A school bus aide is being charged with child abuse after a child falls from a moving Clark County School District bus, reported FOX 5.

Carmen Nicole Morris of Las Vegas was reportedly arrested Oct. 20 after police reviewed video showing the child no longer secured in their child safety restraint system and roaming around the bus for about 19 minutes before falling through its rear emergency door.

According to the news report, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department investigators received the video Oct. 19, along with photographs of the child’s injuries and a medical report.

An officer’s summary of the video described Morris sitting on the driver’s side, two seats from the rear, appearing asleep or unaware of her surroundings.

The child appeared to free himself from his restraints and crawl beneath seats toward the back. He then sat behind the last passenger-side seat for several minutes while the bus traveled on a freeway at speeds exceeding 67 mph, according to the news report.

The child later moved directly behind Morris’ seat and remained there for several minutes. Morris appeared unaware he was there, the officer wrote.

As the bus slowed near an intersection, the child reportedly stood at the rear emergency door and opened it, triggering an alarm. The bus accelerated to 11 mph, and the child fell out, according to the report.

Video then showed Morris getting up, realizing what happened and exiting through the rear door to retrieve him, police said via the article.

Officers interviewed Morris at a Henderson bus yard Oct. 20 after advising her of her rights. She denied sleeping but said she experiences motion sickness.

When asked why she had not noticed the child moving around, Morris said, “he moves really fast,” according to the report. She said he escaped his harness “all the time.”

The officer reportedly stated that Morris had no answer when asked why she was unaware of what was happening inside the bus.

Morris was booked into the Clark County Detention Center. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 8.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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A South Carolina school bus driver faces multiple charges after police allege she drove while impaired, fled an attempted traffic stop, and used her young son as a shield when officers moved to arrest her, reported WBAY News.

Shakira Jones, 23, was charged with failure to stop for blue lights and sirens, driving under the influence and child endangerment.

Police reportedly received a report at about 3:20 p.m. Thursday of a school bus traveling erratically on Palmetto Commerce Parkway in North Charleston. The caller reported that the school bus nearly struck another vehicle and raised concerns about the driver’s sobriety.

Responding officers located the bus and clocked it traveling about 65 mph in a 45-mph zone. Police said Jones made an improper turn and changed lanes several times in an erratic manner.

Officers attempted to stop the bus, but Jones allegedly accelerated, prompting a pursuit. The bus stopped briefly before Jones reportedly drove toward Stall High School as officers issued commands over a public-address system.

Police said the bus stopped again before Jones shifted it into drive and accelerated into a parking lot occupied by school employees. Staff members moved out of the way to avoid being struck by the bus or pursuing police vehicles.

After the bus came to a final stop, Jones reportedly refused to exit. Police said officers drew their weapons and continued issuing commands. Jones then placed her son in front of her in an attempt to shield herself from officers.

Officers removed the child safely and took Jones into custody after a brief struggle. Authorities did not indicate whether any students were aboard the bus during the incident.

Investigators reportedly found a bottle of prescription amphetamines among Jones’ belongings within reach of the driver’s seat. Police administered field sobriety tests and concluded that Jones had been driving while impaired.

Jones was booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center. Bond had not been set as of Friday.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Six students escaped injury after their school bus caught fire in an Evansville subdivision in Indiana, with district officials crediting an experienced driver for evacuating the children at the first sign of smoke, reported WKRC News.

The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation bus drive noticed smoke coming from beneath the hood during a route and immediately pulled over. She then got all six students off the bus and moved them a safe distance away before the engine caught fire.

“She was in a subdivision at the time, and at the first indication of a light amount of smoke, she evacuated the six students that were on board,” Jason Woebkenberg, chief communications officer for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation, told local reporters.

A neighbor reportedly described a loud boom accompanying the fire, telling news reporters that the sound resembled a bomb. The children had already been evacuated before the engine caught fire, Woebkenberg said.

A replacement school bus arrived to pick up the students and complete their trip to school. Despite the fire and the need to transfer to another vehicle, all six children arrived at school safely and on time. No injuries were reported among the students.

