Sometimes People Amaze Me

It was captured on camera, it showed a situation in which four went against one, and it allowed one woman a chance to make a difference. What I'm talking about is a 10 minute video that can be found on Youtube. The video showcases four male middle school students verbally abusing the 68 year old school bus monitor. 

Karen Klein is shown seated alone on the bus with the boys talking around her. Calling out to her that she is gross and unworthy of anyone's love. They even went so far as to say her son killed himself because he couldn't stand her...her oldest son did commit suicide ten years ago.

After reading about her story online I decided that I needed to see the video personally and see if it was hyped up or not. I wish it had been over done, after only 36 second of it, I could no longer stomach watching it. There was a site made with the idea of raising 5,000 dollars so that Karen would be able to have a nice vacation. I have attached the link here. On this site you can find the video of Karen and the boys and also see the most amazing thing. The amount of money currently collected for her, its up to 680,200 as of the 10th of July.  Congratulations Karen!

The boys are being punished and have been placed in a behavior correction school for the next year and will have to do 50 hrs of community service. Other actions against the boys from the public have included threatening texts, call, and letters. Their parents are cooperating with the police.

Thank You,
Haleigh

Bus Driver Dies after being in a Coma

Pictured above is Juan DelValle

Juan DelValle, 65 years old and a New York school bus driver died on the 6th of this month after being in a coma since the 11th of June as a result of being assaulted while driving his bus. According to reports, DelValle was attempting to maneuver his bus down a narrow lane and accidentally clipped the mirror of a double parked car.

He immediately got out of the bus and went to check the car for damage. At the same time the owner of the car approached DelValle and started to yell at the driver. After  reaching the driver the man, now known as Joey Scott, 28 years old, outright slugged the driver across the face and sent him to the ground. The fall resulted in DelValle's head slamming onto the concrete and him needing emergency medical attention. Scott fled the scene and was later picked up by the police.

At the hospital DelValle went into a coma. After a month, his family made the decision to take him off life support and died. DelValle was set to retire at the end of this year after 10 years of service.

 Scott is being charged with one count of manslaughter and three counts of assault and is being held on a 250,000 bail; his arraignment is set for next month. The whole incident was caught on tape by a street camera.

To his family we at Hoglund Transportation offer our deepest condolences and support.

Thank You,

Haleigh

The Summer Games

Aren't we excited about the upcoming Summer Olympic Games?  Sure, we see many of the same things every time there is an Olympic event - we see amazing feats of athleticism, bitter disappointments, and there is always that one underdog we all cheer.  Still, the Olympics always feel new, fresh, and exciting.

Here at Hoglund Transportation, we get the same feeling about our own version of the the Summer Games.

Don't get me wrong:  there is very little about what we do that we take as lightly as a "game" and we don't joke about student safety.  While keeping safety and  efficiency uppermost in our minds, we think it's important to approach our work with a spirit of excitement and fun in honor of the people we work hardest to protect: our students.

So it is during the summer that we renew our commitment to providing safe and efficient rides for all our students, clean and organize every space in our offices, develop new and better driver training tools, and generally plan the year to come.  This year we're making an extra effort to get things ready for the fall, and we're doing it now, in June.

Here's what's happening:

