NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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INCIDENTS
Saguaro NP
Man Convicted Of Felony Assault On Ranger
On January 5th, D.E., 21, of Tucson, pled guilty in U.S. District Court to a felony charge of assault on a federal officer (18 USC 111(a)(1)) and was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison. He was also sentenced to 36 months of supervised probation upon release from prison and mandated to participate in 500 hours of a drug treatment program. On April 27, 2008, rangers John D. Williams and Scott Neumann approached a vehicle parked at a trailhead to conduct a welfare check on the driver and the passenger. While engaging the driver (D.E.) in conversation, Williams noticed a clear cellophane baggie of white powder (which later tested positive for cocaine) on the floorboard and ordered D.E. to exit the vehicle. D.E. instead started the vehicle, and Williams reached inside in an attempt to turn the engine off. D.E. shifted the vehicle into reverse, pulling Williams a short distance before he was able to disengage from the vehicle. Williams was not injured during the incident. D.E. then fled the scene at a high rate of speed but crashed his vehicle three miles from the trailhead. He fled the accident scene on foot, leaving behind his seriously injured passenger. D.E. turned himself in at the Tucson Police Department the following morning and was subsequently arrested by rangers. District ranger Robert E. Stinson was the lead case agent. [Bob Love, Chief Ranger]
Natchez Trace Parkway
Murder Charge Filed Following Discovery Of Body In Park
Local fire departments responded to and suppressed a wildland fire near the Big Tree scenic overlook in Tennessee last December 8th. When park firefighters inspected the burned 40-acre tract the next morning, they came upon a man's body. The area was secured and protection rangers were notified. The FBI lead an investigation, assisted by rangers, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) agents and Williamson County officers. Evidence indicated that the victim been murdered and purposefully burned. On December 12th, E.P.S., 48, of Nasvhille, Tennessee, was arrested and charged with second degree murder. An investigation by U.S. Customs also revealed that E.P.S. was in the country illegally. He was ordered held without bail. An affidavit from a TBI agent states that E.P.S. was an associate of the victim. No additional information will be released about the identities of the victim or suspect until next of kin are notified and all charges are filed. [Calvin T. Farmer, Supervisory Park Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS:
Office of Public Affairs - Director Bomar and Secretary Kempthorne yesterday announced $27 million in 2009 centennial projects, $10.5 million from the federal government combined with $16.5 million in philanthropic giving.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7273" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7273
Yellowstone NP - The number of wolves in Yellowstone National Park declined last year. It's the first drop in wolf numbers in the park in three years.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7265" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7265
Historic Preservation Training Center - The Historic Preservation Training Center's FY2008 annual report is now available on-line and for distribution. This report describes center operations for the past fiscal year.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7264" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7264
Risk Management - Comments on the DO-50C and RM-50C, both dealing with public risk management policy, are due to the Washington Office by February 9th. A link is provided to the documents.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7269" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7269
National Center for Recreation and Conservation - As part of the 40th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, the WASO National Trails System Office compiled a 50-page public history called The National Trails System: A Grand Experiment. It is available free upon request.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7259" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7259
Valley Forge NHP - David Seguin, information technology specialist at Valley Forge National Historical Park, died on Wednesday evening, January 7th. Services will be held today.
HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=2215" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewcommunityarticle&type=PeopleNews&id=2215
Cuyahoga Valley NP - Ranger Mosie Welch will retire on January 30th after 23 years of service to the National Park Service.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7260" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Announcements&id=7260
Death Valley NP - Linda Wedel Greene, chief of resources management at Death Valley National Park, retired on January 2nd after 36 years of federal service. A retirement luncheon for Linda is planned for Friday, January 23rd, at the historic Ryan Mining Camp near Death Valley National Park.
HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2216" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=PeopleNews&id=2216
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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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