celebrating an icon, the golden gate bridge reaches a milestone. good evening i'm jana katsuyama. >> and i'm ken wayne. the golden gate bridge is now 75 years old.

it was amazing. breathtaking, a spectacular fireworks show highlighted tonight's celebration, it was all things golden gauge. first we begin with ktvus matt keller who's been following the celebrations. >> reporter: the fireworks ended about half an hour ago here at the golden gate bridge. several barges in the bay helped shoot them off as well as several fireworks off the bridge. like most parties there were

balloon, games, food, dancing and music. but unlike most celebrated, the honoree looks as good as it did 75 years ago. today steven miller drove the packered coupe over the bridge. >> it gave me goose bumps. 75 years later the car is still running. >> reporter: ward now has two kids to pass on the history. >> it connects us on, probably one of the best magnificent pieces of architecture in the

world. >> reporter: visitors make it the most photographed. we'll sr-l more from -- we'll have more from the fireworks show and why the celebration isn't over yet. the golden gate bridge opened 75 years ago today but that was only for pedestrians. it was tomorrow that a span of cars crossed the gate. the toll then was 50-cents. fast forward to the bridge's 50th celebration. the weight of 350,000 pedestrians caused the bridge to sag. right now thousands of people are trying to head home from tonight's celebration festivities that means a big mess out there on the roads.

news chopper 2 is live over san francisco. this is the scene at the p recidio. people maybe lingering out there, there's a lot of boats as well. we were monitoring them in the newsroom and there were hundreds of vessels near the bay to watch the fireworks show. the golden gate bridge was closed briefly tonight for that celebration and has just reopened. while many people took public transit. there were plenty of cars on the road. >> reporter: the mass exedous

has begun. lots of cars bumper to bumper. you can see lots of people in the area, hundred of cars here. thousands of people. and back roads are shut down so there's only one way out back out to the 101. some of the early birds that were here were out trying to stake out a parking spot trying to make sure they got a good spot to watch the fireworks. people we talked to were prepared for the crowds. >> we're hoping we can do a quick exit at the bridge and get on the onramp. >> we brought sleeping bags, we brought little games, we're going to sleep on the way home. >> i'm already 64, i'm not sure i'll make it, so i thought i should come to the 75th. >> organizers tell us this was

a great celebration of the most iconic symbol here in the bay area. they are asking folks to be patients. it is going to be slow going on the way home. they think it's probably going to be more than an hour before they get everybody out of here and back home. for now we're live in marin county. the golden gate ferry strike ended just before today's celebration. members of the inland boat's union went on strike yesterday. governor brown has promised an investigation into this disruption. two bay area women known to friends and family as the golden gate twins are celebrating their 75th birthday. the families of marline inas and hines got together to toast the twins that were born 75 years ago. for many years the women had

been told the women were born the day the gate opened but the truth was a little more complicated. >> the day that the cars were allowed on the bridge was the day we were born. but they had all the officials there on the 27th. >> a photo of the twins appeared 75 years ago, accompanied an article on the first anniversary of the godden gate bridge -- golden gate bridge. we'll have the story of a bay area woman who walked across the bridge on its opens day. our story continues, coming up at 10:30 we will take you back to san francisco as the celebration of the bridge comes to a close. hopefully at 10:30 the latest concern on the traffic. you can get more information and instant updates on our

website ktvu.com just click the golden gate at 75. and today, lots of people came together for a vigil for michelle le. relatives of missing teen sierra lamar were at the event. >> reporter: about a decade apart in age but so many parallels. michelle last seen walking to her car in this hospital garage. for sierra it was a routine walk to school. heartbreak for both families. >> i miss you more than words could ever ever ever say. >> reporter: michelle l e was remembered tonight in words and messages. on purple balloons her favorite color. >> love and prayers, steve lamar. >> reporter: they met michelle's family after the les showed up to help with the search for sierra. they knew how important it is not to give up. >> she's been there so much for us, we felt you know, we needed

to be there for her too. >> murder is a hard word to say, it's a hard pill to swallow. >> reporter: dna led to a former classmate of michelle now charged with her murder. her family did not want to accept it but days later her body was found. the lamars have a similar ordeal. a suspect charged with murder. but without proof. >> we're clinging on to all hope. we've got even more focus i think to try to find sierra. >> reporter: it meant everything to those who knew michelle to be able to come home and bury her. and now they've promised never to forget them. >> as long as you tell people in your life they're dear to you, she is proud of you, she would love that. >> reporter: as the balloons flew, many of michelle's

