NORFOLK, Va. ― Traffic at the westbound entrance of Norfolk’s downtown tunnel, which links Norfolk to Portsmouth, Virginia, was halted Tuesday morning, May 26, after a tractor-trailer rig scraped the top of the tube and became wedged. The incident caused multiple passenger-vehicle crashes, and three people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to a report on FOX2NOW.
DALLAS ― Convoy, a digital freight network, and Dairy MAX, a nonprofit dairy council that represents 900 dairy farm families, have teamed up to help families in need by coordinating milk donations from local dairy processors to be delivered to mass food-bank distribution sites across the Southwest. As of May 20, more than 13,000 gallons of Borden Dairy milk had been delivered in Texas alone. COVID-19 has put a strain on families across the nation, and food banks have reported that milk and other dairy products are among the most requested items. As organizations such as Feeding America have mobilized to service the unprecedented number of people now relying on food pantries to feed their families, Dairy MAX sought out new avenues to ensure food banks are stocked with enough dairy products to put milk in the hands of every family in need. To quickly move products from dairy processors to food banks, Dairy MAX reached out to Convoy. Leveraging both organizations’ strengths — Dairy MAX’s partnerships with dairy processors and Convoy’s vast shipping network — the organizations have streamlined the delivery of milk to food banks that set up mass distribution sites, serving thousands of people in a single day. “We heard about Convoy’s efforts delivering donations across the U.S. to food banks and immediately thought of them as a partner that could help us provide dairy to families in need. We were impressed with how quickly Convoy was able to step in and seamlessly pick up the milk donated by Borden Dairy in Dallas and deliver it to the mobile food distribution site that day,” said Mike Konkle, CEO of Dairy MAX. “We decided we were ready to expand our partnership when we saw how efficiently our organizations worked together, and we knew we could make a difference on a much broader scale to support other food banks in our region.” The partnership will continue to expand to more mass distribution sites, with Dairy MAX connecting local dairy processors participating in USDA milk-donation programs with Feeding America food banks across the nine-state Dairy MAX geographic territory, which includes Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Colorado and others. Many of these distribution sites are substantial, feeding up to 10,000 people daily. Jennifer Wong, head of sustainability for Convoy, added that, “In times of hardship, it’s important that we come together as a community,” said Jennifer Wong head of sustainability for Convoy. “We are excited to partner with Dairy MAX and are fortunate that our strength driving efficiency in the supply chain meshed with their ongoing efforts to ensure families have the milk and dairy products they need. We experienced firsthand how good they are at what they do and look forward to scaling our collaboration to support more locations.” Convoy’s vital aid program covers transportation of food, medical supplies, clothing and cleaning supplies to any donation facility in need. This effort leverages the scale and reliability of Convoy’s core business, moving millions of truckloads of goods across the country for businesses of all sizes. Businesses can email [email protected] to coordinate a donation.
WESTLAKE, Ohio — TravelCenters of America Inc. has announced that it signed a franchise agreement to open a Petro Stopping Center in Monteagle, Tennessee. Operated by new franchisees Brian Graber, Tammy Graber and Rodney Kilgore, the new travel center will be positioned on 21 acres off Interstate 24 at Exit 135. The center is expected to open in the first quarter of 2021. The opening of the Petro Monteagle will add more than 300 truck parking spaces and bring 130 new jobs to the area. Restaurants planned for the travel center include Papa John’s, Bojangles’ and Betty’s Kitchen. Other amenities are expected to include a barber shop, a fitness center, a driver’s lounge, laundry facilities and a pet wash. “Our franchise team has been working hard to expand our presence across the country,” said Dave Raco, vice president of franchise operations. “We’re confident that the vast business experience of our new franchisees will bring the exceptional experience professional drivers have come to trust at our locations.” “We’re pleased to franchise with such a highly-regarded brand in the travel center industry. Having built and developed businesses in Marion County for more than 20 years, we are personally and professionally invested in the people passing through and the residents who call it home,” Kilgore said. “We’re proud to bring hundreds of jobs to the area and provide an oasis for all the hardworking commercial drivers who provide for all of us by transporting essential items to everyone in the nation,” said Brian Graber. “We look forward to our new business endeavor and serving the community of Monteagle, and the traveling public,” added Tammy Graber. TA recently announced the acceleration of its network expansion strategy by actively pursuing franchising opportunities for business growth. The Petro Monteagle will be TA’s 11th travel center to open in Tennessee.
ALBERT LEA, Minn. — The northbound Interstate 35 Albert Lea rest area is temporarily closed because of a water pump failure, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). Crews are working to fix the issue and the rest area facility will reopen when it’s complete. MnDOT will announce when the work is complete and the rest area reopens. The rest area is at mile marker 1 just north of the Iowa border near Albert Lea. The next rest area on northbound I-35 is the Straight River Rest area at mile marker 35 just south of Owatonna. To find a rest area in Minnesota, use the state DOT’s website search tool at www.mndot.gov/restareas to learn about services and access at each site.
PORT HURON, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced on May 21 that no cash payments will be accepted for any vehicles conducting essential travel via the eastbound Blue Water Bridge that links Port Huron and Point Edward, Ontario, Canada. The policy complies with recommendations by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services designed to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. All commercial traffic will need to pay by prepaid commuter account cards or debit/credit forms of payment. MDOT encourages any commercial travelers who wish to apply for the prepaid commercial account to visit www.federalbridge.ca and complete the application. On March 18, the Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL) and the MDOT Blue Water Bridge operations suspended all private passenger vehicle cash transactions for westbound bridge crossings. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, MDOT added further restrictions on forms of payment, and has not accepted cash payments for any toll crossing since March 26. Reducing person-to-person contact via cash exchange will help to reduce exposure to contagion. In accordance with orders from the United States and Canadian federal authorities, temporary travel restrictions on all land ports of entry and ferries between the U.S. and Canada are expected to remain in effect through June 21. Border protection agencies from both the U.S. and Canada are committed to supporting safe travel for essential customers and commercial truck traffic. The agencies and bridge administrations will follow all federal guidelines intended to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. At this time U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) have suspended normal operations at U.S.-Canada land ports of entry and are only processing travelers engaged in essential travel. The trade of legitimate goods has not been interrupted. According to the CBP, some cases of essential travel include: S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the U.S. Those traveling for medical purposes. Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions. Individuals traveling to work in the U.S. (including those working in the farming or agriculture industries who must travel between the U.S. and Canada for work). Those traveling for emergency response and public health purposes. Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (such as truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the U.S. and Canada). Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, their spouses or children returning to the U.S. Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations. Individuals traveling for tourism purposes such as sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events are not considered essential travelers.