Woebkenberg praised the bus driver’s quick response and the students’ actions during the evacuation. He pointed to emergency practice as preparation for situations requiring children to leave a bus quickly.

“It was handled tremendously by the driver and by the students as well. That’s why we practice these things,” Woebkenberg said via the report.

The driver’s name and length of service were not included in the information provided. She was described as an experienced school bus driver.

Investigators were working to determine what caused the fire. It was not immediately known what led to the engine catching fire after the driver stopped.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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An 18-year-old student faces multiple felony charges after allegedly sexually assaulting two juvenile students aboard an Elbert County school bus on separate occasions, reported Fox 5.

The Elbert County School District notified the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office Oct. 20 about two reports of possible sexual misconduct on a school bus, according to authorities.

During the subsequent investigation, detectives said they determined that an adult student allegedly assaulted two children on different occasions while the students were riding school bus route 45. Authorities did not disclose when the alleged assaults occurred or whether both incidents happened during the same school year.

Deputies reportedly arrested the 18-year-old following the investigation. The student is charged with one count of aggravated child molestation, one count of aggravated sodomy and one count of child molestation.

The suspect also faces two counts of first-degree cruelty to children and two counts of false imprisonment. The allegations and charges involve two separate juvenile victims.

Investigators have not publicly released the suspect’s name, despite the student being of an age that is legally considered as an adult. Authorities also have not identified the school site or sites attended by the suspect and the two children.

The ages and genders of the victims were not disclosed. Officials also did not provide details about what reportedly occurred during either incident or explain how the allegations first came to the district’s attention.

Authorities confirmed that the families of both victims were notified of the investigation. No information was provided about whether the accused student remains enrolled in the school district or has been removed from transportation or campus while the criminal case proceeds.

It was also not immediately clear whether any other students or adults were riding the school bus when the alleged assaults occurred, whether surveillance video captured either incident, or whether a bus driver or attendant reported witnessing suspicious activity.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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A 13-year-old boy remains in critical condition after the mini-dirt bike he was riding collided with a school bus, reported KTVB 7.

The crash reportedly occurred Monday shortly after 4 p.m. at an intersection in Caldwell, Idaho. State police said v the school bus was traveling south on Colorado Avenue when the teen, identified by his family as Daniel, struck the bus while riding the mini-dirt bike.

Daniel underwent surgery and sustained multiple broken bones and injuries to his brain and lungs, his family told local news reporters. His brother, David Corral, asked the community to pray for Daniel, their family and everyone involved.

“At the end of the day, all that matters to me and my family right now is Daniel’s health,” Corral said. “We hope God does a miracle.”

The bus had eight students and two adults on board, including the driver, at the time of the collision. All occupants were wearing seatbelts, the type unspecified, and no one aboard the bus was reportedly injured. State police said Daniel was not wearing a helmet while riding the mini-dirt bike.

Caldwell Mayor Eric Phillips said he met with Daniel’s family Monday night and prayed with them. Phillips emphasized that Daniel is a child and said the immediate priority should be helping him recover.

Authorities are also investigating how Daniel obtained the mini-dirt bike. David Snider said that Daniel took the mini-dirt bike from his son before the crash. Snider explained that Daniel approached his son and another child, asked to ride the bike, and then pushed them away before leaving with it.

Daniel’s family disputed that account. Authorities have not announced any charges related to the allegations.

Snider said his son was shaken by the incident but sympathized with Daniel and did not wish him harm.

The intersection remained closed for approximately an hour as first responders worked at the scene. Both the collision and the allegations involving the dirt bike remain under investigation.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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A 27-year-old Minnesota man is being credited with stopping a runaway school bus carrying nearly 20 children after the driver suffered a medical emergency, reported ABC News.

Ebro Ahmed told local news reporters that he was standing outside Ya Bricks Snacks and Tobacco on Monday, when he noticed a school bus traveling past the convenience store with its door wide open.

After looking inside, Ahmed said he saw the driver experiencing what appeared to be a seizure. He immediately ran toward the runaway school bus, jumped aboard and pulled the emergency brake, stopping the vehicle before it could crash.

