Coronavirus

Two Upshur school staffers test positive

BUCKHANNON — Officials confirmed Monday that two staff members at an Upshur County public school have tested positive for COVID-19. “Upshur County Schools received confirmation from the Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department that two staff members at Union Elementary School have tested positive for COVID-19,” a Monday evening press release from Upshur County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sara Stankus states. “The Upshur-Buckhannon Health Department will be working closely with Upshur County Schools and identified persons who have had close contact with them including students, ...

Vaccination efforts pay dividends, officials say

CHARLESTON — Officials said Monday that West Virginia’s aggressive COVID-19 vaccination efforts are helping decrease the number of hospitalizations and deaths in the state. “We are absolutely the envy of the nation and the diamond in the rough that everyone missed,” Gov. Jim ...

Justice calls for more COVID stimulus as Jan. tax revenues soar

CHARLESTON — Gov. Jim Justice, parting ways from West Virginia’s Republican U.S. senator, called for a big federal COVID relief bill even as state tax revenues return to surpluses in January. Speaking Monday during his coronavirus briefing at the State Capitol Building, Justice said President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package made more sense than a $618 billion proposal from 10 Republican U.S. senators, including West Virginia’s Shelley Moore Capito. “I’ve got to tell you there is a tremendous difference between $1.9 trillion and $600 billion,” Justice ...

Justice addresses rumors about educator vaccine status

CHARLESTON — Gov. Jim Justice said Friday that any rumor that teachers and school service personnel are not top priority for COVID-19 vaccines was wrong, encouraging educators to pre-register in the state’s vaccine scheduling system. “I want every teacher and every school service personnel to listen to me: absolutely if you don’t have your shot and you want a shot, you can register on Everbridge right now,” Justice said during his coronavirus briefing Friday from the Capitol. “Being told that you can’t register on Everbridge is ridiculous. And you will be treated as ...

Regional Vaccination Event

Upshur BOE facing lack of substitutes

BUCKHANNON — Upshur County Schools is facing a problem that is becoming an issue both state-wide and nation-wide — a lack of available substitutes. In the fall, a lack of substitute teachers prompted Buckhannon-Upshur Middle and Buckhannon-Upshur High School to close to in-person instruction. Similarly, a COVID-19 outbreak among the transportation department in the fall meant there were not enough bus drivers. Upshur County Schools has been actively recruiting for substitutes in professional and service personnel. “Our greatest need is for classroom teachers,” assistant ...