Joshua Davis, 38, of Richland, has been found guilty of the 2021 murder of Pasco County school bus driver Richard Lenhart, reported AppleValley News.

Davis, who had reportedly pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, faces a sentencing date that has not yet been set. His defense team indicated they plan to pursue an appeal immediately.

According to the news report, during the trial, experts for both the prosecution and defense agreed that Davis suffered from schizophrenia. However, they disagreed over whether he understood right from wrong at the time of the killing.

Lenhart, 72, had students on board the bus when Davis boarded the bus outside Longfellow Elementary School on Sept. 24, 2021. Davis reportedly asked if the bus was headed to Road 100. When Lenhart said no, Davis stabbed him multiple times before fleeing toward his vehicle. Authorities apprehended Davis near the scene shortly afterward.

According to the article, at least 35 students were on the bus during the attack, though none were physically harmed. Authorities have not identified a motive, and there is no known connection between Davis and Lenhart.

The Pasco School District honored Lenhart’s legacy in 2023 by opening the Richard L. Lenhart Transportation Center, which serves more than 200 buses for the Pasco and Finley school districts. Lenhart’s widow, Nancy, has championed House Bill 2133, known as the Richard Lenhart Act, which would make it a felony to disrupt the normal operation of a public-school bus or unlawfully board one. While the bill did not pass during the 2023–2024 legislative session, Nancy Lenhart expressed her determination to continue advocating for it.

“This bill is too important not to be made into a law,” she said via the report, urging lawmakers to protect school bus drivers and students.

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Related: Florida Man Arrested After Boarding School Bus, Threatening Driver

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What should be a simple part of a morning routine has turned into years of stress for one Lancaster County family, reported Local 21 News.

The Miklos family of Strasburg told local news reporters they’ve endured daily harassment from impatient motorists, all because it takes their 7-year-old son, Sirus, a few extra minutes to get on and off his school bus.

Sirus was reportedly diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy shortly after his first birthday. The rare neuromuscular disorder affects muscle movement, leaving him subject to a wheelchair. To get to school each day, he rides a bus specially equipped for children with disabilities. Loading and unloading takes about three minutes, just a few extra minutes compared to other stops, but the added time has sparked anger and cruelty from drivers stuck behind the bus.

“For the last three years, people have been swearing, honking and even swerving around the bus,” said Sirus’ father, Nate Miklos. “It erodes his self-confidence. He’s just trying to go to school like every other kid, and people are being impatient. He feels like that’s his fault.”

Sirus’ mother, Danielle, told reporters that the situation reached a breaking point this year.

“The final straw was a man coming down the street honking as Sirus was getting loaded,” she said. “As the bus pulled away, he yelled nasty things at us because he had to wait.”

The family reported the harassment to local law enforcement, but they say the behavior has only worsened.

“It’s about three and a half minutes of people’s commute in the morning that they have to stay while he gets on the bus,” Danielle said. “I don’t really think that’s a big deal.”

Frustrated but determined to raise awareness, Danielle shared their story. It gained attention and sparked a wave of compassion from their Strasburg neighbors. Within days, the community organized a special ride to school for Sirus, complete with local police officers who gave him a full escort.

“We got messages from people we don’t even know saying they saw him smiling the whole ride,” Danielle said via the news report. “It makes us feel like we belong in this community and that the community has our back.”

While the family says there’s still no permanent fix to stop the harassment, they hope their story will remind motorists to slow down and show empathy. “If it bothers you that much, take a different route,” Nate said. “But please, let our son get to school safely and with dignity.”

For Sirus, going to school remains the highlight of his day. He loves his teachers, his friends and learning new things. His parents say that despite the challenges, seeing his joy each morning reminds them why they continue to speak out.

Pennsylvania law requires all drivers to stop for school buses with flashing red lights, including those loading or unloading children with disabilities. Violators can face fines and license suspensions.

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Related: Foundations of Transporting Students with Special Needs Returns to TSD Conference

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As federal immigration agents step up enforcement operations across Chicago, a growing network of volunteers in Albany Park has formed an unexpected lifeline for local immigrant families: a walking school bus that escorts children to and from school each day, reported WTTW News.

