TowNews

HURON — Glenn Carlson, 81, of Huron, passed away April 28, 2020, at Avantara-Huron. Due to Covid-19, a private family funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, with burial at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. The funeral service will be streamed live on the Kuhler Funeral Home Facebook page, at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 2. Glenn Wallace Carlson was born February 22, 1939, on a farm near Stockholm, to A. Leonard and Hazel (Steffensen) Carlson. Glenn attended a rural school, while living on the farm near Stockholm and graduated in 1957 from South Shore High School in South Shore. On June 5, 1960, Glenn married Sharon Lee Wendt at the Evangelical United Brethern Church in Twin Brooks. To this union, three children were born, Kimberly, Kristie and David Carlson. Glenn, upon graduating from high school, worked first at the South Shore Creamery and later the ASCS office in Huron, mowing bin sites. After moving to Huron, he worked as a mechanic for Johnson DX. In 1964, he started his own business in a two stall Texaco station on the junction of Hwy 37 and 14, selling gas and also doing mechanic work. It was one of 33 gas stations in Huron at the time, mostly owned by oil companies. He enlarged the business several times to accommodate his increasing business and changing brands of fuel, as one after another of the oil companies left the small towns and other major companies replaced them. He also had a mail route from the government offices in the Christen-Hohm building to the post office, five days a week for several years starting around 1967. He was a partner in a rental business called Dakota Rental in 1968 for several years. He also became a dealer for E-Z Haul truck and trailers and later U-Haul equipment in 1970. In 1971, he bought the wrecker service and did 24-hour towing until he retired and sold the business to his son, David in 2001. Glenn had great pride in his grandkids and followed all six of them to whatever sport they were playing or parade they were marching in, from the Citrus Bowl to the Fiesta Bowl parades and all over the Midwest for baseball, football, basketball, volleyball and track. He was an avid fisherman and loved car races as well. His racing started as a pitman for a friend and then he owned a modified #73 and also drove a hobby stock in 1976. He was thrilled that Dave decided he was going to race and followed him three nights a week to local tracks since 2008. More can be found at https://plainsman.com/article/glenn-carlson-81-of-huron

