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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Parents call Bynes a ‘substantial risk’

Amanda Bynes and her attorney arrive at court in New York on July 9 on allegations that she threw a bong out a window of her high-rise apartment. (Associated Press)
From Wire Reports

Amanda Bynes’ parents are deeply concerned that their daughter may hurt herself or others unless they are allowed to assume control over her medical care and finances, court filings show.

The petition Richard and Lynn Bynes filed Friday not only details her public incidents of disturbing behavior, including several arrests, but also reveals that the former child star has stated fears that she is being watched by smoke detectors and devices in the dashboard of her car.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Glen Reiser delayed ruling on the conservatorship petition, stating that there was no rush to act because the actress is under a two-week psychiatric hold at a hospital. Reiser scheduled a hearing on the issue Aug. 9.

“We are deeply concerned that Amanda poses a substantial risk to herself, to others, and to property based on recent events in her life,” the filing from Bynes’ parents states. It cites numerous instances of increasingly bizarre behavior by their 27-year-old daughter in the past year.

Bynes was put under the psychiatric hold Monday after authorities said she set a fire on the driveway of a home in the Los Angeles suburb of Thousand Oaks, where she grew up.

McCain seeking middle on TV show

Meghan McCain is getting her own show on a new TV network targeting the generation of Americans known as millennials.

“Raising McCain” will debut on Pivot, a general entertainment network that launches Thursday. It’s described as a documentary-talk series for viewers ages 15 to 34. McCain will star and serve as executive producer.

The 28-year-old author and blogger told the Television Critics Association on Friday that the show lets her “be crazy, be myself and talk about issues.”

“I came to Pivot because I think there has to be some sort of middle ground between the Kardashians and C-SPAN,” McCain said. “I want to give people information but not talk down to them. I am so excited. This is the best thing I’ve ever done.”

The birthday bunch

TV producer Norman Lear is 91. Actor Jerry Van Dyke is 82. Singer Bobbie Gentry is 69. Actress-director Betty Thomas is 65. Olympic gold medal figure skater Peggy Fleming is 65. Singer Maureen McGovern is 64. Comedian Bill Engvall is 56. Comedian Maya Rudolph is 41.