The effort emerged shortly after residents noticed a stark shift in neighborhood life. As explained by volunteer Alyssa May, the impact of the increased raids was immediate. “The moment that the raids started happening and people started getting pulled off the street, you could just see it,” May said via the article. “You could see less students, less families, less vendors. And it really did change. It just became a really quiet place.”

Fearing arrest, many parents have been hesitant to leave their homes, even to bring their children to school. In response, a group of mothers, teachers and community members reportedly came together to ensure students could still make it to class safely and consistently.

May now leads one of the daily walking routes for an elementary school in the neighborhood, guiding children whose parents are too afraid to accompany them. She estimates that between 80 and 100 students are picked up each morning. Out of precaution, volunteers asked that the school remain unnamed due to ongoing immigration enforcement in the area.

For many children, the walking school bus has become more than just a mode of transportation. Teacher Dulce Jimenez said the routine helps restore a sense of stability. “The kids have gotten to know the volunteers and like walking to school with their friends,” Jimenez said via the news report. “They’re kind of not even realizing the distraction that was created and what we’re trying to close off for them.”

For volunteers like Maggie Cullerton Hooper, the community’s response has been both inspiring and necessary. “It is really very heartening to see just how much we will all show up to be a part of making sure that all of our kids are safe, that all of our people are safe,” Hooper told local news reporters.

For May, who is also a mother, the work feels deeply personal. She recalled seeing fear on the children’s faces during the afternoon pick-up. “You could kind of sense at pick-up the fear of some of the kids of, like, will I come home to an empty house?” she said. “We still have to sit with that and know that that is a reality, but at least they are getting one bright simple spot every day.”

Related: Florida School Districts on Edge About Possible School Bus Immigration Raids 
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Related: Florida Fathers and Father Figures Join Students for Walking School Bus
Related: No Attempt to Illegally Board School Buses Near Mexico Border, Sheriff Says

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An 11-year-old student was injured after being struck by a school bus while crossing a roadway in Hurricane City, Utah, reported 2 KUTV.

First responders were dispatched Wednesday to a local intersection following reports of an auto–pedestrian collision, the Hurricane City Police Department said . Upon arrival, emergency crews located the injured child and immediately began medical treatment.

The student, whose name was not disclosed at this writing, was transported to St. George Regional Medical Center and is reportedly in stable condition. Police said  the child may have sustained a head injury during the incident.

Witnesses told investigators that the student, who attends Hurricane Intermediate School, was running across 700 West when they were struck by a Washington County School District bus. Officials confirmed that several students were aboard the bus at the time, but no passengers or the bus driver were injured.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and police noted no additional details are available at this time.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the injured student and family at this time,” the Hurricane City Police Department said in a statement.

More information will be released as the investigation develops.

Related: 6 Students Killed in Danger Zone, All by School Buses
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Related: New York Mother and Child Struck by School Bus Following Drop-Off

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Two California farmworkers were celebrated as local heroes after saving 20 children from a burning school bus in Madera County north of Fresno last month, reported ABC News.

Carlos Perea Romero and Angel Zarco were honored on Oct. 21 by the Madera County Board of Supervisors for their quick thinking and bravery during the Sept. 4 incident, when they pulled students to safety from a school bus engulfed in flames.

“All the students made it out safely without any injuries due to the immediate action taken by the farmworkers and the bus driver,” the Board said via the article. “The Board of Supervisors recognize the two men for their selfless courage and bravery, demonstrating the highest ideals of public service, compassion and community spirit.”

Romero and Zarco were reportedly driving to work when they spotted thick smoke rising from the school bus. Without hesitation, they rushed to the scene and began evacuating the trapped children, battling heat and smoke to reach those seated in the back rows.

“We are profoundly grateful to the two farmworkers whose heroic actions saved the lives of more than 20 children,” said Madera County Sheriff Tyson Pogue via the news report. “Their quick thinking, bravery, and compassion in the face of danger exemplify the very best of Madera County.”

Zarco recalled the urgency of the moment.

“We were just making sure the kids were far away enough so that they wouldn’t get hurt,” he said.

Romero added, “One more moment that would have lasted, I don’t know what would have happened.”