Tow truck operators in Ontario are seeking a reduction in monthly commercial auto insurance premiums as fewer cars on the roads during the novel coronavirus outbreak have left drivers sitting idle. Last month, two major insurers – Aviva Canada and Intact Financial Corp. – announced financial relief for customers with commercial vehicles. The measures include premium rebates, allowing customers to reduce coverage limits and flexible payment terms. But in order to receive rebate credits, many policies require vehicles to be parked for a minimum of 30 days, which towing companies say is not a viable option for their sector. As a result, the majority of tow truck companies in Ontario are left paying thousands of dollars in monthly premiums when business is at an all-time low. “Failure to reduce insurance premiums now for towers during the COVID-19 pandemic could have a catastrophic impact on their future viability and service,” said Mark Graves, president of the Provincial Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO). The PTAO, which represents more than 180 towing and recovery companies in Ontario, has reached out to insurers as well as government officials and industry associations to address the hole in insurance relief. The relief measures offered by Intact for commercial trucking clients – which include tow truck operators – include: premium adjustments for small and medium-sized businesses that are now closed or have seen business severely affected, premium adjustments for vehicles stored or used in different ways and suspending coverage for trucks and trailers while they are idle or parked. Meanwhile, Aviva Canada announced in a letter on April 16 that commercial auto insurance policy holders could receive premium rebates if their vehicles have been taken off the road. But Mr. Graves said a large percentage of tow truck operators do not qualify for a reduction in coverage because they finance their truck purchases and the leasing agreements do not allow them to remove insurance coverage even if they are parked. As well, smaller companies are not able to simply park a portion of their fleet because each truck has a specialized purpose for towing different types of vehicles. Only large companies have multiple trucks for the same types of towing services. Tow truck operator Mike Gassum, who owns North Algonquin Towing with his wife Tina Moore, found himself in the latter group. Based in Pembroke, Ont., he operates 11 trucks and trailers for the upper Ottawa Valley region, with each vehicle having different capabilities for towing and collisions. Since the coronavirus lockdown began in mid-March, Mr. Gassum’s towing for small car and auto-club businesses has plummeted by 90 per cent. Earlier on March 8, Mr. Gassum renewed his annual insurance policy for $90,000. He paid the initial deposit of $12,000, as well as his first monthly payment of $6,900. Then as the province began to shut down, non-commercial auto traffic rapidly came to a halt – declining between 80 per cent to 90 per cent. Mr. Gassum let go of two drivers and a mechanic and reached out to his insurance company to ask about relief measures. “There was immediate drop in our service call volume and revenue,” Mr. Gassum said. “I knew I would be able to weather the storm short term – but the only thing threatening our viability, notwithstanding the $20,000 payment on the renewal, was the upcoming $6,900 payment for April.” The only option he was given was to “park” some trucks to reduce insurance. But for a small rural company – where each truck fulfills a different role for towing – he doesn’t have the option to reduce his fleet. In an e-mail to The Globe and Mail, Intact said tow operators should reach out to brokers to “discuss the available relief options such as flexible payments or deferrals, even if they are not parking vehicles.” Aviva said in an e-mail that operators are able to “amend their coverages to reflect changes in exposures as a result of provincial shut downs” However, Mr. Graves says accumulating deferred expenses is not a solution and could “cripple tow operators’ sustainability in Ontario." Insurance companies base premiums largely on the service calls that tow operators receive, and the risk factor associated with providing service for those calls, Mr. Graves said. With fewer calls, the reduced risk could be factored into offering premium reductions. Insurers need to apply a ratio discount based on a company’s revenue stream, said Herb Vink, owner of Herb’s Towing and Recovery in Cornwall, Ont., who has experienced a 65-per-cent decline in business since COVID-19 – the largest drop he has seen in the 60-year history of the company. “Insurers need to trim the shock to the industry where the volumes have decreased dramatically,” Mr. Vink said. “There is some permanency that is going to come out of this [pandemic] and we may not see business recover fully for 24 to 36 months.” RESOURCE LINK

LAKE CITY, Fla. – A husband and father of two girls in Lake City has died after contracting the novel coronavirus at age 31. Mike Leedom died from the virus on Saturday. Records as of Thursday from the Florida Department of Health show he’s the youngest person to die in Northeast Florida after contracting the virus. The sounds of sirens from nearly 100 first responders filled Lake City during a procession. “He deserved it," said Jordan Little, a family member. “Everybody he met, period. Loved him.” According to a GoFundMe page that’s raising funds for the family, Leedom was battling lupus and psoriatic arthritis. Jordan and Megan Little said the virus took over quickly. “He was sick for about a week but he passed within just a few days of the diagnosis,” Megan Little said. Leedom’s wife posted on Facebook: “Mike Leedom, you were my world. You were my best friend. As long as I had you, I didn’t need anything else.” According to Jordan Little, Leedom loved to fish, hunt and he loved music. “But he didn’t love anything more than his babies -- his wife and his two little girls,” Jordan Little said. "Pray for his family because now his two little girls have to grow up without having their daddy there.” Leedom was a tow truck driver, and his fellow tow truckers made a final call over a CB radio. The 31-year-old’s family members are hoping his death will remind people to take the virus seriously and to continue taking precautions. RESOURCE LINK with video Note: if anyone has a quality video of the Tow Truck Gathering in Memory of this Tow Operator Please Share it. Thanks

