Franks Biker News July 31st archive

Hells Angels and their rival Outlaws rumbling in Northland - FOX 21 Online - CARLTON - Members of two national motorcycle clubs, known for hating each other, are now in the Northland. But so are several federal law enforcement agencies with agents photographing bikers in preparation of any trouble.
FOX 21 caught up with both clubs, the Hells Angels and the Outlaws, who shied away from cameras.
It's the beginning of the Hells Angels summer motorcycle ride and law enforcement sources tell us the club considers Minnesota their territory.
"They've been coming in all day long," said Jeff Edmonds, a public information officer for authorities. Dozens of club members from all over the country arrived Wednesday night in Carlton, gathering at the Lost Isle under the watchful eyes, and video cameras, of the ATF and other federal agents.
"Nobody's had any problems yet," said Edmonds.
He said so far there have been no arrests of Hells Angels members, although law enforcement officers did issue some traffic citations to some of them for minor offenses. FOX 21 approached many club members at Black Bear Casino, but they had little to say.
Law enforcement expects there will be up to 300 members in Carlton by the end of Wednesday evening. "They're preparing for the worst and expecting the best," said Edmonds.
While Hells Angels members gather in Carlton, members of their rivals, the Outlaws Motorcycle Club are in the Northwestern Wisconsin. Fox 21 asked Hells Angels members about them off camera and they either dismissed the Outlaws all together or insisted they would not be a problem.
FOX 21 caught up with a large group of the Outlaws in Superior Wednesday night at the High Fives Bar as they were leaving to go to another bar. Law enforcement sources tell FOX 21 that the Outlaws consider Wisconsin their state and are staking out their territory. Federal authorities in plain clothes are in the area, keeping an eye on members. They said in 2006, the two clubs clashed violently, proving fatal for Hells Angels members, so law enforcement is trying to make sure nothing happens this year.
Law enforcement officials are holding daily briefings with the media to give updates on any activity with the Hells Angels. Club members are expected to be in the area through August 2nd.

Hells Angels ride through Wisconsin - WEAU-TV 13 - A Hells Angels gathering has local law enforcement officers on watch this week.
Officers say the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is having its annual world meeting near Duluth this weekend and many are already rolling through the area.
The Turtle Lake police chief says it sent two officers to be part of a task force that has a command post near Minong.
Chief Al Gabe says deputies from 11 Wisconsin counties will help the federal agents from the ATF and FBI in case there are any problems.
Gabe says the Marathon County Bomb Squad and Milwaukee police motorcycle gang specialists will also be on standby.
The police chief says some of the Hells Angels members may take day rides into Barron County. Minnesota law enforcement agencies say the meeting could bring 1500 bikers to the area.
The Pine County Minnesota Sheriff says he considers the Hells Angels a criminal element.
The club's website says members are motorcycle enthusiasts.

Outlaw Motorcycle Club Member Sentenced - Australia.TO - A member of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club has been sentenced in federal court for assaulting a black patron in a restaurant in Ashland because of his race and because he was enjoying the services of the restaurant.
Acting Attorney General Loretta King of the Civil Rights Division for the Department of Justice, Acting United States Attorney Michael K. Loucks and Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Office, announced that STEPHAN STELMACH, age 35, formerly of Ashland, MA was sentenced by United States District Judge William G. Young to six months' imprisonment, to be followed by one year supervised release, after being charged with interfering by force with the federally protected rights of a black man in an incident at T.J.'s Restaurant in June 2005. STELMACH pled guilty in April 2009. Two trials, in September and December 2007, resulted in hung juries for STELMACH and an acquittal of another Outlaw member.
At the trials, evidence showed that before encountering the victim, STELMACH had been overheard at the restaurant using racial epithets and bragging about previously beating up another black man. Later, while the victim and his girlfriend were eating, STELMACH went to their table and accused them of staring at him and asked, “Do you have a problem with me?” When the victim began to stand up, STELMACH punched him and they wrestled to the ground.
Another Outlaw member, who had been on his way out of the restaurant, came over and struck the victim with a ball peen hammer in the lower back and side. STELMACH and the other Outlaw member then fled on their motorcycles and were later arrested by Ashland Police. The case was investigated by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation with the cooperation of the Ashland Police Department. It was prosecuted by S. Theodore Merritt of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Trial Attorney Forrest Christian of the Criminal Section, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice.

