In celebration of the life of Norman Kauffman, Rocky, owner of KSC Cycles in Belleview Florida, who was taken away in a motorcycle accident on August 5, 2008, there will be a memorial run to help raise funds for Rocky's final preparations.Rocky was riding with David Daniels on their motorcycles going north on CR25 in Weirsdale when an accident occurred involving both of them which took both of their lives.On Sunday August 10, 2008 you can join the run in support starting at Gringo's in the Villages. Kickstands up at Noon.
The ride will continue to Good Times, Fox Crossing and then end at the County Line Bar in Weirsdale.All are welcome and a donation for the ride would be appreciated.
Story Courtesy of  www.Riderinfo.com 

Man who ran down pro wrestler sentenced to life TAMPA -- A convicted murderer found guilty of killing again in the hit-and-run  death of a former professional wrestler was sentenced today to life in prison. Harry  Brian Taylor (left), 38, was found guilty earlier this month of second-degree murder  for running over 52-year-old motorcyclist John Michael Meek on Aug. 29 after they  got into a dispute at a Riverview bar.Prosecutors say Meek, known to his friends as  Uncle Ugly, had ignored Taylor when he tried to make conversation at James' Place  bar on U.S. 301. Witnesses testified that Taylor felt insulted, and prosecutors said  when the former wrestler left the bar on his motorcycle, Taylor followed him in his  van and ran him over. Taylor was previously sentenced to 40 years in prison in the  1988 killing of a Marion County man in an armed robbery.  But because of credit  for good behavior and a policy designed to ease prison overcrowding, he served  only 12 years, a reduction of sentence that could not happen under today's law.  Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep  your mouth shut.--Ernest Hemingway    Article sent in by: BAYDOG via E-mail

According to The Myrtle Beach Sun News  City Council members stated last 
Tuesday that they do not want motorcycle rallies in the city anymore. Furious and frustrated after the weekend
shooting death of a 20 year old Coastal Carolina University student during the Atlantic Beach Bike fest, and 
supported by other groups who have complained to city officials in previous years after the Atlantic Beach 
Bikefest biker rally and the Harley-Davidson spring rally, the City Council seems on the verge of shutting 
down both rallies. Grand Strand Connectio (an umbrella group that is trying to help solve “issues that
threaten the harmony of Myrtle Beach”) and Hakim Harrell, an event promoter, said they understand the 
city’s concern, but hope more organized activities scattered throughout the city would draw people away 
from Ocean Boulevard. Mayor John Rhodes told the group “We don’t need these rallies. 
We can fill all the hotel rooms without bike weeks.”    

Comment on story above from a reader:      Let us call the Atlantic Beach Bike Fest what it really is 
“Black Bike Week”. The locals in Myrtle Beach cringe every year when the Rally come to town. 
Now there has been a shooting death, wow, surprise me! Go figure. If the H-D Spring Rally in Myrte
Beach is cancelled due to the idiots at Black Bike Week, this will be yet another example of the tail 
wagging the dog!    "Dennis"

Samantha Morgan, fearless Wall of Death Rider
died suddenly in West Palm Beach May 2nd 2008
Her oldest, and close friend, Thomas “Criminal” Cavanaugh is handling all of the arrangements for 
 Celebration to be held on Saturday, May 24, at the VFW Hall 2:00pm-6:00pm, 1126 Clare Ave. West Palm 
Beach, Florida 33401.Food donations for this memorial are greatly appreciated. Criminal can be reached at on
 his cell #561-236-6235If anyone would like to send flowers, cards or letters, please address them to:
The Fraternal Order of Eagles
2500 North Military Trail Suite 105
West Palm Beach, Florida 33409
Attention: Thomas Cavanaugh, Secretary.
Samantha Morgan Storm is one of the pioneers of modern motorcycling women. She loved the excitement, 
the travel, the people and the worlds her famous Indian motorcycles carried her to, all within that “Thrill Arena.”
 She will be deeply missed by so many.

Drunk Bitch Kills Biker
TAMPA - A 42-year-old woman with twice the legal blood-alcohol level ran a red light early Saturday and struck 
and killed a motorcyclist, the Florida Highway Patrol said. James D. Dean, 44, of 6914 Seton Lane, died at the 
scene about 1:35 a.m. Antoinette Morello of 6516 Seafairer Drive was arrested on a DUI-manslaughter charge. 
The highway patrol said she was speeding while eastbound on Hillsborough Avenue when her 1995 Ford Escort 
station wagon went through a red light at State Road 589.Morello hit the 2005 Yamaha V-star motorcycle ridden  
by Dean, who was westbound on Hillsborough Avenue and turning left onto State Road 589, a highway patrol 
news release said. Morello was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with minor injuries. She had a blood-alcohol level 
of .168,an affidavit said. Florida's law presumes intoxication at 0.08.Morello was being held at 
Orient Road Jail. Bail had not been set.

Wife Dies After She's Thrown From Husband's Motorcycle
Police said Janet Mauriello, 67, was riding with her husband, Robert, 70, on Park Boulevard about 4:15 p.m. Saturday.
 The couple, on a 2006 Harley Davidson, were behind a Honda when the driver stopped to let an ambulance responding 
to an emergency go through the intersection at 52nd Street.Robert Mauriello hit the brakes and the motorcycle went on 
its right side and skidded into the rear of the Honda, police said.Janet Mauriello was thrown into the center lane and was
 immediately hit by 1997 Dodge Dakota driven by James Harrison, 36, of Lithia.Janet Mauriello was taken to Northside 
Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 4:45 p.m., Pinellas Park police said.The couple from Indian Rocks beach 
were both wearing helmets and had been riding together for nearly 50 years, police said.Police said there was no sign 
of impairment of anyone involved and no charges have been filed. The investigation is continuing.

House Bill 137

House Bill 137 (which has been talked about - being able to confiscate your motorcycle for doing 30mph 
over the speed limit) Passed through the committee and now on to the house. However some changes were
 made: Now it reads 50mph instead of the 30mph and confiscation would not occur until after the 
3rd offense.The 1st two offenses would result in progressive fines. Also in the changes is, to include all 
motorvehicles not just motorcycles. I guess if your dumb enough to get busted three times doing 50mph over 
the speed limit, you should forfeit your motor vehicle (just for being so dam stupid - here’s your sign).

“12^th Annual Leesburg Bikefest, Takes Preventative Measures to 
Eliminate Accidents and Fatalities”

Lake County, Florida, The City of Leesburg and The Leesburg Partnership, presenters of the annual Leesburg
 Bikefest, is pleased to announce the “Ride Lake, Ride Safe, Look Twice!” 2008 Safety Campaign, targeting 
both two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles. The Leesburg Partnership, City of Leesburg, Lake County Tourism, 
Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Lake-Sumter Emergency Medical Services and Anheuser-Busch’s
 Responsibility Matters program are the driving forces in a collaborative community outreach and awareness
 campaign kicking off during the first week of April.

