Narbonne takes 86th Classic - Laconia Citizen - LOUDON
— The New Hampshire Motor Speedway road course has been a home away from
home for the Wood family. Jeff Wood's favorite track wasn't so friendly
in the 86th annual Loudon Classic Sunday.
Wood's quest for a fifth Classic victory was put on hold Saturday after
a freak accident during qualifying left him with broken ribs and
additional injuries to his collarbone and shoulder. He was pulling over
to the side of the track near Turn 2 when his bike slipped on some
construction dirt that had blown onto the course. He completed a painful
second qualifying run but dropped out of Sunday's marquee event. He had
won the race in each of the last four years he had participated.
Wood's absence left Sunday's Classic up for grabs, and Shane Narbonne
plucked it away, using a sudden burst on Turn 6 to blow past veteran
Scott Greenwood on the final lap and win the Loudon Classic on a soggy
afternoon at NHMS. He won the 20-lap race in 24 minutes, 21 seconds,
edging Greenwood by 0.54 of a second.
"I was just looking where Scotty was running strong and where he
wasn't," said Narbonne, a Massachusetts native. "I definitely planned
it. I just knew he couldn't get out of the bowl. Every lap I was right
up on him. Scotty's just so hard to pass."
Local Christian Cronin became the first racer from Loudon to place in
the Classic, finishing third ahead of Paul Allison.
"It's nice," Cronin said. "I live right across the street."
Greenwood, a Dunbarton native, overtook Narbonne near the race's midway
point, zipping to the lead on a good drive on Turn 3 and using slower
traffic to create a small gap. But Narbonne gradually caught back up,
posting faster times than Greenwood on three consecutive laps to pull
back within a quarter second. From there it was a game of cat and mouse,
as Greenwood tried to ward the youngster off and Narbonne stalked for an
opportunity.
"I felt I was stronger than him on the brakes," Greenwood said. "I felt
if I could get in front of him I might be able to inch my way away from
him. A couple spots he was much stronger than I was and a couple spots I
felt like I was stronger than him. It was kind of a seesaw battle."
Scott Greenwood (4) of Dunbarton leads Shane Narbonne (164) of
Tyngsboro, Mass., through the S-turns at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in
Sunday's 86th running of the Loudon Classic Motorcycle Race. Greenwood
took the lead from Narbonne about halfway through the race, only to have
Narbonne retake the lead near the end of the last lap.
The top four quickly separated itself from the pack over the first three
laps. Cronin was bumped offline on Turn 1 of the opening lap and
Greenwood had to evade some clutter to keep from spilling, slipping to
the fourth spot. Narbonne shot out to an early lead with Cronin and
Allison close behind.
Greenwood used his experience to move his way to the front, making a
nifty, cross-track pass on Allison in Turn 6 to jump up a spot. He led
laps 10 through 19 before Narbonne's sneaky pass on the closing lap 20.
"Once I got in front I could hear him all over me. I knew he was there,"
Greenwood said. "He was just stalking me, waiting for a mistake or the
last lap. That last lap when I was in the bowl I was tiptoeing on the
left there trying to come on as hard as I could. I just needed to be a
lot more defensive there. I was better on the brakes but he was better
coming out.
"As soon as I got away from the curb and I started driving off I heard
him accelerating underneath me — and game over from there."
It was certainly one of the more thrilling finishes in the nation's
longest annual bike race, but the event certainly missed some luster
with Wood's injury. Jeff's older brother Eric had similar misfortune,
spilling on the slick track during Sunday's early races and suffering a
broken left hand that kept him from competing.
"I kind of wish he was in it," Narbonne said of Jeff Wood. "It kinds of
makes us all go a little faster. Right now he's the fastest on a 600."
"It would have been whole different race with Jeff in there," Greenwood
added. "It probably would have been that much more exciting."
New Hampshire natives Cory Hildebrand and Brent Lyskawa took fifth and
sixth place, respectively, with John Lounsbury ninth and Christopher
Watt 10th.
Stratham's Brett Guyer won the Pro Thunderbike event, topping New York's
Todd Babcock. Amherst's Scott Mullin was fourth and Portsmouth's Stephen
Schmidt was 18th.
