Trucking news and briefs for Friday, May 8, 2026:
Georgia city banning trucks from downtown area
The city of Port Wentworth, Georgia, will ban tractor-trailers from the downtown corridor of the Coastal Highway, effective July 1.
Ahead of the ban, the city is launching a public information campaign to prepare residents, business owners, drivers and others for the change.
The effort supports the city's long-term downtown revitalization strategy and follows the Georgia Department of Transportation's approval of Port Wentworth's request to assume local jurisdiction over the downtown portion of State Route 25, from Grange Road to Bonnybridge Road. Trucks will be rerouted around the downtown area. Specific routing details were not immediately available, but city communications said drivers should follow posted signage.
City officials said the downtown truck ban is intended to “improve public safety, reduce heavy truck congestion, and transform downtown into a more walkable, business-friendly destination for residents and visitors,” adding that GDOT’s approval was “a major step in redirecting through-truck traffic away from the city center and converting the corridor from a truck-dominated thoroughfare into a pedestrian-focused main street.”
Throughout May, Port Wentworth will engage drivers with public education, flyers, text alerts, signage and outreach; ordinance and speed limit updates; and possible town hall meetings.
In June, the city will continue its public outreach, coupled with a formal warning period for trucks not using designated alternate routes.
Full enforcement of the ban will take effect on July 1.
Residents, business owners, truck drivers, and logistics partners are encouraged to review official notices, follow posted signage, and stay informed through the city's website and official communication channels.
Melton COO set to retire
Melton Truck Lines (CCJ Top 250, No. 71) has announced that Russ Elliott, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, will retire in June, wrapping up a 35-year career with the company.
Elliott began his career at Melton in 1991 as a customer service representative and quickly advanced through a series of leadership roles, including Director of Operations, VP of Operations, and VP of Safety & Human Resources, before being named Executive Vice President and COO in 2017.
“From fewer than 100 trucks in 1991 to more than 1,400 today, I’m grateful for 35 incredible years," Elliott said. "There was never a dull moment, and this business has a way of keeping things exciting. I’ve had the privilege to work alongside our amazing drivers, celebrating their success, and building strong relationships with our customers. It’s been a truly rewarding run, and I’m thankful for the experiences and people who made it special.”
Throughout his tenure, Elliott played a key role across nearly every area of the business, including operations, safety, recruiting, sales and marketing, and the company’s Logistics and Mexico operations, the company said. He was instrumental in the growth of Melton’s cross-border business, building strong relationships with Mexican carriers and customers while expanding the company’s presence in the region. Elliott also prioritized a hands-on leadership approach, taking time to understand the day-to-day realities of the teams he led.
“Russ has been a trusted, key partner in Melton’s growth from the early days and has played a critical role in shaping the operations and culture that have positioned Melton for stable, long-term success,” said Bob Peterson, Chairman and CEO. “He brought enthusiasm, deep knowledge, and clarity to every role he held, and his influence will continue to be felt across the company for years to come.”
Dozens of van, flatbed trailers up for auction in SoCal
Bidding is open through Tuesday, May 12 at 10:30 a.m. Pacific in a Tiger Group auction featuring more than 100 trucks, trailers and forklifts from the Southern California facilities of Asbury Transportation and Orange Courier.
Conducted with U.S. bankruptcy court approval, the timed, online auction opened on Tuesday, May 5.
"Tiger is pleased to have been selected by the trustee to auction this significant fleet of rolling stock and material-handling equipment," said Tiger Commercial & Industrial Senior Director Jonathan Holiday. "This is an excellent opportunity for trucking, courier, delivery, warehouse and logistics companies to add to their fleets."
Highlights of the sale include five Kenworth and International trucks, along with 72 trailers of various manufacturers, including Trailmobile, Fontaine, Great Dane, Wabash National, Hyundai, Trail King and Transcraft.
Trailers include enclosed dry vans and open-deck flatbeds in standard lengths ranging from 40 to 53 feet. In addition, open "stretch deck" trailers extendable up to 65 feet are available.
There are also 13 forklifts available that range in capacity from 4,000 to 26,000 pounds. They are by manufacturers such as Hyster, Nissan, Pettibone and Yale.
Inspections are available by appointment on Monday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific. To arrange an inspection or obtain other information, email: [email protected] or call (805) 497-4999.
Asset photos, descriptions and other information can be found here.
Bluetooth CLP testing cheater sentenced
A man convicted for providing answers to exam questions to an individual taking a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) test was sentenced May 1 to time served (approximately 23 months in federal prison).
Frank Castro, 53, of Roxbury, Massachusetts, was charged by a federal grand jury in April 2024 and convicted in January 2025 of “unlawful production of an identification document.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts, on or about Oct. 18, 2021, Castro told an undercover agent that he could help him obtain a CLP in Massachusetts for $3,000. On or about Dec. 10, 2021, Castro explained to the undercover agent that the agent would need to sneak a Bluetooth device into the testing area at a Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), surreptitiously place the device into his ear, then cover it with headphones used during the exam.
Castro said that he would be connected with the undercover agent via the Bluetooth device such that he could hear the audio questions and provide the undercover agent with the correct answers.
On or about Dec. 22, 2021, the undercover agent deposited $3,000 into Castro’s bank account before proceeding to the Danvers RMV to take the CLP exam. The undercover agent connected with Castro using the Bluetooth device, and Castro provided the exam answers to the undercover agent in real time during the exam. The undercover agent passed the exam with Castro’s unlawful assistance and received a Massachusetts CLP.
Alleged Ohio toll dodger indicted
An Illinois man was indicted on Grand Theft in the Williams County (Ohio) Court of Common Pleas following an investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP).
A grand jury indicted Moath Musamih, 39, Orland Park, Illinois, on April 21 after he allegedly deprived the Ohio Turnpike of $21,991 in tolls over a two-year period. Ohio officials said Musamih was determined to have been using the Ohio Turnpike while evading tolls from April 2024 to April 2026.
If convicted, Musamih could face a maximum of 18 months in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. The vehicle used in connection with the theft offense, a Freightliner Cascadia, could also be subject to criminal forfeiture through the Williams County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission recently announced an effort to collect unpaid tolls from what it called “rogue commercial trucking companies” that have between $5,000 and nearly $156,000 in unpaid tolls, totaling $5.2 million from 315 trucking companies.
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