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labrat
Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
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Sep 29, 2011 - 05:21pm PT
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"thumb fell about 80 feet and landed on a two-foot by one-foot ledge, where his partner was able to retrieve it"
What are the odds?
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 3, 2011 - 05:48pm PT
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Monday, October 03, 2011
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Multi-Agency Search Suspended When Missing Hiker Reappears
An extended search for a man overdue from a hike in Kings Canyon came to a conclusion on Saturday evening when he reappeared in Bishop, California. John Williams began his trip at the Bishop Pass trailhead on Saturday, September 17th, intending to conclude his hike on the following Friday. His planned itinerary included Simpson Meadow, Tehipite Valley, Crown Valley, Blue Canyon, and the John Muir Trail between Evolution Valley and LeConte Canyon. When he failed to return as planned, a search was begun. As of last Friday, the park had committed 45 people to the operation, which was supported by searchers from the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, Tulare County Sheriff's Office, Kern County Sheriff's Office (China Lake Rescue Unit), San Mateo County Sheriff's Office (Bay Area Mountain Rescue Unit), Inyo National Forest, and the California Rescue Dog Association. Although more than a week overdue, Williams was in good health.
[Submitted by Dana Dierkes, Public Affairs Specialist]
New River Gorge National River (WV)
BASE Jumper Fined In Federal Court
A BASE jumper who parachuted from the 876-foot-high New River Bridge in May of 2010 has been identified after a year-long investigation and has paid a substantial fine in federal court in West Virginia. BASE jumping is the act of using a parachute to jump from fixed objects, with the four-letter acronym standing for the four categories of objects from which one can jump -building, antenna, span, and earth. BASE jumping is a violation of 36 CFR, and is considered to be one of the most hazardous of parachuting techniques. An investigation was undertaken by rangers and a video of the jump was found on the internet within a few days. The BASE jumper in the video was identified as Andy Lewis, a professional athlete who has represented several organizations. Lewis left the state after the event and several agencies collaborated to track him down. Assistance was provided by the Littleton, Louisville, and Boulder Police Departments in Colorado and the NPS Investigative Services Branch in Denver. On September 14th, Lewis agree to settle the case by paying a fine of $650.
[Submitted by Jeff West, Chief Ranger]
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 3, 2011 - 05:51pm PT
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"thumb fell about 80 feet and landed on a two-foot by one-foot ledge, where his partner was able to retrieve it"
What are the odds?
Good question! Extremely unlikely events happen all the time, but to actually notice one is unusual.
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 4, 2011 - 05:02pm PT
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Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Yellowstone National Park (ID,MT,WY)
Grizzly Linked To Hiker Deaths Euthanized
A grizzly bear sow and two cubs captured by Yellowstone National Park staff have been linked to the scene of the recent mauling death of a hiker in the Hayden Valley. Results from DNA tests obtained from bear hair and scat samples indicate the 250-pound, six- to seven-year-old sow was present at the scene on the Mary Mountain Trail where hiker John Wallace's body was recovered on August 26th. This is the same bear that was responsible for the death of hiker Brian Matayoshi during a defensive attack on July 6th on the Wapiti Lake Trail. Rangers and an interagency board of review determined Matayoshi's death near Canyon Village on the Wapiti Lake Trail resulted from a defensive attack by the sow protecting her cubs. "We will more than likely never know what role, if any, the sow might have played in Mr. Wallace's death due to the lack of witnesses and presence of multiple bears at the incident scene," said Dan Wenk, the park's superintendent. "But because the DNA analysis indicates the same bear was present at the scene of both fatalities, we euthanized her to eliminate the risk of future interaction with Yellowstone visitors and staff." The adult female grizzly was captured on Wednesday, September 28th; her two cubs were captured the next day and placed in the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. The sow was euthanized on Sunday morning. Grizzly bear cubs typically adapt successfully to captivity. Adult bears that are removed from the wild do not adapt well to captivity. In the Wallace incident, Yellowstone officials determined that at least nine grizzly bears were feeding on two bison carcasses in the area, including one carcass which was located 150 yards from where Wallace was hiking alone on the Mary Mountain Trail. Seventeen bear "daybeds" were also found in the same vicinity. Capture operations, reconnaissance flights, and DNA sampling and testing will continue through the fall. Any future management decisions will be made on a case by case basis for any additional bears that are captured and provide a DNA link to the scene. Hikers are encouraged to travel in groups of three or more, make noise on the trail, and carry bear spray. Visitors are reminded that park regulations require people to stay at least 100 yards away from bears and wolves and at least 25 yards away from all other large animals.
