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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE MORNING REPORT Wednesday, March 7, 2012 INCIDENTS Lake Meredith NRA Numerous Citations Issued At Mud Bogging Event During the weekend of February 24th, the annual Canadian River Mud Bog took place on adjacent state lands just outside of the Rosita Flats ORV area, one of two designated off-road areas within Lake Meredith NRA ( HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_bogging" mud bogging is an off-road event in which drivers attempt to navigate a pit of deep mud). This event normally draws close to 14,000 people annually, with a large number of them recreating in the ORV area, but this year saw a drop in attendance. As in prior years, Lake Meredith enhanced it law enforcement operation during this event, resulting in the issuance of a total of 57 citations over the weekend, the majority of them for alcohol offences. Along with these were numerous charges for possession of marijuana and one arrest for purchasing alcohol for minors. Rangers also dealt with two medical calls within the park and on adjacent state land. Two rangers from Chickasaw National Recreation Area, including K9 handler Kane Seitz and his dog “Boomer,” assisted Lake Meredith staff. Boomer's presence and abilities led to the park recording the largest number of drug possession cases it's ever made during this event. Rangers were also assisted by two BLM rangers and the park's fire staff, who patrolled the ORV area in weather conditions similar to last year's event, which saw over 750,000 acres burned in the surrounding area. For a YouTube video showing this year's mud bogging event, click on HYPERLINK "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ni6EtKiT8k" this link. [Dale Culver, Operations Chief] Hot Springs NP Disabled Man Assaulted In Park Hot Springs rangers are searching for the assailants who attacked a physically disabled 22-year-old Arkansas man on the evening of February 16th and are also investigating the possibility of this being considered a hate crime due to the nature of the attack. According to the victim, who was seriously injured in the unprovoked assault, he had just began walking on the Promenade behind the Fordyce Visitor Center when he was accosted by three unknown men who approached him and began to harass him. He felt a concern for his safety and attempted to leave the area, but was immediately attacked by the trio, thrown down, and knocked unconscious. When he awoke, he realized that he had also been robbed. The man's assailants fled the scene. Injured and dazed, he then made his way to the security office at Arkansas Career Training Institute. The park was notified and ranger Andy Griggs arrived on scene within minutes of getting the radio call. The victim was then transported to St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital for treatment of his injuries, which consisted of broken bones, a concussion, a broken nose, bruised ribs, and abrasions. The US Attorney's office has pledged full support for prosecuting the suspects in federal court if located. They will face felony assault charges, plus the possibility of being charged with a federal hate crime. A reward of $1,000 is being offered for their arrest and conviction. Rangers have been canvassing the area in search of possible witnesses. [John Hughes, Chief Ranger] OTHER NEWS The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. To see the full text, including images, NPS employees should go to the InsideNPS home page ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index). Non-NPS employees can see most of them on the NPS Digest page ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/): Chattahoochee NRA - Last week, Secretary Salazar unveiled the new National Water Trails System. He also announced that a trail on the Chattahoochee River would be the first to be designated as a national water trail under the new system. Federal Protective Service - Flags are to be lowered to half staff until sunset today, Wednesday, March 7th, in remembrance of New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne, who died yesterday. Intermountain Region - Dorothy FireCloud, currently superintendent at Devils Tower, has been named superintendent of Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot. She assumes her new duties in June. Fire and Aviation Management - Skip Edel has been selected as the new geospatial fire analyst for the Branch of Wildland Fire. * * * * The Morning Report is a publication of the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, produced with the support of the Office of the Assistant Director for Information Resources and the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov). --- ### --- |