The purpose of this campaign is two-fold: to inform the citizens of Leesburg and Lake County of the influx of
 300,000 motorcyclists who will be enjoying our surroundings and traveling all of the major corridors around
 Leesburg before, during and after the festival on April 25, 26 & 27^th, as well as reminding them to exercise 
caution while entering intersections and before changing lanes; secondly to promote the practice of safe
 riding habits, considerate noise levels and re-enforce the drinking and driving laws to all motorcyclists,
 all the while, encouraging them to “Ride Lake-Ride Safe, Look Twice!”

The Leesburg Partnership is taking a pro-active approach by coordinating meetings with county and city officials.
 Among those in attendance are the City of Leesburg, Leesburg Police Department, Lake County Sheriff’s Office,
 Leesburg Partnership, Lake-Sumter Emergency Medical Services, FDOT, ABATE of Florida, and Anheuser-Busch. 
Their main objective is to develop effective strategies to prevent accidents and fatalities at this year’s event.

Some of the strategies implemented this year are: the rerouting of traffic around major corridors, police monitored 
and managed intersections to ensure a continuous flow of traffic, roadside message boards to inform drivers of up 
to-date road issues, and required TIPS training for all event serving staff. TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) 
is a dynamic, skills-based training program designed to prevent intoxication, drunk driving and underage drinking by 
enhancing the fundamental "people skills" of servers, sellers and consumers of alcohol. TIPS, proven effective by
 third-party studies, gives individuals the knowledge and confidence they need to recognize potential alcohol-related
 problems and intervene to prevent alcohol-related tragedies.

Anheuser-Busch is proud to sponsor a free ride home program for the benefit of our Leesburg Bikefest patrons.  
The Alert Cab service is designed to make sure that customers who should not drive make it home safely. 
 Patrons will receive free transportation both to their residence, and a return trip the following day to retrieve 
their vehicle. 

This campaign is one that will be far reaching. Advertisements will appear in The Orlando Sentinel, Daily 
Commercial, Lake Magazine, Hometown Magazine and various motorcycle related publications. TV and radio 
spots in the form of 30 and 60 second spots will be made available to stations in and around the central Florida
 area (Radio spots are available in both English and Spanish). Mobile billboards will travel throughout Lake 
County and posters will be posted at hundreds of retailers and businesses throughout the county.

Your support is greatly appreciated while we kick off the “Ride Lake-Ride Safe, Look Twice!” campaign. 
As always, we continue to strive to bring new tourism and business to our area.

Feel free to insert your logo or organization name to show your support for our campaign. We’ll be honored to 
supply high-resolution digital images of posters and advertisements for your use. Video PSAs are also available
 to be used on your website.  To arrange for this option, please email kc@oryancreative.com

For additional information on the “12^th Annual Leesburg Bikefest” visit  www.leesburgbikefest.com

A Letter to the STIFFS
Committee Members:
   First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is John Clark and am a registered Florida
 voter. I am also a member of ABATE, military veteran and retired member of management
 from a major corporation.
   Why introduce new laws that only target motorcycles, when there are laws
 already that cover "ALL' motor vehicles (that are not enforced). All concerned drivers 
know that there is a problem with, out of control Sport Bikes. But this also includes out of
 control Sport Cars! The latest high profile case is Hulk Hogan's son Nick. Does HB137 
also cover this concern? No! Is there a problem? YES! Just passing new laws does
 not act as a "deterrent" (which HB137 is labeled). HB137 is discrimatory to just motorcycles! Now, 
we must ask; would HB137 result in more high speed chases? - Compound the problem and
 endangermore lives? YES! As the MC5 once said "are you part of the problem or
 part of the solution?? HB137 would not solve the problem or be part of the solution.
 Thank you for your time and hopefully consideration.
                   John Clark

 February 20th 2008
Scootergoods Magazine Goes North 
Good News from the Northeast, Scootergoods Magazine is now available at 2 Harley 
dealers on Long Island. Nassau 
HD on Sunrise Highway has a lot of new, used and custom Harleys. I would like to give a very 
big ATA BIKER thank you to Beth in the parts dept. and April in Apparel who where very helpful in 
setting up a space for Scootergoods. Another cool location where you can now find Scootergoods is is at 
Lighthouse HD in Hunington on the Jericho Turnpike. Lighthouse HD also has a very cool OLD SCHOOL
 museum full of original Panheads, Knuckleheads, Shovelheads and Flatheads along with old Indians and 
Triumphs. Not to mention Von Dutch Bikes. So if you are ever on Eastern Long Island and homesick for some
 down home action stop by Nassau HD or Lighthouse HD and check them out. NYC Irish, Thanks from all of your 
brothers and sisters on the Scootergoods Staff. for gettin’ the Rag to the people on Long Island Irish!         

Lunsford's potential lawsuit triggers a backlash

By Barbara Behrendt and Logan Neill, Times Staff Writers  Published February 23, 2008
People respond with shock, anger to his plan to sue the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.

