'One wouldn't have been without the other': Couple together for over 50 years dies in house fire

One person died at the scene, another died at the hospital

Updated: 10:55 AM EDT Jul 5, 2023

A man and woman died in a house fire in Pittsburgh's Beltzhoover neighborhood early Monday morning.Firefighters responded just before 5:40 a.m. to the 400 block of Cedarhurst Street. The first crews arrived within four minutes. The family said the victims are 74-year-old Charmaine Anderson and 76-year-old Larry Anderson. Larry would've celebrated his 77th birthday on Tuesday. "For them to go out together, we couldn't have had it another way," said Christo Washington, the oldest grandson. Washington described his grandparent's home as the music house, adding that many of his family members share the same passion for music as Charmaine and Larry did."You hear the name Anderson, you're going to know this is the music house. All of us, top to bottom, sing, dance, music, all of it. We got it from this house," Washington said. "My grandfather played the guitar, played the bass, the piano (and) my grandmother played the bass also, she was a singer. They had a group for years and years and years, they toured around."One victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Another later died at the hospital, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety."They died together, 57 years. One wouldn't have been without the other," said Lenise Anderson, the victims' oldest daughter. "It helps to know they're together. They'll be greatly, greatly, greatly missed. But they're happy, and they're together – that's all that matters."

Pittsburgh police said they are responding after a reported shooting at Kennywood Park in West Mifflin.

A large emergency response was reported at Kennywood late Saturday evening.

"At this time (Pittsburgh police) are assisting with the reports of shots fired at Kennywood," Pittsburgh Public Safety said in a tweet.

A source tells Pittsburgh's Action News 4 there are two confirmed gunshot victims, two other victims, and one walk-in victim to Children's hospital. The conditions off those victims are unknown.

In a statement on Twitter, Kennywood said, "The park is closed for the night and all guests have exited. We are aware of a situation that occurred this evening and are working with local law enforcement. The safety of our guests and Team Members are our top priority. Members of the park's security, Allegheny County, and West Mifflin police departments were already on site and immediately responded."

Units remain on scene clearing the park.

Allegheny County Dispatch confirmed EMS activity at Kennywood Park at around 10:51 p.m. Saturday evening.

West Mifflin police are asking people to avoid the park at this time.

Allegheny County police also confirm they are responding, though details are very limited at this time. Police did say that there is no longer an active shooter situation at the park.

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Police tell Pittsburgh's Action News 4 reporter Mike Valente several people have been trampled in the chaos. The conditions of the people trampled have not been confirmed.

Several police and first responder vehicles were seen lining Route 837 outside of the park as of 11:30 p.m.

10-year-old 'Swiftie' goes home with Taylor Swift's hat from Eras Tour concert

While on stage, Taylor Swift surprised 10-year-old Katie a special gift.

Updated: 3:38 AM EDT Jun 20, 2023

A young Taylor Swift fan enjoyed an unforgettable moment at one of the singer's concerts last weekend in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.Katie Guarlotti went home with quite the souvenir after Swift handed over her own hat to the 10-year-old girl in the middle of a song at Acrisure Stadium. Katie, who's going into the fifth grade, says she and her mom were enjoying the show when someone from Swift's team approached them and brought them toward the stage.Video below: Taylor Swift also recently gave her '22' hat to a young fan at another Eras Tour concertKatie had no idea what was happening until Swift began to walk her way."She put the hat on me, and it was really fun and she smelled really good. She smelled fresh, like fruity and florally, and she was super nice," Katie said. "I was just like, 'Oh my gosh, I love you,' because I'm such a big Taylor Swift fan, and she was like, 'I love you more.'"Katie says she's a huge "Swiftie" and it was a great experience with the pop star.

The jury in the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial has reached a verdict.

The verdict is expected to be read shortly before noon on Friday.

Assuming the jury returns a conviction, the trial would enter what’s expected to be a lengthy penalty phase, with the same jurors deciding Bowers’ sentence: life in prison or the death penalty. Bowers' attorneys have focused their efforts on trying to save his life.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Deliberations began around 2:30 p.m. Thursday. Jurors heard closing arguments by prosecution and defense, plus a prosecution rebuttal.

