NPS Morning Report - Wednesday, March 13, 2002



                           NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                              MORNING REPORT


To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Wednesday, March 13, 2002

INCIDENTS

99-458 - Carlsbad Caverns NP (NM) - Follow-up on Homicide

On August 8, 1999, R.K., 25, killed his best friend, D.C.,
in Rattlesnake Canyon. The pair had been issued a backcountry
permit and were reportedly unable to locate the exit trail. After running
out of water and becoming exhausted from attempts to find their way out of
the canyon, D.C. reputedly asked R.K. to kill him to put him out of
his misery. R.K. did so, stabbing D.C. twice. R.K. was found
later that afternoon by a ranger; following medical treatment, he was
arrested and charged with murder. On May 8, 2000, R.K. pled no contest
to a charge of second degree murder. He was sentenced to 15 years in
prison, with 13 years suspended. On March 4th, R.K. was released after
serving 19 months in prison. According to the Carlsbad DA's office, he will
remain on supervised probation in Pennsylvania, where he now has a
residence and family, until November 19, 2006. [Associated Press, 3/8]

02-059 - Lake Meredith NRA (TX) - Methamphetamine Lab; Wildland Fire

On the evening of March 5th, park firefighters responded to a wildland fire
in the Blue Creek area of the park. Fire conditions for that day were
extreme, with a red flag warning issued for the entire Panhandle region of
Texas. The fire was contained to three acres. While conducting mop-up
operations the following day, the source of the fire was found - a
methamphetamine lab. Rangers contacted the Panhandle regional narcotics
task force for assistance in cleaning up the site. Task force members
determined that all hazardous chemicals were consumed in the fire, and
found remnants of the lab, including peeled batteries, glassware, starting
fluid, and salt. The fire was probably ignited by an explosion that
occurred during the cooking process. Evidence was gathered, but there are
no suspects in the case at this time. The Texas Panhandle, including Lake
Meredith NRA, has seen a dramatic increase in methamphetamine production
and use during the past few years. [Rhonda Terry, PIO, LAMR, 3/12]

02-060 - Appalachian NST (VA) - Human Remains Discovered

Human skeletal remains were found on Appalachian National Scenic Trail
lands near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, on Sunday, March 10th, by an
adjoining landowner. Harpers Ferry NHP rangers are assisting the Loudoun
County Sheriff's Department in the investigation. It appears that a
50-year-old Baltimore area man died of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head
at that location some time between six months and a year ago. The FBI,
alerted to the case by a Washington television station, initially thought
the remains might be related to the disappearance of Chandra Levi and
responded with an agent and evidence recovery team. The FBI team assisted
with the investigation and recovery of the remains. This is the second set
of skeletal remains found on NPS lands near Harpers Ferry within the past
year. [Robert Gray, CR, ANST, 3/12]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Sitka NHP  (AK) - The park is soliciting applications from permanent NPS
employees interested in a lateral reassignment into the position of
GS-025-11 chief ranger. The chief ranger serves as a key member of the park
management team and manages human resources, funds, materials, and
equipment necessary to implement the park's resource protection, law
enforcement, and visitor use management programs. The incumbent serves as
the primary commissioned law enforcement ranger and is designated as the
park's senior law enforcement official. Sitka is a beautiful historic
coastal community in southeast Alaska, with a population of 8,800, two
colleges, and all the necessary amenities (schools, shops, recreation
opportunities, etc). It's located on Baranof Island and is served by the
Alaska ferry system as well as daily jet service to Seattle, Anchorage, and
other areas. The park is seeking a flexible, team player with strong
management and people skills. If interested and eligible for a lateral
reassignment, please email or fax (907-747-5938) your application or resume
to Gary Gauthier, superintendent, by March 29th. For more information, call
Gary Gauthier or Bernie Doyle at 907-747-6281. [Gary D. Gauthier, SITK]

El Morro NM (NM) - The park is accepting applications from current,
competitive service, career or career-conditional NPS employees for a
permanent GS-025-9 ranger position. This is a combined protection and
interpretation position and is not covered under 6c. A Level 1 commission
is required, and applicants must be able to obtain and maintain EMT-basic
certification. Required occupancy. The park is located about 54 miles from
Gallup and 45 miles from Grants. Both communities have full services. For
information about the Gallup area, go to http://www.gallupnm.org or
http://www.grants.org. Questions should be directed to chief ranger Fred
Moosman at 505-783-4226 or the park's personnel office at 505-285-4641
extension 16. [Sari Stein, ELMO]

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Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation
and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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