HOMOSASSA -- Moments after news broke Thursday that Mark Lunsford intends to sue the Citrus 
County Sheriff's Office over the 2005 abduction and murder of his daughter Jessica, the calls and e-mails began
 pouring into the agency.Overwhelmingly, the message expressed was shock and anger at the man whose tragic 
loss had galvanized this community and the nation."The sympathy I had for Mark Lunsford went out the back 
door when the intent-to-sue letter came through the front door," read an e-mail from John McNeilly of Crystal 
River.Michael Kaczmarek of Crystal River sent this to Lunsford, with a copy to Sheriff Jeff Dawsy:"These are
 the same agencies that you have been giving accolades to for four years. What, sir, has changed your view?
 Is it that the Jessie fund is broke? I find it despicable that you have and continue to profit from the tragedy 
of the kidnapping and subsequent murder of your daughter."Lunsford's lawyer, Eric Block of Jacksonville said 
Friday he was not surprised by the reactions. But he blamed Dawsy's comments at a Thursday afternoon news
 conference, not his client, for the backlash."It's unbelievable that the sheriff would come out and make a public 
statement that the lawsuit was meritless and baseless," Block said. "There hasn't been a lawsuit even filed, and he
 hasn't even heard the allegations." Block has declined to give details of those allegations until a news conference
 scheduled for noon Tuesday. The notice of intent to sue, filed this week by Lunsford and his ex-wife, Angela 
Wright, against the sheriff, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Citrus County Commission, 
alleges only that the agencies' negligence led to Jessica Lunsford's death.Block said that several new witnesses
 havecome forward who were at the scene of the abduction on the first day "when Jessica was still alive" and 
they have reported harsh treatment by Dawsy's deputies.For those who have been critical of Lunsford's motives,
 Block said they would feel differently if their child had been abducted and "law enforcement hadn't done its job.
"Once the allegations are revealed, he said, "a lot of people are going to have egg on their face. ... Facts are 
going to come out that are indefensible."Block insisted that the threatened suit is not about money.
Once the allegations are revealed, he said, "a lot of people are going to have egg on their face. ... Facts are going 
to come out that are indefensible."Block insisted that the threatened suit is not about money.Dawsy could 
not be reached for comment on Friday. Richard Wesch, general counsel for the Sheriff's Office, said the 
accusation of negligence by Dawsy and his staff "is sufficient for the sheriff to respond in the manner in which 
he responded.""These people lived and breathed it," he said. "This was the most significant case this agency has 
ever experienced. It left lasting memories."In a television interview on Friday, Lunsford said that he heard 
Dawsy refer to his investigation as "textbook" and that he would do the investigation the same way again.
 "If we dothings the same way, we have another dead child," Lunsford said. "So we have to change everything 
every time we learn something, and we learn something every time we lose a child."Jessica Lunsford's brutal
 death made national news, but nowhere was the impact felt stronger than in the quiet community of Homosassa. 
Even now, with John Couey on death row after being convicted of the crimes against the 9-year-old Homosassa 
Elementary third-grader, passions run deep."Let her rest in peace," said Diane Toto, president of the Homosassa 
Civic Club. "Why reopen old wounds. Healing needs to take place. Suing the sheriff now will accomplish nothing.
"Stacy Cooke, a vendor at Howard's Flea Market in Homosassa, said the lawsuit idea was an "outrage"
 toward deputies who spent countless hours searching for Jessica. "What's done is done," she said. "This isn't 
going to bring his daughter back.""I don't see the point in it," said Cecil Bartolini, a patron at Emily's Family 
Restaurant where John Couey once worked. "It looked to me like they had every person in the department 
looking for Jessica. Just because they didn't find her until she was dead wasn't their fault.""We really pray
 that he willreconsider the lawsuit," said Art Alt, a Hernando County resident who has watched the drama and
 has supported Lunsford throughout. "I just wish he was talking to his pastor instead of talking to his attorney.'On 
Friday, as sheriff's spokeswoman Gail Tierney dealt with media requests about the controversy, she reminded 
reporters about "Jessie's Ride," a fundraising motorcycle rally scheduled to run today from New Port Richey to 
Crystal River.It's a separate issue from Lunsford's potential lawsuit, Tierney said. "We didn't want to see Jessie's
 Place suffer due to this thing," noting that several e-mails were from bikers who said they were backing out 
of the ride because of the threatened lawsuit.Jessie's Place is a child advocacy center named for Jessica Lunsford 
and planned for school property in Crystal River. Dawsy has been key in getting the project off the ground. 
He said onThursday that while his personal relationship with the Lunsford family ended with the threat of the lawsuit, he
 would not let it affect his support for the center.The biker run, expected to draw thousands of riders, will conclude at the 
Harley-Davidson of Crystal River store on U.S. 19. The guest speaker at the rally, arranged earlier this week by 
Lunsford, is Sheriff Dawsy.

February 10,2008
A was killed in a collision with a pickup Sunday on Gobbler Drive in Floral City was one of about 25 riders out for a Sunday 
drive, his wife said. Kevin S. O'Neill, 32, of 2924 Elston Drive in Deltona was killed when his Kawasaki motorcycle crossed the center line on a hairpin curve on Gobbler just east of Old Floral City Road. The motorcycle slid on its side, said O'Neill's wife, Amanda, who was riding her own motorcycle behind him but did not see the crash. O'Neill was westbound on Gobbler, negotiating the hairpin curves near Good Counsel Camp, when he drifted over the center line at 12:26 p.m., according to a Florida Highway Patrol report. His motorcycle was struck by an oncoming pickup driven by Harold Weatherly, 50, 6000 S Marlin Drive, Floral City, according to the patrol. O'Neill was pronounced dead at the scene, she said. The O'Neills had joined the group of about 25 other riders from Eustis and Deltona, who met regularly for road trips, his wife said. No charges were filed.

February 14th 2008
Re: Bikers, watch out for older drivers Feb. 14 letter to the editor        Kudos to Mike Pope for bringing out an important 
point regarding motorcyclists. I, too, am a motorcyclist and a senior, but I have a real hard time accepting the latter
 nomenclature. Mr. Pope observes that "most seniors do not see you." With all due respect to Mr. Pope's observation,
 I would fine-tune that a little and say that "a high percentage of drivers do not see motorcycles!" This includes all drivers, 
period! Our motorcycles do not have the visual profile of a SUV or a Mack truck. Our motorcycles have a low and linear
 profile and most drivers' brains are not conditioned to "look for motorcycles." That is where a heavy dose of driver training
 and awareness of the dynamics of motorcycles would help save lives. Most motorcyclists dress for riding. They wear leather
 (which seems to scare some people), or ballistic nylon, or even Kevlar, and that is to protect them in the event of a fall. The
 rate of flesh-and-bone grind is one-half inch per second at 60 mph. Having said that, wearing a helmet and all of the gear 
will not save us in the event of blunt force trauma! Strict enforcement of traffic laws also would help. Folks who roll through
 stop signs, run red lights, speed, talk on cell phones, apply makeup, eat, and drive while doing other stupid things not only
 endanger themselves, but other motorists, either on two wheels or four! Motorcyclists need to pay attention 100 percent 
of the time. We use all four appendages to control our vehicle and we have to keep our brain engaged at all times. We riders 
cannot afford the luxury of having our mind preoccupied with empty thoughts. We have to remain focused. We do not have
 the luxury of seat belts, collapsible steering columns, air bags, side air bags, roll bars or cages that are engineered to drop 
the engine to the ground and collapse to protect us. We are vulnerable just like the motorcycle police officer, who rides to 
protect all of us.I'm sure that Mr. Pope would join me and other motorcyclists and ask you to please look out for motorcycles!                             Ronald G. Haines, Spring Hill.

January 22nd, 2008   Regarding his DUI Manslaughter case, on January 18th Billy Lane was in Court in Viera, 
Florida for a hearing about where his blood evidence should be tested.  
His lawyersargued that the state of Florida cannot dictate where the blood works should
 be sent. They also claimed full responsibility for the blood evidence once it will be under
 their control. Judge Allawas allowed the blood work to travel to Rocky Mountain Labs
 in Colorado.  However, the Judge mentioned that the state would be able to argue as to
 whether the test performed by the independent lab. will be admissible if they feel the Lab
 used is not competent.  Billy Lane next pre-trial hearing is March 5th.  He is facing criminal 
charges for DUI Manslaughter from the September 4th, 2006 crash that caused the death 
of Gerald Morelock. In Florida such charges can bring up to 15 years in prison.

