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The Trucker News Staff

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About The Trucker News Staff
The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Posts by The Trucker News Staff

I-70 closure planned in Colorado for removal of wrecked big rig

By The Trucker News Staff -

DENVER — A closure is planned for eastbound Interstate 70 on July 13 in Glenwood Canyon to remove the remains of a wrecked big rig. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the closure will begin at 10 a.m. and last approximately six hours. “The length of the closure could change depending on weather and other variables, so CDOT asks that eastbound motorists plan alternate routes for the day,” a CDOT news release stated. “Westbound I-70 will remain open. The eastbound closure is planned to start mid-morning to limit impacts on commuter traffic through the canyon.” Removing the 18-wheeler will not affect CDOT’s ability to continue following the safety protocol for flash flood watches and warnings for I-70 in Glenwood Canyon, according to the news release. DETOUR INFORMATION The northern alternate route on U.S. Highway 40 is recommended for most motorists. The northern alternate route will require approximately 2.5 hours additional travel time to reach a destination, compared to traveling on I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. Eastbound motorists should anticipate construction at exit 205 in Silverthorne when returning to I-70 from Colorado Highway 9. During the closure, motorists will continue to have access to Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley. By traveling on the recommended alternate route, motorists can avoid major delays caused by rough roads and other hazards. CDOT asks motorists to not use U.S. 50 as an alternate route due to heavy construction and traffic impacts between Montrose and Gunnison. CDOT recommends that motorists use COtrip.org or CDOT’s free COtrip Planner mobile app to help plan an alternate route.

2 die after Tesla rear-ends tractor-trailer at Florida rest stop

By The Trucker News Staff -

LAKE MARY, Fla. – Two people are dead after they crashed into the rear of a parked tractor-trailer at a rest stop along Florida’s section of Interstate 75. WOFL reports that the crash happened on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 6, at the Paynes Prairie Rest Area just south of Gainesville, Florida. Troopers told WOFL that the couple’s Tesla was traveling southbound on I-75 before it exited and for “unknown reasons” struck a parked Walmart truck. The 66-year-old woman driving the Tesla and the 67-year-old male passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. The truck driver was uninjured. The crash remains under investigation. WOFL reported that last September a driver failed to control their Tesla and crashed into a state trooper’s patrol car on Interstate 4 in Orlando. That incident was captured on dashboard camera.

Tractor-trailer splits in 2, shuts down Alabama tunnel

By The Trucker News Staff -

MOBILE, Ala. — Both halves of Bankhead Tunnel in Mobile, Alabama, were closed for hours after both lanes were blocked by a tractor-trailer that was sliced in two. WKRG reported that the wreck, which involved a single 18-wheeler, happened at approximately 6:49 a.m. Wednesday morning. There were no details with how the crash happened, but photos from a Facebook post by the Mobile Fire-Rescue show the back half of the trailer toward the tunnel’s entrance with the other half of the trailer and the tractor several yards ahead. The tunnel has a 12-foot clearance, whereas the average height of an 18-wheeler is 13 feet, 6 inches. While it’s not been cited as the cause of the split, the trailer shows damage consistent with attempting to pass through where the clearance was too low. Both lanes were closed for nearly four hours as crews removed the wreckage.

Pennsylvania third-party CDL examiner sentenced for wire fraud

By The Trucker News Staff -

PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to a brief period of imprisonment and fines after pleading guilty to wire fraud in connection to a fraudulent commercial driver’s license scheme. According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, in November 2021, Roberto Correas, a former third-party CDL examiner, was charged after an investigation revealed his role in a scheme to fraudulently qualify people for CDLs. An investigation revealed that between February and March 2018, Correas provided pre-signed CDL skills examination score sheets to a co-conspirator, who completed the sheets with passing scores to fraudulently qualify individuals who did not actually take the CDL test. In addition, between September and October 2018, Correas conducted CDL skills examinations on a company’s behalf, the news release stated. Correas charged applicants $275 each but kept the money instead of submitting it to the company. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania sentenced Roberto Correas on June 16 to 15 days of imprisonment, 24 months of supervised release, a $10,000 fine, $4,950 in restitution, a $1,200 special assessment and 80 hours of community service.