[Submitted by Public Affairs, Yellowstone NP]
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 12, 2011 - 05:28pm PT
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Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Indiana Man Indicted For Child Abuse
On August 28th, rangers contacted a man hiking with his three juvenile grandsons and found reason to believe that he was physically abusing them. They asked for a special agent to assist and a joint investigation was begun. On September 20th, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a six count indictment against Christopher Carlson, 45, for knowing child abuse committed under circumstances likely to produce death or serious bodily injury. The indictment alleges that Carlson took his three grandsons, ages eight, nine and twelve, on two separate hikes in the park in August when temperatures were in excess of 100 degrees and severely limited their water and food, marched and ran them up dangerous terrain, and placed their health at risk. "The indictment alleges that the defendant repeatedly denied food and water to his grandchildren, physically abused them, and placed them in harm's way," said acting U.S. Attorney Ann Birmingham Scheel. "The children were rescued because of the quick action of park staff and concerned hikers on the same trail. Together, they prevented a tragic outcome." Conviction carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.
[Submitted by Christopher Smith, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Investigative Services Branch Central]
Sheesh. What a scumbag. According this article, he is 45 and daughter is 28...
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/29060494/detail.html
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Oct 23, 2011 - 03:28pm PT
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Grand Teton National Park (WY)
Climber Cited For Creating Hazardous Situation
Rangers have completed an investigation stemming from a search and rescue response in August that was initiated by the activation of a SPOT rescue locator. Dave Shade, 33, of Missoula, Montana, was issued a citation because his actions that day created a hazardous situation during a late-hour rescue operation to retrieve his stranded climbing partner, Jesse Selwyn of Florence, Michigan. Shade was charged with disorderly conduct. On Friday, August 19th, Shade and Selwyn intended to climb the Black Ice Couloir on the northwest side of the Grand Teton, but the two climbers could not find the entrance to the couloir and got off route, ending up on the Grandstand. After an extended discussion about how to proceed, Selwyn informed Shade that he felt he was unable to continue. Selwyn said that he believed he would become injured or die if he attempted to retrace the route they had come. He then told Shade that he was going to call for a rescue by activating the SPOT rescue locator that he was carrying. Until that time, Shade did not know that Selwyn was carrying the device. Selwyn then activated the device and rangers were notified. After they hovered over the scene in a Teton Interagency helicopter and Selwyn signaled that he desired a rescue, Shade told Selwyn that he (Shade) did not need to be rescued. Further discussion ensued and ultimately, Shade left with the party's climbing rope, made four rappels and then began to retrace his route to the Valhalla Traverse. Shade made this decision before confirming that rangers were indeed going to return to rescue Selwyn. The citation was issued because Shade assumed a rescue would occur and left his partner, taking their only climbing rope. Shade's decision created a hazardous condition for Selwyn, since at this point there was no guarantee of rescue. Selwyn was reached by rangers that night and was extracted via short haul with darkness imminently approaching. Climbers are reminded that pursuing these activities requires a high level of personal accountability and responsibility. There is no guarantee of your safety or rescue when climbing or traveling in the backcountry. Disorderly conduct is a violation under the Code of Federal Regulations 36§2.34(a)(4).
