Flames burn through rugged terrain during the Yarnell Hill Fire near Yarnell, Arizona in 2013.
I flew in Arizona for more than 12 years and attended Northern Arizona University, so news of the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) helicopter crash in Flagstaff hits especially close to home.
Northern Arizona airspace is familiar, challenging, and unforgiving at night — a place many of us in aviation know well.
According to DPS, the helicopter was assisting law enforcement during an active incident in Flagstaff when it went down late on February 4th, 2026.
Both crew members on board were killed. DPS confirmed the loss during a press conference and stated the helicopter was providing aerial support at the time.
The Bell 407, N56AZ, crashed west of the active shooter scene after entering a rapid climb with groundspeeds dropping to 4 knots.
Witnesses captured video of the helicopter in an apparent out-of-control spin. Weather at Flagstaff was clear with light winds, indicating conditions were likely not a factor.
Video shows aerial views of the crash aftermath and is from ABC15 Arizona — gives a sense of what happened on scene.
This remains an active investigation, and authorities have not released details on what caused the helicopter to go down. As someone who has flown these skies, I know how much experience, training, and professionalism these crews bring to every mission.
Flagstaff isn’t just a dot on a map — it’s a tight-knit aviation and mountain community. My thoughts are with the families, coworkers, and first responders affected by this tragic loss.
In 2019, Klaas and Dorothy Tadema, a retired math teacher and former nurse in Dickinson, Texas, faced a $100,000 HOA lien over their flower beds. I reported on their case, which quickly gained national attention and ultimately forced the HOA to drop the lien.
Since then, we learned that Dorothy “Dotty” Tadema, the homeowner at the heart of this story, passed away on June 13, 2021, at age 77. She is remembered by her family and community for her faith, kindness, and service. Her obituary can be viewed here: Crowder Funeral Home obituary.
This update honors her memory and adds new context to a story that resonated with readers nationwide.
Elderly Couple HOA Lien Over Flower Beds Sparks National Outrage
Following widespread media coverage and public pressure, the HOA released the lien, allowing the couple to sell their home and move forward with their lives. But months later, tragedy struck when Dorothy passed away after ongoing health complications.
This is the full story — and the update few people know.
National Attention Forces the HOA to Back Down
Update: Despite dozens of landscapers offering to help elderly couple following a $100,000 lawsuit filed by Land Tejas over flower beds, the property developer refuses to back down.
After weathering many storms over their 52 years of marriage including losing a home during Hurricane Harvey, Klaas & Dorothy Tadema never imagined flower beds could force them to potentially lose everything again including their health. Click on link below to view full story.
This story is long overdue. I am speaking publicly because I was a key witness in the Juan Martinez disciplinary hearing. My decision to come forward helped expose misconduct that ultimately ended his career as a prosecutor.
How I Discovered the Misconduct
Journalist Tammy Rose
Covering the Jodi Arias Sentencing Retrial
I was covering the Jodi Arias case when I noticed troubling behavior by then‑prosecutor Juan Martinez. It crossed ethical lines.
One of the most disturbing revelations was the leak of Juror 17’s identity to the public. The information did not come from the court; it came from within the prosecution itself, passed via a media intermediary.
When a juror’s identity becomes public, it puts them at serious risk. In this case, that juror later received threats to their safety.
That moment marked a turning point for me. What began as reporting became a matter of public responsibility. I realized I needed to document and report what I had uncovered.
I provided investigators with records and testimony about how the leak happened, knowing it could affect my career and reputation. Still, I chose to act ethically and tell the truth.
The investigation confirmed that protected information had been improperly shared and that this conduct was part of a broader pattern of ethical violations.
My Role in the Disciplinary Hearing
I gave testimony and submitted evidence detailing the leaks and unethical conduct. My goal was never to attack individuals unnecessarily, but to ensure accountability and integrity in the justice system.
I acted independently and ethically, aware that speaking out could impact my professional life. But truth and public safety were my priority.
Journalist Tammy Rose traveling to court for the Jodi Arias resentencing trial, connected to the Juan Martinez disciplinary hearing
What Happened After the Investigation
After reviewing the evidence, the investigation confirmed a pattern of ethical violations, including:
• Improper communications with media members
• Leaks of protected juror information
• Conduct prejudicial to justice
As a result, Juan Martinez was terminated and later disbarred. His ability to practice law was permanently revoked.
Why This Story Still Matters
Prosecutors hold immense power. When that power is abused, the entire justice system is at risk. I came forward because journalists are not above the law — and neither are prosecutors.
This story reminds us that accountability matters.
