Author: CNN

KDKA

By Andy Sheehan

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    PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Twin boys have been seen selling lemonade for long hours several times a week, often in cold weather, on street corners throughout Pittsburgh and the suburbs for months.

Hundreds of people have posted concerns on the social media platform Reddit, saying the twins are being exploited and demanding action. The police have been called, and complaints have been filed with the Office of Children, Youth and Families. KDKA Lead Investigator Andy Sheehan looked into the concerns about the so-called lemonade twins.

The boys sell lemonade day after day, hour after hour, around the Pittsburgh area. While they appear to be working alone, KDKA Investigates observed a woman, believed to be their mother Sahira Mohammad, sitting within eyesight in a car nearby. Customers say the twins ask for $20 a cup but accept as little as $2 or $3.

It’s not clear where the money goes or whether it’s a business or a charity. They have an Instagram page that says they serve lemonade for peace. Mohammad told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this summer that the lemonade sales “instill a sense of confidence, independence and discipline in her boys, as well as the value of entrepreneurship.”

However, many of the hundreds of people posting their concerns on Reddit say they believe the twins are being exploited, documenting multiple times they’ve been out in sub-freezing temperatures and during school hours. They say they’ve called the police, ChildLine and have asked CYF to intercede.

“We’re really grateful to the community reporting when they have concerns, whether it’s about these children or any other children that we see, and, of course, we’re taking action on those reports of abuse,” said Erin Dalton, director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Dalton said she is prohibited from discussing any investigation, but said complaints of this nature automatically initiate a process: a screening that can lead to an investigation, a finding within 60 days and possible action.

“I cannot report on where we are on any of these referrals, but those are processes that are underway for any referral that comes in,” Dalton said.

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan asked, “In this case, are these legitimate concerns?”

“We take every complaint and every concern about child abuse and neglect seriously, and we investigate those that we feel are merited,” Dalton said.

But a determination of abuse or neglect may not be so clear in this case.

If this is a family business, child welfare experts say that it may be little different from kids doing daily chores on a family farm. The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has responded to several complaints but has found no evidence to charge the woman criminally. The police bureau issued a statement saying, in part:

“Officers have looked into the matter and so far they have found that the none of their sales have occurred during school hours or they occurred during days off from school. The children are also under supervision by a parent. At this time there is nothing to suggest any criminality with respect to their venture.”

Two days after Christmas, KDKA Investigates found the twins packing up their stand on the corner of Forbes and Murray avenues in Squirrel Hill. The mother left her car to collect them, and KDKA Investigates asked her to comment.

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan asked, “People are concerned about your kids.”

Mohammad said, “Can you please get the camera out my face?”

KDKA’s Andy Sheehan responded: “People are concerned about the state of your kids.”

“Can you please get away from me and my children, please. Thank you,” Mohammad 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.

KYW

By Tom Ignudo

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    PHILADELPHIA (KYW) — A 16-year-old boy was found shot dead inside a Chipotle bathroom on the edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia Monday, police said. The shooting happened as students and staff returned to campus for the first day of the spring 2026 semester.

The teen was found shot in the chest inside the Chipotle on the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue at around 5 p.m., according to police. The restaurant is on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartments, which is near Temple’s Student Center and TECH Center.

Police later identified the boy as Khyon Smith-Tate of North Philadelphia. Philadelphia Police Department Chief Inspector Scott Small said the 16-year-old was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.

“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it,” Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”

Small said police believe the shooting happened inside the bathroom of the Chipotle.

The 16-year-old and another minor asked for keys to enter the restroom, according to Small. Moments later, Chipotle employees found the 16-year-old shot in the chest. One spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon was also found inside the bathroom. While police didn’t identify the 16-year-old, Small said his last known address is eight blocks away from where the shooting happened.

Small said the Chipotle was very crowded and busy at the time of the shooting, and several people who were inside were being held for questioning. So far, they haven’t gotten information from anyone who heard a gunshot inside the store.

A person of interest was taken into custody a few blocks from the scene, but their involvement wasn’t clear, Small said. Police said Tuesday that no suspects had been arrested and no motive has been determined.

Small said police believe Smith-Tate entered the bathroom with another minor, but investigators aren’t sure about the latter’s whereabouts.

Police are seeking more information on three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.

Small said there are plenty of cameras in the area and police will use them in their investigation.

“We are heartbroken by the tragic incident that occurred at our restaurant on the 1100 block of Montgomery Avenue in Philadelphia and we hope the individuals responsible are apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” a Chipotle spokesperson said in a statement. “The safety of our employees and guests is our top priority. We are cooperating fully with the Philadelphia Police Department, and the restaurant will remain closed while we assist with their investigation.”