Billy Lane trial could see further delays: A judge’s ruling that celebrity motorcycle builder Billy
 Lane’s defense attorneys may send his blood samples to Colorado for re-testing could delay his trial past this spring, his
 attorneys said. Lawyers trying the DUI manslaughter case said Circuit Judge Meryl Allawas last week ruled in the favor 
of 37-year-old Lane’s attorneys, who argued neither she nor prosecutors had authority to dictate where the samples be 
sent. In motions filed late last year, lawyers Greg Eisenmenger and Robert Berry said they believe poor handling of the 
samples by police may have led to contamination and created a false high alcohol level.Prosecutors had objected to 
sending the samples far away, citing unfamiliarity with the out-of-state lab and possible expense issues if they need to 
depose the lab technicians.But Eisenmenger said toxicologist Lawrence Masten is more familiar with the Colorado testing 
facility. The state requested that the vials of blood will be sent one-by-one for re-testing, which could possibly delay the
 trial past this spring, he said.Police say Lane had a blood-alcohol level of 0.19 — more than twice the legal limit — 
when he crossed a double yellow line on State Road A1A to pass several vehicles on Labor Day 2006. His Dodge 
Ram pickup struck 56-year-old Sebastian Inlet park ranger Gerald Morelock’s Yamaha mini-motorcycle head-on. 
BY KEYONNA SUMMERS
FLORIDA TODAY

Remember the article we wrote on The ASSWIPE complaining about loud pipes Last January.
 Well a brother ran into MR. BONNELL on a professional level and here's the deal!

Gun Control
Dear Scootergoods, The article on page 68 (of the Feb. 2008 Issue) "Big Brother at it AGAIN" at first glance helps perpetuate
 two major misunderstandings of our second amendment, even though the conclusion is correct. 1. That any God given right can 
be granted by the 'state' If it is inherent in man's life, no entity can grant it or take it away, unless laws voted by the people allow it. 2. Another popular mistake in understanding the amendment misses the clear intent of the English language of THAT time. : A..
 There are TWO SEPARATE thought phrases. : 1. The NECESSITY of a well regulated militia being necessary for the security
 of a FREE state. ( a complete thought) and ,...... 2. The RIGHT of the people to keep and bear arms, shall NOT be infringed. 
(also very clear) The form of the militia in those days, was common citizens bearing their own arms. These days the 'National 
Guard' is a professional arm of the military/state issued weapons owned by the government. It may take the place of the old 
militia, as long as we have a GOOD government, but does not in any way change the intent of the founding fathers to
 GUARANTEE personal liberties by insuring the power of the individual citizens against tyranny. ALL the inherent rights
 of Americans are vested with the PEOPLE themselves. The article ended well, but unfortunately many people will remember
 those first paragraphs and continue to be confused or misled on a fundamental Constitutional issue. Thanks for listening,

Asswipe Pulls out infront of 2 Bikes on State Road 52

By Josh Poltilove of The Tampa Tribune      Published: January 13, 2008

A 52-year-old woman died following a crash Saturday night in Hudson where two motorcycles struck a Toyota pickup.

Linette L. Walden was taken to Bayonet Point Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The crash occurred about 8:10 p.m. Saturday on State Road 52.

Brian C. Kroen, 40, of Hudson was driving the 1995 pickup west on State Road 52 when he tried turning left, a Florida Highway Patrol release states. He traveled into the path of two motorcycles heading east.

A 1991 Harley-Davidson motorcycle driven by Steven R. Walden, 52, of Dade City struck the right side of the pick up, according to the release. A 1987 Harley-Davidson driven by Dennis Adair of Lewiston, Ind., also struck the pickup's right side.

Walden, Adair and their passengers were ejected from their vehicles.

A fourth driver, 51-year-old Robert D. Palmer of Land O' Lakes, swerved his 1997 Volkswagen Jetta to avoid the crash. But his vehicle was struck by debris.

Kroen was taken to Northbay Hospital. Steven Walden was taken to Bayonet Point Hospital's emergency room but was not kept as a patient, according to the hospital. Adair was taken to Bayfront Medical Center. Adair's passenger, Melanie McCoy, also was taken to a hospital.

Their conditions weren't immediately available.

Each motorcycle had $10,000 damage. The pickup had $8,000 damage, and the Volkswagen had $500 damage.

The investigation continues. Witnesses are encouraged to Cpl. E.W. Bromiley at (800) 235-6019.

Two families lost sons in crash

An aspiring actor and a father were killed when one's motorcycle collided with the other's SUV.

By JONATHAN ABEL, Times Staff Writer
Published January 9, 2008

An SUV was making a U-turn Monday in Palm Harbor when a speeding northbound motorcycle hit it. Both vehicles caught fire. The driver of the SUV and the motorcycle driver died.                                                           ReadFullStory

Maddison breaks world motorcycle jump record New Years Eve 2008 LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Robbie Maddison broke the world motorcycle jumping record Monday night, soaring 322 feet,  71/2 inches at the Rio All-Suite Casino and Hotel.Facing a slight headwind, the freestyle star from Australia made a second jump, but went only 320 feet on that attempt."I'm just starting to realize what I did,'' Maddison said. "Conditions weren't  in my favor with the wind.''Maddison broke the Guinness World Records-certified mark of 277-6 set by Trigger Gumm in  2005 in Australia, and the non-certified mark of 310-4 set by Ryan Capes in Kent, Wash., also in 2005.During practice  Sunday night, Maddison jumped 350 feet. It was unclear if that jump would be certified as the record."We had terrific  conditions,'' Maddison said of the practice jump.On Monday night, Maddison landed in perfect control on both attempts, sailing over a drawn-in football field and coming down on a large dirt landing area.He was asked how far he thinks he can jump ."Four hundred feet,'' Maddison said. "I know I'm definitely going to do it.''   Motorcyclists Have Rights, Too I don't understand how someone can run two motorcyclists over and not see them. This issue is out of control. We buy a motorcycle, pay the registration fees, pay the insurance and get run over by cagers (people in cars) who claim they  “didn't see us.” We are fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, mothers, wives, sisters and daughters who work hard for our families  and the things we have. We pay our taxes and mortgages and we do lots of charity work within our community (front page of  Hernando Today, Dec. 10) and all we get is run over on US 19. When is this going to stop?We have rights, too. It is our right to buy and ride a motorcycle, but it is not the rights of cagers  to run us down because “they didn't see us.” Someone is always making new products for our bikes to have brighter lights,  louder pipes and anything else that makes us more visible on the road but cagers still claim “they didn't see us.” People are  always complaining about our loud pipes but they don't understand that our loud pipes let them know that we are near them or  behind them on the road. “Loud pipes save lives “is not just a saying it's a life saver. Motorcyclists are growing in numbers and cagers have got to start paying more attention on the road and taking responsibility  for their actions. A slap on the wrist or a citation isn't going to cut it much longer. We have a right to be there just as much as  they do. This issue has been ongoing for years and seems to be getting worse. Please take that extra second and look twice; it might save someone's life. Kathy Wilshusen Spring Hill

 

 

Local Biker Killed By ASSWIPE from Penn.

