NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Thursday, May 29, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Natural Resource Program Center
Severe Tornado Causes Major Damage To Employee Homes
On May 22nd, several members of the Natural Resource Program Center (NRPC) staff and their families and friends were seriously affected by a severe tornado which touched down in Windsor, Colorado, which is about 12 miles southeast of the center. The tornado that struck Windsor is referred to as a wedge tornado - the largest and deadliest of all tornadoes because of their size and ferocity. The twister, which was up to a half-mile wide, was on the ground for more than 30 minutes and traveled 35 miles. The storm caused approximately $152 million dollars worth of damage to this small town. One NRPC staff lost his home, two staff members reported extensive roof, window, and car damage, and other staff had friends and families who suffered damage to homes and cars. Staff at NRPC are assisting with the relief effort. Funds are being collected to purchase gift cards for food and/or home repair supplies, meals are being prepared for delivery to affected employees, and later this summer center staff will be helping plant trees, assisting city parks, and/or providing landscaping assistance to members of the community. The Red Cross has a site for assisting in Windsor recovery - HYPERLINK "http://www.northerncolorado.redcross.org/" http://www.northerncolorado.redcross.org/ . For more information, contact center manager George Dickison ( HYPERLINK "mailto:George_Dickison@nps.gov" George_Dickison@nps.gov ). For a news report on the tornado itself, see HYPERLINK "http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9359069?source=rss" http://www.denverpost.com/ci_9359069?source=rss . [Linda Drees, Natural Resource Program Center]
Grand Canyon NP
Two Missing Backpackers Found By Searchers
On Sunday, May 25th, park dispatch received a report of two overdue travelers, identified as A.H. and I.H. of Salt Lake City. They'd been expected in Prescott the day before, following a week at the Grand Canyon, but had never arrived. At the time of the report, an attempt to locate (ATL) message had already been issued by the Salt Lake City police. Rangers checked hotel and campground registrations, but found no record of the couple, so an ATL was issued within the park and Arizona DPS was notified, resulting in a statewide ATL. Efforts to find the couple continued with searches of the backcountry permits issued in the park and of registration records at North Rim lodges and campgrounds. No record of the couple's visit could be found. Late in the afternoon on Monday, May 26th, rangers made contact with a friend of the couple who was familiar with their itinerary. Through this contact, they learned that the couple, experienced backpackers, had planned to backpack the Royal Arch route - a difficult, 45-mile loop in the far western portion of the park. At the same time, rangers learned that I.H. had maintained her maiden name, I.F., and might have obtained a permit under that name. Searchers immediately rechecked backcountry permits for this second name and found a permit issued for May 17th to May 23rd in the name of I.F. for two people to travel the Royal Arch route. With knowledge of the couple's itinerary, rangers were able to locate the couple's vehicle at the South Bass trailhead that evening. Early on Tuesday morning, search and rescue rangers flew the southern portion of the Royal Arch route, focusing on the rim and on areas known to be more technically challenging. During this initial hasty search, the couple was not found, but hikers along the trail were contacted and interviewed to determine if anyone had seen or made contact with the pair. After refueling, search and rescue rangers flew the remainder of the Royal Arch route, as well as other high probability areas, without locating the couple. The operation resumed on Wednesday. Around 5 p.m., a search team found the couple along the Royal Arch route. They were tired but otherwise in good condition. A helicopter flew them to the South Rim helibase, where they declined any medical treatment and were reunited with family members. A follow-up interview will be conducted by rangers today. [Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
New River Gorge NR
Man Serves Year In Jail For Theft Of Wood From Historic House
During the first week of May in 2005, seven people tore down, removed and sold chestnut lumber from the Joe Thompson House, a park-owned, 106-year-old, two-story mine company house located in a fairly remote section of the park. The park's historic architect estimated that they'd caused an estimated $882,650 worth of damage to the house. During a year-long investigation into the crime by ranger CW Mitchem and special agent Chris Schrader, all of the suspects were identified. A decision was made in conjunction with the United States Attorney's Office to pursue charges on only the leader of the group, K.R.P., 42, of Rainelle, West Virginia. K.R.P. had an extensive criminal history for similar crimes. On April 25, 2006, K.R.P.'s was indicted on one count of theft of U.S. government property {USC 18 641) and a warrant for his arrest was issued. Attempts to arrest him proved futile, as he was on the run from West Virginia state warrants. In October, 2006, a tip was received that led investigators to K.R.P., who was living in Altoona, Pennsylvania. On October 16, 2006, K.R.P. was arrested by a team of rangers from New River Gorge and Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS and United States marshals. K.R.P. was retuned to West Virginia. In May of 2007, K.R.P. pled guilty to the one count of theft and was subsequently sentenced to 12 months and a day in prison and ordered to pay $17,000 in restitution. [Gary Hartley, Chief Ranger]
Chaco Culture NHP
Arrest For Weapons Violations
On May 18th, rangers responded to a volunteer's report that gunshots had been heard from a point where two pickup trucks had been seen near the park's entrance. The trucks were stopped and rangers found four loaded weapons - two rifles and two handguns - inside. The weapons were retained pending a court decision. The 24-year-old male driver of one of the pickups was charged with possession and other weapons-related violations. Investigation revealed that the state of Arizona had an active warrant out against his father. [John Bueg, Protection Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories (among others) can be read on InsideNPS. NOTE: Both NPS Digest, the public version of InsideNPS, and the web version of the Morning Report are down due to technical problems. The links that appear below these stories only work for those within the agency:
Superintendents' Summit '08 - Just over six weeks remain until the opening of a rare event in the life of the National Park Service, a gathering of all park superintendents and other key leaders.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6552" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6552
Saugus Iron Works NHS - Sparks flew from molten iron as Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site observed its grand reopening on May 16th and 17th, marking the completion of several major construction projects.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6549" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6549
Appalachian Trail - The first phase of an emerging short-term volunteerism program for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail took place on Earth Day, April 22nd. The program aims to attract short-term volunteers using three approaches.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6550" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6550
Yosemite NP - A groundbreaking ceremony was held in early May to celebrate the start of construction of new bridges being built to bypass the Ferguson rockslide.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6551" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6551
Pinnacles NM - Ranger Peter Szydlowski retired on May 24th. His government career spanned over 31 years, of which 16 years were with the National Park Service.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1933" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1933
Death Valley NP - Gerry Wolfe, the park's safety and hazmat programs manager, will retire on June 3rd with 31 years of federal service.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1934" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=1934
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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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