I hope everybody had a nice Memorial Day and please remember our VETS past and present.

Franks Biker News May 27th archive

• bikie gang slapped with control order - A CONTROL order has been slapped on a Finks bikie after moves by the South Australian government to outlaw the motorcycle gang.
  Police successfully applied for the order in the Adelaide Magistrates Court, preventing the unnamed man from associating or communicating with other members of the gang.
  It will also prevent him possessing certain items and from entering the club headquarters and other premises or risk a five-year jail term.
  The bikie has 14 days to lodge an appeal against the order.
  Adelaide's bikie gangs have previously declared their intention to fight any control orders in the High Court if necessary.
  Police Minister Michael Wright said on Tuesday the court ruling followed swift action by members of the Crime Gangs Task Force.
  It came after the government recently declared the Finks an outlawed organisation under its tough anti-gang legislation.
  "The state government makes no apology for these tough laws, which are targeted towards people who engage in serious criminal activity and pose a risk to public safety,'' Mr Wright said.
  "The government won't sit idly by and watch the violence and fear these criminals instil in innocent people.''
  The minister said the aim of control orders was to break-up associations that perpetuated serious criminal activity.
  They will prohibit members of declared organisations from associating and communicating with each other and attending premises associated with the organisation.
  "Rather than running knitting circles or claiming to belong to a men's support group filled with ordinary fathers and grandfathers, these gangs are often made up of dangerous offenders who are heavily involved in the manufacture and sale of drugs, murder, extortion and intimidation,'' Mr Wright said.
  "Over the past six years, police have seized millions of dollars worth of drugs, drug manufacturing equipment, ill-gotten assets, hundreds of guns and other weapons.''

  ---

  Trial evidence released - London Free Press -  COURT: Public offering includes home movies of a Bandidos party and history of the motorcycle club
  The evidence is part of the explosive trial that began March 31.
  Kellestine, 60, and Frank Mather, 35, of Dutton-Dunwich; Gardiner, of no fixed address; and Michael Sandham, 39, Marcelo Aravena, 33, and Dwight Mushey, 41, of Winnipeg have pleaded not guilty to eight counts of first degree murder.
  On April 6, 2006, the bodies of George Jessome, 52, George Kriarakis, 28, John Muscedere, 48, Luis Raposo, 41, Frank Salerno, 43, Paul Sinopoli, 30, Jamie Flanz, 37, and Michael Trotta, 31, all of the Toronto area were found shot to death along a rural Elgin County road.
  The Crown's theory is that the men who were all part of the Toronto Bandido chapter were killed because of an internal conflict within the organization -- both with the international headquarters based in Texas and with a probationary chapter in Winnipeg.
  The Toronto bikers were seen by their brothers as not abiding by the biker club's strict code and rules. There had been an order made that their patches be pulled.
  Over the last two months, the jury of six men and six women have seen a mountain of evidence and photographs as part of the Crown's case.
  The most recent release of evidence includes material that was reviewed by OPP Det. Const. Craig Pulfrey, a member of the Biker Enforcement Unit and an expert in the Bandido motorcycle club.
  Also made available was a large number of documents from Sandham's past. He had been a police officer in a community just outside of Winnipeg.
  Still to come, as described in the Crown's opening statement, is a police informant who was at the Kellestine farm at the time of the shootings.
  The trial continues today and the Free Press will have updates all day, including a Twitter feed. 