“I really felt like it was my duty,” Ahmed said. “Also, too, it’s kids we’re talking about, you know. Even if I were to die, it would still be worth it.”

Surveillance video released by the convenience store captured Ahmed running alongside the bus before climbing aboard. The footage also showed the bus coming to a stop shortly afterward.

Ahmed said some of the students were screaming while others remained calm during the incident. He credited two girls seated near the front of the bus with helping him manage the situation.

“These two girls on the front really did help me a lot,” Ahmed said. “I threw my phone and my glasses at one of them, and I told her to hold it.”

Ahmed also said the long-running television medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” helped him remain composed during the emergency. He said the program offers lessons about how to react in unexpected situations.

Saint Paul Public Schools confirmed via the news report that a medical emergency occurred aboard one of its buses, and that paramedics responded to the scene. The district did not disclose additional information about the driver’s condition.

No injuries were reported among the students or others involved, according to the district.

Students aboard the runaway school bus were transferred to another vehicle and taken home following the incident. Counselors also checked in with the students Tuesday to offer support after the frightening experience.

The district did not immediately provide further details about the bus route, the school the students attended, or how far the vehicle traveled before Ahmed stopped it.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Parents in a rural Maryland community are calling for a longtime school bus driver to be reinstated after she was removed from her route for allowing a student to leave the bus and rescue an injured kitten, reported WBNG News.

Cynthia Morgan, 67, had driven students in the Harford County Public Schools system for 11 years. Morgan said losing her position devastated her.

Video recorded along Heaps School Road shows the school bus stopped as a North Harford Elementary School student retrieved the kitten. Parents acknowledged that allowing the child to exit created a safety concern but argued that removing Morgan was excessive.

Carolyn Kalambihis, whose children have ridden Morgan’s bus for five years, told local news reporters that the area has little traffic and Morgan would not have made the same decision on a busier road. She said Morgan used her own money to buy students’ school supplies, holiday gifts and birthday cards.

“She is an angel. She’s the most caring person,” Kalambihis said.

Kalambihis and other parents are circulating an online petition asking that Morgan be returned to her route. She said Morgan’s 11 years of service should be considered. Calls for her restatement have circulated across social media.

Meanwhile, Kalambihis added that she believes Morgan recognizes that allowing the student to leave the bus was a mistake. “It shouldn’t have happened,” she said. “I believe she knows that and understands and, looking back, knows she made a mistake and should not have done what she did.”

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Harford County Public Schools reportedly said Morgan was employed by an independent contractor rather than a district employee. However, the district is responsible for certifying drivers who transport its students.

“Certification and decertification are not always based on a single factor but often involves consideration of multiple circumstances and requirements,” the district said via the news report. “Student safety remains our top priority, and all certification decisions are made with that responsibility in mind.”

The district declined to discuss Morgan’s case specifically. The name of her employer and whether she was terminated by the contractor or only removed from the district route were not immediately clear.

The post Maryland School Bus Driver Removed After Kitten Rescue Stop appeared first on School Transportation News.

School bus service was disrupted after multiple buses were reportedly vandalized at a contractor Durham School Services’ transportation lot over the holiday weekend, reported CBS News.

The Schenectady Police Department said Tuesday that officers responded at approximately 5:40 a.m. after Durham officials reported that multiple school buses had been damaged at its facility.

At least two school buses at the lot reportedly had damaged windows with what appeared to be impact marks, possibly caused by rocks or another object. Police said the vandalism likely occurred sometime during the holiday weekend.

According to the news report, the Schenectady City School District described the damage as severe and said it affected Durham’s entire fleet, preventing the transportation contractor from operating its regularly scheduled morning routes.

The district reportedly notified families of the disruption Tuesday morning and advised parents and guardians that morning transportation would be unavailable. It did not immediately specify how many buses were damaged, how many routes were affected, or the estimated cost of repairs.

Despite the morning cancellations, the district said Durham would provide afternoon transportation for all students who normally receive school bus service.

All after-school programs were also expected to operate as scheduled, with transportation available to participating students.

