mark barger, nbc news. >> her career spanned two decades and her music was the sound track for so manyes. this loss is significant for those who knew her and those who just knew of her. derrick ward talked to both. >> reporter: a mixture of pop and r&b music through the '80s and beyond. whitney houston was one of those artists larger than life. >> her voice, the music, that's what got me. this voice is gone. >> reporter: tv and radio personality donnie simpson called his first encounter with her was an honor. >> her first interview was with me. we debuted her first song before it came out. >> reporter: here on this stretch, there's a cluster of music stores. more than one person who has been here already looking for some whitney houston music. >> early this morning after the news, i was very upset. i was like i have to come and get a cd to see if they have it here. >> some buy it because the value will go up just because of the death. people like to remember. ♪ heaven hear me now >> reporter: where were you when you heard that first whitney houston song? she hailed from a musical famil

i am mark barger live in newark, new jersey. back to you. >>> thank you, mark.back to stephanie trong in san jose. >> hi, diane. it was a time many people wish they could forget. we spoke when she was and her family were kicked out of their home and but in internment camps and forced to sleep in stables alongside horse mature and her mother encouraged her to try something new that would eventually become her life's work. >> she learned how to play japanese imprison instruments when she was in the camps. practically since then for 50 years she has been teaching this japanese music to dozens of people in the bay area. while the music helped her get by, speaking about the internment camps is still a struggle for her and many others who lived through that very painful experience. >> to me, it is like my grandchildren start asking about it, and i kind of want to just forget about it. my cousins, said they try to talk to her children about it and tell them to forget about it. it is in the past. forget about it. >> reporter: she and her family were moved around to diff

mark barger, nbc news. >> the death of whitney houston is hitting folks in the bay area, as well.ple gathered for an african-american history event in san francisco expressed their sorrow today. participants took a moment during the state of the black event to remember the music great. they say houston was a role model despite her issues. they hope her death causes communities to take a look at how to face others faced with similar channels. >> definitely people are thinking about whitney and her family and thinking of our communities and what we can do differently to deal with with the pain and how to show each other more love so that people are not struggling like she did. >> tonight at 11:00, we will hear more from a bay area music icon who recently spend time with whitney houston and knew her very well. stay tuned for a special "date line" at 7 p.m. it is entitled "remembering whitney." they will look at the life of the sing and have reaction from those who knew her. >>> there is a planned protest tomorrow over locked bathrooms on campus. the schools embattled principal closed

mark barger, nbc news. >>> people in the bay area are marking whitney houston's death as well. gathered for an african-american history month event in san francisco today said they were saddened by her death in many ways. they said houston was a role model. despite her battle with drugs. they hope her death causes communities to take a look at how to help others faced with similar challenges. >> definitely people are thinking about whitney and her family and thinking about our communities and what we can to differently to deal with the pain and how we can show each other more love so that people are not struggling like she did. >> tonight at 11:00, we'll hear more from a bay area music icon who recently spent some time with whitney houston and knew her very well. >>> also tonight, nbc will air a special "dateline" at 7:00 called "remembering whitney." >>> search crews have found more human remains in a rural part of san joaquin county where a suspected serial killer claims to have dumped his vibtctims. the new findings come one day after a piece of human skull and more bones we

mark barger, nbc news. >> we have our own analysis. we'll hold off.-- come on bill, wake up, get your coffee. first look at entertainment news. tyler perry steps out of character this weekend for the first time. he sheds his madea alter ego in "good deeds" about a businessman who befriends a struggling mom. "act of valor" stars navy s.e.a.l.s who discover a terror plot. should command $17 million. paul rudd and jennifer aniston play city slickers on a hippie commune in "wonder lust" expected to make $11 million. elsewhere, seems snooki and jwoww of "jersey shore" fame are getting an unwelcome reception in the neighborhood where their spinoff is being taped. no surprisep next door has actuallyosted a sign that bans them from entering. >> the same on your ban. >> i don't think they drink wine. something tells me it's stronger. >>> a public battle brewing between bore rat comedian sacha baron cohen and the academy organizers. they banned him from attending sunday's ceremony as his character from "the dictator" the funny man is going to post a video in re

