NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                           MORNING REPORT

To:        All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:      Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:  Thursday, February 27, 1997

Broadcast: By 1000 ET

INCIDENTS

96-251 - Shenandoah NP (Virginia) - Follow-up on Double Homicide

The investigation continues into the murders of J.W. and L.W.,
whose bodies were discovered in the park on June 1, 1996.  Criminal
investigator Tim Alley has taken over the case agent role from criminal
investigator Ken Johnson.  Because of the investigation, a great deal has
been learned about what goes on along the Appalachian Trail.  Law enforcement
personnel from Shenandoah NP, Great Smoky Mountains NP, Delaware Water Gap
NRA, the Appalachian Trail Office and possibly Blue Ridge Parkway will meet
in late March to share that information.  The park has also created two other
levels of briefings - executive briefings for the park's management team and
general briefings for new and returning employees - to keep park staff
apprised of developments.  The case remains active and leads are being
investigated.  [Greg Stiles, SHEN, 2/25]

97-45 - Mammoth Cave NP (Kentucky) - Follow-up on Search

The search for the body of A.B., 61, missing since April 12, 1996,
was resumed on February 17th.  The Corps of Engineers again suspended water
discharges from two area dams in order to lower water levels at the search
site within the park.  The county dive rescue team conducted a thorough
search of the area.  On February 18th, rangers and representatives from the
state water patrol conducted a water search of 16 miles of the Green River; a
search of the Echo River Springs was conducted with the aid of an underwater
high intensity light the following day.  No additional evidence was found in
any of these searches.  The FBI and state police are continuing to
investigate.  [Phil Veluzat, CR, MACA, 2/26]

97-71 - Arches NP (Utah) - Falling Fatality

On February 26th, L.M. of Vail, Colorado, was hiking off-trail with a
friend in rough, steep terrain in the Elephant Butte area when he slipped and
fell at least 50 feet, suffering severe traumatic injuries upon striking the
ground.  Responding rangers and local ambulance personnel provided life
support, but L.M. died about two-and-a-half hours later during a high-
angle, night-time scree evacuation.  [Jim Webster, CR, ARCH, 2/26]

97-72 - Biscayne (NP) - Boating Accident; Fatality and Missing Person

A 17-foot Bowrider with four people, a generator and coolers aboard took a
wave over its bow and sank several miles east of Boca Chita Key around 8 p.m.
on February 25th.  Two people panicked and began swimming north, while the
other two held onto the boat and put on their lifejackets.  The latter two
then swam toward land and were found clinging to a navigational marker near a
shallow area of East Featherbed Bank 13 hours later by the crew of a passing
vessel.  The two were dropped off at the ranger station on Elliott Key and a
search was begun for the remaining two people.  The body of one of them was
found at 11 a.m.; the search for the other is continuing.  The Florida Marine
Patrol is leading the effort.  The park and Coast Guard are assisting.  Steve
Stinnett is incident commander for the park.  [Gary Bremen, IO, BISC, 2/26]

97-73 - Big Thicket NP (Texas) - Illegal Possession of Government Property

On February 1st, rangers from the park discovered a display case with NPS
related items for sale at a gun and antique weapons show in Houston.  Among
the items in the case was a ranger badge.  The price for the entire display
was $400; for the badge alone, it was $195.  Rangers from San Antonio
Missions recovered the badge on February 20th.  Due to the dealer's
cooperation, charges will not be filed against him.  The badge number is
10401.  Anyone with information concerning the issuing park should contact
supervisory ranger Chuck Boettcher at Big Thicket or ranger Dan Steed at San
Antonio Mission.  Both are on cc:Mail by name.  [Chuck Boettcher, SPR, BITH,
2/25]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

No submissions.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

Report pending.

MEMORANDA

No submissions.

EXCHANGE

Law Enforcement Rings - Director Kennedy has approved the manufacture of a
law enforcement ring for NPS rangers.  The rings have the arrowhead in gold
on a stone with the words "National Park Service" around the bezel.  On one
side is the Department of Interior logo and on the other is the NPS
credential badge.  Prices range from $99 to $482, depending on the metal, and
are available from ARTCARVED Rings.  If you're interested in seeing the
artwork or making an order, contact Tim Francis via cc:Mail at NP-NATR.

                                *  *  *  *  *

Distribution of the Morning Report is through a mailing list managed by park,
office and/or field area cc:Mail hub coordinators.  Please address requests
for the Morning Report to your servicing hub coordinator.

Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

                                  --- ### ---