Georgia native Brian Stokes won the Pro Superstock race, topping Matt
Hall and David Loikits. Somersworth's Dan Martin was 27th and Amherst's
Dennis Levesque was 32nd.
In the amateur/expert series, Greenwood took first place in the nine-lap
Middle Weight Supersport race, edging Steven Giacomaro by about three
seconds. Hildebrand was third in the Supersport and first and the 12-lap
Unlimited Grand Prix event, topping Frederick Stearns by a healthy
4.5-seconds margin with Narbonne third. Guyer won the 10-lap Light
Weight Superbike race by a hair, beating Brian Kent by about 0.2 of a
second. All races were scheduled for 12 laps, but spills on the wet
track, due to rain, cut both the Supersport and Superbike races short.
Bikers hit the road to help - MiamiHerald.com -
Rumbling two abreast down the center lane, more than 300 motorcyclists
had a section of southbound Interstate 95 all to themselves Sunday
morning for a blazing-hot charity run that raised more than $15,000.
''It's an amazing thrill to look ahead and behind and see nothing but
motorcycles,'' said Jason Selwood, 45, a Weston attorney who made the
25-mile run from Coconut Creek to Hollywood with friends Cheryl Berke
and Michael Nerio. ``And with the road blocked off to other traffic,
it's also a lot safer.''
Safety was on the minds of many, since the namesake of the annual Travis
Long Firefighter Memorial Bike Run lost his life in a 2005 motorcycle
crash in Miami.
In memory of Long, a 24-year-old Plantation volunteer firefighter, his
fiancée Tanya Mistretta and his best friend Ron Deri started the charity
run to fund scholarships for young men and women aspiring to become
firefighters and paramedics.
''This is an emotional roller coaster for me,'' said Deri, 29, an
insurance agent. He rode his Harley-Davidson Fat Boy near the head of
the procession that left the Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek at 9:30
a.m.
''There is so much planning involved that we sometimes forget what we're
here for,'' said Deri. ``But to see all these bikes -- it's a
brotherhood, and this is a gathering.''
Escorting the bikers on the journey from Coconut Creek to the Seminole
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino outside Hollywood were Seminole Tribal police
and firefighters, Broward Sheriff's Office motorcycle officers and,
appropriately for Flag Day, a black pickup truck carrying the Stars and
Stripes.
Police blocked all other southbound traffic from I-95 on the 16-mile
stretch between Sample and Stirling roads.
For the $30 entrance fee, participants got breakfast, a commemorative
T-shirt, and lunch and live music in the Hard Rock parking lot.
Among the riders -- about half of whom wore helmets -- was retired
Plantation Fire Capt. Eddie Contreras, 57, one of Long's mentors when he
was a volunteer firefighter and a member of the dive rescue team.
''He was hoping to go to the academy himself, so this is a good tribute
to him,'' Contreras said.
Deputy killed in Harley crash - Jackson Clarion
Ledger - A 45-year-old Hancock County sheriff's deputy was killed
in a weekend off-duty motorcycle wreck
Authorities said Timothy Campbell, a veteran officer with the
department, died in the accident late Saturday afternoon. Mississippi
Highway Safety Patrol officials said the crash happened on Old
Kiln-Picayune Road in Hancock County.
Officials said Campbell was riding his Harley when the motorcycle
somehow left the road. He was thrown from the bike.
Red Mill event to benefit ailing child -
Northwest Herald - WOODSTOCK – For the Red Mill in Woodstock’s
seventh annual benefit, organizers decided that they would raise money
to help a 7-year-old boy from Capron.
“It’s important that we help a family in the community,” organizer and
Red Mill Manager Rose Cragin said. “And it’s a great way for friends to
get together in an informal way.”
Giovanni Reising was diagnosed with leukemia in mid-December 2008 and
not long after was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. Reising, an only
child, has undergone chemotherapy and requires a number of medications.
The event will begin with poker run registration at Woodstock
Harley-Davidson at 11 a.m. Saturday, and the first motorcycle will leave
at noon. Red Mill will be the site for a pig roast, live auction, music
and karaoke.
At this year’s benefit, Cragin said, organizers hope to raise $15,000
for the Reising family.