WASHINGTON — Naysayers had been at it since before the start of the May 1 “mayday” protest by small trucking business owner-operators. It seemed that no one, perhaps not even the protesters themselves, thought the protest would result in much change. Many thought that, like the “slow rolls” that happened in Houston, Los Angeles and Phoenix earlier, and even like past trucker demonstrations in the capital, truckers would do their thing and then go home, claiming victory for raising awareness of the truckers’ plight while accomplishing little, if anything. This protest was different. The movement of owner-operator trucks to parking places along Constitution Avenue almost didn’t resemble a protest at all. Horns were blown at specific intervals, but when is Washington ever without the din of traffic noise? In the COVID-19 pandemic environment, traffic was already severely reduced, and the usual throng of tourists was gone. Well-mannered trucking-protest participants made friends of Metro and Park Police and Secret Service agents. Local residents and workers made signs for their cars and vans, mirroring the messages they had seen on protester trucks and blowing their horns, too. Smells wafted from charcoal grills as people gathered under waving American flags to share the dinner sizzling on the coals. When the protest was over after three weeks, the giant piles of litter left after most protests weren’t there. The polite protesters left the area cleaner than it was when they arrived. Still, the criticism continued. Some said the truckers were fighting for the wrong things. Others said they shouldn’t be protesting at all. Names were called. People were banned from social-media sites because of their ugly verbiage. And now that it’s over, some people question what was really accomplished. A grassroots protest, however, isn’t a labor negotiation. It doesn’t end with a signed contract between union and management. And, under the United States’ form of government, there are no royal decrees to instantly settle disputes. There are channels to follow, agencies to involve. Tangible results take time, but they are results, just the same. So, what results did the polite protesters achieve? They got their White House meeting. They didn’t always agree on the issues, but they never wavered from their desire to be heard. Presidential tweets and soundbites favoring their cause were welcomed, but not enough. Even when their cause made national news due to the sound of air horns during a Rose Garden press conference, they weren’t done. They said they were staying until they got their meeting — and they did. The Department of Justice reversed its decision not to investigate brokers for collusion and for price gouging during a time of crisis. In fact, the one time that protesters blocked Constitution Avenue was in response to a DOJ announcement that it was not investigating. That decision changed, quickly. Although some of the protesters’ demands were already being worked on by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), things were proceeding rather slowly. During, or perhaps because of the protest, OOIDA increased the urgency of its campaign. The organization sent a call to action to its members, sent letters to all members of Congress and then sent another letter to House and Senate Leadership, filed a petition with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and issued numerous press releases and articles through its own in-house publication. The protest generated presidential interest in the application and enforcement of 49 CFR 371.3, the regulation that requires brokers to share load information, including the amount paid by the shipper, to all parties involved in the transaction who request it. Encouraged by broker organizations such as Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), brokers commonly ignore the requirements of the regulation by forcing carriers to waive their rights of access to the information in order to do business, or by making the information available under conditions that most carriers cannot meet. In the White House meeting, Chief of Staff Mark Meadows was clear that the issue needs to be fixed. The protest woke the public as well as many government officials to the idea that small business trucking carriers are underrepresented when changes to regulations are discussed. As pointed out by United States Transportation Alliance (USTA) CEO Mike Landis, nearly 90% of all registered carriers have 10 or fewer trucks and are too small to join the industry giant American Trucking Associations (ATA). Yet, when changes are discussed, ATA often has a seat at the table — while small trucking business don’t. Brokers now know the spotlight is aimed squarely at them. The protesters acknowledge the free-market system and, except for a scant few, aren’t calling for limits on broker revenues. But the protests shined a light on those shadowy parts of the brokerage business, such as demanding large payments from customers while only spending a small percentage for the actual service performed. There are more arguments and, perhaps, litigation to come, but brokers are on notice that they are being watched and questioned. The protesters earned the admiration of many among the millions of truckers who weren’t at the protest with their display of unity and their perseverance. Many doubted they would get anything done. They were wrong. A group of people who, as Jeremy Johnson, administrator of the Facebook Group The Disrespected Trucker, said “couldn’t agree on a free cup of coffee” stood together with the Eastern European group, the Hispanic contingent, the Sikh business owners and the rest, a diverse group of ethnicities and genders. They weren’t sure who would speak for them, and demands varied from group to group, but they were determined to be heard. So, while concrete results are still to come, the protest has achieved more than anyone expected it to. Wheels are turning at DOJ and FMCSA, under the watchful eye of President Trump and his staff. Voices have been heard. More importantly, the protest has brought together more truckers than any in recent memory. While it’s doubtful that the number of trucks in Washington ever exceeded 200 at one time, many participants rotated in and out, trying to devote time to the cause while dealing with personal and family matters and maintaining at least a partial revenue stream for their businesses. Estimates range from 500 to 1,000 total truckers spending at least some time at the protest. One group, The Disrespected Truckers, had less than 3,000 members prior to the protest. In less than three weeks, that number swelled to more than 9,000. The usual complaints about the business of trucking were replaced by discussion of the protest and its goals. Other Facebook groups have seen similar results. Even as the protest was winding down, some truckers were still on their way to Washington to join in. The protesters know there are remaining issues to resolve, and the fight isn’t over. In trucking, there will always be more issues to resolve. If needed, one strong and growing group of owner-operators is ready to return to Washington to politely resume the fight.
