Friends deem Rally success

Representatives from the Friends of Ironton say the 2011 Rally on the River was successful. The four-day bike rally and festival was held this past Thursday through Sunday.

Officials say they will have more details about the event following a board meeting Sunday.

Council to meet Thursday

The following items are on the agenda for the regular meeting of the Ironton City Council Thursday:

• The first reading of an ordinance to award contracts for the Downtown Improvement program. The City of Ironton received a Downtown Improvement Grant from the Ohio Department of Development and KYOVA enhancement funding. According to the proposed ordinance the bids will be to the following companies in the following amounts: civil contract to Boone Coleman Construction for $201, 867; electric contract to West End Electric Company for $215, 138; and general contract to Portco Inc. for $410,000.

• The second reading of an ordinance amending the city’s annual operating budget for the fiscal year ending Dec. 31.

The Ironton City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday on the third floor of the Ironton City Center.

N.C. man admits to contraband smokes charges

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — A Raleigh, N.C., man has pleaded guilty in West Virginia to charges involving millions of contraband cigarettes destined for sale in the Huntington area.

The government says 51-year-old Nasser Saleh pleaded guilty Monday to charges that include conspiracy to transport, receive, possess and sell contraband cigarettes.

Prosecutors say Saleh admitted to being responsible for 12,672 cartons of contraband cigarettes. They represent a tax loss to West Virginia of nearly $70,000.

According to U.S. attorneys, Saleh admitted that in 2010 and including January of this year he and his associates purchased 2.5 million contraband smokes.

The case is part of an undercover operation targeting illegal drugs and firearms in the Huntington area.

Poker run scheduled for Saturday to help cancer victims

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — There will be a Poker run on Saturday starting at Pikeville, Ky. Harley Davidson.

This ride will benefit two young boys fighting cancer and is sponsored by JC Stands Up, a non profit organization for cancer patients and their families.  Registration starts at 10 a.m, and the run starts at 11 a.m.

Double riders $20, with single rider $15.  Stops will be at Honda in Prestonsburg, Hutch Motors in Paintsville, Hardee’s in Louisa, and ends at Frogtown in Ironton.

For further information, call Rachelle Lathrop at 606-792-6289.