[Submitted by Jenny Anzelmo-Sarles, Public Affairs Officer]
Discussion of this incident here...
http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=1640310&tn=0
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 10, 2011 - 06:41pm PT
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Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Joshua Tree National Park (CA)
BASE Jumper Injured
A California man was injured in a BASE jumping accident on the morning of Monday, November 7th. William Fleming, 23, sustained minor injuries when his parachutes was blown onto rocks following an illegal jump from a park cliff. Rescue personnel found Fleming high up in granite rock and boulder formations on the northwest slopes of Ryan Mountain near an area known as the Oyster Bar. He was treated at the scene by search and rescue personnel, airlifted to a nearby parking area, and then taken by ambulance to Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs. The park's SAR team was supported by emergency personnel from San Bernardino County Fire Engine 36, Morongo Basin Ambulance, two Riverside County helicopters, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter.
[Submitted by Joe Zarki, Public Affairs Specialist]
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Pacific West Region
Major ARPA Case Concludes With Second Sentencing
An ARPA search warrant was served on a residence in the Sacramento area in California in March 20007 by agents from the NPS and FWS and rangers from the NPS and Sacramento County Parks. The residents were believed to have taken artifacts from NPS, USFS, FWS and Sacramento County Park lands. Interviews resulted in admissions that the residents went to northwestern Nevada on two occasions (2003 and 2006) and collected artifacts from BLM land. The residents knew this activity was illegal and these artifacts were recovered at their home. The suspects also admitted removing artifacts from other publicly owned lands. Searchers found and seized computers, GPS units, maps, photographs showing the residents searching for and collecting artifacts, and other documentary evidence. Officers also discovered approximately 38,000 artifacts on the property and in the vehicles associated with the property. These artifacts included beads and other burial objects, such as abalone breastplates and pendants, projectile points, mortars, pestles, metates, and stone tools. About 100 evidence lots were seized that included roughly 500 artifacts that may have come from federal lands. In June of 2008, damage assessment field work was conducted at the looted site in northwestern Nevada. This resulted in the documentation of over $15,000 in damage. Two of the residents, a father and adult son, were indicted in October 2008 on four felony counts including ARPA, conspiracy, and theft. In July 2010, after extensive negotiations, the father agreed to surrender approximately 30,000 nonfederal artifacts to the California Native American Heritage Commission. These artifacts, predominantly burial goods, were then returned to the appropriate tribes by the commission. In July 2011, the father was sentenced to three years probation, including six months home detention as a condition of his probation, a $3,600 fine, and $100 special penalty assessment based on his one count felony ARPA conviction. In October 2011, following a three hour sentencing hearing that included testimony by a BLM archaeologist and Native American tribal representatives, the adult son was sentenced to 30 days in prison, three months home detention and one year of supervised release for his one count misdemeanor ARPA conviction.
[Submitted by Todd Swain, Special Agent, ISB West]
3 years probation????
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 22, 2011 - 04:02pm PT
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Unusual Condor activity???
Friday, November 18, 2011
INCIDENTS
Grand Canyon National Park (AZ)
Body Found Near Navajo Bridge
On Thursday morning, Peregrine Fund employees contacted rangers at Lees Ferry and reported unusual condor activity in the vicinity of Navajo Bridge, which spans the Colorado River five miles below Lees Ferry. Two rangers checked out the report and found the body of an unidentified man just below the bridge and about 20 feet from the water. The body was retrieved and turned over to the county medical examiner. An investigation into the cause of death is underway.
[Submitted by Shannan Marcak, Public Affairs Specialist]
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (CA)
Overdue Hiker Rescued
The park and California Highway Patrol began an aerial search for an overdue 54-year-old hiker on the morning of Wednesday, November 16th. Searchers determined that the man had planned a five-day trip in Sequoia National Park, beginning at the Wolverton parking lot and ending in the Black Kaweah/Big Arroyo area. During the search, an orange tent was spotted by the CHP helicopter along the expected route. They found the hiker there and flew him back to the park's Ash Mountain helibase. He was in good physical condition despite having encountered challenging snow and avalanche conditions in the backcountry.
