NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Monday, November 17, 2008

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INCIDENTS

Buffalo NR

Hunter Accidentally Shoots Himself

On the afternoon of November 4th, rangers received a report of a possible hunting accident that had just occurred in the Lower Buffalo Wilderness. They responded to the Buffalo City public boat launch to investigate and learned that J.C.M., 31, of Norfork, Arkansas, had been hunting from his johnboat on the Buffalo River about eight miles upstream from its confluence with the White River when he accidentally discharged his high-powered .300 magnum rifle while attempting to remove it from its case while he was standing in his boat. The round entered J.C.M.'s right leg near his knee and caused major traumatic injury to the surrounding tissue. J.C.M. fashioned a makeshift tourniquet from a bungee cord and was able to pilot his boat to the take-out on his own. Prior to the rangers' arrival on scene, J.C.M. had been transported via air ambulance to the trauma center at St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, but deputies from Baxter County Sheriff's Department, J.C.M.'s brother, and several bystanders were still at the take-out. While investigating the boat, the deputies and rangers determined that the bullet had lodged in the fiberglass hull of the boat at the transom. Rangers seized the boat, rifle, spent casing, J.C.M.'s clothing, and several other items as evidence. While inventorying the boat, rangers also located and seized 11 grams of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Rangers Rob Newman and Noel Mays conducted a follow-up interview with J.C.M. the next day, during which time he admitted to possessing a loaded firearm on his boat, his intent to shoot a wild pig from the boat, and possessing marijuana in the park. They issued J.C.M. a violation notice for possession of a controlled substance, but only a warning for the loaded firearm on a boat, agreeing that his injury was enough of deterrent from committing the same violation in the future. The surgeons who operated on J.C.M. believe he'll be able to keep his leg, and should be able to walk on it again after extensive physical therapy. [Kevin Moses, Lower Buffalo District Ranger]

Kennesaw Mountain NBP

Local Man Commits Suicide In Park

Visitors found the body of a man near the edge of the woods near Gilbert Road on the afternoon of Sunday, November 9th. Rangers Richard Biurgren and Jose Rochez investigated with Cobb County PD officers. The victim was identified as 49-year-old C.H. of Smyrna. The county coroner has estimated the time of death as around 5 a.m. on Saturday morning. Huddlestone disappeared on Thursday, leaving a note for his ex-wife and his attorney. In the note, C.H., a builder, said that the present economy was responsible for his demise. Rangers and county detectives are continuing the investigation. [L.R. Morris, Chief Ranger]

OTHER NEWS

Among the stories in today's edition are the following:

Federal Hall NM - The election season and meltdown of world financial markets, together with other issues, have led to an unusually busy period for First Amendment rallies and protests at Federal Hall.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7092" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7092

NPS/FLETC - The investigation into the explosion of a shotgun barrel during firearms training at Colonial NHP continues. An update is provided.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7098" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7098

Mount Rushmore NM - The park is providing firewood to local residents who are without heat due to power outages following last week's major blizzard. The wood is being taken from slash piles and hazard trees.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7099" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7099

Interpretation and Education - Tom Cawley of Yellowstone National Park has been named the 2008 national Freeman Tilden Award winner.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7095" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7095

Visitor and Resource Protection - Phil Selleck has been named chief of the Division of Regulations and Special Park Uses. He succeeds Jerry Case, who transferred to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Areas as superintendent last month.

HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2133" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2133

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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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