Author: CNN Newsource

By Amanda Hari

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — The San Francisco Grateful Dead community is coming together after it was announced that one of the founding members, Bob Weir, has died at the age of 78.

One gathering place was the Grateful Dead house on the 700 block of Ashbury. It’s a private residence, but served as a makeshift memorial with hundreds of Deadheads stopping by all evening to remember Weir.

Fan Kelly Terzis described her feelings as intense sadness and grief, but also gratitude.

“Bob Weir was one of my best friends,” Terzis stated. “I’ve never felt alone a day in my life since I found the Grateful Dead.”

Terzis has been a fan for more than half of her life, attending more than 200 concerts over 20 years.

The band and their music shaped who she is today.

“I was telling my friend that the Grateful Dead was the first time I ever fell in love and ever since that day, my life has been nothing but filled with love,” said Terzis.

Fans left notes, flowers, and grieved together.

Adam Buxbaum says Weir’s music was always a part of his life.

“My mom told me when I was two at the Oakland Coliseum New Years eve shows, I crawled on top of a speaker and fell asleep,” said Buxbaum. “This is the end of a huge chapter of a lot of people’s lives.”

He started going to Dead concerts with his parents as a kid. As an adult, he followed Dead and Company, a spinoff of the Grateful Dead featuring Weir.

He even sold pins at concerts, once giving one to Weir.

“It felt like in some ways Bobby was one of the community, just along for the ride with everyone else,” said Buxbaum. “It was a brief, nice encounter. He shook my hand.”

San Francisco-based musician Lebo also met Weir a few times, even playing with him on stage at the Fillmore in 2019

Lebo grew up listening to the Grateful Dead and admiring Weir. He says playing with him was a dream come true.

“He was such a warm spirit, and his artistry was huge,” said Lebo. “He was tapped into the source.”

The news of his passing was hard on everyone who had been touched by his life, but all can agree, his memory will never die, living on through his music.

“We’re just going to keep going,” said Terzis. “We’re going to keep listening to the music. We’re going to keep playing the music and most importantly, we’re going to keep living the music.”

Weir toured for about 60 years. Dead and Company was just in San Francisco in August, playing a series of concerts in Golden Gate Park.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Kara Finnstrom

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    ALTADENA, California (KCAL, KCBS) — Altadena recently marked one year since the devastating Eaton Fire. Watercolor painter Keni “Arts” Davis is still setting up his easel around the neighborhood, painting buildings.

CBS LA first met Arts Davis a few years ago when he was whimsically painting familiar, uncelebrated places like grocery stores, churches and restaurants.

“I try to finish one within about an hour,” Arts Davis said. “I’ve been doing this for 50 years at least.”

His neighbors loved that he was immortalizing Altadena even before the Jan. 7, 2025, fire changed it forever.

“Like a lot of people here, I just lost a lot of precious things,” Arts Davis said.

The Eaton Fire incinerated the home where Arts Davis and his wife raised three girls and hundreds of his paintings. He coped by salvaging brushes and heading into the ruins.

“It was so shocking to stand there and see all the destruction,” Arts Davis said.

He first painted Altadena hardware, then went on to document the remains of at least 80 cherished places like the quirky Bunny Museum.

“My main focus is getting these scenes of Altadena before the bulldozers move in,” Arts Davis said.

Digital copies of about half his earlier works survived and the California African American Museum recognized the poignancy of pairing them. Last year, Arts Davis was part of an exhibit there.

“It was an honor to have been part of that show that documented the significance of Altadena and especially with the Black community,” Arts Davis said.

Severing some of that connection has been painful for Arts Davis.

“I did the painting of where the post office used to be and something broke at that point,” Davis said. “It was almost like Altadena was saying, ‘I’m naked, I don’t want you staring at me right now,’ so that was the last painting I did as far as just the aftermath of Altadena.”