Tesla Cybertruck competitor Bollinger has a new electric pickup that can be customized for any kind of work use The B2 Chassis Cab is based on the Bollinger’s flexible E-Chassis platform that can be equipped with front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive. Plus its wheelbase can also be adjusted to suit different body types. Battery sizes also range from 120-180 kWh and it comes with a 10 kW on-board charger. Look at all of the possibilities. Bollinger has plans for an all-electric, chassis-cab truck platform. It can be used as a tow truck, a box truck, or a bucket truck. The possibilities are endless. The world needs more electric trucks. They're versatile, usable, customizable, they look cool - and because they don't run on fuel, they're even better. And if you want an electric truck with endless possibilities for customization, Bollinger Motors' upcoming all-electric, chassis-cab truck platform might be what you're looking for. It's called the Bollinger B2 Chassis Cab, and the company said in a Thursday announcement that it wants to sell the truck in late 2021. Both full-cab and cutaway-cab versions will be available. Anyone can buy a B2 Chassis Cab - pedestrian casuals such as you and me, or people who need them for commercial purposes, like landscapers or construction workers. Sure, it's not available yet. But we can dream. The key piece in this plan is the all new B2 Chassis Cab which will be the world’s first Class 3 Commercial EV platform when it eventually goes into production. Built on the same Bollinger’s E-Chassis platform that also sees duty in the B1 and B2, the B2CC brings many of the same features that have helped make their mark in those models. We have listed them all here in this handy list below. Two-door or Four-door cab Various wheelbase lengths, based on desired customization Patent-pending passthrough for storage of long items 120 kWh battery pack All-wheel drivetrain All-terrain capabilities Dual motor Portal gear hubs 5,000 lb. payload Ultra-low center of gravity Hydraulic anti-lock power brakes (ABS) Electronic traction control Electronic stability control Hydraulic power steering Hydro-pneumatic self-leveling suspension Independent front and rear suspension 10kw on-board charger/inverter Complete power system controls, configurable to given vehicle application Integrated thermal-management system However the key here is the sheer amount of flexibility that the B2CC brings to the table, with Bollinger claiming that it can easily morph into a wide range of roles. Bollinger showcased three of these potential roles in some of its images, with the B2 being shown as a traditional box truck, a tow truck, and even a flatbed layout. When combined with the multiple wheelbases that are available with the E-Chassis, as well as the two or four door cab layouts on hand, the B2CC could theoretically offer virtually unlimited work truck variants for commercial customers to choose from. ““The Bollinger B2 Chassis Cab’s unique features – including the 5,000-lb. payload and large energy source to power tools – make it perfect for businesses, small and large,” says CEO Robert Bollinger. “Commercial fleets will be able to reduce their overall cost of operation while buying a truck designed, engineered, and built in the USA. The B2CC is an ideal option for municipalities, parks services, emergency response vehicles, airports, construction, landscaping, electricians, plumbers, security, non-tactical military, and more. Bollinger Motors claims that the Bollinger B2 Chassis Cab will begin rolling out to commercial outfitters in late 2021, with both cutaway and four door cab layouts being offered. It will be interesting to see how well received the B2CC is by the commercial sector, especially with companies that are used to using traditional gas powered benchmarks like the Ford Transit, Ram Promaster, and even the axed but still used Ford E-Series lineup. RESOURCE LINK 1 RESOURCE LINK 2 RESOURCE LINK 3

DRYDEN — Two men allegedly tried to cut through a fence and enter a Dryden tow truck business early Wednesday morning. Chelan County sheriff’s deputies say they were called about 12:40 a.m. to Mountain Highway Towing for a report of two men prowling the lot. Dennis Linn Conner, 24, of Leavenworth and Terrence V. Stettner, 45, of Wenatchee were both arrested at the scene, allegedly carrying bolt cutters. A judge released them on their own recognizance after a Chelan County court appearance Wednesday afternoon. Both face likely charges of second-degree burglary; deputies say Stettner was also carrying a small amount of methamphetamine. RESOURCE LINK

Memorials to honor tow truck driver killed on Merritt Parkway https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Memorials-to-honor-tow-truck-driver-killed-on-15233537.php

Couple Says Area 1 Towing Company Charged Them Exorbitant Fees Including ‘COVID-19’ Fee, Broke Other Promises RESOURCE LINK with video

Gilroy nurse claims discrimination after AAA-affiliated tow company refused to aid her https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2020/04/29/california-nurse-says-aaa-contracted-tow-company-left-her-stranded/3033037001/

On Saturday April 25th, 2020 a Driver with Ben Gilbert Towing & Recovery, Coweta, Oklahoma was struck and killed by another vehicle while riding his motorcycle. Ben Gilbert the owner of the company stated on 04.26.20: "This is Chris my driver he got killed yesterday on a motorcycle Prayers for him and his family.

