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

West Virginia to recognize Rail Safety Week from Sept. 18-23

CHARLESTON — Railroad safety inspectors from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia will be manning railroad crossings in three northcentral areas of the state this month to highlight railroad safety in the Mountain State.

Gov. Justice has issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 18-23 as “West Virginia Rail Safety Week.”

John Perry, manager of the PSC’s Railroad Safety Section, said his inspectors will be present at crossings on Sept. 19 at Grafton, Sept. 20 at Fairmont, and Sept. 21 at Buckhannon as they participate in Operation Lifesaver.

The section also will showcase its award-wining model train display on Sept. 18 at the PSC headquarters at 201 Brooks St., Charleston.

“The biggest issue we see are people walking along railroad tracks, trespassing,” Perry said. His staff turns over those types of complaints to local law enforcement.

“The item we are primarily concerned with is people not paying attention to the flashing lights at railroad crossings and trying to beat the train at crossings,” Perry said.

His agency performs various inspections to ensure warning devices are operational at crossings, and his staff also tries to make sure trains do not unnecessarily block railroad crossings.

In 2022, the state had 14 train/highway user incidents with no fatalities and eight serious injuries at highway rail grade crossings. The state had 12 trespassing incidents that resulted in eight fatalities and four serious injuries.

A total of 2,195 highway-rail grade crossing collisions occurred nationwide in 2022. There were 274 crossing fatalities and 810 crossing-related injuries last year, according to federal statistics.

“The Commission’s Rail Safety Section is small in size, but mighty in its efforts to promote rail safety,” PSC Chairman Charlotte Lane said. “I am proud of their work.”

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for July 2, 2025

This week in Buckhannon, local organizations plan events and clinics — including a big July 4th celebration — and several community initiatives aim to engage residents of all ages.

Emergency agencies stress need for coordinated incident plans during large events with road closures

Emergency officials emphasized the need for incident action plans and coordination with public safety agencies for large events that close major streets, citing upcoming car shows and other street-closure events to ensure fast, safe emergency responses.
BUHS Sports

B-U now in Class AAAA in all sports; moved to new South Region after WVSSAC restructuring

Buckhannon-Upshur High School will compete in Class AAAA — the highest division — for all sports and has been moved to the new South Region under a two-year realignment by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission.

Stockert Youth and Community Center Board Meeting Agenda: July 3, 2025

The Stockert Youth and Community Center Board will meet July 3, 2025, with an agenda set to discuss organizational matters and upcoming events.

Buckhannon Waste Board Agenda: July 3, 2025

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 3, 2025.

Woman arrested on six felony charges after allegedly shooting at a man in Upshur County

Jocelyn M. Krum, 28, of Charleston, was arrested on six felony charges after allegedly entering a Mt. Lebanon Road residence in Upshur County with a rifle and shooting at a man before fleeing the scene.

Buckhannon man sentenced to 11 to 21 years for Bailey Ridge Road shootout

Austin W. Arbogast, 26, was sentenced to 11 to 21 years in prison after pleading guilty to four felony charges stemming from a March 2024 shootout on Bailey Ridge Road while attempting to retrieve his child.

Mountain East Conference extends invitation to Shawnee State University

The Mountain East Conference has approved Shawnee State University as its 12th full-time member, with the school set to join in 2026 pending NCAA Division II acceptance and expanding league competition in 19 sports.
Davis and Elkins College

Davis & Elkins College students recognized for high academic honors for Spring 2025 semester

Davis & Elkins College has announced the Spring 2025 president’s list, for students earning 4.0 GPAs, and dean’s list, for those earning 3.6 to 3.99, honoring academic excellence campus-wide.