Generosity appreciated - Rutland Herald - On July 19, the Red Knights, Vermont Chapter 3, held a charity motorcycle ride and barbecue to benefit residents of the Dodge House, a transitional housing program for veterans who are homeless.
Riders and volunteers attending the event were treated to a barbecue after the ride. The ride event itself raised over $700. They also had a 5-0/50 raffle with the winner, 8-year-old Brayden Moore, donating the proceeds back to the event for a total raised of nearly $900, which will go directly to helping our veterans.
The Dodge House gives veterans the opportunity to get their lives back in order, but if it were not for organizations like the Red Knights, Vermont Chapter 3, who help support the Dodge House, we would not be able to keep our doors open.
On behalf of the staff and residents of the Dodge House, we would like to say thank you to the Red Knights, Vermont Chapter 3, Brayden Moore, and all who were involved for their generosity and support.
CHRISTINA MORGAN(Executive director,The Dodge House)Rutland

Motorcyclist who collapsed at traffic light died  - Greenville News - A Clemson man who fell off his motorcycle at a Greenville traffic light died of cardiovascular disease, Greenville County Deputy Coroner Karie Cain said Wednesday.
Cain identified the man as Edmond Lee Black, 63.
Witnesses have told investigators that Black was stopped at Wade Hampton Boulevard and Chick Springs Road when he collapsed on Tuesday at 6 p.m., Cain said. He was pronounced dead at Greenville Memorial Hospital at 6:50 p.m., she said.
The cause of death was atherosclerosis, Cain said.

Culpeper man dies in Va. Beach accident - Culpeper Star Exponent - A 26-year-old Culpeper man is dead following an early morning motorcycle crash in Virginia Beach.
Michael Allen Harris Jr. died at the scene of the accident on Birdneck Road at the end of the off ramp from Interstate 264, according to Sgt. Michelle Cotten of the Virginia State Police.
According to hamptonroads.com, emergency workers were called to the scene around 3:40 a.m. Wednesday after Harris apparently lost control of his 2003 Yamaha motorcycle.
Cotten told the newspapaper that it was not known if alcohol was a factor in the crash. 

Corinth bike crash victims still in hospital, but improving - Bangor Daily News - BANGOR, Maine — The operator and passenger of a motorcycle that crashed on Tuesday when a car pulled out in front of it in Corinth are still hospitalized but are slowly healing, the mother of the passenger said Wednesday.
Christopher Feltner, 29, of Eddington and his passenger, Karen Jones, 41, of Orono, were taken by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor after the noontime crash that occurred on Route 15, near the junction with Hudson Hill Road.
Feltner had a collapsed lung and Jones had severe injuries to her right hand and foot, her mother, Marie Applebee, said.
“He’s still in critical condition but he’s awake this morning,” she said.
Her daughter, who is a local hairstylist, “had to be operated on, her wrist,” Applebee said. “She had one yesterday. She has to have another one on her foot. She’s in pretty serious condition.”
Jones will be out of work for quite a while, her mother said.
Jones is listed in good condition at EMMC, and no information was available about Feltner, a hospital spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The two friends decided to take advantage of the good weather on Tuesday and go for a joyride on Feltner’s 2000 Honda Shadow, Applebee said.
“It was just a beautiful day,” she said.
The collision occurred at 12:15 p.m. when Glenn Burleigh, 56, of Stetson, apparently did not see the motorcycle, which was heading north on Route 15 and pulled into its path from Hudson Hill Road, said Deputy John Knapp of the Penobscot County Sheriff's Department.
Feltner applied his brakes but was unable to avoid colliding with the rear end of the 2001 Buick LeSabre driven by Burleigh, the investigating officer said. Burleigh, who was wearing a seat belt, was not injured, and his car had minor damage to the back end. The motorcycle was damaged beyond repair.
“I’m just thankful they are alive,” Applebee said. “It could have been worse.”
The crash is still under investigation by Knapp and Sgt. Scott Young, also of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department.
With years of experience as a motorcycle passenger, Applebee said she has seen a number of close calls. She said people need to pay attention while driving, especially in the summer months when motorcycles are out in force.
“People, they are too much in a hurry, I think,” Applebee said. “I’m always on the lookout for motorcycles.”
Her daughter has decided to give up riding motorcycles altogether, she said.
“After this, she’s not going to be riding anymore, that’s what she told me,” Applebee said.

