Category: General

Bikes, Backpacks and Gloves Could Face 10 Percent Tariff

The trade war with China escalated this week as the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released a new list of products from China that could face $200 billion in retaliatory tariffs.

In what could be a major blow to the $887 billion outdoor recreation economy, travel goods, including backpacks and sports bags, bikes and some leather gloves, were included on the list of products that could face an additional 10 percent tariff. Apparel and footwear, however, were not included on that list.

A public comment period on the list products is open through August 17 with a public hearing taking place from August 20 to 23 in Washington, D.C. The final list of products subject to a 10 percent tariff will be released at some point after August 30.

Backpacks, sports bags, bikes and gloves – essential gear for many outdoor activities – already face import tariffs as high as 20 percent. Additional tariffs will only raise costs for outdoor companies and consumers and threaten the growth of the outdoor recreation economy that supports 7.6 million American jobs. Read more

General

Recruits strive for honor of becoming Michigan DNR conservation officers

Twenty-two men and eight women will start their journey toward becoming Michigan conservation officers when the DNR’s Conservation Officer Recruit School #9 gets under way Sunday in Lansing.

The candidates face 23 weeks of intensive training that will test them academically, emotionally and physically.

The DNR again will offer weekly blog entries that provide a firsthand look at the challenges and accomplishments of recruits as they progress through the academy. Readers can subscribe to the blog, which also will be posted on the Michigan DNR Facebook page. Read more

General

25 Percent Tariff on Select Boat Parts Now in Effect

On Friday, the Trump Administration implemented the first phase of Section 301 tariffs on approximately $34 billion worth of Chinese products – including marine engines, navigational equipment, and components. The tariffs are in response to China’s alleged theft of U.S. intellectual property and could be expanded to a total of $50 billion or more.

Regarding the new tariffs, NMMA’s President, Thom Dammrich, stated, “On one hand, we’re happy to see the Trump administration is committed to cracking down on China for stealing U.S. intellectual property—including our members’ inventions. But on the other hand, putting a 25 percent tariff on $34 billion in products used by American manufacturers is the wrong solution. Not surprisingly, with China fighting back and officially kicking off yet another trade war, recreational boating is being uniquely targeted because of our status as a true American-made industry.”

Dammrich continued, “As a result of the administration’s decision to move forward with its Section 301 tariffs, nearly 300 commonly used marine related products will immediately cost 25 percent more. There is no way to simply weather the storm and see how this shakes out as the cost of doing business for our members has instantly increased. For some products, the additional cost to marine manufacturers will be in the thousands of dollars, resulting in employment changes, canceled expansion plans, and halted growth. We are having a hard time understanding why the President is choosing tariffs when they are directly putting millions of American jobs on the line, including the 650,000 supported by the U.S. recreational boating industry. Read more

General

Cobra Chat Tag Wearable Radio

The Cobra Chat Tag is the newest addition to the Cobra Walkie Talkie line, fit for hikers, hunters and outdoor adventurers. Notably the smallest wearable two-way radio on the market, the tech-savvy gadget flaunts a unique, circular design that easily clips onto users for hands-free comfort and manageability. Unlike traditional two-way radios, it showcases crystal clear sound with its internal antenna; plus, it has a wide range of 8 miles.

“The Chat Tag debut has us very excited, as it will change the way campers effectively communicate with one another. Cobra is dedicated to providing top notch radio systems geared towards outdoorsman, and the Chat Tag tops the list as being the most versatile, reliable and pristine in design and function,” says Bernie Auyang, CEO of Altis Global Ltd.

More reliable than cell service, the wearable radio can be used among anyone; also ideal for families on the go, the Chat Tag is compatible all two-way radios on the market, and comes with a convenient rechargeable battery. Read more

General

Arkansas Men Arrested After Attempt to Burn Wildlife Officer’s Truck

EL DORADO – Two Union County men were arrested last week after evidence was developed that they had attempted to burn an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife officer’s truck. The investigation into the incident led to the arrest of Harold S. Otwell, age 47 of El Dorado and Dustin A. Pate, age 31 of Junction City. Both individuals were arrested on June 27.

The attempted arson was discovered on June 24, after the Union County wildlife officer noticed an oily substance and indications that someone had attempted to light the liquid on his state-issued vehicle. The officer’s vehicle was parked outside his residence when the incident occured.

The investigation included the AGFC’s Enforcement Division, Criminal Investigation Division of the Arkansas State Police and Union County Sheriff’s Office. Evidence was gathered from the scene and forwarded to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis.

Otwell has been charged with attempted arson and arson, both Class B felonies. If convicted, the charges carry a possible sentence of 5 to 20 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. Otwell also could face an enhancement penalty for targeting law enforcement, which carries a possible sentence of 2 to 10 years in prison. Otwell is being held in the Union County Jail with no bond. Pate was charged with conspiracy to commit arson and arson. Pate is currently being held in the Union County Jail on a bond of $25,000.

Maj. Brad Young, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Enforcement Division Assistant Chief, said he believes the attempted arson was in retaliation for actions taken previously by a wildlife officer in the performance of his job. “The AGFC has no tolerance for any attempt to retaliate against any wildlife officer because of actions they take enforcing the laws of the State of Arkansas,” Young explained. “All the resources available will be used to bring to justice those who may attempt to cause harm to officers engaged in performing their duty,” he added.