“All of these people have such a big heart, always happy to help out,”
said Anna Gawron, office assistant at Woodstock Harley-Davidson.
Anonymous donations also can be mailed to American Community Bank, P.O.
Box 1720 Woodstock, IL 60098, labeled to the Giovanni Reising Benefit;
or to Red Mill at 1040 Lake Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098.
If you go
What: 7th Annual Benefit.
When: June 20 with registration at 11 a.m.
Where: Poker run registration and ride begins at Woodstock
Harley-Davidson at 2050 S. Eastwood Drive in Woodstock. Pig roast,
auction and music at the Red Mill at 1040 Lake Ave. in Woodstock.
Cost: Registration is $15 a motorcyclist and $10 for a rider. Pig roast
is $10 a person.
Bikers go the distance to assist the SPCA -
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader - PLAINS TWP. -- The love of animals
brought hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts together Sunday to help raise
money for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of
Luzerne County.
Thomas and Jane Kowalchin of Berwick pull into Bentley’s with their dog,
Lady, a 2-year-old albino Shih Tzu, after the three went on a benefit
ride to raise funds for the SPCA.
More than 400 participated in the Wyoming Valley Motorcycle Club’s 13th
annual ride to benefit the animal shelter. The 45-mile ride began at the
SPCA on East Main Street and continued through Bear Creek, White Haven
and Mountain Top, and ended with a post-ride party at Bentley’s
Restaurant on Route 309 in Ashley.
The event usually raises about $8,000 each year, but this year’s
proceeds are expected to reach $10,000, said Ed Gross, chairman of the
bike club. Gross, who served as the director for the SPCA for 33 years
and is now retired, said his two passions in life are “animals and
bikes.”
Because the shelter is a private, nonprofit organization and is not
affiliated with any other agencies, it is funded solely on donations.
“Money is always a need here, at the shelter,” he said.
Bank of America employees Karen Shuster and Theresa Lauricella were on
hand to help raise money for the cause. The women, who work at the
bank’s Kingston branch, said that for every checking account opened, the
bank donates $25 to the club for the SPCA.
This is the second benefit ride that Bank of America has participated in
for the club’s causes. In April, it helped to raise funds for the club’s
memorial Poker Run in honor of former club member Mary Beth Richards.
Dennis Kirchdoerfer and his wife, Marie, of Hazleton, said this was the
first charity ride they’ve participated in. Sunny skies and an affection
for animals -- they own two cats and a dog -- are reasons why the couple
participated in Sunday’s ride.
Fellow animal lover and friend, Tom Mandart, of Nesquehoning accompanied
them. Mandart provides a home for two horses, five dogs, five cats and
chickens, all of which were adopted.
The need for cash is huge, said SPCA supervisor Vickie Cooper.
“Everything we use has been donated, but it costs money to keep the
shelter going.” Expenses, which include heating, air-conditioning,
vaccinations and employee salaries, run approximately $2,000 a day, she
said. Last year the shelter received more than 7,000 animals.
So far this year, the shelter has received nearly 3,000 animals, of
which only 901 had been adopted. Unfortunately, almost 1,500 animals had
to be euthanized.
“Those numbers are pretty scary,” said Cooper, pointing out that the
numbers also include animals brought in voluntarily by their owners to
be put down. The shelter euthanizes dogs only if they are aggressive or
sick, Cooper pointed out.
Cats, on the other hand, are a different story, she said. The summer
months are prime cat-breeding season, and the shelter becomes inundated
with them.
Cooper said the shelter works with area rescue agencies and Pet Smart,
in Wilkes-Barre Township, to try to find homes for the animals.
Help available
A low-cost Spay and Neutering Program is available from Valley Cat
Rescue for the pets of Luzerne County residents who meet low-income
guidelines. Information: Valley Cat Rescue, (570) 824-4172; SPCA,
825-4111; or visit
spcaluzernecounty.org .
Man, woman injured in cycle-deer collision -
Tiffin Advertiser Tribune - Two people were listed in fair
condition at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo Sunday evening
after their motorcycle struck a deer on CR 58 Saturday night.