  ---

  Bikefest eases on out - Myrtle Beach Sun News - The Atlantic Beach Bikefest drew to a close on a high note Monday, with most vendors saying they will return next year, despite this year's smaller crowds.
  Vendors remained spread out Monday along 30th Avenue South and U.S. 17 in Atlantic Beach, selling T-shirts, compact discs, handbags, Jamaican cuisine and colorful jewelry.
  Meanwhile, the Myrtle Beach chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said they would meet with national NAACP officials by next week to look at the number of complaints received about this year's Bikefest.
  Traffic heads up 31st Avenue South past vendors making their final sales on the last day of the Atlantic Beach Bikefest. Photos by Tom Murray /tmurray@thesunnews.com
  There were some verbal and written complaints taken this weekend about possible abusive treatment during Bikefest, said Myrtle Beach NAACP chapter President Mickey James.
  He said about 100 complaints were taken, about the same as last year, an amount he described as "moderate."
  "As far as written complaints, there were not that many this year," James said. "I don't know exactly how many they are. We are going to meet with the national chapter in another week, to see what those complaints are and how many they received."
  The NAACP set up a complaint hot line and received written reports, James said.
  There was no formal boycott of Myrtle Beach during Bikefest, James said
  During the Harley-Davidson Cruisin' the Coast Spring Rally, visitors were encouraged to take alternate routes around Myrtle Beach and shop or stay in spots outside city limits to protest new laws within city limits aimed at curbing the rallies.
  Vendors and participants said Monday they were happy with the Bikefest, although the crowd numbers could have been higher.
  Early counts show that at least 175,000 people attended this year's Bikefest, said Atlantic Beach Town Manager Kenneth McIver. Past years have brought 200,000 and up to 400,000 participants.
  The economy and reports that no bike rallies would be held in Myrtle Beach could have discouraged some people from coming, James said.
  "There weren't as many people congregating," James said. "It's been a big decrease. Maybe because of the economy and the city ordinances. There were two things that we were dealing with that had a significant impact on the number [of people.]"
  T-shirt vendor Bridget Smith said she anticipated smaller crowds this year and did not bring as many items. She worked to sell her remaining T-shirts Monday afternoon.
  She supported efforts to boycott Myrtle Beach and regretted she did not sell boycott T-shirts.
  "They were scaring the folks off," she said. "They couldn't scare all of us off. This is where it's always been."
  "I don't care if I ever go back to Myrtle Beach," said customer Myra Mills. "They ripped us off for years."
  The festival was a calm, orderly event that was still attracting children and adults to browse vendor booths by Monday afternoon.
  No major problems were reported, Lt. Bob Carr, spokesman for the Horry County Police, said Monday.
  About 40 vendors set up shop this year, compared to 80 last year, McIver said.
  The town made about $33,000 in vendor permits last year, subtracting the amount for cleanup and security during the weekend, according to information released last year.
  That amount should be about the same this year, McIver said.
  There was early concern that the weekend would be an economic loss for the town, but McIver said it appears the festival will make a small profit.
  "We were feeling a little pessimistic about the weekend," McIver said. "Our vendors were down and and we had conflicting reports about Bikefest being closed. It was sort of a ripple effect.
  "We were wondering how we were going to pay for the services we had."
  Myrtle Beach officials said Monday they would discuss how the new motorcycle regulations affected the events. The changes in helmet laws and noise control have caused mixed emotions, said Myrtle Beach Mayor John Rhodes.
  "It's easy to have people call and complain, but it's amazing the number of e-mails and calls that we have gotten from people who are pleased with what has happened," he said.
  "We have gotten reports from hotels that they were pleasantly surprised at the guests they got that were not associated with the biker events; they felt they had a growth there. We've spoken to restaurants who said they had an increase in business because of the calmness."