Chipotle added that the company is offering counseling services to workers at the restaurant.

Employee Jesús Lucero was off work and said he got messages from co-workers about the shooting.

“No one actually knows how it happened,” Lucero said. “But the crew members are OK. Everyone that’s working was OK.”

Meanwhile, students are processing the shooting just steps from where they attend class — an area they say often draws teens after school.

“Like a big crowd or something on the streets, I don’t know what neighborhood they come from, but it’s usually in the afternoon after school,” Mauricio Gonzalez, a sophomore at Temple, said. “I mean, someone needs to watch out for these children. Where are their parents, you know? They’re not looking out for these people.”

Temple is encouraging any students impacted by the shooting to seek support through Tuttleman Counseling Services.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.

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.

WCBS

By Jenna DeAngelis

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    PATERSON, New Jersey (WCBS) — A New Jersey mother is speaking out after her special needs child was allegedly given hot sauce as discipline by his teacher.

While not confirming details of the claims, Paterson Public Schools confirmed that teacher has been let go.

CBS News New York sat down with the mother, who wants to raise awareness for other parents.

Quasheema Frye is the proud, protective mother of two sons with autism. Lamond, who is 6, is nonverbal.

“I feel like I got to talk for him and I got to be here for him and that’s why I’m stepping up and I’m just getting this out,” Frye said.

The concerned mother was outraged over allegations a teacher at Paterson’s Dale Avenue School gave her son hot sauce.

“It’s a kid. How could you even think of doing something like that to a kid?” Frye said.

She said she was alerted to a Facebook post from Dec. 22, claiming a teacher at the school, “is putting hot sauce in the students’ mouths as discipline for their behavior.”

Kenya Hilton, a substitute in the district, posted the allegations after she says another substitute told her about the incident.

“She was in the bathroom taking another child to the bathroom, washing her hands. Then she just hears a crazy yelling,” Hilton said. “She said that he ran into the bathroom and started rinsing his mouth out, and ‘That’s when I knew something was wrong.’ She says she saw the teacher put the hot sauce in the other children’s mouths.”

Hilton said the new substitute teacher — whose name she didn’t get — said she reported the incident to a superior, but Hilton was worried it wouldn’t be enough.

“I’m the mom of a neurodivergent child as well, and, honestly, my heart was hurting. I was disgusted,” Hilton said.

Hilton says the day after her Facebook post, she was contacted by an investigator and the district sent a message to parents, alerting them that “the allegation is being investigated.”

That’s when Frye said she contacted the school to see if it was her child’s class, and received a call from the principal more than two weeks later.

“She said, ‘and I’m sorry to inform you but your son was one of the children,'” Frye said.

However, Frye says at a meeting Monday the principal backtracked, saying it was not her son, leaving her with more questions than answers.

A Paterson Public Schools spokesperson said the district immediately initiated an investigation and the individual is no longer employed by the district.

“The District is aware of the allegation regarding an incident at Dale Avenue Elementary School and immediately initiated an investigation in accordance with established protocols. The individual involved is no longer employed by the District. We are committed to ensuring that every student feels safe, respected, and supported. Due to the nature of the matter, we are unable to share additional details at this time,” the spokesperson said.

“More needs to be done then. You just firing this person. They need to be held accountable. They need to be in jail. Like, there’s so many things I could think of, like hot sauce?” Frye 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.

WFOR

By Najahe Sherman

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    MIAMI (WFOR) — It’s a monumental milestone – two exceptional young women have become Eagle Scouts.

For Emily Mayol and Victoria Parra, this moment has been years in the making.

“I was so overjoyed. Like, I don’t think I can ever be that excited about something,” said Emily Mayol.

“Tears were shed, but I was just really excited. They were happy tears,” said Victoria Parra.

Becoming the first female Eagle Scouts in Troop 65’s 50-plus year history required outstanding leadership, commitment to community service, and breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated organization

It wasn’t until 2017 that the Boy Scouts of America welcomed girls. Scout Master Edward Steinman, who has led the troop for years, fully embraced this change.

“It was always boys. It was called Boy Scouts of America, now it’s just Scouts of America. It was a very, very good thing for them to do, because it adds a lot to the program,” Steinman said.

To earn the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, Mayol and Parra completed 21 merit badges, each representing a mastered skill, progressed through all scouting ranks, and spearheaded impactful community projects.

Mayol saw a need in her school’s drama club and created acting blocks.

“They’re blocks that you can stand on, you can use as props and we ended up making a stand for them as well to give more space to the theatre room,” said Mayol.

Now, those blocks are essential tools in all her school’s theater classes.

