shueman
Libra
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Born To Drive...
   
Alta Loma CA
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Posted: April 21 2005,6:09 am |
Post # 1 |
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The INVASION is this week-end....be careful out there...!!
HAVASU HERALD ARTICLE.....
Lake Havasu City hotels expect to be sold out and everyone in the Mohave County Sheriff's office will work this weekend as tens of thousands of bikers motor in for the 23rd Annual Laughlin River Run.
Laughlin Police Lt. Tom Smitley said Tuesday that crowds could reach 70,000 by Sunday, and Laughlin's 11,000 hotel rooms can accommodate everybody. Communities like Lake Havasu City and even farther pick up the overflow.
Law enforcement in the county will be stepped up, but not necessarily because of violence at past River Runs. Three years ago, members of rival gangs the Mongols and Hells Angels engaged in a shootout at Harrah's, with three people being killed and about a dozen others wounded. Officials say they will be vigilant but that they are not overly concerned about a repeat of that kind of incident.
"Everyone in my department is working this weekend. There are many safety issues due to the sheer volume of people coming in," said Sheriff Tom Sheahan. "We're hoping everyone has a safe weekend."
Sheahan noted that there have not been major problems in Mohave County related to the gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts.
"Ninety-nine percent of the people on this run are law-abiding citizens. However, no matter what type of group there always seem to be people who push the limits and we're prepared to deal with people involved in criminal activity or those who drink and ride a motorcycle," Sheahan said.
River Run events in 2003 and 2004 were free of biker gang violence, but Smitley said bad blood remained between Hells Angels and Mongols members.
While safety is a major concern for the sheriff and his deputies, Sheahan said his department would not have sobriety checkpoints.
The Mohave County Sheriff's Office received a $10,000 grant from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety to help pay for this weekend's overtime costs, Sheahan said.
Even though the Laughlin River Run site is 60 miles north, the Lake Havasu Tourism Bureau expects overflow business and the city's 2,200 hotel rooms to be filled. "It's natural for us to get the overflow business because Laughlin can't handle all of the people coming in," said Lake Havasu Tourism Bureau director Dan Cunning. "We love to be the next-door neighbor for these types of events."
There are about 11,000 hotel rooms in Laughlin and hotel rates are around the $200 mark this weekend. Many hotels are requiring a three-night minimum stay. The price spike in Laughlin is one reason the Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club is sponsoring its third annual anti-Laughlin River Run Saturday.
"We're rebelling the corporate greed and price gouging of the Laughlin River Run," said Iceman, the manager of Desert Thunder, a motorcycle repair shop in Lake Havasu City who would only provide his "road name."
Iceman, a Vietnam veteran, said 250 bikes registered for last year's run and he expects more this year. Proceeds from the event will benefit troops overseas via the Troops Now and Tomorrow organization. One of the raffle prizes is a red, white and blue acoustic Gibson guitar signed by the country duo of Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry. Iceman stars as an extra in one of the duo's music videos.
For more information about the Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets poker run from Lake Havasu City to Parker, call 854-1550.
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12-16-2025 Gas price in your area (Rep.#7,376) from: GoFastRacer