Both men downplayed their heroism, saying they were simply doing what needed to be done. According to the article, CAL FIRE Division Chief Larry Pendarvis also praised the pair, saying their “situational awareness and fortitude” made the difference in saving lives. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Related: California Student Honored for Quick Thinking During School Bus Fire
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Related: North Texas School Bus Engine Catches Fire, Students Evacuated Safely

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A Forest High School senior was killed after being hit by a car while walking to her bus stop in Ocala, Florida, reported Fox 35

The crash reportedly happened Monday around 6:20 a.m. Officers say 18-year-old Shannon Rushing was struck by a vehicle driven by a 60-year-old woman and died from her injuries at the scene.

According to the news report, school district officials identified Rushing as a senior at Forest High School who was known for her positive attitude and involvement in school activities.

Rushing’s older sister, Shanta Norton, had been raising her since their mother’s passing, Norton described her sister to local news reporters as a friendly and outgoing young woman who was active in her school’s Christian club and always eager to make others laugh.

She said Rushing, “knew how much we loved her, but she always said it to me,” recalling that just days before her death, she had told her she loved her.

Norton said the family will remember her as someone who was “always smiling and laughing.”

The Ocala Police Department said via the article, “We are heartbroken with this news and are supporting the family and school community during this difficult time.”

The crash remains under investigation at this report.

Counselors at Forest High School met with students and staff to help them cope with the tragedy.

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A school bus fire in Bethel, Minnesota, turned into a dramatic rescue earlier this month when a mother helped evacuate 22 elementary students just moments before flames engulfed the vehicle, reported CBS News.

According to the news report, Kari Thorp was waiting for her daughter’s school bus when she noticed smoke and flames coming from underneath the vehicle as it stopped in front of her home. She quickly alerted the driver, Rick Gratton, and the two acted fast to get the children off the bus safely.

“It was crazy. I’m just thankful that he was very calm,” Thorp said via the article.

Thorp’s Ring doorbell camera captured the scene as students from East Bethel Elementary gathered on her lawn, visibly shaken while flames spread rapidly through the front of the bus.

“Kids were crying. Kids were scared and freaking out,” Thorp told local news reporters. “It was quite emotional and kind of frantic.”

The fire escalated quickly. Within 15 minutes, the front of the bus was fully engulfed, and the intense heat even melted part of the road in front of Thorp’s house.

Though some backpacks, lunch boxes and the bus itself were lost in the fire, no injuries were reported. The students’ safe evacuation is being credited to the swift response of Thorp and Gratton as well as the children’s recent school bus safety training.

Both Thorp and Gratton were recognized for their “heroic efforts” in getting all students to safety by St. Francis Area Schools. Thorp reflected on how different things might have turned out if she hadn’t been outside at the time.

“I don’t think he would have gotten very far. And I don’t think we would have been able to get those kids off the bus as fast,” she said via the report. “A lot of little ones sit up front, and that’s where it all started.”

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the fire.

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A typical school day took an unexpected turn for 5-year-old Hendrix Camden, a kindergartner with special needs, when he was mistakenly dropped off several miles from home by a school bus driver, reported First Alert 4.

The incident reportedly occurred the afternoon of Oct. 9, when Camden boarded a school bus after class at an Amador County Unified School District elementary school east of Sacramento, California, just as he had every other day. But his usual driver noticed something was wrong.

“Yesterday, his normal bus driver showed up, and we made eye contact, and he goes, ‘Hendrix isn’t on my bus today,’” said Twilight Camden, Camden’s mother via the article.

Unbeknownst to her, Camden had been loaded onto a different bus, one that would drop him more than three miles from his home, on the side of a remote, winding road. “I was sad,” Camden recalled.

Panic set in when Twilight arrived at the bus stop, only to find her son missing. Then came a phone call from an unknown number. “I get back to my car, and I’m getting a phone call from a random number, and they’re saying, ‘Hey, we have Hendrix,’” she said. “And I assumed it was a van driver, or he was just put on a different route or something.”

Instead, the call was from an employee of Kamps Tree Services, a local tree-trimming company, who had found the young boy walking alone along the two-lane road.