A release from the Bucyrus Post of the State Highway Patrol states
Timothy Zender, 50, of New Washington, was driving a 1999
Harley-Davidson motorcycle eastbound when it hit a deer that had entered
the roadway. The vehicle laid on its side after impact, and Zender and
his passenger, Sandra Zender, 46, of New Washington, were ejected.
According to the release, the Zenders, who were not wearing helmets,
sustained leg and head injuries and were taken to Wyandot Memorial
Hospital. They later were taken to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center's
trauma unit, and Sunday evening, a spokeswoman said they were listed in
fair condition.
The accident occurred at 9:50 p.m. Saturday in Crawford County on
Crawford-Seneca Line Road, east of SR 100, according to the release.
Sycamore Fire and Bloomville EMS assisted at the scene, and units from
the Fremont Post of the State Highway Patrol assisted with the crash
investigation at the scene, the release states.
The crash remains under investigation.
Elk River man injured in motorcycle crash -
St. Cloud Times - ELK RIVER — An Elk River
man was in critical condition Sunday after the motorcycle he was driving
went off the road Saturday night, according to the State Patrol.
The accident happened at 9:55 p.m. on U.S. Highway 10 and Joplin Street.
Douglas Mammenga, 43 was traveling east when his motorcycle went off the
road, hit a median and rolled over, according to a report from the
patrol.
Mammenga was taken to Mercy Hospital and Health Center in Coon Rapids,
according to the patrol.
The Elk River Police Department also assisted at the scene.
Man dies after motorcycle accident -
Omaha World-Herald - A 45-year-old Omaha man died after the
motorcycle he was driving crashed into an SUV at 33rd and L Streets
about 6 p.m. Sunday, Omaha police said.
Robert Decker was pronounced dead at the Nebraska Medical Center shortly
after the crash, said Sgt. Chris Circo of the police accident
investigation unit.
Randall Abbott, 27, also of Omaha and the driver of the sport utility
vehicle, did not seek medical treatment, Circo said.
A helmet and pieces of the motorcycle, a white 1999 Harley Davidson,
surrounded the bike as it rested on its side on L Street following the
collision. The motorcycle smashed in a door on the left side of the SUV,
a blue 1993 Ford Explorer. The impact of the collision spun the Explorer
around on 33rd Street, Circo said.
The sergeant gave this account of the collision: The Explorer was headed
eastbound on L Street and was attempting to turn north onto 33rd Street,
when it collided with the Harley Davidson, which had been going west on
L.
Decker had been wearing a helmet, Circo said.
Police were still investigating the crash late Sunday. Possible charges
were pending, he said.
Cyclists rev up downtown during Sunday bike rallies -
Youngstown Vindicator - YOUNGSTOWN — Music
blared, people filled tables scattered on the sidewalk, and motorcycles
lined the street.
West Federal Street, between Hazel and Phelps streets, was closed to
traffic Sunday for Rosetta Stone’s bike event.
For the third week in a row, the event, dubbed Rally in the Valley, drew
bikers from the Mahoning Valley as well as Pennsylvania. Organizers said
about 600 bikers attended Sunday.
“It sounded like fun: the bikes, people, talk,” said Trent Sowers of New
Wilmington, Pa.
He’s been riding for about a year, and this was his first time at the
downtown rally. He enjoys going to bike events to see the various bikes.
Norma Senzarino of Austintown said she attends other bike nights. She
also likes to look at different styles of bikes, as well as meet other
people.
She attended this event for the first time Sunday.
“I like it,” she said. “It’s nice that they do something down here once
in a while. It’s time to bring Youngstown back to life.”
“My husband brought me down,” said Debbie Sheldone of Edinburg, Pa. “He
wanted to check it out for the first time. He wanted to see how it was.”
The two often check out new bike events.
“I like to be with my husband, go riding on the bike, and meet the
people, have a good time,” Sheldone said.
Her husband, Carmen, said they’ve been enjoying bike events for about 13
years. He enjoys the escape from work.
“I work out of town a lot in Pittsburgh,” he said. “I come home on
weekends, and I enjoy riding and getting out.”
The six-hour event featured live music, food, cornhole, and motorcycle
skills games, such as slow drags and picking up items off cones. About
100 bikers attended the first Rosetta Stone rally.
