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

Sam Smith’s vocal cord surgery goes well

From Wire Reports

Grammy Award-winner Sam Smith has undergone successful vocal cord surgery at a Boston hospital.

Massachusetts General Hospital said in a statement Tuesday – the singer’s 23rd birthday – that he is expected to make a full recovery.

The surgery to stop recurrent vocal cord bleeding was performed by Dr. Steven Zeitels, who has performed the same procedure on Steven Tyler, Lionel Richie and Adele.

Smith’s song “Stay With Me” won Grammys for song and record of the year and he also was named best new artist in February. The British singer’s “In the Lonely Hour” was named best pop vocal album.

According to the hospital, Smith’s condition was the result of unstable blood vessels in the vocal cord that can rupture and prevent vocal performance.

Smith’s next live show is scheduled for July 18.

Bristol Palin’s wedding off, mom says

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin said her daughter, Bristol, won’t marry Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer this month.

The former Republican vice presidential candidate wrote Monday on her verified Facebook account that the two said the wedding planned for Saturday will no longer be held. She didn’t provide a reason.

Bristol Palin announced the engagement in March, saying in a blog post that Meyer came to Alaska to film the “Amazing America” reality show with her mother last year.

Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2011. The Kentucky native is credited with saving the lives of 36 Marines, U.S. soldiers and Afghan soldiers, providing cover for them to find their way out of a firefight with the Taliban.

Family attorney John Tiemessen didn’t immediately return an email or voice-mail message.

TV food star Lee has cancer surgery

Food Network television star Sandra Lee is recovering from breast cancer surgery.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, her live-in boyfriend, said in a statement that Lee’s double mastectomy concluded early Tuesday afternoon and that she is doing “as well as can be expected.”

The 48-year-old lifestyle personality revealed her diagnosis on ABC’s “Good Morning America” last week. Her surgery was initially scheduled for late last week but was delayed after Lee came down with an upper respiratory infection.

In her message posted to Facebook before the operation, Lee thanked those who offered prayers and messages of support.

Cuomo accompanied Lee to the hospital on Tuesday and plans to take some personal time to be with her following the procedure.

The birthday bunch

Singer-actress Cher is 69. Actor Tony Goldwyn is 55. TV personality Ted Allen (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”) is 50. Actress Mindy Cohn is 49. Rapper Busta Rhymes is 43. Actor Matt Czuchry (“The Good Wife”) is 38.