SPRING HILL A van traveling north on U.S. 19 Sunday night struck a motorcycle from behind hard enough to lodge the bike
upright in its grill.The motorcycle's driver, Randi Lavikoff, died on the roadway. She was 56.Angelica Passow witnessed the 
collision as she waited to turn left onto the highway at Berkeley Manor Boulevard, where the 7-Eleven sits on the corner. 
It was 6:55 p.m.; winter darkness had fully descended.She said two motorcycles were side by side in the center lane and 
alone at the red light. They were just picking up speed after the light turned green when a boxy conversion van slammed into 
the pair.The impact launched one rider off her motorcycle and sent her skidding across the pavement. The other motorcyclist 
was knocked over and his leg trapped under the heavy Harley Davidson, Passow said.Acting completely on impulse, Passow, 
24, and her younger brother jumped out of their van and ran over to help the fallen riders. Oncoming traffic was coming full |
speed through the green light and whizzed by the rescuers.“We were running and screaming,” Passow said Monday morning
by phone.Horns blared at the siblings as they frantically attempted to slow down traffic. Two cars almost struck each other as 
drivers swerved to avoid Passow and her brother. They came within yards of running over Lavikoff lying on the asphalt.When
traffic finally came to a halt, Passow knelt down by Lavikoff and attempted to take a pulse.“I thought she was dead,” she said, 
but a registered nurse who had stopped to help heard a heartbeat through a stethoscope. The impact had mangled Lavikoff's 
helmet.
Meanwhile, Passow's 21-year-old brother helped the other injured motorcyclist, Linden Gates, to the side of the road. He was 
banged up and sore, but otherwise OK. “He wanted to know how the hell the conversion van didn't see him,” Passow said.Both 
Passow and a fire official said the motorcycle was embedded dead center in the van's grill so far that the rear tire couldn't be seen.
The van's driver, 61-year-old James Brennan, gave the Florida Highway Patrol a home address in Murrysville, Penn. He was issued 
a citation for careless driving.Gates, 64, was in tears on Monday as he talked about the loss of Lavikoff, whom he described as
 “very sensitive.”“She loved life and she was always on the go,” he said. Lavikoff began work as a probation officer with the Florida
 Department of Corrections in 2005. In a prepared statement, the department expressed condolences to her family and said, 
“Randi loved her job and was happy to be a public servant. ”She also spent years working with troubled youth through the Eckerd 
Youth Camps and counseling the mentally challenged. Lavikoff and Gates have known each other for over a decade, but it wasn't 
until after his wife of 44 years passed away last year that Gates moved in with Lavikoff. Together the couple explored the outdoors:
Snorkeling, hiking and fishing. Lavikoff had a passion for horseback riding and kept four horses on her rural property on Wildlife 
Lane.She also introduced Gates to motorcycles and together they logged more than 1,000 miles on a trip to the Carolinas. 
Lavikoff “was a very safety conscious person,” Gates said. She always wore a helmet and wouldn't let Gates ride off without one,
too.“What can you do though when someone runs you over?” Gates asked.On Sunday night, the two had just finished dinner
at a nearby Chinese restaurant. Over their meal, Lavikoff talked about her son's pending transfer with the U.S. Coast Guard to 
Alaska.It was his last moments with her. “It happened so fast,” Gates said. “In just a couple of minutes your whole life changes.
”Lavikoff is survived by two sons in their early 30s and a grandson.

 

R.I.P ART 
Ride Free Bro!
June 12, 1953 - Dec 11, 2007

Robbie Maddison to Attempt World Record Motorcycle Jump at Rio in Las Vegas

The Red Bull Experiment will take the scientific method to a whole new level, testing the limits of the unknown this New 
Year's Eve at the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Robbie Maddison
Robbie Maddison will attempt the world record for motorcycle jumps on New Years Eve.  and Rhys 
Millen, two of the most dynamic personalities in motorsports, will be performing two ground-breaking feats in a city that 
is all about going big. One Experiment will take place at the stroke of midnight on the East Coast, and the second will occur
 when the clock strikes "12" on the West Coast. At its heart, the DNA of the Red Bull Experiment is simple: the best athletes
 from around the globe performing world first "experimental" sporting achievements.

Maddison, a freestyle motocross star from Australia, will attempt to jump the length of a football field (more than 300 feet) to 
set a new motorcycle distance jumping world record. Millen, a champion drifter and movie stunt driver hailing from New 
Zealand, will attempt the first-ever backflip of an off-road racing truck. Representatives from the Guinness Book of World
 Records will be in attendance to validate each jump.

"I have ridden dirt bikes for over 20 years - this is what I do!" said Maddison. "All the success and injuries over the years 
have molded me into someone who wants to achieve the biggest feat on a motorcycle ever."

"In my extreme world of motor sports and stunts, pushing the limits is a way of life," added Millen. "Being the first to back
 flip a truck ramp to ramp is the ultimate high."

Madison has achieved tremendous success in the freestyle motocross world and is already the owner of two world records - 
for the longest jump on a 125cc motorcycle (221 feet) and the longest jump with a trick (246 feet). Come New Year's Eve, 
"Maddo" is looking to add to his resume and become the standard-bearer for distance jumping.

In addition to a Formula D championship, success as an off-road racer and several credits as a stunt driver, including Fast
 and the Furious 3, Tokyo Drift and Dukes of Hazzard, Millen is aiming to accomplish something unprecedented. Not only
 will he drive the truck; the Kiwi has designed the take-off ramp for his flip as well.