The event has grown each week, Chuck Sop, co-owner of Rosetta Stone,
said. He added that as the growth continues, the event may be expanded
to include more blocks of West Federal Street.
“We want to bring people back to the city to see just what a great place
the downtown has become,” Sop said.
Monroe County man dies in NJ motorcycle accident on I-80 -
The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com -
HOPE TWP. | A 44-year-old Price Township man died Sunday afternoon on
Interstate 80 after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed, New
Jersey State Police at Hope barracks said.
Anthony Louis, of the 2300 block of Southridge Drive, was riding west on
the highway on his 2007 Yamaha when he lost control of the motorcycle on
a curve near mile marker 10.8, police said.
Louis left the highway, struck a guardrail and was thrown from the bike,
police said. Louis was speeding at the time of the crash, police said.
Louis was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which happened
shortly after 4 p.m., police said.
Prostate Cancer "Motorcycle Ride for Dad" -
Sudbury Star -
# Where:
* Northern Cancer Research Foundation
* 41 Ramsey Lake Road
* Sudbury
* P3E 5J1
# When:
* Saturday, June 20, 2009
# Price:
* $0.00
# Web:
* www.ncrfsudbury.com
#
The 9th annual "Motorcycle Ride for Dad" in support of prostate cancer
research and patient care at the Regional Cancer Program will be held on
Saturday, June 20th, 2009.
Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. and the ride begins from the Regional
Cancer Centre at 11:00 a.m. The 120 kilometre ride makes its way through
Sudbury and area and returns to the Centre for a wrap-up BBQ and awards
presentation.
For more information, please contact the Northern Cancer Research
Foundation office at 523-4673.
Victim of Friday motorcycle crash was retired state trooper -
Buffalo News - A retired New York State
trooper was killed Friday after the motorcycle he was driving was struck
by another vehicle on Union Road near William Street in Cheektowaga.
Robert Binns, 52, died of injuries he sustained after being thrown about
20 feet from his motorcycle, Cheektowaga Police Captain John A. Glascott
confirmed today.
Binns was struck by a vehicle driven by 18-year-old Jeffrey Kolacki,
Glascott said.
"A car stopped to let [Kolacki] make a left-hand turn into a gas
station," the captain said. "The motorcyclist never had a prayer."
Kolacki has been cited with failure to yield the right-of-way, Glascott
said. The captain plans to review the accident report Monday, but he
said he has not received any indications that excessive speed was a
factor.
Police identify man in Hope Township motorcycle accident -
The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com - A
44-year-old East Stroudsburg man died this afternoon on Interstate 80 in
Hope Township after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed, New
Jersey State police at Hope said.
Anthony Louis of the 2300 block of Southridge Drive was riding westbound
on the highway on his 2007 Yamaha when he lost control of the motorcycle
on a curve near mile marker 10.8, police said.
Louis left the highway, struck a guardrail and was thrown from the bike,
police said. Louis was speeding at the time of the accident, police
said.
Louis was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which happened
shortly after 4 p.m., police said.
KTM's Taddy Blazusiak dominates the Erzberg Rodeo Red Bull Hare
Scramble - Off-Road.com -
Hattrick at the "Iron Giant": KTM's Taddy Blazusiak (POL) dominates the
Red Bull Hare Scramble for a sensational third consecutive time!
"Tougher than anything I've ever ridden!"
Taddy Blazusiak's first words after reaching the Red Bull arch inside
the Erzberg-Arena need no further explanation. It was definitely the
hardest Hare Scramble of all times and Taddy crowned his Erzbergrodeo
success with an unbelievable margin of more than 40 minutes (!) over
second placed Briton Graham Jarvis (Sherco). Jarvis had to start the Red
Bull Hare Scramble out of third row andmanaged to overtake 114 other
riders on his way to the podium. BMW factory rider Andreas Lettenbichler
from Germany piloted his G450X to a third place finish, and even though
he had no mechanical problems this year, Lettenbichler had to go far
beyond all physical borders to reach the finish line.
21 riders from 11 nations finish the toughest motorcycle race in the
world!
Out of the 500 riders who started at 12:00am, only 21 brave athletes
made it to the finish within the four hours race time. Considering the
prolongued and dramatically selective racetrack, the high temperatures
of today and the ammount of high-profile riders in the starting-grid,
it's plain to see that these 21 riders have put their profile on the top
of the world's offroad racing scene.
