Special Weather Statement issued January 19 at 9:06AM EST by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)
An arctic cold front will move through the area this afternoon and evening, bringing snow showers and much colder air. While accumulations will generally be less than one half inch, quick bursts of snow will result in reductions in visibility and slick conditions at times. Some snow squalls are possible, which could lead to locally difficult travel conditions.
Cold Weather Advisory issued January 19 at 9:02AM EST until January 22 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)
* WHAT...Very cold wind chills as low as 19 below zero expected.
* WHERE...Portions of east central and southeast Indiana and central, southwest, and west central Ohio.
* WHEN...From 1 AM Monday to 10 AM EST Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...The dangerously cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Very cold temperatures can lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure.
Today 23° Today 23° slight chance isolated Tomorrow 10° Tomorrow 10°
Friday, November 29th

More than 3,000 fake Gibson guitars seized at Los Angeles port

Jaime Ruiz, spokesman for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, shows off fake guitars during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection media conference in Carson, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)

LOS ANGELES (AP) - More than 3,000 fake Gibson electric guitars shipped from Asia were seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents at the Los Angeles-Long Beach Seaport, authorities said.

Had the guitars been authentic, they would have been worth $18 million, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a statement. The agency said Gibson confirmed the guitars that were intercepted were counterfeit.

Gibson, founded in 1894 and based in Nashville, Tennessee, has the top market share in premium electric guitars and all its guitars are handcrafted in Nashville and Bozeman, Montana.

"These fraudulent guitars may look and feel legitimate for unsuspecting consumers buying them from third party online sources, street markets, unauthorized retailers, and person-to-person transactions," said Cheryl M. Davies, CBP director of field operations in Los Angeles. "As we approach the busy Holiday shopping season, consumers should pay attention on where they are buying these goods and how much they are paying, and if is too good to be true it probably is."

Gibson guitars have been such a fixture in music history that rock-and-roll visionary Chuck Berry was laid to rest with his instrument, blues musician B.B. King affectionately named his "Lucille," and rock guitarist Eric Clapton borrowed one from George Harrison to play the solo on the Beatles' song "While My Guitar Gently Weeps."

"This is really emotional and personal for us not only because of the protection of our players, but because of our Gibson team at large, including the artisans at our craftories in Nashville, TN and Bozeman, MT, who are generations of American families that have dedicated their entire lives to handcrafting Gibson instruments," Beth Heidt, chief marketing officer at Gibson, said in a statement.

Authorities announced the seizure Tuesday but didn't say when the guitars were taken, which country they came from, or who made them.

The investigation involving the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Homeland Security and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is ongoing.

Violating intellectual property is a felony that can result in a $250,000 fine and 10 years in prison.

Andrea Bates, attorney for Gibson, left, and Elizabeth "Beth" Heidt, Chief Marketing Officer, Gibson Inc., speak during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection media conference in Carson, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)

Andrea Bates, attorney for Gibson, left, and Elizabeth "Beth" Heidt, chief marketing officer, Gibson Inc., answer questions during a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press conference after more than 3000 counterfeit Gibson guitars were seized, in Carson, Calif., on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jeff Gritchen/The Orange County Register via AP)