MOUNT VERNON, Texas — TravelCenters of America has opened a new TA Express in Mount Vernon, Texas. Formerly Duke’s Travel Plaza, the newly branded TA Express is at 300 SE Access Road, at exit 147 off Interstate 30. This new location expands the company’s total nationwide network of travel centers to 266. Services and amenities include: 53 truck parking spaces. Ample auto parking. Diesel fueling with RFID and DEF at all lanes. Gasoline fueling lanes. Private showers. Laundry room. Drivers’ lounge. Elaborate dog park. Travel store. Dining options include the Cotton Belt BBQ, Taco Casa and an on-site deli with freshly prepared, made-to-go options.
While many areas of the U.S. have “reopened” following full or partial shutdowns and stay-at-home orders, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as federal, state and local governments, continue to recommend social distancing to help curb the spread of COVID-19. To comply with these guidelines, some trucking-industry events are being moved to a “virtual” format. One such event is the American Truck Historical Society’s (ATHS) national convention and truck show, scheduled for May 28-30. Event organizers re-envisioned every aspect of the three-day gathering to fit an online format, allowing truck enthusiasts around the world to enjoy the event from the comfort and safety of their homes. “In just a few short weeks, we’ve unraveled 18 months of planning for a live event to create what looks to be the largest virtual convention and show like this to date,” said Tom Mullen, president of ATHS. “I am extremely proud to be able to bring the fun and excitement of our event directly to our dedicated members and the public,” he continued. “With travel restrictions, stay-at-home orders and levels of quarantine varying from place to place, country to country, bringing this whole event online was a natural choice.” The online event will include industry-related webinar presentations, a silent auction, trucker storytelling booths, companion activities, a vendor hall and, of course, a truck show. Already, owners of nearly 500 trucks from several countries have registered to display their big rigs, pickups, classic trucks and works in progress during the online show. “Normally we would host 1,000 trucks representing 100 years of trucking history and have guests coming from as far away as Australia to participate,” said Laurence Gration, executive director of ATHS. “We are working twice as hard this year to ensure everyone has a great experience, because that feeling of community and belonging is what makes ATHS what it is,” he said. “Our community is more important to us than the lost revenue. It’s always been about the people, and right now, especially so. For more information about the ATHS convention and show, click here. Another event exploring an online format this year is the 2020 Walcott Truckers Jamboree, which is scheduled for July 9-11. The event would normally held at the Iowa 80 truck stop in Walcott, Iowa, which is touted as the “world’s largest truck stop, but in compliance with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynold’s orders, organizers have moved the entire event online. “The good news is we will most definitely continue with our long-standing tradition of celebrating America’s truckers,” said Heather DeBaille, vice president of marketing. “While we can’t host 45,000 people at Iowa 80 to celebrate, we will take the jamboree virtual and still celebrate the important job of the professional driver.” Many events, including the Antique Truck Display, Super Truck Beauty Contest, Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest and more have been revamped to fit an online format. All concerts will be rescheduled for the 2021 The antique truck display will feature a slideshow of photos from entrants, along with information about their antique vehicles. Drivers participating in the super truck beauty contest can choose competitive categories and submit photos. The public will vote for their favorites, and winners will be announced July 11. Drivers entering the Trucker’s Best Friend Pet Contest are encouraged to register their pets and submit photos or videos for the competition. After voting, prizes will be awarded for “best dressed,” “owner lookalike” and “best trick.” On Friday, July 10, the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum will celebrate the 100th birthday one of its exhibits, a 1920 GMC, with a video event that will be posted on the museum’s Facebook page. While the jamboree cannot be held on site, all professional truck drivers with a commercial driver’s license who stop at the Iowa 80 July 9, 10 or 11 can receive a free meal in the Iowa 80 Kitchen restaurant. Meal certificates will be available at the fuel center, service center, truck wash and Super Truck Showroom. “We want drivers to know who much we appreciate the hard work they do. This certainly isn’t the way we thought our 41st jamboree would play out, but we care about drivers and their families, and we still want to celebrate them,” said Delia Moon Meier, senior vice president. “We truly hope everyone understands, and we hope that you will join us in spirit and online July 9-11 in celebration of trucking,” she continued. “We look forward to seeing everyone in person in 2021.” For more information or to register, click here.
OKLAHOMA CITY — Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is now serving customers in Summerton, South Carolina, and Laredo, Texas, thanks to two travel stops that opened Thursday, May 21. The Summerton store, located off Interstate 95, adds 70 jobs and 103 truck parking spaces to Clarendon County. The Laredo store, located off Highway 1472 (Mines Road), adds 55 jobs and 87 truck parking spaces to Webb County. “Love’s is excited to open our 74th location in Texas and our 11th location in South Carolina,” said Tom Love, founder and executive chairman of Love’s. “We’re committed to expanding our Highway Hospitality and adding more easily accessible stops to help get customers back on the road quickly and safely.” Visit https://loves.com/covid19 for updates regarding temporary changes to the company’s operations. Both locations are open 24/7 and offer many amenities, including: Summerton, South Carolina More than 13,300 square feet. McDonald’s and Subway. 103 truck parking spaces. 64 car parking spaces. Seven RV parking spaces. Nine diesel bays. Seven showers. Laundry facilities. Love’s Truck Care with Speedco lane. Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Fresh Kitchen concept. Mobile to Go Zone with the latest electronics. CAT scale. Dog park. Laredo, Texas More than 12,000 square feet. Godfather’s Pizza, Chester’s Chicken and Subway. 87 truck parking spaces. 69 car parking spaces. Three RV parking spaces. Eight diesel bays. Eight showers. Laundry facilities. Love’s Truck Care. Bean-to-cup gourmet coffee. Brand-name snacks. Fresh Kitchen concept. Mobile to Go Zone with the latest electronics. CAT scale. Dog park. In honor of the grand opening, Love’s will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at each location and donate $2,000 split between the Laredo Police Department’s Blue Santa program and the Webb County Sheriff Department and $2,000 to Scott’s Branch Middle and High School in Summerton.