mark barger has more. >> reporter: the music industry's biggest names gathered to celebrate their best sunday night at the grammy awards but also to honor whitney houston. >> it's a tragedy. we were -- i'm lost for words. it's really hard. >> you know, we both feel like she was family and like we lost one of our own. >> reporter: the grammys acted quickly to include a tribute to houston by singer jennifer hudson. she's just one of a generation of performers influenced by the pop legend. >> i was too nervous to speak to her but i literally just wanted to rub my shoulder against hers just to say that i rubbed shoulders with whitney houston. >> reporter: even as the singer's memory was honored, an autopsy on her body was completed. but the l.a. coroner's office said an official cause of death is weeks away, pending the results of toxicology tests. >> there's reports that she maybe was drowned or did she ov overdose, but we won't make a final determination until all the tests are in. >> reporter: earlier in the day houston's 18-year-old daughter bobbi kristina was briefly hospitalized and

mark barger, news news. >> a big time of the year for florists -- mark barger, wbal-tv 11 news. >> whohe flowers? mom. half of men bought the flowers for a significant other. the flowers are it loving gesture. others say the flour's would lead to sex. wait for it -- you'll keep waiting if you just give flowers. which cars -- what it will cost to own a vehicle for five years. kia took the top prize for best brand. cosmetic surgery is on the rise despite the weak economy. jane king has the bloomberg business report. >> good morning. the next doctor's appointment may cost you more. things that were once let go by now costs 2, up to $20 for things like forms and medical records or skipping appointments. patients have been skipping annual checkups and screenings. you may not be as board in a hospital room. increasing sales staffs to hospitals and doctors' offices. greece back in focus this morning. the bailout is still up for a vote. stocks were dragged lower on friday. the bloomberg maryland index took a dip. more americans getting a net tuck.alkip and cosmetic procedures are on the rise.

ma mark barger. >>> that's it for news 4 at 5:00. >> stay right there.6:00 starts right now. >>> some breaking news tonight. the alexandria paramedic who was injured in a freak accident on i-395 last night has died. the victim joshua weissman fell 25 feet into a creek while responding to an emergency call. >>> the alexandria fire department is planning a news conference within the hour. we'll have more on that in a moment. first we go to derrick ward at the scene of that accident yesterday. derrick? >> reporter: jim, a sad outcome to a tragic turn of events. as you look behind me, i think you can still see it in the darkness where the traffic is passing over, that is i-395 as it goes over four mile run creek. it started there about 6:30 as joshua weissman ruz responding to a motor vehicle accident. it's a space under two feet wide. you'd never see it while driving over this road. on an evening when emergency responders were helping accident

nbc's mark barger has more on whitney's death. >> reporter: whitney house answers musical roots were in gospel and a member of one of gospel music's most prominent families, the wine nans will deliver her eulogy on saturday. >> she was always a member of the community. >> reporter: the pastor who provided over the marriage to brown in 1992 will perform the service and cece and bebe will perform. >> i wasn't surprised because that is how close our families were when i heard houston died. >> reporter: wine nans knew not only of houston's struggles but her faith. >> we sang together "i go to the rock" and it is that rock of salvation, that rock, that faith that we have in jesus that sustains us during times like this. >> reporter: meanwhile in los angeles, the county coroner's office has issued speeches to houston's doctors and medical providers. they are seeking pharmacy and you medical records, standard procedure in death investigations but results of toxicology tests are still weeks away. they will determine whether prescription drugs found in houstons ahotel room were a factor in he

nbc's mark barger reports. >> reporter: they honored whitney houston. >> it's a tragedy. we're at a loss for words. we both feel like she was family and like we lost one of our own. >> reporter: the grammys acted quickly to include a tribute by singer jennifer hudson. >> i was too nervous to speak to her, but i literally wanted to rub my shoulder against hers just to say i rubbed shoulders with whitney houston. >> reporter: even as the singer's memory was honored an autopsy was completed but the l.a. core nr's office says the official cause of death is weeks away pending a toxicology report. >> we won't make a final determination until all the tests are in. >> reporter: earlier in the day, houston's 18-year-old daughter bobbi kristina was breesly hospitalized and treated for stress. the teen's father bobby brown let his emotion show during a performance saturday night near memphis. in the past week, reports of erratic behavior on houston's part reappeared. a close friend of the singer recounted their final contact, an exchange of voice mails saturday morning. >> just that

