Helicopter crash near Richards

Richards News

Sadness spread through our community last Wednesday, as news spread that a 2009 Euro Helicopter over a control burn went down with U.S. Forest Service firefighters on board just five miles out of Richards in the Sam Houston National Forest. Richards VFD was one of many departments that responded to the scene. Crews used airbags and jaws to rescue the survivors, two of which were transported in stable condition to Conroe - pilot Morgan J. Kozloski, and passenger Kelly Callahen. A third firefighter, 41-year-old Daniel J. Laird, died in the crash. Please keep the survivors and their families in your prayers and remember the family of the firefighter who lost his life.

•Remember the Richards Volunteer Fire Department letter fundraiser is well underway and you should be receiving yours in the mail. If you passed by the fire station, you may have also noticed a help wanted sign.

•Richards Panthers Baseball is back! I understand they have a really good team this year. According to some of the parents, the Panthers have been playing very well. I would like to recognize the players this year: #5 Cade Hurst, #6 Zack Eldridge, #7 Marissa Martin, #8 Noah Bay, #9 Kendall Wilson, #10 Joseph Miller, #12 Reese Wrobleski, #13 Kaitlyn Mitchell, #14 Gabe Bender, #16 Grayson Bender, #17 Gary Carter, #18 Fanin Fuller and #22 Josh Barrett. Coaches for the team are Coach Brown, Coach Frazier and Coach West. Way to go, Richards Panthers!

•Residents along Bays Chapel Road are encouraging those of you who have problems with the road to contact TxDOT. There have been many complaints of loose gravel causing cars and trucks to overturn and lose control. In addition, residents’ windshields have been cracked and chipped from gravel.

•Last, but certainly not least, mark your calendar for an important date. The RBC Gran Fondo Texas will be held April 7 beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Montgomery High School Athletic Complex. This will impact traffic in and around Richards, Anderson and the surrounding areas, so please take note. I am not sure how many riders will be attending.

As the 2019 Gran Fondo Texas route takes riders through the scenic Sam Houston National Forest to the town of Richards, 200 volunteers help create a unique bike riding experience by helping with setting up and taking down, registry, navigation, rest stops, parking and lunch. The route to and from Anderson will have just enough elevation to help riders get ready for the BP MS 150. For more specific and additional information about the routes, go to https://granfundotexas.org/route.

Often, these events have an impact on traffic in our area. It always helps to know about events in advance, so alternate routes and activities can be considered for those of us who live in and around the route. Be safe and, as always, watch out for the bicyclists.

•Please continue to pray for those impacted by the helicopter crash, prayers for Darlene and Richard Ward, Patricia Dobyanski, Tere Phelps, Marie Tomkivits, Virginia Backhus, Rebecca and Robert Wisnoski, our fire department, and our sheriff department.

Wishing you and your family a very blessed week! Send news by Wednesday to bjigo78@yahoo.com or call 936-851-2585.