Motorcyle ministry - Estherville Daily News - All it took was a question about the patch on the jacket of a motorcyclist for an Emmet County resident to become the member No. 28,965 of the Christian Motorcyclists Association 21 years ago.
"I was at a motorcycle rally and saw the CMA patch. It was a fairly new organization in 1988 and the membership has grown tremendously since then," said Terry Reekers of Wallingford. CMA is visible in every state and numerous foreign countries.
Reekers said CMA is not a club. "It is a ministry that has no age limit. As long as the person is a believer; the organization takes your word on that. Members don't even need to own a motorcycle or a particular brand; it is not required."
The initial idea surfaced in 1972 when a father, Herb Shreve, and his son bought their first motorcycles. According to information on the CMA website, "It was not until 1974 when the need for a new organization was realized. Herb attended his first motorcycle rally and saw a massive crowd of motorcyclists who did not know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. In fact, many had never heard the Gospel message. Herb became convinced that God wanted a Christian organization dedicated to reaching motorcyclists with the Gospel of Jesus." It was in 1975, CMA was born.
At the present time, a CMA chapter is being formed in Northwest Iowa. "While we have met as the Iowa Great Lakes Spirit Riders, the chapter has not yet received the formal approval," Reekers said, noting there are about 15-20 chapters in Iowa. All are welcome. Wives and friends of motorcyclists are always welcomed into the fold.
When attending rallies and get-togethers, Reekers sees all types of makes and models of motorcycles. "There is no membership fee or dues. The group's moneymakers are the Heart Beat magazine subscription sales, sale of patches and other goodies, and training materials."
Every chapter meets monthly. "Motorcycle activities occur every weekend and attendance to these events is optional," he explained. Area CMA members have been present at the ABATE Motorcycle Rally in Algona and the Davis Rally in New Hampton.
A prime example of CMA presence at rallies is the annual Sturgis event. "We offer cups of water to riders passing." The cups include messages from Scripture. Also handed out is a motorcycle cleaning cloth that goes beyond the mode of transportation. While keeping the bike clean is important, CMA is more concerned with the biker's soul.
The cleaning cloth is folded around the clean-up instructions that begin with "Life has its messes now and then. Often those messes are small and can be cleaned up easily, but other times, even a good cleaning still leaves a mark or a stain on us. This rag is presented by CMA so you might already know what our message is. Know this, Jesus is still interested in our life."
CMA offers ministry teams to assist members including first aid, children, women, prison, music and mechanical, among others. In order to receive a CMA logo patch, members must complete at least one ministry team program.
To date in 2009, local members have held summer rallies in Spirit Lake, Jackson and Windom where biker blessings are bestowed on each biker individually. "We do this ourselves," Reekers explained. "The biker stands next to his/her bike and we pray for safety while he/she rides the bike. We can also pray for anything else the biker may be need at that time like health issues, financial problems, home life, etc. It can be very emotional."
As the ministry moves from biker to biker, Reekers said, "We want this person upright not only when riding but upright in the community too. We want them to be good examples."
Youth are never excluded. "Kids on bikes have wanted the Biker Blessing and we will do that too," he said.
CMA is dedicated to serving God "changing lives one heart at a time."
Reekers said the annual state rally in Des Moines is a place to gather for a time of refreshing and renewal.
"Every time we meet I come away with a renewed feeling of refreshed hope. It is a great feeling to know others that feel the same way and want to spread the Word of God in an unconventional way on motorcycles."
For more information on CMA, contact Reekers, 712-867-4487.

