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Subject: NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, October 25, 2000
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Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 08:28:54 -0400
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
To: All National Park Service Areas and Offices
From: Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office
Day/Date: Wednesday, October 25, 2000
ALMANAC
On this date in 1949, President Harry S Truman proclaimed Effigy
Mounds National Monument in Iowa. It contains outstanding examples of
prehistoric Indian mounds, some in the shapes of birds and bears.
INCIDENTS
93-179 - Grand Canyon (AZ) - Follow-up: Falling Fatality/Murder
On April 11, 1993, D.S. reportedly fell to her death when
she walked backwards over the canyon rim at Horseshoe Mesa while her
husband was setting up a tripod to take a picture. The incident was
ruled an accident, but a recent review has led to arraignment of
R.S. on homicide charges. The arrest of R.S. on a
federal charge of first degree murder and three similar counts in
Colorado came about as the result of a long-term cooperative effort by
criminal investigators from the park, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's
Department, and the FBI, with additional support provided by the U.S.
Attorney's Office in Phoenix. In 1994-95, Arapahoe County detective
Paul Goodman began a review of several old cases in his department's
files, including the 1978 shooting death of R.S.'s first wife,
Nancy, and her two children - originally closed as a murder-suicide.
Coincidentally, park special agent Beverly Perry was at the same time
reviewing the 1993 death of D.S. When Goodman learned of
this incident, he contacted Perry. After comparing notes and sharing
their concerns and suspicions, the two investigators joined efforts to
actively pursue an investigation of R.S. FBI special agent
Leonard Johns joined the pair as the third member of the team. Their
concerted and cooperative efforts resulted in R.S.'s October 3rd
arrest. Also providing assistance were law enforcement personnel from
the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, Coconino County Sheriff's Office,
and Grand Junction Police Department. [Sandi Perl, GRCA, 10/24]
00-668 - Isle Royale NP (MI) - Death of Employee
Superintendent Doug Barnard died on the morning of October 24th at the
Mayo Clinic, where he was being treated for cancer. His daughter, Z.,
reports that his passing was peaceful. Notes celebrating Doug's life
and career should be sent to his wife, S., and their children.
Additional details regarding arrangements will appear shortly. [Bill
Fink, Assistant RD, MWRO, 10/24]
CULTURAL/NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
No submissions.
INTERPRETATION AND VISITOR SERVICES
No submissions.
OPERATIONAL NOTES
No submissions.
MEMORANDA
No submissions.
INTERCHANGE
No submissions.
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Note: There's a considerable backlog of pending entries for this
section. They were put on the back burner during the busy summer, when
incidents and fires take precedence, and will appear over the next few
days.
FLETC (GA) - NPS land management training program class 003 graduated
on April 28th. As always, class members distinguished themselves with
superior individual and group achievements. Dennis Klimek (AGFO) was
top driver with a perfect 300 score, and two other rangers were also
recognized for their driving skills. Kevin Moses (GRSM) and George
Paiva (CANY) tied with perfect 500 PEB scores, while seven other
rangers scored about 95%. Paiva was high firearms expert with a 299
out of 300 and was joined by seven other rangers as expert shooters.
Patti Briggs (Sandy Hook Unit, GATE) was the class scholar with an
outstanding 98.75 academic average. She was joined by ten other
rangers who scored above 95% in academics. Eric Gabriel was the class
distinguished graduate, having scored 95% in all phases of training,
and Kevin Moses was the class honor graduate, making him eligible to
win the honor graduate of the year award. [Don Usher, FLETC]
Amistad NRA (TX) - Park archeologist Joe Labadie received the first
annual John L. Cotter award for excellence in NPS archeology at
ceremonies held in Philadelphia in the spring. The award, named after
pioneering NPS archeologist John Cotter, was established last year to
recognize a specific NPS unit's archeological project. The award
recognizes an exemplary field project conducted by an NPS archeologist
that utilizes and interdisciplinary approach, has major involvement by
students and academics, and results in public education programs and
improved local awareness about archeological resource protection. The
award was given to Labadie for his work with the Texas Archeological
Society's field school in 1999. The field school attempted to answer
specific questions about prehistoric land use patterns. The work was
organized into 20 geographic areas over an area 35 miles long by 20
miles wide. Field crews worked a total of 71 archeological sites.
Nearly 300 people participated. [Todd Brindle, AMIS]
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Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed
by park, office and/or regional cc:Mail hub coordinators. Please
address requests pertaining to receipt of the Morning Report to your
servicing hub coordinator. The Morning Report is also available on
the web at http://www.nps.gov/morningreport
Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the
cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.
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