[Submitted by Dana Dierkes, Public Affairs Specialist]
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area (PA)
Hiker Falls To Her Death In Stream Gorge
Early on the afternoon of Sunday, November 13th, Kathleen Stein, 67, and a friend met in the park at Spackman's Creek to go hiking. The two friends often come to the park to hike, and typically meet at one location, then separate and take different trails. On this occasion, Stein's companion hiked up the main branch of the stream to seek some waterfalls. Stein reportedly had some health issues which kept her from keeping pace with her partner, so she left him to hike along the creek's north rim. When she failed to return, the park was notified and rangers began a hasty search for her late in the evening. Around 10 p.m., they found her blaze orange hat on the rim of the gorge and shortly thereafter discovered her body in the stream below. It appears that she fell over a 100-foot-high embankment and landed face down in the creek. The scene was secured until additional rangers, an NPS special agent, a Pennsylvania State Police forensic unit, and the Pike County coroner arrived to complete the investigation. The park's high-angle rescue team assisted by descending into the gorge and recovering the body. The investigation continues.
[Submitted by Eric Provencher, Deputy Chief Ranger]
Another slob hunter...
Monday, November 14, 2011
INCIDENTS
Grand Teton National Park (WY)
Hunter Charged For Killing Bison In Park
A local outfitter licensed to remove legally taken elk from the park notified rangers on November 6th that a hunter had shot and killed a bison within the park's boundaries. Rangers subsequently contacted Daniel Kluth of Kimberly, Idaho, who cooperated and led park staff to the dead bison. Kluth had a Wyoming state permit to shoot a bison on national forest lands. He entered through the park's marked eastern boundary and then walked for two miles inside the park before shooting the animal south of Uhl Hill. Kluth has been charged with illegal taking of wildlife and has a pending mandatory court appearance.
[Submitted by Patrick Hattaway, District Ranger]
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Mr_T
Trad climber
Northern California
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Nov 22, 2011 - 09:51pm PT
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Are you kidding me!?
A BASE jumper who parachuted from the 876-foot-high New River Bridge in May of 2010 has been identified after a year-long investigation...
Lewis left the state after the event and several agencies collaborated to track him down...
On September 14th, Lewis agree to settle the case by paying a fine of $650.
*Multiple agencies are tracking down base jumpers across state lines!?!* An outstanding use of taxpayer money indeed.
Gee I wonder what would happen if multiple agencies collaborated to investigate the events that led to the economic collapse. Or perhaps the SEC might be funded well enough to investigate things like Madoff, Olympus, Enron or other mulit-billion dollar frauds. Sheesh.
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enjoimx
Trad climber
Yosemite, ca
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Nov 22, 2011 - 10:37pm PT
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Yeah that is insane. Andy Lewis too, of recent reel rock tour fame!
I wonder how many parking lot thefts and resource destruction crimes were NOT investigated at the New this year? Probably a lot. But the base jumper again gets the fines and criminal record.
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Nov 23, 2011 - 05:48pm PT
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Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Zion National Park (UT)
Woman Seriously Injured In Canyoneering Accident
On November 15th, a 26-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman completed the Jolly Gulch canyoneering route, a seldom visited route on the east side of the park. The route involves two rappels, one of 160 feet and the other of 100 feet. After completing the rappels, most canyoneers then hike a mile and a half through the canyon to a road. Instead, the pair attempted to free climb up the side of the canyon with the goal of reaching the canyon rim. The woman fell 60 feet from a small ledge to the ground and suffered shoulder and ankle fractures as well as lacerations to her spleen and liver. The man and woman worked at a local resort and made contact with the resort front desk by family radio. The National Park Service response was delayed due to confusion amongst the resort staff, who initially believed resort employees could resolve the incident without assistance. When a Kane County deputy arrived on scene, he requested an immediate response from the Zion SAR team due to the patient's deteriorating condition. Ranger/medics Ryan McDonald-O'Lear and Brandon Torres responded and stabilized the hypotensive patient. Ranger Therese Picard was the incident operations chief and led the rope raising operation, which was conducted entirely in the dark. Members of the Kane County Search and Rescue Team assisted with the operation and coordinated the medical helicopter evacuation. The woman survived and is currently in stable condition. The man was cited for failing to obtain a required canyoneering wilderness permit.