Bikers Rolling Into Sturgis - KELOLAND TV - Wednesday's rain didn't make it ideal for riding a motorcycle through the Black Hills, but over the next week, hundreds of thousands of bikers will roll into Sturgis for the 69th annual rally. Many already have, and officials say that's a sign more bikers will attend than last year.
The City of Sturgis is ready to welcome bikers for next week's rally. Though the events don't officially kick off until Monday, motorcyclists have already put down their kickstands along main street.
"Our pre-rally or shoulder season traffic has been phenomenal. Given the economic times, people aren't deciding until maybe a month, two weeks ahead of time as to whether or not they want to come," Mayor Maury LaRue said. 
LaRue says that early traffic is a good indication of a strong bike week, and those who come every year say they notice the same trend.
"For this time of the rally, I think there are more people here right now than there normally are. There are more people here probably this time of the rally than over the last four or five years anyway," Mark Jensen of Wamego, Kansas said.
"If people like Sturgis, they're going to come. They're going to be here, you know. I can't imagine not coming here if you like looking at bikes, drinking beer and having a good time, this is the place to be," Jon Lynch of Windsor, Colorado said.
And even if numbers take a dip this year, there's no doubt the bikers who do roll into town will make the most of it.
"There'll be enough here for everybody to have a good time, I'm sure," Jensen said.
A good time for all rally-goers, no matter when they get to town.
Officials believe there were about 445,000 people at last year's rally.

Deadly Motorcycle Crash - WOWT - A Lincoln man has died after he and his girlfriend crashed their motorcycle into a boat on a trailer. It happened near Seward on Highway 15 Sunday afternoon.
Seward police say the boat was being pulled by a sport utility vehicle, when 22-year-old Nicholas Wieseler lost control and struck the right side of the boat.
He was pronounced dead at Seward Memorial Hospital. His girlfriend, 21-year-old Kaitlyn Pfeiffer, was taken to a Lincoln hospital.
The Seward Police chief says Wieseler and Pfeiffer were wearing helmets. Neither speeding nor alcohol are suspected as a cause of the accident

Motorcyclist in critical condition after crash - Glens Falls Post-Star - SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A 48-year-old Corinth man remained in critical condition at Albany Medical Center late Wednesday afternoon due to injuries he suffered in a crash Monday night in Saratoga Springs, according to hospital officials.
David Combs, of Route 9N, was traveling east on Lake Avenue on his motorcycle shortly before 6:30 p.m. on Monday when a collision occurred with a pickup truck driven by 47-year-old Michael Charles Clark, of Hollywood, Fla.
Clark was arrested at the scene and will face felony vehicular assault and DWI charges, pending the results of a blood-alcohol test, police said.
Clark was also cited for two driving infractions and is being held on $10,000 cash bail or $20,000 bond.
He remained at Saratoga Hospital Wednesday afternoon after complaining of chest pains. Saratoga County District Attorney James Murphy said a guard was stationed outside Clark’s room because the Florida man has no known local ties and is considered to be a flight risk.
Clark is expected to return to Saratoga Springs City Court on Aug. 4.

Motorcycle ride to benefit Outreach East - Davison Index - DAVISON — The Thunder For Hunger Motorcycle Ride, Aug. 8, is the fourth annual escorted ride to feed area families who are in need. It is a 30-mile ride with a party at Mojo’s in Davison from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and a party at Madden’s Lounge in Davison from 2 p.m.-2 a.m. All proceeds benefit Outreach East Food Pantry in Davison.
Registration is 6-9 p.m., Aug. 7 at Outer Limits or online at www. outreacheast.org.
There will be live bands, door prizes, vendors and more. There are sponsorship opportunities still available through banners, signs and T-shirts. Outreach also needs door prizes and auction items in the form of gift certificates (gas cards, restaurants, etc.), gift baskets or cash donations.
Details: Jan Lebert, Director of Outreach East, 810-653-7711. — G.G