weekly celeb update

celebrity substance abuse news from About.com/Alcoholism;


Country singer Mindy McCready was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound on the porch of her Arkansas home. McCready's singing career was sidetracked by several trips to rehab and multiple suicide attempts. She was 37 years old.

Jack Swagger Arrested For DUI, Drug Possession
Professional wrestler Jack Swagger has been arrested for driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. Swagger was charged after he was pulled over for speeding after a SmackDown taping session in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Latin American Idol Winner Busted
Former Latin American Idol winner Martha Heredia has been arrested for drug smuggling by airport police in Santiago, Dominican Republic as she was boarding a plane for New York. Police found 2.9 pounds of heroin hidden in the heels of three pairs of platform shoes in her luggage.

Former Georgia LB Ogletree Arrested for DUI
Former Georgia linebacker Alex Ogletree may have reduced his NFL draft value after another substance abuse brush with the law - a DUI arrest in Arizona. Ogletree, a projected first-round pick, was suspended for the first four games of last season at Georgia for failing a drug test.

West Virginia Safety Arrested for DUI
West Virginia safety Karl Joseph has been arrested for driving under the influence. Joseph, who was named to the Freshman All-American Team after leading his team in tackles last year, was also charged with being in possession of a fake I.D.

Former Gator Ronnie Wilson Arrested
Former Florida Gator football player Ronnie Wilson has been arrested in North Lauderdale on firearm and drug charges. Wilson, who has a history of brushes with the law, was charged with trafficking of oxycodone and possession of cocaine and marijuana.

quotes for today

 The worst disability is a bad attitude. — Michael Muir (1953- )

A good listener helps us overhear ourselves. — Yahia Lababidi (1973- )

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. — St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

Don't confuse what you have a right to do with what's right to do. — William Bennett (1943- )

Year after year, cookbooks and diet books are the biggest sellers—how not to eat it once you've learned how to cook it. — Andy Rooney

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. — Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. — Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Each morning puts a man on trial and each evening passes judgment. — Roy L. Smith (1930-1998)
 He who wants to accomplish finds a way. He who doesn't finds an excuse. — Hector D. Cantu (1961- )

 Whenever two people meet, there are really six people present. There is each man as he sees himself, each man as the other person sees him, and each man as he really is. — William James (1842-1910)

weekly celeb update

celebrity substance abuse from

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Carmine Giovinazzo Arrested for DUI
"CSI: NY" actor Carmine Giovinazzo was polite but intoxicated when pulled over by police in Scottsdale, Arizona. Police said the 39-year-old actor was immediately apologetic when they stopped him after observing him cross three lanes of traffic. His breathalyzer registered a blood-alcohol level of 0.119.

Thomas Gibson Gets 3 Years' Probation for DUI
"Criminal Minds" actor Thomas Gibson dodged jail time by entering a no contest plea to one count of alcohol-related reckless driving, instead of DUI. The former "Chicago Hope" actor was sentenced to three years of probation, a $300 fine and ordered to attend an alcohol education program.

Randy Travis Pleads Guilty to Drunk Driving
Country singer Randy Travis managed to avoid time behind bars on his August drunk driving arrest, but he hardly got off easy. Travis was given a 180-day suspended jail sentence, a $2,000 fine, two years probation, 100 hours of community service, 30 days in an alcohol treatment facility, and ordered to install ignition interlock devices on any vehicle he drives.

Mark Grace Gets Four Months for 2nd DUI
Former baseball star Mark Grace did not avoid jail time for his 2nd drunk driving conviction in 15 months in Arizona. Grace will serve a four-month work-release jail sentence followed by three years of supervised probation. He will also have to install interlock devices on his vehicle for six months.

Ditka's Son Pleads Guilty to DUI
Mark Ditka, son of former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka, has finally be convicted of a DUI after his fourth arrest on the charge. Ditka pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI and possession of a controlled substance and was immediately sentenced to 24 months of probation.