[Submitted by Ray O’Neil, Plateau District Ranger]
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 6, 2011 - 05:40pm PT
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Second body found from the Vernal Falls accident...(old news, I know!)
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
INCIDENTS
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Yosemite National Park (CA)
Body of Missing Man Recovered
The body of Ninos Yacoub, 27, one of three hikers swept over Vernal Fall last July, was found in the Merced River approximately 100 yards below the Vernal Fall footbridge last Tuesday. Yacoub has been missing since July 19th, when he, Hormiz David, 22, and Ramina Badal, 21, were seen being swept over the 317-foot-high waterfall. David's body was found on August 5th approximately 240 feet below the waterfall. Another body was found in the same general area as Yacoub's last Saturday. Positive identification has not been made, but is expected within the next several days. The park will issue a news release when the body is positively identified
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labrat
Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
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"3 years probation????" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From "Pacific West Region
Major ARPA Case Concludes With Second Sentencing" 6 or 7 posts above.
How could stealing artifacts of this volume and over the duration of time it would take only result in limited jail time and probation? Shouldn't the number of offenses be compounding?
Erik
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 7, 2011 - 04:56pm PT
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It was probably difficult to prove where many of the artifacts were from, some may have come from private land, although I bet the land owners didn't always know about it.
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 9, 2011 - 12:56pm PT
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Thursday, December 08, 2011
INCIDENTS
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Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Five Killed In Tour Helicopter Crash
A tour helicopter operated by Sundance Helicopters crashed just before 5 p.m. yesterday on the western side of the River Mountains within the park. All five people on board were killed. The National Park Service, Las Vegas Metro Police, Clark County Fire and Henderson Fire responded to the initial call. The helicopter was on a tour flight from McCarran International Airport to Hoover Dam and crashed along a normal route take by tour helicopters. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are due to arrive on scene today. The identities of the deceased will not be released until the remains have been recovered and next of kin have been notified. Updates will be available on the park's Twitter site at http://www.twitter.com/lakemeadnra. A map showing the location of the crash site can be found at http://binged.it/s2JMKi. Operations will resume this morning; the first incident will be posted at 9 a.m. Pacific Time.
[Submitted by Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs]
Yosemite National Park (CA)
Body Of Third Waterfall Victim Found
A body found in the Merced River last Saturday about 120 yards below the Vernal Fall footbridge has been positively identified as that of 21-year-old Ramina Badal, who was swept over the 317-foot-high waterfall last July 19th along with Hormiz David, 22, and Ninos Yacoub, 27. David's body was found on August 5th and Yacoub's was recovered on November 29th. The three victims were visiting the park with family and friends when they entered the water above Vernal Fall, approximately 25 feet from the precipice. Witnesses reported that several people urged them to step back from the river, since it was flowing swiftly and was extremely cold. The area is signed as a dangerous area, and the trio had crossed a metal guardrail placed there to keep visitors away from the dangerous, fast-moving water. Park staff and personnel from several other agencies had been searching for the bodies since July. Fluctuating water levels in the Merced River, changing weather conditions, and treacherous terrain contributed to a difficult and challenging search. However, with low water levels in the Merced River and dry weather, rangers were able to access areas within the river corridor that were previously impossible to search.
[Submitted by Scott Gediman and Kari Cobb]
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 13, 2011 - 02:33pm PT
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New River Gorge National River (WV)
BASE Jumpers Cited For Parachuting From Bridge
Ranger Randy Fisher developed information that a BASE jump group out of Ohio was planning on making multiple parachute jumps from the New River Gorge Bridge this last weekend. On the night of December 10th, as a full moon rose over the gorge, the ranger assigned to observe the bridge for activity heard and then saw several individuals parachuting from the catwalk below the bridge. The river was flowing around 20,000 cubic feet per second, very high for this time of the year. Due to the high water, the only place available for the BASE jumpers to land was the railroad track. The surveillance ranger watched as the jumpers were picked up by someone in a vehicle and was able to vector in rangers stationed nearby. Rangers stopped the vehicle a short distance away and found five people from Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana inside. They also discovered four deployed parachutes. A total of nine mandatory appearance citations were issued for trespassing, illegal air delivery, and for aiding and abetting illegal air delivery. One of the five had previously been cited by rangers for trespassing on the bridge while attempting an illegal BASE jump. Rangers Karl Keach, Randy Fisher, Nate Freier, and District Ranger Frank Sellers worked the case.