During the last six months, Arts Davis and his wife, Mildred, have instead focused on rebuilding their family’s home and helping neighbors do the same. An artist in her own right, Mildred Davis is helping create quilts for children.

Arts Davis is concentrating on painting the community as it heals and the new Altadena that’s rising.

“People need to be reminded that they can rebuild,” Arts Davis said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Michael Abeyta

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    DENVER (KCNC) — As the fallout continues from the sale of diesel-tainted unleaded gas at Denver metro gas stations, repair shops say repairs start at $1,500, but likely will be as much as $3,000 or more.

People who now must front the cost of repairs are worried that they may never get reimbursed.

Lance Strait is one of hundreds of people whose car was damaged after putting gas at a King Soopers gas station in Parker earlier this week.

“I trusted them to provide gas that wouldn’t be tainted with diesel, that’s kind of like a basic requirement for fuel suppliers to not have tainted fuel,” said Strait.

His car has been towed and is in the shop. So far, his repair bill is up to $3,200.

“But they’re probably going to find more damage as they get into the engine,” said Strait.

He thinks Kroger, the parent company of King Soopers, or Sinclair should pay for repairs to his car.

Friday, state officials said customers like Strait who purchased tainted fuel should reach out to the station they bought it from to begin the process of being reimbursed for expenses they may have.

Strait says he’s done just that, and the King Soopers station said an insurance company will reach out to him.

“But we’ve heard nothing from the insurance company on what their plan is,” said Strait.

He says he’s been told that he will likely have to pay out of pocket for the repair, then get reimbursed, which makes him feel uneasy about ever getting paid.

“It made me feel like they’re not helping us,” said Strait.

He says he also hopes someone will also cover the costs of his tow bill and temporary transportation because he has to commute to Denver for work.

“Maybe they’ll step up and rent cars for those of us who had this happen to them, but I’m not going to hold my breath on that one,” said Strait.

He says at this point it’s the only thing that can make up for the damage and trouble this has caused him.

“I hope that Kroger and the other suppliers, Costco, whoever else has sold this tainted gas, is going to do right to their customers and take care of us,” Strait said.

Kroger did release a statement saying in part, “We sincerely regret the inconvenience and disruption this has caused our customers. We understand how important reliable fuel service is, and we are committed to working directly with any impacted customers to resolve their concerns. Customers who believe they may have been impacted are encouraged to contact their local store and we will assist them promptly.”

The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety is also encouraging impacted customers to contact them by submitting a complaint online or calling 303-866-4967.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Veronica Ortega

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — An immigrant rights group spent its Saturday making sure people in Southwest Detroit know their rights when it comes to interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Members of the Detroit Community Action Committee gathered outside the Prince Valley Market to strategize before they began a walk through the neighborhood.

“We’re going to just walk around the community and talk to people and ask them what it is that they themselves feel like they need, how we can support them,” Mocha Brown, a member of the Detroit Community Action Committee, said.

After Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday, the group quickly organized a protest outside of the federal agency’s Detroit Field Office.

“People are sick of it all over the place, and if it happens in one place, it can happen in any city. So I think that’s why people are mobilizing everywhere,” Rue Rodriguez, a member of the Detroit Community Action Committee, said.

Their continued efforts took them to homes and businesses along Michigan Avenue where they handed out information to display on walls.

The flyers are a notice to ICE and law enforcement that says if they “don’t have an official warrant with a valid signature, no entry.”

“That’s one of the things people can, I guess, fall for the trap of, people not understanding what a valid warrant looks like, that they don’t have to open their doors to ICE without one. That includes businesses,” Brown said.

Business owners and community members were receptive to the group’s message and learning more about their campaign to make Detroit a sanctuary city, which would put limits on city and ICE collaboration.

“It would empower the community to kind of fight back against these ICE agents that are out here raiding and now, sometimes, murdering our community members,” Rodriguez said.

After several miles of walking and door-knocking, organizers said they were ready to keep fighting.

