NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Friday, October 10, 2008
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INCIDENTS
Fort Smith NHS
Ranger Killed In Off-Duty Accident
Amy Garrett, a park ranger at Fort Smith, was tragically killed earlier this week in a motor vehicle accident during a heavy rainstorm east of Fort Smith, Arkansas. In addition to being an outstanding interpreter and education specialist, Amy enthusiastically supported the interpretive development program as a peer-review certifier. She received the Freeman Tilden national award in 2003 for her work in bringing distance learning to the forefront of education. Garrett, a ten-year veteran with the NPS, previously worked at Central High School NHS, Homestead NM, Death Valley NP, and Yellowstone NP. Her positive, cheerful attitude and a great enthusiasm for interpretation made her a shining star in the NPS. There will be a private service for the family. A memorial website has been established to share stories and photographs: HYPERLINK "http://www.sympathytree.com/amygarrett1961/" http://www.sympathytree.com/amygarrett1961/ . A memorial fund has been set up. Donations can be sent to the Amy Garrett Memorial Fund, Regions Bank, 5400 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903. [Nancy Stimson, Chief of Interpretation]
Shenandoah NP
Clues Found In Search For E.F.
The search for E.F. continued yesterday in the Cedar Mountain area after articles which belong to E.F. were found. Items found on Tuesday included a hat, keys, a pack of cigarettes, a tent stake (used for digging), and a boot. A machete was found on Wednesday. Thursday marked the tenth day of the search. Fifty-five employees and trained volunteers are currently involved in the operation, which is concentrating outside the park on private land. E.F. was last seen on Monday, September 29th. He is described as a white male with brown hair and green eyes, 5' 8” tall, weighing approximately 145 pounds, and last seen wearing dark pants and a light shirt. Anyone with any information about Earl E.F. is encouraged to call Shenandoah National Park at 1-800-732-0911. For additional information about the search and rescue operation please call 540-999-3300. [Karen Beck-Herzog, Public Affairs Officer]
American Memorial Park
Man Sentenced For Stealing Park Lighting Units
A federal court has sentenced D.C., one of three men accused of conspiring to steal and sell portions of the park's metal lighting units, to ten months in prison. After serving the prison term, the 24-year-old D.C. will be placed on three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to immediately pay $35,490 in restitution jointly with co-defendant J.O. and to perform 100 hours of community service. During his probationary period, D.C. is prohibited from using controlled drugs and consuming alcoholic beverages. D.C., J.O., and Masaioshy Daikichi Sallem were indicted for conspiracy to sell government property and theft of government property; J.O. was also charged with destruction of a veteran's memorial. The three were accused of engaging in a conspiracy to steal portions of the metal lighting units from the park and selling them to a recycling center in November 2007. D.C. and J.O. entered a guilty plea. J.O.'s sentencing is set for October 27th. Sallem has maintained his innocence of the charges. His trial is scheduled for October 20th. [Saipan Tribune]
Fort McHenry NM&HS
Special Event - Salute To Olympians
On October 4th, the park was the site of a star-spangled salute to this country's 2008 Olympians. Maryland Olympians Michael Phelps, Katie Hoff, Jessica Long, and seven other Olympians were joined by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Senator Barbara Mikulski, Congressman John Sarbanes, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith for a live televised broadcast welcoming home eight-time Olympic gold medal winner Michael Phelps and his fellow competitors. The event, presided over by master of ceremonies Billy Bush, included interpretive programs, local bands, a Navy helicopter flyover, the Naval Academy band, and a performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” by the Morgan State Choir. Approximately 10,000 visitors attended the program, which concluded with a fireworks display from Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Rangers from nine parks, including the Northeast Region SETT and the Boston NHP special response team, were assisted by Maryland State Police and Maryland Transportation Police in providing protection for both visitors and resources during the event. Park staff worked closely with both local and state officials over the past three weeks to organize this event, which received a significant amount of media attention. This was not the first time that Fort McHenry has hosted returning Olympians. In 1914, during the centennial celebration of the Star Spangled Banner, Olympians were also invited to the site to compete in several athletic events. [Glen L. Clark, Senior Law Enforcement Officer]
OTHER NEWS
Among the stories in today's edition are the following:
Fire and Aviation Management - A newly revised version of a Flash presentation entitled "Prescribed Fire: Restore and Maintain Ecosystems" is now available through the NPS Fire and Aviation website.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6950" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=6950
NAGPRA - The Park NAGPRA program is soliciting project proposals from parks and offices Servicewide for its 2009 internship program.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6972" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewnpsnewsarticle&type=Announcements&id=6972
WASO Public Affairs - Director Bomar received the 2008 Walter T. Cox Award Wednesday during the George B. Hartzog Lecture and Awards ceremony at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2096" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2096
Training Calendar - Added to today's listing are the following - four new NPS fundamentals offerings at Albright, a special park uses course at NCTC, a rescheduled search management course in Arkansas, a new description for the introduction to resource stewardship course at the ANPR Rendezvous in December, and the announcement of the 2009-2010 NPS facility managers leadership program.
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
Events Calendar - Added to the listing this week are two events, both set for later this month - a living history commemoration of pioneers (including the Lincoln family) moving west through Cumberland Gap at that park and a reunion of former employees and residents in Yosemite.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=776" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Conferences&id=776
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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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