New Hampshire State Police place 8 CMVs out of service during safety violation event

By The Trucker News Staff -

CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire State Police’s (NHSP) Troop G recently cracked down on unsafe drivers operating commercial motor vehicles. The statewide CMV event saw 60 CMVs pulled over. According to a Facebook post from the NHSP, 91 violations were identified during the June 29 event, and eight trucks were placed out of service for equipment violations. Three trucks were placed out of service for hours-of-service violations. “Troopers worked collaboratively in specific areas of interstates and secondary roadways that support heavy commercial vehicle traffic,” the post stated. “Targeted locations have been identified as high crash volume areas due to a variety of factors, to include, volume of traffic, congestion, and risky driving behavior. Driver behavior accounts as the principle factor in approximately 79% of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles.”

OneStepGPS to Integrate with Trucker Tools

By The Trucker News Staff -

RESTON, Va. — Trucker Tools has secured an agreement with OneStepGPS to receive real-time location data from One Step’s truck-installed GPS tracking devices into the Trucker Tools visibility platform. OneStep’s GPS-based tracking technology is utilized by more than 12,000 companies. The unit plugs into the truck’s on-board diagnostic port or can be directly wired into its Electronic Logging Device (ELD) system. “Once activated, the OneStep unit transmits a rich data set with location updates every two to 60 seconds while the vehicle is in motion,” a news release stated. “OneStep’s technology has been adopted by commercial for-hire truckload and LTL trucking fleets, parcel and last-mile carriers and private fleet operators of all sizes.” OneStepGPS is the most recent ELD and telematics technology provider to integrate with Trucker Tools for the provision of ELD-based truck location information, noted Kary Jablonski, Trucker Tools chief executive. More than 75 ELD providers are now on the platform, she added. “Now more than ever brokers and beneficial cargo owners need timely, accurate and complete shipment visibility information in order to effectively manage supply chain operations,” Jablonski said. “OneStepGPS becomes one more valuable resource that adds to the richness of our visibility platform and ensures that users are receiving the most up to date information on their cargoes.” “This is a highly cost-effective solution that helps truckers respond efficiently to shipper demand for timely, accurate and complete shipment enroute visibility data,” Adam Ben Jacob, chief executive for OneStepGPS, said. “It’s a plug and play experience.  Simply plug the device into an ELD diagnostic port, download our app, set up an account and you are good to go.” Trucker Tools’ Jablonski stressed as well that ELD data access is permission-based with the truck owner/operator controlling access to their devices. Once permission is granted and the integration is activated, in-transit data from the ELD is transmitted into the Trucker Tools platform, where it’s accessible through the Trucker Tools Smart Capacity app on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop computer. Only permission-based data is accessed, no other ELD data outside of location updates is shared. “Truckers also have a choice,” Jablonski said. “They can automate tracking through the Trucker Tools mobile driver app or the OneStepGPS device. The benefits to both brokers and truckers are more efficient operation, less wasted time from manual work to track shipments, and better carrier engagement.” The Trucker Tools mobile app is available for both Android- and Apple-powered smartphones and is provided free of charge to independent truckers and small fleets.

Trucker helps save Indiana woman from burning Jeep

By The Trucker News Staff -

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis woman is alive thanks to her rescue by a truck driver and another good Samaritan. Indiana State Police said that Jasmine Meagher of Indianapolis drove her silver Jeep off Interstate 74 in the early morning hours of July 7. She then struck the cable barrier in the median, after which her vehicle caught on fire near the 96-mile marker. Luckily, at least two people witnessed the crash and stopped to help, one of them a truck driver from Maryland. Investigators said the one of the men, Craig Gay, entered the vehicle through the passenger door while it was on fire, cut the seatbelt off Meagher and pulled her to safety. The truck driver, who was not named in the report, used a fire extinguisher to hold back the flames as Gay pulled Meagher out. Both men assisted Meagher until first responders arrived. Gay was treated at the scene by paramedics. “If it wasn’t for these two men, we could be investigating a fatal crash this morning, their heroic actions and selfless response saved a life,” Indiana State Police Sgt. Jon Caddell said. Investigators are still trying to determine what caused Meagher to drive off the road and strike the cable barrier. She was conscious and alert when she was transported to the hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week starts Sunday