“The kid, he came walking from around the corner over there and came up to this first house here, and since there was nobody there, he came around this way,” said one worker via the news report. “He just wasn’t sure where he was at, and I tried to make him comfortable, gave him a water bottle and a cookie.”

Twilight Camden said her son had walked roughly a quarter mile on his own before encountering the workers.

“There’s nowhere for him to be that could have been safe, and I was hoping, praying that he didn’t get kidnapped,” she said.

The district protocol requires kindergarten students to be released only to an adult or parent. “If there’s not anybody there, you don’t have signal, you keep driving to the next stop and you call,” she emphasized.

Twilight Camden is now demanding accountability from the school district and its transportation department, urging them to review their procedures to ensure this never happens again.

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A South Carolina school bus driver is facing DUI and child endangerment charges after authorities say she was impaired while transporting a bus load of elementary students from a field trip, reported WBTV 3.

According to the news report, 62-year-old Janice Waldorf was pulled over Sept. 25, while driving in North Augusta. Authorities say Waldorf was seen swerving on the road before being stopped by law enforcement.

At the time of the stop, Waldorf was reportedly behind the wheel of a Merriwether Elementary School bus carrying 51 passengers, including second-grade students returning from a school field trip.

During the traffic stop, Waldorf allegedly told officers she was “just tired” and denied consuming alcohol. She also said she had certain medical conditions but claimed she did not take medication daily. However, field sobriety tests revealed signs of impairment, according to the arrest document.

Waldorf was reportedly transported to the North Augusta Department of Public Safety, where officials suspected her condition was drug related. A subsequent urine test confirmed the presence of central nervous system depressants, indicating she was not in a safe condition to operate the vehicle.

In addition to the DUI and child endangerment charges, Waldorf was found to be in possession of 17 prescription pill bottles when she was booked into the Aiken County Detention Center, six of which were reportedly expired.

The incident has raised serious concerns among parents and school officials. No injuries were reported during the incident. The school district has not yet issued a public statement at this time on Waldorf’s employment status or any changes to its transportation policies.

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A family in Forward Township, Pennsylvania, has been displaced after a school bus crashed through the front of their home, causing significant damage, reported CBS News.

The crash reportedly occurred around 3:30 p.m. Oct. 6. Authorities say a school bus operated by Rittenhouse Bus Lines struck a parked pickup truck in front of the home. The impact pushed the truck through the front porch and into the corner of the house, causing extensive structural damage.

Joe Ferson, who was inside the home with his daughter at the time, recalled the terrifying moment.

“I hear this commotion like a freight train and the next thing I know, the walls of my house are lifting off the ground,” Ferson said via the article. “My truck is in my living room, water spraying everywhere and I come outside to a bus into my truck into my house.”

There were no children on board the bus at the time of the crash. The driver was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but no other injuries were reported.

Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene, and the Red Cross was called in to assist the family. Forward Township’s building inspector is currently assessing the damage to determine whether the home is safe to reenter. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

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A 17-year-old male was arrested in connection with a crash that left a 15-year-old student severely injured while waiting for his school bus last month, reported WIVB 4 News.

The incident reportedly took place just before 7 a.m. on Sept. 4, when the 17-year-old driver was traveling south in a Ford Explorer, veered off the roadway, drove through a front yard, and collided with a parked vehicle in a driveway.

The impact caused the parked car to strike the 15-year-old boy, who was standing nearby waiting for the school bus. The victim was transported to Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), where he was treated for severe leg injuries. The 17-year-old driver was also taken to ECMC for evaluation.

Following an investigation, police said that cannabis was detected in the driver’s bloodstream at the time of the crash. A further search of the vehicle uncovered two unfinished lower frames of a ghost gun pistol, along with an AR-15-style rifle, leading to serious concerns about the possession of unregistered firearms by a minor.

On Tuesday, the teen was charged with second-degree assault and second-degree vehicular assault. He also faces two counts of fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, driving while impaired by drugs, and multiple vehicle and traffic violations. He was arraigned in youth court and remanded to the Oneida County Jail on $100,000 cash bail.

Authorities have not released the names of either the driver or the injured student because they are minors. The investigation remains ongoing.