Vietnam War helicopter pilot Kim Page flew some of the most dangerous combat missions of the war. He survived multiple helicopter crashes while saving countless lives. As a senior warrant officer, Kim Page faced enemy fire, mechanical failures, and impossible odds in active war zones across Southeast Asia. His story is one of courage, resilience, and service under fire.
🎥 Watch: The Extraordinary Life of Vietnam War Helicopter Pilot Kim Page
This documentary was written, filmed, produced, and edited by me, Tammy Rose. As a longtime helicopter reporter, I have covered countless aviation stories — but Kim Page’s journey stands among the most extraordinary I have ever documented. Watch below to experience his remarkable true story of courage, survival, and service.
Watch More Stories from Life on Film
If Kim Page’s story inspired you, explore more incredible journeys captured on film. From extraordinary aviation adventures to life-changing personal stories, check out other Life on Film stories here.
Travel has a way of testing you before it rewards you. Our Princess cruise through Australia was no exception. What began with an unexpected electrical fire quickly tested our patience and plans. However, that rough start turned into an unforgettable journey filled with stunning island views, wildlife encounters, cultural experiences — and even a surprise jellyfish sting.
Stop One: Whitsunday Islands, Queensland
A stunning view from the Whitsunday Islands, Queensland.
Our first stop was the breathtaking Whitsunday Islands. The scenery here feels lifted from a postcard. Turquoise water meets powder‑white beaches, and the natural patterns of sand and sea stretch as far as the eye can see. Just looking out over this vast beauty reminded us how lucky we were to be here.
Lookout Mountain in the Whitsunday Islands offers breathtaking panoramic views.
Lookout Mountain – Whitsundays
From Lookout Mountain, we took in sweeping vistas of the islands. It was one of those moments where you simply pause and appreciate how enormous and beautiful the world really is.
Stop Two: Cairns – Wildlife & Indigenous Culture
Visiting an animal preserve in Cairns and experiencing Aboriginal culture.
Meanwhile, Cairns offered a completely different experience from the islands. Here, we visited an animal preserve where we were able to see koalas up close along with other native Australian wildlife.
This stop also included an Aboriginal cultural show, featuring traditional music, dance, and storytelling. Watching the performance was both moving and educational, offering a deeper understanding of Australia’s Indigenous heritage and connection to the land.
Stop Three: The Great Barrier Reef
Snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world’s natural wonders.
No Australian cruise would be complete without experiencing the Great Barrier Reef. Snorkeling among the coral and marine life was one of the most unforgettable moments of the entire trip.
Even with an unexpected jellyfish sting along the way, the beauty of the reef made every second worth it. Floating above vibrant coral formations was unforgettable. The clear blue water made the experience even more surreal.
Explore More Travel Adventures
If you loved this Australian cruise journey, don’t miss our other amazing trips! For more sun, sand, and unforgettable experiences, click here to read our Turks and Caicos adventure: Turks and Caicos Travel Story
Cruising through Central America should be relaxing, but our trip quickly turned eventful during a snorkeling excursion. Between strong currents, unexpected waves, and a few clumsy moments, what started as a leisurely adventure became a story worth telling.
We explored the reefs in Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel, following safety guidelines from the Belize Tourism Board.
First Stop: Honduras
Tammy & Paul on boat in Honduras
Our day in Honduras began with calm waters and bright skies. I had my snorkeling gear ready, excited to explore the reefs.
However, the water quickly reminded me that even calm-looking currents can be tricky. I accidentally hit a coral outcrop with my leg, and my GoPro was totaled in the process. It was painful, but I didn’t realize how serious it could get.
When I got home, I discovered the cut had become infected with flesh-eating bacteria. I was lucky to see a doctor quickly — early treatment made all the difference. This experience taught me how a simple injury while snorkeling can turn into a dangerous situation if not treated promptly.
With guidance from our tour leaders, we navigated carefully through the rest of the reef. Despite the mishap, I still enjoyed the vibrant coral and tropical fish. It became one of those stories you’ll never forget — and one I hope others can learn from.
Next Stop: Belize
Belize offered a completely different underwater landscape. The currents were gentler, making it easier to explore
The reefs were alive with colorful fish, and coral formations stretched as far as the eye could see. At one point, a small stumble led to a bit of laughter, turning a minor mishap into a memorable moment.
Exploring Belize reminded me how each snorkeling spot has its own character. Even small challenges can add to the adventure, making the experience more vivid and unforgettable.
Belize water huts/dock
Final Stop: Cozumel
Cozumel’s waters were pristine and inviting. With more confidence from previous stops, I navigated the reef smoothly. Turtles glided by, rays floated beneath us, and the vibrant coral stretched in every direction.
🎥 Watch the video below to experience the adventure as it unfolded — snorkeling, sailing, and all the moments in between.
Princess Regal Cruise to Honduras, Belize & Mexico!