1. We have a new routing software upgrade that offers a better, digitalized map.  Jami and I are taking the time to review EVERY SINGLE BUS STOP in our District, and configuring our map so we know we are meeting very specific needs.  Some of the things the routing software can help us remember include medically required accommodations for our most vulnerable students, right-side (crossing) restrictions in those places where a student should never cross the road to board or deboard the bus, and how roads are configured in terms of passing and turning lanes, speed zones, and other specific information.  Routing software is amazing and, when it is properly implemented, makes what we used to do painstakingly by hand so much more simple and so much more beautifully produced.  Let me tell you, this is the most fun we've had in a few years!
2. We have summer school routing to prepare and present to drivers.  We should be finished with next week's routing plan by Thursday, so parents can expect to get a call by 2 pm Thursday.  
3. We have Kindergarten students to plot and separate into AM and PM groups.  It's not as simple as it seems.  We first plot every half-day Kindergartener on our map.  Once they're there, we color-code them so we can see what preferences their families have for AM or PM designation.  Then we start playing the "what-if" game:  "What if we drive this way?  Can we meet every single request by a parent?  If we can meet every single request, are there equal numbers of boys and girls in each division?  Have we met the needs of the families with shared custody?  Does this work for the greatest number of people?  If it does, have we met every single safety criteria?"  Surprisingly enough, once we hit on the right solutions for routing, it almost inevitably follows that we have met our safety criteria and we have divided the students the right way.  It's almost like magic when it works out that neatly and precisely accurate.  Considering we cannot ask parents to produce their children in a geographically organized fashion, routing half-day Kindergarteners can be a challenge.  It's one we greatly enjoy!
4. We have student records to update.  We've been receiving updates from parents by the armful!  We sure appreciate those who have sent them already.  The sooner we know who is riding and where they are, the sooner we can finish routes for the 2012-2013 school year.
5. We have routes to dissemble and reassemble.  Did you know that it is a failure by a transportation organization to leave routes unchanged from year to year?  The world changes every year - new vegetation appears or gets bigger, road configurations change, student populations age and new pockets of younger students appear.  We need to look at every single thing we do every single year (in fact, multiple times during the year) to make sure we are creating the safest program we possibly can.  The time to do that is not the middle of winter!  It's now.  
6. We have driver training programs and health initiatives we are planning.  Basically, each year we offer a new health initiative aimed at having the most healthy drivers we can behind the wheels of our vehicles.  THIS IS CRITICAL!!!!  Healthy drivers who come to work every day are the greatest safety feature we can offer our students.  We also present our drivers with the opportunity to accumulate a minimum of eight hours of safety training each school year.  They need to spend only minutes each week on our safety site completing assigned tasks and another handful of minutes reading our weekly newsletter and completing an additional assigned task.  They round out their safety training by attending safety and nutrition meetings (one of each every month), and participating in company functions.  This year's health initiatives include continuing our WALKER TRACKER PROGRAM and a new FRUIT AND VEGETABLE program.  Should be a colorful year!  Our safety focus this year will be HANDLING EMERGENCY SITUATIONS APPROPRIATELY (one of the six competencies the State of Minnesota requires school bus drivers to meet).  It's going to be a busy year for our drivers!
7. We have completed organizing half of our storage areas in the office and will finish the second half by the end of the month.  Organization is key to our business because of the number of things we offer our community.  Knowing where everything is, having everything in its place, and using our space efficiently is part of what makes us best able to serve our customers.
8. We have started a new business!  After providing transportation in this community for sixty-five years (since 1947), we feel like the local transportation professionals.  We expanded our offerings to include rentals cars two decades ago.  This year, we've added a line of TAXIS, A+ Taxi of Monticello, Inc.  This is not your average taxi service, my friends.  This is a full service offering. We will unlock your vehicle when your keys are inside it or jump start it when it's dead.  We will deliver packages for you.  We will help our elderly with groceries and medical appointments.  Eventually, we plan to offer bilingual staff.  This new endeavor has infused our staff with energy!

So, yes, we are busy in the summer.  Yes, we enjoy every minute of it (almost!).  Yes, we get shorter days and even have Fridays off.  So, yes, this feels a little like the Summer Games.  

Interested in joining us in our efforts?  Call now!  We can fully train a new driver well in advance of the start of the school year, and can always use extra help.

Safe Driving,

Kari

Dear Summer, I Welcome You!

School is almost out and I, personally, cannot wait for summer!!! The beach sand slipping between my toes and the warm ocean breeze on my face....wait a moment, this is minnesota. Oh well it's not long off now, but we're still not done. With the weather warming up (too bad gas is rising as well) this is going to be an amazing summer break!

Now for the friendly reminder, finish strong and we all look forward to seeing those returning safely in the fall!

Thank You,
Haleigh

Rule of the Week

Whenever there is a motor vehicle near it is never a good idea to play around. This is even truer when that vehicle is a bus. If a student is standing too close to the side of a bus, it can be difficult for the driver to see them. If a student fell or tripped while standing that close, the driver may not see the student, and that is when injuries can happen. To avoid things like that, just board the bus nicely.

Riding the bus is a privilege; some people tend to forget that. We take the students' safety very seriously and will take action to ensure that they are, indeed, safe.

Thank You,

Hoglund Transportation

Interview with the Owner

Hoglund Transportation opened in 1947 with Stuart Hoglund as the original owner. Gordy Hoglund the current owner and one of Stuart’s seven children, was born in July of 1949. Gordy and his older brother Wayne bought the company from their father back in 1984 and decided to split the company a short two years later in 1986; this resulted in Gordy becoming the sole owner of Hoglund Transportation.


There isn’t much that Gordy hasn’t seen happen in the school bus world; from no power steering and small maximum passengers of 48 and 54. To current automatics that have an average maximum from 77 to 84. We even have a few newer buses that can transport up to 90 people at a time! As the cost of fuel rises the type of bus you have and its fuel efficiency is becoming more and more important. He has even helped with the changes such as designing a new type of school bus hood. The hood he designed allowed for better visibility of the smaller students in front of the bus, and made it more streamlined.

I spoke with him on April 24th, 2012 and he answered some of my questions I happened upon in my hunt for stories. Here are a few of them.

-ME- Why does it matter what type of school bus you buy?

-GORDY- The students safety is the most important thing and having the best bus possible, in my opinion is the best way to go about it.

-ME- Why do you prefer using International school buses?

-GORDY- “We have had such good luck with these; Doug Olson a mechanic at Hoglund Transportation for 20 years now has only needed to rebuild one DT International engine in all his time here..” They also have the best part replacement system in the school bus industry meaning less down time then others.

-Me- What do you think about the new electric buses?

-GORDY- A thing to come, but they are too expensive right now.

