RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
MORNING REPORT
Attention: Directorate
Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
Ranger Activities Division Information Network
Day/Date: Friday, October 11, 1991
INCIDENTS
91-474 - Blue Ridge (North Carolina/Virginia) - Follow-up on Poaching Arrests
On the morning of August 25th, rangers arrested E.P., W.A.,
Jr., and D.D., all from local towns, for spotlighting and for
killing a doe and fawn near Peaks of Otter campground, which was crowded with
campers. Peters was subsequently found guilty of both charges as well as a
third charge of recklessly handling a firearm. W.A. and D.D. were
convicted of spotlighting. On October 7th, a Bedford County judge sentenced
E.P. to eight months in jail and suspended his hunting privileges for 13
years. W.A. and D.D. received three month jail terms and had their
hunting privileges suspended for three years. The three men were also told to
pay a total of $1,000 to replace the animals. The judge ordered authorities
to destroy a lantern, knives and the gun the trio was using. The three men
face related charges in Federal district court in Roanoke later this month.
[CompuServe message from Howard Parr, CR, BLRI, 10/10]
91-547 - Delaware Water Gap (New Jersey/Pennsylvania) - Marijuana Cultivation
On October 2nd, rangers received information from a citizen that marijuana was
being cultivated in an area north of Zion Church Road. Investigation
confirmed that there was a marijuana plot at that location, and that some of
the plants had already been removed. Electronic surveillance equipment was
set up at the location the following day, and an around-the-clock watch was
begun. Due to problems encountered with the equipment and difficult weather
conditions, the operation was suspended on the morning of the 8th. A total of
35 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $34,000 were
subsequently seized. There are no suspects in the case at this time.
[CompuServe message from Chris Ward, DEWA, 10/10]
91-548 - Yosemite (California) - Search
G.S., one of 90 cross-country runners taking part in a non-permitted
marathon from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley via Tenaya Canyon on October
5th, failed to show up at the end of the race. Rangers were notified and a
search was begun the following day. G.S. was found within an hour by
searchers in a helicopter. Race organizer D.H. of Enviro Sports had
charged runners $70 each to participate in the race and had failed to obtain a
permit for the run. It was later learned that several participants had become
lost during the event and spent additional hours finding the race route.
Total government search costs will exceed $4,000. Charges are pending against
the race organizers. [Mike Mayer, YOSE, via CompuServe message from Herb
Gercke, RAD/WRO, 10/10]
91-549 - Yosemite (California) - Search
A.S., a British citizen, went out for a run in Wawona on the
evening of October 8th, but failed to return. A search was begun employing
ground, air and dog teams. A.S. was found on the morning of the 10th.
He'd apparently become lost and spent two nights in the woods. A.S.
incurred some minor injuries, but it otherwise in good condition. [Scott
Hinson, YOSE, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 10/10]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
1) This is the first morning report to go out in WP 5.1 format. Although it
has been saved as a DOS text file before uploading on CompuServe and other
efforts have been made to assure that it is as compatible as possible with all
receiving units, the report may yet come through scrambled - particularly in
terms of excessive line scrolling. Please let us know via a CompuServe
message if you've had any problem with the report this morning.
THIS DAY (ALMOST) IN NPS HISTORY...
October 12, 1969 - Rangers Homer Leach, Dick Powell, Al Schneider and Earl
Curran, along with CHP officer Jim Pursell and Inyo County deputy Don Ward,
arrested Charles manson and five members of his "family" in the Death Valley
area for arson of a government vehicle and theft of federal property. The
arrests led to the solving of the Tate-LaBianca murders and the convictions of
seven members of the Manson family.
STAFF STATUS
Division Chief: Brady at Branch of Fire Management planning meeting, Boise, ID
(10/7-10/8) and 75th anniversary symposium, Vail, CO (10/8-10/11).
Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Schamp managing security at 75th
anniversary symposium, Vail, CO (10/5-10/11); Sisto on annual leave (10/9-
10/15); Lee on annual leave (10/7-10/15).
Branch of Fire and Aviation: Hurd and Spruill at branch planning meeting,
Boise, ID (10/7-10/11); Farrel conducting structural fire review, Cumberland
Island, GA (10/10-10/12).
Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities
Telephone: All Offices - FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
Telefax: Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-6756 or 202-208-6756
Branch of Fire - FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977
CompuServe: Branch of R&VP - WASO-RANGER
Branch of Fire - WASO-FIRE-WO
SEAdog: All Offices - 1/650