WASHINGTON — On the 20th day of protest along Constitution Avenue in Washington D.C., more than 100 small business truckers got what they’ve been waiting for — a meeting at the White House. Two representatives of the protesters, Michael Landis, CEO of United States Transportation Alliance and Sergey “C.J.” Karman, CEO of Ezlogz and admin of the Ezlogz Slavic Community group on Facebook, were ushered into the West Wing just before 9:30 a.m. Eastern time on May 20 for the meeting. From the government side, President Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, was joined by Acting FMCSA Administrator Jim Mullen and Staff Secretary Derek Lyons. As Landis and Karman exited the White House after the meeting, group spokesperson Janet Sanchez went live with a Facebook video. “Our boys just got out of the White House,” she announced. “They were in there for over an hour, and they came out with smiles.” A crowd of protesters and onlookers quickly gathered as Karman and Landis stepped up to a small public address system. Karman took the microphone first. He thanked the administration for hosting the event and for the opportunity to speak. “We answered a lot of questions,” he said. “We told them about price gouging, collusion, and anti-trust. We told them about the hard-working Americans who are driving and have no money, because the money has already been divided.” Next, Landis spoke. “We were tested, I can promise you that,” he said. He related that Mullen had peppered the pair with questions as the meeting commenced, but they held their ground. “What we can back up with truth and our experience, they can’t touch,” he said. Landis spoke to the administration officials about the lack of representation of the small business truckers. He pointed out that organizations such as the American Trucking Associations (ATA) often have the ear of government agencies despite representing only a small percentage of carriers. “That has to change,” Landis told officials. The previous evening, Landis outlined his position in an exclusive interview with The Trucker. “The ATA (American Trucking Associations) represents trucking to the government, but little guys like us can’t be members,” he said. “The interests of the people with money are overriding the concerns of the little guy.” Landis continued, “If you think that 89.7% of for-hire carriers are little guys, (with) 10 trucks or less, and ATA does the talking, that means that 89.7% of us aren’t represented.” Landis conceded that the percentage he quoted was a year or more old and might have changed, but, he said, the number wouldn’t have changed by much. Preparing for this morning’s White House meeting, he said, “We have a chance to be a true voice of what we’re doing on the road, and the truth behind it. We need to have active truck drivers that can have a say in things,” adding, “I want to use this as a way to create that open line of communication, from now on.” One of the high points of the meeting occurred when the pair explained that brokers were not complying with the requirements of 49 CFR 371.3, which requires disclosure of information for each load hauled to all parties who participated, upon request. Karman related that Meadows then asked Mullen, “Is that a rule?” Mullen responded in the affirmative. “Then why aren’t you enforcing it?” Meadows asked. As Mullen explained issues with authority and jurisdiction, Meadows asked for five “setup” packets from brokerage firms and the names of five brokerage CEOs. Landis and Karman explained how brokers were asking carriers to waive their rights to information in their contracts, refusing to do business with those who refused. “Is that true?” Meadows asked Mullen. When Mullen answered affirmatively, Meadows told him, according to Karman, “You need to fix that.” The topic of the petition filed yesterday by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) asking the FMCSA to require brokers to provide load information within 48 hours was discussed. Karman made it plain that the protesters don’t think the proposal goes far enough. “We need that information up front, while we are negotiating the load,” he said. Karman further called on truckers to report claims of broker gouging to the Department of Justice, which Meadows said would be investigated. Landis went on to explain how he had discussed his claim that small business truckers are not represented at government agencies and committees, using the same argument he had given to The Trucker the previous evening. “For us, this is a pretty good step in the right direction. I’m not going to call ‘victory,’ but they understand that we have no representation except for ourselves,” Landis said. “It’s a ‘sort of’ victory,” Karman interjected. “They understand the issues and they understand that we, as Americans, want this fixed, that as Americans, for Americans, we want a voice,” Landis continued. Karman added that when the pair asked if President Trump would be joining the meeting, they were told by Lyons that Trump couldn’t attend but was, in fact, listening to the live feed. Karmen related that Meadows had expressed thanks to the protesters for sticking together throughout the protest and that the chief of staff said, “It’s time to go home.” Karmen then recommended the protesters stay one more day, “to see what happens and to celebrate.” Landis concluded, “The president is on our side. He wants us to succeed, and he doesn’t want us to be overrun. We won the battle, but we’re still in a war.” To wild cheering, he said, “Let’s go celebrate.” Satisfied that, after 20 days of protest, they had finally achieved their goal of a White House meeting, the group gathered for a photo with the Washington Monument in the background. The feeling was that their voices, as well as their air horns, had finally been heard. Lisa and Lee Schmitt, co-hosts of the “Trucking With the Schmitts” Internet radio show (www.blogtalkradio.com/truckingwiththeschmitts) that airs every Monday at 7 p.m. Central time, were excited about the meeting results. “We just watched the video,” Lisa Schmitt said, “and we’re going to watch it a few more times to make sure we get it all.” Schmitt, who said the couple had been in Washington at the start of the protest, marveled at the unity shown by the protesters. “People say the brotherhood of truckers is gone,” she said. “But we saw it — the brotherhood is alive. I wish there could have been 1,000 trucks,” she added. Correction: This article originally stated incorrectly that Trump Senior Adviser Jared Kushner was present at the meeting. Kushner was not in attendance.