However, the district warned families that buses could arrive later than usual because of the vandalism and resulting operational changes. “We are asking for your patience as buses may be arriving at stops later than expected,” the district stated via the article.

The Schenectady Police Department is investigating the incident. No information about potential suspects or arrests was immediately available.

The district did not indicate whether surveillance footage captured the vandalism or whether additional buses would be brought in to restore normal service. It also had not announced whether regular morning routes were expected to resume Wednesday.

Families were encouraged to monitor communications from the district for additional transportation updates. Further information about the investigation and the extent of the fleet damage was not immediately released.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Longtime Sullivan County School District bus driver Nancy Ritinski celebrated her retirement alongside the woman who gave her another reason to celebrate, reported WNEP

Family members, friends and former passengers gathered at the American Legion in Dushore in northeast Pennsylvania to recognize Ritinski’s 44 years behind the wheel. During her career, she remained on the same route and transported multiple generations of some local families.

Theresa McCarthy said both of her daughters rode Ritinski’s bus before graduating, followed years later by McCarthy’s grandchildren.

For Ritinski, the children were the most meaningful part of the job. “I love them all,” she told local news reporters, adding that she cried whenever students graduated.

The retirement celebration also honored Bobbie Butler of Scranton, who reportedly entered Ritinski’s life as a stranger and became her living kidney donor.

According to the news report, Ritinski learned about three years ago that she needed a kidney transplant. Her relatives were not compatible donor matches, and she eventually began undergoing dialysis while waiting for a suitable kidney.

Butler initially hoped to donate to the father of a friend, but that proposed transplant did not work out. She then asked to be matched with another patient in need. Testing showed that Butler was compatible with Ritinski.

The two women reportedly met for the first time earlier this year, about one week before the transplant surgery. Ritinski said they connected immediately. The transplant was performed in June, and Ritinski said her recovery has gone well.

Butler said via the article that witnessing the improvement in Ritinski’s health following the operation was incredible. She described Ritinski and her relatives as her “kidney family.”

The celebration reflected both Ritinski’s impact on the rural community and the bond created through organ donation.

Now retired from a career that allowed her to watch generations of students grow up, Ritinski is beginning a new chapter with Butler considered part of her family.

Ritinski’s relatives are also encouraging others to consider living organ donation. Her daughter plans to donate a kidney to another recipient later this year.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Authorities are seeking the driver of a pickup truck that struck two 16-year-old students with its side mirror as they waited to board a school bus, reported WCVB News.

Carver police said via the news report that the students, who attend Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School in Rochester in Massachusetts, were injured Thursday when a dark-colored pickup truck passed their bus stop. The driver fled the scene, and investigators are asking the public for information that could help identify the vehicle or the person behind the wheel.

According to the article, the school bus was approaching the stop with its yellow warning lights flashing when the truck struck the teenagers. Police described the pickup as having LED lights.

Officers were reportedly notified of the incident at approximately 7:20 a.m. by Old Colony Bus Company. The authorities asked anyone who was in the Forest Street area around 6 a.m. to contact investigators.

One student was taken right after the incident to a hospital by a family member, received treatment, and was released. Family members took the second student to a hospital later in the day for treatment. Both teenagers are expected to recover, and the extent of the injuries were not disclosed.

Aaron Polansky, superintendent-director of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, said the school had contacted the students’ families following the collision.

“We have reached out to the families of the injured students,” Polansky told local news reporters. “We are keeping both students and their families in our thoughts and wish them a fast and full recovery.”

Polansky also urged community members to help investigators locate the driver. “We encourage members of the community to assist the Carver Police Department with their investigation in any way possible,” he said.

The description released by investigators identifies the truck’s dark color and LED lights. Police are asking people with information about the vehicle to share it as they work to identify the driver.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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The Anahuac Independent School District board approved a $159,150 in funding for purchasing and installing video cameras on existing school buses after a pickup truck nearly struck a 9-year-old girl approaching her bus in Chambers County, Texas, reported KFDM News.

Angela Nelson told local news reporters that her daughter, Lorigan, was preparing to board her school bus outside her home Sept. 18, when a pickup truck passed the stopped bus.

