Gail Eubanks Oxford, 79, a former Lubbock greenhouse manager and avid card player who lived in Texas, Florida and West Virginia, died January 11, 2026, and is survived by three children, siblings and eight grandchildren.

A look inside Leadership Upshur: Industry and workforce session

My Buckhannon freelance writer Lily Hicks writes about her experience at the January session of Leadership Upshur, which included tours of WV Splitrail, Weyerhaeuser and Corhart.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: January 15, 2026

The Upshur County Commission will meet January 15, 2026; this notice outlines the meeting agenda and items to be considered.

Buckhannon City Council Agenda: January 15, 2026

The Buckhannon City Council will hold a meeting on January 15, 2026, with an agenda outlining items for discussion and action.

Now Hiring: Upshur County Sheriff’s Office accepting applications for deputy sheriff

Competitive salary, strong benefits: The Upshur County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for Deputy Sheriff positions through Friday, January 30, 2026.

Lady Bucs drop home contest to Hurricane, 45-36

“We came out flat and tired, and I think some frustration occurred during the game,” stated Buckhannon-Upshur head coach Alicia Lentz. “Sometimes we have these amazing spurts, but we have to put together 32 minutes.”