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The White House
Flags Return To Full Staff Today
The executive office of the clerk of the White House has advised that the American flag, lowered to half staff for 30 days upon President Ford's death, is to return to full staff on Thursday, January 25th.
Questions may be directed to the Clerk's Office at 202-456-2227.
[Submitted by Federal Protective Service, National Capital Region]
INCIDENTS
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Bryce Canyon National Park (UT)
Mountain Lion Illegally Killed In Park
On the night of Friday January 19th, a cougar kitten was shot and
killed east of the Mossy Cave parking area near the Tropic town line.
The park and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) are jointly
investigating this crime and are requesting help from the
public. In conjunction with the National Park Service, the Bryce
Canyon Natural History Association is offering a $1,000 reward for
information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual or
individuals responsible. A reward is also being offered by the
DWR. Anyone with information can contact the DWR "Help Stop
Poaching" hotline at 1-800-662-DEER, lieutenant Scott Dalebout at the
DWR Southern Region Office at 435-865-6100, or chief ranger Brent McGinn
at 435-834-4800. Callers may remain anonymous.
[Submitted by Brent McGinn, Chief Ranger]
More Information...
PARKS AND PEOPLE
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Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Joe Alston Hangs Up His Flat Hat
Superintendent Joe Alston will retire in early February, capping a 31-year career with the National Park Service. He will continue to live in Arizona with his wife of 32 years, Judy, a long-time educator. The Alston's sons, Tom and David, also live and work in Arizona.
"Joe is a diligent public servant and passionate about our mission to preserve and protect national parklands for future generations," said Director Mary Bomar. "We will miss Joe's experienced, steady hand but we also wish him well as he moves on to future adventures."
Born in New York City and raised in Tustin, California, Joe Alston's early career included experiences as a firefighter, park ranger, concessions specialist, wild horse wrangler, wildlife technician and buyer for the Xerox Corporation in El Segundo.
"Judy and I plan on staying in Arizona and will move to Phoenix and begin looking for a home," Alston said of his immediate plans. "We'll take time to travel and enjoy retirement before deciding what our next steps will be. I've enjoyed working for the National Park Service and the Grand Canyon has been a great place to finish my park service career. Judy and I have both made great friends along the way. It's been a wonderful experience to be able to explore and enjoy the resources our national parks have to offer and we will continue to enjoy them well into the future."
Director Bomar said Joe's education (MBA at Kansas) and wide ranging life experiences were of great value when he faced complex and complicated resource and management issues as he moved into a leadership level with the NPS. Superintendent at Grand Canyon since 2000, Joe previously served as the concessions specialist at Yellowstone National Park, chief of the concessions management division in Alaska Regional Office and as assistant superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. He served as superintendent at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Curecanti National Recreation Area, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument.
Joe earlier received the Department of the Interior's meritorious service award. Just last month Joe accepted the "Community Person of the Year" award from the Grand Canyon Rotary Club. Rotary club president Greg Bryan said, "Joe was recognized for healing a rift between the communities of Tusayan and Grand Canyon National Park, bringing them together to a mutual vision through shared decision-making. Joe is one of those community givers that looks for ways to open doors and build bridges where there have been fences or chasms in the past, a person who feels responsibility to be inclusive in community impacting decisions rather than issuing edicts without meaningful community input."
[Submitted by Maureen Oltrogge, Public Affairs Officer]
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Isle Royale National Park (MI)
Passing Of Gerry Sterk
Gerry P. Sterk of Ahmeek in Keweenaw County, Michigan, passed away at Marquette General Hospital in Marquette, Michigan, on Saturday, January 20th, following a brief illness.
Gerry was born in Ahmeek in 1944 and attended schools in Calumet, Michigan. Gerry sailed as an AB seaman with the Interlake Steamship Company and the Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company, and, for the last twenty years, as an AB seaman with the National Park Service onboard the USNPS Ranger III at Isle Royale NP.
Gerry will be remembered by his co-workers as a hard working, quiet and generous gentleman. He often cooked large full meals, taking all day to prepare, for the boat crew and other park employees. He will be missed by all that knew and worked with him.
[Submitted by Larry Kangas, Chief Ranger]
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.