NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Friday, March 19, 1999

INCIDENTS

99-57 - Yosemite NP (CA) - Follow-up: Search in Progress

The search for C.S. and J.S. and family friend Silvina Pelosso
continues.  The burned-out hulk of the red 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix rented by
C.S. was found yesterday afternoon off Highway 108 near the community
of Long Barn about 50 miles from El Portal.  No bodies were found in or near
the car.  The community is north of the park's northern boundary.  FBI
special agent James Maddock is quoted on the status of the investigation in
an article in today's San Francisco Chronicle: "Search efforts are under way
in the area where the car was recovered.  Most likely the car was placed
there by someone who knew the area.  It was well-hidden in a very rugged
area.  I believe this is conclusive evidence of a violent crime - they were
either abducted or carjacked.  This is not an area someone stumbles on." 
According to the Chronicle, the area where the car was found is near an old
logging road, often blocked by a chain, that is frequently used by people who
drive down it and toss out old appliances and garbage in "an informal dump." 
A report in today's Modesto Bee states that an attendant at a gas station a
mile from the point where the car was found sold gas to S. on February 15th
and talked briefly with Pelosso.  [San Francisco Chronicle and Modesto Bee,
both via Dennis Burnett, RAD/WASO, 3/19]

99-93 - George Washington Memorial Parkway (VA) - Self Rescue

On Wednesday, March 17th, an All About Town tour bus was carrying 24 visitors
from a hotel to Reagan National Airport.  While heading south on the parkway,
the 64-year-old driver slumped over the wheel.  The bus left the parkway,
striking and knocking down two light poles.  Two bus passengers - H.M.
of Gordo, Alabama, and J.M., of Coaling, Alabama - reacted
quickly and brought the bus, which was headed towards a lagoon, safely back
onto the parkway without striking any nearby trees or other vehicles.  Park
Police officer Randy Cubbedge arrived on scene within moments and began CPR
on the driver.  A county EMS unit took the driver to a local hospital, where
he was pronounced dead.  The passengers were taken to the airport and were
able to make their flight.  J.M. and H.M. were lauded by the Park Police
and media for their quick thinking and successful resolution of the incident. 
[Sgt. Dave Mulholland, PIO, USPP, 3/18]

99-94 - Yellowstone NP (WY) - Fee Fraud Investigation

Two investigations into fee fraud in the park were recently concluded.  The
first began late in the summer of 1998 and involved Karst Stages, Inc, a
regional commercial tour bus company.  Bus drivers on four occasions used a
seven-day entrance permit from a prior trip to gain re-entry into the park. 
The company was charged with four counts of illegally transferring single
visit permits (36 CFR 71.8).  Following consultation with the United States
attorney and discussion with counsel for Karst Stages, the park accepted the
company's offer to pay the $1,200 owed for the four visits and waived
prosecution.  Karst Stages' misunderstanding of what constituted a single
visit and their cooperation in the investigation were mitigating
considerations.  The second case involved a three-month investigation of a
commercial photography business from Grand Junction, Colorado.  The
business - Dramatic Light Nature Photography - is owned and operated by J.L.
and B.L.  The company was charged with misuse of a Golden Eagle
passport (36 CFR 71.5(b)), failure to pay required fees and obtain permits
(36 CFR 2.23(b)), and knowingly giving a false report (36 CFR 2.32(a)(4)). 
Following interviews with J.L. and information received from 15 other
Western NPS areas, a fourth charge was added - engaging in a business in a
park except in accordance with the provisions of a permit (36 CFR 5.3). The
business failed to obtain commercial use licenses (CULs) and incidental
business permits (IBPs) for photography workshops conducted in various
western parks between 1991 and 1998.  When working under an issued CUL or
IBP, the business commonly used a Golden Eagle pass at park entrances to
avoid paying entrance fees for clients. They specifically targeted uninformed
and/or new entrance personnel who were unfamiliar with business operations in
NPS.  The total sum for past obligations to NPS units for unpermitted
activities is estimated at around $3,000, with another $1,000 for unpaid
entrance fees.  The investigator consulted with each park's concession
manager, law enforcement program manager and U.S. attorney on appropriate
actions.  Since J.L. cooperated fully and agreed to pay his past
obligations, the park again waived prosection.  [CRO, YELL, 3/17]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No entries.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

Radios - Gulf Islands NS has radios available for transfer to another park or
agency: eight Motorola Spectra mobile radios, three Motorola Maxtrac 100 base
station radios, and four Midland base station radios.  These are all VHF
radios with programmable frequencies.  If you're interested, contact Skip
Prange at 850-934-2651 or via cc:Mail.

PARKS AND PEOPLE

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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