By The Trucker News Staff -

WASHINGTON — This year’s Operation Safe Driver Week is scheduled for Sunday, July 10, to Saturday, July 16, and will see law enforcement personnel in Canada, Mexico and the United States fanning out in force on thousands of miles of roadways. According to a news release from the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), officers will be issuing warnings and citations to commercial motor vehicle and passenger vehicle drivers “engaging in unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, improper lane change and drunk or drugged driving.” Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) released its latest annual traffic crash report, showing that 38,824 lives were lost in traffic crashes nationwide in 2020 – the highest number of fatalities since 2007. And while the number of crashes and traffic injuries declined overall, fatal crashes increased by 6.8%. Among the alarming statistics in NHTSA’s report was the key finding that speed-related fatalities increased by 17%. Consequently, speeding, in particular, will be a dangerous driving behavior that officers will identify and target during Operation Safe Driver Week. “The rising fatalities on our roadways are a national crisis; we cannot and must not accept these deaths as inevitable,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The CVSA Operation Safe Driver Program was created to improve the driving behaviors of all drivers and reduce the number of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles on our roadways through educational and traffic enforcement strategies. Operation Safe Driver Week was created by CVSA with support from federal agencies in Canada, Mexico and the U.S., the motor carrier industry, and transportation safety organizations. “This safe driving initiative and campaign focuses specifically on drivers’ actions – whether it’s something a driver did, like speeding, or something they didn’t do, such as not paying attention to the driving task,” said CVSA President Capt. John Broers with the South Dakota Highway Patrol. “This focus on drivers’ behaviors is our effort to identify and educate drivers who are operating dangerously on our roadways, with the goal of preventing crashes from occurring.” To find out about Operation Safe Driver Week enforcement events in specific areas, drivers should contact the agency or department responsible for overseeing commercial motor vehicle safety in their area.

Indiana woman sentenced to probation, fine for hazardous waste violation

By The Trucker News Staff -

GARY, Ind. — An Indiana woman has been sentenced to probation after violating hazardous waste regulations. Michelle M. Rousseff-Kemp was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana on June 16 to 24 months of probation, a $5,500 fine and a $200 special assessment, according to a court news release. Rousseff-Kemp was the former president and owner of K-Com Transport Services, Inc., an Indiana-based waste management services company that functioned as a hazardous waste transporter, broker and transport facility. The former executive entered into a plea agreement stating that Rousseff-Kemp made a false statement and violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act for storing hazardous waste without a permit. The investigation revealed that from June 2018 until November 2018 Rousseff-Kemp knowingly and willfully altered a hazardous waste manifest to misrepresent when K-Com transported hazardous waste to a facility for proper disposal. Additionally, Rousseff-Kemp knowingly stored or caused to be stored hazardous waste without a permit issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the State of Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). The Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General conducted this investigation with the EPA–Criminal Investigation Division and IDEM, Office of Criminal Investigations.  

TP Logistics fleet surpasses 200 trucks, opens office in Augusta

By The Trucker News Staff -

CENTRAL POINT, Ore. — TP Logistics has announced that its privately owned truck fleet recently surpassed 200 trucks. In a news release, company officials called this “a significant milestone” in their plans to expand to a fleet of 500 trucks. “Our team couldn’t be prouder of surpassing the 200-truck mark and look forward to the continued growth of our fleet,” said Chris Goodman, national business manager for TP Logistics. Additionally, TP Logistics announced it will open an office in Augusta, Georgia, in August. This office will serve as the Eastern hub for TP Logistics with the sales and dispatch teams relocating from the Thomson, Georgia, and the reload facility to the new Augusta office. “Our new office in Augusta, Georgia, will give us the platform and presence necessary to grow our staff in correlation with our aggressive growth plan for our fleet,” Goodman said. Tom Gennarelli, vice president of TP Logistics, said “dynamic growth in the Southeast is creating ample opportunity for us to expand our 3PL offerings and brokerage diversification.” TP Logistics has plans to add hubs in the Midwest and Southwest in the near future.  