Video Nelson shared with local news shows Lorigan looking both ways before approaching the bus, which had its stop arm extended and red lights flashing. The girl spotted the pickup and moved away just before it passed, reportedly missing her by inches.

Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne said investigators had identified and spoken with the motorist, who could face a reckless driving charge, a Class B misdemeanor.

Angela Nelson said the county attorney indicated that additional video and other evidence would be gathered and that the case could be presented to a grand jury.

Nelson also provided investigators with footage from a camera outside her home. That recording reportedly shows the school bus coming into view with its lights flashing several seconds before the pickup passes.

Texas law requires motorists approaching in either direction to stop for a school bus loading or unloading students, when its required visual signals are activated. Drivers may proceed when the bus moves, its driver signals them to proceed, or the signals stop.

Anahuac Superintendent David Walker told local reporters that the district currently has no cameras on its buses. He presented information to trustees who approved the new bus purchase and additional camera equipment.

The district was reportedly considering systems with approximately five interior cameras and two exterior cameras per bus. Walker is reviewing vendors, costs and potential funding sources, including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Supplemental Environmental Projects program.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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A 13-year-old student is facing an assault charge after she allegedly punched a Guilford County Schools bus driver in the head while the driver was picking up students, reported FOX 8.

The incident reportedly occurred Monday morning as the 59-year-old driver was operating a route serving Southwest Guilford Middle School in High Point, North Carolina.

High Point police officers received a report at approximately 7:35 a.m. that a school bus driver had been assaulted at a bus stop on Brentwood Street. A school resource officer responded and met with the bus driver to investigate the report.

The driver told the officer that she had stopped the bus to pick up several students, when one of the students began punching her in the head.

The driver reportedly sustained minor visible injuries during the alleged assault and told the officer that she planned to seek medical treatment. Police said they did not have additional information regarding her condition following the incident.

The school resource officer subsequently filed a juvenile petition for assault against the student. Authorities also obtained a secure custody order for the 13-year-old girl. Because the suspect is a juvenile, police did not release her name.

In North Carolina’s juvenile justice system, a secure custody order allows a juvenile to be temporarily held in a secure facility under circumstances established by state law while the case proceeds. It was not immediately clear what reportedly led to the confrontation or whether other students were on board the bus when the alleged assault occurred. Authorities also did not say whether the bus route continued following the incident or whether another driver was assigned to transport the students.

Guilford County Schools and the High Point Police Department are investigating the incident.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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A 15-year-old student with autism was hospitalized for severe dehydration after reportedly spending extended periods of heat exposure on board a school bus without air conditioning, reported New York Post.

Temperatures in Chula Vista, California near San Diego reached 97 degrees during the recent heat wave.

Marisol Wojciechowski told local news reporters that her son, Gabriel, is a freshman at Hilltop High School. He released from school about 30 minutes before other students because he receives special education services. She said he was required to wait on the school bus until the other students arrived.

Wojciechowski added that her son’s autism makes it difficult for him to communicate when he is becoming overheated or feeling ill. She first noticed symptoms in early September, when Gabriel began experiencing nosebleeds, severe headaches and lightheadedness after riding the school bus.

“Right away, I would put ice pack on him on his neck and gave him water,” Wojciechowski told local news reporters.

After Gabriel repeatedly displayed the symptoms, his mother took him to an emergency room. She said medical personnel determined that he was severely dehydrated and administered intravenous fluids.

Wojciechowski later boarded the school bus herself and experienced the conditions inside. She said the bus driver told her that Gabriel could not leave the bus after he had been released into the driver’s supervision.

She said that she instructed her son to get off the bus and wait in her air-conditioned vehicle. According to Wojciechowski, the driver told her it was normal for students to remain on the bus during high temperatures.

The mother is now calling on Sweetwater Union High School District officials to implement additional precautions to protect students during periods of extreme heat.

“I want them to put the kids first,” she told local news reporters. “Leaving them on the bus is not safe, not even for five minutes during the heat.”

Written with the assistance of AI.