At one point, jurors had a question in regard to counts 40 to 47. They'd like instructions on the meaning of "intention to kill." Does Bowers have need to know the person was there? The prosecution says the elements for intent to kill do not require Bowers know the (specific) person was there. The defense thinks the answer is that Bowers did need to have knowledge the person was there.

Editor's note: Some of the testimony described below may be graphic to some readers.

Prosecutor Mary Hahn told the jury Robert Bowers turned a sacred house of worship into a hunting ground. She urged the jury to hold Bowers accountable for everything he did to the survivors and to the 11 people he killed.

The prosecution walked jurors through the killings as Bowers moved through the synagogue, showing the jurors photos of the victims in life and then showing the images of their dead bodies inside the synagogue.

She argued that the victims were targeted because of their religion. When Bowers surrendered to police, Hahn said it wasn't because he had a change of heart but because he had run out of ammunition.

Hahn said Bowers boasted to police that he did it on his own and said that "all Jews need to die."

The prosecution said in the U.S., everyone has a right to worship, but no one has a right to enter a house of worship and kill worshippers because of their faith.

Public defender Elisa Long acknowledged the pain, horror and anguish of the victims and said the loss was immeasurable, and the defense offers no justification for that.

She went on to argue the jury should focus on Bowers' intent, saying he didn't kill because of the victims' religious beliefs but because of his own thoughts about immigration.

She pointed to his obsession with HIAS, a Jewish organization that provides services to immigrant refugees. While acknowledging Bowers' thoughts were nonsensical and illogical, she said Bowers made a connection in his own mind between Jews and immigrants, who he regarded as invaders.

Long said it's clear Bowers believed he had to kill Jews because they were helping to bring immigrants.

She said there's no doubt Bowers expressed his hatred for Jews on Gab, a far-right social media site, but that his intent wasn't to obstruct their participation in religious services.

In a prosecution rebuttal, U.S. attorney for Western Pennsylvania Eric Olshan told the jury, Bowers expressed his hate for Jews and said it was his reason to kill. He argued the jury should take Bowers at his word.

He asked where did Bowers go that day, to an immigration resettlement area, to the borders, to HIAS headquarters?

Olshan said no; he went to Squirrel Hill, the center of the Jewish universe in Pittsburgh, to the Tree of Life synagogue building on that Saturday morning while worship services were underway.

Olshan told jurors when someone goes to a place of worship and shoots worshippers with an AR-15, that is obstructing their free exercise of religion.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Sister station WTAE reporter Bob Mayo is tweeting from the federal courthouse. Follow his coverage below. WARNING: Some of the testimony may be graphic

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Pittsburgh synagogue shooter found guilty: Reactions to verdict