Even a few small bumps and minor stumbles couldn’t dampen the excitement. Every stop offered unique sights, reminding me why multi-port cruises are so rewarding — each location has its own charm, challenges, and beauty.
For as long as I can remember, I was told there was gold hidden beneath my great-grandparents’ home in the small town of Berlitt. The story was always the same — that during World War II, my family hid something valuable before the Russian army arrived.
No one knew exactly what was buried -but everyone knew it mattered.
As I grew older, I realized the whispers were not just about treasure. They were about fear, secrecy, and survival. Why would a simple farming family need to hide gold? And what were they afraid of being found?
Years later, those unanswered questions became impossible to ignore.
That is what led me back to Germany — to the house, to the people who lived there after my family, and to a past no one wanted to fully explain.
After writing several books, I decided to travel to Germany to make a documentary about my family in 2017.
What I discovered was disturbing.
My great-grandparents and my great-uncle were allegedly heavily involved in the Nazi Party and the SS, according to one of their elderly neighbors.
My research eventually led me to Günter Waschke, whose family received Richard and Helene Pein’s home after World War II.
Hans Rose with neighbors near our Berlitt, Germany home in 1991. Click on the link above to follow my ‘Buried Treasure’ journey.
Part Two —Shadows of the Past
While digging into the origins of a buried treasure legend, we uncover a family’s dark secret – a great-uncle once convicted of Nazi war crimes. History isn’t always comfortable — but it matters.
Richard & Helene Pein’s 25th Wedding Anniversary in 1935. (On the far right, Werner Pein’s photo is doctored. A swastika armband was removed from his left arm.) He would later be convicted of Nazi War crimes following WW II.
I sat down with a former owner of our Berlitt home, Günter Waschke in 2019.
My interview with Günter Waschke in 2019..
(Tammy Rose) “What can you tell me about my great-grandparents Richard & Helene Pein?
Richard PeinHelene Pein
(Günter Waschke) “I was 4 years old, so I do not remember much. Helene loved me as ‘little Günter’ because her son Günther was killed in the war.”
“From Richard, I have no remembering other than he was the Mayor of Berlitt and was regarded as a bad Nazi by the upcoming Communists. They forced him to move to Granzow on his second farm. Pein’s farm in Berlitt was expropriated and divided into small farms distributed to refugees from East Germany like my mother and me. The same process was conducted with the big farm of Earl/Graf Königsmark who had committed suicide before the Russians invaded. His castle was used as a school following the war and is located across the street from the Pein home near the Church of Berlitt.”
Earl/Graf Königsmark
Church of Berlitt
(Tammy Rose) “What else can you tell me about that time period and our old house?”
Helene & Richard Pein in front of their Berlitt Home just before the invasion.
(Günter Waschke) “My mother and I fled from our original home near Poznan, Poland in January 1945 by foot and took only what we could carry. I cried because I forgot my doll called Ria. We lived after the war in the right part of Pein’s house, seen from the street side, until 1950. Then my mother and I left Berlitt because my father who was a prisoner of war was set free and we moved to West Germany. Additionally, it was better to go to the West because Berlitt had become part of the communist German Democratic Republic under the goodwill of Stalin.”
This was the last family picture of the Peins taken at Christmas before their youngest son, Lt. Günther Pein was killed on October 18, 1944.
Part Three —Return to Berlitt and the Secrets Buried Below.
After years of unanswered questions, I travel to Berlitt, Germany, back to the small house where my family once lived-and where the gold was secretly buried long ago. Now under new ownership, the home stands as both a relic of my past and the key to everything I still don’t know. As I meet with the current homeowners, I hope to unearth more than just treasure; I’m searching for clarity, truth, and the missing pieces of a story that has followed me across decade and continents. What lies beneath the floorboards may be valuable, but the answers I’m after could change everything.
Liese-Lotte Pein & Hans RoseWilly & Hans Rose
Part Four —Shadows in the House.
I finally step inside the house where our gold may still be buried, and the walls seem to whisper secrets of the past. As I explore, shocking truths emerge: my great-grandparents were deeply involved in the Nazi regime, and the treasure I’ve been chasing may not be just family gold-it could be part of a darker, more sinister history. Every coin, every hidden corner now carries the weight of betrayal, war, and a legacy I never imagined. The hunt for answers has become a confrontation with history itself.
During my research, I located official French military court documents showing that my great-uncle, Werner Pein, was tried after World War II in connection with his service in the German occupation forces.