Iconic daredevil Evel Knievel dies at 69

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Evel Knievel's hard life killed him — it just took longer than he or anyone else might have expected. 
The hard-living motorcycle daredevil, whose bone-breaking, rocket-powered jumps and stunts made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday. He was 69. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs. He had undergone a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C, likely contracted through a blood transfusion after one of his many spills. He also suffered two strokes in recent years.Longtime friend and promoter Billy Rundle said Knievel had trouble breathing at his Clearwater condominium and died before an ambulance could get him to a hospital."It's been coming for years, but you just don't expect it. Superman just doesn't die, right?" said Rundle, organizer of the annual "Evel Knievel Days" festival in the daredevil's Butte, Mont., hometown.Knievel's son Kelly, 47, said he had visited his father in Clearwater for Thanksgiving."I think he lived 20 years longer than most people would have" after so many injuries, Kelly Knievel said. "I think he willed himself into an extra five or six years."Immortalized in the Washington's Smithsonian Institution as "America's Legendary Daredevil," Knievel was best known for a failed attempt to jump an Idaho canyon on a rocket-powered cycle and a spectacular crash at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. He suffered nearly 40 broken bones before he retired in 1980.For the tall, thin daredevil, the limelight was always comfortable, the gab glib. There always were mountains to climb, feats to conquer."No king or prince has lived a better life," he told The Associated Presss in May 2006. "You're looking at a guy who's really done it all. And there are things I wish I had done better, not only for me but for the ones I loved."He garbed himself in red, white and blue and had a knack for outrageous yarns: "Made $60 million, spent 61. ...Lost $250,000 at blackjack once. ... Had $3 million in the bank, though."His death came just two days after it was announced that he and rapper Kanye West had settled a federal lawsuit over the use of Knievel's trademarked image in a popular West music video.Although he dropped off the pop culture radar in the '80s, Knievel enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years. He made a good living selling autographs and endorsing products. Thousands came to Butte every year as his legend was celebrated during "Evel Knievel Days.""They started out watching me bust my ass, and I became part of their lives," Knievel said. "People wanted to associate with a winner, not a loser. They wanted to associate with someone who kept trying to be a winner."He began his daredevil career in 1965 when he formed a troupe called Evel Knievel's Motorcycle Daredevils, a touring show in which he performed stunts such as riding through fire walls, jumping over live rattlesnakes and mountain lions and being towed at 200 mph behind dragster race cars.In 1966 he began touring alone, barnstorming the West and doing everything from driving the trucks, erecting the ramps and promoting the shows. In the beginning he charged $500 for a jump over two cars parked between ramps.He steadily increased the length of the jumps until, on New Year's Day 1968, he was nearly killed when he jumped 151 feet across the fountains in front of Caesar's Palace. He cleared the fountains but the crash landing put him in a coma for a month.His son Robbie Knievel followed in his father's daredevil footsteps and successfully completed the same jump in April 1989.In the years after the crash, the fee for the elder Knievel's performances increased to $1 million for his jump over 13 buses at Wembley Stadium in London — the crash landing broke his pelvis — to more than $6 million for the Sept. 8, 1974, attempt to clear the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in a rocket-powered "Skycycle." The money came from ticket sales, paid sponsors and ABC's "Wide World of Sports."The parachute malfunctioned and deployed after takeoff. Strong winds blew the cycle into the canyon, landing him close to the swirling river below.On Oct. 25, 1975, he jumped 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Island in Ohio.Knievel decided to retire after a jump in the winter of 1976 in which he was again seriously injured. He suffered a concussion and broke both arms in an attempt to jump a tank full of live sharks in the Chicago Amphitheater. He continued to do smaller exhibitions around the country with his son, Robbie.Many of his records have been broken by daredevil motorcyclist Bubba Blackwell.Knievel also dabbled in movies and TV, starring as himself in "Viva Knievel" and with Lindsey Wagner in an episode of the 1980s TV series "Bionic Woman." George Hamilton and Sam Elliott each played Knievel in movies about his life.Evel Knievel toys accounted for more than $300 million in sales for Ideal and other companies in the 1970s and '80s.Born Robert Craig Knievel in the copper mining town of Butte on Oct. 17, 1938, Knievel was raised by his grandparents. He traced his career choice back to the time he saw Joey Chitwood's Auto Daredevil Show at age 8.Outstanding in track and field, ski jumping and ice hockey at Butte High School, he went on to win the Northern Rocky Mountain Ski Association Class A Men's ski jumping championship in 1957 and played with the Charlotte Clippers of the Eastern Hockey League in 1959.He also formed the Butte Bombers semiprofessional hockey team, acting as owner, manager, coach and player.Knievel also worked in the Montana copper mines, served in the Army, ran his own hunting guide service, sold insurance and ran Honda motorcycle dealerships. At various times and in different interviews, Knievel claimed to have been a swindler, a card thief, a safe cracker, a holdup man.Evel Knievel married his hometown girlfriend, Linda Joan Bork, in 1959. They separated in the early 1990s. They had four children, Kelly, Robbie, Tracey and Alicia.Robbie Knievel followed in his father's footsteps as a daredevil, jumping a moving locomotive in a 200-foot, ramp-to-ramp motorcycle stunt on live television in 2000. He also jumped a 200-foot-wide chasm of the Grand Canyon.Knievel lived with his longtime partner, Krystal Kennedy-Knievel, splitting his time between their Clearwater condo and Butte. They married in 1999 and divorced a few years later but remained together. Knievel had 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

Beating Victim Goes After Knievel Estate

By JOHN ROGERS,

Posted: 2007-12-03 20:21:00

Filed Under: Nation News

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 3) - Of all the bones Evel Knievel broke over the years, the costliest may have been the left arm of a PR man by the name of Shelly Saltman.Saltman won $12.75 million in damages against Knievel after the motorcycle daredevil attacked him with a baseball bat in 1977 in a rage over a book Saltman had written about the showman.

Sheldon "Shelly" Saltman sits in a Los Angeles hospital bed in 1977 after daredevil Evel Knievel shattered his arm with a bat because he was upset over a book Saltman had written about him. Saltman won a settlement for $12.75 million.With interest, the still-uncollected sum has grown to more than $100 million by Saltman's estimate, and he intends to try to collect it."We are going hot and heavy after his estate," Saltman told The Associated Press after Knievel died Friday at 69. "What he tried to do to me and how it hurt my family, I'm owed that."Whether Knievel's estate has that kind of money is unclear.Knievel's son Kelly would not discuss the size of his father's estate or comment on the dispute. The daredevil's longtime friend and promoter, Billy Rundle, declined to discuss the incident in detail. Knievel's widow, Krystal, was not granting interviews.Although little remembered today, the incident made headlines worldwide when the death-defying motorcyclist approached Saltman in the parking lot of 20th Century Fox on Sept. 21, 1977, and suddenly started swinging a bat. Saltman, then a studio executive, raised his arm to protect his head, a move he says doctors told him probably saved his life.His arm was shattered and is held together to this day with a steel plate and screws.Knievel, who broke nearly 40 of his own bones during his many motorcycle stunts, served six months in jail and would never again enjoy the public acclaim he had when he tried unsuccessfully to jump Idaho's Snake River Canyon on a jet-powered motorcycle in 1974 — an event Saltman had promoted."I've always felt pity for him," said Saltman, 76. "Because of this foolish act, he ruined his career."
Knievel complained at the time that Saltman's book, "Evel Knievel on Tour," insulted his family and portrayed him as "an alcoholic, a pill addict, an anti-Semite and an immoral person."
Saltman compiled the book from tape-recorded interviews with Knievel and others, and maintains it was an accurate an affectionate,unvarnished, account of Knievel's life.
"I wrote a book about a man who at the time I greatly admired," he said.He and Knievel never spoke after the attack, Saltman said, though he said the showman approached him over the years through third parties, expressing remorse and offering to settle the judgment. Saltman said that the offers were a "pittance" and that he turned all of them down.The Snake River jump might not even have been the most bizarre of Saltman's promotions. Saltman was also the man behind the scenes at Muhammad Ali's 1976 bout with Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki. The two fought to a draw, with Ali punching and Inoki kicking.Saltman described that event and the Knievel attack in "Fear No Evel," a book published this year.But for better or worse, Saltman knows his name will always be linked with Knievel's."My first thought was that I do hope the poor man is finally at peace," he said upon learning of Knievel's death

 