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A young child was hailed as a hero for taking quick, life-saving action after passing a handwritten note asking their school bus driver to call 911, reported WLBT News.

According to the news report, the bus driver immediately followed the instructions and contacted emergency services Sept. 24 just before 7:30 a.m. Deputies were sent to a rural home, where they discovered the child’s mother had been the victim of a violent assault that lasted through the night.

Investigators said article the woman had been seriously injured by the suspect, 29-year-old Glenroy Miller of the Bahamas, who allegedly held a knife to her throat and wrists while threatening to kill her. At one point, Miller reportedly began to take the victim to a hospital but turned around after realizing he could be arrested, forcing her to remain at home without access to help.

When deputies reportedly arrived at the residence, Miller answered the door. The woman, visibly upset and bruised, emerged from a bedroom shortly after. She was taken to the hospital, where an exam revealed she had suffered two broken ribs and a punctured lung, from being kicked.

Authorities said the mother had written the note herself and asked her child to deliver it in hopes of getting help. Because she was being held against her will and prevented from calling for assistance, she relied on her child to act.

Miller was reportedly taken into custody and now faces multiple charges. Officials are praising the young student’s courage and the bus driver’s swift response, crediting both with playing a crucial role in rescuing the woman from a dangerous situation.

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A fourth-grade student from Hirayama Elementary School in Fresno, California, is being celebrated for his quick thinking and bravery after alerting staff to a fire that ultimately consumed his school bus, reported Your Central Valley news.

William Ruiz was one of four students riding the Clovis Unified School District bus home when he heard a strange noise coming from beneath the vehicle. “Well, I did hear like a steam, I heard like a pop,” Ruiz told local news reporters.

According to the article, smoke began rising from under the bus, and Ruiz didn’t hesitate to act. “So, I told the bus driver, ‘Smoke! Smoke!’” he said. “And the bus driver, he looked under there and said, ‘That’s not smoke, that’s fire.”

The driver immediately pulled and reportedly attempted to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher. When it failed, he quickly evacuated the children.

“We all [got] out, and it was like catching flames,” said Ruiz via the news report, adding that two student backpacks were burned. The fire, which reportedly started in the engine compartment, rapidly spread and engulfed the entire bus. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

On Oct. 2, Ruiz was honored with a “Super Hira Award” from his school for “showing heroic qualities like kindness and bravery.”

His mother, Valerie Ramos, added via the article that she couldn’t be more proud. “We tell him to speak up all the time, whether it’s bullying or if you see something, always tell an adult,” she said. “It feels great. Good job, William.”

Related: Michigan Middle School Student to Receive NAPT Heroism Award
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Related: Arkansas School District Thanks Driver for Quick Response During Bus Fire

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A driverless car operated by Waymo is under scrutiny after it was caught on video illegally passing a stopped school bus that was letting children off in Atlanta, reported WBIR News.

The incident occurred Monday afternoon and was recorded by a woman who witnessed the incident. Georgia state Rep. Clint Crowe said he was shocked after seeing the footage.

“I’m a big fan of new technologies and emerging technologies, and I think driverless cars are going to become more common,” Crowe said. “But we have to think about how they’re going to comply with the law.”

According to the news report, Crowe co-sponsored Addy’s Law in 2024, which was named after 8-year-old Addy Pierce. Pierce was killed in Henry County after being hit while crossing the street to get to her school bus. The law increased penalties for illegally passing a stopped school bus, with fines up to $1,000 and possible jail time.

Crowe emphasized that these laws also apply to autonomous vehicles.

“The majority of our traffic laws come with penalties like fines or driver’s license suspension,” he explained via the article. “These cars don’t have drivers or licenses, so we really have to rethink who is responsible. Who’s in control of the vehicle? Who is the operator?”

Crowe said he believes automobile manufacturers should face stronger consequences when their autonomous vehicles break the law, saying the current $1,000 fine isn’t enough. Other lawmakers agree.

“Driverless cars should be stopped until it can be figured out,” said State Sen. Rick Williams, one of the authors of Addy’s Law. “We should not have this on the road. It’s too dangerous for our children” he said via the article.

Williams said he plans to introduce new legislation that would increase penalties on driverless car companies when their vehicles violate traffic laws. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.