Updated: 4:33 PM EDT Jun 16, 2023

Reactions are pouring in after the conviction of Robert Bowers, the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter who was found guilty of killing 11 people in 2018.Here's what some have said so far:"I am grateful to God for getting us to this day," Rabbi Jeffrey Myers of the Tree of Life Congregation, who survived the attack, said. And I am thankful for the law enforcement who ran into danger to rescue me, and the U.S. Attorney who stood up in court to defend my right to pray. Today I'm focused on being with my congregation and praying, singing and clapping in praise of God as we do each Shabbat. In the face of the horror of our community has experienced, I can think of no better response than practicing my Jewish faith and leading worship.""Today's verdict was a step toward justice in Pittsburgh, but the horror and pain of October 27, 2018, will never go away," Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said on Twitter. "My heart remains with the families of the 11 victims who were massacred as they worshipped at Tree of Life that day. May their memories be a blessing."While the verdict will not bring back your loved ones who were so violently killed, my hope is that today provides some level of comfort and helps to ease the pain, even if ever so slightly. May their memories always be for a blessing," said Carole Zawatsky, CEO of Tree of Life. "Let us, this day, reaffirm our resolve to bring light into our world and keep the memory of each of the victims in our hearts as we do the work of Tikkun HaOlam, repairing our broken world.""I am thankful for everyone who got us to this day. Every day for the past four and a half years, I’ve tried to look for the helpers: the public safety department and law enforcement officers, the attorneys, our fellow Pittsburgers who have continued to offer their care and support day in and day out," Tree of Life President Alan Hausman said, echoing Fred Rogers. "The way our community and people of all faiths came together after October 27, 2018, has helped me and continues to inspire me and give me strength as we move forward.""Our community has been waiting a long time for this day," Michael Bernstein, chair of the Tree of Life Interim Governance said. "We are grateful to the Justice Department and the jury for their work to get us to a verdict. Today is a reminder that we live in a nation where vulnerable communities can be confident that those who engage in hate-fueled violence will be held accountable. It also marks the start of a new chapter for our community as we continue to heal and move forward as work to build a world in which hate no longer impacts any community. As the legal process continues, our energies will lie in building a better future for all as a part of the collaborative movement across communities and generations to uproot antisemitism and identity-based hate in all its forms.""Justice has been served," the American Jewish Committee said in a statement. "We realize it does little to ease the pain for the families and friends of the 11 people murdered at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh simply for being Jewish and practicing their faith. However, we hope this verdict allows them to continue the slow process of healing if not closure. The memories of those taken will always be a blessing. Countering the antisemitic hate that invaded their sacred and joyous space must be the job for all of society, not just the Jewish community.""In the 7th chapter of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, Moses delivers the powerful message: ‘the Lord has set His heart on you because the Lord loved you.’ Those words were spoken to the beloved Jewish people," said Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik. "At this delicate time for the Pittsburgh Jewish Community and beyond, we all need to embrace not only God’s words but especially at this time set our hearts on our Jewish sisters and brothers as God does.""Gisele and I are remembering the victims whose lives were taken during the horrific Tree of Life massacre in Pittsburgh over four years ago," said U.S. Sen. John Fetterman. "Today, a jury found the shooter guilty of all charges. This is a step towards justice for such a hateful, disgusting, and antisemitic attack. We all must continue to stand in solidarity with Pennsylvania’s Jewish community against the evil of antisemitism.""Today's conviction is a step towards justice for the 11 Jewish worshippers killed by a white supremacist gunman in 2018," U.S. Rep Summer Lee said. "May the memories of those taken from us be forever a blessing. And May the strength and resilience shown by the survivors, the victims’ family members, and the entire Jewish community throughout this heartbreaking trial forever be an inspiration to us all. They inspire me to work even harder to confront the root causes of hatred, racism, and bigotry so that no community has to live in fear of such senseless violence ever again.""Five years ago, our city was shaken when 11 lives were taken in an act of antisemitic hate," said Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey. "Today, we remember the lives of Bernice Simon, Sylvan Simon, Melvin Wax, Daniel Stein, Irving Younger, Rose Mallinger, Jerry Rabinowitz, Joyce Feinberg, Richard Gottfried, Cecil Rosenthal, and David Rosenthal. May their memories be a blessing. Pittsburgh, please join me in praying for the family and friends of those we lost and those who survived this horrific tragedy. I hope that today helps our Jewish brothers and sisters, and our entire city, begin their journey towards healing. As we continue to eliminate hate from our beloved city, remember: Pittsburgh is stronger than hate."

An arrest has been made in the reported theft of an SUV belonging to Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett. A Steelers playbook in the vehicle has also been recovered.

Sister station WTAE obtained the court paperwork for a man who was arrested in Wednesday's theft. Pickett had been participating in an event at a Pittsburgh-area car dealership when the SUV, a 2023 Genesis, was stolen.

Police were able to identify the suspect by running the plates on the suspect's personal vehicle, which he had left at the dealership after stealing Pickett's vehicle.

A neighbor of the suspect tells us Pickett's vehicle was sitting near the suspect's house, and a dealership sent somebody down to pick up the SUV.

He says the representative then told police, "'Oh, the car was just sitting there, and he (the suspect) took it. And the owner has a book in the back, just personal information.' And come to find out, it's Kenny Pickett’s car. It’s the Steelers playbook on the backseat."

