198 at 33 Tow Truck In Route for Wrong Way Driver

(Buffalo, NY - Erie County) 198 33 Ramp Closed Tracter Trailers blocking - Slow Down. Tow trucka and police in area.

198 Curve 33 Westbound Wrong Way Driver

CBP at the Progreso/DonnaPort Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

Donna, TX – U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Donna port of entry celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month with McAllen ISD Superintendent James J. Ponce, Ed.D serving as the keynote speaker.A leader, team builder and organizer, James J. Ponce, Ed.D has infused McAllen ISD with a focus on rigor in teaching and learning, while leveraging all resources, from the classroom to central staff. Focusing on strengthening and building staff leadership capacity through extensive instructional and leadership training the McAllen ISD has implemented new parent-outreach efforts—parent leadership conversations at every school, a newly established Parent Advisory, Annual Parent Engagement Conferences, specialized informative presentations for parents at every campus, and efforts centered on transitioning students and parents into their new school well before the child moves through the feeder system. Parents are engaged in fulfilling the fundamental mission of the district—to produce graduates who are college and career ready.The National Hispanic Heritage Month this year is from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. This year’s theme is “Keeping the Promise, Unity, Strength, and Leadership.” President Barack Obama has called upon public officials, educators, librarians, and all the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.Progreso/Donna port of entry Port Director Carlos Rodriguez along with invited guests enjoyed accordion music played by local CBP officers, dances preformed by the Weslaco ISD folkloric group as well as traditional ethnic food sampling prepared by CBP officers and staff.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.

Gardiner Expressway closed this weekend for road work

Sections of the Gardiner Expressway will be closed from Saturday, October 22 at 2 a.m. to Monday, October 24 at 5 a.m. for required road work.The westbound Gardiner Expressway will be closed from Carlaw Avenue to Jameson Avenue. The on-ramp to the Gardiner Expressway from Lake Shore Boulevard to Carlaw Avenue will also be closed. Southbound traffic on the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) must exit at Bayview/Bloor, Richmond Street or the Don Roadway. Motorists may enter the westbound Gardiner Expressway at Jameson Avenue.The eastbound Gardiner Expressway will be closed from York/Bay/Yonge exit to the DVP. Eastbound traffic must exit at either the Jameson, Spadina or York/Bay/Yonge exits.The main reason for the closure is to perform required deck repair on the expressway. In addition to that work, other activities will take place, including:• installation of long-term lane restriction on the eastbound Gardiner Expressway, from Jarvis Street to the DVP, to facilitate the replacement of light pole bases• core material sampling and camera inspection of the main deck on both directions for an evaluation of deck condition• catch basin cleaning required to ensure proper drainage• closed circuit television (CCTV) camera maintenance• roadway cut repairs• RESCU (traffic management system) detector repairsMotorists can use Lake Shore Boulevard, Bloor Street, Richmond Street and Adelaide Street as alternative routes during the closure. The public is encouraged to consider using public transit as a convenient alternative whenever possible.Following the weekend closure, the eastbound curb lane of the Gardiner Expressway from Jarvis Street to the Don River will remain closed for long-term repair work.

City of Toronto seeking public input for a new five-year plan for parks, trails and natural areas

October 20, 2011 The City of Toronto's Parks, Forestry and Recreation division is seeking public input for the new five-year Parks Plan. As directed by Council, the plan will guide decision-making and investment in City parks in order to meet the diverse needs of Toronto residents, including: • designing beautiful, unique and sustainable park spaces • protecting and expanding natural areas• balancing park uses to include play spaces, natural areas, sport activities, urban agriculture and cultural expression• engaging the community through stewardship, volunteering and partnerships, and• ensuring that the City's parks and trails are available and accessible to all residents."This is an important opportunity for Torontonians to express their opinions about the Toronto parks system," said Councillor Norm Kelly (Ward 40 Scarborough-Agincourt), Chair of the City's Parks and Environment Committee. "I encourage everyone to complete the online survey or attend a public consultation session."Residents are invited to attend one of four public consultation meetings:Scarborough - Monday, November 7, Warden Hilltop Community Centre, 25 Mendelssohn St. North York - Wednesday, November 16, Mitchell Field Community Centre, 89 Church Ave. Toronto East York - Thursday, November 24, Wellesley Community Centre, 495 Sherbourne St. Etobicoke York - Thursday, December 1, Amesbury Community Centre, 1507 Lawrence Ave. W. The public can also provide feedback about parks services through an online survey, launched today at http://www.toronto.ca/parks/parksplan. For more information about the public survey or to participate in a public consultation session about the new Parks Plan, visit http://www.toronto.ca/parks/parksplan or contact 311. Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. Toronto's government is dedicated to delivering customer service excellence, creating a transparent and accountable government, reducing the size and cost of government and building a transportation city. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can dial 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. -30-