BLAINE, Wash. — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Seattle field office, in coordination with Homeland Security Investigations-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (HSI), arrested a man and seized nearly 134 pounds of cocaine, with an estimated value of $3 million, at the Pacific Highway Port of Entry on May 9. “This arrest and seizure highlight the teamwork involved in securing our borders,” said Adele Fasano, director of field operations for CBP’s Seattle field office. “Through the vigilance of CBP officers and HSI special agents, we were able to prevent these dangerous narcotics from ending up in our communities.” The seizure occurred during an outbound inspection when CBP officers referred a tractor-trailer driven by Ajitpal Sanghera, a Canadian citizen, for additional examination. While searching the trailer, CBP officers found five small duffle bags on the floor. Inside the duffel bags, officers found 50 plastic-wrapped packages containing cocaine. Upon discovery of the cocaine, CBP officers took Sanghera into custody and later transferred him to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, along with the narcotics. “This illicit drug seizure was only made possible through the hard work and excellent coordination between Customs and Border Protection and members the HSI-led Border Enforcement Security Task Force,” said Eben Roberts, acting special agent in charge of HSI Seattle. “Even during these times of heightened stress and uncertainty, our dedicated law enforcement officers are still out in the community working to remove dangerous drugs from the streets and I couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.”
WASHINGTON — As protesting truckers wind down Day 19 of their Washington D.C. protest on May 19, they are on the cusp of realizing their biggest protest goal — a meeting at the White House. Selected individuals have been invited to a West Wing meeting on Wednesday, May 20. It has not been confirmed that President Trump will attend; however, the meeting should satisfy trucker demands to meet. Exactly who will represent the truckers is as yet unannounced. United States Transportation Alliance (USTA) CEO Michael Landis will almost certainly be among the participants, but no official announcement has been made. Reports that a representative of the Eastern European trucking group will attend, along with an attorney, are unconfirmed. Another area of speculation is the list of demands the group will bring to the meeting. Broker transparency is a term commonly used by protesters, but many want the government to regulate the percentage of load revenue that brokers can keep. While transparency is already written into the regulations in 49 CFR 371.3, brokers often evade the disclosure requirements by requiring carriers to waive their rights to the information or making access to the information so difficult as to strongly discourage carrier review. Revising the transparency requirements would certainly be easier than forcing a revenue percentage cap on brokers, which some would see as interference with the free market. The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) today filed a petition with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) asking for a rulemaking that would require brokers to automatically provide a copy of the transaction record within 48 hours of the completion of a load. The proposed rule would prohibit brokers from including any provision in contracts that would waive the carrier’s right to access this information. Yesterday Washington protesters got a huge boost in morale when President Trump made them a part of the agenda at a May 18 roundtable discussion with restaurant industry leaders at the White House. As Eugene Scalia, secretary of labor, delivered comments on reopening the U.S. economy, Trump interrupted with, “And Gene, you have to help the truckers, also.” Scalia assured the president that his department has been talking about the topic, and Trump continued, “And I’ll tell you, they’re, they work hard, and they have brokers that take a lot of their business away. They (brokers) don’t work so hard. They sit in an office someplace, it’s not good. So, I’d like to help the truckers. All right?” There was immediate criticism of the labor secretary for laughing and smiling before responding to the president. Whether the laughter expressed a lack of concern for truckers, as some claimed on social media sites, or a lighthearted acknowledgement of the horn-blowing protesters that have disrupted outdoor events at the White House wasn’t clear. Protest organizers and spokespersons talked nearly continuously throughout the day Tuesday, polling protest participants and solidifying the requests they will make at the meeting.
LAREDO, Texas — May 14 was a busy day for agents of the U.S. Border Patrol near the Laredo, Texas, crossing between the U.S. and Mexico. In three separate incidents, agents discovered a total of 62 people in three failed human-smuggling attempts. The first incident occurred in the early afternoon, when a tractor-trailer approached the Interstate 35 checkpoint. After an immigration inspection of the driver, a nonintrusive scan of the tractor-trailer revealed several people being transported in the trailer. Upon opening the trailer, agents discovered 48 people from Mexico, including two juveniles, who were determined to be in the U.S. illegally. All 48 people and the driver, a U.S. citizen, were arrested pending further investigation. The tractor and trailer were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol. The second incident occurred about an hour later, when agents working the U.S. 83 checkpoint encountered a second tractor-trailer. During the immigration inspection of the driver, a service canine brought agents’ attention to the tractor area of the rig. An inspection of the tractor led to the discovery of 10 people inside. The individuals, from the countries of Mexico and Ecuador, were determined to be illegally present in the U.S. The 10 people and the driver, a U.S. citizen, were placed under arrest pending further investigation. The tractor-trailer was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol. The final incident occurred later in the evening. Agents working south of U.S. 59 performed a roving patrol stop on a black pickup. During an immigration inspection, it was determined the driver was a U.S. citizen but that the other four occupants were illegally present in the U.S. from the countries of Mexico and Honduras. All occupants were placed under arrest. The driver and truck were turned over to the Duval County Sheriff’s Office to face state charges. Especially during the ongoing international COVID-19 pandemic, human smugglers endanger the lives of the illegal immigrants they transport and put at risk the health and safety of U.S. citizens, according to the U.S. Border Patrol. Border Patrol agents are working to prevent the flow of illegal immigration and slow the spread of COVID-19.
