Park News October 22,2008

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

A rally for Presidential candidate Barrack Obama that was held under a First Amendment permit on park grounds on the afternoon of October 18th drew an estimated crowd of 100,000 people – the largest rally for the candidate held to date in the United States.  At one point, lines of people to be screened at magnetometer locations were estimated to be nearly two miles long. Southeast Region’s special events team, supported by rangers from Ozark NSR, Lincoln Home NHS, Hot Springs NP, Buffalo NR and Midwest Regional Office, supplemented park staff in providing security for the event. The Arch itself, along with the underground museum complex and the Old Court House, remained open to visitors throughout the event. While numerous illnesses and injuries were attended to by city EMS crews, only two additional First Amendment events were held, with no arrests or other major law enforcement problems arising. 

 

New River Gorge National River

The 29th annual Bridge Day Festival was held on the New River Gorge Bridge on Saturday, October 18th. The event was coordinated under a unified command system that involved 13 agencies, including the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia National Guard, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and the National Park Service. Emergency medical services at the landing zone were coordinated through the state office of emergency management and attended to by JanCare Ambulance Service and area physicians. The Fayette County Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated the attendance at this, West Virginia’s largest one-day festival, more than 155,000 people. In all, 383 BASE jumpers completed 1,062 successful jumps in seven hours, with only three EMS transports due to injuries, which included hypothermia from a water landing and subsequent trip through class IV whitewater, a fractured foot, and a femur fracture caused by a rigid knee brace and a very hard landing. In addition to BASE jumping activities, rappellers completed 895 rappels from the bridge catwalk and 74 ascents, including one by superintendent Don Striker, who made his very first rappel from the bridge. Another 168 people completed a high line traverse from the bridge to Fayette Station road below. This year, Bridge Day organizers also hosted a motorcycle safety awareness ride across the bridge. At noon, about 85 motorcyclists, including West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III, rode across the bridge, stopping long enough for the governor to announce an executive order allowing for an additional hour of jumping to occur (from the scheduled end at 3 p.m. until 4 p.m.). No significant law enforcement incidents occurred during the event.

 

Suitland Parkway

Park Police officers discovered evidence of a recent multi-vehicle crash on the Suitland Parkway near Naylor Road around 5:30 a.m. on the morning of October 21st. Investigation revealed that Vernon Wylie, 19, was heading east on the parkway in a Ford compact sedan when he struck an SUV ahead of him. The SUV then crossed over into the westbound lanes, causing a glancing head-one collision with a van. Wylie then fled the scene. Officer Frank Morales went to the residence listed for the vehicle, which was in Suitland, and met with the owner, who cooperated with Morales and revealed that Wylie was there. Morales then interviewed Wylie, who had facial injuries consistent with a vehicle crash, displayed signs of intoxication, and made incriminating statements. Wylie was arrested and taken to a local hospital for treatment.  Charges filed against him included fleeing the scene of a collision and drunk driving.  The drivers of the other vehicles were treated and released at the scene. 

 

Zion National Park

On the evening of October 18th, park ranger/medic Cody Cole was flagged down by a motorcyclist along the Kolob Terrace Road. The motorcyclist said that his brother, Eugene Carlston, 52, of Saint George, Utah, had been involved in a serious motorcycle accident. Cole and ranger Pete Sawtell responded and provided advanced life support to Carlston. A Washington County deputy and ambulance and Utah Highway Patrol officers also responded. Carlston was pronounced dead at the scene. The Utah Highway Patrol is leading the investigation.  It’s believed that alcohol, drugs, and speed were contributing factors to the accident.

 

Grand Canyon National Park

Mark Murray, who was an employee for Fire and Aviation at Grand Canyon National Park from April 2002 until February 2005, was found deceased in Flagstaff on Friday, October 17th. A memorial service will be held for Mark in the Shrine of the Ages on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park today.

The service, which will take place from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., will be officiated by Pastor Rick Wiles of the Grand Canyon Baptist Church. An opportunity will be provided for those who want to present words of encouragement to his family, friends and co-workers. 

Mark was the assistant helicopter program manager and participated in many search and rescue, wildland fire, and day-to-day helicopter operations for the park (pipeline breaks, resupply missions, etc).  Mark was an integral part of Grand Canyon's aviation program and was well liked and respected by his peers.  

Cards and letters of condolence can be sent to the Murray family at 765 Cherry Terrace, Susanville,CA 96130.  Donations can be made in the name of Mark Murray to Casas por Cristo, P.O. Box 971070, El Paso, Texas  79997.  Donations are also accepted on-line at https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=1005.  Grand Canyon Baptist Church will alos accept donations in Mark's name and will be happy to forward those on to Casas por Cristo. Donations sent to the Grand Canyon Baptist Church in Mark's name can be addressed to Pastor Rick Wiles, Grand Canyon Baptist Church, P.O. Box 429, Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023, For more information about Casas por Cristo and the type of missionary work that Mark did for this organization, please visit their website at:  www.casasporcristo.org .

 

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Dates: 10/17/2008 - 11/07/2008

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is currently recruiting for a GS-0401-12 chief of science and natural resources. The person selected for this position will serve as a key member of the park management team and will be responsible for providing professional level advice to the superintendent and other members of the management team on natural resource related issues.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is located in Michigan’s rural Upper Peninsula on the south shore of Lake Superior between the communities of Munising and Grand Marais. The park encompasses 42 miles of Lake Superior shoreline and is renowned for its spectacular sandstone cliffs, white sand beaches, waterfalls and streams, inland lakes, pristine backcountry and the 1874 Au Sable Light Station. Park headquarters is located just outside of Munising.

No government housing is available for this position. A variety of affordable housing (both rental and for purchase) is available within Munising and surrounding Alger County. Amenities in Munising include basic shopping, medical facilities, and K-12 schools. Complete shopping, a regional medical center, and Northern Michigan University are located in Marquette, Michigan, 45 miles west of Munising. Summers are warm and very pleasant. Winters may seem long with annual snowfall averages of 140 inches. The area offers outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing, hiking, boating, biking, camping, skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. More information is available about the park at http://www.nps.gov/piro.

For additional information about job duties or the area, please contact adminstrative officer John Kacich at 906-387-2607 ext. 210.

The announcement closes on November 7th. It can be viewed by clicking on "More Information" below. 




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Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

Jefferson National Expansion Memorial has issued an announcement for a GS-11 supervisory protection ranger. The person selected will supervises  a combination of both Level I and Level II commissioned rangers within a patrol squad of four to nine people.

The park is located in downtown St. Louis, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River.  The park memorializes the city's role in westward expansion through the 630-foot Gateway Arch and underground Museum of Westward Expansion.  The Old Courthouse commemorates the site where slave Dred Scott began his freedom suit, ultimately leading to the divisive U. S. Supreme Court decision that polarized the nation and became a leading cause of the Civil War.  The memorial is visited by approximately 2.5 million visitors annually.

With remarkably low cost of living for all of the comforts and attractions it affords, St. Louis has a small-town feel but offers all the amenities you'd expect in a major metropolitan area, including top-notch health care and education resources.  The St. Louis area is home to well over 100 parks and some 200 miles of cycling, running and walking trails.  Cultural institutions abound in St. Louis.  In Forest Park alone, you'll find the zoo, art museum, history museum, science center and the municipal opera.

See announcement number NPS-JEFF-MPP-09-02-215777 for a more complete description of duties and how to apply. For a copy, click on the link below.

Questions regarding this position may be directed to Charlene Marsh, 314-655-1601, Charlene_Marsh@nps.gov.



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