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

Four students, five employees in Upshur County Schools confirmed positive for COVID-19

BUCKHANNON — The superintendent of Upshur County Schools confirmed that four students and five employees have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Wednesday evening.

Dr. Sara Lewis-Stankus said the four students who tested positive for the coronavirus include one at Buckhannon Academy Elementary School, one at the Fred W. Eberle Technical Center, one at French Creek Elementary School and one full-time remote student.

“We are currently at a total of four students and still holding at nine total cases amongst faculty, staff and students,” Stankus said in a message to My Buckhannon.

“We are following the information provided by the Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department as testing is ongoing,” Stankus added. “We are working with county commission and UBHD to offer another free testing event [Thursday] at B-U High School, from noon to 6 p.m. in the parking lot.”

According to an email from county officials, the free testing is available to all residents, including asymptomatic people, and proof of health insurance is not required. However, anyone wishing to be tested should bring some form of identification, such as a driver’s license or a proof of address.

Anyone under the age of 18 is required to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Stankus described the situation surrounding COVID-19 positive results as one that, by nature, fluctuates.

“As you know, this is a very fluid situation that continually changes,” she said.

Upshur County Schools plans to publish additional information in a press release Thursday, Oct. 8.

According to My Buckhannon’s daily COVID-19 update on Wednesday morning, Upshur County saw another surge of new COVID-19 cases today with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources announcing that 19 new cases have been identified locally.

The record daily increase means Upshur County now has the highest rate of infection rate in the state, surpassing both Barbour and Tucker counties.

Schools are closed to students this week after Upshur County was categorized as red on the Saturday evening School Alert Map. At an emergency meeting Wednesday, the Upshur County Commission voted to close the courthouse through Oct. 21 due to the recent outbreak.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

City of Buckhannon calendar for the week of January 19, 2026

Buckhannon’s week of Jan. 19 includes MLK Day closures (waste collection still on schedule), curbside recycling pickup Tuesday at 6 a.m., and a Consolidated Public Works meeting Thursday with in-person and virtual options.

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar lists middle and high school basketball, wrestling, and college matchups for Jan. 19–25, highlighted by multiple Buckhannon-Upshur and West Virginia Wesleyan contests.

Basketball ‘Cats gain first win off the year as they beat West Virginia State, 97-91

West Virginia Wesleyan earned its first win of the season, defeating West Virginia State 97-91 behind Jerell Jean-Baptiste’s 32 points, hot three-point shooting, and a 30-of-37 performance from the free-throw line.

Wesleyan women use strong second half to pull away from Yellow Jackets for 86-67 win

Wesleyan erupted for 33 third-quarter points and shot 55.2 percent overall to defeat West Virginia State 86–67, led by Emma Witt’s 31 points, as the Lady Bobcats improved to 8–4 (6–3 MEC).

Buckhannon honors 99-year-old Rosie the Riveter with key to the city

Buckhannon honored 99-year-old Neva Lee Reed Snyder, a WWII Rosie the Riveter who helped keep American aircraft flying, with the city’s highest honor: the key to the city. Unable to attend, family accepted as Mayor Robbie Skinner praised her courage, patriotism and legacy.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Olivia Blonn and Xavier Robinette

Olivia Blonn and Xavier Robinette have been named Hank Ellis All-Stars for their outstanding performances in wrestling and basketball.

Upshur County recovers $300,000 in taxes as delinquent property owners beat deadline

Upshur County officials say most delinquent 2024 property tax accounts were paid before the Nov. 1 deadline. Chief Tax Deputy Heather Sparks outlined what was redeemed and how taxpayers can still reclaim property through the State Auditor’s Office.

Westfall reaches 1,000-point milestone as Bucs roll past Wheeling Park, 67-57

Senior Jerin Westfall scored a game-high 34 points, reached the 1,000-point career mark, and hauled in 15 rebounds as Buckhannon-Upshur defeated Wheeling Park 67-57.

Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones crowned 2026 WV Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen

Wesleyan nursing student and 2025 Strawberry Festival Queen Kourtney Jones was crowned the 2026 West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen on Jan. 10 in Charleston. She’ll serve as the statewide ambassador for fairs and festivals throughout 2026.