NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
===============================================================================================================
INCIDENTS
Denali NP&P
Search Continues For Two Overdue Climbers
The search continues for two overdue climbers - T.Y., 27, of Saitama-Ken, Japan and Y.I., 24 of Tokyo, Japan - on the Cassin Ridge of Mt. McKinley. The two men were expected to return from their climb of the Cassin Ridge by Thursday, May 22nd. On Tuesday, the Lama helicopter conducted a lengthy low level flight of the search zone, while a plane flew three additional search flights. In addition to the aerial search, the extensive collection of photos taken on these flights is being closely analyzed by rangers and other observers for clues. The magnified images can be digitally modified with color and contrast to bring forth clues such as subtle tracks and snow disturbance. Thus far, the combined aerial and digital search efforts have discovered a probable former tent site at 17,000-feet on the Cassin Ridge as well as tracks on the route at approximately 16,000 feet. Both clues suggest the two climbers reached the upper elevations of the route. [Maureen McLaughlin, Information Officer]
Organ Pipe Cactus NM
Sentences Issued In Two Drug Smuggling Cases
On November 11th last year, a tracking team comprised of protection rangers and an NPS special agent interdicted a group of suspected marijuana backpackers north of the international boundary. They'd tracked them for about seven miles before confronting them. Three smugglers were arrested and 193 pounds of marijuana recovered. The United States Attorney's Office declined prosecution, but the Pima County attorney took the case, filing felony charges against them for transportation of more than two pounds of marijuana for sale (Arizona Revised Statutes Title 13 Section 3405). Two of the three entered into plea agreements and were recently sentenced; the third person's case is still pending. C.V.-I. was sentenced to 60 months of “presumptive” state custody, with credit for 89 days already served, and ordered to pay $1,800 in fines or assessments. M.A.P.-A. was sentenced to 18 months of “mitigated” state custody, with credit for 118 days served, and also ordered to pay $1,800 in fines or assessments. Both will be under community supervision once released. On November 20th, rangers identified a group of ten suspected smugglers heading north from the boundary. As they approached, members of the group scattered and attempted to flee. Rangers arrested one man with a marijuana backpack and located seven other backpacks nearby. H.R.-M. H.R.-M.admitted to having been paid $1,000 to backpack a load of marijuana into the U.S. The total weight of the marijuana recovered came to 419 pounds. H.R.-M. subsequently entered a guilty plea in federal district court. In April, he was sentenced to 13 months in jail and three years' supervised release. [Brian S Smith, Special Agent in Charge, IMR]
Baltimore-Washington Parkway
Driver Sentenced To Prison In Fatal Accident
On May 23rd, A.W., 24, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was sentenced to 30 months in jail and three years of supervised release in an involuntary manslaughter conviction that stemmed from a fatal accident on the parkway in December, 2006. According to his guilty plea, A.W. was driving on the parkway with Ricardo Mitchell in the front seat and another person in the back seat. The driver of an Acura traveling in the same direction noticed A.W.'s car behind her because its headlights were turning on and off as it changed lanes rapidly. She saw A.W.'s car come up behind her suddenly in the left lane without headlights. A.W. turned sharply into the right lane and cut in front of the Acura, at which point his car went off the highway onto the grass, flipped over several times and came to rest against a tree. The back seat passenger was not injured and was able to get out of the car. A.W. and Mitchell were extricated from the car and taken unconscious to the hospital, where Mitchell later died from his injuries. Accident reconstruction specialists estimated that A.W.'s car was traveling at about 90 miles per hour when it left the roadway. A.W.'s blood was analyzed and determined to contain marijuana in a sufficient amount to impair his ability to drive safely. The back seat passenger told Park Police detectives at the scene of the accident that they had been in Baltimore smoking marijuana. When emergency personnel cut the top off A.W.'s car to extricate the passengers, they noted a strong odor of marijuana pervading the interior of the car. The back seat passenger also told investigators that A.W. had complained that his headlights had not been working properly for some time. The US attorney thanked the Park Police for their investigative work in this case. [Sergeant Robert Lachance, Public Affairs Officer]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS. NOTE: Both NPS Digest, the public version of InsideNPS, and the web version of the Morning Report are down due to technical problems. The links that appear below these stories only work for those within the agency:
Grand Canyon NP - The park will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps' arrival at Grand Canyon and their important contributions to the park with a new exhibit and with a symposium later this month.
HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6544" http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6544
Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings and the status of legislation pertinent to the National Park Service.
HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6545" http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6545
Midwest Region - Glen H. Livermont, currently serving as a supervisory park ranger at Pipestone National Monument, has been selected as the site's new superintendent. He began his new assignment on May 25th.
HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1932" http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1932
NPS Alumni - Long-time NPS ranger Bob Haines died on Monday, May 12th, at his home in Estes Park. He was 86 years of age.
HYPERLINK "http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1931" http://classicinside.nps.gov/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1931
* * * * *
Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363
Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).
--- ### ---