Valley Forge National Historical Park (PA)
Follow-up on Assault on Ranger
On March 25th, M.H., who had previously been indicted for
an assault on ranger Paula Risell, appeared in federal court to change
his plea to guilty to the first count of the indictment — assault
on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury. In April, 2003, M.H.
escaped from a juvenile detention facility adjacent to the park. An
altercation arose between Risell and M.H. while Risell was attempting
to take him into custody. Risell suffered a broken finger during
the struggle. Sentencing is scheduled for June 17th.
[Submitted by Chief Ranger's Office]
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (WV)
Homicide of Newborn Child
Ranger David Tucker had just cleared from a minor river rescue on the
Shenandoah River on the afternoon of March 21st when he noted a black
garbage bag about 15 feet from the river's edge under the Highway 340
bridge. He picked it up and was carrying it out when the bag started to
tear. Tucker opened the bag and found a neatly folded sheet and metal
weights inside. After obtaining proper evidence collection supplies, he
investigated further and found the body of an infant boy inside. Tucker
and other rangers secured the crime scene and contacted appropriate
federal, state and local law enforcement authorities. County officers
and the medical examiner arrived on scene shortly thereafter. An autopsy
was conducted last week; preliminary results indicated that the infant
died from trauma, most likely in the fall from the bridge — about
80 feet. The investigation is continuing.
[Submitted by Scot
McElveen, Chief Ranger]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Mount Rushmore National Memorial (SD)
GS-0025-5/7/9 Commissioned Ranger (Lateral)
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is seeking qualified candidates for lateral transfer to GS-5/7/9 commissioned ranger positions. Rangers filling these positions will:
- Perform a full range of law enforcement duties in both front and back country settings.
- Conduct patrols by foot, ATV, vehicle, and horse.
- Serve as a member of the emergency services team, which includes EMS, SAR, and structural/wildland fire.
- Serve as a member of an intense security program protecting one of America's icons.
The park, also known as "The Shrine of Democracy", is the site of many special events, VIP visits, and heavy visitation. This is an excellent opportunity to gain training and experience in security and special events operations.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial is located within the Black Hills of South Dakota only 30 miles from Rapid City. With a population of 62,000, including Ellsworth Air Force Base, Rapid City has most major amenities including hospitals, vo-tech schools, four-year colleges and universities. The Black Hills offer a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, rock climbing, hunting, fishing, and winter sports.
For more information, contact Don Hart, supervisory ranger, via email or at 605-574-3135.
Intermountain Region
John Lujan Named Superintendent of Guadalupe Mountains
DENVER — John Lujan, a 28-year veteran of the National Park Service, has been named superintendent of Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas. The selection was announced on March 23 by Steve Martin, director of the National Park Service's Intermountain Region.
Lujan is expected to begin his new assignment on April 19. He assumes the position held by Ellis Richard, who recently retired from the National Park Service. Lujan is currently serving as superintendent at El Malpais and El Morro National Monuments in northwest New Mexico.
"Lujan's more than 28 years experience in all aspects of park operations makes him exceptionally qualified to manage Guadalupe Mountains National Park," said regional director Martin. "He is well respected within the region and has made invaluable contributions to employee safety, fire management, visitor protection, and a host of organizational activities."
A native of Marfa, Texas, Lujan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Sul Ross State University in 1981.
"Whereas I will miss the incredible staff of El Morro and El Malpais National Monuments, I am thrilled to return to Guadalupe Mountains National Park," said Lujan. "I look forward to new relationships and new partnership opportunities to help preserve one of the greatest parks in the system."
Lujan is no stranger to Guadalupe Mountains National Park; he served as the park's interpretive ranger for three years. His career with the NPS began in 1979 at Fort Davis National Historic Site as a student-trainee. He rapidly advanced through the ranks and has held a number of leadership roles in units of the National Park System including Carlsbad Caverns National Park, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Padre Island National Seashore, and Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.
In 1996, Lujan was named superintendent of El Morro National Monument. During his tenure there, he completed major physical improvements, including the reconstruction of a number of trails, as well as a number of inscription preservation and resources management programs. In 1998, Lujan took on the superintendency at El Malpais National Monument where he has accomplished a number of highly visible projects, including the partnership agreement between the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in joint operation of the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center in Grants, which serves as a gateway to northwest New Mexico. This building is one of few multi-agency visitor centers within the National Park Service.
Additionally, through Lujan's commitment to fire management, a first in the country Joint Interagency Fire Management Plan was finalized between El Malpais National Monument and the Bureau of Land Management National Conservation Area. Under his leadership and direction, the fire management program at El Malpais National Monument has become renowned throughout the Intermountain Region.
In his new role as superintendent of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Lujan will manage 86,416 acres, a staff of approximately 40, and an annual operating budget of more than $2.33 million.
---NPS---
[Submitted by Patricia Turley, patricia_turley@nps.gov, 505-988-6745]
Intermountain Region
Kenneth A. Castro Named Wildland Fire Management Specialist
Kenneth A. Castro, a 17-year veteran of the National Park Service, has been selected to fill the Wildland Fire Management Specialist position in the Intermountain Region. He will begin his new assignment effective May 2004, and will be duty stationed in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
"Ken brings valuable skills and talents to our regional fire management program," said Brian Swift, Regional Fire Management Officer for the Intermountain Region. "He has an extensive and outstanding background in all areas of wildland fire management, and we look forward to working with him."
Ken comes to his position after serving as the Supervisory Fire Management Officer on the Clearwater & Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho for approximately three years. Prior to his assignment with the U.S. Forest Service, he worked for the National Park Service at Grand Canyon in the fire organization, and at Lassen Volcanic National Park as a Ranger and Fire Manager.
Ken, and wife Linda, have two sons, Daniel, 17 and Ian, 14.
###
[Submitted by Patricia Turley, patricia_turley@nps.gov, 505-988-6745]
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.