... LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS APPROACHING THE AREA...

... LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS APPROACHING THE AREA...

* A NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS EXTENDING FROM JUST WEST OF YOUNGSTOWN TO NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA... MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.

MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN WITH SOME OF SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD PRODUCE ONE HALF TO THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH OR RAIN AS THEY CROSS THE AREA BETWEEN 8 PM EDT AND 9 PM EDT. WHILE THE STORMS DO NOT HAVE A HISTORY OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS... GUSTS UP TO 35 OR 40 MPH ARE POSSIBLE.

* SOME LOCATIONS AFFECTED BY THE STRONG THUNDERSTORMS MAY INCLUDE... NIAGARA FALLS... TONAWANDA AND NORTH TONAWANDA... WEST SENECA... AMHERST AND WILLIAMSVILLE... LANCASTER...

FREQUENT LIGHTNING IS OCCURRING WITH THESE STORMS. STAY INDOORS UNTIL THE STORMS CLEAR THE AREA.

DOD Releases Unified Command Plan 2011 Change 1

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

No. 788-11 September 14, 2011

DOD Releases Unified Command Plan 2011 Change 1             The Department of Defense has issued a change to the Unified Command Plan (UCP), a strategic document that establishes the missions, responsibilities, and geographic areas of responsibility (AORs) for commanders of combatant commands.  The Unified Command Plan 2011 Change 1, signed by President Obama on Sept. 12 captures administrative changes required to reflect the disestablishment of U.S. Joint Forces Command and several secretary of defense-directed efficiencies initiatives.             Every two years, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is required to review the missions, responsibilities, and geographical boundaries of each combatant command and recommend to the President, through the secretary of defense, any changes that may be necessary.             As in past years, this review process included the combatant commanders, service chiefs, and DoD leadership.             Significant changes made by UCP 2011 Change 1 include:             - Removing language that refers to U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), which was disestablished on Aug. 31, 2011.             - Removing language for geographic combatant command standing joint force headquarters, which are approved for disestablishment by the end of fiscal 2012.             - Adding responsibility for global standing joint force headquarters to U.S. Transportation Command.  These assets will transfer as the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command from USJFCOM.             - Transferring the Joint Warfare Analysis Center missions to U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).  Joint Warfare Analysis Center was previously a subordinate command to USJFCOM.             - Removing language and responsibilities for information operations, military deception, and operations security from USSTRATCOM.  These missions will transfer to the Joint Staff.             The UCP 2011 continues to support U.S. defense security commitments around the world while improving military responsiveness to emerging crises.             A map of the combatant commanders' areas of responsibilities can be found at http://www.defense.gov/ucc/ .

Dulles CBP Intercepts Destructive Khapra Beetles

Sterling, Va. — Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at Washington Dulles International Airport intercepted 14 live and 10 dead Khapra Beetles, one of the world’s most destructive insect pests, last Thursday in a shipment of personal effects from Saudi Arabia.

The Khapra Beetles, discovered inside three burlap bags of rice, are considered one of the 100 most invasive species in the world. The shipment was destined for Washington, D.C.

click for hi-res Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists intercepted 14 live and 10 dead Khapra Beetles in three burlap bags of rice shipped from Saudi Arabia to Washington Dulles International Airport Sept. 8, 2011. The Khapra Beetle is recognized as one of the world’s top 100 most destructive and invasive insect pests.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologist confirmed on Monday that the insect pests were indeed Khapra Beetles.

“Khapra Beetle is one of the most destructive and invasive insects CBP agriculture specialists encounter, and we take our mission to intercept these dangerous pests very seriously,” said Christopher Hess, CBP Port Director for the Port of Washington. “Khapra Beetle poses significant threats to our nation’s agriculture, to our economy and to the health of our citizens.”

The Khapra Beetle is labeled a ‘dirty feeder’ because it damages more grain than it consumes, and because it contaminates grain with body parts and hairs. These contaminants may cause gastrointestinal irritation in adults and especially sickens infants. Khapra Beetles can also tolerate insecticides and fumigants, and can survive for long periods of time without food.

CBP has observed a significant increase in Khapra Beetle interceptions across the nation. These interceptions led the USDA to issue restrictions on importation of rice from nations in which Khapra Beetle is known to occur. For more information on these restrictions, please visit ( APHIS )

CBP agriculture specialists have extensive training and experience in the biological sciences and agricultural inspection. On a typical day, they inspect tens of thousands of international air passengers, and air and sea cargoes nationally being imported to the United States and seize 4,291 prohibited meat, plant materials or animal products, including 454 insect pests.

“CBP agriculture specialists take their role of protecting our nation’s agriculture very seriously,” said Hess. “They are a critical part of CBP’s mission to protect our nation against all potential threats.”

