The Morning Report for Friday, June 25, 2004

INCIDENTS

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA)
Homicide; Suspect Arrested

The park received a report of a body lying in a pulloff near mile marker 18 on Route 209 just after 6 a.m.on June 20th. The victim had been shot at close range with a 12-gauge shotgun — once in the body, once in the head. Pennsylvania State Police troopers led the investigation, with assistance from NPS special agent Bob VanNortwick. The victim was identified as Antonio Magalhaes of Newark, New Jersey. The investigation led to the interview of E.F. of Elizabeth, New Jersey, who was staying in a second home in a nearby community. During the interview, investigators found "biological material" on E.F.'s clothing that matched similar material found at the crime scene. E.F.'s vehicle was found at his girlfriend's house in Rosell Park, New Jersey. In it was a shotgun and other items that provided sufficient evidence for a murder charge to be filed against him. He is being held without bail at the Pike County Correctional Facility.
[Submitted by Phil Selleck, Chief Ranger]

Dry Tortugas National Park (FL)
Illegal Immigrants Land on Loggerhead Key

Volunteers at Loggerhead Key called rangers just after 6 a.m.on June 17th to report that illegal immigrants from Cuba had come ashore during the night. The key lies about two miles west of Fort Jefferson and is the largest of the keys within the park. When questioned, the Cubans reported being dropped off at the key by a Cuban fishing boat in the early morning hours. A head count was made and it was determined that there were 29 illegal immigrants in the group. Ranger Phil Trepiccione contacted the Coast Guard and Border Patrol in Key West to begin arranging transportation for the group. Prior to arriving on Loggerhead Key, rangers were informed that a woman in the group was showing signs of shock and needed immediate medical assistance. Ranger Danica Bloom quickly assessed the situation and secured the group while rangers Kevin Colley and Kerry Grimshaw took the woman aside for medical treatment. She was experiencing symptoms associated with severe dehydration that stemmed from the three-day trip on the fishing boat. Colley's quick and aggressive intervention undoubtedly saved her life. After approximately two hours of treatment, she was stabilized and rangers were able to assess the remaining individuals in the group. Most were in early stages of hypothermia and dehydration, but were treated quickly with the help of park volunteers. After approximately five hours on Loggerhead Key, the Coast Guard arrived and transported the detainees to Key West for processing. This is the second group of illegal immigrants found in the park this year. Ten illegal immigrants were in the first group.
[Submitted by Bill Wright, Chief Ranger]

Badlands National Park (SD)
Recovery of Stolen Gold Nugget

Early on the afternoon of June 15th, rangers were contacted by the Pennington County Sheriffs Office and asked to assist in the investigation of the theft of a gold nugget valued at nearly $1,400. The nugget was reportedly stolen from a jewelry store in the town of Custer. The suspects had visited the store to view wedding rings. After viewing a number of rings and a gold nugget, the couple left the store. Shortly after leaving, the sales clerk discovered that the gold nugget was missing and called police. Investigators learned that they'd told the clerk that they were getting married on horseback in the Badlands. Rangers quickly searched the park for the couple and contacted a number of local businesses, but found no sign of them. Ranger Jessica DeMayo expanded the search to possible businesses in the greater Badland area and discovered a wedding service which was going to be held that evening in the Badlands on horseback. Rangers DeMayo, Bill Row and David Smith drove to that location and questioned the couple. During the course of their investigation, they determined that they were the pair being sought in the theft of the nugget. The nugget was recovered and the case was turned over to local authorities for prosecution.
[Submitted by Mark Gorman, Acting Chief Ranger]

FIRE MANAGEMENT

National Interagency Fire Center
NIFC Situation Report — Friday, June 25, 2004

Due to travel obligations and timing issues, the summaries of the NIFC report that normally appear in InsideNPS will not appear again until next Monday. The following sites provide detailed information on the national situation:

Full NIFC Situation Report (PDF file) — http://www.nifc.gov/news/sitreprt.pdf

National Fire News — http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html

Information on the NPS Fire Management Program Center (FMPC) and on park fires can be found at:

FMPC — http://www.nps.gov/fire

Park fires — http://www.nps.gov/fire/news

Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve (AK)
Edwards Creek -ref#234, A4WG (Wildland Fire)

This fire ignited on BLM land north of the preserve. It since has grown significantly and burned into Yukon-Charley Rivers NPr. (full report)
Acreage: Total acreage 43,600 acres. 7,800 (estimate) acres in the preserve.
Estimated containment date: October 1, 2004[Submitted by Marsha Henderson, Marsha_Henderson@nps.gov, 907-455-0650]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Cuyahoga Valley National Park (OH)
Exemplary Act Award for Mark Plona

In recognition of his prompt response and dedicated actions in providing assistance to save the life of a visitor, Seasonal Park Ranger Mark Plona has been granted the Exemplary Act Award by Director Fran Mainella.

While Ranger Plona was working a security post at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (JEFF) on July 6, 2003, a visitor to the St. Louis Fair complained of chest pains and then fell unconscious. Ranger Plona conducted an initial assessment of the patient and initiated CPR and the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). Shortly after the AED supplied a shock to the patient, his heart began beating on its own. The patient was then turned over to St. Louis EMS and transported to a local hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. On July 15, 2003 the family notified JEFF staff that the patient was well on his way to recovery.

Ranger Plona was presented the Exemplary Act Award by Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CUVA) Deputy Superintendent Bill Carroll.

Ranger Plona has served as a commissioned Park Ranger at CUVA for 16 years. He has been a permanent Fire Medic for the city of Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department for 22 years.
[Submitted by Mosie Welch, mosie_welch@nps.gov, (440) 546-5952]

Midwest Region
Ivan Miller Retiring

Superintendent Ivan Miller will be retiring from Buffalo National River on June 28 after more than 40 years of service with the National Park Service. Friends and associates are cordially invited to join the staff at his retirement party at Buffalo National River at the Tyler Bend pavilion on Friday, June 25, at 6 p.m., near St. Joe, Arkansas. Food and beverages will be provided, BYOB. Please RSVP so we know how much food to prepare.

Letters, notes, and cards are being collected for a scrapbook to be presented to Ivan at the party. Any submission(s) would be greatly appreciated. Please email them to judy_deitrick@nps.gov or send c/o Buffalo National River, 402 North Walnut, Suite 136, Harrison, AR 72601. We would especially welcome old pictures of Ivan that could be scanned into a PowerPoint program. We assure you that pictures will be well cared for and returned.

If you cannot attend but have a personal message to be delivered to Ivan, or a good story that should be shared with others at his retirement, Judy can be reached by telephone at 870-741-5446, ext. 224. We want to make Ivan's send-off a memorable one as he has been a great asset to Buffalo National River and will be greatly missed.

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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.