Locklear formally charged with DUI
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. television actress Heather Locklear has been formally charged with driving under the influence of drugs, prosecutors said.
The 47-year-old actress is best known for her roles on the shows "Dynasty," "Melrose Place" and "Spin City." Locklear was treated for anxiety and depression at a rehab center during the summer and was arrested Sept. 27 in Montecito, Calif., after a paparazzo called 911 and reported seeing her drive erratically.
The Santa Barbara, Calif., District Attorney's Office told People.com Monday it has filed a misdemeanor charge against Locklear in the September incident. The charge is a misdemeanor and not a felony because no one was hurt in the incident.
The charge specifies that the drugs Locklear is accused of being under the influence of are "prescription medications," however, the prosecutor's office declined to tell People.com what kinds of medications the actress had been taking or how much was found in her system.
If convicted, Locklear could be ordered to pay a fine or serve up to six months in county jail.
Her arraignment is Jan. 26 at Santa Barbara Superior Court, People.com said.
President Bush awards 11 Humanities Medals
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. President George W. Bush handed out 2008 National Humanities Medals to nine people, a museum and a philanthropic foundation during a White House ceremony.
The awards presentation, honoring those who made exemplary contributions to the humanities, took place Monday in the White House's East Room, the National Endowment for the Humanities said.
In recognition of their scholarship, literary works, philanthropy and preservation efforts, the President presented medals to Gabor S. Boritt, scholar and Civil War historian; Richard Brookhiser, biographer and historian; Harold Holzer, scholar and Civil War historian; Myron Magnet, journalist and author; Albert Marrin, children's book author; Milton J. Rosenberg, radio show host and scholar; Thomas A. Saunders III and Jordan Horner Saunders, philanthropists; Robert H. Smith, philanthropist; the John Templeton Foundation; and the Norman Rockwell Museum.
The medalists and their families and friends attended a reception held in their honor prior to the ceremony.
McCready not proud of Clemens affair
NEW YORK, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. singer Mindy McCready, who was released from jail two weeks ago, says she isn't proud of an affair she had with baseball great Roger Clemens.
McCready, 32, has battled addiction to prescription drugs and recently spent time behind bars for violating her probation following a drug arrest.
"There aren't words to describe how painful it's been. So painful, I haven't wanted to live," she told TV's "Inside Edition." "I've lived recklessly. I've made a lot of mistakes."
McCready also revealed one of her biggest errors was having an affair with the married baseball player. This marks the first time she has publicly spoken about the relationship, "Inside Edition" said, noting Clemens has denied an affair happened.
"Carrying on a relationship with him is not something I'm proud of," McCready said, adding she met Clemens when she was 16 but didn't have sex with him until several years later. "Roger Clemens is one of the most wonderful men I've ever known … . He treated me like a princess."
The country singer went on to say she and Clemens didn't sneak around while they were dating.
"We went on vacations together," she said.
McCready revealed she broke off the nearly decade-long relationship because Clemens wouldn't marry her.
She also said she now has "nothing but remorse and nothing but sympathy for what (his wife Debbie) had to go through with this situation, and she has my utmost apology."
Wallace & Gromit headline new short film
LONDON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Britain's iconic Plasticine man-and-dog duo Wallace & Gromit are set to star in a new TV special to be shown on Christmas Day, The Times of London reported.
The pair headline "A Matter of Loaf and Death," a new 30-minute-long, stop-motion animation film to be shown on the BBC.
The special marks Wallace & Gromit's fourth appearance in a short film and their first adventure since the feature-length movie "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" hit theaters in 2005.
The Times said the BBC also plans to air a new production of "The 39 Steps," the latest installment of "Doctor Who" and a special episode of "The Royle Family" Dec. 25.