Parra addressed an invasive plant crisis in her local park by building collection stations and bins.

“So the park was suffering greatly and I grew up in that park. So, I wanted to make sure that it was safe and that it would always be beautiful,” said Parra.

She redesigned placards to educate park-goers about invasive species, encouraging community involvement in preserving the area.

Jennifer Mayol, their Scout Master for six years, cherishes this moment.

“It was very emotional because it was the end of a long road with scouts and that they were the first two girls on Miami Beach was fantastic,” Jennifer Mayol said.

These trailblazing young ladies aim to inspire the next generation and offer this advice.

“There is going to be difficulties. So, you just need to be able to commit to what you love, and to follow through,” said Parra.

“As long as you just try your best, and you stay true to who you are, you can do it,” said Mayol.

This achievement is more than a personal triumph. It embodies true leadership, commitment to community, and the courage to break barriers.

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.

WBZ

By Riley Rourke

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — Video newly obtained by WBZ appears to show a New York Rangers fan push a Boston Bruins fan down the stairs at TD Garden after a series of heated exchanges on Saturday.

The incident happened just after 3 p.m. between the second and third periods of the game. Witnesses said that the victim, who told police he had at least 7 beers, was taunting people in the stands.

“You could kind of tell he had quite a few drinks at that time. He was falling out of his seat. Falling onto the stairs,” the witness who recorded the video told WBZ. He asked for his name to be kept private.

The interactions between the 66-year-old victim, a Bruins fan, and 48-year-old Aaron Tucker of Vermont, who was wearing a Rangers jersey, then began to escalate, according to court documents. His wife told police that the victim was getting “uncomfortably close to her.” Witnesses then saw the victim putting his middle finger in her face, according to a police report.

Witnesses also told police that the victim’s friends were trying to get him to leave to avoid any fights.

The witness we spoke with said that Tucker then turned to his group of friends, who were seated directly next to him, and said, “‘If he comes over here, I’m going to grab him by the throat and throw him down the stairs.'” That witness said, after one more altercation, that’s exactly what happened.

The video he recorded shows a man in a Rangers jersey grab another man by the neck, while on the stairs, and shove him. The victim then fell into the seating section below.

“When he went airborne, he went over two rows of club seats, skipped the third row, and hit his head on the concrete wall,” the witness explained. “He just completely folded, upside down, on the concrete and there was a line of blood going down the concrete wall. I don’t know how a human can bend the way that he did.”

Officers arrived to find the victim lying on the ground in the loge section below, “semi-conscious, breathing with eyes slightly open,” documents show. He was taken to a Boston hospital with a cut on the back of his head and was being tested for a concussion, according to a court report. He told EMTs he had no idea why he was going to the hospital.

The victim told WBZ-TV on Monday that he is doing fine but doesn’t want to comment further.

Court documents said that Tucker and his girlfriend left the arena immediately following the fight. He was arrested shortly after on Lafayette Avenue in the North End.

He has been charged with two counts of assault and battery, one to cause serious bodily injury and another on a person over the age of 60. Tucker told WBZ-TV’s Louisa Moller that he is sorry for what happened and that it “wasn’t him.” He declined to go on camera.

Tucker will be arraigned in Boston court on Friday.

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.

KOVR

By Steve Large

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    SACRAMENTO, California (KOVR) — The U.S. Trademark Office is rejecting the A’s request to trademark the “Sacramento Athletics” name. The team was also denied “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics,” making their bid to sell their new identities a little more difficult.

Newly revealed documents show the U.S. Trademark Office rejected their request to trademark the name “Sacramento Athletics,” with an examining attorney ruling the request has “unacceptable wording” and is “generic for some goods.”

In a separate filing, the shortened “Sacramento A’s” trademark was approved.

“I was thinking this examiner was an Oakland Athletics fan,” trademark attorney Craig Simmermon said.

Simmermon is a trademark attorney who calls the trademark loss a bad break.

The U.S. Trademark Office is rejecting the A’s request to trademark the “Sacramento Athletics” name. The team was also denied “Las Vegas Athletics” and “Vegas Athletics,” making their bid to sell their new identities a little more difficult.

Newly revealed documents show the U.S. Trademark Office rejected their request to trademark the name “Sacramento Athletics,” with an examining attorney ruling the request has “unacceptable wording” and is “generic for some goods.”

In a separate filing, the shortened “Sacramento A’s” trademark was approved.

“I was thinking this examiner was an Oakland Athletics fan,” trademark attorney Craig Simmermon said.

Simmermon is a trademark attorney who calls the trademark loss a bad break.

“In the trademark game, the federal registration is everything in court, you can’t even get into federal court without it,” Simmermon said.

