OUS concert series resumes at 7 p.m.

IRONTON — The second concert in the Ohio University Southern’s Summer Fun series will feature country artist Bridget Reynolds and will take place at 7 p.m. today in the Ohio University Southern Riffe Center Mains Rotunda.

Reynolds is well known in the local music scene having performed at local radio stations, festivals, fairs, Opry Jamboree and Opry Houses throughout the Tri-State.

OSHP arrests four for crack cocaine in separate stops

Lucasville – On July 30, at approximately 9 p.m., troopers from the Portsmouth Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol initiated a traffic stop on U.S. Route 23 south of Lucasville for a vehicle defect.

Driver William E. McKenzie, 45, of Franklin Furnace, and passenger Michael J. Dye, 34, of Dayton, were en route from Dayton to Portsmouth.

A search of the vehicle revealed a bag of marijuana and a bag of crack cocaine weighing approximately 18 grams.

Both suspects were taken to the Scioto County Jail on two felony charges, possession of crack cocaine and trafficking crack cocaine. Both charges are felonies of the second degree.

On Tuesday, at approximately 10 p.m., troopers from the Portsmouth Post initiated a traffic stop on U.S. Route 23 south of Lucasville for a marked lanes violation.

Driver Nikkia L. Fincher, 32, of Columbus, and passenger Edwin D. M. Summerville, 32, of Reynoldsburg, were en route from Columbus to Huntington, W.Va.

The vehicle emitted an odor of marijuana. A search of the vehicle revealed a small bag of marijuana. A search of the driver revealed approximately 28 grams of cocaine and another small bag of marijuana. A search of the passenger revealed approximately 84 grams of cocaine.

Both suspects were taken to the Scioto County Jail on two felony charges, possession of cocaine and trafficking cocaine. Both charges are felonies of the third degree.

FADE task force arrests 2 for drugs

Flatwoods, Ky. – The Fivco Area Drug Enforcement Task Force, along with officers from the Flatwoods Police Department, arrested Jason Pennington, 40, and Holly Baldridge, 40, both of Flatwoods, Wednesday on drug charges.

Pennington is charged with one count of first-degree trafficking of a controlled substance, one count of second-degree trafficking of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a minor.

Baldridge is charged with conspiracy to first-degree trafficking of a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a minor. Baldridge was also charged with operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.

Both are being held at the Greenup County Detention Center. Pennington has a bond of $17,000 and Baldridge has a bond of $7,580.

Wife of longtime Ohio House speaker Riffe dies

PORTSMOUTH (AP) — A funeral home says the wife of former longtime Democratic House speaker Vernal Riffe (RIFE) has died at age 86.

Thelma Cooper Riffe died Wednesday at the Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, according to Brant Funeral Service in Sciotoville.

Her husband led the House from 1975 to 1994, the longest serving House speaker in Ohio history. He died in 1997.

She lived in Wheelersburg in southern Ohio.

Fairland West hosting ‘Back to School night’

PROCTORVILLE — Students and their families are invited to attend “Back to School Night” on Monday, Aug. 16, at Fairland West Elementary school in Proctorville.

The open house will be from 5 to 7 p.m. for students entering third, fourth or fifth grade. An orientation meeting will be held for new students and the parents of third grade students beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Students may visit their classrooms, and meet their teachers. The building will be open for tours of the library, computer labs, gymnasiums and classrooms.

The first day of school for students in the Fairland District is Wednesday, Aug. 18.

New students may enroll at the school daily from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Please bring the following documents to register: A valid birth certificate, social security card, immunization records, a proof of residency and in cases of divorce a copy of the custody order.

For more information, call the school at (740) 886-3150.

Author to sign ‘We Fought Back’

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Book signing of “We Fought Back” will be at Empire Books and News located in Pullman Square, Huntington, on Friday, Aug. 13, from 5 pm to 7 p.m.

The author, Rosalie M. Ash, will also read passages from her book.

It tells the story of how the communities of Cox’s Landing and Lesage, across the river from Proctorville and Athalia, defied the city of Huntington.

The city attempted to annex the Ohio River and planned to take all homes in an area approximately five miles long. At what is now the YMCA Kennedy Center, the plan called for storage of 10 million tons of coal, a 24/7 operation running conveyors.

Proctorville woman receives radiology certification

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Kimberly Phillips and Tara Goff, radiologic technologists in the cardiac catheterization lab at St. Mary’s Medical Center, have passed their certification exams through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

The certification promotes high standards of patient care in interventional cardiac procedures. Phillips and Goff have worked in the cath lab for eight and seven years, respectively.

Phillips resides in Huntington with her husband. Goff lives in Proctorville, with her husband and three children.

Downed tree blocked Etna-Waterloo Road

A tree fell across County Road 4 (Etna-Waterloo Road) blocking both directions of traffic about 3.5 miles from where the road meets State Route 93.

The tree fell during a thunderstorm around noon Thursday, striking electric lines and knocking out power to surrounding houses.

“It just all slipped off the hill,” said Bill Grimm, who lives across the road from the downed tree.

Grimm said the fire department responded to the incident after power lines caught fire.

A barricade was set up on one side of the tree to alert drivers.

Highlands hosting fundraiser

Ashland, Ky. —“Twilight Night” will be Sept. 4 from 4-9 p.m. at the Highlands Museum & Discovery Center.

Eventgoers are encouraged to dress up and will be entered into the contest for “Biggest Twilight Fanatic,” and will have the chance to enter into the trivia competition. The night will include the showing of the movies, “Twilight” and “New Moon,” food and prizes.

All ages are welcome. Parents should be aware that movies are rated PG-13. Admission is $10 per person.