NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Friday, April 25, 2008

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INCIDENTS

Pictured Rocks NL

Man Found Guilty Of Wife's Murder

T.R., 46, of McBain, Michigan, has been found guilty of causing his wife of 23 years to fall to her death from a park cliff on June 22, 2006. Testimony in his trial began on March 3rd and included about 140 witnesses. The jury reached its verdict on April 16th. J.R.'s death was the first fatal fall from a cliff and the first homicide in the 40 year history of the national lakeshore. “We would like to express our enormous appreciation to the Alger County Sheriff's Department, the Michigan State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and especially to the Alger County Prosecutor's Office, as well as to the National Park Service rangers and special agents that were involved, for the outstanding work and collaboration that led to a thorough investigation of this tragic murder, and to the successful prosecution of Mr. R,” said superintendent Jim Northup. “We were very pleased with the verdict in this case, and feel that justice has been served.” To see the text of the original report, click on the link below. [Jim Northup, Superintendent]'

Hawaii Volcanoes NP

Park Remains Closed Due To High SO2 Levels

The park, which was closed late on Wednesday morning due to elevated levels of sulfur dioxide gas, remained closed yesterday. Stagnant weather prevailed again on Thursday, making it unwise and unhealthy for visitors to be on the summit overlook or on park trails. The park is situated on two active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kilauea. The toxic, invisible gas of concern is being emitted from Halema‘uma‘u crater at the summit of Kilauea and from Pu‘u ‘O‘o on the volcano's east rift. This year, SO2 emissions from Halema‘uma‘u have been as high as ten times above normal levels. “We're in a new layer of complexity,” said superintendent Cindy Orlando. “Fortunately, the park has a cadre of rangers adept at opening and closing areas in the wake of critical health and safety concerns.” A handful of NPS emergency responders remain on duty. They are equipped with real-time personal SO2 monitors. The park will reopen when favorable weather returns and the threat of unhealthy sulfur dioxide levels diminish. Residents and visitors continue to visit the lava viewing site at the end of Highway 130 near Kalapana, operated by the County of Hawai'i. [Mardie Lane, Public Affairs Officer]

OTHER NEWS

The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS:

Washington Office - Secretary Kempthorne yesterday unveiled the 110 national park improvement projects and programs that will get underway this spring, funded by an equal combination of public and private funds, under President Bush's National Park Centennial Initiative.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6427" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6427

Fort McHenry NM - After 31 years of service, John R. (Jack) Harthousen, Sr. is retiring on May 2nd.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1900" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=1900

Training Calendar - A listing of upcoming training courses offered by both the NPS and its partners across the nation. Added to this week's listing is a facility manager training class in New Jersey and an operational leadership facilitator course in Salt Lake City.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=775" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=775

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Submission standards for the Morning Report can be found at the following web site:

HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=3363

Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).

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