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

Upshur County Schools will follow Saturday School Alert Map until Thanksgiving Break

Editor’s note: The following is a press release issued by Upshur County Schools Friday, Nov. 13, following Governor Jim Justice’s new mask mandate.

BUCKHANNON — Governor Jim Justice issued an Executive Order today for the following, beginning at midnight this evening:

Face Coverings:
Required face coverings in all public buildings, except:
• Children under the age of 9
• Health reasons
• Actively eating and drinking

WVSSAC Winter Sports:
• All WVSSAC winter activities (basketball, wrestling, cheer, swimming, etc.) will be postponed until January 11, 2021.

Remote Learning:
• All schools will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27.
• All schools statewide will be on remote learning from Monday, November 30 through Wednesday, December 2.
At the Bandmasters’ recommendation, band festivals and concerts will be canceled for the duration of the 2020-2021 school year. UPDATE: Per B-UHS Band Director Garrett Friend, the only spring events canceled as of today are the Regional Band Festivals. Other band activities, concerts and events in the spring have not been canceled at this time.

For next week, and those following, our attendance decisions will continue to follow the School Alert System map issued by the West Virginia Department of Education on Saturdays. Along with sharing information, Upshur County Schools will continue to work closely with public health authorities to limit virus spread to more consistently allow for in-person instruction.

Based on Governor Justice’s mandate, Upshur County Schools will remain on remote learning following Thanksgiving break on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (November 30-December 2). Students will return to in-person instruction on Thursday, December 3. Group A will attend on Thursday and Group B will attend on Friday. School will continue to dismiss at 2:00 p.m.

Regarding food for next week, food boxes can be picked up at a school near you, curbside on Wednesday, November 18 from 11:00-1:00 or at our warehouse in Tennerton from 9:00-3:00. We will be serving 3-day boxes for blended students and 5-day boxes for full time virtual. Also, all schools will be serving curbside suppers. Check with your school for details.

We are planning a special Thanksgiving food box option at B-U Middle School on Tuesday, November 24 from 11:00-2:00. All Upshur County Families may pick up a food box at B-U Middle School. This will be the only location from which we will serve during the holiday break.

Thank you again for your patience as we work to keep our students, staff and community safe. We are grateful for our community and your continued support.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital welcomes new staff chaplain

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital announced Rev. Johnmark Camenga, MDiv, CPE, a decade-long pastor and chaplain with experience in patient advocacy, neonatal grief care, and ethics work, will begin as staff chaplain on October 27, 2025.

West Virginia Wesleyan College launches 70% first responder tuition discount

West Virginia Wesleyan College is offering full-time first responders, their spouses/partners and children a 70% tuition discount (via scholarships/grants), plus deferred housing deposit options and 10% off graduate tuition.

Breaking News: State abandons plans to close Tennerton Elementary School

Upshur County Schools will not close Tennerton Elementary because the district cannot fund its share of a needed $19 million renovation at Buckhannon Academy, though the planned Rock Cave consolidation into French Creek will proceed.

Timothy Patton Gower

Timothy Patton Gower, 61, of Buckhannon, WV, died October 20, 2025; he is survived by his parents, two sons, twin grandsons, and extended family, and will be honored with a memorial gathering November 1.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: October 23, 2025

The Upshur County Commission will hold a meeting on October 23, 2025, with an agenda outlining items for discussion and decision.

Anna Ruth Reed Johns

Anna Ruth Reed Johns, 87, formerly of Flintstone, MD, died October 20, 2025, in Greencastle, PA; she was a longtime Flintstone School cook, widow of Harold B. Johns, and is survived by five children, many descendants, and extended family.
LUCAS Truck

LUCAS to offer lung cancer screening in Ripley, Weston and Buckhannon

A state-of-the-art mobile lung cancer screening unit, LUCAS, will offer low-dose CT scans in Ripley, Weston, and Buckhannon (Jackson, Lewis, and Upshur counties) on Nov. 18, 20 and 21 with insurance billing and grant-supported coverage for eligible uninsured patients.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Isabella Bowers and Joey Nolte

Buckhannon-Upshur cross-country standouts Isabella Bowers and Joey Nolte are this week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars. Bowers placed 15th in 22:03.8 to earn Second Team All-Conference, while Nolte finished seventh in 17:14.5 to make First Team at the Big 10 Conference Championships.

Appalachian Impact prepares to open new downtown space for youth and families

Appalachian Impact will open a new downtown location on Main Street in Buckhannon next year, adding a children’s museum and interactive learning spaces for ages 0–10. The move aims to expand programs, deepen community partnerships and offer more accessible services.