The A’s can file an appeal.

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.

KOVR

By Charlie Lapastora

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    STOCKTON, California (KOVR) — The Stockton Police Department is utilizing a holistic approach to combat and help the trauma police officers face on a daily basis and it starts with their chaplaincy executive director, Chaplain Jesse Kenyon, San Joaquin County’s only full-time chaplain.

“One of the guys that I trained under, he said, ‘You know, when you’re driving out in the country and you see a possum that’s been squashed on the road, you think, Ah well, you know, it’s an animal that runs around on the ground. But if you saw an eagle on the road and it had been hit by a car, it would break your heart.’ And that’s how I see our officers.”

In his 15th year, the veteran is embedded within the department and embodies a ministry of presence.

“I like to refer to it as a presence of ministry in that, yes, we are in the moment with them, we walk alongside of them,” Kenyon said. “We go in the cars with them, we go on the calls with them, we’re in the officer-involved shootings with them. We observe what they go through. We understand what they go through and then we walk alongside of them as they deal with that. It’s amazing how much they carry and there’s difference in the jobs that they have.”

Both in the field and back at the station, Kenyon is able to share light and hope amidst the trauma officers face. One of the many stories throughout his career where he’s been able to make an impact for the Stockton Police Department involved a detective who was struggling personally because of not being able to solve cases and how much it weighed on him “heavily” for the cases where he couldn’t bring a conclusion to the family.

“Eventually, that led him into the use of some decongestants and, it wasn’t the ‘fatal alcohol’ and it wasn’t illegal drugs, but he started abusing decongestants and he went through a path that was really difficult,” Kenyon said. “He was on the verge of losing his family. He reached out and we were able to negotiate getting into rehab and getting him resources and it wasn’t an easy story. We had to go through a couple times, but in preserving, keeping that together, we were able to successfully save his marriage and get his life back on track.”

Other officers can sometimes face the blurry lines of their identity becoming ‘police officer’ as opposed to them also being fishermen and fisherwomen, sports coaches, brothers or sisters, and Kenyon talked about how when they have an injury and need to retire early, with the city making that decision, it can be devastating.

“That can put them in a pretty dark place,” Kenyon said. “There’s been a couple of that I’ve walked alongside and those particular times, worked to get them out of alcoholism. They were struggling because their marriage fell apart. Being able to work with them and help them reestablish their identity and help find value past that was something that was very fulfilling for me and also very important. And I now see some of those guys at retirement gatherings and I think, ‘Alright, they made it and they’re surviving’.”

Kenyon also leads the Stockton Police Department’s Wellness Center, available for officers and their families with an in-house clinician, an on-call psychologist, peer support and chaplaincy team, and a comfort dog.

“With all of these assets, we work together as a team to address the community concerns,” Kenyon said. “Especially something like what we went through with the mass shooting just a few weeks ago, we have all these things that are available.”

Kenyon’s military background helped him understand the culture to be understanding and effective in law enforcement ministry. Although he recognizes the real difference law enforcement and military personnel face with police officers not being able to go back to a “safe” place after their deployment overseas but that every day in their community may not be safe while on the job.

“I’ve learned more intimately the price that our men and women in law enforcement pay to do the job,” Kenyon said. “We learn about the demons that they slay, the dragons that they deal with on a regular basis, working alongside of them, seeing the cost of what they do, we oftentimes use the phrase, in appreciation, that we thank them for what they do. But I think the average person doesn’t recognize how much trauma an officer carries. How much it impacts their life and how much it impacts their families. So, getting to learn the depth of that, has been pretty touching to me.”

What makes this chaplaincy department unique is how Kenyon and the chaplains are embedded in the police department, something Kenyon advocates for.

“The success of the chaplaincy is really largely dependent on the agency,” Kenyon said. “Oftentimes, agencies will use chaplaincies simply in a ceremonial capacity. They’ll say prayers at swearing-ins or at retirements or at funerals. That doesn’t use the full potential of the ministry that chaplains can do. And our agency has been amazing. And our Chief McFadden, in particular, has given me a great deal of free reign in the chaplaincy to really deeply impact and embed in our agency in a way that’s been able to allow us to be highly effective.”

“With all of these assets, we work together as a team to address the community concerns,” Kenyon said. “Especially something like what we went through with the mass shooting just a few weeks ago, we have all these things that are available.”

Kenyon’s military background helped him understand the culture to be understanding and effective in law enforcement ministry. Although he recognizes the real difference law enforcement and military personnel face with police officers not being able to go back to a “safe” place after their deployment overseas but that every day in their community may not be safe while on the job.

