Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Swift invites ill fan to awards

From Wire Reports

Taylor Swift has a date for the Academy of Country Music awards.

The country star asked a fan, Kevin McGuire, of Somerdale, N.J., to the awards show. McGuire is 18 and has leukemia. His sister had started a campaign on Facebook to get Swift to go with him to his prom.

Swift writes in a Facebook post of her own that she can’t make it to the prom, but that she’d like for McGuire to accompany her to the awards ceremony April 1 in Las Vegas. She is nominated for three awards.

A spokesman for Swift confirms that she wrote the post. A post on the Facebook page for McGuire thanks her for the invitation. His sister did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Sheen’s ex faces drug counts

Charlie Sheen’s ex-wife has been charged in Colorado with possession and distribution of cocaine stemming from her arrest in Aspen.

Brooke Mueller was arrested by police on Dec. 3 after a woman reported being assaulted at a nightclub.

Pitkin County chief deputy district attorney Arnold Mordkin said Friday that Mueller has also been charged with third-degree assault.

Both drug charges are felonies. Possession with intent to distribute carries a penalty of four to 12 years. Conviction on the possession charge could result in up to 18 months behind bars.

Sheen and Mueller divorced last year after Sheen was arrested on suspicion of assaulting her in 2009. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and completed his probation in 2010.

Santana has new Vegas stage

Guitar legend Carlos Santana plans a two-year headlining gig at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, switching venues from his previous home at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Representatives for the House of Blues say Santana will have a run of shows in May and June, then return in September with the residency running through 2013. Tickets go on sale Saturday.

Part of each ticket sale will go to Santana’s foundation, which supports children’s art, education and health.

The birthday bunch

Singer Fats Domino is 84. Guitarist Paul Cotton (Poco) is 69. Singer Mitch Ryder is 67. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain (Journey) is 62. Singer Michael Bolton is 59. Actor Greg Germann (“Ally McBeal”) is 54. Actress Jennifer Grant is 46. Singer Erykah Badu is 41. Singer Kyle Norman (Jagged Edge) is 37. Drummer Chris Culos (O.A.R.) is 33. Singer Corinne Bailey Rae is 33.