Bus damaged when it hits ditch

One of Grand Coulee Dam School District's buses received damage to its front end last Thursday about 7:15 a.m. when the driver swerved off the road near Nespelem to avoid hitting a vehicle in front of it.

There were no injuries, and only one child was on the bus at the time. Damage to the bus was limited to the front bumper and security arm.

The Washington State Patrol issued veteran driver David Gates a citation for driving too closely. Gates has been driving bus for the district about 12 years.