Walcott Truckers Jamboree to celebrate America’s Truckers next week

By The Trucker News Staff -

WALCOTT, Iowa — The 43rd Walcott Truckers Jamboree kicks off Thursday, July 14, and continues through Saturday, July 16. The three-day festival will be held at the Iowa 80 — dubbed “The World’s Largest Truckstop” — off Intestate 80 at exit 284 in Walcott, Iowa. This year’s Jamboree will feature a Super Truck Beauty Contest, an antique truck display, the traditional Iowa pork chop cookout, more than 150 exhibits, the Trucker Olympics, two firework shows, the Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest, a 100th birthday party for a 1922 Walter Snow-Fighter truck, and more. “We can’t wait for everyone to be here enjoying the trucks, music, food, fireworks and just being together,” said Heather DeBaillie, vice president of marketing for the Iowa 80 Group. “It is one of the best parts of the summer,” she continued. “We appreciate the dedication and hard work professional drivers perform. It’s an important job. Professional drivers deliver everything we need from food to vehicles to the stage set up for your favorite music artist. They are the reason we have hosted this event for decades. Drivers deserve to be celebrated!” On July 14, attendees can enjoy a performance by rising Nashville star Kylie Frey. For the opening act, local favorite Dani Lynn Howe and Band will perform at 5 p.m. Fireworks and the Lights at Night show will follow. Friday, July 15 brings a pet contest, the Trucker Olympics, CAT Scale’s Weigh to Win – Ford Raptor giveaway, and another great evening of music. Mo’s Garage will get the fun started at 5 p.m., opening for country super group Diamond Rio. Fireworks will cap off the evening. The show will wrap up with awards presentations on Saturday, July 16. The afternoon will also feature high-energy ’80s and ’90s tunes from The Brat Pack starting at 1 p.m. Admission to the show, parking and all concerts are free. Shuttles will be provided from the parking area to the event grounds. The most up to date information and schedule of events can be found at www.truckersjamboree.com.

Hardy Brothers Trucking to haul 2022 US Capitol Christmas Tree

By The Trucker News Staff -

SILOAM, N.C. — Hardy Brothers Trucking will transport the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the National Forests in North Carolina to Washington, D.C. Hardy Brothers Trucking was selected as the hauler for this year’s tree at the recommendation of Kenworth Truck Co. and based on industry reputation, according to Bruce Ward, president of Choose Outdoors. This nonprofit partner assists the USDA Forest Service in coordinating the annual public engagement initiative. The tree will be harvested from the National Forests in North Carolina in early November, followed by a journey with special events in communities along the way before being delivered to Washington, D.C. Hardy Brothers will also deliver thousands of handmade ornaments made by North Carolinians, along with smaller trees for offices in the nation’s capital. In 1965, company founder Ralph Hardy bought his first truck and began hauling produce throughout the East Coast. Since then, Hardy Brothers Trucking has grown to include more than100 dedicated drivers and 55 trucks pulling refrigerated trailers and hauling freight from coast to coast. Fifty-seven years in, the business remains a family affair. Ralph Hardy continues to work daily in the office, while hisson, Eddie, runs the day-to-day operations as president, and Eddie’s son, Ryan, serves as vice president. They’re the recipient of industry awards such as the Safety Achievement Award with Fleet Solutions LTD and the PVH Truckload Carrier of the Year Award and have been an EPA SmartWay member since 2008. Doing the honors of delivering the tree for Hardy Brothers will be the husband-and-wife team Harold “Ed” Kingdon Jr. and Deborah Z. Kingdon. They have been married for 42 years and have been driving for Hardy Brothers Inc. since 2018. Ed is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force/ Air National Guard, where he served 37 years. Ed worked his way through the ranks and was commissioned in 1988, retiring with the rank of Colonel. Deborah was the “chief home officer,” primarily focused on raising their four children, including homeschooling them from 1986 to 2008. “For us to be part of the tradition of bringing the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is quite the honor,” said Eddie Hardy, president of Hardy Brothers Trucking. “Our pride in the State of North Carolina shines throughout our fleet, and we’re excited to share the experience and uplifting communities along the way.” Kenworth Truck Co. returns for the ninth year as a major sponsor of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree program. A specially decaled Kenworth T680 Next Generation equipped with a 76-inch mid-roof sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain will transport the 2022 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.  

