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Hamburger Fest serves up deep-fried burger

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The National Hamburger Festival in Akron, Ohio, was the place to be this weekend to get a taste of a deep-fried cheeseburger, event officials said.

The deep-fried burger was one of among about 30 different varieties of burgers offered by 15 vendors at the burger festival this weekend, CNN reported.

"We'll serve it with a side of Lipitor," joked Drew Cerza, the festival's founder.

Other attractions at the burger fest included a Jimmy Buffett cover band, a beauty pageant and "bobbing for burgers,"an event where competitors bob for burgers in kiddie pools filled with ketchup.

"This festival is America," Cerza said. "It includes all demographics of everybody, just like the hamburger."

Internal Notes

Md. woman killed in crash billed by state

COLUMBIA, Md., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- The parents of a woman who died in a car crash in Columbia, Md., received a bill from the state charging them for repairs to a guardrail, officials say.

Sarah Marie Stebbins, 21, died May 29 when she lost control of her car and hit a guardrail, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Her mother, Valerie Stebbins, received a letter asking for $640.71 for damage to the guardrail.

"We stopped at the mailbox on the way out, and all of a sudden she breaks down," Tom Stebbins, Sarah's father, said. "I was mortified, not so much that they sent the bill -- it is what it is -- but they sent us a copy of the accident report."

The bill included a warning of delinquency.

"Invoices are considered delinquent if not paid within 30 days of the invoice date. Delinquent invoices may be reported to credit reporting bureaus. Invoices referred to the Maryland Central Collection Unit will be charged an additional collection fee of 17 percent on unpaid balances as per Maryland law."

State Highway Administration said sending the bill was an "inexcusable" error and had been rescinded. The agency regularly bills drivers who cause damage to state property, though they waive charges if the driver is killed.

"We will assure this doesn't happen again," said State Highway Administration spokesman Charlie Gischlar. "We are going to triple- and quadruple-check before anything goes out."

Beer-can boats launched at tiny regatta

ANNAPOLIS, Md., Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Dozens of people launched little sailboats made of beer cans in Maryland this weekend to raise money for a local boating group, organizers say.

The eighth annual Chesapeake Outdoor Group's 12 oz. Regatta in Annapolis Saturday drew more than 40 competitors who built boats made out of 12-ounce cans, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Root beer cans were given to those under the legal drinking, while adults got Budweiser or Bud Light can.

Starting a week before the regatta, racers are able to pick up a 5-gallon bucket with permitted building materials inside, including a six-pack. Rules state that when the boat is finished, it must fit inside the bucket.

"It's an intellectual endeavor. It's just the sailor's version, which involves beer cans," said Steve Eagley, a financial planner and sailor who helped his daughter build a Root Beer class boat. "You wouldn't even recognize it as a beer can."

Proceeds from the fundraiser, held at the Port Annapolis Marina, went to Annapolis Community Boating.

Man pays $1,500 bike fine

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- A New York City bicyclist fought a ticket for running a red light, lost and was ordered to pay $1,500 in fines, officials say.

The citation was Juan Rodriguez's third bike ticket since March, the New York Daily News reported.

Rodriguez pleaded not guilty to all of the tickets, one of which was for not having a bike bell, and two were for running red lights.

"I thought if I show up in court I might have a say and show how unbelievably ludicrous this is," he said.

The man was sorely wrong, and was found guilty and ordered to pay fines for each ticket.

"It's absurd," complained Rodriguez, 45. "When you look at the fines leveled and the actual offenses, it makes no sense."

Pro-biking organizations support Rodriguez's struggle.

"Fining cyclists up to $950 for a traffic violation -- the same rate as drivers of 4-ton vehicles that kill hundreds of people annually -- is excessive and unfair, said Barbara Ross of the environmental group Time's Up!

However, officials disagree, saying bikers need to stop for red lights.

"They are endangering pedestrians, many of whom are elderly or children who may not be able to get out of the way quickly," said City Councilman James Vacca. "We have too many people riding their cars and bicycles and thinking these rules are not meant for them."