The Steelers told WTAE that a playbook was left in the stolen SUV. That playbook has since been recovered.

Erin Perry says her parents were on their way to take care of her 93-year-old grandmother when the Forbes Avenue bridge over Fern Hollow Creek in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park collapsed Friday morning.

Tyrone and Velva Perry, both 69, were released from Presbyterian Hospital Saturday night. Erin told sister station WTAE both fractured their vertebrae in the collapse.

"My father actually said every time he closes his eyes, he sees the bridge buckling, so he has experienced trauma. They both experienced trauma," Erin Perry said.

Erin says her father was driving the red pickup truck seen at the bottom of the ravine.

"As they were driving down the bridge, my father described seeing the bridge in front of him buckle, and then he noticed through the rearview mirror that behind them the bridge was buckling, and then they fell…the bridge was collapsing. He knew the bridge was collapsing. He thought he was going to die," Erin Perry said.

Erin says her mother, Velva, was in the passenger’s seat.

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"My mother had been on her phone, and so she thought they had got hit by a car, and then was confused as to why they were still moving until it hit the ground… The other thing that happened is that there were cars coming from the other direction, one that flipped over towards them, and then the second came tumbling towards them and landed right beside the vehicle on its side," Erin Perry said.

Erin says her parents were told to get out of the car immediately because there was a gas leak and they had to evacuate the area.

"The sound of the gas, the way it was described, sounded like Niagara Falls," Erin Perry said.

Erin says first responders and accident victims helped her parents get to safety and eventually they were taken in an ambulance to the hospital.

"There was a shell of protection around them, and so they feel just blessed and fortunate to still be here, and then there's this tremendous outpouring of support and prayers and love that is coming from all over the country," Erin Perry said.

Erin has set up a GoFundMe page to help with expenses for her family as they begin their road to recovery.

Pittsburgh paramedic Jon Atkinson was on his way to the scene of the bridge collapse Friday morning when he heard other first responders were having trouble getting victims out of the ravine.

So he offered to use his own four-wheel-drive pickup truck, which he just bought several months ago.

Watch the full story in the video player above.

"I almost felt like an Uber driver coming down to pick somebody up," said Atkinson, a 21-year veteran.

It's doubtful that any Uber drivers have ventured down the steep terrain of Pittsburgh's Frick Park under a collapsed bridge. But Atkinson did it with his truck.

He pulled out a woman who was loaded onto the bed of his pickup truck when other rescue vehicles could not get out.

"They were down there, they had everybody taken care of, and the question was, 'How are we going to get these people out of here?'" Atkinson said.

Even though the victim's vital signs were stable, Atkinson said she needed to get out quickly.

"Even someone who's not critically injured, exposure to the elements is definitely a big problem," he said.

He pulled out another victim who did not need to be treated but was concerned about being late to work.

"He was, surprisingly, uninjured and he just needed to get out of there and wanted to go to work so he hopped in the front with me and we took a cautious route out," Atkinson said.

Atkinson is trained as a tactical paramedic but he said his training did not prepare him for this.

"We don't really train in off-road driving but it's just understood that sometimes you have to do some unorthodox things or think outside the box to meet the needs of the incident and that's what we did today," he said.

President Joe Biden viewed the site of a collapsed road bridge in Pittsburgh Friday, moments before he was slated to speak in the city about a newly-passed infrastructure package.

Biden arrived in the city at about mid-day and immediately traveled to Frick Park, the site of the collapse of the Forbes Ave. bridge.

Standing with Pittsburgh city officials, Biden noted that it was a miracle that no one was killed. He also commented on the fact that Pittsburgh has more bridges than any other American city.

Ten people were injured by the bridge collapse. Three of them were taken to a hospital for treatment

During his address, Biden said the Forbes Ave. bridge will be rebuilt along with thousands of others across the country.

"We don't need headlines saying that someone was killed when the next bridge collapses," the president said.

Biden's $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. The legislation includes $500 billion in federal funding for the nation's roads and bridges.

Biden linked the infrastructure law to his economic agenda, saying the law will create good-paying jobs.