The group plans to talk to lawmakers and is taking their sanctuary city demands to the Detroit City Council in-person on Tuesday.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Marissa Perlman, Edie Kasten

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    KANE COUNTY, Illinois (WBBM) — In Kane County, members of the Native American community gathered in December to welcome back a relative that’s been missing for generations.

A herd of bison has returned to Burlington Prairie, part of a long-awaited return led by the American Indian Center—honoring Native stewardship of the land and reconnecting culture, history, and community.

“Sometimes we have stories that begin with back in the times when all things spoke,” said Robert Wapahi, a tribal elder with the Santee Sioux. “If nothing else, it’s the history lessons about what should be done to protect them.”

This story starts just after sunrise on Burlington Prairie, where a community came together to honor a return of sorts; a return to land and to home

“For us to be able to be a part of this, it just adds that special moment for us to kind of share,” said.

“It’s different when you’re welcoming them back home. That’s their home, not mine,” Wapahi said.

Bundled up, with clear eyes, a caravan pushed through the cold and the snow to the steady thump of a drumbeat as a community walked through snow to meet what they call their relatives.

Six bison stepped back onto their homeland for the first time in more than a century.

“It’s really important and awesome to see another herd that is hitting the ground in a good way,” one man said.

More than 200 years ago, bison roamed freely across Illinois, but as the industrial revolution reshaped the landscape, the bison disappeared.

“In protecting them, we’re protecting ourselves, because again, they provided us with everything we ever needed,” Wapahi said.

Now, after decades of careful land management, there are finally enough bison in the U.S. to bring some back to Illinois, returning in small pockets across their historic North American range.

“It’s a great thing that they’re doing bringing them back,” Lisa Burnell said as she watched alongside her mother and son; three generations together passing on that story. “Their energy, I think is just, it’s got such a powerful movement.”

The family said this is something that feels both historic and deeply personal. Bison have carried their stories, teachings, and responsibilities for centuries.

“Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse; we were always been talking about stories and the relationships that we’ve had with these animals,” Burnell said. “We have stories about animals, and so just having them here and being able to be so close to them.”

As the bison settle in, the songs continue, an echo of something ancient finally returning.

“We’re just like the buffalo. I’m glad they came back home,” Wapahi said.

Wapahi is tasked with sharing the importance of that return home with the community, and praying over the land where these bison will live.

“I’m just honored to see a small return for them,” he said. “It’s kind of like speaking about your grandfather or your grandparents.”

They’re part of an extension of life, and in their footsteps, a story once broken begins again.

“I hope you guys all get the medicine and the healing that they bring with, and you’ll learn from them. They’re strong and they’re resilient like we are,” one man said.

The American Indian Center will steward the herd in partnership with Kane County Forest Preserves and an experienced herd manager, caring for the animals day-to-day as they acclimate and grow.

The plan is for the bison to be released into a larger fenced-in prairie in the spring, where they will help restore native grasslands and be part of educational programs that teach about land stewardship and prairie health.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Tom Ignudo, Eva Andersen

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — A Philadelphia bar turned away a group of San Francisco 49ers fans looking to host a playoff takeover before the wild-card round game vs. the Eagles, but it’s welcoming fans in smaller numbers.

Ladder 15, which is located on Sansom Street in Center City, said in an Instagram post that Niners fans emailed the bar about hosting an event Friday night with 100 to 200 people.

But the Philly bar declined their business. While it was “hard” to turn down the event as a business, they said it was a “no brainer” as Philly sports fans in a post that has gone viral on social media.

“After very little consideration, we cannot in good conscience host anything that has to do with the 49ers,” Ladder 15 wrote in an email response to the 49ers fan. “We’re Birds fans til the end. We Bleed Green. We Back our team even when it comes at a cost. Only reason I wish you luck, is because the 49ers are going to need it. Enjoy your time in [the] City of Brotherly Love.”

