NPS Visitor and Resource Protection
The Morning Report

Monday, February 10, 2003


INCIDENTS


Western Arctic National Parklands (AK)
Follow-up on Burglary

During the early morning hours of January 19, Nome PD officers captured two juvenile males who were burglarizing a local business. They admitted to also breaking into the park's office along with a third male juvenile on January 9, and to breaking into many other businesses in Nome - some of them repeatedly. The two juveniles are currently in custody, and the third is being charged for earlier break-ins. The case is being handled by Nome PD; all three will be prosecuted through the state's juvenile justice system.
[Submitted by Lindy Russell, Chief Ranger]



Western Arctic National Parklands (AK)
Search in Progress for Missing Snowmobiler

On February 3, rangers were asked to assist in an aerial search for T.S., 21, along the southern boundary of Kobuk Valley NP. On the evening of January 30, T.S. stole a snowmobile from the native village of Selawik while intoxicated. When last seen on the snowmobile, he was wearing light clothing and tennis shoes, having left his winter clothing behind in Selawik. His direction of travel is not known. Poor weather conditions and the accumulation of new snow have hindered search efforts. Two NPS employees and two volunteer members from Selawik SAR conducted a search by air in an NPS-chartered aircraft. There was no sign of either T.S. or the snowmobile. The search continues and is being coordinated by Alaska state troopers. [
[Submitted by Lindy Russell, Chief Ranger]



Zion National Park (UT)
Structural Fire in Park Residence; Building Saved

The wooden roof of an employee home caught fire from an ember from the building's chimney on the afternoon of Thursday, February 6. Chuck Passek, the only ranger then on duty, happened to be passing by at the same time. He notified dispatch, then put out the fire with a garden hose. The park fire brigade and a local VFD responded with two engines and eight firefighters. Damage to the building was limited to a two-by-two-foot area on the roof. The residents were not home at the time. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it's thought to have been started by a spark that came out of the wood stove chimney, through the spark arrester, and onto the cedar shake roof.
[Submitted by Aniceto Olais, Chief Ranger]



Petersburg National Battlefield (VA)
Visit from Governor Mark Warner

Governor Mark Warner, his family and a small entourage made a surprise visit to the park on Sunday, February 2. Interpretive ranger Jaie Pazzetti and education specialist Robin Fuller gave the governor and his kids a special tour. The governor expressed his appreciation.
[Submitted by Bob Kirby, Superintendent]




PARKS AND PEOPLE


Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
GS-12 North Rim District Ranger

The park has an opening for a GS-12 district ranger on the North Rim. The district ranger's primary duty is to manage front-line law enforcement and collateral-duty SAR and EMS operations for the North Rim of park. The North Rim is 215 miles from Grand Canyon village (five hours by car). The elevation is between 8,000 and 9,200 feet. During summer months, concession facilities are available, such as a restaurant, a small market, cabins, motel units and gas station. All facilities are closed in the winter and access to the area is by snowmobile only. The nearest established community with a full range of services is Kanab, Utah, which is 80 miles to the north. The person selected must therefore be able to work in an isolated environment. This is required occupancy position. For more information, please contact Phil Walker, North Rim unit manager, at 928-638-928-638-7869/7958/7870.
[Submitted by Tom Barth]




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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found on the left side of the front page of InsideNPS. All reports should be submitted via email to Bill Halainen at Delaware Water Gap NRA, with a copy to your regional office and a copy to Dennis Burnett in Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO.

Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement and Emergency Services, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.