This report from the Interior Department's Office of Inspector General reveals that the group that organized the pro-Donald Trump rally on Jan. 6, 2021 misled government officials about plans for attendees to march on the U.S. Capitol. Text messages between the rally's organizer and a representative of the group Women for America First show that they intentionally failed to disclose information about the march. The report is a reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in the planning of large-scale events and for government officials to be vigilant in ensuring that organizers are not withholding information.
Posts tagged as “The National Park Service”
Fort Totten Park in Washington D.C. has been closed after two metal canisters containing World War I-era munitions were discovered during unauthorized work. The National Park Service and U.S. Army are now investigating the area to determine if there are any more munitions hidden in the park, and the section of the park will remain closed while the investigation is ongoing. The Army is now working with the National Park Service to safely remove the munitions and ensure the safety of the park and its visitors.
Tom Gerbier, a French pilot for Air France, was found dead after falling 1,000 feet off a cliff at California's Sequoia National Park. Gerbier had been reported missing after failing to appear at work to pilot a commercial flight. The National Park Service, Inyo County Sheriff’s Office, Tulare County Sheriff’s Office, Inyo Search and Rescue Team, and the climbing community all collaborated to find Gerbier. The National Park Service expressed their condolences to Gerbier's family and friends and urged hikers to be aware of the risks associated with hiking in the area.
The looming government shutdown threatens to severely limit public access to America's national parks, putting tens of thousands of people and gateway towns in an economic chokehold. The National Park Service has announced plans to shutter the majority of national park sites, restricting access, locking gates and bolting bathrooms, if the government shuts down as expected on Sunday. The closure of these parks will have a significant impact on the local economies and visitors.
Nancy Sampson, a 61-year-old woman from Greer, South Carolina, died after falling approximately 150 feet from a cliff near the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. Park rangers and first responders from Reems Creek Fire Department, Mt. Mitchell State Park and a trauma intervention program were able to locate and recover her body. An investigation is ongoing, and park officials urge hikers to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions when exploring unfamiliar terrain.
An 8-year-old camper at Olympic National Park in Washington state survived a cougar attack with only minor injuries, prompting the National Park Service to launch a search for the animal and shut down access to the area. This is not the first time a cougar attack has occurred in the park, with a mountain biker killed in 2018. The National Park Service is reminding visitors to be aware of their surroundings and take necessary precautions when visiting the park.
A 47-year-old woman from Phoenix was gored by a bison while visiting Yellowstone National Park on Monday morning. She suffered significant injuries to her chest and abdomen and was flown to a hospital. Park officials remind visitors to stay alert and remain a safe distance away from all wildlife, as bison can be unpredictable and run three times faster than humans.
A 26-year-old woman from Boulder, Colorado died after falling 500 feet while free-solo climbing a ridge at Rocky Mountain National Park. Her 27-year-old male climbing partner, also from Boulder, notified park rangers of her fall and was rescued by a Colorado Air National Guard helicopter. The National Park Service urges visitors to be aware of the risks associated with free-soloing and to always use proper safety equipment when climbing.