The problem with a grass-roots movement is often determining which blade of “grass” will speak for the group. That’s been a visible issue with the small trucking business protest, now in its third week in Washington. A review of the signs posted on the 100 or so parked trucks along Constitution Avenue reveals demands for respect; broker investigation, regulation or transparency; elimination of electronic logging devices (ELDs); repeal of hours-of-service (HOS) regulations; and a few other causes thrown in for good measure. Reading through thousands of social-media comments by protesters and supporters only muddies the water further. One can imagine a make-believe scenario where the proverbial genie appears to the protesters to grant them three wishes … and sets off a weeklong argument about what those wishes should be. Enter the United States Transportation Alliance (ustransportationalliance.org). Conceived in the notion that the organizations with lobbying power in government exist to serve everyone except small business truckers, USTA, a 501c6 nonprofit, gives voice to the “little guy.” The hundreds of “little guys” protesting in Washington have need for such a voice. As Mark Meadows, President Donald Trump’s chief of staff addressed an assembled group of protesters on May 14, he asked, “So, you like Mike?” The crowd erupted in cheering and applause. They were cheering Michael Landis, CEO and founder of USTA. No vote was taken to elect him spokesperson, but the trust he has garnered among the protesters makes him an obvious choice. In an exclusive interview with The Trucker, USTA’s president and co-founder Kevin Steichen, along with Ingrid Brown, chairperson of the organization’s corporate relations and safety education, spoke about the protest, the FMCSA’s recent final ruling on HOS regulations, and the purpose of USTA. The FMCSA ruling wasn’t entirely a surprise. “We’re working hand in hand with the FMCSA,” Steichen said. “We attend meetings with them monthly.” Although USTA has input into FMCSA decisions, the organization must wait for the final outcome, just like everyone else. Steichen advised patience with the new rules. “Third-party ‘interpretation’ sucks,” he said.” That’s why we want to read every work and then read it again, so that when we do comment, we’re commenting on facts and not what someone thinks.” Reading the 232-page ruling takes time and could result in communication with the FMCSA for explanation of some of the provisions included. The latest HOS revision is only one of the things the USTA board has been working on. “We are partners and stakeholders in the ‘Our Roads, Our Safety’ campaign at FMCSA,” Brown said. “They brought us in around April of last year and we’ve been a part of it ever since.” More recently, USTA became concerned about personal protective equipment not being available to most truck drivers. “USTA was instrumental in putting together the $75,000 in PPE that is being distributed to drivers, free,” Brown said. “Now we’re working on the next $50,000.” While progress on individual issues is important, USTA’s primary mission is to represent the driver. There are no products or services, save for a hat or T-shirt, to sell to the organization’s membership. Membership dues and donations don’t come close to covering the costs of travel, lodging, food, parking and other expenses incurred on each trip to Washington to meet with lawmakers or the FMCSA. “Being that they don’t drive (a truck), sometimes they don’t understand what we do. We don’t just throw emails at them; we sit at the table and discuss the issues. That’s who we are,” Brown explained. “It can be frustrating to work with FMCSA, but I’ve been doing it for two years,” Steichen added. “We have a love-hate relationship with those guys, but we make it work. Our role is to bridge the gap between FMCSA and the drivers in our industry.” Persistence has been key to the organization’s success in gaining a seat at the table. Larger organizations such as American Trucking Associations, Truckload Carriers Association and Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association have more available funding and can hire representatives in Washington to speak for them. USTA members must park their trucks, shutting down their own businesses, in order to be present at those meetings. Patience helps too, since everyone at the table comes from a different place. “With frustration comes irrational action,” Steichen said. “You’ve got to look into the future when you decide what you’re going to do.” Steichen has learned that demanding too much at once can damage the chances of a future win, as well as the relationships needed to gain agreements in the future. “We don’t always agree, but that’s life,” Brown added. Despite living in different areas of the country and spending time on the road, the team makes every attempt to present a united front. “We spend hours on the phone with each other, meeting to decide our position on every issue before we take it to the FMCSA,” Steichen said. “When we do issue a statement of position about something, we validify it with FMCSA so that we can give our membership a solid, confident answer.” Between meetings, the group stays in contact with FMCSA management, including Joseph DeLorenzo, director of the office of enforcement and compliance, and Bill Mahorney, chief of the enforcement division. “They do listen,” Brown said. “I sent an email with a question on Saturday and had a response in 17 minutes. It’s not that I’m important or anything; they are responsive to questions and concerns.” The USTA group was initially undecided about joining the Washington protest, wondering if the action might harm the group’s efforts to communicate directly with the FMCSA and other Washington contacts. It didn’t take long to realize that a common voice was needed if the protest was to be effective, and CEO Landis headed for the nation’s capital. While other groups can be credited with organizing the protest, USTA could well be the organization that provides a key to ending it. Questions about USTA can be addressed to [email protected].
GREENBELT, Md. — The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2020 Operation Safe Driver Week will go on as scheduled, July 12-18, according to a May 12 statement. During the weeklong traffic-enforcement safety initiative, law-enforcement personnel throughout North America will be looking for drivers who are engaging in unsafe driving behaviors. Identified drivers will be pulled over by law enforcement and may be issued a warning or citation. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, having less traffic on the highways during the COVID-19 pandemic may be encouraging some drivers to ignore traffic safety laws, including speed limits. Many jurisdictions report seeing a severe spike in speeding despite the lighter volume of traffic. As the number of vehicles on roadways decreased in March and April, average speeds measured during the first week of April increased significantly in the five largest U.S. metropolitan areas. According to recent data, the average speed on interstate highways, state highways and expressways in those areas increased by as much as 75% compared to January and February. In New York City, transportation officials reported an increase of more than 60% in the number of speed camera tickets issued in March compared to a year ago. At the same time, traffic was down more than 90% compared to January. In Washington, D.C., traffic decreased 80% in March compared to January, while officials recorded a 20% increase in March speeding tickets. Of those tickets, violations for driving 21 to 25 mph over the speed limit rose by nearly 40%. During just one weekend, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, police charged 18 drivers with stunt driving, at speeds of 80 to 106 mph on the Don Valley Parkway, a major freeway that’s limited to 55 mph. California reported an increase in speeding violations, and although the California Highway Patrol’s call volume has decreased, the crashes they have recently responded to have been worse. In Tucson, Arizona, police reported a 40% increase in one-vehicle wrecks, which usually happens when a driver is going so fast that they lose control of the vehicle. In Minnesota, motor-vehicle crashes and fatalities more than doubled compared to the same time period in previous years. Half of those deaths were related to speeding or careless or negligent driving. In Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska and Utah, police have clocked highway speeds of more than 100 mph. Chicago and Los Angeles went from travel speed increases of 35 to 38% above average to 74 to 75% above average in just one week. To address this trend of increased speeding on North American roadways during the pandemic, CVSA selected speeding as the focus for this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week. “It’s essential that this enforcement initiative, which focuses on identifying and deterring unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, go on as scheduled,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “As passenger vehicle drivers are limiting their travel to necessary trips and many commercial motor vehicle drivers are busy transporting vital goods to stores, it’s more important than ever to monitor our roadways for safe transport.” Historically, drivers’ actions have contributed to 94% of all traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts report. In addition, although NHTSA’s 2018 highway crash fatality data showed a 2.4% decline in overall fatalities, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks increased by 0.9%. “While, of course, we’re pleased to see a decrease in the overall number of fatalities, it was also devastating to learn that the number of fatalities involving large trucks increased. Any increase whatsoever in roadway fatalities is unacceptable,” Samis said. According to CVSA’s May 13 statement, data shows that traffic enforcement interactions between drivers and law enforcement reduces targeted problematic behaviors. CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week aims to reduce high-risk driving behaviors through traffic enforcement strategies. In addition to a focus on speeding, examples of other dangerous driver behaviors that law enforcement will track during Operation Safe Driver Week include distracted driving, failure to use a seatbelt, following too closely, improper lane change, reckless or aggressive driving, failure to obey traffic-control devices, evidence of drunk or drugged driving, and more.
