Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Bull Elk Poaching Convictions
On March 16th, two men from Three Forks, Montana, were convicted in
magistrate's court on charges of illegally killing a bull elk along U.S.
Highway 191 inside of Yellowstone last November 28th. The investigation
began after several citizens reported two men field dressing a bull elk
alongside the highway many miles inside the park. Ranger Les Brunton
responded and saw the two men dragging part of a trophy-class, six-point
bull elk toward their vehicle. Special agent Dan Kirschner
assisted Brunton and several other Gallitan Subdistrict rangers with the
case. J.T.S., 23, of Three Forks, Montana, was convicted
on one count of violating the Lacey Act for illegally killing and moving
the elk and one count of illegally using a weapon inside of a national
park. C.S.C., 45, of Three Forks, Montana, was
convicted on one count of violating the Lacey Act. J.T.S. was ordered
to pay $4,000 in restitution to the park for the destruction of
the elk, a $2,000 fine and a $25 special assessment. The judge also
sentenced him to a 180-day suspended jail sentence and three years'
probation, banned him from entering Yellowstone for two years, ordered
him to forfeit the rifle used in the crime, and banned him from
possessing hunting and fishing licenses for three years. C.S.C. was
ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution, a $1,000 fine and a $25 special
assessment. He was also given a 90-day suspended jail sentence,
banned from Yellowstone for two years, given three years of federal
probation and banned from hunting and fishing for three
years. [Submitted by Chris Fors, Special Agent]
Amistad National Recreation Area (TX)
Boating Fatality
On Friday morning, March 26th, the body of 74-year-old J.F.
was found floating in the Devils River Arm of Amistad Reservoir. J.F.
had been reported missing shortly before
midnight of the previous evening, and a search for him and his
boat had been underway since then. At first light, his boat was found
grounded along the shoreline; three hours later, his body was located in
the water by a Border Patrol helicopter approximately a quarter mile
from the location of the boat. The cause of death has not been
determined. Weather might have been a factor, as the wind was blowing 28
mph around the time of the incident. J.F. was from Odessa,
Texas, and frequently fished at Amistad Reservoir. DR Greg Garetz
was IC.
[Submitted by Chief Ranger's Office]
OPERATIONAL NOTES
Slippery Rock University Park Ranger Training Program
Joe Kolodski Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Park Ranger Society and the Park Ranger Training Program of Slippery Rock University is launching a fundraising campaign for a new scholarship.
On June 21, 1998, Joe Kolodski was serving as a protection ranger in Great Smoky Mountains National Park when he responded to a call regarding an armed man threatening visitors at an overlook on the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway. Kolodski was shot and killed as he emerged from his patrol vehicle at the overlook. Other rangers arrived seconds later and were shot at as well before the assailant fled into the woods. He was apprehended soon afterwards.
Joe and his wife, Florie, were both 1983 graduates of the Park and Resource Management program at Slippery Rock University. His wife and three children survive him. In honor of his memory, the SRU Park Ranger Society and the Park Ranger Training Program has established the Joe Kolodski Memorial Scholarship to benefit outstanding students who wish to pursue careers in the park and resource protection field.
Slippery Rock University has already kicked off fundraising for the scholarship. Dr. Jane Fulton, the Dean of the College of Health, Environment, and Science (CHES), recently initiated the endowment with a gift of $5,000 from CHES. The fund must receive a total of $10,000 before it can become officially "endowed." Our goal in this campaign is to raise an additional $5,000 before National Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15, 2004.
In remembrance of our colleague and friend, please help support this worthy cause and contribute to the Joe Kolodski Memorial Scholarship. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated and can be sent to:
Joe Kolodski Memorial Scholarship Fund
SRU Foundation
100 Old Main
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
[Submitted by Dr. John Lisco]
PARKS AND PEOPLE
Zion National Park (UT)
GS-0025-9 Commissioned Ranger (Lateral)
Zion National Park is seeking qualified candidates for lateral transfer to a GS-9, permanent full time commissioned ranger position. Applicants must already be at the GS-9 level or have been a permanent GS-9 employee and be qualified for a law enforcement position. This position is in the Canyon District (Zion Canyon). The ranger filling this position will:
• Perform a full range of law enforcement duties in a primarily front country setting.
• Conduct patrols by vehicle and foot.
• Perform the full range of emergency services, including EMS, SAR (primarily high angle rescue), and structural fire.
• Be a part of a small and active ranger work group in which good communication skills, a strong work ethic and a team approach are critical to the operation.
The park is subject to heavy visitation (2.5 million/year), long hot summers and a significant emergency services workload. The park is also a training site for the FTEP. This is an excellent opportunity for the right ranger to gain experience and function as a member of a closely knit team to accomplish common goals. The park will be dedicating a new emergency operations center in April of this year, which will provide offices, fitness center, and emergency vehicle storage. This is a required occupancy position. The park and surrounding areas offer a wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, rock climbing, hunting, mountain biking and winter sports. For more information contact Kevin Killian, Canyon District Ranger, via email or at 435-772-0175. Send application materials to Janel Bassett, Zion National Park, State Route 9, Springdale, UT 84767, Enclose your most current SF-50 and supervisory evaluation. Applications must be postmarked by April 16th. This is a mandatory drug testing, 6(c) covered position. Relocation expenses will be paid.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ,UT)
Death of Linda Robinson
It is with much sadness that we report the passing of Linda Robinson. She died on March 29th after a long struggle with cancer. Linda worked as a seasonal fee collector for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area from 1998-2003. She also worked for the park concessioner, Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas, Inc., from 1989 to the time of her death. She is survived by her husband, Fred, a lead fee collector at the park, and her son, Kale, on active duty with the U. S. Coast Guard. During her long tenure at Lake Powell, Linda always had a bright smile and a cheery word for park visitors and employees alike. She will be missed by all who knew her. To assist with funeral costs the family has requested that donations be made in lieu of flowers. Donations may be sent to: Fred Robinson, c/o Glen Canyon NRA, P.O. Box 4304, Bullfrog, Utah 84533.
[Submitted by Char Obergh, Public Information Officer]
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.