He became passionate when discussing parents who struggle to pay for childcare.

"It strips you of your dignity, (expletive). Can you imagine looking at your child, and you know what they need, and not be able to do it," Biden said.

The president said the federal government is investing in the future to create more jobs and help the middle class.

“The middle class built this country," Biden said.

'I can't believe I'm alive': Man released from hospital after fighting COVID-19 for 2 months

His close calls included being put on and off a ventilator twice.

Updated: 9:22 PM EST Dec 30, 2021

After a few close calls, 65-year-old John Bernheisel has been released from a Pittsburgh-area hospital. He had been fighting COVID-19 for two months. His close calls included being put on and off a ventilator twice. He spoke with sister station WTAE as he was released and exited UPMC East hospital on Thursday."I got a beautiful bride waiting for me at home, I want to get there," Bernheisel said.What does this day mean to him?"You have no idea, I can't put it in words. I can't believe I'm outside. It's the first time in nine weeks. I can't believe I'm alive. It was bad," Bernheisel said.While Bernheisel was fully vaccinated, he said he was on medication for a form of leukemia that had compromised his immune system.He's grateful for the care, commitment and professionalism of those who cared for him."Oh, I'm going to cry again. The hospital staff, from top to bottom, is just remarkable. I can't believe — they treated me like royalty. They were so kind, so patient, so effective. Each person did what they did remarkably well. It just blows my mind they've got all those people in one building," Bernheisel said. "After nine weeks in the hospital, there's many times I didn't think we would see this day. And I am very thankful to God and all these wonderful staff," said Melody Agate, his daughter.Bernheisel recalled family, "Standing over me, being really kind and saying nice things. I found out, they're telling me I'm going to die. I didn't find that out until later. It's a good thing."Last week, Bernheisel's family and friends gathered outside his hospital window on Christmas Eve to show their support."I looked out there, boy, that flipped my mind. It put me in a very fine place, to know that people care about me. And I got to see all seven grandkids, which was outstanding," he said.Regarding vaccination, Bernheisel said he intends to get a booster shot as soon as doctors advise he can, and that he's glad he got his first and second shots. "I believe in personal choice, adults can make their own minds up. I'm glad I did it, I'd certainly do it again and I would encourage people to do it. I wouldn't have made it if I hadn't," Bernheisel said.

High school senior gets perfect scores on both SAT and ACT

Updated: 9:16 PM EST Nov 17, 2021

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DISPLAY WILL DEBUT NEXT YEAR. COLLEGE ADMISSION TESTS BRING A LOOFT PRESSURE FOR STUDENTS. I LTFE THAT PRESSURE ONCE UPON A TIME. MICHEL:LE BUT THE LOCAL HIGH SCOLHO STUDENTS, EIGHT SENECA VALLEY SENIOR, NOT ONLY GOT A PERFECT SCORE ON HIS SAT, BUT ALSO ON HIS ACT. IT IS INCREDIBLY RARE THAT A STUDENT WOULD EARN SUCH A DOUBLE HONOR. AMLI THANKED HIS TEACHERS AND PARENTS FOR HIS SUCCESS. LOOKING FORWARD TO WHERE HE DECIDES TO GO TO COLLEGE. RYAN: WHAT IS HE GOING TO DO NEXT? HE IS WE

High school senior gets perfect scores on both SAT and ACT

Updated: 9:16 PM EST Nov 17, 2021

A high school senior earned perfect scores on both the SATs and ACTs.Liam Volk-Klos, a senior at Seneca Valley High School in Pennsylvania — about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh — thanked his teachers and parents for his success.Earning perfect scores on both tests is rare. Less than 1% of students who have taken the tests have done it.Watch the video above for more on the story.

HARMONY, Pa. —

A high school senior earned perfect scores on both the SATs and ACTs.

Liam Volk-Klos, a senior at Seneca Valley High School in Pennsylvania — about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh — thanked his teachers and parents for his success.

Earning perfect scores on both tests is rare. Less than 1% of students who have taken the tests have done it.

Watch the video above for more on the story.

WTAE