Maybe the Niners fans can head to the Hard Rock Cafe, where Washington Commanders’ fans “took over” before last season’s NFC championship game. In that game, the Birds dominated the Commanders in a 55-23 win en route to a Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

San Francisco fans on Saturday night tried to stake out some territory at Ladder 15 despite the drama.

“I’ve been a 49ers fan since 1988,” said San Francisco fan Charles Gabel.

“49ers faithful,” said fan Rebecca Dincher.

The group said they only came to Ladder 15 because of the post.

“I was like, nah man, we can’t do this,” said manager Joe Chilutti. “Can’t do that to our city.”

Chilutti said allowing a full buy-out by visiting fans would have been bad for business, especially on a weekend when the city is rallying around the Eagles. He said 49ers fans are welcome, just not in takeover numbers.

Dincher said she and others showed up Saturday because they “were told we weren’t really welcome here,” but both sides described the atmosphere inside as friendly.

“They are being 49ers-friendly,” Gabel said. “It was just all talk.”

As Philadelphia fans looked ahead to Sunday, confidence remained high.

“No worries. Eagles are gonna win tomorrow,” said fan Sydney Tucker.

Gabel, who hails from South Philadelphia, offered one more piece of advice to his fellow 49ers fans visiting the city: Stay away from the Rocky statue — a reference to the long-running superstition that opposing teams who dress or decorate the statue tend to lose.

“Don’t touch the freaking Rocky statue,” he said. “Don’t breathe on it, don’t even go near it.”

The No. 3 seed Eagles and No. 6 seed 49ers will kick off at Lincoln Financial Field at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Stephanie Stahl

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — A long-term care community for adults with physical disabilities who are in wheelchairs held a surprise celebration Friday for a group of residents heading to college Monday morning.

“I’ve been wanting to go for the last 25 years,” Aaron Deede said. “And so finally your dream comes true.”

Deede, 40, was paralyzed in a car crash when he was a teenager. Now, he’ll be going to the Community College of Philadelphia, hoping to become a teacher.

The residents headed to college have been in the Therapeutic Education Program at the Inglis House in Philadelphia’s Wynnefield Heights neighborhood.

Instructor Jeremy Ault says the students have spent a year preparing for the upcoming classes that will be in-person and remote.

“Very proud. I’m really excited for them to start,” Ault said. “They’ve been looking forward to this for a very long time, and I can’t wait to see their successes as they continue to grow and develop, not just in school as individuals.”

Ault says it’s a special accomplishment because the residents face a number of challenges, like simply getting around.

“The first year was kind of tough because I wasn’t doing a lot,” Nikos Rapach said.

Rapach has a spinal injury from an accident two years ago, when he had been thinking of going to a trade school.

“So, since I know I’m not gonna be able to hold a hammer, I know I gotta pick up a book or something,” Rapach said.

After college, he hopes to teach high school history.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Nick Caloway

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    NEW YORK (WCBS) — A New York school security guard jumped into action by performing the Heimlich maneuver on a little girl who was choking. Surveillance video captured the moment he saved her life in the cafeteria.

Tyreek Johnson is a school monitor at Vails Gait STEAM Academy in New Windsor. In November, he rushed over to first grader Liyah Ventura when he saw her choking on a pretzel.

“I was trying to pat her back, and I realized that that wasn’t working. So I immediately jumped in and gave her the Heimlich,” he said.

After just a few seconds, the food was cleared from her airway, and she was safe.

School principal Gillian Matos said all monitors are CPR-trained, but she hardly expects them to use those skills.

“You don’t think that’s what you’re going to do when you come to work every single day, that you’re going to have to save somebody. But that’s what he did for Liyah,” she said.

This isn’t the first time – or even the second – Johnson has used his training to save a child from choking. He’s done it three times over the last three years in the school cafeteria.

Liyah’s father, Raul, said he is grateful for Johnson’s actions, calling him a hero.

“I love that title,” Johnson said. “I’m super grateful for that title.”

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.