  ---

  Zien's million-mile Harley belongs in Wisconsin, not in Sturgis  - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Madison - A Harley-Davidson motorcycle from the state has made headlines and history by rolling for 1 million miles, but the bike has already left Wisconsin.
  It will be back after Labor Day, but only temporarily. Its permanent home is in South Dakota - a fact that Wisconsin motorcyclists are decrying.
  Former state Sen. Dave Zien (R-Eau Claire) last month put the one millionth mile on his 1991 FXRT. He gave it to Harley, which provided him a new bike to recognize that his Harley is the only one known to have been ridden for a million miles.
  Harley turned Zien's bike over to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame, which is located where more than 400,000 gather each August for the renowned biker rally.
  "To have it tucked away in the Black Hills of South Dakota is, I think, an insult to the state," said Dan Stephans, who has ridden with Zien for years. "My attitude is this motorcycle, this million-mile motorcycle, is a significant part of Wisconsin history and culture."
  After this year's rally, the Sturgis museum will lend the bike to the new Harley-Davidson Museum in the Menomonee Valley in Milwaukee.
  Harley spokeswoman Rebecca Bortner said the company sent the bike to Sturgis because that museum already had a display on Zien and had inducted him into its hall of fame.
  "That would be the best place to showcase his story and his personal effects," she said.
  Zien fought helmet laws and pushed for the rights of motorcyclists and gun owners when he was in the Legislature. He said he would leave it to Harley to decide what to do with the bike.
  "They can do what they want with it," he said, but added: "I'd prefer it be in Wisconsin. . . . Almost everybody who finds out it's going to Sturgis says, 'Why Sturgis? Why not here?' "
  Zien's bike - with a large, tattered American flag perched in back - often drew admirers when it was parked in front of the Capitol. The motorcycle is covered in writing, such as: "Pro God, pro family, pro gun, pro flag, pro guts, pro fun, pro USA."
  He knows how to ride for long stretches. In 2003, he rode 31,000 miles in 31 days leading up to Harley's 100th anniversary party in Milwaukee. He's won awards from the Iron Butt Association for such triumphs as riding 1,500 miles in 24 hours.
  He discussed his love of riding recently while wearing a black leather jacket, motorcycle boots, military dog tags, a crucifix and a T-shirt that said: "Jesus Would Have Rode a Harley."
  "Riding is actually therapeutic and meditative," he said. "It's like a runner's high."
  The Wisconsin Historical Museum had hoped to secure the bike for display.
  "In addition to its Wisconsin manufacture, its world-record pedigree, its custom labeling and wear and tear, this bike speaks of the dedication of true Harley riders. The museum would be proud to have it," David B. Driscoll, business and technology curator for the historical museum, wrote in an e-mail to Stephans.
  The Sturgis museum received the bike last week and is preparing a display that will allow people to see it from all sides, said Christine Paige Diers, that museum's director.
  "I can understand why Wisconsin is the place for it, but Sturgis is a pretty good place for it, too," she said. "There's no place that's as well-known for motorcycles as Sturgis is."
  Zien hit the millionth mile April 4 in front of Hal's Harley-Davidson in New Berlin.
  He bought the bike new in Madison. To get to a million miles, he refurbished or overhauled the engine nine times, installed two new engines and went through 105 rear tires and nine seats. He says he's documented the million miles with receipts for gas and repairs.
  Zien served in the Legislature for 18 years before he was defeated in 2006 by Democrat Pat Kreitlow of Chippewa Falls.

  ---

  Biker Memorial - KSBI 52 - Those who've served our country and ride for a cause revved their engines across the metro this morning.
  "The Memorial Day Biker's Parade" rolled into the Veteran's Memorial at the state capitol today. Hundreds of motorcycles hit the road for this annaul event, which they've done for almost 20 years.
  "Abate of Oklahoma" sponsored the event. Their goal is to remember those protected our country and their years of dedication.
  "(We) have a little service so that they can see that people still care, and will always care as long as we have veterans in service and past," said Gordon Kiselburgh, retired U.S. Army veteran.
  The bikers of "Abate of Oklahoma" also ride to honor troops on Veteran's Day.

