Traffic Advisory: Event

PLANNED EVENT

Severity:

Minor

Location:

Description:

Fame - The Musical - 8pm

Start time:

08/17/2011 0:30 PM

Est. end time:

08/17/2011 7:30 PM

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers Seize $81,000 in Methamphetamines at Brownsville Port of Entry

  

Brownsville, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Gateway International Bridge discovered methamphetamines valued at approximately $81,000 concealed under a pedestrian’s clothing.

On Saturday, August 13 CBP officers at the Gateway International Bridge came in contact with a female pedestrian.

click for hi-res CBP officers at the Gateway International Bridge discovered methamphetamines valued at approximately $81,000 concealed under a pedestrian’s clothing.

The female was identified as a 20-year-old United States citizen who resides in Brownsville and was referred to secondary for further inspection. In secondary, CBP officers found four packages of alleged methamphetamine hidden under the woman’s clothing. Together the four packages had a combined total weight of 5.41 pounds, with an estimated street value of approximately $81,150.

CBP officers turned the woman over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation. CBP officers seized the narcotics.

“Vigilance on primary by a CBP officer resulted in this discovery of these dangerous narcotics and the arrest of the alleged smuggler. I applaud our CBP officers for their diligence with this outstanding seizure and arrest,” said Michael Freeman, CBP Port Director, Brownsville.

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.

PLANNED EVENT Syracuse Chiefs vs Gwinnett Braves

Alliance Bank Stadium

Minor

PLANNED EVENT Syracuse Chiefs vs Gwinnett Braves - 7pm

08/17/2011 12:30 AM

08/17/2011 6:30 PM

Updated CBP Forms 301 & 301A

(08/11/2011)Effective immediately, the new CBP Forms 301 (Customs Bond) & 301A (Addendum to CBP Form 301) are available for use. Through the remainder of 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will accept either these new versions or the CBP 301 version with an expiration date of 12/31/2010. For any bonds presented to U.S. Customs and Border Protection on or after January 1st, 2012; the new version of the CBP Form 301 with an expiration date of 3/31/2014 must be used. Forms )

The new CBP forms 301 & 301A are located at the forms page. (

FEMA AND SBA REGISTRATION DEADLINE AUG. 26

 

Release Date: August 16, 2011
Release Number: 1980-148

» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Tornadoes, And Flooding

» 2011 Region VII News Releases

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Less than two weeks remain for homeowners, renters, and business owners who suffered damage as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding and live in one of 25 Missouri counties designated for federal and state assistance to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Aug. 26 deadline is coming up quickly,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Libby Turner. “Please use these last couple of weeks to fill out and return your SBA application. If you know someone who was affected by these events, please encourage them to take a few minutes to complete the registration process as well. This is a very important step toward recovery.

Registration may be completed online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/, by smartphone through m.Fema.gov, or by calling FEMA’s toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have access or functional needs and use a TTY, call 1-800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or video relay service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362. Multi-language assistance is available. Telephone registration is available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., until further notice.

Before calling or registering online, residents are encouraged to have in hand:

1. The address of the affected property;


2. A brief description of the damage;


3. Current contact information including an address, phone number and alternate phone number;


4. Social Security number;


5. Insurance information including policy numbers;

Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repair and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.

Many disaster survivors have received an SBA disaster loan application in the mail. It is important to fill out the application and return it, even if you do not want a loan, because applying for SBA loans ensures disaster survivors are considered for the full range of disaster assistance that may be available to them.

If you do not qualify for an SBA loan, you will be referred back to FEMA and could receive additional grant money. If you are approved for an SBA loan, you are under no obligation to accept the loan.

The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) also has a deadline of Aug. 26, 2011. The SBA provides low-interest loans to cover the uncompensated losses for personal contents up to $40,000 for both homeowners and renters and up to $200,000 for homeowners for physical damage to their primary residence.

The SBA also provides low-interest loans up to $2 million for uncompensated physical losses suffered by businesses of any size and private nonprofit organizations. Additionally, working capital loans are available for economic injuries sustained by small businesses in the declared counties and the adjoining counties. The combination of the two business loans cannot exceed $2 million. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-877-8339).

Missourians living in the following counties designated for Individual Assistance under the presidential disaster declaration are urged to register with FEMA now: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Dunklin, Howell, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Mississippi, New Madrid, Newton, Pemiscot, Pettis, Phelps, Pulaski, Reynolds, Ripley, Saint Francois, Saint Louis, Scott, Stoddard, Stone, Taney and Wayne

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA disaster loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with access or functional needs and hearing loss who use a TTY call 1-800-462-7585; or use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) to call 1-800-621-3362.

Call to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance

 

Release Date: August 16, 2011
Release Number: 4012-001

» More Information on Missouri Flooding

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Residents in six Missouri counties are now eligible for federal Individual Assistance programs offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Anyone in those counties who suffered damage from the recent flooding can register with FEMA online or by phone.

Survivors of the recent flooding in Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Holt, Lafayette and Platte Counties who suffered damage from flooding between June 1, 201l and Aug. 1, 2011, may apply for disaster assistance with FEMA -- even if they have insurance or aren't sure they are eligible.

By registering, applicants can be considered for assistance from FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration. Assistance could include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious, necessary disaster-related expenses such as damaged personal property, medical and dental expenses or funeral and burial costs. Low-interest loans from the SBA also will be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

Residents are encouraged to register with FEMA even if they have insurance. Federal disaster assistance will not duplicate insurance benefits, but may provide for some uncovered losses. Applicants may be eligible for assistance with serious, necessary expenses not covered by insurance.

Registration with FEMA is required separately from registration with any other disaster relief organizations.

How to Register:

Register by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585 for those with access or functional needs. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, until further notice. Multilanguage assistance is available. Individuals can also register online at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by smartphone at m.fema.gov.

• When registering, applicants should provide current contact information, insurance information, a brief description of damages sustained as well as the specific location of damaged property.


• Individuals who have insurance should contact their agents before registering with FEMA. Don't wait for an insurance settlement to apply.


• Those who received an SBA low-interest disaster loan application should fill it out and return it. Returning the application does not obligate anyone to accept an SBA loan, but the application must be filled out in order for individuals to be considered for other types of disaster assistance.


• Among the top five reasons applicants fail to receive federal assistance grants is FEMA's inability to contact them after they apply. Be sure to keep FEMA informed of any change in telephone number and/or mailing address.

For More Information or Questions

For any assistance along the way, call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 800-462-7585, and select the language option you require.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

CBP Officers at the Pharr International Bridge Seize Close to 10 Kilos of Methamphetamine

 

Pharr, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Pharr International Bridge seized approximately 21 pounds of methamphetamine Sunday afternoon. The estimated street value of the methamphetamine is $327,383.

click for hi-res CBP officers working at the Pharr International Bridge seized approximately 21 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of $327,383 on August 15.

On August 14, CBP officers working at the Pharr International Bridge came in contact with a northbound 1995 Nissan Altima and its driver, a 45-year-old Mexican citizen from Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. A CBP officer referred the vehicle and driver to secondary for further inspection.

While in secondary, officers seized eight packages of alleged methamphetamine that were found within the Altima’s rocker panels. The vehicle was also seized by CBP.

The female driver was transferred to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement –Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) for further investigation.

Efrain Solis Jr., acting CBP port director, Hidalgo/Pharr said, “I commend our frontline officers for their work in preventing this dangerous load of drugs from entering our country and for their work in securing our nation’s borders.”

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.