He is a smart man and one I am proud to call my grandfather! I have very little experience compared to him and he is always willing to take time out of his busy day to answer my questions. If the readers ever have any questions or comments about what is on the blog; I will do my best to find the answer for you if you just leave a comment about it.

Thank You,

Haleigh

Rule of the Week

While outside the school bus, the students should be far enough away that they are easily able to see the whole bus and not just a part of it. That means that students are standing about 10 ft. from the curb while they are being either picked up at their home bus stop or at the school.

This is to ensure that students are not going to be injured by the bus. Also we ask that the students do not approach the bus until it has come to a complete stop, and the bus driver has given the THUMBS UP for safety, indicating it is okay to board the school bus.

Thank You,
Hoglund Transportation

Troopers are on Board!

In West Virginia the schools are taking more and more steps towards keeping the riders safe. Their latest step involves having the local media and businesses help make people more aware of the danger they are putting the students into when they pass a stopped school bus with its lights flashing and stop-arm extended. Simply making people more aware of there actions is a big deal and can be helpful; but how to let people know isn't always the easiest thing to do.

They also teamed up with some state police troopers to nab all the people who were passing illegally. With one trooper riding inside the bus and a car following behind they were able to fully convey the message that they, the troopers, are watching. There were only a small number of buses that were allotted trooper escorts but one ticket was handed out.

The state itself has made the consequences more severe as well. Here are some examples of what has been done: drivers who don't stop for a stopped school bus can be charged with a felony, a driver who causes an injury faces up to three years in prison, a driver who kills someone can be sentenced to 10 years in prison. The law also increased fines for drivers who violate the school bus safety laws and introduced the potential for drivers to lose their license. Drivers who fail to stop can receive a misdemeanor and be jailed for up to six months.

I want so desperately to have some kind of police or at the very least community involvement in this very real issue that we have with people passing stopped buses. Our district has been very fortunate to have not had any injuries in years but there have been too many close calls. This is the original story.

Thank You,
Haleigh

We Have.....Websites!

I know that to some people what you are about to read might be a bit of a shocker but it must be read! Hoglund Transportation is not the only company we run. There is still U-Save Auto Rental, Ninety-Four Services, Attic Mini Storage, and our latest addition A+ Taxi! Are you ready for the run-down?

U-Save Auto Rental is a car and van rental business that is (and I know I'm a bit biased) friendliest and most convenient rental place in town. We offer a variety of vehicles to choose from and have both walk-in service and reservations. Plus you can go online to our website and print a coupon for a discount; you can even make your reservation there! Also online is our vehicle listings and what they cost to rent. If you ever need a rental just click here and we will be more then happy to help you out!

Ninety-Four Services 94 Services Inc. is a C-Corp, initially incorporated in 1970 to function as an over-the-road trucking operation and vehicle dealership.  Ambulance sales and service were added to the company’s roster of services in 1991, and we added Life Line products in 1992.  94 Services Inc. is sister company to a second C-Corp, Hoglund Transportation, Inc., incorporated by the same ownership in 1947.  Currently all sales and service are conducted by Joe Kounkel or his designee.  Joe has been employed by the company since 1987, and was the first ambulance salesman employed by 94 Services Inc.  Both the company and Joe are dedicated to providing the best service possible at all times, which is why “Service is in our Name.”  More information is available to customers, and all customers and potential customers are welcome to visit our organization at any time.  Four references are available as an attachment, and more references can be provided upon request

Attic Mini Storage is a storage facility located right down the road from our office making it quick and easy to use! This company has been under new management as of early April and is currently in the process of being renovated. We are Fixing the gate, adding cameras and many more exciting things!  Click here to look at our new web site for pricing contacting our office and updates as they happen!

A+Taxi is our newest company and is also being run out of our main office. This is an, as you guessed, taxi company. Where all you have to do is call and we come and get you! All our drivers are experienced and undergo background checks. For more info check out our website here. We await your call!

Thank You,
Haleigh

Bandannas Attemp to Board

A school bus driver in a Charlotte, NC school bus company had a surprise encounter early last week when a van blocked the bus's path mid route. Four men, masked by red bandannas, exited the van and approached Bus 112. The first man to reach the bus started to beat on its hood, causing an estimated $100 worth of damage. At the same time a second man attempted to board the school bus by kicking the door in. The driver was able to move around the bus at this point, and returned to school to wait for a new bus to bring the students home. Thankfully, none of the students, or the 23-year-old driver was hurt.


Police believe this happened because the driver was accused of assaulting students on his bus earlier that week, although he was proven to have been falsely accused. The man who was caught claimed that it was an act of protest against the driver’s alleged abuse. Police are still on the lookout for the other three men who were involved.

This article is strangely disturbing to me. I can understand, and am happy that community members would stand against someone else’s wrong deeds. Abusing anyone, let alone students is wrong; I just don't think that the way they went about doing it was appropriate. Putting all those other students at risk; who knows what they would have done had they been successful in boarding that school bus. Having put those children through such an experience is not something to be taken lightly and should never be done.

Thank You,
Haleigh