BILLINGS, Mont. - Unfortunately, with families stuck at home and businesses being closed, it's not the ideal time to plan a birthday party. Luckily, local towing companies decided they wanted to help some Billings kids celebrate their special day. Several towing companies have been putting their trucks to good use by driving to birthday parties, giving gifts, honking horns, flashing their lights and wishing local Billings kiddos a happy birthday. Kris Moore, owner of Thin-Line Towing & Recovery, had the idea and says he understands it's not easy to have a birthday right now and wanted to brighten the day for those kids. According to Kris, they have visited eight parties in the past week, with six to nine trucks from local companies like, Aaliby Towing and Billings Towing showing up at each event. Kris says he doesn't want anyone missing out on their birthday, "Rather than sit there and saying oh well we were locked down for my birthday and I didn't get a party and stuff, I would rather them remember oh my birthday this year... a bunch of tow trucks went by honking with their lights going, it was a lot of fun, and that my only goal with it, I wanted the kids to have a memorable birthday in a positive way, rather than I missed my birthday because of everything else going on.", said Kris. Kris says all the towing companies involved have been enjoying helping Billings kids celebrate, and will continue to do so if there is a demand for it. If you have a kiddo at home with a birthday coming up, reach out to Kris Moore at Thin-Line Towing & Recovery to book a drive by. RESOURCE LINK

https://mailchi.mp/ctta/losing-an-industry-legend https://mailchi.mp/ctta/losing-an-industry-legend

RIVERDALE, Ill. (CBS) — Two pedestrians are dead after a hit-and-run on I-57 near 138th Street Sunday morning. The man and woman were outside their vehicle around 4:30 a.m. as it was loaded onto a tow truck when they were hit by a passing vehicle, according to Illinois State Police. The 2018 white Toyota Camry that hit them stopped, but the people inside got out and fled the scene on foot. Troopers later learned that the vehicle was stolen. State Police have not identified the deceased victims by name, but said they were a 35-year-old woman from Chicago and a 34-year-old man from Bolingbrook. All lanes of I-57 northbound were closed for about six hours until shortly after 10 a.m. as troopers investigated. The investigation is ongoing. RESOURCE LINK

Posted in memory of Ray Worm Bourgeois a tow truck operator with R & S Towing & Recovery, Chalmette, Louisiana A Spirit Ride was held April 24th, 2020 in

This is a follow up with images related to the video posted in headlines today. M8 recovery who we work closely with showing their support for our NHS heroes. A company that continually shuns publicity relating to their continued good deeds during the Covi 19 pandemic. The owner and employee's are some of the unsung heroes that seek no thanks or recognition, just a community supporting company that shows its appreciation any which way they can. These are the acts that make you believe there is hope for us all yet.

M8 recovery who we work closely with showing their support for our NHS heroes. A company that continually shuns publicity relating to their continued good deeds during the Covi 19 pandemic. The owner and employee's are some of the unsung heroes that seek no thanks or recognition, just a community supporting company that shows its appreciation any which way they can. These are the acts that make you believe there is hope for us all yet. Hillington, United Kingdom Followup Still Images: https://www.towforce.net/topic/9414-m8-recovery-nhs-heros-parade-images-uk/

News Video Pending TAMPA, Fla. - A parade of tow trucks wound across Davis Islands last night, but there was no accident and no wrecked cars needed a tow. Instead, the tow truck drivers were sending a message of thanks to the staff at Tampa General Hospital. The 6-day-old daughter of a member of the Tampa Bay tow family, Robert Reichold, is in TGH’s NICU unit. He says the staff has taken her from near death to greatly improved. "This is an appreciation,” he explained. “Being first responders ourselves, this was something to give back to TGH. We're out here, too. We know what's going on. We're out here in the fight." Reichold's wife works at TGH as well. The tow drivers also wanted to thank the hospital for their work and sacrifices during the pandemic. RESOURCE LINK with video