Waymo said in a statement via the article that “the trust and safety of the communities we serve is our top priority. We continuously refine our system’s performance to navigate complex scenarios and are looking into this further.”

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A Bartow County school bus driver northwest of the Atlanta metro area is facing multiple charges after allegedly operating a school bus while under the influence with students on board, reported Fox 5.

According to the news report, 51-year-old Lori Hagaman was charged with driving a school bus under the influence and several counts of reckless conduct. She was released from jail Monday.

Authorities say two deputies stopped the school bus on U.S. 411 near the Burnt Hickory Road Connector after receiving a report that the vehicle was swerving and the driver appeared unresponsive. Upon exiting the bus, Hagaman was observed staggering and struggling with navigating the bus stairwell. Deputies noted she had slurred speech and reportedly denied both alcohol consumption and any medical issues.

During the investigation, deputies reportedly found an insulated cup in the driver’s cupholder that appeared to contain an alcoholic beverage. A concerned parent also told investigators her 9-year-old daughter suspected the driver had been intoxicated in the past, citing instances of missed bus stops and incorrect student drop-offs.

The Bartow County School System confirmed via the article that no students were injured during the incident. Officials stated that Hagaman has been removed from her assigned route pending further investigation.

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What started as a desperate job search turned into an unexpected passion for Jackeline Ezrre, a 30-year-old Arizona mom who left behind a career as a mail carrier to become a school bus driver. She shared with People News that she now finds the new role deeply fulfilling.

According to the article, after facing multiple job rejections, a “We’re Hiring” sign at her daughter’s school led Ezrre to apply for several school positions including substitute bus driver, despite having no prior experience. It was the only role that called her back.

Now two years into her new career, Ezrre has reportedly grown confident behind the wheel, managing ever-changing routes and hundreds of students. One of her most memorable experiences came during a six-month assignment where she bonded so deeply with the kids that she cried when the route ended.

“I didn’t know I could have such a soft spot for other children that I didn’t birth,” she shared via the article.

While middle school routes were once a challenge, she noted students now greet her with smiles and stories. “Ms. Jackie! She’s my bus driver, she’s the best!” some shout as they board, the article highlighted.

Despite the job’s importance, Ezrre said she believes it remains undervalued by society.

“It’s an essential job,” she told local news reporters, “but many don’t realize how much responsibility it carries and how little it pays.” Still, she takes great pride in her work from keeping her bus spotless to ensuring every student feels safe. “Our bus is a representation of us as drivers.”

To those considering the profession, Ezrre offers a reminder: “You’re not just a bus driver. You’re the first hello and last goodbye for kids every day.”

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A 15-year-old girl narrowly escaped an attempted abduction while waiting for her school bus, Cleaveland 19 News.

Strongsville Police Department said via the article that officers were dispatched to Fair Road around 6:40 a.m. on Sept. 5, after the teen reported being approached and grabbed by an unknown man. Authorities say the girl managed to break free and ran back into her home to alert her family, who then contacted police.

During an on-scene investigation, officers located a suspect at a nearby residence approximately a quarter mile from the reported incident. The man, identified as Dominic Anthony Sacco, 27, was taken into custody after being positively identified by the teen.

Sacco was reportedly held at the Strongsville Police Department facing charges of abduction. During his arraignment on Sept. 8, a judge set his bond at $1 million.

If Sacco were to post bond, he has been reportedly ordered to wear a GPS monitor and remain under home detention. Additionally, a temporary protection order has been issued, barring him from coming within 1,000 feet of the victim.

Strongsville police confirmed via the news article that Sacco is also a person of interest in two similar cases under active investigation. They are urging anyone with additional information to come forward as the investigation continues.

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The post Ohio Teen Escapes Abduction Attempt While Waiting for School Bus; Suspect in Custody appeared first on School Transportation News.

A school bus driver accused of driving under the influence with students on board has officially been charged, following his arrest on the first day of school at Minot Air Force Base, reported KFYR News.

On Sept. 2, state prosecutors reportedly filed a Class A misdemeanor charge of DUI with a minor against Tomas Podolski, who was taken into custody the morning of Aug. 20. According to a declaration of probable cause filed in district court, a Ward County deputy responded to the base around 8 a.m. after reports of a possibly intoxicated bus driver.

