Huntington men charged with trafficking in marijuana

CHILLICOTHE – Two men from West Virginia are facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 95 pounds of marijuana, valued at more than $215,000 during a traffic stop this past Friday in Ross County.

Troopers stopped a 1997 Chevrolet 1500, with West Virginia registration, for a following too closely violation on U.S. 23, near milepost 11, at approximately 5:04 p.m. Troopers observed criminal indicators and a Patrol drug-sniffing canine alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search revealed 95 pounds of marijuana in the bed of the vehicle.

The driver, Jonathan Spangler, 31, and passenger, Rodney Goodson, 45, both of Huntingtin were charged with possession of marijuana and trafficking in marijuana, both second-degree felonies.

The suspects were incarcerated in Ross County Jail. If convicted, each could face up to 16 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

Boomers Sports Bar to host ‘Rock Against Hunger’ event

IRONTON — Wednesday, Boomers Sports Bar in Ironton will host the first ever “Rock Against Hunger” event.

The event starts at 5 p.m. and will include several bands throughout the evening. Those bands appearing include: Trigger Soul, Lazy Mary, FM, Angel Falling, Rock Candy and Mojo King.

Admission will be $3 dollars at the door or a canned food donation of three or more canned or non-perishable foods.

All food and money collected will be donated to River Cities Harvest to be distributed to the Ironton City Welfare Mission and other agencies in the Tri-State area.

River Cities Harvest AmeriCorps VISTA Scott Frasure says, “This is a great way to pull others into the fold and increase hunger awareness. In Ohio, one in seven families are on food assistance while they struggle with increasing heating bills and keeping food on the table.” The event will also include door prizes to be raffled off to benefit River Cities Harvest.

River Cities Harvest is a non-profit, volunteer-based agency whose purpose is to alleviate hunger in our area. RCH solicits surplus, perishable food from restaurants, supermarkets, and other sources and distributes it to 17 social service agencies that feed hungry individuals and families. This practice is known as “food recovery”. RCH serves Boyd & Greenup counties in Kentucky and Lawrence County in Ohio.

OUS band to perform at Briggs Library tonight

IRONTON — The Ohio University Southern Community Band will perform a free Christmas concert at Briggs Library in Ironton today at 6:30 p.m.

The band consists of 15 students and non-students from the Tri-State area and performs several times a year on and off campus.

In addition to music for the holiday season, the band’s repertoire also includes music representing a variety of styles and genres including patriotic, Irish, and pops.

W.Va. man gets nearly 11 years for bank robbery

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — A man who admitted robbing a Huntington bank branch three times in a six-week span has been sentenced to nearly 11 years in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Chuck Chambers on Monday also ordered 40-year-old Toby M. Duckett of Huntington to pay $16,641 in restitution.

Duckett pleaded guilty in August to armed bank robbery and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. Federal prosecutors say those charges were for the March 2 robbery of a Peoples Bank branch in Huntington.

Prosecutors say Duckett also admitted to two other robberies at the same bank in March and April.

Texas Roadhouse selling gift cards to benefit organization

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Have someone to buy for on your list this holiday season who loves Texas Roadhouse?

Check their name off your list and help support a great organization this Christmas by purchasing Texas Roadhouse gift cards at Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore.

The public is encouraged to purchase Texas Roadhouse gift cards at the Habitat ReStore.

For every gift card purchased, Texas Roadhouse will donate 10 percent to Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity; further helping the affiliate’s mission to provide families in need an opportunity for safe, decent and affordable housing.

Customer’s purchasing $30 or more in gift cards will receive $5 off their next visit to Texas Roadhouse.

Habitat ReStore, located at 240 Third Ave., in Huntington, is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Accepting donated goods, which are sold to the general public at a fraction of the retail price, proceeds from Habitat ReStore help Huntington Area Habitat for Humanity fund the construction of homes for families in need.

For more information, contact Habitat ReStore by calling (304) 781-1333.