Ascent On-Demand joins EPA SmartWay Transport partnership

By The Trucker News Staff -

BELLEVILLE, Mich. — Logistics company Ascent has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and industry that provides a framework to assess the environmental and energy efficiency of goods movement supply chains. Ascent joins as a logistics partner for dedicated ground transportation arranged through its on-demand business segment. According to a news release, Ascent will contribute to the partnership’s savings of 336 million barrels of oil, $44.8 billion on fuel costs,143 million metric tons of CO2, 2.7 million short tons of NOx and 112,000 short tons of PM. This is equivalent to eliminating annual energy use in over 21 million homes. By joining SmartWay Transport Partnership, Ascent demonstrates its strong environmental leadership and corporate responsibility. “We are committed to helping our ground transport carriers lead the industry in sustainability and efficiency and are honored that our On-Demand offering is a registered SmartWay logistics partner,” said Chris Jamroz, executive chairman of the board & CEO of Ascent. “This is just one more way we are demonstrating that we walk the talk when it comes to driving environmental efficiencies, including reduced fuel use and cleaner air. These are not just feel-good buzzwords; they are important factors that our customers look for from their logistics partners and we are excited to be able to demonstrate our commitment through measurable metrics.” Developed jointly in early 2003 by EPA and Charter Partners and represented by industry stakeholders, environmental groups, the American Trucking Associations and Business for Social Responsibility, the program was launched in 2004. Partners rely on SmartWay tools and approaches to track and reduce emissions and fuel use from goods movement. The partnership currently has nearly 4,000 Partners including shipper, logistics companies, truck, rail, barge and multimodal carriers. “Being a SmartWay transport partner will give us access to the EPA’s emissions calculating tools, which are the gold standard of fuel efficiency and sustainability accounting, helping ensure our tracking is on the leading edge,” David Camden, vice president of operations for Ascent, said. “The robust data provided to us through SmartWay will help us provide our carriers with the measurable data needed to demonstrate our competitive advantage, as well as enable us to stay on top of the most up-to-date intelligence needed to continuously improve operational efficiencies and drive success for carriers, customers and Ascent.”  

Logistics software developer Imaginnovate to triple tech workforce by next spring

By The Trucker News Staff -

BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Software creator Imaginnovate is hiring 200 additional developers to address tech talent shortfalls in the logistics industry. The logistics technology innovator said in a recent news release that it would grow from 100 software developers to 300 by next spring. Imaginnovate indicated it would deploy its engineers with transportation and logistics companies automating operations. “The logistics sector has been investing in digital transformation as startups have arrived to challenge existing players,” Imaginnovate CEO Krishna Vattipalli said. “This requires more developers to build new and customized solutions and we intend to be their talent source.” Imaginnovate said its employment surge marks the largest growth effort in the company’s nine-year history. New developers would be based at an Imaginnovate technology campus in Visakhapatnam, India, the company said. The company opened its 16,000-square-foot office complex to develop digital solutions for the logistics industry. Imaginnovate’s announcement comes just two months after it introduced a new Logistics Studio division. The company said its Logistics Studio would provide Digital Strategy, Technology Roadmap and Digital Solutions for supply chain clients. Software developers in the Studio would serve as de facto in-house IT units for clients, Imaginnovate said. “Many in the logistics and transportation space are clamoring for software tools to automate their business, but they don’t have the technology talent,” Vattipalli said. “We’re adding expertise so that we can work side-by-side with clients to customize programs that make them more competitive.” Technology is considered vital to the logistics sector as supply chains groan under the weight of unprecedented demand. Global trade growth has congested transport nodes and driven shipping costs higher. Imaginnovate said clients want to counter by automating labor-intensive operations. Atop the industry’s wish list: Technology roadmaps Rating solutions Digital Freight Matching Carrier Management Integration Track and Trace applications Back-office automation New, tech-savvy players have saturated the logistics market, Imaginnovate said. It cautioned, however, that industry consolidation is forthcoming and said automation would help dictate which competitors survive.

