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Attorney: Dismis NY skateboard death charges

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – Lawyers for a suburban Buffalo doctor have asked a judge to dismiss manslaughter and other charges filed after the hit run death of a teenage skateboarder last summer.

Dr. James Corasanti’s attorney told an Erie County Court judge Wednesday there isn’t evidence to prove manslaughter. He said the 18-year-old victim, Alexandria Rice, had marijuana in her system and was riding her skateboard at night without wearing reflective clothing.

The Buffalo News reports (http://bit.ly/zmAzII ) the lawyer also asked for Rice’s mental health records to be turned over to the judge, and then possibly to the defense.

Prosecutor Kelley Omel accused Corasanti of trying to blame the victim for the accident. Omel says the doctor was driving drunk and texting when he hit Rice.

Judge Sheila DiTullio reserved decision.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Article source: http://www.wcax.com/story/16994673/attorney-dismis-ny-skateboard-death-charges

ZBoard is Not Your Average Motorized Skateboard

Do you like the idea of using a skateboard as transportation but hate the idea of all that physical activity? You might want to invest in a motorized skateboard. There is a new one headed to the marketplace in March 2012. It’s said to be environmentally friendly and easy to use. Here’s the scoop:

About the Product

The product is called the ZBoard and it’s a bit different than the other motorized skateboards that have come down the pike in recent years. What sets it apart from the others is the way that you control the skateboard’s movement. There are round, pressure sensitive pads placed on both the nose and tail of the skateboard that the rider uses to control speed. The pads are also used to start and stop the skateboard. Most other motorized skateboards use either a wired or wireless remote control to accomplish those tasks.

Models Available

The ZBoard currently comes in two forms: the ZBoard Classic and the ZBoard Pro. However, both models have the same skate deck length and width (9.5 inches wide x 40 inches long). The two models differ when it comes to the battery used, the distance possible on a single charge, weight and achievable speeds. The ZBoard Pro tends to reach speeds of at least 17 miles per hour, weighs 30 pounds and uses a lithium ion phosphate battery. The ZBoard Classic reaches speeds of 15 miles per hour, weighs 37 pounds and uses a sealed lead acid battery. Of course the board’s speed is also affected by the terrain you’re on at the time and your weight, so results may vary. Pre-ordering a ZBoard online through the company’s website will lighten your wallet anywhere from $500 to $750.

Caveats

I should mention a few caveats here just in case you are contemplating a purchase. The ZBoard is for transportation only, not tricks. Depending on the model, a five hour charge will net you five to 10 miles of use. Therefore, I wouldn’t plan on using it for any long range trips. In addition, it is not suitable for use during inclement weather or by riders whose weight exceeds 225 pounds. Don’t plan on bombing any hills with it either. The skateboard is designed to limit your downhill speed.

Killeen Gonzalez’s children are skaters and she has a history of following the sport.

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Ryan Sheckler Foundation Launches Special Contest for Skate Fans

Vans Warped Tour Gets Underway March 29th, 2012 in Los Angeles, California

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

Article source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/sports/rss//SIG=11ma81052/*http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ycn-10997132

PHOTO: Just for kicks in Milford

Mike Brown, 16, enjoys 40 degree weather yesterday at the skateboard park by Memorial Elementary School.

Article source: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x740681553/PHOTO-Just-for-kicks-in-Milford

Canal Fulton City Council meeting for Feb. 21

KEY ACTION:  Agreed to locate a skateboard park at the Old School Park.

DISCUSSION:  After several years of waiting, skateboarders in Canal Fulton could finally have a place to do their 180s and kickflips, but they will have to watch their behavior and language if they want the skateboard park to survive. Council said it will close the skateboard park if neighbors complain of bad behavior and foul language. City officials still need to research costs on professional installation. Wooden ramps were donated, but the decking must be replaced. Even though council approved the location, the project could be abandoned if it is determined the cost exceeds the benefits to the community. Costs are estimated at about $5,000, but no firm figures were provided.

OTHER ACTION

• Heard that buying fuel through a collaborative with Northwest Schools is yielding savings of 23 cents a gallon for diesel and 48 cents a gallon for gasoline. Last year, the city bought 19,000 gallons of fuel.

• Delayed action on dissolving Milan Township and reuniting with Lawrence Township until after the Public Services Committee meets to discuss the issue at 6:30 p.m. March 13 at city hall.

• Approved a contract with the city of Massillon to transport prisoners to and from the Stark County Jail to Massillon courts for $6,880.

• Entered into an agreement with CenCom for dispatching services for the fire department for a monthly fee of $2,079. The rate is based on the city’s 2011 run volume.

• Agreed to apply for a grant to study the feasibility of consolidating the Canal Fulton and Lawrence Township police departments.

• Heard that Nellie Cihon has retired and Sarah Willmott-Batko has been hired as director of the Northwest Stark Senior Citizens Center.

UP NEXT  Meets at 7 p.m. March 7 at city hall. The date was changed because of Election Day.

Article source: http://www.cantonrep.com/news/x1353885442/Canal-Fulton-City-Council-meeting-for-Feb-21

The Electric Skateboard Built to Actually Ride Like a Skateboard [Skateboards]

Powered skateboards have been around since the early 90′s, but they’ve always seemed to require extra components—from handheld throttles to Microsoft Kinect-based sensor arrays—that could never quite capture the feel of a conventional deck. The ZBoard, with an electric drivetrain and weight-sensor control system, could be the first to actually pull it off.

The ZBoard is reportedly the first motorized skateboard to operate by sensing the user’s shifting weight. IT works like this: by pressing a foot on either the front or rear foot pad, the system is able to determine your weight distribution on the deck. Press on the front and forward to accelerate, press on the rear and lean bake to engage the regenerative brakes. Does this mean I’ll stop wearing out the soles of just my left shoes on the many hills of San Francisco? I sure hope so.

The ZBoard has a 400 watt motor that and comes in two varieties—the 15mph, 5-mile-range Standard version and the 17mph, 10-mile-range Pro (the Pro also uses a Li-Ion battery pack rather than the sealed Lead-Acid pack the Standard one uses). They will cost $600 and $850, respectively when they begin shipping in March thought both are currently on discounted $100 throughout the pre-order period that runs through March 15. Check out the promo video over at YouTube [ZBoard via Gizmag]

Article source: http://gizmodo.com/5887181/finally-an-electric-skateboard-that-rides-like-an-actual-skateboard/gallery/