Saturday, September 27, 2008
Support Responsible 4-Wheeling
I am a member of many clubs and associations. Tread Lightly encourages responsible 4-wheeling. If we expect to be able to continue our sport, we must avoid driving off established 4WD roads and make a sincere effort to leave no sign that we even passed through. This way subsequent visitors will be able to enjoy the area in the same natural splendor that we found it in. The United Four Wheel Drive Association and Blue Ribbon Coalition help try to keep our trails open. An organized effort is necessary because there is a large group that feels that only those who are fit and healthy enough to walk in should be able to enjoy our natural splendors. The Land Use Network affords a forum for all recreational users to discuss land use issues. Join and support these organizations and take time to write letters and call the appropriate government officials and congressmen when you see a closure that you aren't in favor of.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Abducted boy found dead
The search for the 14-year-old boy, apparently kidnapped on Thursday, ended in a most heart-rending way when his body was found off Amravati Road about 24 hours later on Friday.
However, the mystery about his disappearance and apparent murder persists. Victim Swanand Dhume, the only son of an Ayurvedic doctor, was reported abducted by an unidentified person in a white Maruti van on Thursday evening.
Swanand, a ninth standard student of Somalwar High School, Khamla branch, had gone to Gandhi Nagar-based Mahesh Tutorials for his mathematics and science tuition on Friday as usual. Family had started worrying as Swanand did not return to their Atrey Layout home till late on Thursday night. After a brief search in the city, the family approached Ambazari police.
An eye-witness had stated that Swanand had stepped into a car on his own after spotting a familiar person waving to him from inside the four-wheeler. Family members found Swanand's bicycle outside the premises of the tutorials.
His father Dr M B Dhume, his eyes moist and still hoping for the best, said that Swanand had requested his mother to allow him to take her mobile. "We have no idea whom he had met or whether he had planned the meeting. He was normal when he went," said Dr Dhume.
His father said Swanand neither had a very big friends' circle nor was addicted to anything. "Driving four-wheelers was his passion. He used to drive quite well," he recalled. He said it was very unlikely that he was late and did not inform the family.
However, the mystery about his disappearance and apparent murder persists. Victim Swanand Dhume, the only son of an Ayurvedic doctor, was reported abducted by an unidentified person in a white Maruti van on Thursday evening.
Swanand, a ninth standard student of Somalwar High School, Khamla branch, had gone to Gandhi Nagar-based Mahesh Tutorials for his mathematics and science tuition on Friday as usual. Family had started worrying as Swanand did not return to their Atrey Layout home till late on Thursday night. After a brief search in the city, the family approached Ambazari police.
An eye-witness had stated that Swanand had stepped into a car on his own after spotting a familiar person waving to him from inside the four-wheeler. Family members found Swanand's bicycle outside the premises of the tutorials.
His father Dr M B Dhume, his eyes moist and still hoping for the best, said that Swanand had requested his mother to allow him to take her mobile. "We have no idea whom he had met or whether he had planned the meeting. He was normal when he went," said Dr Dhume.
His father said Swanand neither had a very big friends' circle nor was addicted to anything. "Driving four-wheelers was his passion. He used to drive quite well," he recalled. He said it was very unlikely that he was late and did not inform the family.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
ATV riding continues as popular pastime
Julian Welch, an upcoming seventh-grader, loves playing football and basketball.
But when he’s not participating in either of those sports, he enjoys riding his Kawasaki four-wheeler.
It's a pastime that continues to be popular in the Rockmart area, despite rising gasoline costs.
Welch, who was taught by his cousin Deshawn Glanton, learned how to ride an ATV when he was 9 years old and said the one thing he isn’t too fond of, is going mudding.
“I don’t like getting wet,” he said. “I get too dirty.”
Although he doesn’t like getting all messy, he's experienced it once before.
“One time he came home,” Welch’s mom, April Welch said, “with mud all in his eyebrows and his ears.”
“But I don’t like that,” he said.
Most kids, and some adults too, would disagree with Welch about riding in the mud. He on the other hand said he prefers to ride when it’s dry outside.
When it comes to playing it safe, Welch said he doesn’t do as much on the four-wheeler he has now, as he did on the smaller one, because it’s scary.
