NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
INCIDENTS
Great Smoky Mountains NP
Missing Hiker Found By Searchers
During the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 6th, a 37-year-old North Carolina hiker made several 911 calls reporting that he was lost, cold, and out of food and water. He was not equipped for winter weather and had only a light jacket with him. The three calls he made were pinged and the last was found to be from Purchase Knob within the park, a site the man frequently visited. A hasty search of that area was conducted by rangers and volunteers. They found several items thought to belong to the man along with fresh tracks in the snow. The nighttime temperature in the area was in the teens and the wind chill was near zero. While this hasty search was underway, Haywood County deputies conducted searches of the other two GPS points determined from the 911 calls, but he was not found in either area. The search around Purchase Knob continued until 10 p.m. on Wednesday and resumed at first light the next morning. The man was found in good health early that afternoon, walking down a road close to the park's boundary. Also assisting in the search were Haywood County Search and Rescue and the North Carolina Search and Rescue Dog Association. [Carmen Barnard, Park Ranger]
Hot Springs NP
Rangers Arrest Armed Man For Drug Trafficking
Rangers Andy Griggs and Clint Forte were on patrol on March 7th when they observed a Buick being driven erratically down Gulpha Gorge Road and pulled it over. While talking to the driver, who was the vehicle's sole occupant, they saw him make several furtive movements toward its center console and had him step out of the vehicle. After doing so, he pushed the vehicle's automatic lock button and attempted to walk way. A struggle ensued and he was subdued. A check on him revealed that his driver's license was suspended and that he had a prior criminal history, included felony convictions. An inventory of the vehicle led to the discovery of a loaded .38 caliber Taurus revolver in the center console. Rangers also found two baggies containing pills of an unknown type, a bag of crystallized substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine, two electronic scales, and $395 in cash, all of which were seized as evidence. Rangers charged the driver with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia. It was later discovered that the man also had an outstanding felony warrant out for his arrest. [John Hughes, Chief Ranger]
OTHER NEWS
The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. To see the full text, including images, NPS employees should go to the InsideNPS home page ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index). Non-NPS employees can see most of them on the NPS Digest page ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/):
Channel Islands NP - Ten years after removing nonnative rats from Anacapa Island, the island's ecosystem, including rare seabirds, is making a remarkable recovery. A link is included to a 15-minute video documenting the success.
Centennial Office - Each and every day, employees all across the Service are doing extraordinary things to help their colleagues and support a positive experience for visitors. Here are just a few examples of successes achieved in enhancing professional and workforce excellence.
Federal Hall NM - On February 22nd, the park hosted a special program as part of Black History Month that also directly related to George Washington. Historical reenactor Keith Henley portrayed Hercules, an escaped slave and personal chef to President Washington.
Upper Delaware S&RR - Upper Delaware employees have been recognized for collectively working over 300 accident and injury free years.
* * * *
The Morning Report is a publication of the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, produced by the Office of Communications with the support of the Office of the Associate Director for Information Resources. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@contractor.nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@contractor.nps.gov).
--- ### ---