Former Arizona Governor Castro Speaks at CBP Hispanic Heritage Event

Nogales, AZ. — Former Arizona Governor Raul Castro has had a distinguished lifetime lasting more than 95 years. Not only has he served as the Grand Canyon State’s only Hispanic governor, but he has also served as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador, Bolivia and Argentina.Speaking Oct. 5, at the Tucson Field Office’s Diversity and Inclusion Committees Hispanic Heritage Event, held at the Dennis DeConcini Port in Nogales, Castro talked of migrating from Mexico at a very young age with his parents and 11 siblings to the small southeastern Arizona town of Pirtleville, just west of Douglas.As a young Mexican boy, he said he remembers seeing his white classmates riding past him to school, while he and his Hispanic friends had to walk. “I was also faced with numerous educational difficulties because of my race,” he said. “I used those challenges to motivate me to work harder.” Castro said also he was grateful for a few of his teachers who encouraged him; especially Eileen Wright, who encouraged him to work hard and make something of his life.By the time Castro reached high school, he turned his young aggression into a position as quarterback for the Douglas High School Bulldogs. He also ran track and used a new found interest in journalism to become editor of the school newspaper, The Border Bulldog.After high school he was recruited by Arizona Teachers College in Flagstaff, now known as Northern Arizona University, to continue his football career. Castro had to hitchhike to college at the other end of the state, but he said, “It was worth it.”While college would extend his educational opportunities, he also took up boxing and went four years as an undefeated champ. After graduating, Castro said it was impossible to find a job in his chosen profession as a teacher, due to his nationality, so he used his boxing skills to pay the bills as a prize-fighter along the East Coast.As time past, Castro eventually became a lawyer; a career that afforded him with more than 50 years of experiences. During that time, he progressed from private practice to Pima County Attorney and eventually became a Pima County Superior Court judge specializing in immigration and international law.The former governor told the story of when he and his wife Patricia owned a commercial pony-breeding business on Tucson’s north side. “My wife had been on me for some time to paint the fence that lined a busy road next to our farm. So, one Saturday morning I put my boots on, grabbed my hat and a paint bucket, and started to paint.” He said he was going about his business when some federal agents pulled up and asked him where he was born. I answered “Cananea, Mexico.” They then wanted to know who I worked for. I thought about it for a second and then, as any good husband would say, I told them my wife’s name. The agents apparently thought I was being sarcastic until another agent drove up and said, ‘Hello Judge Castro!’ I was able to finish painting after that.”When Castro talks about Mexico today, he says things are “… so close, yet so far.” When he hears someone say that the Mexican constitution allows for its’ citizens to travel freely and we can’t keep our people from leaving, he says the reply is easy. “Freedom to travel does not mean digging tunnels or jumping the border fence. If they do so, they should be prosecuted.”The 14th governor of Arizona and his wife still call Arizona home. They are long-time residents of Nogales, Ariz., and live about 50 yards from the border fence. In his 2009 biography “Adversity is My Angel”, Castro wrote, “Today it’s not about where you were born, but where is your citizenship.” He says Nogales is a safe community, but adds, “It’s important to remember it is a gateway into the greatest country in the world.”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.

POW/MIA Talks Begin with North Korean Officials

IMMEDIATE RELEASE A delegation from the United States will meet in Bangkok on Oct. 18 to begin negotiations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on resuming recovery of the remains of American servicemen missing in action from the Korean War. Robert J. Newberry, deputy assistant secretary of defense for POW/missing personnel affairs, will lead negotiations with a team including representatives from the Department of State, the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, the U.S. Pacific Command and the United Nations Command-Korea. The talks will only address the issue of resuming remains recovery of missing U.S. servicemen from the Korean War. Accounting for Americans missing in action is a stand-alone humanitarian matter, not tied to any other issue between the two countries. Of the approximately 83,000 Americans missing from all conflicts, more than 7,900 are from the Korean War with 5,500 of those believed to be missing in the DPRK.