supporters say they will keep doing all they can to help find sierra. michelle le knew her killer, the main difference in the case. the suspect in the sierra case was a stranger who may have stalked her. two men are dead after a motorcycle crash in petaluma. it happened near berger. lane. both victims were on the motorcycle when the suspect crashed on to the guardrail. the passenger died on the way to the hospital. investigators tell us speed may have been a factor to the accident. police are investigating a shooting that left one man dead. he was taken to the hospital where he died. so far police have not determined a motive and no arrests have been made.

san jose police are investigate ago gang related shooting that killed a teenager. it happened before midnight near highway 101. a 16-year-old boy died at the scene and a 23-year-old man was hospitalized with injuries but he is expected to survive. both victims are from san jose and police have not arrested any suspects. it is san jose's seventh gang related shooting and the 16th homicide. >> racing against the clock to reopening time. the latest progress report on the upgrades being done this weekend to the dumbarton bridge. a report is raising doubt to the structure stability of the bay bridge. and nemits made its way back to san francisco bay today. the reason for the visit.

back out live to the golden gate bridge where dozens just celebrated the 75th anniversary. it has reopened to traffic and you can take a look there and see not too bad for the main thoroughfare. on this day back in 1947, cars were going to be let through one day later and here aos

something -- here's something you may not know. there's 600,000 rivets on each tower of the bridge. the dumbarton bridge has been shut down through the renovation process. >> reporter: an areal view shows that since it closed friday night much has changed. >> a section of the bridge's western span is up to 5-inches higher and today caltrans installed the first of two steel duck plates. that will allow the bridge to expand 37-inches during an earth quake. 18-inches more than it could now. >> they started with 19. so now the deck of the bridge can open up a total of 37- inches and contract and expand without failing there. >> reporter: narita says she understands why the work is important, but closing the

dumbarton has hurt her beauty business. >> we saw a lot of clients they live there in palo alto and menlo park, they come here to fix their hair. but i don't know it's really slow. >> reporter: the road closure has also inconvenienced some customers trying to get to the work. but the closure was a success. it seemed to be on schedule and drivers are heeding the warning to stay away. >> it's not too bad because a lot of people know to stay away. >> reporter: when caltrans tackles seismic issues on the dumbarton western span. >> until then here are two major alternate routs. drivers can head north to the san mateo bridge or make the trek south looping around the bay via highway 37. a new report shows testing

errors in the bay bridge construction that could impact its seismic safety. a survey of caltrans records by the sacramento bee discovered unproper testing for two supporting towers for the tower of two eastern spans. in one a concrete span had not hardened. caltrans says the bridge is sound and can withstand any anticipated earthquake. three people are under arrest after a high speed chase. police say they attempted traffic stop. but the driver richard vela drove add speeds up to 90 miles per hour. officers followed vela on 242 to i60 then to highway 24 before he crashed into a center divider in emeryville. vela was driving a stolen car.

vella and his two passengers were injured. the accident happened at 11:00. the victim was identified today as 30-year-old peter gurlock of napa. gurlock was alone in the car when he crashed the convertible into a tree. neighbors heard acceleration sounds then the crash. investigators say initial indications are that speed was a factor in the accident. san leandro police arrested a man on suspicion of drunk driving after a crash earlier today that sent two women to the hospital. the accident happened this morning near interstate 880. it appears the man driving a red truck may have caused the accident. the driver of that car had serious but not life

threatening injuries. the passenger was treated and released within a couple of hours. the driver of the truck had no visible injuries. in election 2012 news tonight, top campaign officials spar over mitt romney's and president obama's economics. >> mitt romney and his clients walked away with millions of the dollars. they were very good about. but what bane capital never did was focus on job creation. >> there was net job creation of about 40,000 jobs, that is more than in one state in his term of governor than president obama has been able to generate in the country during his time in office. >> according to cnn money, 4 million jobs have been lost since mr. obama entered office. but nearly 2/3 of those have