According to the news report, emergency personnel were already attending to Podolski when the deputy arrived. Base law enforcement reported finding a water bottle on the bus that smelled of vodka, and Podolski showed visible signs of impairment, including slurred speech and poor balance.

After being medically cleared, Podolski reportedly admitted to authorities that he had consumed “a couple of drinks the night before” and another drink that same morning. He refused field sobriety tests and was arrested at the scene. A subsequent breath test conducted at the jail registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.214.

According to the article, Podolski was driving for Northland Bus Services, a third-party transportation provider contracted by Minot Public Schools (MPS). Following the incident, both the district and the company confirmed that Podolski had been fired. MPS has temporarily taken over the affected route between the base and the city to ensure continued safe transportation for students.

Officials confirmed via the article that no injuries were reported, and all students on board were safely transported to school. In addition to the DUI charge, Podolski was cited in traffic court for having an open container, according to online court records. It remains unclear if further charges will be filed. The investigation remains ongoing.

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The post School Bus Driver Charged with DUI After Arrest on Minot Air Force Base appeared first on School Transportation News.

As school districts across the country continue to grapple with a nationwide shortage of school bus drivers, Burlington, Vermont, is stepping up its efforts to ensure students get to and from school safely and on time, reported NBC 5.

According to the news report, Burlington School District announced a series of new initiatives aimed at recruiting and retaining bus drivers, including paid CDL training, increased wages and expanded benefits. The district has lost three drivers over the past year and, like many others nationwide, has struggled to fill the vacancies.

“We know that one of the biggest barriers to becoming a bus driver is the cost of getting a commercial driver’s license (CDL),” said Michelle Meola, director of human resources for the district. “That process can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and that’s a significant burden for many people.”

Starting wages have jumped from just under $18 an hour to $30 an hour, following recent union negotiations aimed at making the job more competitive in today’s labor market.

“In order to give a significant increase, we had to go through negotiations because we are under a union contract,” Meola explained . “But even before those talks began, we came to the table ready to invest in this position.”

Beyond better pay and training, the district is also reportedly working to make the role more sustainable by creating additional job opportunities for drivers within the school system. These could include roles in property services or other support functions, allowing drivers to become full-time employees and qualify for full-time benefits.

“We’re excited about this direction,” Meola told local news reporters. “It allows us to impact people’s lives by offering more stability, and it helps our district run more smoothly by keeping experienced, dedicated staff on board.”

Currently, the Burlington School District is looking to hire at least four new drivers. Officials are reportedly encouraging anyone interested to apply through the district’s website.

“This is more than just a job,” Meola added. “It’s an opportunity to be part of the community and make a real difference in the lives of students and families every day.”

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The post Vermont School District Boosts Pay, Offers Training to Attract Bus Drivers appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Massachusetts man who worked as a school bus monitor in Rhode Island is facing multiple child molestation charges following a grand jury indictment and arraignment, reported Boston News.

Kevin P. Langlois, 58, of Rehoboth, Massachusetts, was reportedly indicted and arraigned Sept. 4 on several charges, including three counts of second-degree child molestation, one count of indecent solicitation of a child, one count of simple assault and one count of indecent exposure.

Authorities say via the news report that the alleged incidents occurred while Langlois was employed by Ocean State Transit and assigned to transport children for the Barrington Public Schools in Rhode Island. The victims were two girls between the ages of 5 and 12.

According to the article, police began investigating after receiving reports of inappropriate behavior involving Langlois while he was supervising children on school buses. Details of the investigation have not been fully disclosed, but officials confirmed that the charges stem from incidents that allegedly occurred during his duties as a bus monitor.

According to the news report, Langlois is currently out on bail. It is unclear whether he has retained legal counsel. The case will proceed through the Rhode Island judicial system, and authorities are urging anyone with additional information to come forward. Barrington Public Schools has not yet commented on the case but is expected to review transportation policies in the wake of the allegations. The investigation is ongoing.

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The post Former School Bus Monitor Indicted on Child Molestation Charges appeared first on School Transportation News.