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Day three of a school bus driver strike has left nearly 6,000 Princeton City Schools students without their usual transportation, reported WCPO 9 News.

Contract negotiations between First Student and its school bus rivers represented by OAPSE/AFSCME Local 184 broke down last week. The union formed a picket line as drivers call for higher wages, better benefits and improved working conditions. Those talks were reportedly set to resume Tuesday.

The strike affected approximately 5,900 students and prompted the district to activate a contingency plan. DLocal 184 President Tarelle Harris said via the article that some employees struggle to afford basic necessities. “We can’t pay for fuel to even get to work. We can’t pay for food for our families,” Harris said.

Lead union negotiator Derryl Hall said via the article that the lack of employer-paid health insurance remains a major sticking point. According to Hall, many drivers rely on Medicaid, Medicare or plans obtained through the Affordable Care Act.

Union representatives also cited staffing shortages, saying the school year began with several routes unfilled, and some employees were required to drive additional routes.

Veteran driver Bobby Cornett reportedly said that improved compensation and benefits could help First Student recruit and retain drivers. Cornett said he owes $146,000 from one surgery and was required to pay $39,000 before undergoing another procedure.

Drivers said they want to return to transporting students. Harris, a Princeton graduate, said he became a driver because he wanted to give back to the district.

First Student said via the news report that it was “deeply disappointed” by the strike and disputed the union’s description of negotiations. The company said its latest proposal included an average wage increase of approximately 27 percent over a four-year contract.

First Student also said it offered to pay for mediation and provided multiple opportunities to continue bargaining. It alleged union leaders canceled scheduled negotiations, declined private mediation and ended discussions despite progress.

“The facts are clear: We came back to the table, and they did not,” the company stated via the report.

Hall disputed those claims, saying negotiations continued late Sept. 29, but produced “absolutely no progress.”

The district distributed instructional packets before the strike and provided online learning resources. Students who miss school because of transportation problems will not be penalized, district officials said.

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Students in Pennsylvania stopped a moving school bus after their driver experienced a medical emergency near a Hollidaysburg Area School District junior high building, reported USA Today.

The Sept. 17 incident was captured on a security camera inside the school bus. Several students rushed to the front of the vehicle, while others directed their classmates to apply the brakes and call for help over the radio.

Ben Caldwell, the district’s director of human resources and transportation, said a few students sustained minor injuries. The bus driver is doing well following the medical emergency and returned to work.

The approximately 40-second recording begins with students exiting the bus while it is stopped. Moments later, the vehicle slowly begins moving forward, and one student asks the driver whether she can get off.

As the bus continues moving, students reportedly recognize that something is wrong and begin responding. Some scramble toward the driver’s area, while others shout instructions about stopping the vehicle and contacting someone for assistance.

“Our bus driver just passed out,” a student says near the end of the clip.

A few students fall forward during the incident, but Caldwell said via the article, “all injuries were extremely minor and superficial.”

According to the news report, an earlier district statement recognized 10th grader Alexis Smith for helping stop the bus after the driver became unresponsive. The statement credited Smith with requesting emergency assistance over the bus radio and checking the driver’s pulse and breathing until first responders arrived.

District officials said Smith’s participation in health and medical science training at the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center helped prepare her to respond calmly during the emergency, according to that report. Medical personnel took over the driver’s care upon arrival.

Caldwell’s subsequent update indicated that the driver had resumed working following the medical emergency. The information he provided did not specify the nature of the driver’s medical condition.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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A school bus driver was removed from a Massachusetts school district’s routes after reportedly throwing several empty liquor bottles from a bus window while transporting students Tuesday morning, reported Coastal ABC News.

Somerset Berkley Regional High School officials informed families that a motorist traveling behind the school bus saw several empty miniature liquor bottles, commonly known as “nips,” being thrown from a window during the morning pickup route. The witness reported the incident to the Somerset Police Department.

Police officers located and stopped the bus. The driver admitted discarding the bottles and cooperated with the ensuing investigation.

Authorities determined that the bottles belonged to the busdriver but had not been consumed Tuesday morning. Officials also said the driver was not impaired.