Maurice Fayne, aka “Arkansas Mo,” a reality TV personality who appears in VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” has been arrested on federal bank fraud charges arising from a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan that he obtained in the name of Flame Trucking. Fayne, 37, of Dacula, Georgia, was charged with bank fraud and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Justin S. Anand on May 13. “The defendant allegedly stole money meant to assist hard-hit employees and businesses during these difficult times, and instead greedily used the money to bankroll his lavish purchases of jewelry and other personal items,” said Brian Benczkowski, assistant attorney general of the U.S. Justice Department’s Criminal Division. Benczkowski said the department is “steadfast” in its efforts to prosecute fraud against the Paycheck Protection Program, which is part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. “The defendant allegedly took advantage of the emergency lending provisions of the Paycheck Protection Program that were intended to assist employees and small businesses battered by the coronavirus,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak of the Northern District of Georgia. “We will investigate and charge anyone who inappropriately diverts these critical funds for their own personal gain.” Chris Hacker, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Atlanta field office, concurred. “At a time when small businesses are struggling for survival, we cannot tolerate anyone driven by personal greed, who misdirects federal emergency assistance earmarked for keeping businesses afloat,” Hacker said. “The FBI and our federal partners remain vigilant during this Coronavirus pandemic to make sure funds provided by programs like PPP are used as intended.” According to the charges and other information presented in court, Fayne is the sole owner of a Georgia corporation called Flame Trucking. On April 15, Fayne signed and submitted to United Community Bank (UCB) a PPP loan application in the name of Flame Trucking, stating that the business had 107 employees and an average monthly payroll of $1,490,200. In seeking a loan in the amount of $3,725,500, Fayne certified that the loan proceeds would be used to “retain workers and maintain payroll or make mortgage interest payments, lease payments, and utility payments, as specified under the Paycheck Protection Program Rule.” UCB ultimately funded a PPP loan for $2,045,800. Within days, Fayne allegedly used more than $1.5 million of the PPP loan proceeds to purchase $85,000 in jewelry, including a Rolex Presidential watch, a diamond bracelet and a 5.73-carat diamond ring for himself, and to pay $40,000 for child support. Such payments are not an authorized use of PPP funds under the CARES Act. On May 6, Fayne was interviewed by federal agents and stated that he submitted a PPP loan application on behalf of Flame Trucking. Fayne claimed that he used all the PPP loan proceeds to pay payroll and other business expenses incurred by Flame Trucking, and denied using any of the PPP loan proceeds to pay his personal debts and expenses. On May 11, agents executed a search at Fayne’s residence in Dacula and seized approximately $80,000 in cash, including $9,400 that Fayne had in his pockets, along with the jewelry he allegedly purchased with the PPP funds. Agents also discovered a 2019 Rolls-Royce Wraith on the premises, which still had a temporary dealer tag on it. Agents executed seizure warrants for three bank accounts that Fayne owned or controlled and seized approximately $503,000 in alleged PPP funds. The case is under investigation by the FBI and the Small Business Association Office of Inspector General.
PHOENIX — The Sentinel rest areas and interchange ramps will be closed May 18 and May 19 to allow contractors to pave the road, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Drivers in the area should expect delays and allow extra travel time. The following restrictions will occur on Monday, May 18. Flaggers will direct motorists through the work zone, and the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph. Westbound I-8 Sentinel rest area (milepost 83) will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon. Westbound I-8 Sentinel traffic interchange on- and off-ramps will be closed from 7 a.m. to noon. Eastbound I-8 Sentinel rest area (milepost 83) will be closed from noon to 6 p.m. Eastbound I-8 Sentinel traffic interchange on- and off-ramps will be closed from noon to 6 p.m. Note: Westbound traffic will be detoured to Spot Road (milepost 78). Eastbound traffic will be detoured to Painted Rock traffic interchange (milepost 102). Westbound I-8 travelers will be able to use the Mohawk rest area (milepost 56). The following restrictions will occur on Tuesday, May 19, from 6 a.m. to noon. Flaggers will direct motorists through the work zone, and the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph. Eastbound I-8 Sentinel rest area (milepost 83) will be closed. Eastbound I-8 Sentinel traffic interchange on- and off-ramps will be closed. Note: Eastbound traffic will be detoured to Painted Rock traffic interchange (milepost 102).