Mother Of Two Stabbed In Home
By KYLE MARTIN Hernando Today
Published: Nov 28, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Debbie Kelley woke up Wednesday morning to the shrieks of a desperate woman. Someone was 
banging at her front door and screaming, “I've been stabbed, I've been stabbed.” Kelley hopped out of bed and attempted
to unlock the door, but the person on the other side kept twisting the knob in a frantic bid to get inside. Finally, Kelley 
swung open the door and her neighbor from across the street, Karen Hoffman, fell into her arms. “Her blue jeans and
 shirt were soaked with blood,” Kelley recalled later. She eased Hoffman to the floor of her narrow hallway and propped 
her back against the wall. Kelley was on the phone with dispatchers when Hoffman's strength gave out and she slumped |
onto the floor. Kelley grabbed a wet cloth and applied pressure to the wound in Hoffman's neck. Within five minutes, a 
dozen cruisers had squeezed onto the shoulder of Lucas Drive, a dead end road off of W. Jefferson Street, behind the
Seventh Day Adventist Church of Brooksville. Three medics crowded into the hallway of Kelley's trailer home to begin 
working on Hoffman. With the victim stabilized, they took her to nearby Tom Varn Park, where a helicopter flew her to a 
Tampa hospital. A spokeswoman for St. Joseph's Hospital said she was in critical condition. Wednesday started as a routine
|morning for Lucrecia Dixson, who lives at the end of Lucas Drive. She saw Hoffman leave at her usual time, shortly after 
7 a.m., to take her two daughters, ages 13 and 15, to school. Dixson's husband left for work soon after, and on his way 
out he pulled over to let a pickup pass by. Dixson recognized the truck from the period when Hoffman dated Michael 
Clements. She thought it strange because the truck had always parked on the shoulder — never in Hoffman's driveway.
A few minutes later, she looked out the back window of her house and saw the same pickup idling in the parking lot of the
 church behind her house. The neighbors on the dead end street are a close-knit group so any strange vehicle is noticed, 
Dixson explained. Soon after, she heard the approaching sirens and, later, the buzz of helicopters circling overhead. 
When she heard the news that Hoffman had been stabbed, Dixson's thoughts turned to Clements. Hoffman and Clements 
had broken up months ago, Dixson said, but the time they were together was tumultuous. “There was always a lot of fighting,
” Dixson said. “You could hear it” coming from Hoffman's trailer. Authorities have a warrant out for Clements' arrest on a charge 
of attempted murder. He was a passenger in that pickup, said investigators, who described it as a white 1999 Ford F-150, 
on a lowered frame, an extra cab, tinted windows, black aluminum rims and a black stripe down the side. Its Florida tag 
reads I30 VXA. The pickup's driver is unknown. Clements, who is described as 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, is considered armed 
and dangerous. Clements is the president of the Warlocks of Hernando County motorcycle club, but investigators do not 
believe Wednesday's stabbing is connected with a suspicious fire at the club's quarters Monday night. “It was a domestic|
 situation,” said Deputy Donna Black, sheriff's spokeswoman.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com

 

 

The Brooksville Old School Biker Rodeo
" PARTY IN THE PASTURE "
Raised $10,068.00 to benefit disabled
Veterans. The money was presented by the founders of the Rodeo to MCL 708
in Brooksville  Nov. 14th 2007, 3 days after the event.

With the holiday season coming up on us, let's not forget about our wounded soldiers.  PLEASE 
add this address to your Christmas Card mailing list. A Recovering American Soldierc/o Walter Reed 
Army Medical Center6900 Georgia Ave NWWashington, DC  20307-5001 Let these men and women
 know that the Scooterheads still care.

Party in the Pasture

It's the best party on the planet as far as I can tell and I've been to a few! A truly adult party can't be beat. 
 One sure fire way to tell a good time is that the action, fun, love & peace seems to happen all too fast.  And then...."Sunday morning coming down."   The list of adult games were so hot that we only got through a 
few of them before I had to excuse myself to go "throw a knuckle baby" in the woods followed eventually 
by a "groin oyster" then back to the games.  The biggest hit was the "Vibrating Pony" built for two.  Well, 
the chicks were so hot, four girls got on and broke the pony's back!  There was smoke pouring out of 
every hole due to a short in the motor.  I'm sure it was cause the saddle was so cum slopping wet from 
all the smiles!  Good thing the girls shaved, could've been a "bush" fire!  With enough "hoses" on hand
 there were no casualties.  By the time the adult games were over, my dick had the dry heaves.  I could 
not stop eating and drinking from friends and vendors who were all great and gave healthy portions.  
The bands were killer to the "CORE" ("I taught Greg to play guitar").  ***  My over all take on the party 
is that it's the freeest, most loving, best kept secret I found in Florida.  Fuck "World Famous", it's all about fun, 
and you can't have it without "FU"n in it.  It seems to be taking on the good feeling of the Reading Motorcycle 
Club party in Oley, Pa.  That happens the last weekend in July for the past 93 years now.   Let's keep 
"Party in the Pasture" alive and growing.  It's a great time and a great cause!!!  Special thanks to our
 hosts J.O. Batten, Don V. Editor of Scootergoods Magazine, Chickenman, Captain Scottie,Pirate, 
Mangina, Sister Sackula and the Clamp Band and "BLOW JIM".    So, if you're going to sin.....Sinseriously!

Love, Jimmy   ICE CREAM MAN FROM HELL

The USMV & SCOOTERGOODS
are proud to support our fighting men and women in the war on terror!

George Clooney 
gets WACKED
on his HOG!

It seems Harley Dealers are resorting to promotions and cutting prices below suggested retail. THE COMPANY said total 
dealer retail sales fell 1.2 percent during the 2^nd quarter in the United States, the company's largest  &  most important market.  
But The Company reported a  13.4 per cent increase in sales in markets outside the United States, including Japan and Canada.
 He said the company would monitor – and possibly scale back, wholesale shipments during the rest of the year. H-D blames 
the troubles in the U.S. on over extended credit , sparked by home buyers having trouble making payments, which is resulting 
in higher reposition rates and credit losses. H-D shipped more then 95,117 scoots  the second quarter of 2007, a 19.2 per 
cent increase from the same quarter last year, and that it expected to ship between 91,000 and 95,000 bikes during the third 
quarter of 2007.Harley shares fell $1.43, or about 2.3 per cent, 
at $59.74 on the New York Stock Exchange after earlier falling as much as 5 per cent.

The 1st Dead River Bike Fest

Our road trip, this time, has taken us away from our home state of Florida to the beautiful state of Georgia, 
amongst the rolling hills and farm country of the Vidalia Onion.  We are at the Dead River Bike Fest of Lyons Ga.,
 a first time adult only event   for the promoters.  We were treated to old fashion hospitality that the southern 
states are famous for.   Partners Bob and Bear along with Ramon their P.R. man have been friendly, and tried 
very hard to make sure everyone had a good time.

We arrived on Wednesday evening, catching a little of the rain that traveled across parts of Florida and Georgia. 
 The vendor area was marked out with enough room for everyone to be very comfortable and for the bikers, acres
 to roam and party.  Camping for the week end is included in the price of admission $35.00 3 day pass and $25.00
 2 day pass.  They also had a shower with hot water available.  I think most people took cold showers because of 
the intense heat.  The local folk started to arrive on Thursday afternoon.  The crew had the grounds in pristine 
condition and also provided a beach area by their little lake for all to enjoy.  There was a DJ for the daytime music,
 and breaks in between sets and live music at night provided by several local bands.  Food and drink was plentiful 

and ranged from hotdogs and hamburgers (at a very reasonable price) to Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches
 (my personal favorite) and of course the traditional BBQ.