CBP in Houston Prohibit Eggs from Endangered Sea Turtle

Houston - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists commonly discover exotic food items concealed in passengers’ luggage, after all, international cuisine is for a cultured palate; however, when bringing items that are found on the endangered species list, they will not wind up on the dinner table.An international traveler arriving from El Salvador was attempting to import 12 sea turtle eggs. All species of sea turtles are endangered and their importation is prohibited by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.“Our officers are vigilant and committed to enforcing all U.S. laws including those protecting our endangered species,” said Houston CBP Director of Field Operations, Jeffrey O. Baldwin.The endangered sea turtle eggs were seized and turned over to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The eggs will be sent to South Padre Island, Texas where they will undergo DNA analysis.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently investigating the matter.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.

Air Force Announces Basing Candidates for an Active Duty Air Force MQ-1/9 Remote Split Operations Squadron

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 891-11October 20, 2011 Air Force officials announced today Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., as the candidate bases for one active duty Air Force MQ-1/9 remote split operations squadron. The list of candidate bases was approved by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. These bases are now candidates to accept a single active duty MQ-1/9 RSO squadron consisting of 280 personnel and associated equipment. No remotely piloted aircraft will be assigned to the base under this action, only a ground control station. The Department of Defense identified MQ-1/9 as one of the key Air Force capabilities in the current fight and for national defense. The primary mission of an MQ-1/9 RSO squadron is to execute MQ-1/9 Predator/Reaper aircraft operations that conduct close air support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Air Combat Command will begin conducting detailed, on-the-ground evaluations of the candidate bases covering a range of operational and facility requirements. The results of the surveys will be briefed to the secretary of the Air Force and Air Force chief of staff, who will then select a preferred alternative. Based on the results of these efforts, officials expect to announce the preferred alternative in December 2011.

CBP Launches Centers to Facilitate Processing of Imports

Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today the establishment of two industry-specific centers: the Center of Excellence and Expertise – Electronics in Los Angeles and the Center of Excellence and Expertise – Pharmaceuticals in New York.The centers, which previously functioned as pilot programs, will continue efforts to increase uniformity of practices across ports of entry, facilitate the timely resolution of trade compliance issues nationwide, and further strengthen critical agency knowledge on key industry practices.“The Centers of Excellence and Expertise will fundamentally transform the way CBP approaches trade operations and works with the international trade community,” said CBP Commissioner Alan D. Bersin. “They will also help facilitate legitimate trade while enabling us to concentrate our enforcement efforts on potential threats to our nation’s security and economic competitiveness.”Initially, the centers will serve as a single point of processing for businesses enrolled in CBP’s trusted shipper programs, the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA).The centers will also serve as a resource to the broader trade community and to CBP’s U.S. government partners; center personnel will answer questions, provide information and develop trade facilitation strategies to address uniformity and compliance concerns.Required import documents for trusted partners within the electronics and pharmaceutical industries are now being routed to their respective industry center. While revenue collection will continue to be carried out at the ports of entry, the centers will begin to perform all validation activities, protests, post entry amendment/post summary correction reviews, and prior disclosure validations for the trusted partners within their industry.By redirecting work involving trusted shippers within the electronics and pharmaceutical industries to centralized, industry-specific locations, ports of entry will be able to more effectively focus resources on high-risk shipments and importers that may pose a danger to U.S. border security, harm the health and safety of consumers, or violate U.S. trade laws and intellectual property rights critical to our nation’s economic competitiveness. In turn, the approach to trade processing facilitated by the new centers will reduce transaction costs for the trade community, facilitate legitimate trade through risk segmentation, increase agency expertise and deliver greater transparency and uniformity of action within a given industry.( More information on the pilots and CBP’s C-TPAT and ISA trusted shipper programs ) ( CBP Initiates the Center of Excellence and Expertise and Account Executive Pilots ) ( Pharmaceutical Center of Excellence and Expertise ) ( C-TPAT: Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism ) ( Importer Self-Assessment Program (ISA) )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.