A school bus driver is being credited with protecting 14 children and three adults after a large pine tree fell onto their bus as they traveled through Newbury, New Hampshire, reported Valley News.

Jesse Aiken was reportedly driving children enrolled in Claremont’s Red and Blue Project, a district leadership program for incoming sixth graders, Wednesday afternoon when the incident occurred.

Aiken said he was traveling about 50 mph on Route 103 near Todd Lake when he noticed a pine tree moving alongside the road. He initially thought wind was causing the movement but realized the surrounding trees were still.

“My first reaction was to hit the brakes,” Aiken told local news reporters. “Then I’m thinking, I can’t stop in time.”

With only seconds to react, Aiken reportedly accelerated in hopes of passing beneath the falling tree. The tree, which he estimated was more than 100 feet tall, struck the rear portion of the bus roof and briefly lifted the vehicle’s front wheels from the roadway.

The impact reportedly caused significant damage to the bus, but no one sustained serious injuries. Claremont Police Chief Brent Wilmot said he did not believe anyone was transported by ambulance. He described the injuries as minor and caused by occupants being jostled during the impact.

Aiken slowed the bus and stopped safely. Its windshield was splintered but remained intact. School Resource Officer Crystal Simonds, who runs the leadership program, called 911 and contacted parents. Counselors Paige Simonds and Vicky Bonneau also assisted the students as Newbury volunteer rescue personnel responded.

Aiken praised the children, ages 10 and 11, for remaining calm and staying in their seats despite becoming emotional. Many parents arrived and reunited with their children at the scene. A second bus transported the remaining students back to Claremont.

Superintendent Tim Broadrick lauded Aiken’s “decisive and quick actions” and recognized Crystal Simonds and Wilmot for their “calm response and leadership.” Aiken stated that accelerating likely prevented the tree from striking the front of the bus more directly.

“You want to make sure everyone is safe,” he said.

Written with the Assistance of AI.

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Ford’s highly anticipated, affordable electric truck is still working through development testing ahead of its debut next year, and our spy photographers have sent over fresh shots from Dearborn that put the compact pickup right next to a full-size SUV for scale. The result tells you a lot about how small this thing really is, especially when compared to the Blue Oval’s other truck offerings.

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The camouflaged prototype got a brief escort from a Ford Expedition Max, and the pairing does the truck no favors. At 221.9 inches (5,636 mm) long and 78 inches (1,981 mm) tall, the giant SUV makes the pickup look like a car with a bed bolted on. The EV’s low roofline barely clears the Expedition’s shoulder line. There’s a good reason for that.

A Roofline Shaped by the Spreadsheet

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Ford’s designers poured their attention into aerodynamic efficiency, chasing every bit of range so the truck can get away with a smaller, lighter battery. In an earlier video, the company walked through the math, noting that adding 1 mm (0.04 inches) to the roof height would cost $1.30 more in battery or trim 0.055 miles off the range, which explains why the roofline sits where it does.

Beyond the low roof, the model has a steeply raked windshield, smaller mirrors, low-resistance Michelin E Primacy tires, an integrated roof spoiler, and cross-shaped aero wheel covers measuring 19 inches across. All of it adds up to what Ford claims is 15% better aerodynamics than “any other pickup truck on the market today,” including the similarly sized Maverick.

Retro Cues Hiding Under Playful Camouflage

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Ford’s engineers have stuck chunks of camouflage onto the front end to disguise its shape, and the production version is expected to wear a lower, more rounded nose than what the prototype shows.

More: Ford Asked AI To Build Better Cars, Then Rehired Humans To Fix What AI Broke

The droopy headlights sit low enough to suggest Ford might be dusting off the design language of the second-gen F-Series from the 1950s, a look it already leaned on for the mid-2000s and early-2010s Mustangs. Then again, these might be placeholder units, since earlier teaser sketches pointed toward a more futuristic take on the lighting signature.

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The spy shots also give us a glimpse inside the cabin, where a large free-standing infotainment display dominates the dash. The new camouflage wrap comes into view too, scattered with graphics of a dog, a sailboat, a soccer ball, a heart, a flower, a motorcycle, and plenty more.

A Clean-Sheet Architecture

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Underneath, the pickup rides on Ford’s new Universal EV platform, developed in-house by a dedicated skunkworks team. The architecture leans on large aluminum unicastings for a 27% weight advantage over rivals, and it cuts parts by 20%, fasteners by 25%, and factory workstations by 40%. It also runs a simplified 48-volt low-voltage system with a wiring harness that comes in 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) shorter and 10 kg (22 lbs) lighter than the harnesses in Ford’s first-generation EVs.

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Ford hasn’t said anything yet about the electric motors or the battery pack. What we do know is that the truck will use a cost-effective Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, which is how Ford plans to hold the starting price near the $30,000 mark.

More details should surface over the coming months as the 2027 debut draws closer. Earlier reports suggest the model could revive the historic Ranchero nameplate, though Ford hasn’t confirmed anything on that front.

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A Mercer County Public Schools transportation secretary known for her positive attitude and dedication to student safety was named Hometown Hero, reported WVVA News.

According to the news report, Amber Dillow, who has served as secretary for the school system’s transportation department for four years, was recognized in May for her behind-the-scenes work helping keep daily transportation operations running smoothly.

While parents and students often see school bus drivers each day, much of the coordination that supports school transportation happens out of public view. Dillow’s responsibilities include answering calls, organizing transportation for curricular and extracurricular trips, and assisting drivers with questions and scheduling needs.