Abort and Re-Start
Trial-Superstar Dougie Lampkin (UK, Beta) had to call it quits at the
infamous "Gerichtsgraben" section before he could reach Checkpoint 17
out of 20. The 12-times Trials Worldchampion collapsed because of total
exhaustion and had to be rescued by helicopter. Race director Karl
Katoch immediately stopped the riders behind Lampkin to secure the
rescue-mission and then re-started the race from this section.
Last year's third place finisher Paul Bolton (UK, KTM) also had to quit
his race due to exhaustion before CP 15. Brothers Ben and Dan Hemingway
from Leeds, UK made up for quite a sensation by finishing fourth and
seventh at their first ever Erzbergrodeo entry. 21-years old Cory
Graffunder (CAN, KTM) proofed once again his riding abilities and placed
a career best 5th place at the Iron Giant.
Results RED BULL HARE SCRAMBLE:
1. Taddy Blazusiak (POL, KTM), 1:41:46
2. Graham Jarvis (UK, Sherco), 2:22:05
3. Andreas Lettenbichler (GER, BMW), 2:25:17
4. Ben Hemingway (UK, Gas Gas), 3:27:48
5. Cory Graffunder (CAN, KTM), 3:37:50
6. Rory Mead (NZL, Yamaha), 3:38:02
7. Dan Hemingway (UK, KTM), 3:54:24
8. Chris Birch (NZL, KTM), 3:55:01
9. Gerhard Forster (GER, BMW), 3:58:21
10. Kyle Redmond (USA, Yamaha), 4:08:16
11. Mark Jackson (UK, KTM), 4:08:49
12. Melchior Faja Beltran (ESP, Gas Gas), 4:12:43
13. Erich Brandauer (AUT, Husaberg), 4:14:45
14. Piero Sembenini (ITA, Gas Gas), 4:17:26
15. Jade Gutzeit (RSA, BMW), 4:19:05
16. Darryl Curtis (RSA, KTM), 4:21:21
17. Ralf Scheidhauer (GER, KTM), 4:28:00
18. Andrew Reeves (IRL, KTM), 4:30:39
19. Armin Falk (AUT, KTM), 4:32:32
20. Martin Craven (UK, KTM), 4:39:33
21. Louwrens Mahoney (RSA, KTM), 4:47:25
Motorcycle club, friends, family honor fallen officer -
Canton Repository - AKRON —Deep growls
rumbled inside custom pipes and the distinct roar of Harley-Davidsons
surrounded Julia Hesson on Sunday, bringing a smile to her face.
Her blue eyes brightened with each handshake as she greeted hundreds of
bikers who’d made their way to Gala Commons to ride in honor of the man
she called husband, soul mate, best friend and the father of her
children.
He was the man who she “wrapped (her) entire life around.” But Hesson
never would have imagined that life would unravel in an instant. One
morning, he was here. The next, he was gone.
On April 29, William “Bill” Hesson made his way from his North Canton
home to the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility, where he
worked.
As a corrections officer, the 39-year-old’s hope was to make a
difference in the lives of the youth there; he never would have dreamed
one would end up taking his.
A 17-year-old from Erie County has been charged with William Hesson’s
death. According to the Cuyahoga County coroner, Hesson died from blunt
impact to his abdomen (Hesson was kneed near his liver), which disturbed
his heart rhythm.
“This is something you are never prepared for,” said Julia Hesson, who,
at 27, never could have imagined herself a widow, left to raise their
20-month-old daughter and unborn son. “But I know I have to go on
because of Riley and Mason (due Sept. 1). I can do nothing less than
keep Bill’s memory alive.”
TRAGIC LOSS
Julia has good days and bad, and some that just leave her feeling numb.
Sunday wasn’t one of those. The sun was shining. She was surrounded by
family and friends, and even those who didn’t know her husband, came out
to show their support.
“The proof is in the pudding,” she said. “I am a very proud wife but to
know he is honored and respected by so many people, people I have never
met, is a (testament) to who he was.”
