NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Monday, November 28, 2005

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INCIDENTS

Great Basin NP

Chief Ranger Killed in Auto Accident

On Tuesday, November 23rd, Great Basin National Park chief ranger Jim Schlinkmann was killed in a single-vehicle rollover accident while returning home from a Hurricane Wilma incident management team assignment. The Utah State Highway Patrol is investigating the accident. Further details and information on memorial services will be posted as soon as it is available. [Scott Wanek, Regional Chief Ranger, Pacific West Region]

Glen Canyon NRA

Suicide

On the morning of November 22nd, rangers noted that a vehicle parked at a scenic overlook near Glen Canyon Dam had evidently been there overnight. A check revealed that it was a rental car from Florida, and that the renter - a 58-year-old Florida man - had exceeded the length of his rental agreement. Investigation revealed that it may have been parked at the location for several days. Shortly thereafter, Page PD advised the park and the Coconino County Sheriff's Office that a local motel had reported that a suicide note had been found in a room that the man had rented. A search was begun below the dam and his body was spotted by an observer in an Arizona DPS helicopter. The body was recovered and removed from the river gorge by helicopter. [Mark Law, LES]

Natchez Trace Parkway

Auto Accident with Two Fatalities

Rangers are investigating the cause of a fatal collision that occurred on the parkway early on the morning of Tuesday, November 22nd. Just before 8 a.m., park personnel received a report of a two-vehicle collision near milepost 227 in Chickasaw County, Mississippi. A 79-year-old woman from Maben, Mississippi, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her sister, also of Maben, was transported by air ambulance to North Mississippi Medical Center (NMMC), where she died several hours later from her injuries. A 79-year old man from Florence, Alabama, was identified as the driver of the other vehicle. He was transported by ground ambulance to the NMMC. The initial investigation indicates that the man's southbound 1998 Oldsmobile van crossed the center of the highway and collided head-on with the women's northbound 1988 Toyota Corolla. The vehicles came to rest on the parkway, blocking both lanes of traffic. The ongoing investigation will determine the cause of the collision and what role seatbelt use and/or fatigue may have contributed to the accident. No charges have been filed at this time. [Marty Huseman, Assistant Chief Ranger]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Director's Office

Passing of Randy Jones

It is with deep regret that we announce the passing of A. Durand "Randy" Jones on Wednesday, November 23rd, at his home in Estes Park, Colorado. Randy, who had a long and distinguished career in the Service, was named deputy director for the NPS in 2002. For the past six months, he'd served as a special assistant to Director Mainella. Julie Jones, Randy's wife of 34 years, has sent the following message to NPS employees who provided support and assistance during Randy's illness: "Thank you all for your good thoughts and positive vibes. We appreciate everything you have been doing for us." Information regarding arrangements and services will be forthcoming. [Kevin Fitzgerald, Regional Chief Ranger, Intermountain Region]

Upper Delaware S&RR

Passing of Angus Ross

Malcolm “Angus” Ross, who retired from the NPS in 1998, passed away suddenly at his home on November 20th. He worked for the National Park Service for over 35 years, ending up at Upper Delaware S&RR. Prior to that, he had assignments at Everglades, Blue Ridge Parkway, Lake Mead, Shenandoah and Assateague Island. Prior to his employment with the NPS, Malcolm served in the Coast Guard. After retiring, he became involved with FEMA as a disaster assistance employee and responded on numerous occasions to floods and hurricane-related disasters. He is survived by his wife, JoAnne Merritt, who is employed as an information technology specialist at Upper Delaware, and by his son Mark, his daughter Shannon, his grandson Garvin, his granddaughter Sophia, and his brothers Sandy and David. A viewing will be held on Monday, November 28th, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 29th, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 90 Main Street, Narrowsburg, NY 12764 (845-252-3901). Condolences may be sent to JoAnne Merritt, 43 Hopkins Road, Tyler Hill, PA 18469. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to one or more of the following charities: Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County, 827 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431 (570-251-8115); the American Heart Association, Lackawanna/Luzerne Chapter, 71 North Franklin Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 (570-822-6247); and America's Second Harvest, Fran Cabugason, East Wacker, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60601. [Al Henry, Chief Ranger]

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Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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