A Russell Springs man died a week ago Monday, January 2, from injuries sustained in an ATV wreck last September.

Dale Melson, 38, of Russell Springs passed at a Lexington hospital from serious injuries he suffered in the ATV wreck on Arles Hale Rd. on September 3, 2011.

In the accident, Melson lost control of his ATV which left the roadway and flipped several times, according to a state police report on the wreck.

Melson was not wearing a helmet when the wreck occurred, according to state police.

Since the accident, Melson had remained in the hospital as he underwent treatment for severe head and other injuries.

************************

Jared Bloyd has been riding a motorcycle since he was about eight years old. A few years ago he decided he’d like to take it a little more seriously.

The commitment he’s shown to his sport paid off last month as he won the American Bluegrass Championship Motocross in 250 c Lites Novice division as well as the Unlimited C/D division, a category that pits all classes against each other, and the Ironman award for 2011.

Bloyd, a 17-year-old senior at Russell County High School, is the son of Mark Bloyd and Lisa Bloyd.

He said he took up riding early.

“I always liked dirt bikes and always wanted one,” Bloyd said. “I bought a $200 dirt bike and rode it all the time.”

He often rode his 1995 Yamaha RT 100 at a dirt track in Russell Springs that’s since closed down.

“We used to go ride up there all the time,” said Bloyd, saying the owner of the now closed track used to have his son involved in racing. “And I guess he (John Dando, owner of Earthworks of Kentucky in Russell Springs) saw I was good at it and he told me about this racing series and that I should check it out and gave us the schedule.”

“Ever since then, four years later, I’m up in the 250 B Class,” said Bloyd.

The sport keeps him busy most weekends throughout the summer, something his proud father was glad of.

“He had a lot of energy and needed to stay busy,” said Jared’s father, Mark Bloyd. “I got him into it as a way to keep him out of trouble.”

His father takes a lot of interest in the sport, making most races throughout the season. He said it can be a little hard on the nerves though. “When you hit that track you’ve got to be ready for anything in front of you, behind you and beside you,” said Jared’s father. “I’ve seen him get up and finish the race and I’ve seen him go down and not finish the race.”

Riding dirt bikes may be an anxiety inducer for many of us, but for young Bloyd it accomplishes just the opposite, and he approaches his riding and racing realistically and maturely.

“I enjoy it more than I do anything,” said Bloyd. “I’ve always gotten out and rode because it’s my way to get away from everything and just relax. I’m a competitive person but I just like riding period; its fun to me, I don’t care if I go places with it or not but others see potential in me.”

Jared’s points standings were in jeopardy mid-year when his bike broke down, but help was on the way as a National Motocross and Supercross racing star and Kentucky native Ryan Sipes came to the rescue.

“I was stuck there in the middle of the year as the state champion in points so far for the year with a blown engine,” said Bloyd. “And I didn’t have a bike to ride.”

Earlier in the year Bloyd had met Sipes at one of the tracks. He decided he didn’t have anything to lose.

“I called him up one day and asked him a big favor,” said Bloyd, saying he believes Sipes was racing in California at the time. “He gave me a bike (to borrow), gave me a mechanic to work on my bike. I didn’t have to do anything besides walk over there, jump on it and take off.”

Bloyd said when he came back a couple of weeks later his bike had a newly rebuilt engine.

“I appreciate everything they did for me,” Bloyd said.

On December 10, 2011, at the American Bluegrass Motocross banquet dinner and award ceremony, Jared was presented with his three awards. If the past few years of racing wins are any indication, Bloyd might well be on his way to motocross racing as a profession.