Children’s Ride-On Toy Vehicles Bumped Off Santa’s List CBP Seizes $4.7 Million in Toy Vehicles Bearing Counterfeit RU Marks

Los Angeles — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Los Angeles/Long Beach seaport complex seized 55,080 children’s ride-on toy vehicles, containing batteries underneath the seats, with counterfeit Underwriters Laboratories component certification “RU” markings.

CBP officers discovered the infringing merchandise in 14 shipments arriving from China.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the 55,080 units is $4,708,954 with a domestic value of $2,034,636.

“Preventing the entry of counterfeit items is crucial to protecting the safety of consumers as well as the economy of the United States,” said CBP Acting Director of Los Angeles Field Operations Carlos Martel.

The RU component recognition mark is one of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. component certification programs. UL is an independent product safety certification organization that rigorously tests and evaluates products for potential risk of fire, shock, and personal injury. Products are not certified until they meet established standards.

Products bearing counterfeit RU certification marks have not undergone such testing and certification process, and can present potential safety hazards to the end-user in this case children. The ride-on toy vehicles will be destroyed.

In Fiscal Year 2009, electrical articles presenting potential safety or security risks, with an estimated domestic value of $4.3 million, represented 13 percent of all commodities seized by CBP.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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Message 4 - Northern Border Highway - Milltown Crossing (Calais, ME) Suspended Operations

Current Status:	ALERT ALERT ALERT
HSAS Level:	Yellow
Affected Port(s) of Entry:	Milltown Crossing (Calais, ME)
Incident Description:	Facility disruption
Time of Incident:	Wednesday December 15, 2010, 14:40pm (EST) - Ongoing
Location of Incident:	Milltown Crossing, Calais, ME
Wait Times:	To Be Determined
Duration of Delay:	At least until December 27, 2010
Impact of Incident:	Suspended operations for U.S. bound traffic only due to facility water damage – U.S. side Only
Suggested Alternate Ports/Routes:	International Avenue Ferry Point
Hours of Operation at Alternate Ports:	Alternatives for Passenger Processing: International Avenue- Open 24/7 Ferry Point – Open 24/7
Next Update:	December 27, 2010; 6:00pm (EST)
Additional Information:	Canadian Facility reopened on December 17, 2010 and continues to process Canada bound traffic only. Prior to U.S. facility re-opening, a facility damage assessment needs to be completed.

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Border Patrol Santa Arrives in Sonoita

Sonoita, Ariz. – Riding in a horse drawn carriage and dressed in a green suit, Santa Claus made a surprise visit to the children of Sonoita on Sunday morning.

Every year the agents and employees of the Sonoita Border Patrol Station band together and raise funds to ensure that families in need in eastern Santa Cruz County have a bountiful Christmas. In conjunction with civic volunteers, various families are identified to participate in the event. Agents and staff held fundraisers, donated gifts and generously gave and provided all the fixings for a holiday dinner for six families with 18 children.

An agent from the Sonoita Station, who has been coordinating the event since 1998, arrived dressed in his Border Patrol green Santa Claus suit in a horse drawn carriage. Children and their families enjoyed holiday treats and carriage rides with Santa before being showered with gifts.

Coordinated with local partners at the Sonoita-Elgin Fire Department, personnel from the fire department along with several Border Patrol agents were on hand to participate and support the event. Attendees were treated to a tour of the fire department and enjoyed the decorations as much as the fire trucks. The successful event is the highlight of the holiday season at the Sonoita Station and provides an opportunity for agents and their families to enjoy the foundations of true holiday cheer and goodwill while fostering a relationship with the community.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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"Secretary Robert Gates Statement on Passage of the Fiscal 2011 NDAA"

                “I am pleased that the Congress passed the fiscal 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. 
                “This bill provides the department with important authorities essential to continuing to take proper care of our men and women in uniform and support our critical operations around the world. 

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Obama Thanks Congress for Work on Defense Issues

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22, 2010 - President Barack Obama thanked legislators today for overcoming partisan differences in approving the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty and in repealing the "don't ask, don't tell" law.
Obama spoke during a White House news conference. He praised the bipartisan efforts of the lame duck Congress, which also passed legislation to extend tax cuts, spur economic growth and support those first responders who suffered health problems as a result of their actions on 9/11.
"If there's any lesson to draw from these past few weeks, it's that we are not doomed to endless gridlock," the president said. "We've shown in the wake of the November elections that we have the capacity not only to make progress, but to make progress together."
The president also spoke to the members of the American military. "I want to send a message to all those Americans who are spending Christmas serving our nation in harm's way," he said. "As I said in Afghanistan earlier this month, the American people stand united in our support and admiration for you. And in this holiday season, I'd ask the American people to keep our troops in your prayers and lend a hand to those military families who have an empty seat at the table."
On the don't ask, don't tell repeal, the president said he listened to the military advice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos told him there could be disruptions from repeal, Obama said. But all of the chiefs told the president that "they were confident that they could implement this policy without it affecting our military cohesion and good discipline and readiness."
Obama called the new START treaty the most significant arms control agreement in nearly two decades. He said the treaty will allow the United States and Russia to reduce their nuclear arsenals and do so in a verifiable manner.
"With this treaty, our inspectors will also be back on the ground at Russian nuclear bases," he said. "So we will be able to trust, but verify."
The treaty is an important brick in rebuilding the U.S. relationship with Russia. The United States and Russia can work together on a host of foreign policy initiatives, including sanctions on Iran and preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to terrorists.
"The strong bipartisan vote in the Senate sends a powerful signal to the world that Republicans and Democrats stand together on behalf of our security," Obama said.
 

Related Sites:
Special Report: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
Special Report: Don't Ask, Don't Tell

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Lowest Regular Gas prices for Buffalo

2.909

Big Indian Smoke Shop 597 Milestrip Rd Irving, NY

Mon 4:00 PM

2.949

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Tue 4:13 PM

2.949

Patterson's Trading Post 2390 Upper Mountain Rd Sanborn, NY

Tue 9:26 AM

2.959

Smokin Joes 2293 Saunders Settlement Rd Sanborn, NY

Tue 4:55 PM

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Heron's Landing 11186 Southwestern Blvd Irving, NY

Mon 4:00 PM

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* Prices as of Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 1:03 PM

Current Buffalo Average
3.221

Current New York Average
3.241

Current National Average

3.000

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FIRE CALL: AJ'S GRAND PRIX: Boulevard north of 290

Fire companies called to check on "smell of something burning in a back room". Drivers use great care and be aware of emergency traffic in area of AJ's Grand Prix near the entrance and exit ramps onto the Boulevard.

Fire is now on scene.Fire call closed out at 1:09 PM - Overheated game All is good.

If you have never visited AJ's the place is really cool.

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