Pacific Drayage Services opens Bakersfield location

By The Trucker News Staff -

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Pacific Drayage Services has opened a new location in central California at 4115 Fruitvale Avenue in Bakersfield. This facility features a paved, lit, fenced yard with 24-hour security-controlled access; room for storage of 100 containers on chassis; and 10,000 square feet of warehousing space complete with six bay doors, enabling PDS to provide transloading services for its valued customers. “Our new Bakersfield location is hugely beneficial to our drivers and our customers alike,” Jim Gillis, president of Pacific Drayage Services, said. “Our drivers can now park their trucks at our secure facility overnight, providing them with local access outside of LAX. For our customers, our new facility offers them easy access to greater velocity and transloading services in Central California outside of the Los Angeles market.” For more information on PDS, call )844) 903-4737 or visit www.pdsusa.com.

As diesel fuel prices see slight decline, EIA to resume price updates after technical issues

By The Trucker News Staff -

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) will resume publishing U.S. national and regional average on-highway diesel prices at 4 p.m. Daylight Savings Time today. The information will include diesel price data for June 20, June 27 and July 4, which had been delayed as a result of a hardware failure. “We will then return to publishing the full weekly Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update on our regular schedule,” the agency stated in a news release. “We are addressing issues with our Hourly Electric Grid Monitor, and we will provide an update on that data series on our website and our Twitter account when new information is available.” Diesel prices are down around the nation, but not by much. Land Line Media cites pay-for-information website Promiles.com, writing that the U.S. retail price per gallon for diesel has decreased by 4.6 cents to $5.635. Around the country, the recent spike in fuel prices has put a damper on the bottom lines for many small trucking companies and owner-operators. In southern Arkansas, where timber harvesting has traditionally been one of the most lucrative forms of trucking, J.B. Sams said he recently started clinching his eyes shut at the pump while filling up his Kenworth. “Man, I needed a new roof on my house because of a hailstorm a while back, but once these diesel prices went up, I haven’t been able to do anything but barely keep my head above water.” A couple states to the east in Alabama, Walter Sanders tells a similar story. He hauls cut timber for a small, family-run operation and has seen his diesel bills double over the past few months. “If I could eat diesel fuel, I’d be OK,” he said with a half-hearted laugh. “It’s been bad. Real bad. We need relief now.” Worries of a global recession are pummeling the price of oil, and should those fears be realized this year crude could cave to $65 a barrel, according to Citigroup, as reported by CBS News. This would mean far lower gas and diesel fuel prices but bad news for the overall economy. “Thus far, we’re not in a recessionary environment,” Ed Morse, the bank’s global head of commodity research, told CBS MoneyWatch. The economies of certain countries are slowing more than others, but the world as a whole is not in a recession — a scenario that’s more unlikely than not this year, he said.

