NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Tuesday, December 29, 1998

INCIDENTS

98-767 - Mid-Southern Areas - Winter Storm Impacts

Two reports have been received from parks in the Mid-South that were affected
by the severe ice storm that struck on December 23rd and 24th:

o     Colonial NHP (VA) - Colonial Parkway and park tour roads at both
      Jamestown and Yorktown remain closed.  Between 400 and 500 trees were
      damaged, leaving roadways impassable and numerous branches hanging
      dangerously.  The entire park closed on the morning of the 24th because
      of icy conditions and loss of power.  Maintenance crews worked through
      the weekend to remove debris, but cleanup may take several weeks.  The
      visitor centers at Jamestown and Yorktown resumed normal operations
      yesterday after electrical power was restored.  No structural damage
      has been reported.  Damage and cleanup costs are estimated at more than
      $250,000.  Some employees are still without power at their homes.

o     Richmond NBP (VA) - The ice storm struck the Richmond area on the
      afternoon of December 23rd.  By Christmas Eve, ice-laden trees had
      begun to fall, blocking park roads and knocking down power lines to
      several park units.  Rangers and maintenance staff worked throughout
      the day in an effort to open Battlefield Park Road, which is the only
      access for many park neighbors.  Rangers continued the effort over the
      next two days and eventually opened all park units.  About 170 trees
      had to be cut to clear roadways.  As of yesterday, three park units
      were still without power.  Assessments of the total damage to the park
      and the cost of cleaning up are underway.

Reports from other parks in the Mid-South that were affected by this storm
are solicited.  [Peggie Gaul, COLO, 12/28; Mike Greenfield, SPR, RICH, 12/28]

98-768 - Rock Creek Park (DC) - Drug Arrests

On December 10th, Park Police officer Wayne Humberson stopped a vehicle near
the park.  As the vehicle was stopping, Humberson saw the passenger make a
furtive gesture toward the floor.  Humberson and a city officer approached
the car.  As he was asking the driver to get out of the vehicle, the
passenger jumped out and fled, but was caught and subdued after a short
pursuit.  A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of about 200 grams of
suspected crack cocaine with a street value of $20,000.  K.E. and
J.H. were arrested on charges of possession of drugs with intent
to distribute.  [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 12/21]

98-769 - Rock Creek Park (DC) - Sexual Assault

A woman was sexually assaulted in the wooded area on the east side of Rock
Creek Parkway around 4:15 a.m. on December 10th.  Four days later, the victim
called Park Police and reported that the man who'd assaulted her was in
Dupont Circle.  Officers responded and arrested P.L.R.  [Henry
Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 12/21]

98-770 - Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD) - MVA with Fatality

M.A., 31, of Laurel, Maryland, was killed on December 25th when he
lost control of his car on the parkway, skidded through the median, and
crashed into a tree.  M.A., who was not wearing a seatbelt, died at the
scene.  There were no witnesses.  The cause of the accident is still under
investigation.  [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 12/28]

98-771 - Rock Creek Park (DC) - Assault with Intent to Kill

An altercation which occurred at a D.C. nightclub on the evening of December
26th ended up in a shooting just off Rock Creek Parkway.  The principals in
the fight left the nightclub in separate vehicles and headed down the
parkway.  Gunfire erupted after these and other vehicles got into an accident
at 23rd Street and Independence Avenue.  The victim was shot in the back as
he attempted to flee from one of the cars.  He has been hospitalized and is
in serious but stable condition.  According to witnesses, two other vehicles
were struck by gunfire, but the drivers declined to stick around.  No
additional reports have yet been filed.  [Henry Berberich, RLES, NCSO, 12/28]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

No entries.

PARK DISPATCHES

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No entries.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

No entries.

                                *  *  *  *  *

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

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