been recovered. as each anniversary passes, less and less people can remember when there was no golden gate bridge. we met a woman who was there opening day. >> reporter: she >> reporter: doesn't remember the days of construction but she knew it was on the way. >> this is me when e -- i was 8 years old. >> reporter: the pictures show her, and the military men there for the parade. >> i remember my family telling me, alice, don't run, walk. >> reporter: she says she was awe struck and remembers the beauty before it was there. >> yes i remember all the bay when there wasn't any bridges. >> reporter: when alice gauges

upon the golden gate bridge she usually does it from afar. she's lived in albany. but when she sees the bridge she has a perspective and memory few do on this anniversary. along with the photo she shared with us this american flag. honoring her husband kingsley. >> we got to talking about the bridge when we were married i said you know what i would love to cross the golden gate bridge. he said no kidding, i did too. >> reporter: so on this memorial day weekend and on this anniversary, alice also thinks of the 11 men who died building this lasting memory. >> they left a legacy here on that bridge. it's a beautiful thing i think. >> reporter: in albany, ken pritchett, ktvu news. the u.s.s.nimitz came through the gate during the noon hour escorted by a fire

boat and other vessels. almost 3,000 sailors lined the deck. it's currently hauling more than 1,500-tons of ordinants. there will be no public tours. even google got into the spirit of the celebration. this is what the company logo looks like right now. a boat carrying the letters. >> certainly remarkable. a loud protest today outside the white house. >> the recent violent act that drew these protesters today and

what they are asking the obama administration to do. it may look like a day at the beach but it's anything but the worrisome weather taking aim along the east coast. it was very nice to have clear skies for the fireworks show tonight. the fog has developed offshore. coming up where the fog will be first thing tomorrow morning and a temperature change you can expect for your memorial day.

it sure was impressive. here's another look at tomorrow's big celebration for the 75th birthday of the golden gate bridge. here's another little fact about the bridge, the architect chose to paint it orange to compliment the sea and the sky. it was also painted to help sailors see it from afar. u.n. monitors raise the death toll to at least 800 people. in houla people continued to

bury their dead and bring injured children and ill children. 49 children and 34 women are among the dead. government troops began shelling the village then promilitias attacked shooting men women and children on the street and in their homes. the syrian government accused western officials and others of spinning a quote tsunami of lies to justify foreign intervention. >> free free syria. protesting denouncing syrian president gathered outside the white house to call on the united states to interteen to try to stop the mood shed in syria. the white house issued a statement today saying the killings are further evidence of an illegitimate syrian

government. in other news of the world tonight, nato says it is investigating afghan plans that a coalition aircraft killed eight members of a province. last night's air strike killed six children and their mother and father. a spokesperson says there was fighting in the area. earlier this month the afghan president warned that civilian casualties caused by nato air strikes could undermine the strategic agreement he just signed with the u.s. in nepal protesters and police clashed outside the main government building as members of the constituent assembly made a last ditch effort to write a new constitution. lawmakers failed to meet a midnight deadline so the prime minister has called for new elections in december. the four main parties could not

resolve controversy over whether ethnicity should be considered to states. the pop singer refused and pulled the plug on what was supposed to be the biggest show on her asian tour. tropical storm beryl is now moving over florida dumping heavy rains and lipping up winds. despite warnings from rip currents, people in georgia made their way to the beach to enjoy a bit of the holiday weekend before the storm moves in. making land in florida the storm brought with it winds of up to 70 miles per hour. tomorrow night it's expected to weaken as it turns north ward. in our coverage of the golden bridge's 77 celebration continues next. we will return live with the wrap of all the exhibits and honors. and another celebration took to the cities today.

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as we've been showing you tonight the golden gate bridge celebration wrapped up with a stunning fireworks display. matt keller has been at the scene and joins us now. >> reporter: you can see some lights of the traffic moving across the bridge. but about half an hour ago there were a lot of oohs and aahs as people watched a spectacular fireworks display. thousands lined up here for the 75th anniversary celebration. this is the first time there have been fireworks at the golden gate bridge since the 50th anniversary celebration 25