South Bay nurse says fear over her contact with COVID-19 patients caused tow company to refuse service SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- In the South Bay, a nurse on the front line says concern over her contact with COVID-19 patients kept her stranded on the side of the road with a blown out tire. Meg King was on her way to work when her tire blew out in Watsonville, Sunday morning. Waiting at the end of her hour-long drive, was a full 12-hour shift. "You cannot be late as a nurse. Really. It causes problems for everybody," King explained. "Because somebody has been working 12-and-a-half hours and they're waiting for me to come in so that I can take their patients. So they can go home." King reached out to AAA. The company required her to answer several COVID-19-related questions. One specifically asked about whether she'd come into contact with an infected person. She answered yes. Stuck on the side of the road, King was told help was not coming. "I believe that they did not pick me up because I had answered that I had taken care of COVID-19 patients," King told ABC7 News. She said the AAA agent had named Rossi's Towing. On Rossi's company website, it calls itself "Santa Cruz's one and only AAA towing service provider," servicing Santa Cruz County. ABC7 News reached out to both AAA and Rossi's Towing to learn what happened, and why King would've been left without help. In a statement to ABC7 News , AAA said in-part, "AAA Northern California is aware of this incident involving a healthcare worker and AAA member over the weekend. We spoke to the member today and have both apologized and acknowledged this situation was not handled in the best way." The company explained, "In this case, there was limited tow service coverage in her area." AAA would not elaborate on whether Rossi's was involved in its response. ABC7 News reaches out to Rossi's Towing on Wednesday. The company supplied the following statement on Thursday: "Rossi's Towing is an Independent Contract Station for the AAA network. AAA has provided protocols to follow during this unprecedented pandemic. These protocols are in place for the benefit of members as well as our team of drivers to reduce exposure to COVID-19. We at Rossi's Towing are re-evaluating our protocols, guiding and coaching our team daily with new ways to handle challenges that come up while continuing to provide service to the motoring public. Our sincerest apologies go out to Ms. King for this unfortunate occurrence." Responding to questions about new measures during COVID-19, the AAA statement read: "During this challenging time, we are taking preventative measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, while operating as an essential service. Members are asked to respond to health-related screening questions before providing service to protect both our drivers and members. If a member answers affirmatively to any of the screening questions, we connect them with a specialized servicing team that works to find a safe solution." "After the so-called 'specialized team' talked to her, she sat for another half-hour," King's husband, Henry Ross told ABC7 News. "Until someone told her that Rossi's refused to pick her up. Those were the words. There was no ambiguity about that." Instead, a passing California Highway Patrol officer helped King get back on the road more than 90 minutes later. "In all honesty, if they had just said that in the first place- like at 6:30 when I called. If they said, 'The driver's scared, is worried about getting COVID-19 and bringing it home to his family,' I honestly would've been fine and understood that," King told ABC7 News. In the statement by AAA, the company explained, "We were unable to locate an available truck to provide her timely service so we offered to call the CHP or another service option. The member was understandably frustrated with the time it took to address her road service issue. As is our protocol to help ensure the safety of our members, we stayed on the call until, in this case, the CHP reached her." King disputes there was any offer to call the CHP. Instead, she said the AAA agent instructed her to call 9-1-1 for help. King's husband, clearly frustrated, added he knows his wife is a hero in this pandemic. "This is such hard work. It takes too much out of you," he said. "And to add this on top..." King said after the ordeal, she was able to get in touch with a representative at Rossi's Towing who denied the company ever got the call for service. She and her husband both shared their dissatisfaction at Rossi's and AAA, as they've received no clear explanation about why she was refused service. ABC7 News has reached out to Rossi's Towing about the incident. The company has not yet responded. RESOURCE LINK with video