nbc's mark barger has a look back at the ceremony. ♪ >> we celebrate the life, the love of whitney houston>> reporter: and for almost four gospel-infused hours -- ♪ -- nearly 1,000 invited family and friends did just that. >> such a beautiful human being. >> reporter: some speakers talked about houston's talent. >> you wait for a voice like that for a lifetime. >> reporter: others focused on her faith. >> and this is more important than anything she's ever done in her life, whitney houston loved the lord. ♪ >> reporter: but everyone was united in their affection for the late singer. >> and people didn't just like you, whitney, they loved you. ♪ >> reporter: but after a chorus of voices celebrating whitney houston's life -- ♪ please, don't cry >> reporter: -- it was her voice that provided the day's most powerful moment. ♪ and i will always love you >> reporter: in newark, new jersey, mark barger, nbc news. ♪ >>> seeing your faces, i can't even explain how i feel. >> whitney houston's ex-husband, bobby brown, performed last night just hours after leaving the funeral early. brown said in a s

mark barger has the developments. >> reporter: mourners continued paying respects to whitney houston this afternoon at this makeshift memorial. >> it's amazing. i've never seen anything like this before. unbelieve an. >> reporter: the gathering, a prelude to what the houston family is terming a home going service. aretha franklin, the woman whitney houston called aunt rhee, will sing at the service. >> it's not going to be easy. but cissy asked me to and i'm going to try to do my best. >> reporter: stevie wonder is part of the program, as well as alicia keys and dionne warwick. clive davis will speak, and so will kevin costner. the eulogy will be delivered by pastor marvin winans. >> she wore her fame, and she was wonderful in it. but she was always that little girl from new jersey. >> reporter: the family confirms an invitation has been extended to houston's ex-husband, bobby brown. he paid tribute to houston last night in maryland. >> this is for whitney. >> reporter: tomorrow, lit be a final farewell. >> it's about whitney and we want to stay focused on that. >> reporter: to the w

mark barger, nbc news. >> houston's god maother, areth franklin is set to perform at the ceremony on saturday. >>> doug is here. it was spectacular this afternoon. a couple more to come. i think friday, i think saturday, both those days similar to what we saw today. some a fly in the ointment as far as that rain is concerned. you are going to need the umbrellas when you step out tomorrow. sunday, still not sure if you are going to need the umbrellas or the snow snowfalls. hmm. talk about that in just a second. out there right now, a very nice evening, a great night to get out and about. once again a lot of people out and about today, temperatures reached 55 at the airport today. but yes, we are watching the changes ahead for the potential overnight tomorrow morning, then chance for coastal storm later on. 50 the current temperature, winds out of the north-northwest about 7 miles per hour. temperatures around the region on the mild side, the most part, 53 in fredericksburg but look back toward martinsburg, 47 there, only 43 in winchester and hagerstown, we are starting to cool off, a

"today in the bay's" mark barger has a look at what's in store. >> reporter: all week, fans outside newtist church have been remembering whitney houston. friday, houston's family and closest friends gathered for a private viewing at a nearby funeral home. >> we miss her and we will always love her. >> reporter: and 3,000 miles away, houston was remembered last night at the naacp image awards. ♪ >> reporter: later today, invited guests will come together at the church where houston sang as a child. they'll celebrate the life of a woman many of them knew by the nickname çnippy. >> a great artist and a very kind and giving person. very sensitive young lady. >> reporter: aretha franklin, the woman houston called aunt ree will perform as will stevie wonder. speakers include kevin costner and houston's long-time musical mentor clive davis. though fans are being kept blocks away from the service, it does little to diminish their affection for the legendary singer. in newark, new jersey, mark barger, nbc news. >>> the family says that it is a private service, invitation only. they did allow a

as mark barger reports, the church has special meaning to houston. ♪ >> reporter: the same newark, newersey, church where whitney houston sang as a child will now be the scene of her funeral saturday. houston's family chose new hope baptist church for the private invitation-only event. the church is already home to a makeshift memorial by mourners, but houston's family has announced no plans for a public service. >> they have shared her for 30-some years with the city, with the state, with the world. this is their time now for their farewell. >> reporter: last night dozens of fans greeted the hearse carrying houston's body as it arrived at the funeral home in newark. the 48-year-old died saturday in beverly hills, her body discovered under water in a hotel bathtub. it could be weeks before toxicology tests reveal a cause of death. houston's godmother, aretha franklin, shared her grief over the singer's passing last night in charlotte. she honored a performance commitment telling concertgoers she needed music to soothe her soul. houston fans meanwhile are honoring her memory through her