years ago. we talked with some people about the fireworks show and their favorite parts. >> i liked the first on the bridge then on the other side and come back to the bridge. the lighting also was beautiful with the spotlights they had. so it was amazing. >> i liked the bridge ones the most, they were pretty. >> when the fireworks spreadings all the way from the bridge and then spreading down to the water it's amazing. pretty. >> reporter: a concert by mickey heart of the grateful day is taking part at the stage on crissy field is taking place. an historic site at the mar eus n museum is taking place. speaking of marin we're going to talk to caraliu. >> reporter: there's a traffic bottleneck going on right now. you can see a long line of head lights still hundreds of cars

trying to get out of the parking lot here at fort baker, both the parking lot and makeshift parking lot on the grass. you can see the parking attendants with the orange flags trying to wave people by. trying to keep traffic moving smoothly. you can see the cars snaking their way out of here that's toward the tperd -- toward the entrance. the families tells us they loved the nigh works show. this is absolutely worth the wait and folks telling me they expected for the delays and even prepared for them. you can see these folks everyone at least having a good time despite the delays. officials tell us it'll be between 11:00 to 12:30 before

they get everyone out. and take a look at this live picture from news chopper number two, this is at the vista point section on the marin side of the bridge. as cara was telling you, so many people who came down to cris is y field in the area to see the fireworks and amazing celebration. the traffic you can see is moving along way. golden gate bridge officials trying to warn people that. a little bit of a back up you see with the line of clouds. certainly for people who were going to the celebration. many people saying that it was well woát it to be able to be part of the historic solstice. >> it's just a little two lane road if you've been there. there's a small road. a lot of cars it's going to

take a while for everybody to get out of there. >> certainly a bottleneck. >> absolutely. we want to show you some images of the golden gate bridge from years past. it was completed in october 1934, work on the san francisco tower was finished eight months later. here's a look at the construction. here's a closer look now at the work being done on the roadway. this was also taken in 1936 and here's put tang for when the fan was bit built. the amazing tkpwroupd breaking was in february 1943, three different prime structures -- the amazing ground breaking was in february 1943, three different prime structures were

celebrated. there was another big celebration in san francisco happening across town today that brought hundreds of people out into the streets for carnaval. this morning's grand parade led by beach blanket babilo entertained crowds align the mission street. the theme was spanning borders, enriching. and this weekend was cool, that's about to change ktvu east mark tamayo is here and tell us when he should expect temperatures to heat up. ♪

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we've been covering it throughout our newscast and now here's another look at tonight's big 75th anniversary celebration for the golden gate bridge. a river of a water fall of lights. on this day back in 1936 initials opened the span up to pedestrians. crewed had started work a few years earlier back in 1943. just a little bit nervous when i saw that fog this morning. glad to see the cloud bank draw out. already a few patches.

that on shore breeze around 16 miles per hour suggestion taked out of the north to northwest. here is another have been tang point of the shower. this is a time lapse coming up, typically we just cycle through these but i'll start it. just amazing over san francisco bay, then i'm going to put it lets see how. right there. giving a snapshot. you can see a beautiful shot across san francisco earlier this evening. right now though the fog is foreigning, for tonight sky cries inland. the extepidded forcast will will ken to withdraw things tomorrow night. will be in the 40s to 60s on the golden gate bridge. we brought your came back on

some of that have four score three. and temperatures ranging from 60 to the low to mid-70s. this praoeug -- at least for the first half of the days, some changes coming tuesday and wednesday and this. that warms the air and with that more sunshine and temperatures inland by at least 20 tkraeg huh. here's our forecast hot eking showing you near the okay. with partly subny skaoss nor the ph beaches. more sin shine still a bit of a

breeze out there com. haoing about three. sunny vale63. here is a look ahead. your five day forecast and temperatures warm up a little bit for tuesday. the real warning that moves in for thursday saturday and sunday. with your weekend always in view as you can imagine tonight if we had overhead. it would have been horrible. >> but it didn't happen. we lucked out. a new probaseball team hit the field today in vallejo. the guys in the gray and blue there that you see are the san rafael pacifics. the new team took on the bay area senators for an exhibition game at wilson park this morning. this is the first time san rafael has had a proteam in more than 50 years. the prolifics are part of the baseball team and until the end

the officials cate out on top. matt cain goes for a fourth win. and the a sports wrap is next. ñ#

good evening everyone and welcome to this memorial day weekend edition of sports wrap on the sports calendar, memorial day weekend means the indy 500. run today for the 96 time. it started out in it traditional way. >> ladies and gentlemen start your