Corey Iodice, a well known Tow Operator lost his life Wednesday night. The tragic incident happened on the Merritt Parkway in Trumbull. Reports coming in that he was loading a vehicle onto a rollback when an accident occurred. Tow truck driver hit, killed in major Merritt Parkway crash in Trumbull TRUMBULL — The driver of a local tow truck was hit and killed in a major crash Wednesday afternoon that shut down a stretch of the Merritt Parkway for hours. Troopers from the Connecticut State Police Troop G barrack in Bridgeport responded to Route 15 south in the area of Exit 47 for a reported crash around 4:45 p.m., according to Trooper First Class Christine Jeltema. First responders on scene indicated over dispatch broadcasts that there were three “walking wounded” and one “DOA.” Corey John Iodice, 58, of Magnolia Avenue in Seffner, Fla., was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a state police accident report. Iodice was driving an Iodice Family Transport tow truck, which operates out of Fairfield. The website for IFT said Iodice had more than 30 years of “towing and heavy recovery expertise.” He was there to tow the disabled vehicle of a 25-year-old Bridgeport man. A third vehicle on scene was driven by a friend of the Bridgeport man, who he called for a ride. While Iodice was loading the disabled vehicle onto the tow truck, the report said, a 46-year-old Weston man driving in the right lane, “lost control for unknown reasons,” and hit the vehicles of the two Bridgeport men. The Weston man’s vehicle then continued “up the bed” of the tow truck and hit Iodice, “who was standing adjacent to the flat bed portion of the tow truck,” the state police report said. The report said the Weston man’s vehicle then rolled on its roof and came to a rest on the right shoulder of the highway. Medics pronounced Iodice dead at the crash site, state police said. The drivers of the other three vehicles were evaluated by medical personnel on scene and declined to be transported to the hospital. The highway reopened to traffic by 9:15 p.m. The crash remains under investigation by state police. Please keep the Iodice Family in your Thoughts & Prayers. NEW LINK ADDED https://www.ctpost.com/policereports/article/Major-rollover-crash-on-Merritt-Parkway-in-15219281.php Found on the Fairfield Police Department FB Page: The men and women of the Fairfield Police Department have heavy hearts today as we mourn the loss of a friend. Corey Iodice of Iodice Family Transport tragically lost his life yesterday while tending to a disabled vehicle on the Merrit Parkway. Corey, his brother Chris and the entire Iodice family, are in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. Corey was always a pleasure to be around and had a true passion for his work, always going above and beyond what was asked of him. He showed true compassion toward others in stressful times and always accomplished the task at hand in the most expert way possible. The Fairfield Police Department has grown to rely on the Iodice family for the towing of vehicles, particularly in the most difficult situations. It is well known that when an Iodice brother shows up to the scene, the job is going to get done. Corey Iodice was a great man who had a quiet confidence about him. When he showed up on the scene we all knew he would “just handle it.” In addition, Corey was one of the most safety conscious people we knew. Extremely knowledgeable and humble. It should never take a tragic event like this to remind the public to slow down and move over! Corey, Chris and his family are well known and respected in their industry. They are dedicated, compassionate, professional and always prepared. The loss of Corey will be felt by many. He will truly be missed by all. To the Iodice Family...may the peace that comes from your memories comfort you now and in the days ahead. Hold tight to those memories for comfort. Lean on your friends for strength. And always remember how much you're loved. Rest easy Corey...until we meet again. A News Story with Video can be found HERE

