RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
MORNING REPORT
Attention: Directorate
Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
CC: RAD Information Net
Day/date: Thursday, September 19, 1991
INCIDENTS
91-342 - Shiloh (Tennessee) - Followup on ARPA Convictions
On September 17th, M.P. and G.P., who had been found
guilty of archeological thefts from the park in July, were
sentenced in U.S. District Court in Jackson, Tennessee.
Although the brothers continued to maintain that they
were innocent, Judge James Todd said that the evidence against
them was overwhelming and that he would have been surprised if
the jury had decided otherwise. He also said that stealing
history was a serious matter and that he intended to reflect
this in the sentence. Each was sentenced to two months
incarceration, three years supervised release, and two months in
a community treatment center. Neither may enter any national
military park for three years, no possess any firearms or
dangerous weapons. They each must pay a fine just over $7,500
to the park during the period of supervision a figure based on
the archeological assessment and other fees. Fines were
suspended in lieu of restitution. An appeal is certain.
[Lowell Higgins, SHIL, via telefax from Steve Alscher, LES,
RAD/SERO, 9/18]
91-488 - Denali (Alaska) - Followup on Search for Missing Employees
E.H. and J.C. have been found alive approximately
six miles from the farthest point of their ascending route on
Scott Peak. A technical mountaineering team led by ranger Daryl
Miller reported finding tracks on the summit ridge early on the
17th. The location of the tracks indicated that J.C. and
E.H. had strayed from their route. Ranger Jim Unruh flew over
the new search area, and spotted them at 2:00 p.m. A medical
team was flown in by helicopter and found that they were
uninjured but were dehydrated, weak and hungry. Although an
eyewitness had told rangers that the two had set out on their
trip on the 10th, J.C. and E.H. said they left on the 8th as
planned and had hiked in and set up their base camp. They
reached the summit of Scott Peak on the 9th, but became
disoriented in worsening weather and descended to the southeast,
away from their camp. Two attempts to get back were thwarted by
the severe weather. Continuing rain on the 12th made their one
down sleeping bag almost useless; they had no tent with them.
Clouds, rain and high winds remained constant until the 17th.
During the eight days without food, J.C. and E.H. survived
on soapberries. While they made good decisions after becoming
disoriented, their decision to push to the summit despite
worsening weather was not a good one and was the cause of all
their subsequent problems. [Telefax and phone reports from Ken
Kehrer, CR, DENA, 9/18]
91-489 - Martin Luther King (Georgia) - Followup on Shooting
Incident
Reports have come in on the shooting incident which occurred on
the evening of the 16th. Ranger Johnny Sims was off duty and at
home at the time of the incident. Around 8:00 p.m., he saw a
man beating a woman on property belonging to the park. Sims,
who was in civilian clothing, ran across the street, drew a
weapon from his pocket, and told the man to get off the woman
and lie on the ground. The man, later identified as A.J.,
40, of Atlanta, refused to do so. A struggle ensued,
during which A.J. attempted to get Sims' gun. The weapon
discharged, and, according to a city police report, a round
apparently ricocheted off the sidewalk and struck the woman,
17-year-old B.A., in the right leg. She was taken to
the hospital. Atlanta police officers who responded to the
scene arrested A.J. for obstruction of an officer, assaulting
an officer, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
A.J. and A.M., 33, who at one point attempted to
assist A.J., were both charged with obstruction of an officer.
[Telefax from Steve Alscher, LES, RAD/SERO, 9/17]
91-498 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Presidential Visit
The park reports that President Bush's visit to the South Rim
went well. while there, he gave a speech and traveled into the
canyon on the Kaibab Trail. A wide variety of security measures
and other special activities were required to manage this event.
A regional special event team and additional rangers from
several parks assisted the Grand Canyon staff. No incidents or
problems were reported. [Ken Miller, CR, GRCA, via CompuServe
message from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 9/18]
91-499 Glen Canyon (Utah/Arizona) - Sinking
Late on the afternoon of September 17th, a 57-foot, older model
house boat owned by C.S. of Albuquerque, New Mexico,
began sinking in the Halls Crossing buoy field on Lake Powell.
When concession employees attempted to move it to a dock, it
began sinking more rapidly. The house boat was maneuvered to a
nearby launch ramp, where it sank in shallow water on the ramp's
concrete surface. The boat's rudders and drive shaft were
severely damaged when it hit bottom. Fuel and oil escaping from
the vessel caused a 75 by 50 foot sheen on the lake's surface
before booms could be deployed. All of the spillage has since
been contained and removed. Attempts to refloat the vessel have
failed. A marine salvage company has been contracted to remove
it from the lake. [CompuServe message from Larry Clark, CR, GLCA,
9/19]
STAFF STATUS
Division Chief: Brady in Grand Teton (9/16-9/20).
Branch of Resource & Visitor Protection: Martin and Smith at
NIBRS beta test training, Philadelphia, PA (9/16-9/17 and
9/15-9/20, respectively); Marriott at drug program review, ORPI,
and DARE training, GRCA (9/15-9/20).
Branch of Fire & Aviation: Hurd at aviation management council
meeting, WASO (9/19); Spruill at aviation management work group
and council meetings, WASO (9/17-9/19); Gale at 50th anniversary
planning meeting, U.S.S. Arizona, Pearl Harbor, HI (9/16-9/23);
Broyles at faculty meeting for RX90, Harrison, VA (9/16-9/21);
Farrel at meetings in WASO and Harpers Ferry Center, WV
(9/17-9/27).
Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities
Telephone: FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
Telefax: FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977
CompuServe: WASO-RANGER (Branch of R&VP); WASO-FIRE-WO (Branch of Fire)
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