Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/1009508
20 | Overdrive | August 2018 Logbook Ten finalists have been named in the annual Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program that gives a truck to a rookie military veteran trucker. The finalists for a new fully loaded Kenworth T680 are: • Brian "Kelly" Ward, Veriha Trucking, U.S. Navy; • Christopher Young, Stevens Transport, U.S. Army; • Jeremiah King, P.A.M. Transportation, U.S. Navy; • Julio Rodela, Prime Inc., U.S. Marines; • Mordaunt "Platt" Brabner, TMC Transportation, U.S. Marines and Navy; • Phillip "Tommie" Vargo, Roehl Trans- port, U.S. Navy; • Quinton Ward, Werner Enterprises, U.S. Army; • Ricardo Sumrall, Melton Truck Lines, U.S. Navy; • Summar Hanks, U.S. Xpress, U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard; and • Tilford Sereral, TMC Transportation, U.S. Navy. The finalists will be recognized Aug. 23 at the George W. Bush Library and Museum in Dallas. On that night, the final three contenders for the award will be revealed, and a popular vote then will help determine the ultimate recipient of the Kenworth T680 in December. The three finalists also will be introduced during the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas, Aug. 23-25. Kenworth, Fastport and the U.S. Cham- ber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative are putting on the contest. Fastport helps veterans find jobs. Last year's winner was Greg Softy, who drives for Stevens Transport. – Overdrive Staff Finalists named for vet trucking rookie award The winner of the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award will receive a new Kenworth T680. Diesel taxes increase in six states Diesel fuel taxes in Oklahoma increased in late June for the first time since 1987, while fuel taxes in six other states changed on July 1. Oklahoma's diesel tax increased from 14 cents per gallon to 20 cents, while its gas tax also increased from 17 to 20 cents. The increases came shortly after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled a challenge to the fuel tax hikes invalid. Connecticut's diesel tax rate increased from 41.7 cents per gallon to 43.9 cents. This rate will stay in effect for 12 months. In Indiana, the diesel tax jumped by 22 cents to 48 cents per gallon. The increase is due to the State Legislature eliminating the 21-cent fuel surcharge charged to motor carriers and combining it with the fuel tax. Maryland's diesel and gas taxes jumped by 1.5 cents to 36 cents per gallon due to a law that ties the fuel tax to inflation and fuel prices. South Carolina's diesel and gas taxes increased by 2 cents per gallon to 20.75 cents as part of a six-step increase plan that began last year. By 2022, the diesel tax will be 28.75 cents. Diesel buyers in Tennessee saw a 3-cents-per-gallon increase to 25.4 cents, while the gas tax increased by 1 cent. Going in the other direction, Nebraska's diesel fuel tax decreased from 28.4 cents per gallon to 28 cents. – Matt Cole BOSSELMAN BOSS TRUCK SHOPS now pro- vides Bandag retreads at all locations. Boss Shops can process all Bridge- stone/Bandag National Accounts. LANDSTAR NAMED own- er-operator David Zelsdorf the winner of its All-Star Truck Giveaway. Zelsdorf, a million-mile safe driver for the Jacksonville, Flori- da-based company, won a 2019 Western Star 5700XE. FLORIDA'S TRUCK PARKING Availability System now provides real-time data on I-95 and I-4. Once installed on I-10 and I-75 this year, the system will track 2,300 parking slots statewide. Interstate signs furnish truckers with instant updates. PACCAR RECALLED 3,043 Kenworth and Peter- bilt tractors over an issue with the anti-lock braking system dash warning light. Call Peterbilt customer service at 918-259-3258 or Kenworth customer service at 425-828-5000. THREE OF FIVE PENNSYLVANIA men charged with disabling emissions control devices on trucks pleaded guilty to Clean Air Act violations. Gavin Rexer, Dennis Paulhamus and Timothy Sweitzer admitted to removing the stock exhaust systems on Rock- water Northeast trucks and replacing them with straight pipes or hollowing out exhaust components. The men also manipulated the onboard diagnostics with "defeat" devices.