Dillow said her work is driven by a desire to help others rather than a need for recognition. “I just like taking care of people and helping them get places where they need to be,” she told local news reporters.

Colleagues reportedly describe Dillow as someone who brings energy and positivity to the workplace regardless of the challenges that may arise during the day. “She’s excited. I’ve never seen her upset or whatever to come in to work,” said Mercer County school bus driver Jamez Keith. “She’s always excited. She’s joyful.”

Keith said Dillow’s willingness to help drivers and quickly answer questions makes a difference for transportation staff. “She’s usually very helpful with any driver,” Keith told reporters. “Any time we have a question or whatever, she’s usually spot on. She’ll answer right quick. And then usually it’s really helpful when she does that.”

Hometown Hero Also Makes a Difference Behind the Wheel

In addition to her office duties, Dillow occasionally fills in where needed, including driving a bus when staffing shortages arise. “She also drives as well,” Keith said to reporters. “If she’s needed to sub on the position, she’ll help out, too. If we need anything, she’s there.”

Keith said he wanted Dillow to know how much she is appreciated by fellow drivers and the community.

Dillow said the Hometown Hero recognition is meaningful and reinforces her commitment to supporting others. “I’m very appreciative that he feels that way,” she said. “In a job that is tough, I just try to make them smile.”

Written with the assistance of Ai.

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A Long Island teenager and his mother are being praised after helping rescue a neighbor from a house fire while the boy waited for his school bus, reported People News.

The incident reportedly occurred March 31 when Jovani Moss, 15, heard “crackling” of flames coming from a house across the street from his family’s residence in Melville, New York.

“I didn’t notice the fire at first,” Moss told local news reporters. “But I heard the crackling of the fire, and I turned to look and called my mom.”

Moss said he immediately alerted his mother, Natechia Moss, and asked whether he should go to the house or call 911.

Natechia reportedly instructed her son to contact emergency responders while she rushed outside her house to warn the homeowner. She repeatedly rang the doorbell but got no response and thus began kicking the door until it partially opened. “I kept kicking the door,” she said via the article “Finally, I got it ajar a little bit, and all of a sudden, I saw her standing there and I grabbed her and said, ‘Your house is on fire!’”

The homeowner had reportedly attempted to re-enter the burning residence to retrieve her cat and jewelry before eventually escaping safely. Firefighters from the Melville Fire Department responded to the blaze. No injuries were reported.

Moss has since been hailed as a hero for reacting quickly, though the teen downplayed the attention. “A lot of people calling me a hero,” he said via the report. “I was like, ‘I’m not really a hero. I’m just being a good neighbor.”

He credited his mother with setting the example and teaching him to stay aware of his surroundings.

“Take out the ear pods. Keep your phone in your pocket until you get on that bus,” Natechia said of the advice she gives her son. “Always be aware.”

Melville Fire Chief Donald Barclay praised the family’s actions. “We are thankful no one was hurt and that Jovani did the right thing and helped his neighbor. The world needs more Jovani,” said Barclay via the article. He also commended the department’s volunteer firefighters, saying the incident reflected “the idea of helping your neighbor in multiple ways.”

Written with assistance from AI.

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The post ‘Crackling’ House Fire Alerts Teen While Waiting for School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

Five Mississippi middle school students are praised as heroes after stopping a moving school bus when their driver lost consciousness during a medical emergency.

The incident happened the afternoon of April 22 in the Hancock County School District, when a bus driver transporting students suddenly became incapacitated while behind the wheel.

“This afternoon, during middle school dismissal, a bus driver on Bus #22 experienced a medical emergency,” the district said in a statement. “We are grateful to report that all students are safe and were transported home safely. Students acted quickly to help ensure the bus was safely brought to a stop and then contacted emergency services. We are proud of our students for staying calm and acting responsibly.”

The driver, 45-year-old Leah Taylor, told local news reporters that she suffered an asthma attack while driving her usual route and lost consciousness.

“I had a medical emergency, and the students stepped up,” she said.

Surveillance video released by the district shows a chaotic scene unfolding inside the bus as Taylor slumps over and the vehicle begins to drift. Students can be seen quickly reacting, coordinating efforts to regain control and prevent a potentially serious crash.

“She kind of, sort of, like, fell over, like flopped over, and everyone started standing up,” student McKenzy Finch told local news reporters, describing the moment the situation became clear. According to the students, the bus began veering off course and picking up speed. That’s when several of them sprang into action.

Students Seize Their Hero Moment

“I saw that the bus was veering off to the side, then I grabbed the wheel,” said Jackson Casnave, one of the students credited with helping steer the bus back under control.

At the same time, sixth grader Darrius Clark made his way to the front and stepped on the brakes, bringing the vehicle to a stop.

Other students focused on getting help and assisting the driver. Eighth grader Kayleigh Clark called 911 while fellow eighth grader Destiny Cornelius helped administer Taylor’s medication.

“I saw her medication in her hand, and I saw her reaching for it. I knew that’s what she needed,” Cornelius told reporters.

The coordinated response by the group of students ensured the safety of everyone on board. No injuries were reported among the students. Emergency responders arrived shortly after and aided Taylor, who is expected to fully recover.

School officials and community members have since praised the students for their composure and quick thinking under pressure, noting that their actions likely prevented a serious accident. The district emphasized the importance of the students’ teamwork and presence of mind during the emergency.

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