EVERGREEN, Colo. — To help provide personal protective equipment, popularly known as PPE, to truck drivers who are moving in and out of hot zones to perform essential work, DDC FPO, a back office partner for the transportation industry, has teamed up with Truckers Emergency Assistance Responders (TEAR), a 501c3 nonprofit organization that was founded with the mission to help truck drivers in distress. TEAR was founded by working truck drivers who now serve as the organization’s board of directions: Desiree Wood, Dominic Oliveira and Idella Hansen. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, TEAR has built and deployed a comprehensive network of corporate sponsors and volunteers to source, assemble and distribute personal protective equipment kits to truck drivers on the front lines. “The drivers are so appreciative,” Wood said. “They spend all day by themselves, and aren’t used to receiving anything for free, let alone being recognized. They are thrilled to receive the kits.” Wood explained that because different states have different regulations, having the right personal protective equipment is critical. “There are over three million drivers out there,” she said. “While we are only a drop in the bucket, every little bit helps.” Marissa Crotty, president and chief operating officer for DDC FPO, said the company was seeking a quick, effective way to help drivers stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the company asked its clients what how best to help drivers, the responses were unanimous. “Our clients reported that what the drivers need most is PPE,” Crotty said. “So, we were determined to find a way to do that.” After considering several potential partners, from world-renowned distilleries to mask-production companies and other nonprofit organizations, DDC decided to partner with TEAR. “What Desiree has done is remarkable,” Crotty said. “She inspires us, and we are thrilled to be able to help her in this effort. This partnership is an honor for us.” Each kit includes face masks, hand sanitizer, gloves, antiseptic wipes and snacks. The delivery process is well coordinated and intentionally targets specific truck stops and rest areas to provide kits to as many drivers as possible across the U.S. “It’s huge, having DDC’s support,” Wood said. “We simply don’t have the funding to make these kits, let alone to purchase the gas to drive the 120 miles a day to hand them out or even to cover the fee to print the thank-you notes.” In addition to DDC FPO’s contributions, Stuckey’s Corp. and Transfix have played instrumental roles in TEAR’s success, according to Wood. “These partners help tremendously,” she said. “Truckers are first responders, and people are seeing that.” Stuckey’s Corp. wanted to do its part to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic. CEO Stephanie Stuckey shared that she specifically researched what organizations are providing trucker relief and connected with TEAR. “We love partnering with an organization founded by truckers that’s working for truckers,” Stuckey said. “I admire and respect these drivers and know how important they are to our supply chain, which is under strain like never before.” Stuckey’s is providing the snacks that are placed in each kit. “The unfortunate reality is that while truckers are putting their health on the line to keep goods moving, many cannot access PPE and are being turned away from delivering essential goods because of it,” said Lily Shen, president and CEO of Transfix. “We are excited to have partnered with TEAR to distribute resources to truckers nationwide. Shen said the company urges others to share donations of personal protective equipment and to advocate for policy changes that will help make truckers’ jobs and lives easier. “From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank each and every truck driver for being an essential part of the front line,” Crotty said. “Thank you for the sacrifices you continue to make to keep delivering supplies to all parts of our country.” To help provide PPE kits to truck drivers, click here to donate now or complete this webform to contact TEAR. Photo courtesy of TEAR.
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has issued a notice that a stretch of Interstate 75 in Oakland County will be closed this weekend, May 15-18 while crews conduct road work and set bridge beams on John R. Road and Meyers Avenue. The work will require closing the I-75 northbound and southbound between M-102 (Eight Mile Road) and the I-75 Business Loop (Square Lake Road beginning at 11 p.m. Friday, May 15. Both directions of I-75 are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, May 18. During this closure, northbound I-75 traffic will be detoured via westbound M-102 (Eight Mile Road), northbound M-1 (Woodward Avenue) and eastbound Square Lake Road back to northbound I-75. All northbound entrance ramps to I-75 from M-8 (Davison Freeway) to Adams Road will be closed beginning at 9 p.m. Friday; entrance ramps are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Monday. Southbound I-75 traffic will be detoured via westbound Square Lake Road, southbound M-1 and eastbound M-102 back to southbound I-75. All entrance ramps to southbound I-75 from M-59 to Nine Mile Road will be closed starting at 9 p.m. Friday and will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday. I-75 ramps that are already closed due to the current construction configuration will remain closed after the freeway opens.
Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks are offering free 90-day eLearning classes for high school and secondary technical education students who are interested in diesel technician training but are unable to attend in-person, hands-on classes because of the COVID-19 crisis Such training is usually presented on site at either the Volvo Trucks Academy or the Mack Trucks Academy, but classes have been postponed in accordance with social-distancing guidelines that are designed to limit or stop the spread of the new coronavirus. “Training skilled, professional diesel technicians is a crucial component of uptime, especially with the demands currently being placed on the trucking industry as a result of COVID-19,” said Leanne Fitzpatrick, strategic programs manager for Volvo Trucks Academy, adding that she believes it is important for Volvo Trucks to provide educational opportunities even in times of crisis. “Recognizing that it’s impossible for students to train in person at this time, the Mack Trucks Academy decided to work with Mack dealers to offer online training that is comprehensive,” said Scot Behe, senior manager for training support at Mack Trucks Academy. “The online courses will help fill the gap until we can go back to a more normal situation.” Free 90-day technical education support (TES) online training for Volvo and Mack trucks is limited to high school students and secondary technical education students. Training sessions will cover topics such as engines, transmissions and more. Training is offered through local Volvo and Mack truck dealerships that have relationships with eligible schools. For information about enrolling in one of the free TES programs, contact a local Volvo or Mack truck dealer. “This program will help equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed as future diesel technicians,” Fitzpatrick said. “Through this online training … we are establishing and cultivating relationships with future truck technicians, supporting them in starting their career and filling the need for trained service professionals.” Photo courtesy of Volvo Trucks North America.