the stars, they'll be out tonight for the 84th annual academy awards, and as nbc's mark barger tells us, the oscars share some similarities to the political landscape this year. >> looking forward to seeing you on the trail! >> reporter: presidential candidates have primary season. oscar nominees have awards season. >> you have to deliver a great performance thaend you have to work it, too. >> big smile, everyone. >> reporter: the oscar campaign trail's more glamorous than the political one. instead of candidates hopping primaries, its nominees traveling the road of awards shows on the way to tonight's big finale. >> us media types are fatigued. for the majority of americans, when they get that popcorn and turn on to watch on sunday night, it's new for them. ♪ >> reporter: a silent film homage comes in as tonight's big favorite, ten nominations overall. >> "the artist" is by far and away the movie in front. it's won almost all of the major guild awards leading up to the oscars. >> reporter: but there is suspense about best actor. >> jean desjardins is the guy to beat? i think it's be

mark barger, nbc news. >> i love the early look that we are getting, just magnificent. >> looks beautiful, doesn't it? >> what a beautiful day they had today. it has been a nice one is it going to be a nice evening? >> that is the question for meteorologist veronica johnson, who is in the storm center with the answer. hey, veronica. >> hey there jim and pat. yeah, let's just say, i don't think you are going to be frowning too much. let's take a look outside. you can see beautiful sky there. we have got a few high clouds out with us now, fast forecast, giving it to you early, talking about this taste of april and the fact we could see a few showers not only this evening but we will talk about the possibility of some showers, too as we roll through the rest of the workweek. our temperatures now, 63 degrees, you folks in fairfax, manassas, warrington, great falls and vienna, big good afternoon to you. up north, cooler, folks in montgomery county, 59 degrees, olney, bethesda, 62, landover and blamesburg, not bad on this wednesday. then 65 down in stafford, virginia. there you can see a little

mark barger, nbc news. >> the death of whitney houston is felt in the bay area, as well. bay area's jody hernandez caught up with one of the big names in the bay area music industry who shared miss his memories of the pop superstar. >> reporter: are this musician says the news of whitney houston's death hasn't sunk in while his daughter sheila e attended the grammys, he performed here thinking of the great artist the world has lost. ♪ latin jazz great pete escovedo is paying tribute to whitney houston through music. the legendary percussionist and bay area native took the stage at yoshi's with houston on his sgliend the problem is for us who enjoy the music and enjoy people who are so just the greatest, it has gone too fast. >> he says his daughter, sheila e, is taking houston's death especially hard. sheila e is at the grammys and spent time with houston at a pre-grammy party the day before her death. >> she was having a tough time with it, yeah. she was. when i spoke to her on the phone, it was pretty sad news for her. especially because she had just been with her. >> r

mark barger was there and has this report. >> hearts broken, but yet with god's strength we celebratee of whitney houston. >> for almost four gospel infused hours, nearly 1,000 invited family and friends did just that. >> she was a beautiful human being. >> some speakers talked about houston's talent. >> you wait for a voice like that for a lifetime. >> others focused on her faith. >> this is more important than anything she has ever done in her life. whitney houston loved the lord. >> yes. >> everyone was united in their affection for the late singer. >> people didn't just like you, whitney, they loved you. >> the love for houston went beyond church walls. >> when shae sang you would feel it in your body. >> after a chorus of voices celebrating whitney houston's life, it was her voice that provided the day's most powerful moments. ♪ and i, i will always love you ♪ >> whitney houston's ex-husband bobby brown did attend today's service as an invited guest but he did not stay very long. he and the members of the party left shortly after the service began. there was apparently a disagree

mark barger, nbc news. >>> well, of course, the real battle for this year's oscar ceremonies could bet dressed. nbc's mike wilbur explains why most eyes will be on the red carpet. >> jason wu. >> who are you wearing? >> givenchy. >> the ladies are saving the best for the a is cars. >> reporter: michelle, rooney, jessica, the fashion police is exploring what makes an oscar gown award worthy. >> to be a 25-year-old beautiful actress who's maybe 5'5" or taller and sample size is absolute the dream girl for a stylist to dress. >> many opportunities to wear beautiful dresses. >> jessica chastine's style is very great. >> what i love about michelle williams she has a vintage retro look going but it's very modern and comfortable. >> i think what reasony is doing is quite brilliant. essentially a character but really the glam version. >> the photographers are yelling your name and getting angry if you don't get the right shot. >> veronese can push it a little more than the american actresses can and get away with it. >> reporter: when it comes to the biggest award night of the year, competiti

