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

West Virginia Wesleyan College honors Community Care of West Virginia leaders with Presidential medallions

WVWC President James Moore with Rick Simon and Trish Collett. (Submitted photo)

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – From navigating the Covid-19 pandemic to being the impetus behind West Virginia Wesleyan College’s new Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, Community Care of West Virginia has developed a strong partnership with the College.

During Saturday’s 133rd Commencement, President Dr. James Moore presented CCWV CEO Trish Collett and retired CEO Rick Simon with the Presidential Medallion, reserved for individuals whose work has enriched, supported and strengthened the College in ways that are extraordinary.

“Rick Simon and Trish Collett have worked tirelessly as leaders at Community Care of West Virginia to make Upshur County and West Virginia a better, stronger and healthier place and they have done this work selflessly,” Moore said. “Community Care’s administration of our on-campus health center has been a wonderful partnership. Their work with us during the Covid-19 pandemic was a veritable lifeline for West Virginia Wesleyan College.”

In January, the College began the first cohort of a brand new Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program led by director Dr. Jen Randall Reyes. The program is a collaboration with CCWV and Aetna Better Health of West Virginia.

“Their willingness to always devote their and their organization’s resources to our community’s needs time and time again is nothing short of inspirational,” Moore said.

Collett joined Community Care of West Virginia in 2000 as a physician assistant and became Director of Medical Services in 2008. Prior to serving as Chief Executive Officer, Collett was Chief Operations Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer for CCWV.

Simon retired in September 2023 after 30 years at the helm of Community Care of West Virginia. Under this tenure, CCWV grew from one location in Upshur County to its current status with 18 medical centers, eight CCWV-owned pharmacies, one dental clinic and 50 school-based health center sites.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Connie Miller Burk

Connie Miller Burk, 72, of Buckhannon, a former WV Wesleyan and Union Drilling employee, loving mother of twin sons Shawn and Shane Miller, and devoted churchgoer, died January 20, 2026, with services Jan. 27.

This week’s Hank Ellis All-Stars: Madelyn Tucker and Jerin Westfall

The latest Hank Ellis All-Stars are Lady Buc sophomore Madelyn Tucker and Buccaneer senior Jerin Westfall. Tucker powered B-U to a perfect 2-0 week, while Westfall tallied his 1,000th career point.

Winter storm update: Heavy snow, ice expected to cause ‘widespread and significant impacts’ this weekend

Upshur County is under a winter storm watch as heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain threaten major travel and infrastructure impacts from Saturday through Monday.

School bus crashes on Route 20 after hitting black ice; one child taken to hospital

A school bus carrying 25 students slid on black ice on Route 20 Wednesday morning and went off the road, according to Upshur County Sheriff Mike Coffman. All students were checked at the scene, and one child was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital with minor injuries.

B-U swim teams finish up regular season

Buckhannon-Upshur’s girls won six events (four individual, two relays) and the boys one on Senior Night, then the girls placed fifth and boys sixth at a nine-team/ seven-team make-up before the Big 10 championships.

Basketball ‘Cats fall on the road to Frostburg State, 105-83

Frostburg State defeated West Virginia Wesleyan 105–83 as Frostburg’s second-half surge and efficient shooting overcame Wesleyan’s 47.8 percent offense and 21 points from Isaiah Baker.

Wesleyan women down Frostburg State, 87-76

West Virginia Wesleyan defeated Frostburg State 87-76, led by Kilah Dandridge’s season-high 25 and strong shooting and balance from Emma Witt and Sydney Baird, improving to 9-4 overall and 7-3 in MEC play.

Leadership Upshur sets three workdays to help launch new children’s museum on Main Street

Leadership Upshur is rallying volunteers and sponsors to help prepare a new children’s museum coming to Main Street in Buckhannon. The group has scheduled three workdays and is seeking donated supplies as painting and repairs get underway.

Winter storm watch issued for Upshur County as significant snow expected this weekend

A winter storm watch is in effect for Upshur County as a significant system targets the East Coast from Saturday through Monday, with Buckhannon forecast to see 6–12 inches of heavy snow.