Georgia woman sentenced for CARES Act loan fraud scheme using fake trucking companies

By The Trucker News Staff -

ATLANTA — A Georgia woman has been sentenced to prison for her part in a scheme using fictitious trucking companies to steal federal COVID-19 aid. Dereen Porch was sentenced on June 14 by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia to 21 months of incarceration and three years of supervised release as well as being ordered to pay $230,300 in restitution and $200 special assessment, according to a news release from the court. Porch pleaded guilty in November 2021 to two counts of wire fraud. An investigation found that Porch submitted loan applications to the Small Business Administration on behalf of fictitious trucking companies in an attempt to steal approximately $364,200 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds. The Department of Transportation-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Her husband, Curtis Porch, pleaded guilty in the same court to one count of theft of government property and fraudulent pretenses when submitting loan/grant applications related to the CARES Act on behalf of sham transportation companies in an attempt to steal approximately $133,00 from the Small Business Administration.

Hale Trailer names America’s Top 15 truck stops

By The Trucker News Staff -

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — What’s the “best” truck stop in the U.S.? Ask 100 different truck drivers and you’ll probably get at least a dozen answers, if not more. There are hundreds of truck stops across the country. For drivers, they’re much more than just a place to park overnight and fuel up. They’re also places to eat, bathe and socialize with other drivers. Hale Trailer has conducted a study to identified what could be the 15 best truck stops in the country. Mike McPeak, director of growth marketing at Hale Trailer, called truck drivers the lifeblood of the American logistics industry. “Every day, Hale Trailer takes deliveries from trailer manufacturers in Ohio, Iowa, Alabama, Missouri, North Dakota and even Mexico,” McPeak said. “During the early part of the COVID pandemic, I read about truck drivers having trouble finding a meal, because their trucks couldn’t fit in the drive thru, but restaurant lobbies were closed. It occurred to me that few people ever think about where the truckers that supply their stores and restaurants will find a safe place to rest, or a bite to eat. Now that Hale has locations covering nearly half of the country, I thought Hale could help by highlighting some of the nation’s best truck stops. From the feedback we’ve seen on social media, it’s clear everyone has their favorite.” Each score is based out of a five-star ranking, with the overall rank devised of four categories. Following is a breakdown of the four primary categories (plus a bonus category) and the individual factors for each: Online reviews: Hale Trailer compiled data from the average truck stop review data across the review platforms Yelp, Google and TripAdvisor. National Monument Vicinity Score:  Data was pulled from Google Maps to identify the total number of national parks/monuments in a 20–mile radius to determine activity scores. Food Offering Score: Looks at what truck stops offer, from processed food on the shelves to a full restaurant experience. Amenity Offering Score: Similar to the food offering score, this category helped classify the rank for the truck stop based on the amenities offered such as showers and truck washes to gyms and movie theaters. Unique Attraction Bonus Score: This is a bonus category that can add up to one point to the total score. Hale Trailer considered this score based on any unique, one-of-a-kind experiences that truck stop may offer. The following 15 truck stops topped the list: Iowa 80 – Walcott, Iowa Kenly 95 Petro – Kenly, North Carolina Flynn’s Truck Plaza – Shrewsbury, Massachusetts Busy Bee Travel Center – Live Oak, Florida Big Horn Travel Center – Fort Worth, Texas Keystone Restaurant & Truck Stop – Loretto, Pennsylvania Jubitz Travel Center – Portland, Oregon I-40 Travel Center – Ozark, Arkansas South of the Border – Hamer, South Carolina Dysart’s Truck Stop – Hermon, Maine Beckley/Tamarack Travel Plaza – Beckley, West Virginia Little America Travel Center – Little America, Wyoming Chesapeake House Travel Plaza – Cecil County, Maryland 301 Travel Center – Middletown, Delaware Noble’s Restaurant and Truck Stop – Corinth, Kentucky “We are honored and humbled to be selected as the top truck stops to visit,” said Heather DeBaillie, vice president of marketing of the Iowa 80 Group, which also owns the Kenly 95 Petro. “Our goal is to provide a place where drivers can refuel, refresh and relax before they have to hit the road again. We want them to think of Iowa 80 and Kenly 95 as their homes away from home.”    

