West Virginia University released the following statement upon learning of the death of former student Ryan Diviney:
“Our sincere condolences are with the Diviney family with word of Ryan’s death. The Diviney family has been an inspiration in its devotion to and care for Ryan since the tragedy almost 10 years ago. All Mountaineers hold Ryan and his family in our hearts during this very difficult time.”
Buckhannon-Upshur’s Kierra Pumphrey earned Second Team honors on the Big 10 Conference All-Cheerleading Team, the school’s lone selection voted on by league coaches. Lincoln won the Big 10 Cheer Competition, and Lincoln’s Mandi Brown was named Coach of the Year.
Buckhannon-Upshur senior Jerin Westfall was voted the 2025-26 Big 10 Conference Player of the Year after topping 1,000 career points and leading the Bucs to a 14-9 season.
Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner has been named executive director of Generation West Virginia, bringing municipal leadership, entrepreneurship and economic development experience to the role.
After losing her mother Diana to breast cancer, Jessica Johnson and her children began assembling “chemo totes” to bring comfort, faith and encouragement to patients across north-central West Virginia.
Denise Lynn Karlen, 70, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, passed away on March 18, 2026. She was a Buckhannon-Upshur High School graduate, worked in insurance, and was active in the Tennerton Lions Club and Buckhannon Choral Society.
Buckhannon-Upshur senior Allie Key earned 2025-26 Big 10 Girls’ Basketball First Team All-Conference honors, the only Lady Buc selected. She led B-U with 9.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, plus 38 blocks, 37 steals and 29 assists.
