Mack to Sponsor Skills Challenge in Vegas

Mack Trucks will again sponsor a Driving Skills Safety Challenge during the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas, Feb. 3-5.The competition will be held in the Silver lot #4 next to the Renaissance Hotel outside the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Mack will also hold a reception from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day for contestants.The competition is open to any driver at least 18 years of age with a valid CDL who completes an application form, shows proof of operator training, and is registered for the show. This year's event will include individual and team competitions (two operators per team).Contestants will choose one Mack Granite model mixer to operate through a closed course set up to simulate an actual job site. Operators must complete a pre-operation safety check and successfully navigate the skills course. Each individual will have one attempt. Scoring will be based on accuracy and adherence to safety procedures. Specific scoring rules will be provided at the event.First-, second-, and third-place winners will be announced at 4 p.m. on each day of the competition during an awards ceremony. Mack will give away more than $10,000 in prizes during the three-day competition."We think it is important to recognize the contribution drivers make to job site safety every day," said Michael Reardon, Mack vice president of marketing. "It takes real skill and awareness to be safe and productive on a busy and crowded construction site and this competition is one way to highlight the professionalism of mixer truck drivers."

Iowa 80 Truck Stop Celebrates 45 Years

Iowa 80 TA Truckstop, located in Walcott, Iowa, will be celebrating its 45th year of serving America's professional drivers in 2009.Standard Oil built and opened the truckstop in 1964. At that time, Iowa 80 had two diesel pumps, one lube bay and a small restaurant. In September 1965, Bill Moon took over management of the truckstop for Standard Oil.In 1984 Bill Moon and his wife Carolyn purchased the truckstop from Amoco and started remodeling and expanding. The shop bays were closed to build state-of-the-art private showers and a driver's area, both of which were very rare in a truckstop at the time. In 1989, Iowa 80 added a new store probably most famous for, other than its chrome selection, the 1918 Oldsmobile hoisted above the cashier island.Three years later, in 1992, Iowa 80 Truckstop expanded its fuel center and became aTruckstops of America franchisee. Truckstops of America would also serve as a connection to the trucking fleets that had grown over the years. And one year later, Iowa 80 opened its TA Service Center.In 2006, a new multi-million dollar Super Truck Showroom was added at Iowa 80 Truckstop. It houses more than 67,000 square feet of chrome, stainless, lights and other trucking accessories to browse. The showroom also includes three big rigs on display that sport the latest accessories and a wall of lights allowing drivers to see what every single type of available light looks like when it's illuminated. A custom shop houses vinyl graphics, custom T-shirts, embroidery center and laser engraving.There are 24 private showers located on the third floor, along with a library, drivers den, movie theater, barber shop, dentist, chiropractor, laundry facilities and a balcony. The food court was also expanded and now includes Wendy's, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut Express and Dairy Queen/Orange Julius. "We are always looking to improve the Iowa 80 experience for our customers," says Delia Moon Meier. "We've expanded Iowa 80 Truckstop 25 times in the last 45 years and we're not ready to slow down yet."More info: www.iowa80truckstop.com

Flooding and Mudslides Close Roads in Washington State

Truckers and motorists traveling in Washington State should be aware that flooding, avalanches and mudslides have been wreaking havoc in a number of regions, state DOT officials said.
The Washington State Department of Transportation warns that a number of roads and passes were closed or faced disruptions during the day on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Interstate 5 remained open as of press time, but officials were monitoring flood levels and warned that they could close the highway at some point.
For a full list and to access the most current information from WSDOT, click here. The following roads and passes were closed as of midday on Wednesday:
Snoqualmie Pass was closed at midday due to snow, avalanches and mudslides.
State Route 410 was closed in both directions from milepost 9 to milepost 10 during late morning hours.
State Route 547 was closed between milepost 8 and milepost 9 as of 10 a.m.
State Route 542 was closed between milepost 18 and milepost 19 and from milepost 25 to milepost 26 as of 10 a.m.
State Route 20 from milepost 90 to milepost 92 experienced a mudslide at 9:15 a.m.
U.S. 101 was closed from milepost 61 to milepost 62 at 9 a.m. due to flooding.

Officials are urging everyone traveling in the area to know their routes, to check online for detour information, and to use caution.