Pedaling For A Cure

Central Oregon Daily sat down with Bob Sanders and Brenda Webber to talk about “Pedaling For A Cure”.

Bob will be cycling approximately 2,900 miles from Bend, OR, to the national headquarters of the Cancer Society in Atlanta, GA, to raise funding and awareness for the American Cancer Society. The ride will begin on June 2nd, 2019, with an estimated arrival in Atlanta in mid-July.

To find out more information about the ride, or to donate to the cause, visit acsevents.org.

 

 

Local Bikers Seek Safety Off Crowded Roadways

More people are turning to buying custom bikes made for trails and off-road, because many are concerned about riding on public streets. Local bikers and bike shop owners have seen this trend away from road bikes in the wake of a recent death of a rider, and several accidents in recent years.

Central Oregon Daily’s Allison Roecker explores the reasoning in the recent shift away from road bikes.

First Court Appearance for Woman Accused of Killing Cyclist

The woman who allegedly struck and killed a cyclist is now on house arrest and banned from consuming any alcohol until her arraignment in February.

Shantel Lynn Witt, 41, of Alfalfa had her first hearing today after she was arrested on Dec. 30 and charged with DUII, three counts of Recklessly Endangering Another, Reckless Driving and Manslaughter in the First Degree.

Witt was allegedly driving under the influence on the evening of Dec. 30 when her car crossed over into the opposite lane and struck 38-year-old Marika Stone who was biking with two other people near the corner of Dodds and Obernolte Road in Deschutes County. Stone was declared dead at the scene.

Roughly 30 local cyclists and community members attended today’s hearing to support Stone’s family.

Witt’s bail was set at $270,000. She posted 10 percent of this amount and, per Oregon law, was released from jail. During her first court appearance on Tuesday, the state attorney asked that Witt’s bail be increased, that she be put on house arrest, that she be given an alcohol monitor and that her driving privileges be revoked.

The judge did not raise Witt’s bail but he did agree to revoke Witt’s driving privileges. The judge also ordered Witt to wear an alcohol monitor, banned from purchasing or consuming alcohol and put on house arrest.

Witt will be back in court for her arraignment on Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. and many of the local cyclists said they’ll be back again to support Stone’s family and represent Bend’s biking community.

Local Families House Riders During Cascade Cycling Classic

Housing can be difficult to find on an average day in Bend, but when you have hundreds of riders looking for housing for days on end it can be both difficult and expensive. Teams in town for the Cascade Cycling Classic this week often turn to kind families willing to open up their homes to house them for the duration of the event.

Central Oregon Daily’s Allison Roecker spoke with a family that is hosting members of the Hanger 15 Cycling Team, and two of the riders themselves.