General

NMMA Members Send Letter on Octane Standard

On Monday, several NMMA member engine manufacturers sent a letter to President Donald Trump expressing support for replacing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) with a new national octane standard. NMMA has worked closely with the Administration and Congress regarding the recreational boating industry’s problems with the current RFS and higher ethanol additives in gasoline.

The letter states, “We are pleased that Members of Congress and your Administration are considering replacing the broken RFS with a new fuel neutral program. However, our industry and America’s recreational boaters have a number of priorities that need to be considered and addressed in order to ensure a new octane standard is not detrimental for our industry.”

The letter continues, “Marine engines do not have any performance or safety problems running on high octane fuels, such as a 95-98 RON. However, if the higher octane is achieved via higher ethanol additives into gasoline (above 10 percent) then the recreational boating industry would face the same problems with the new program as we do today with the RFS. Congress and your Administration would simply be replacing one broken program with another. However, if some additional considerations can be taken into account we believe that a new national octane standard could be better than the current RFS program and beneficial for all stakeholders. Read more

General

Ohio Man Sentenced to Prison for Providing Support to ISIS, Being Felon in Possession of Firearms

Amir Said Rahman Al-Ghazi, 41, aka Robert C. McCollum, of Sheffield Lake, Ohio, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for one count of providing material support to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, as well as two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms.

Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman for the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division made the announcement.

“The National Security Division is committed to identifying and prosecuting those who seek to provide material support to terrorist groups like ISIS.” said Assistant Attorney General Demers.  “I want to thank the prosecutors and our partners in law enforcement—including the FBI and its Joint Terrorism Task Force—who ensured that this defendant was held accountable for his crimes.”

“This case is a stark reminder that ISIS is more than an abstract threat,” said U.S Attorney Herdman. “Through social media and other means, ISIS and groups like it seek to radicalize people of all backgrounds into its world of violence.”

“This case demonstrates law enforcement’s number one priority – to keep our communities and our nation safe,” said Special Agent in Charge Anthony.  “It is clear that no area is immune from the influence of ISIS and its supporters.  We hope this case will serve as a strong message to others who may consider providing support to terrorists.  The FBI and our Joint Terrorism Task Force partners are committed to identifying and stopping these individuals.”

Al-Ghazi, who changed his name from Robert McCollum last year, pledged his support to ISIS and Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi via social media in 2014.  From July 2014 to June 2015, Al-Ghazi made multiple statements trying to persuade others to join ISIS.  He also expressed his own desire to perpetrate an attack on the United States and had attempted to purchase an AK-47 assault rifle.  Al-Ghazi has communicated with individuals he believed to be members of ISIS in the Middle East and took steps to create propaganda videos for ISIS, according to court documents.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew W. Shepherd of the Northern District of Ohio, with assistance from Trial Attorney Erin Creegan of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.

General

Jaguar Vector Racing Sets World Electric Boat Speed Record

• New world and national records of 88.61mph set by Jaguar Vector Racing V20E.
• Breaking previous electric best of 76.8mph set in 2008.
• Developed in partnership with Jaguar Racing’s technical partner
Williams Advanced Engineering using Formula E technology.

London, UK, Friday 15 June 2018
Jaguar Vector Racing have broken the outright world and national electric speed
records in a battery-powered boat. The unique Jaguar Vector V20E recorded
an average speed of 88.61mph across the two legs of the famous 1km course
on Coniston Water, England.
The electric boat was designed and constructed by Jaguar Vector in partnership with
Jaguar Racing’s technical partner Williams Advanced Engineering. Jaguar Vector
co-founder and technical director Peter Dredge piloted the V20E. Read more

General

Rower Rescued 530 Miles off Cape Cod

BOSTON — The Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of a man aboard ocean rowboat Alba Friday after he activated his emergency position indicating radio beacon about 530 miles off the coast of Cape Cod.

Niall Macdonald triggered his EPIRB around 12:30 a.m.Friday, alerting Coast Guard watchstanders to his distress.

Due to sporadic connectivity, Macdonald was able to call watchstanders at the United Kingdom Mission Control Center via satellite phone. He reported facing 36 hours of rough seas causing his rowboat to take on water. He abandoned the ocean rower for his life raft.

Watchstanders from the First Coast Guard District in Boston coordinated with the United Kingdom Mission Control Center to relay satellite phone messages. Coast Guard watchstanders sent out an urgent marine bulletin to vessels in the area requesting assistance and coordinated with the Rescue Coordination Center in Halifax, Canada, to launch a Canadian C-130 aircraft to assist in the rescue due to the distance offshore. Read more

General

NSSF Reminds Shooters to Take Precautions Against Starting Wildfires

NEWTOWN, Conn. — Wildfires have many causes, and the National Shooting Sports Foundation® is urging shooters and hunters to not be one of them.

NSSF’s “Help Prevent Wildfires” infographic contains sobering facts about the scale and costs of wildfires, noting that 90 percent of all wildfires are human-caused — accounting for more than 60,000 per year. Wildfires threaten animal and human life and burn millions of acres land. Fighting wildfires is dangerous work, and the costs of suppressing wildfires is staggering — more than $2 billion in 2017. We often think of the largest, most destructive wildfires taking place in the arid landscapes of the West, but as the infographic points out, the southern and eastern parts of the United States have a large number of wildfires as well. Read more

Firearms, General
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