ST LOUIS (LALATE) – Is the Post Office open Christmas Day and on December 24? Is there mail service on Christmas December 25 or will the post office be closed? The USGS tells news this week that that it will close its doors on Christmas Day to give its employees a federal holiday to celebrate with its families. But on Monday, Christmas Eve, the Post Office branches will be open and providing mail service.

As with each year, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day prompt confusion for holiday shoppers. But while other federal holidays change, Christmas always stays the same. The Post Office is open on Christmas Eve December 24. There is also mail delivery on Christmas Eve, officials remind news. But the following day, that changes. For Christmas Day the Post Office will be closed, USPS tells news. There will be no mail delivery on December 25.

• Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – Was the confetti confidential police documents for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Yes, parade confetti this year was actually confidential shredded police documents from Nassau County Police Department. The documents  even discussed Mitt Romney. In fact, some people’s social security numbers and license plate numbers were found littering the streets of New York after the parade. Apparently, even the shredding wasn’t very effective.

The shocking revelation is unearthed this week by New York news. Where exactly does Macy’s get its confetti from? It claims it only comes from “commercially manufactured, multicolor confetti, not shredded paper”.

But that is not what people found on the streets of New York. WPIX broke the exclusive report. The story was unearthed after a “PIX11 viewer and parade-goer found that confetti that fell on him and friends had detectives’ social security numbers, bank info and unveiled undercover officers’ identities”. The witness, Ethan Finkelstein, told news that he was standing on Central Park West when he got littered with unusual items. “There are phone numbers, addresses, more social security numbers, and license plate numbers and then we find all these incident reports from police.”

Even information about Mitt Romney’s motorcade visiting Hofstra University is included. In a news statement, Nassau County Police’s Inspector Kenneth Lack said “The Nassau County Police Department is very concerned about this situation. We will be conducting an investigation into this matter as well as reviewing our procedures for the disposing of sensitive documents.”

• Comments (0)

LOS ANGELES (LALATE) – As shoppers wonder if the Post Office is open the day after Thanksgiving, and if there is mail service delivery today as well, USPS reminds news that all branches will be open with the launch of an annual tradition: letters to Santa Claus. Gary Reblin, vice president, Domestic Products for USPS, tell news this week that service is in full force as shoppers send gifts and kids send letters to Santa Claus’ address at the North Pole.

Reblin tells news “Everyone is always looking for a bargain during the holidays, and the Postal Service remains the best shipping value in the market”. But he adds “As always, we don’t impose fuel surcharges, hidden surcharges or charge extra for Saturday delivery.”

Annually customers wonder each December if Post Office packages will get to recipients in time for Christmas. USPS tells news “Customers placing orders by Dec. 3 will receive the flat-rate boxes in time to meet the Dec. 21 holiday deadline for shipping Priority Mail packages. Box orders are delivered to a customer’s home or business address in 7 to 10 days.”

But what is Santa Claus’ mailing address? The USPS tells news that Santa’s mailing address is “North Pole Postmark, Postmaster,
4141 Postmark Drive. Anchorage, AK 99530-9998.” Officials also tell news that if you send your letter to Santa by December 10 you will get a reply in time for Christmas. For more click HERE.

• Comments (0)

ST LOUIS (LALATE) – The Butterball Help Hotline (aka Turkey Talk-Line) returns this week with cooking time, coupons, and live telephone assistance, officials tells news. The Butterball.com Help Hotline (telephone number 1-800-BUTTERBAL) has been an annual tradition for people asking everything from how long does it take to cook a turkey, to how do I brine a turkey, and what is the fastest way to thaw a turkey. But Butterball this week is also telling news about coupon fraud this holiday season. The company is warning news about fake coupons surfacing online.

Butterball’s coupons have remained one of the most sought after items of the holiday season. But this year, Butterball is advising news of a coupon fraud being effectuated online. Bud Miller, CPP, Executive Director of the Coupon Information Center, tell news that “purchasing coupons on the Internet, whether it is from independent websites, e-mail or from online auctions,” could put you at risk, namely “the possibility of becoming involved with counterfeits, stolen property or other criminal activities.” Butterball on its homepage is warning consumers this Thanksgiving 2012 season not to buy nor receive coupons from “non-legitimate source”. The company also tells news and consumers to never to pay for a coupon.

• Comments (0)

ST LOUIS (LALATE) – Golden Corral Veterans Day meals are among the salutes being announced today to news. Veterans Day 2012 meal deals are being provided to retired and active military personnel across the U.S. today. Among the companies announcing to news their tributes today are Golden Corral, LongHorn Steakhouse, Red Robin, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Sterling’s Bistro. TGI Fridays, Outback Steakhouse and Dennys are among the other restaurants getting in the action. And while Applebee’s, IHOP and other retailers did their salute last weekend, military members are being recognized elsewhere today.

Veterans Day meal deals prompted confusion over the weekend after some of our nation’s top retailers began the effort on Friday, only. Others chose to observe the holiday tradition on Sunday while others moved it to today, November 12, 2012. But as retailers tell news, Veterans Day is also an opportunity to increase donations for charities which benefit our military members.

Among them is Red Robin. The company tells news today, that in addition to its meal salute, “Red Robin is also supporting the Heinz Our Turn to Serve Campaign to assist in raising funds for the Wounded Warrior Project.” They added “In addition, Red Robin will make a donation of $10,000 to Wounded Warrior Project.” Representatives tell news that the Project is “a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that honors and empowers Wounded Warriors.”

Similarly, Outback Steakhouse’s charity effort is Operation Feeding Freedom. Launched in 2002, the project recently sent “team of volunteer employees to Afghanistan to feed American troops. Since then, Outback has made a total of 9 trips to the Middle East and served over 215,000 troops, bringing them a much needed taste of home.” The company also tell news that “For the past two years, with your help, we donated $2 Million to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization providing everyday and emergency support for active troops, wounded warriors and their families.”

Golden Corral, moreover, indicates to news that its contribution are now in their 11th year. “To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 3.2 million free meals and contributed over $6.1 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization. Click here to find a Golden Corral near you.” For more about Golden Corral click HERE. For other Veterans Day salutes, click HERE. And for details about each merchant, check their Facebook for times and restrictions.

• Comments (0)