[Submitted by Jeff West, Chief Ranger]
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Karl Baba
Trad climber
Yosemite, Ca
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Dec 13, 2011 - 03:38pm PT
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Wow, four rangers spending hours to catch a few guys parachuting.
You'd think they were child molesters. I guess I just don't understand the need to spend big bucks, hours, court time and the rest to go after this activity. Never jumped myself but it seems out of balance to me
Peace
Karl
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 13, 2011 - 06:01pm PT
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There would probably be alot of problems* associated with unrestricted jumping. They do have a day set aside for jumping...
http://www.nps.gov/neri/photosmultimedia/Bridge-Day-Photos.htm
*like if those guys had landed in the 20,000 cfs river or in front of an oncoming train
Also, I suspect, the LE rangers are pretty bored this time of year :)
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Sagebrusher
Sport climber
Iowa
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 16, 2011 - 02:51pm PT
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New River Gorge National River (WV)
Rangers Assist In Takedown Of Stolen Vehicle Ring
On October 17th, a ranger received a tip concerning a possible stolen Featherlite trailer stashed in the Quinnimont area of the park. While investigating the report, he saw a local man driving away with the trailer in tow and recognized him as someone rangers had previously charged with theft offenses in the park. After a short chase that eventually left the park, he was able to stop the man and determine that the trailer was stolen. The man was arrested by state police, charged with theft, released by the court, and restricted to home confinement. Several towns exist within the park's boundaries and the only major thoroughfares in this part of the state pass through the park. Rangers began receiving information from residents of local communities to the effect that the man was involved in the transporting of stolen vehicles, property, weapons and drugs - much of the activity occurring with the park. The rangers passed the information on to state police and federal prosecutors. Investigators assigned to the case asked that rangers remain involved due to the quality and quantity of verified information they were able to provide. While out on home confinement, the man was tracked via his monitoring device and found to be spending a good deal of time traveling back and forth through the park at all hours of the day and night. On November 7th, with the assistance of a National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) agent, rangers and state troopers verified a stolen vehicle with an obliterated vehicle identification number dumped in a remote area just outside of the park and linked it to the man. On November 14th, he was arrested for violations of his home confinement. On the following day, rangers, state troopers, and the NICB agent linked two other vehicles and a trailer that had been stolen in the area with the man and connected them with his travels through the park. Based on information provided by an informant, investigators believed there were more stolen vehicles at his brother's residence which were linked to the criminal enterprise. State police conducted a helicopter flyover of the property before Thanksgiving, which revealed a number of vehicles that were consistent in description with stolen vehicle reports and corroborated information gathered from numerous sources. Additional information indicated that there was a stolen vehicle chop shop on the property. The numerous backcountry roads through the park and ready access to major thoroughfares made this an ideal location for such an operation. On December 5th, rangers and the NICB assisted state police with the execution of a search warrant on the brother's property. The results of that warrant confirmed a dozen stolen trucks and approx 20 others with the VINs obliterated that are believed to be stolen. Also found were a stolen UTV, two stolen ATVs, a stolen tractor, a stolen lawnmower, a stolen trailer, a stolen diesel tank, 63 firearms (several stolen), and evidence of cockfighting. Rangers and state police executed a similar search warrant on the same property in the mid 1990's to recover a John Deere tractor that had been stolen from the park by the same suspects. West Virginia State Police authorities have commended the rangers for their investigative determination, local knowledge, and community interaction, without which the case would not have progressed as quickly or completely as it did.
[Submitted by Jeff West, Chief Ranger]
My comment:
Making their way, the only way they know how, just a little bit more than the law will allow! Yee-HAW! :)
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