Arkansas teacher helps rescue trucker from tanker fire

By The Trucker News Staff -

MADISON COUNTY, Ark. — An Arkansas middle school teacher became a hero after rescuing a driver from a burning tanker July 1. KFSM reports that Dave Randall, a middle school teacher in Berryville, was on his way back home when he and his wife saw an 18-wheeler tanker drift off Arkansas Highway 23, near the Madison/Carroll County line. KHBS reported that the tanker truck was carrying diesel fuel when ran off the highway, crashed and burst into flames. Shortly after, they saw the tanker rollover, which prompted Randall and his wife to act. While walking toward the overturned 18-wheeler, it caught fire. Despite the danger, Randall attempted to rescue the driver. “There’s no thought process. You just react to it,” Randall told KFSM. The sweltering heat from the flames and the sun got to Randall during his attempt to rescue the driver. Randall said that two other men helped pull the driver out of the flames engulfing the truck. He said that the rescue took about 15 minutes but felt longer. KHBS reported that someone kicked out a window to pull the driver from the truck but did not state if that person was Randall or not. “Time kind of slows down a bit and it seemed like I had more time than what I guess I actually had,” Randall told KFSM. Moments after the rescue, the 10,000-gallon tanker became fully engulfed in flames. Randall said he only suffered a few blisters. Randall told KFSM that a coworker reached out to him a few days ago saying the driver is still in the hospital.

Lytx DVIR service aims to improve safety programs, increase fleet efficiency

By The Trucker News Staff -

SAN DIEGO — Lytx Inc. has released a new Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIR) service for fleets wanting to improve safety and productivity. “DVIR solutions are an important component for any maintenance program and can identify existing — and potential — issues with a vehicle,” a news release stated. Required documentation for commercial vehicles is also needed to meet government DVIR mandates. For vehicles that do not fall under the mandate, this service can be bundled with one of Lytx’s fleet or safety solutions, allowing customers to benefit from DVIR functionality across their mixed fleets. About DVIR DVIR is required documentation that verifies commercial vehicles are safely maintained and compliant with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations. Drivers must regularly inspect their vehicles before and after taking them out on the road by checking essential vehicle components and systems to ensure each vehicle is being maintained and operated safely. Non-compliance can result in large fines, as well as loss of licenses and certifications. Simplified workflow To help address the growing needs of fleets wanting to combine effective tools with a streamlined approach, Lytx DVIR Service is the next offering that joins Lytx’s all-in-one suite of customizable fleet management solutions. Using the Lytx Driver App, drivers can conveniently log DVIRs electronically via pre-populated checklists and upload photos and videos to enhance their reports. The provided information can then be shared with mechanics to highlight vehicle malfunctions and used to increase visibility for fleet managers, who can customize vehicle and trailer checklists within their Lytx Account. In addition to having the ability to closely track specific areas of concern, fleet managers can quickly review and resolve DVIRs within their account dashboard. Improved safety and efficiency A well-maintained vehicle means safer roadways and less potential harm to drivers from accidents caused by mechanical failure. In addition to improving safety programs, fleet managers adding Lytx DVIR Service can also take advantage of numerous cost savings, such as increased vehicle uptime and less time getting costly repairs. A safe and healthy fleet can also help managers avoid expensive claims costs, maintenance fees, and fines that occur if their vehicles are not safely maintained and DOT compliant. Today’s drivers and fleet managers face unprecedented challenges in their daily work, including increased roadway risks, rising fuel prices, and supply chain issues. Maintaining a safe and efficient vehicle has become more vital than ever. Lytx DVIR Service can help fleet managers proactively identify and address issues with their vehicles to maximize the efficiency and dependability of their fleet, as well as ensure the safety of their drivers. Availability Lytx DVIR Service is available now to all existing customers through month-to-month plans based on the number of vehicles, with each vehicle being able to support multiple drivers. Unlike many other providers of all-in-one fleet management solutions, Lytx does not require customers to purchase ELD service to add DVIR. Customers who already own (or choose to add) one of Lytx’s proven solutions can conveniently add DVIR to instantly take advantage of these new tools. New customers interested in learning more about DVIR and other Lytx products and services can obtain additional information here. For further details on Lytx DVIR Service, please visit the official product page here.