“I’ve learned more intimately the price that our men and women in law enforcement pay to do the job,” Kenyon said. “We learn about the demons that they slay, the dragons that they deal with on a regular basis, working alongside of them, seeing the cost of what they do, we oftentimes use the phrase, in appreciation, that we thank them for what they do. But I think the average person doesn’t recognize how much trauma an officer carries. How much it impacts their life and how much it impacts their families. So, getting to learn the depth of that, has been pretty touching to me.”

What makes this chaplaincy department unique is how Kenyon and the chaplains are embedded in the police department, something Kenyon advocates for.

“The success of the chaplaincy is really largely dependent on the agency,” Kenyon said. “Oftentimes, agencies will use chaplaincies simply in a ceremonial capacity. They’ll say prayers at swearing-ins or at retirements or at funerals. That doesn’t use the full potential of the ministry that chaplains can do. And our agency has been amazing. And our Chief McFadden, in particular, has given me a great deal of free reign in the chaplaincy to really deeply impact and embed in our agency in a way that’s been able to allow us to be highly effective.”

Kenyon has helped officers’ marriages, gotten them help for substance abuse, and is on the front lines as a resource for them and the community. Chaplain Kenyon is thankful for the support the department has given him and the chaplaincy team. He is the only salary full-time chaplain in the county and said that it is “rare” as many departments operate with volunteer chaplains.

“The Stockton Police Department is committed to supporting an environment that prioritizes the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of all our staff,” Stockton Police Chief Stanley McFadden said. “We believe that by supporting each other, we enhance our ability to effectively serve each other and our community. We recognize the importance of Organizational Wellness and will continue to provide the necessary resources and support systems to ensure every department member can perform their roles with excellence and compassion. Together, we strive to build a safer community for all.”

There are also a team of seven volunteer chaplains who operate on 10-hour shifts. At one point, they had 40 volunteer chaplains. The seven current volunteers are full-time pastors of local churches, Kenyon said, and their goal is to have their door always open and they minister to a diverse array of officers.

“Learning to walk with them in the trauma is important and understanding that day-by-day, they’re going to be seeing things that the average person doesn’t see,” Kenyon said. “A lot of what we do is relational. And, I say relational because you have different personalities in here. The warrior spirit that exists oftentimes comes across as pretty hardened and crusty and cynical. But, they’re very deep people. They care a lot for our community. Learning the different personalities, learning how the job is impacting, recognizing when there’s changes in personalities requires you to be invested in them, to be around them.”

Kenyon said the trauma these officers face is the “cost of doing business,” but that self-care is important, “you can’t save the world when your life boat is sinking.”

“If you’re serving in law enforcement, you’re doing something incredibly honorable,” Kenyon said. “The price that you’re paying is something that can be shouldered with other people, other resources. Other people can come alongside of you. Don’t feel like you have to do it alone. And for chaplains and family members, just know there’s help for you, as well. What you see and what you deal with, just reach out. Talk to people. And, of course, ultimately we all know that God’s got our back. He goes before us, He walks alongside of us and He comes behind us. He’s a provider and a defender. So, we can depend on Him and when we have that support, we can face all the evil that exists in this world.”

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.

WCBS

By Naveen Dhaliwal

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    NEW JERSEY (WCBS) — Police say a rock was thrown at a school bus on the New Jersey Turnpike on Wednesday, shattering a window and seriously injuring a young child.

It happened just after 2 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the Turnpike near Exit 70A/B for Leonia and Teaneck.

The bus was on its way back to Yeshivat Noam, a Jewish school in Paramus. School officials said the bus was transporting third-grade students back from a school trip to the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City when the incident occurred.

New Jersey State Police said a rock was thrown at the school bus as it was traveling in the right lane, shattering a window and striking an 8-year-old student.

Yeshivat Noam confirmed the injured student suffered a skull fracture and is currently receiving medical treatment.

Parent Avram Zamist said his 9-year-old daughter was on the bus but wasn’t hurt.

“She’s OK, you know. She’s very upset. She’s shook, but she’s physically OK,” Zamist said. “But a friend of hers is not OK.”

In statement, school leaders say, “We do not know the motive behind the incident, and it would be premature to draw conclusions. There were no visible markings on the bus identifying it as a Jewish school bus.”

“We hope it wasn’t intentional, but if it was, it’s the worst feeling in the world to think that someone would put a child’s life or children’s lives in danger,” Zamist said.

Police are investigating the incident as an aggravated assault.

State Police ask anyone who may have witnessed or have have dash camera footage of the incident to contact them at 732-441-4500, ext. 1401. Tips can be left anonymously.

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.

KPIX

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.

KCBS

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.

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