To learn more about CBP agriculture specialists, please visit ( Agriculture Specialist Fact Sheet (pdf - 33 KB.) )

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.

CBP in San Diego Remains Focused on Mission Despite Challenges of Construction and Traffic

San Diego — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at San Diego area border crossings recently confiscated more than 8,800 pounds of marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamine valued at $8.2 million and stopped the entry of more than 116 inadmissible aliens.

click for hi-res This 7,903 pounds of marijuana will not make onto American streets because of the exceptional work of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa, CA cargo facility.

“The fact that the port and field office are still maintaining an excellent enforcement posture given the challenges faced this week is a true credit to the Port of San Ysidro, the San Diego Field Office, and to Customs and Border Protection as a whole,” said Kevin McAleenan, CBP Office of Field Operations Deputy Assistant Commissioner.

The largest seizure occurred at 9 a.m. on September 15, in the Otay Mesa cargo facility after a 29-year-old male Mexican citizen, driving a 1996 Kenworth tractor pulling a trailer, entered the port with cargo manifested as plastic materials. During questioning, the CBP officer noticed inconsistencies with the driver’s answers and referred the driver and conveyance for an intensive examination.

CBP officers unloaded the merchandise, opened the boxes and discovered 404 large wrapped packages of marijuana, weighing 7,903 pounds. CBP arrested the driver and seized the marijuana and tractor-trailer.

On September 14, CBP officers screening pedestrian travelers at the San Ysidro port of entry stopped a 54-year-old male U.S. citizen for questioning at 11 p.m. CBP officers subsequently found six packages of marijuana, weighing seven pounds, taped to the man’s abdomen and thighs. CBP officers arrested the man and seized the marijuana.

Also on September 14, at the nearby Otay Mesa passenger port, a CBP officer screening vehicle and travelers targeted a 34-year-old female U.S. citizen driving a 1999 Ford Explorer. The officer noticed her nervous demeanor and escorted her and the vehicle for a more in-depth examination.

CBP officers ran the Explorer through the port’s imaging system which revealed anomalies within all four tires. Officers cut open all four tires and discovered metal canisters wrapped around the rims containing 158 pounds of marijuana. CBP officers arrested the woman and seized both the vehicle and marijuana.

On September 15 at the San Ysidro border crossing, a canine team was screening vehicles waiting to enter the United States when a detector dog alerted to a 2004 Ford Ranger driven by a 22-year-old male U.S. citizen. CBP officers escorted the man and vehicle for further inspection where they discovered 17 wrapped packages of methamphetamine weighing 39 pounds inside the gas tank of the pickup truck.

CBP officers arrested the man and seized the vehicle and methamphetamine.

CBP officers also stopped 116 illegal aliens who attempted to illegally enter the country by hiding within vehicles; presenting fraudulent documents; or presenting valid documents not legally issued to them. Some individuals had also been previously deported.

At about 10:45 a.m. on September 14, there was a collapse of scaffolding being used for construction at the San Ysidro port of entry. The collapse occurred just north of the primary inspection booths in the U.S. To safeguard the public and CBP personnel, the port was closed until the situation could be resolved.

CBP officers immediately secured the port and remained vigilant to stop any illegal activity. At 6:30 p.m., CBP began processing pedestrian traffic again at the San Ysidro port of entry and at midnight re-opened 13 vehicle lanes to begin processing travelers. CBP also re-opened the lane used to process bus traffic.

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.

Exclusive: Colvin Construction Lane Restrictions Police Activity

(Colvin Avenue - City / Town of Tonawanda area) Colvin has always been a busy North / South route linking the TCMH (Twin City Memorial Highway with the Sheridan Drive Commercial area. Colvin also brings traffic deep into Buffalo. Constructions workers were viewed placing construction cones in the center lane. Police activity is high with multiple cars pulled over. Caution is strongly advised in the area. Not reported on radio.

LAX TSA Officers Go Fishing?

(Image Not of Passenger’s Luggage) laszlo-photo

Our baggage officers at LAX must have been using the Fishin’ Magician yesterday.  They observed a fishy image after anexplosives detection system  alarmed. After going into the luggage, they found live fish swimming around in a bag. You might say they were “packed like sardines.” 

Here is the kicker: The passenger didn’t have a little baggie with a goldfish in it, they had 4 large hard-sided suitcases each filled with only fish and water. In all, there were nearly 240 fish of all types and sizes.

The passenger bought the fish at a local pet store and was taking them home. The airline would not allow him to transport the fish via checked luggage, but they did allow him to ship them properly via cargo. One might say the passenger was “schooled”  on how to properly fly with fish. I’m guessing things went swimmingly for the fish from that point forward?  If you’re traveling with any type of live critter, (other than your kids) be sure to contact your airline to see what their policies are. 

- Special Thanks Blogger Bob - TSA