Here are the stories for today...
Of note, the horrific story that unfolded this past Sunday in Montana where 8 victims, including children, died at a Billings home that burned down after arriving Firefighters were met with gunfire. Those murdered were the family of Firefighter Adam Ghekiere, who is an Airport Rescue Firefighter at Billings-Logan International Airport, at work at the time of the incident. 
Adam's ARFF Family at KBIL is raising funds to help ease the financial burden Adam will be facing, including funeral and memorial expenses, time away from work, counseling, and the many unexpected costs that come with a tragedy of this magnitude. Please consider donating, the link to this GoFundMe page is in the article below from Chief Golfeder's "The Secret List".
Our thoughts and prayer go to our Brother, Adam, and to all those affected by this horrible loss.
Be safe out there!
Tom
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Firefighter Family Murdered As Firefighters Targeted At Scene (The Secret List)
All,
Terrible news out of Montana as at least 8 victims, including children, died at a Billings home that burned down after arriving Firefighters were met with gunfire Sunday. They are reported as a Firefighter's family-and he was at work at the time of the murders.
The incident began as a family disturbance and during the initial 911 call to the residence at 315 White Star Circle, gunshots could be heard in the background. When Billings Firefighters arrived at the scene, they encountered gunfire, which prevented them from conducting normal suppression efforts. Additionally, due to a lack of fire hydrants in the area, firefighters were forced to shuttle water and were able to prevent the spread of the fire to other homes.
A man was discovered outside the home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, was taken to a hospital and later died.
FIREFIGHTER LOSES WIFE, KIDS & OTHERS
It is reported that Firefighter Adam Ghekiere’s two children with his ex-wife – Landon, 15, and 12-year-old Charlotte – both tragically perished. His current wife Megan and his stepchildren – Owen, 13, and Chloe, 7 – also died alongside a 92-year-old wheelchair-bound woman who was their great-grandparent. Two other not yet identified family members were also killed by the gunman. The shooter torched the property after opening fire on those inside and then killed himself.
Ghekiere is an Airport Rescue Firefighter who was working at the time of the shooting and said his kids wouldn’t have normally visited their grandparents on a Sunday evening. He was at an airshow and when he heard on the Fire department communications radio system there was an unfolding incident in the area where his wife’s parents lived, he instantly feared the worst.
More details below.
Our heartfelt condolences to Firefighter Ghekiere and all those affected by this horrible loss.
MEDIA:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24IAuu6XrEw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1d6plOglTw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2pWA7LO1pU
FUNDRAISER:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-adam-after-the-unimaginable-loss-on-billings-westend
Take Care. Be Careful. Pass It On.
BillyG
The Secret List 8/25/2026-1800 Hours
Army helicopter involved in ‘aviation mishap’ during routine training exercise goes down in Gilpin County
Four people were on board at the time of the incident but none suffered injuries, according to officials
By: Óscar Contreras
GILPIN COUNTY, Colo. — A U.S. Army Black Hawk
helicopter with four people on board was involved in an “aviation mishap” during a training exercise in Gilpin County Tuesday morning, a U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command spokesperson confirmed with Denver7. Luckily, no one was injured.
The incident, reported by the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office just before 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, occurred on the east side of Thorodin Mountain. Emergency personnel were on scene and an investigation is now underway.
“The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) is aware of an August 25, 2026, aviation mishap during routine training operations near Denver, Colorado,” the USASOAC spokesperson wrote in a statement to Denver7 about the incident. “Because this is currently the subject of an active safety investigation, we cannot provide additional comment or information at this time.”
Deputies said in a social media post that there was no danger to the surrounding community, along with no fuel leaks or fires associated with the incident.