The bike games, enjoyed by a little more than 667 bikers, included the all time favorite weenie bite, puddin rasslin
 and the thong pull. Golf carts seemed to be the transport of choice but the terrain there accounts for that.   There 
was also pole dancing, and wet tee shirt contest (eventually the tops came off and so did the bottoms).  The bands
 played until midnight on both Friday and Saturday.  Saturday morning a poker run was held to benefit a little girl 
with cystic fibrosis, and the 50/50’s also went to bikers in need.  Saturday afternoon we were treated to a Civil
 War Re-enactment or as it is well known as THE WAR OF NORTHERN AGGRESSION, with real cannon fire.
 I was taking a respite from the 100 degree heat at the time of the first shot and damn near jumped out of my skin.

As always Sunday rolls around, first up in the a.m.  biker church and the blessing of the bikes, then pack up to go
 home.  It was a long and exhausting week and we are very glad to be home, but we did have a good time.  For the
next few weeks we will be staying close to our home turf.  
                                                                                     Until then See You on the Road. Bob and Sharon

R.I.P.
Joseph R. Perticaro
Killed by a Cager
1948 - June 20, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY -- A motorcyclist was killed following a chain-reaction crash involving six vehicles on Wednesday.
Joseph R. Perticaro, 59, of New Port Richey, driving a 2001 Honda motorcycle, was the last in a line of five vehicles stopped 
for a red light on US 19 near the intersection of SR 54, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 2006 Toyota approached
 the line of cars but failed to stop, striking the motorcycle's back end and sending it into the rear of a 2004 Chevrolet. Perticaro
 was killed instantly. Investigators said the driver of the Toyota, 79-year-old Jane Snow, suffered a diabetic seizure when she 
slammed into the motorcycle.  She was taken to Bayfront Medical Center with minor injuries.
The collision set off a chain reaction. The Chevrolet then rear-ended a 1997 Ford Taurus, which struck a 1999 Lincoln 
Town Car, which then struck a 1993 Ford Taurus.  The driver of the 1997 Taurus, Edward M. Cicerone, 60, of New 
Port Richey, was taken to HCA Community Hospital. Charges are pending against Snow, said Florida Highway Patrol 
spokesman Larry Coggins.  Because Snow medical condition caused the accident, the FHP has ordered a mandatory 
evaluation of Snow's driving privileges.

R.I.P. 
Harley Charlie 
He Passed June 6, 2007

Famous chopper builder and the self-proclaimed East Coast Chopper Kingpin gets his trial pushed back even further.

Billy Lane had previously retained the services of Kepler Funk in the defense of the DUI Manslaughter charge he 
faced as a result of DUI Manslaughter charge. Gregory Eisenmenger has replaced  Kepler  as Lanes new attorney
for Lane was granted the delay to gather evidence. Lane could face 15 years in prison if he is convicted of DUI 
Manslaughter.Morelock's family is suing Lane in a civil trial along with Daimler-Chrysler. Trial is set for 
November 20, 2007. A hearing is scheduled to take place on Monday in the trial. Lane was spotted at 
Biketoberfest with a new shorterhaircut. Some attendees speculate that he cut his dreadlocks in preparation 
for his trial. No doubt that people will see this legal maneuver by Lane's attorney as an attempt to delay the
inevitable.

This letter was sent to the Editor of the Hernando Today Newspaper 
by a MORON named Bonnell, of Brooksville  April 12th 2007
Once again, I see our sheriff is looking for more money. I'd be all for it if He'd just do his job. 
If the sheriff would just enforce the law and ticket all of these illegal Harley motorcycles running
 around the county with straight pipe exhausts there would be enough money to balance the budget.
 Whenever those bikes start up, they violate the rights of everyone around them. There are 2 Florida
 statutes on the books right now that could be used to silence these law breakers, but our Sheriff does'nt 
seem interested in enforcing them. On Dec. 8th 2006 I was at the shopping plaza in Brooksville when these 
bikers congregated for the Shriners Teddy Bear Run. There was so much noise I could not use my cell 
phone. My rights where being violated. When I approached 3 deputies and insisted that tickets be issued
 I was told"That was not going to happen" Yet these same officers will ticket an automobile with a
 straight pipe exhaust or even harass a teenager with a boom box. At this congregation of bikers I noticed 
at least3 squad cars and about 5 motorcycle officers THERE TO ESCORT THIS HUMAN DEBRIS
 through the county. What was the cost to the taxpayers for that event? If the Sheriff can send that many
 deputies to man that event, he has more then enough money in his budget. It is a shame that a person can
 complain to the sheriffs department and nothing gets done. 

You have read this stupid letter now send us your thoughts 
and we will let this idiot
 know what he can do with his letter!

Read Letters sent in

Sunday March 25th 2007 
Chicken Man, The Shark and Myself all had a blast at the The 8 Ball Reunion Party at the Hideaway 
Bar in New Port Richey Owners Russ & Kathy put out some great food and there was plenty to go 
around. 

John Couey was found guilty on all four charges against him. Mark Lunsford, father of 9-year-old Jessica, has continually
 pushed for the death penalty.

The same jury that convicted John Couey of the kidnapping, rape and murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford must decide 
what punishment he deserves.The sentencing phase of the trial has started in the Miami courtroom where Couey was found 
guilty last week.Jessica's father, Mark Lunsford, has pushed for the death penalty since before the trail began and his stance 
has not changed."If you want to be excited about it, that's okay.That's good,'' Lunsford said after the verdict. "If it gives you
 closure then that's good, but not yet ... not for us."
The defense team's job is to convince the jury to give Couey a life sentence. Couey could even ask for mercy and express
 remorse for his crimes - an unlikely scenario, however, because the admission of guilt could hurt any chances of an appeal

What is more likely is the defense argument used throughout the trail, that Couey is mentally retarded.
"He just isn't very smart,'' said Dr. Robert Berland, a psychiatrist who took the stand for the defense. "So he isn't very good
 at reasoning through situations and inhibiting behaviors that he might have otherwise guarded against."
The prosecution will counter the retardation claim with witnesses who said Couey enjoyed reading at the law library while in
 jail and doing complicated Sudoku puzzles.
Couey spent most of his courtroom time during the trial drawing with colored pencils as the retardation issue became more 
prominent. Now, the jury must take those actions into consideration for the sentencing

Unlike a guilty verdict, a death recommendation doesn't have to be unanimous. Only seven of the 12 jurors have to
 recommend death. Also, the law requires the judge to give the jurors' recommendation "great weight."But the ultimate
 decision belongs to Judge Richard Howard. If the jury does recommend life, it isn't likely a death sentence by Howard
 would stand up to an appeal.