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

Woman arrested for trying to escape from custody

Arrest
Amy Donella Yoakum

ROCK CAVE — A woman faces up to five years in jail after being arrested for felony escape from custody this week.

Deputy Tyler Gordon with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department allegedly found Amy Donella Yoakum, 28, of Buckhannon, hiding in the back room of a residence on the Canaan Road in Rock Cave on Thursday.

According to the criminal complaint in the magistrate clerk’s office, Gordon first learned of Yoakum’s whereabouts from a bail bondsman.

“The bondsman advised there was an active bail piece and felony capias in the magistrate court of Lewis County,” Gordon writes in the complaint.

The bondsman and deputy traveled to the residence on the Canaan Road and spoke with Tredon Perrine, “who initially lied to this officer about the whereabouts of the defendant, Amy Yoakum,” according to the complaint.

After Perrine told Gordon that Yoakum was in the residence, the deputy attempted “to command the defendant out of the rear of the trailer” and then went into the back bedroom, accompanied by Perrine.

“Upon search, this officer located the defendant hiding in a closet in the back bedroom,” Gordon writes in the complaint. “This officer restrained the defendant with an arm bar and gripped the hands of the defendant in order to safely handcuff her.

“Upon the bondsman assisting handcuffing, the defendant did attempt to escape from the grasp and custody of this officer as handcuffs were being placed on.”

Bond was set at $5,000 cash or surety.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Soccer Bucs draw Parkersburg South in new regional tournament format; visit Patriots on Thursday in postseason opener

Buckhannon-Upshur, seeded ninth in the new Class AAAA South Region, will travel to face eighth-seeded Parkersburg South Thursday in a single-elimination opener with the winner meeting top-seeded Woodrow Wilson.

Raising the Jolly Roger With… Alex Sappey

Buckhannon-Upshur senior Alex Sappey, a four-year cross-country and two-year track athlete, reflects on team culture, favorite moments, college and motorsports engineering plans, and advice to work hard and enjoy being a Buccaneer.

JV Football Bucs get first victory behind Catlin’s three scores in 22-12 win over Bees

Buckhannon-Upshur’s junior varsity football team earned its first win of the season, beating East Fairmont 22-12 as Forest Catlin rushed for three touchdowns.

WVSSAC playoff ratings for week eight; Bucs drop to 18th

WVSSAC week eight playoff ratings released, with Buckhannon-Upshur dropping to 18th after a loss to East Fairmont as top 16 in each classification continue to jockey for postseason spots.

Five Upshur County deputies promoted during recent commission meeting

Five deputies in Upshur County were promoted during a recent commission meeting at the courthouse. Sheriff Mike Coffman praised their professionalism and said the office will be fully staffed by the end of October.

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.