Mojave National Preserve (CA)
Follow-up on Felony Pursuit and Arrest
On January 6th, ranger Kirk Gebicke attempted to pull over a speeding
vehicle, but the driver declined to stop. A check of the plate revealed
that the vehicle was stolen. A seven-mile chase ensued at speeds up to
90 mph. Gebicke was the only protection ranger on duty in the
1.6-million acre park at the time. The vehicle left the park and headed
into the town of Baker. The driver ran through a four-way controlled
intersection, struck two parked vehicles, then rammed into the right
side of a moving van. Gebicke and other responding officers found that
the driver — identified as S.M. — had stolen property
in his possession and were subsequently able to link him to more than
nine burglaries in Orange County. On January 19th, S.M. appeared in
state court in San Bernadino, where a multi-jurisdictional plea
agreement was worked out. S.M. pled guilty to possession of stolen
property and was sentenced to 16 months in state prison. Orange County
placed a hold on S.M.; he will appear there on burglary charges once
his sentence in San Bernadino has been served. S.M. is also facing
charges of vehicle theft in Huntington Beach. It's anticipated that he
will serve a combined prison term of four to five years once he is
sentenced by all jurisdictions.
[Submitted by Denny Ziemann, Chief
Ranger]
Acadia National Park (ME)
Same Man Convicted Twice for Aggravated OUI
Rangers arrested the same man twice last year for aggravated OUI (operating under the influence). W.M., 50, of Bar Harbor was arrested by ranger Mike Kujala in May after receiving reports of a pick-up truck weaving on the park loop road. W.M. was in possession of seven mostly-consumed half-gallon bottles of vodka, numerous marijuana pipes, 45 grams of marijuana, a police scanner, a knife, and a concealed loaded handgun. His BAC level was measured at .38, more than fours times the legal limit. W.M. was convicted in federal court and received seven days in jail, a $500 fine and a 90-day state license suspension. In October, ranger David Smith arrested W.M. again in nearly identical circumstances. W.M. was in possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia, a police scanner and several bottles of vodka. His BAC level was measured at .32. W.M. was convicted and sentenced in federal court last December and received a four month jail sentence, a $500 fine, and — in cooperation with the state of Maine — had his license suspended indefinitely. [Submitted by Mike Wilson, Supervisory Park Ranger]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Katmai National Park & Preserve (AK)
GS-401-11 Biologist
Dates: 02/16/2005 - 02/28/2005
Katmai National Park and Preserve is looking for a GS-0401-11 biologist who's interested in a lateral transfer! The position is duty stationed at the park headquarters of King Salmon, Alaska. Katmai administers Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve and the Alagnak Wild River. The person selected will be expected to play a broad role in natural resource projects throughout the backcountry and coastal areas, and will work with existing staff to design and implement projects relating to visitor use and distribution and its relationship with sensitive ecosystems and concentration areas for wildlife and birds. These projects will be expected to involve extensive collaboration with the ranger staff, business partners, university contacts, state representatives, and local interested citizens. She/he will also work with local communities, inventory and monitoring network staff, the park subsistence coordinator, and other interested parties on a variety of issues related to subsistence activities and vital signs monitoring.
Katmai National Park and Preserve lies on the Alaska Peninsula 290 miles southwest of Anchorage. The park is known for recent volcanism, large fresh water lakes, pristine drainages, wilderness coastline, and biodiversity, including abundant salmon runs and the highest density of protected brown bears in the world. King Salmon (park headquarters) is a small community with basic amenities. There is a small grocery store and other convenience stores as well as seasonal hotels/inns. The nearby town of Naknek is a major part of the community. King Salmon and Naknek are separated by 15 miles of paved road. Together, they house about 1,000 residents in the winter and many times that in the summer. The public school, small public library, medical/dental clinic with emergency room, and center of most community functions is Naknek, which is the site of the traditional village in the area. King Salmon grew up around a post WWII Air Force Base, which closed in 1992. King Salmon is the seat of most governance in the area, with borough, state, and federal agency offices. Air service to King Salmon is good, with daily commuter flights on turboprop aircraft to Anchorage. Three times a week in the winter and daily throughout the summer months, the flight is available by Boeing 737. The cost of living in King Salmon and Naknek is considered high due to its remoteness and the cost of bringing goods in. There is no connection to the road system. Government housing may be available.
Transportation and moving expenses will be covered in accordance with federal travel regulations.
If you are a GS-0401-11 biologist and are interested in an exciting challenge, not to mention working in some beautiful country, send your resume, SF-171, or OF-612 to Administrative Office, Katmai National Park & Preserve, 4230 University Drive, Suite 311, Anchorage, AK 99508 by February 28th. Please include a recent copy of your SF-50.
For more details regarding the job, please contact Troy Hamon, chief of natural resources, Katmai National Park & Preserve at 907-246-2121.
[Submitted by Troy Hamon, troy_hamon@nps.gov, (907) 246-2121]
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.