NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Thursday, February 9, 2006

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INCIDENTS

Martin Luther King, Jr. NHS

Update on Funeral Services for Coretta Scott King

On Tuesday, February 7th, Director Fran Mainella, Regional Director Patricia Hooks, and Acting Associate Regional Director of Operations and Education Judy Forte attended the funeral of Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Incident personnel continued fixed-post and roving patrols of the park and worked with local law enforcement agencies to clear the streets and sidewalks in the vicinity of The King Center in preparation for the family procession and interment. The interment ceremony began at 8 p.m. and lasted about a half hour. The family, friends, and other mourners attending the service arrived in a procession of 35 vehicles and five buses. Approximately 300 additional park visitors were on-site for the event, viewing the service from across the street from the grounds of Martin Luther King Jr., NHS. The visitor center remained open late to provide visitor services during the event. The Eastern IMT closed out with the park mid-day on Wednesday and departed for home parks. [Michelle Fidler, Eastern IMT Information Officer]

Great Smoky Mountains NP

Employee Death in Auto Accident

Arnold “Arney” V. Kovin, Jr. was fatally injured in a single automobile accident on Monday, February 6th. Arney, 54, worked in the Facility Management Division as the park's fleet management specialist and was stationed in the South District in North Carolina. He was on duty at the time of the accident, returning to his office after a meeting at park headquarters. The cause of death is unknown at this time. Arney had 32 years of government service, beginning with four years of duty in the U.S. Air Force and followed by civilian service at Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, and Point Reyes before coming to the Smokies in May, 2002. Arney lived in Cullowee, North Carolina, with his wife, J., and 17-year-old daughter, M.. Arney also leaves a son, C., age 33. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced as soon as they become available. [Nancy Gray, Public Affairs Specialist]

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Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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