How to manage unanticipated roadside events Handling the before, during, and after of an unexpected heavy duty vehicle tow or recovery. by: Erica Schueller Downtime is the antithesis of productivity for a fleet operation. When that downtime is unexpected, or becomes an emergency situation, it is even more integral to have a plan in place to efficiently and effectively respond to issues, so the problem does not get exponentially worse. When an emergency roadside situation occurs, a safe and organized response is crucial. Adhering to these critical steps can minimize not only the loss or damage of cargo but also protect and potentially save the lives of the driver and others on the road who may be in jeopardy. Having a plan in place to handle the before, during, and after of an unexpected tractor tow or vehicle recovery can help fleets to better plan for these events. Prep when possible In preparation for the unexpected, fleets should first vet and select one or several towing and recovery service providers that best suits their needs. When selecting a service provider, review the network they serve. There may be instances where a fleet runs outside of the network, or a fleet may require a nationwide network to provide service. Once a service provider is selected, the fleet should apply to be added to the towing and recovery company’s account base. Information such as the main fleet contact, purchasing agent, accounts payable staff, and fleet manager should all be provided to the tow company, says Randy Resch, tow operator expert and owner of Randall Resch Training. Brian Riker suggests dedicated mobile maintenance providers may specialize in certain vehicles or systems, while dedicated towing service providers who also provide some mobile maintenance services may likely offer more general services. Riker is president and chief compliance specialist for Fleet Compliance Solutions, a transportation compliance consulting company for the commercial vehicle market. Additionally, “they may be more inclined to tow the breakdown into their shop rather than repair it roadside,” Riker advises. He adds that service providers will also take into consideration how quickly their tower can get off the side of the road. “On average, a tower or mobile mechanic is struck by a passing vehicle once every six days in the U.S.,” he says. Read the Entire Article HERE

The statewide stay-at-home order has been dimming everyone’s plans lately. Among those arguably hit the hardest are children that have had to celebrate their birthdays AT HOME! While we understand as adults the importance of social distancing, it’s not the easiest thing to explain to the little ones. However, our community rallied together recently for one Springfield child to have a birthday to remember. Malcolm turned 3 this month but he wasn’t able to have a party. His mother, Jessi Gray, says Malcolm has autism and loves sirens and lights. She made a Facebook post for friends and family to organize a small parade to celebrate through social distancing, but things escalated quickly. Gray says a driver from Integrity Towing reached out because of the post and several other companies followed suit. On the day of Malcom’s parade, friends, family and complete strangers came to wave and drop off candy and gifts. There were tow trucks and wreckers lining the street from Integrity Towing, Affordable Towing, RPM Towing, Floyd’s Wrecker Service, UAR, and Finley River Towing. The Springfield Police and Fire Department also showed up to show off their lights and sirens. Ozarks Flag Distributors even brought a large truck carrying a flag, which Malcolm loved! Malcolm’s third birthday was held under quarantine, but it was definitely one to remember. Watch part of Malcolm’s parade here: https://www.ktts.com/2020/04/19/boy-from-springfield-gets-tow-truck-parade-in-lieu-of-a-party-this-year/

NORWALK, Ohio — Concerns about coronavirus are keeping most of us indoors — but not essential workers like nurses, police, and even tow truck drivers. With fewer cars on the road there are fewer accidents, leaving drivers sitting idle It's difficult to follow social distancing when helping people stuck on the side of the road Drivers say when they do get a call, they are taking the necessary precautions to keep their trucks virus-free “It’s like somebody shut the water spigot off in the towing industry. There’s nothing. I betcha there’s millions of tow trucks sitting across the country,” said Wayne Sweeney, manager at Interstate Towing in Norwalk, Ohio. With the stay-at-home order in place, the roadways across Ohio have been almost empty. And with fewer cars on the road, there are fewer accidents, so tow truck drivers have been sitting idle. Wayne Sweeney is a tow truck driver for Interstate Towing in Norwalk. He says helping people stuck on the side of the road is difficult because you can’t really follow social distancing. “it’s always a worry every time we pick somebody up. We don’t know if they are carrying it, if they are not, we don’t know if they are sick, but it’s our duty, it’s our job to get them off that road so nothing happens. That’s what we do, we’re essential workers,” said Sweeney. Even though business for the towing industry may be slow, he says the company he works for has not had to lay of any of its 60 employees because of contracts that are in place. Drivers say when they do get a call, they are taking the necessary precautions to keep their trucs virus-free. “Every time we do a tow we are coming back here and disinfecting the trucks with Lysol wipes and Clorox. We have a good supply here and we are doing our best to keep the employees safe, keep the trucks clean and the customers safe at the same time,” said Sweeney. RESOURCE LINK with video