The Morning Report

The Morning Report

July 25, 2002

A Publication of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks & Recreation

This information is provided to further information sharing among state parks and their cooperating agencies. Send submissions to: morningreport@mail.osp.ee.net An archive of these reports is available at: http://parknet.dnr.state.oh.us/parknet/law/mr/

ADMINISTRATION

No updates to report.

INCIDENTS

Illegal Sale of Firewood – John Bryan

On July 18, at 6:35pm, Park Officers Rachel Stout and Eric McCune received a report from another employee, of a man selling firewood from the bed of his pickup truck in the Family Campground. Officers Stout and McCune made contact with Steven C. Murphy, 47 of Huber Heights, and advised him that selling anything without a permit is prohibited within the state park. During their discussion, Murphy stated that he was permitted to sell anything he wanted without a permit because the Ohio Supreme Court had decided that the requirements for permits were unconstitutional. He further stated that government could not regulate “discourse with his neighbors”. Murphy was not a registered camper and, apparently had come to the campground for the sole purpose of selling firewood.

Murphy was issued a citation for violating 1501:41-3-26A by selling firewood. His court date is July 24^th in the Xenia Municipal Court. Murphy also stated that he intended to travel to Buck Creek and Kiser Lake to continue selling firewood. Stout notified staff on duty at these parks of Murphy’s intent and the action taken at John Bryan.

Visitor Injury – East Fork

On July 16 at 7:15pm, a Batavia woman fell from her horse while riding on Loop A at Horseman’s Loop Roadway. Park Officer Charles Carlson advised the woman’s head struck the roadway resulting in a fractured skull and a severe concussion to left side of head. She was transported by squad and later flown by air care due to hemorrhaging in the brain.

Campground Evictions - Alum Creek

On July 7, more than 25 people from several sites were evicted after creating intolerable conditions for other campers the previous night. These people created multiple requests for refunds from several other campers. At the time of the campground problems, the sole Officer was occupied with a felony arrest in another part of the park.

Theft Spree, Stolen Auto - Alum Creek

On July 13at 6:15am, a Delaware County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to a report of several male subjects from a campsite stealing various items from other campers. After discovering various stolen items on the campsite, two Columbus men were arrested by Deputy Evans. While the two subjects were being arrested, another male from the same group was stopped by the Sunbury Police Department operating a vehicle that had been stolen from the campground. There were no Alum Creek Park Officers on duty at the time of the offenses.

Domestic Violence, Assault - Alum Creek

On July 21 at 12:45am, Park Officers Macaluso and Shrader were dispatched by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office on a Domestic Violence call in the campground. Upon arrival a 19-year-old Columbus woman was found on the ground in extreme pain as a result of an assault by her boyfriend with whom she cohabits and with whom she has two children. Her boyfriend, a 20 year-old Columbus man, punched the woman to the ground and the kicked her in the face according to witnesses. The woman also had sustained a bite to her arm from an earlier fight with the same man. Officer Shrader arrested the male for domestic violence and assault. Officer Macaluso arrested the suspect’s brother on an active warrant. The victim was transported to Riverside Hospital in Columbus and, pending medical results; an indictment on Felonious Assault may be sought.

Recovered Stolen Vehicle / Arrests - Guilford Lake / Beaver Creek

On July 7, Park Officer Dannon Svab initiated a traffic stop in the beach area at Guilford Lake for the display of a single license plate. The license plate was reported stolen from Canton, Ohio. The Ford sports car was also reported stolen from South Carolina. A 15-year-old male was placed under arrest.

In addition, the week of July 14, Officer Dannon Svab issued citations for driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, child safety restraint, drug abuse, drug paraphernalia, underage alcohol consumption, and several speeding citations. Park Officer Donovan Svab cited for D.U.I, driving under suspensions, fictitious registration, outside agency warrants, drug abuse, and drug paraphernalia.

Pedestrian Struck by Vehicle – Strouds Run

On June 1, a 37-year-old autistic man from a West Virginia mental health facility was hit by the group home van while on a day trip at Strouds Run State Park. The incident was not reported until they returned to their facility in West Virginia. At that time the West Virginia State Police were contacted to investigate. Their agency requested the assistance of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Injured Boater – West Branch

On July 22 at 2:35pm, Park Officers Watters and Wilder responded to assist with an injured boater. A woman in a pleasure boat on West Branch Reservoir lost her balance as the boat turned. As she fell, her head struck the side of the boat resulting in a three-inch vertical laceration to the forehead and a possible broken nose. Ravenna City Squad transported the victim to the hospital. The Division of Watercraft is investigating the accident.

Lifeguard Saves – Crane Creek

On July 22 at 12:30pm, lifeguards Jordan Fuller and Michelle Druckenmiller observed a group of autistic people swimming at the beach. They watched as a girl swam past the buoy line. They tried to call her back in, but she kept going. Both guards observed that she was getting tired and had to swim out and bring her back in.

On July 22 at 3:20pm, a 13-year-old girl was 30 yards off shore. A sudden storm came up and the girl tried to reach shore. Lifeguard Tiffany Turnow swam out and assisted her to shore.

Near Drowning – Caesar Creek

On Monday, July 15, a 20-year-old Huber Heights man nearly drowned while swimming after a prohibited flotation device that the wind had blown into deep water outside of the swim area. Friends of the man heard his calls for help and pulled him to shore where he collapsed from exhaustion. Local EMS treated the man at the scene.

Sexual Assault – Little Miami

On July 19 at 10:45am, a Beavercreek woman was cycling southbound on the bike trail near Spring Valley Wildlife Area when she was grabbed and dragged from the trail by a nude male. Officers Knepper, Patrick, K9 Guese, and Warren County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene to search for suspect; he was not found. The man was described as a black male, 20 to 30 years of age wearing a black tank top and black shorts. Witnesses also reported his rear brakes were very squeaky. The reported injuries sustained to the woman consisted of scrapes to the legs.

Fatal Heart Attack – Little Miami

On Monday, July 22, a 57-year-old Lebanon man collapsed from an apparent heart attack while bicycling on the little Miami Bike Trail near Oregonia. CPR was initiated by a bystander and was assisted by Park Officer Keith Peterson until Wayne Township EMS arrived and transported the victim to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Drug Offenses – John Bryan State Park

During the weekend of July 19-21, a total of 20 articles of drug paraphernalia, seven containers of marijuana and three containers of possible psilocybin mushrooms were confiscated from three separate incidents. Two of the incidents were in the campground and the other from a vehicle unlock. 14 articles of paraphernalia were confiscated from the Chevy S-10 unlock. Minor misdemeanor marijuana and paraphernalia charges have been filed and two counts of felony drug possession charges for the mushrooms are pending test results.