The sheriff’s office was setting up a media staging area at the Aspen Meadows Campground, located at 3400 Gap Road, where news media could gather for additional updates on this incident.
https://www.denver7.com/news/foothills/army-helicopter-involved-in-aviation-mishap-during-routine-training-exercise-goes-down-in-gilpin-county
Pilot Speaks Out After Emergency Water Landing Off Boca Raton Beach
Flying Piper PA-30 From Fort Myers to South Bimini Airport In The Bahamas When She Experienced Engine Trouble
A pilot is speaking out after making an emergency water landing in the Atlantic off the coast of Boca Raton on Saturday, detailing the moments leading up to the landing and thanking the first responders who helped keep everyone safe. 
Pilot Faith Tenkley, 23, released a statement to the media describing what happened before she brought the plane down into the water.
"I want to express my deepest gratitude for the concern and support following my unexpected water landing yesterday. I am incredibly fortunate and relieved to share that I was able to swim away from this incident. After deciding a landing at Boca Raton Airport was not the safest option I continued to the coast. During the descent my primary focus was ensuring the safety of everyone around me. I was able to navigate toward open water, successfully avoiding all nearby buildings, paddleboarders, and swimmers (as well as individuals using metal detectors).
"I want to extend my thanks to ATC for being prepared, as well as the lifeguards, firefighters, and police officers whose rapid response and professionalism ensured everyone's safety. As well as any witnesses who called for help," Tenkley said.
The aircraft was moved from the water to a nearby parking lot at Silver Palm Park after a crane lifted it out of the ocean.
She was transported to an area hospital as a precaution. The Boca Raton Police Marine Unit and the U.S. Coast Guard were on the scene.
Photo credit Boca Raton Police.
The FAA is investigating the incident.
FMI: www.faa.gov
NTSB Prelim: Czech Aircraft Works Mermaid Skeeter 2
The Airplane Subsequently Began To Descend While In A Right Bank And Impacted The Water Of Yale Lake
Location: Cougar, WA Accident Number: WPR26LA275
Date & Time: July 22, 2026, 11:29 Local Registration: N42SK
Aircraft: Czech Aircraft Works Mermaid Skeeter 2 Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On July 22, 2026, about 1129 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur built Czech Aircraft Works Mermaid Skeeter 2 airplane, N42SK, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Cougar, Washington. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
A review of a video provided by a witness showed the airplane at a distance while flying at a low altitude, in a right banking turn. The airplane subsequently began to descend while in a right bank and impacted the water of Yale Lake. The airplane remained partially above water surface for an unspecified time before it ultimately became submerged.
Recovery of the wreckage is currently pending.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
46 Years ago today: On 26 August 1980 A Bouraq Indonesia Airlines Vickers Viscount crashed while on approach to Jakarta-Kemayoran Airport, Indonesia, killing all 37 occupants.
| Date: | Tuesday 26 August 1980 |
| Time: | 06:29 |
| Type: | Vickers 812 Viscount |
| Owner/operator: | Bouraq Indonesia Airlines, lsf Far Eastern Air Transport |
| Registration: | PK-IVS |
| MSN: | 353 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1958 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 20659 hours |
| Cycles: | 17947 flights |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 37 / Occupants: 37 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | 26 km NE of Jakarta-Kemayoran Airport (JKT) - Indonesia |
| Phase: | Approach |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Banjarmasin-Sjamsudin Noor Airport (BDJ/WAOO) |
| Destination airport: | Jakarta-Kemayoran Airport (JKT) |
| Confidence Rating: | Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
Narrative:
A Bouraq Indonesia Airlines Vickers Viscount crashed while on approach to Jakarta-Kemayoran Airport, Indonesia, killing all 37 occupants.
The Bouraq Viscount was operating on a flight from Banjarmasin to Jakarta. At 06:04 the crew issued a Mayday call, stating shuddering of the airplane. Air traffic control vectored a Fokker F-28 to intercept the plane. At 06:28 the F-28 crew noticed problems with the right elevator and stated that the plane was falling to the left. After separation of the right elevator the Viscount crew lost control. It impacted the ground inverted, about 25° nose down relative to the ground and with its port wing low.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this accident was the in-flight fracture of the spigot in the elevator tab circuit. This part had exceeded the 12 000 flight hours retirement life by 21 000 hrs resulting in a life of 33.000 hrs.