The Warthogs Rubber City Chapter, a national motorcycle club for police,
fire, corrections and officers of the court, sponsored the memorial
motorcycle ride to raise funds for Julia, and Hesson’s children, Brandi,
19, Skyler, 17, Riley, 20 months, and unborn son Mason. Hesson had not
worked at the juvenile facility long enough to qualify for death
benefits.
“It really hit home for me, for someone to lose their life so
tragically,” said Jeff Parsons of Uniontown, an employee of the Ohio
Department of Youth Services, who helped organize the event. “I didn’t
know Bill, but I heard he was active in the military and survived
70-some jumps, then to come back and lose his life to a 17-year-old is
just so tragic.”
Hesson was a ranger in the U.S Army’s 82nd Airborne Division for nearly
a decade, completing 74 parachute jumps before an injury ended his
service in 1999. He served in Iraq, Bosnia, Haiti and Somalia.
Gene Hesson, one of Bill’s brothers, rented a motorcycle just to
participate in Sunday’s ride.
“It’s such an honor,” said Hesson of Uniontown. “It’s hard. I never
wanted to lose a brother. Honestly, it hasn’t really hit me, yet. I’m
sure, after today, it will.”
The bikers rode to Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman,
where Hesson is buried. They marched in their leathers from their bikes
to his gravesite, where they laid a wreath in his memory.
LASTING LEGACY
Friends say Hesson was the kind of guy who’d make you laugh if you were
feeling down. He was both a “guy’s guy” and “a family man.” He loved the
Miami Dolphins, and named his dog “Marino.”
Mark Emigh enjoyed playing cornhole with Hesson and watching UFC
(Ultimate Fighting Championship). The two became quick friends after
being introduced about four years ago.
“Bill was a genuinely nice guy,” said Emigh of Canton. “He was humorous
and easy to get along with. He had a way of making people feel
comfortable.”
Russel Stoltz of Greentown said he’d known Hesson since grade school.
“He thought about everyone else before himself,” Stoltz said. “If you
were sad, he’d find a way to make you laugh.”
Julia Hesson said her husband of four years was “the most loving and
caring man I could have asked for.
“He stood for laughter and fun. He lightened the mood with a joke or
even a smile. He did that naturally.”
A child at heart, Julia plans to instill her husband’s legacy in their
children.
“I want them to know their dad was a very hands-on,
get-down-on-the-floor-and-play type of dad,” she said. “Nothing lit up
his days more.”
HOW TO DONATE
Donations can by sent to Bill Muncy, Warthogs Rubber City Chapter
Treasurer, 1177 Woodland St., Hartville, OH 44632
Man thrown from motorcyle on interstate -
Burlington Times News - A 69-year-old man was thrown from his
motorcycle on Interstate 40/85 Sunday and taken by helicopter to UNC
Hospitals in Chapel Hill.
Ruthes Gwynn, of Brown Summit, was in good condition at about 7:30
Sunday. Trooper Brian Leventhal of the N.C. Highway Patrol said he was
told that Gwynn's injuries were not life threatening.
Earlier in the evening at about 5 p.m., Gwynn was riding on the
interstate with a group of motorcyclists. Someone in the group had an
issue with his motorcycle so they all pulled off the interstate near
exit 143.
"Once the bike was fixed and ready to take off, (Gwynn) was riding on
the shoulder and getting up to speed when he drifted right, struck the
guard rail and was thrown form his bike," Leventhal said.
Gwynn hit the guard rail once he was thrown. He was taken by ambulance
to Alamance Regional Medical Center and transferred by helicopter to
Chapel Hill.
Rain Boosts Spending During Motorcycle Week -
WMUR - LACONIA, N.H. -- Regardless of the
rain, crowds rolled into Laconia for the 86th annual Motorcycle Week.
Organizers expect up to 300,000 people.
Anne Deli with Laconia Harley Davidson says the rain may have even
boosted sales. She had already sold nearly a dozen bikes by Sunday
afternoon.
Catherine Davis bought a bike for the first time. "If you save right, no
matter what you do you have your money," said Davis.
Plenty of bikes were selling according to the store's general manager.
"This is what they love to do. They'll cut back on electricity but we
they'll still have fun," said Kyle Jones, general manager of Laconia
Harley Davidson.
>
>