nbc's mark barger is there with more. >> the church where whitney houston's voice first came to the public attention and the church that's been the scene of an outpouring of affection for the sing they are week was today the scene for the final farewell. >> what a voice, not a voice, the voice. >> for whitney houston's family and friends, today was not a funeral, but a home going. >> you are the only one. >> that could bring all of us together. whitney, today is your day. ♪ ♪ >> stars i including alicia keyes and stevie wonder honored houston with heartfelt gospel. >> today we as a family celebrate the life of our sister, our daughter, our mother, and our friend. >> speakers during the course of the three and a half-hour service talked of houston's faith. >> and this is more important than everything she's ever done in her life. whitney houston loved the lord. >> kevin costner spoke of the singer doubting her own talent. >> when you sing before him, don't you worry. you'll be good enough. >> in fact, it was houston's music that provided a stirring soundtrack for the service's closing momen

mark barger is live in newark, new jersey with the latest developments. are we starting to see some familiar faces arrive right now? >> reporter: not yet. we will probably see them later today. in fact, at the viewing going on a short distance from here, they're trying to shield the media so that they can't see. they're holding up a sheet to block the people as they arrive for that wake. behind me, the church -- we've been moved back from it, but mourners continue to congregate outside that church where whitney houston attended as a child to pay their respects. mourners continued paying respects to whitney houston this afternoon at this makeshift memorial. >> it's amazing. i've never seen anything like this before. unbelievable. >> reporter: the gathering, a prelude to what the houston family is terming a "home going service." aretha franklin will sing at the service. >> it's not going to be easy, i can tell you that. it's not going to be easy. but cissy asked me to. >> reporter: stevie wonder is also part of the program and dionne warwick. clive davis wi

. ♪ and i will always love you >> reporter: in newark, new jersey, mark barger, nbc news. >> she willoday. much more ahead, coming up, the latest on the overnight shootings in the east bay and crew progress on the bay bridge construction project that shut down the westbound deck this weekend. plus, it lets you bypass cove, but is it safe? a government agency is about to ke actn alon inhcteable caffeine. [ male announcer ] the draw of the past is a powerful thing. but we couldn't simply repeat history. we had to create it. introducing the 2013 lexus gs, with leading-edge safety technology, like available blind spot monitor... [ tires screech ] ...night view... and heads-up display. [ engine revving ] the all-new 2013 lexus gs. there's no going back. guys... [ female announcer ] pillsbury cinnamon rolls with cinnabon cinnamon are an irresistible sunday morning idea. nothing calls them to the table faster. sunday morning ideas made easy. how to solve a brother-sister standoff. ♪ pillsbury chocolate chip cookies, warm out of the oven. another sweet idea for bringing families together from

mark barger, nbc news. >>> a few changes in store for the second season, namely the blind auditions.h of the four judges has to find a dozen singers for their respective teams compared to eight per team last season. the voice premiers sunday night right after the super bowl and then on monday, at its regular time, right here on nbc 4. >> yeah, back to back. another thing i like about this one, there is so much strong talent right from the start. >> yeah. and the judges sing. >> and the judges sing. >> a nice plus. >> big names. >>> coming right up on news4 at four, why one boss could be the most generous of the year. >>> a border collie kelpy mix has become an internet sensation. we will tell you about that. >>> coming up on news4 at 5:00 that activist from alexandria who was murdered, police now say the alleged murderer was a man he was trying to help. >> i would love to even have just a conversation with him, just a conversation. >> in a news4 ex-clues circumstance the family of lenny harris says they are not angry at the man accused of killing him. >>> the allegations against an e

mark barger, nbc news. >> well, tonight celebrates the best in film, but what about the other end ofctrum? adam sandler is the big winner, or loser, depending on how you look at it. he snagged a record 11 razzie nominations, including two "worst movie of the year" nominees for "jack and jill" and chuck bell's favorite "just go with it." >> yes, loved that one. >> he also has two worst actor nominations. normally, the razzie nominations are announced right before the oscars, but this year, the winners will be appropriately named on april fools' day. there is still more "news 4 today" after the break. >>> and also, news4's "viewpoint," so stay right here. i hate getting less. but i love getting more. i'd trade a lot less for a little more. or a little less for a lot more. either way, when it comes to having more. i want a lot more of more and a little less of less. ♪ and that's exactly what you'll get at embassy suites. more free breakfast, more for my money, more deliciousness, more hearty guffaws... [ guffaws ] because more than enough more is never enough more. more coffee? what do