“On the other one,” Welch’s mom added, “he used to do doughnuts.
”But since the ATV he has now is bigger, he said he doesn’t do doughnuts because it might flip, adding, “And it’s heavier.”
He hasn’t had any major accidents and added wrecking is something he’s trying to avoid.
He recalled seeing one of his friends wreck while riding up a hill.
Welch said the ATV flipped backwards, but his friend was OK and he helped him turn the four-wheeler back over.
”I always stress safety,” Welch’s mom said. “Wear his helmet, be careful and go slow.
“Stop at stop signs,” she said. “And always watch for cars.”
When riding at night, he turns on his light and wears clothing that is viewable to others.
He said at times he wishes they had other places to ride.
“I want to ride different places,” he said. “But riding in the streets is illegal.”
But when he’s not participating in either of those sports, he enjoys riding his Kawasaki four-wheeler.
It's a pastime that continues to be popular in the Rockmart area, despite rising gasoline costs.
Welch, who was taught by his cousin Deshawn Glanton, learned how to ride an ATV when he was 9 years old and said the one thing he isn’t too fond of, is going mudding.
“I don’t like getting wet,” he said. “I get too dirty.”
Although he doesn’t like getting all messy, he's experienced it once before.
“One time he came home,” Welch’s mom, April Welch said, “with mud all in his eyebrows and his ears.”
“But I don’t like that,” he said.
Most kids, and some adults too, would disagree with Welch about riding in the mud. He on the other hand said he prefers to ride when it’s dry outside.
When it comes to playing it safe, Welch said he doesn’t do as much on the four-wheeler he has now, as he did on the smaller one, because it’s scary.
“On the other one,” Welch’s mom added, “he used to do doughnuts.
”But since the ATV he has now is bigger, he said he doesn’t do doughnuts because it might flip, adding, “And it’s heavier.”
He hasn’t had any major accidents and added wrecking is something he’s trying to avoid.
He recalled seeing one of his friends wreck while riding up a hill.
Welch said the ATV flipped backwards, but his friend was OK and he helped him turn the four-wheeler back over.
”I always stress safety,” Welch’s mom said. “Wear his helmet, be careful and go slow.
“Stop at stop signs,” she said. “And always watch for cars.”
When riding at night, he turns on his light and wears clothing that is viewable to others.
He said at times he wishes they had other places to ride.
“I want to ride different places,” he said. “But riding in the streets is illegal.”
Friday, July 25, 2008
Three kids escape serious harm in four-wheeler accident in Mossy Head
Three youngsters from Mossy Head learned about the dangers of 4-wheeling without protective gear and lived to tell about it.
According to the report filed by the Florida Highway patrol, on July 3, around 1:30 p.m., Jimmy Thomas, 12, of DeFuniak springs, J.J. Gavin, 10, of Munson, and 2-year-old Hunter McKinney, also of DeFuniak, were eastbound on E. Clover Lane in Mossy Head on their 2007 ATV at a "high rate of speed".
They entered a puddle in a low point in the road and overturned. All three were thrown from the vehicle and none were wearing a helmet or protective gear.
The two older boys were taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola and the two-year-old to Crestview, all with what FHP reported as "minor" injuries.
"The mother of the 2-year-old was watching the children and stated that the children were allowed to ride the all terrain vehicle, a four-wheeler, but were to stay in front of the house. The crash occurred several roads south of the residence," reported Sgt. Jason Peacock of FHP in his report.
According to the report filed by the Florida Highway patrol, on July 3, around 1:30 p.m., Jimmy Thomas, 12, of DeFuniak springs, J.J. Gavin, 10, of Munson, and 2-year-old Hunter McKinney, also of DeFuniak, were eastbound on E. Clover Lane in Mossy Head on their 2007 ATV at a "high rate of speed".
They entered a puddle in a low point in the road and overturned. All three were thrown from the vehicle and none were wearing a helmet or protective gear.
The two older boys were taken to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola and the two-year-old to Crestview, all with what FHP reported as "minor" injuries.
"The mother of the 2-year-old was watching the children and stated that the children were allowed to ride the all terrain vehicle, a four-wheeler, but were to stay in front of the house. The crash occurred several roads south of the residence," reported Sgt. Jason Peacock of FHP in his report.
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