BUCKHANNON — Upshur County Schools, the Upshur County Courthouse and Upshur County Courthouse Annex will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018 in observance of the National Day of Mourning for President George H.W. Bush.

However, Buckhannon City Hall will remain open.

Bush, 94, died last Friday and President Donald J. Trump designated Dec. 5 as a federal holiday to honor and commemorate the life of the 41st President of the United States.

West Virginia Governor Jim Justice on Tuesday afternoon declared Dec. 5 a state holiday in accordance with Trump’s designation.

“President George H.W. Bush was truly a great American military hero,” Justice said. “I concur with President Trump and his decision to declare December 5 as a National Day of Mourning and I am issuing an executive order to close all state agencies tomorrow in observance of his declaration.”

The announcement means schools across the state — including Upshur County Schools — will be closed.

In addition, the Upshur County Courthouse and courthouse annex will be closed following a special emergency Upshur County Commission meeting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The governor’s declaration proclaiming Wednesday a state holiday and a National Day of Remembrance for Bush permits West Virginia public employees to stop business and be excused from their work duties without charge against accrued annual leave.

Following the meeting, county administrator Carrie Wallace said the commission voted unanimously to close the courthouse and courthouse annex, with commissioner Terry Cutright making a motion, which was seconded by commission president Sam Nolte.

Commissioner Troy A. “Buddy” Brady was absent.

The regular Upshur County Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 6 has has been canceled due to the holiday but has been rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m.

When reached for comment, information coordinator and grant writer Callie Cronin Sams said city hall would remain open for its regularly scheduled hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.