The Connecticut School Transportation Association published its first electronic newsletter this month.

Similar in layout to the previous paper version that was mailed monthly to members and interested parties, the COSTA newsletter is now e-mailed as a PDF. The association also announced that a new version of its Web site is currently under construction and will re-launch soon.

Donna Legault, the executive director at COSTA, said the paper version of the newsletter will continue to be mailed to members who do not have e-mail while those with e-mail will receive it online. She added that the new e-newsletter is a way for the association to "go green" and save money on mailings.

The March newsletter edition publishes notes on pending legislation affecting school transporters in the state, including bills on live digital video detection systems for monitoring anyone who illegally boards or follows school buses and a bill that would required school bus drivers to submit to annual drug tests. It also shares the story of a driver for All-Star Transportation, who was awoken in the early morning hours of Dec. 8 by the smoke alarm in her house.

The woman quickly evacuated with her infant son and two other sons with only the clothes on their backs. The fire department soon responded and contained the fire to the porch and front of the house, but there was still considerable damage. All-Star Transportation responded by organizing a hot dog sale, and community members began donating items for the bus driver's children. In all, the sale and donations brought in $1,100 for the family.