“SPD engaged with the driver, who cooperated with the investigation, and it was determined that the bottles were in her possession, but they were not consumed this morning, and she was not impaired in any way,” school officials stated via the article.

Fisher Bus, the district’s transportation contractor, dispatched a replacement bus following the police response. The 14 students on board the original bus were transferred and transported safely to Somerset Berkley Regional High School. No injuries were reported.

The school subsequently asked Fisher Bus not to assign the driver to any of the district’s transportation routes. Officials did not identify the driver or indicate whether she could face criminal charges or disciplinary action from the bus company.

“The presence of alcohol containers on a school bus, by anyone, is unacceptable,” the school stated via the news report. “Our students and families must have complete confidence in the people responsible for transporting them, and we take this matter very seriously.”

School officials also thanked the motorist who contacted authorities and the officers who responded. “We are grateful to the attentive community member who reported what they saw and to the Somerset Police Department for their swift response,” the district reportedly stated.

Additional information about the origin of the bottles and how long they had been aboard the bus was not immediately available.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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The post Massachusetts School Bus Driver Questioned After Discarding Empty Liquor Bottles Out Window appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Virginia man was arrested after he allegedly boarding a Page County Public Schools bus, yelled profanities and frightened students, reported WHSV News.

Daniel Wade Young, 39, of Stanley, was charged with one count each of trespassing on school property and disorderly conduct following an investigation into the incident.

A sheriff’s deputy reportedly learned of the situation while responding to an unrelated call last week. The deputy was told that a man had entered a school bus and was “yelling profanities and scaring the kids” on board.

The deputy responded and located the school schoolbus. However, the suspect had already left the area by the time the deputy arrived. The sheriff’s office did not disclose how the man gained access to the school bus, why he allegedly boarded it, or how many students were present at the time.

Authorities reportedly continued investigating the incident by interviewing witnesses and reviewing video footage. Based on the information collected during the investigation, deputies identified Young as the suspect and obtained warrants for his arrest.

Young turned himself in on Friday at the Page County Jail and was taken into custody. A magistrate later released him on a $2,500 unsecured bond. An unsecured bond generally does not require a defendant to pay the specified amount before being released but holds the defendant financially responsible for that amount if the conditions of release are violated. No injuries were reported.

“We would like to thank Page County Public Schools for their swift involvement and cooperation in this case,” the sheriff’s office said via the article.

Officials did not indicate whether Young was connected to a student or had authorization to be near the bus. The sheriff’s office said additional charges could be filed as authorities continue investigating the incident.

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The post Virginia Man Charged After Allegedly Boarding School Bus, Yelling Profanities appeared first on School Transportation News.

A 19-year-old woman faces multiple felony charges after she allegedly blocked a school bus carrying 37 children, forced open its loading door, and waved a loaded handgun during an apparent road rage confrontation, reported FOX 59.

According to the news report, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded Sept. 16 to  reported vehicle collision. They found Jamiya Sutton’s Kia K4 parked sideways in front of the school bus, blocking the roadway, according to court documents.

Police determined the vehicles had not collided. Sutton allegedly told officers that she struck a construction sign after the school bus pulled out in front of her. Believing the bus driver was responsible, Sutton followed the bus, drove around it and deliberately parked at an angle to prevent it from leaving, court documents state.

According to the article, the bus driver told officers she did not notice Sutton’s Kia until it pulled in front of the bus. Sutton then allegedly exited her vehicle holding a black handgun, walked around the bus and yelled for the driver to come outside.

When the driver refused, Sutton allegedly forced open the bus door, boarded with the gun and waved it while yelling at the driver. She then returned to her vehicle. No injuries were reported.

Sutton reportedly acknowledged being armed but told officers she “did not do anything with” the gun. An officer later found a Glock 17 Gen 4 beneath the driver’s seat of Sutton’s vehicle. Police said its magazine contained 21 live rounds.

Sutton was arrested without further incident and charged with Level 3 felony criminal confinement with a deadly weapon, Level 5 felony criminal confinement with a vehicle, Level 6 felony pointing a firearm at another person, and misdemeanor unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle.