  ---

Local Patriot Guard Rider Nearing 1 Million Miles on the Road - WCTV - On this Memorial Day, Patriot Guard Riders from throughout the area took to the roads to pay their respects to those who served.
The group includes one rider who, against all odds, has biked nearly one million miles...
Amidst the hums of the engines, the tattooed arms and the leather...there rides a biker who seems almost out of place, but don't let appearances fool you.
"We keep up with her," says Patriot Guard Rider Jeanne Giuliani of her friend, Rosalie Myers.
To say that Rosalie Myers is an experienced biker is an understatement.
Since 1934, she's logged more than 900,000 miles...and her life's journey has been just as long.
During World War II, Myers served in the Army in the Office of Strategic Services, it was a predecessor to the CIA but she couldn't talk about her work...
"You don't talk about them 'cuz they may want to use them again," says Myers.
Myers served for five years and knew when to get out, "My husband had 6 brothers. No girls. And all 7 were killed in the service. My brother was killed in the service. I came out alive."
Over the many years that followed, she earned a variety of college degrees and held many jobs, including running a nuclear physics lab, but she always stayed true to her love of riding.
"She's an inspiration," says her friend, Kathy Lopez.
She now rides with the Patriot Guard...honoring those who served...and who died while serving.
And while she rides to honor her lost loved ones, she says the road is her life, "You stop, you die. When you get up in the morning, you've got something to do."
And she's not through yet.
She says when she hits the million mile milestone, she'll try for another hundred thousand.
Myers has even had spinal surgery recently, yet she still rides on the highways.

---

Hog hits cow. Biker goes to hospital - VANKOUGHNET TWP, ON – OPP responded to a motor vehicle collision on Saturday at 7:40 p.m. on Highway 552 in Vankoughnet Township.
A Harley Davidson motorcycle travelling eastbound at approximately 70 km/hr collided with a cow that had come out of the ditch.
The driver, 48-year-old William Devoe of 586 MacDonald Street in Sault Ste. Marie was transported by ambulance to the Sault Area Hospital with minor injuries.

---

Biker dies as he hits woman - Manchester Evening News - A MOTORCYCLIST died after his machine ploughed into a woman on a pedestrian crossing and then hit parked cars.
Joe McCann, 25, is thought to have been riding a 1000cc Suzuki superbike which was involved in the horrific smash on Victoria Avenue, Blackley.
After hitting the woman in the 20mph zone outside a school, the bike slammed into a parked car so hard it shunted it into another vehicle, and erupted into flames. There are electronic speed warning signs for drivers near the crossing.
The woman pedestrian suffered suspected broken arms and legs.
Despite her terrible injuries her condition is not thought to be life-threatening.
Friends paid tribute to Joe, who has a six-year-old son, on the social networking website Facebook.
Lauren Wilds said: "Many people are devastated about your death Joe. You made me smile every time you walked in the room. I just wish I could've said goodbye.
"My sympathy goes out to all your family and friends. It's heartbreaking that you had to be taken away even though you are a decent, top lad with his own businesses, a six-year-old son, and a kid on the way. You had so much to live for."
Susan Flynn paid tribute to 'one of the most gorgeous blue-eyed boys' who was 'so suddenly taken away', adding that she was thinking about Joe's son and 'baby on the way'.
Martin Phoenix wrote: "I grew up with Joe. He was one of my best friends growing up. He was a great mate and my heart goes out to all his loved ones."
Toni Goss said: "Rest in Peace Joe, you have been reunited with your dad but that doesn't stop the pain everyone is feeling here."
Around 70 family and friends, including Joe's mum Joan, gathered at the crash scene last night. His mother was too upset to talk last night.
Anyone with information about the collision is asked to call 0161 856 3572.

---

Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in crash with car - Columbus Dispatch - A Union County man died and his wife was seriously injured when their motorcycle collided with a car at Rt. 37 and Boundary Road, north of Richwood, at 6:13 p.m. yesterday.
Theodore W. Reynolds, 58, of Richwood, died at the Ohio State Medical Center. Patricia A. Reynolds was being treated there last night.
Reynolds was northbound on Rt. 37 when an eastbound car on Boundary Road driven by William R. Bales, 23, of Marion, failed to yield at a stop sign, the State Highway Patrol said. Bales and his brother, Shawn, 19, were treated at Marion General Hospital.