📜 Wartime Court Records
According to the archived judgement, the court record states:
French Military Tribunal — Paris (1950)
Case:Judgment against Walter Holz and others
Charges included:
– Murders and complicity in murders
– Assaults and injuries
– Illegal confinement
– Torture
Location of crimes: Pontivy, Morbihan, France
Date of crimes: July 1944
Defendant: Werner Pein (born Nov. 14, 1912, Berlin)
Sentence: 20 years hard labor (commuted to 7 years imprisonment)
Source: French Ministry of Defense — Military Justice Archives, Le Blanc, France
Part Five: Echoes of Innocence. As the story of my great-grandparents unfolds, I turn to my German relatives for answers. They dispute the claims of SS involvement, insisting that my ancestors were poor farmers, good neighbors, and hardworking members of their community. The treasure and its history remain tangled in uncertainty, and I must now navigate between family memories, historical records, and the uneasy truths buried in both.
Another one of my great-uncles, Günther Pein was killed on a bridge in Saint Pölten, Austria at the end of World War II. I often wonder how much he might of known about the Holocaust and to what extent he may have participated. My other grandfather, Howard Leo Thompson from Milton, WI also fought in WW II which makes things even more complicated. Did he encounter any of my German relatives?
The last picture taken of Günther Pein before he was killed on a bridge in Saint Pölten, Austria at the end of World War II.Howard Leo Thompson
Part Six: Meeting in Berlitt. I finally connect with the current homeowners of the house where the gold may be buried. After reading my books, ‘Lost Dreams’ & ‘Lost Treasures’, they reached out online, curious-and maybe cautious-about the story I’ve been chasing for years. Now, face-to-face, I try to learn whether they believe the treasure exists, and if they’ve ever attempted to dig it up. Every answer, every hesitation, adds a new layer to the mystery, and I realize that the truth about the buried coins may be closer-or more elusive-than I ever imagined.
Hans & Reinhard Rose on their Granzow farm.
Part Seven: Secrets Left Buried. After walking through the backyard where my great uncle described the treasure to my dad, I can feel it in my bones-the legend is real. Every detail he shared aligns perfectly with the property, even the parts I never included in my book. Yet, the current homeowners have no interest in digging, and I understand why. Some stories, some treasures, are meant to stay hidden. We part with a mutual respect for the past and the unspoken truth: certain secrets are better left buried.
War is more than borders and battles — It is the quiet endurance of ordinary people navigating impossible circumstances — families and strangers, victims and survivors, bound together by fate. Time moves forward, but the lessons of courage, sacrifice, and unexpected connection endure.
May we remember not only the events of history, but the people who lived them — their hopes, their heartbreaks, and their capacity to find shared humanity even in the darkest of days.
▶ Video reported, produced, and edited by Tammy Rose
More than a decade after the Jodi Arias murder trial, the case continues to captivate true-crime audiences.
From obsessive behavior to explosive courtroom moments, the trial exposed a disturbing mix of power, sex, and control. A secret witness and the tragic death of a police officer’s son added to the emotional weight of the proceedings.
Reported, produced, and edited by journalist Tammy Rose, this story takes viewers inside the courtroom for a firsthand look at one of the most notorious legal sagas in modern history.
Read more true crime and courtroom coverage at ChopperRose.com
▶ Watch Episode 14 above and go behind the scenes with our Top Gun crew as they keep our helicopter in service.
“Back in Service’ with our ‘Top Gun’ crew, revolves around a SWAT standoff and routine maintenance. Our television news flight does everything they can to stay to stay in service.
With the clock ticking on a required 3,000-hour inspection for our Bell 505, the pressure was on to stay mission-ready. That’s where our “Top Gun” crew stepped in—working around the clock to keep us flying by bringing another helicopter online.
Reported, produced, and edited by journalist Tammy Rose, Episode 14 of Back in Service takes you behind the scenes of the teamwork it takes to keep a news helicopter in the air.
🎥 Watch the full episode and go behind the scenes with SkyEye 13 below.
Some weeks are quiet in aviation maintenance. Others remind you just how quickly everything can change.
Episode 13 of Back in Service takes you behind the scenes with the SkyEye 13 flight crew during a week that started under the glow of a supermoon and quickly turned into nonstop breaking news coverage across Houston.
From aerial views of the supermoon lighting up the night sky to responding to multiple crash scenes, this episode shows what it really takes to keep a television news helicopter mission-ready. When the call comes in, there’s no pause button — the aircraft, crew, and maintenance team all have to be ready.
As someone who lives this world, I wanted to share more than just the beautiful shots. This episode highlights the long hours, fast decisions, and behind-the-scenes work viewers never see — the inspections, coordination, and teamwork that keep SkyEye 13 safely in the air.
Whether we’re capturing a rare moonrise or flying above active scenes to bring critical information to viewers, every flight tells a story. Episode 13 is about those moments — calm, chaos, and everything in between — all from the cockpit.