She was being held without bond pending an initial hearing scheduled for Thursday before Judge Ross Anderson.

Court records reportedly indicate Sutton had been arrested Sept. 11 in a separate alleged road rage incident. In that case, she is accused of displaying the same handgun during a confrontation with a driver she believed had cut her off in traffic.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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The post Armed Woman Accused of Forcing Way onto Indianapolis School Bus appeared first on School Transportation News.

An Atlanta Public Schools bus driver was placed on leave after an unauthorized passenger was discovered sleeping on  the school bus while it was transporting Howard Middle School students, reported WSB News.

The unidentified woman, who was reportedly homeless, apparently remained undetected throughout the Monday morning route and was discovered only after the bus arrived at the school, according to a student who was on board. It remains unclear when or how the woman entered the bus.

According to the news report, a seventh-grade student recorded videos of the incident and sent them to her mother. The footage shows the driver discovering the woman asleep in the back of the bus and directing her to leave.

“Oh Lord Jesus,” the driver reportedly said in the video. “Come on, let’s go, ma’am.”

The woman exited the bus without incident. No injuries were reported.

Beth, whose last name was not provided, the mother of the student who recorded the videos, said her daughter rides the bus daily.

“It’s just crazy to me that she was undetected,” she told local news reporters. “It’s very unnerving, and it’s just unsettling.”

Although the incident ended without anyone being harmed, Beth said the circumstances raised concerns about whether the bus had been adequately inspected before students boarded.

“I’m relieved at how it turned out and that everything was fine, but it could’ve been something completely different,” she said via the article. “The kids need to feel safe; they need to know that when they get on that bus, they’re going to be protected; they’re going to be safe until they get to school.”

Atlanta Public Schools confirmed via the article that an unauthorized passenger was found on a bus transporting students to Howard Middle School. The district said the person was removed without incident, and that officials are reviewing the circumstances. Under district protocol, the driver was placed on leave pending the outcome of the review.

APS reportedly added that it is taking immediate steps to address any identified concerns and make necessary changes to its transportation and safety protocols. “The safety and security of our students and staff is our highest priority,” the district stated. “APS takes all matters involving student safety and security seriously and remains committed to maintaining safe and secure transportation for every student.”

Written with the ssistance of AI.

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The post Unauthorized Passenger Found Sleeping on Atlanta School Bus During Route appeared first on School Transportation News.

A Pinckney Community Schools bus driver was honored for using her training and quick judgment to protect six students after severe storms trapped their school bus between fallen trees, reported BWHL News.

A series of storms Sept. 3 caused widespread power outages and lengthy dismissal delays across Livingston County in Michigan. Pinckney Superintendent Rick Todd said school bus drivers were transporting students home when the most dangerous weather moved through the area.

Todd gave special recognition to a driver identified as “Ms. Sandy,” whose bus became trapped when trees fell in front of and behind the vehicle. As winds and flying debris intensified and funnel clouds began forming, she used her training as both a school bus driver and volunteer firefighter to guide the six students from the bus to a nearby field, Todd said.

“I am incredibly grateful to say that, other than being extremely wet, everyone remained safe,” Todd wrote.

Todd also praised the students for remaining calm, following directions and supporting one another during the emergency. He said their actions reflected the character the district seeks to instill in its students.

The superintendent thanked teachers, administrators, support staff, coaches, custodians and parent volunteers for reassuring students and following established emergency procedures during what he called an understandably frightening situation. Officers from the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office and Hamburg Township Police Department responded to Farley Hill and Country elementary schools, providing additional reassurance to students, employees and families.

Fowlerville Community Schools also experienced power failures and delayed dismissals. Superintendent Matt Stuard said Little Glad Early Childhood Center and Kreeger Elementary lost electricity, phone service and internet access for two hours, but a tornado warning forced students and athletes to shelter in place.

Downed trees and blocked roads later prevented buses from reaching elementary schools, requiring families to pick up students. Staff stayed until every child was reunited with family.

School Transportation News contacted Pinckney Community Schools for additional information but did not receive a response.

Written with the assistance of AI.

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