Sunny Cross of 'Catfish' Arrested for DWI
An Arkansas woman who appeared on the MTV show "Catfish" last year has been arrested for driving while intoxicated. Sunny Cross, 22, failed and field sobriety test and registered a 0.08 blood-alcohol level when stopped by Fayetteville police for crossing the center line.

Monday quotes

The worst disability is a bad attitude. — Michael Muir

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does. — William James

The greatest joys are those that are shared. — Leon Fleisher

Hope is the ability to hear the music of the future. — Jeanette Lawrensen

 I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for. Perfection is God's business. — Michael J. Fox

Think before you speak, but don't speak all you think. — Maida Villasensor

A rich person is not one who has the most but the one who needs the least. — Unknown

Enjoy the little things in Life, for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things. — Robert Brault

Don't confuse what you have a right to do with what's right to do. — William Bennett

Like cars in amusement parks, our direction is often determined through collisions. — Yahia Lababidi

 Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. — Winston Churchill

the weekly celeb wall of shame

latest celebrity substance abuse news
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Randy Travis Reaches Plea Deal in Assault Case
Singer Randy Travis has received a deferred adjudication agreement after pleading not guilty to assault charges stemming from an August 23 altercation with a man in a Texas church parking lot. The 53-year-old country music star is still facing drunk driving charges from an arrest August 7 near his hometown of Tioga, Texas.

Lindsay Lohan Loses Lawyer
It's not certain who will represent actress Lindsay Lohan when she goes on trial next month for lying to police about not being the driver after a auto collision. Long-time attorney Shawn Holley, who has kept Lohan out of jail several times in the past few years, is reportedly filing papers to completely withdraw from the case.

Scott Evans Pleads Guilty to Possession
Former soap actor Scott Evans, brother of Chris Evans of Captain America fame, has avoided jail time on his charge of trying to buy cocaine from an undercover policeman. Instead of jail, Evans was sentenced to attending 60 support-group meetings.

Jay Ratliff Charged With DWI
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Jay Ratliff has been arrested for driving while intoxicated after police in Grapevine, Texas investigated an auto crash. Police said the Cowboys' starting nose guard crashed his pickup truck into a tractor-trailer truck. No one was injured.

Former Redskin Fred Smoot Charged With DUI
Fred Smoot, former Washington Redskin defensive back, has been charged with driving under the influence in Washington, D.C. after failing a field sobriety test. Police stopped Smoot while he was driving a Audi A7 that did not have a license plate.

Top Recruit Busted for Underage Drinking
One of the most highly recruited running backs in the nation may have blown his official visit to the University of Virginia. He was arrested in Charlottesville on misdemeanor charges of underage drinking after kicking a passing car.

Monday quotes

 Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right and the other is the husband. — Unknown

All religions are the same: religion is basically guilt, with different holidays. — Cathy Ladman

Making mistakes is not a problem, not catching those mistakes is where the trouble starts. — Ed Berger

 Do something for somebody every day for which you do not get paid. — Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)

 A reputation once broken may possibly be repaired, but the world will always keep their eyes on the spot where the crack was. — Joseph Hall (1574-1656)

Think before you speak, but don't speak all you think. — Maida Villasensor

A rich person is not one who has the most but the one who needs the least. — Unknown

Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. — Eric Hoffer (1902-1983)

Enjoy the little things in Life, for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things. — Robert Brault

Don't confuse what you have a right to do with what's right to do. — William Bennett (1943- )

weekly roundup

the latest celebrity substance abuse news
from About.com/Alcoholism;



Trial Date Set for Lindsay Lohan
Actress Lindsay Lohan has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges related to a June auto crash in which her sports car collided with a dump truck. The charges stem from Lohan telling the police that her assistant was driving the vehicle at the time while witnesses said she was driving. Trial date is February 27.

Kerry Kennedy Wants DUI Dismissed
An attorney for Gov. Andrew Cuomo's ex-wife Kerry Kennedy is filing a motion to dismiss the drugged driving charges in connection with a July collision with a tractor-trailer. At the time of the crash, police said Kennedy failed field sobriety tests and was slurring her words.

Mark Grace Blames Himself, DUI for Firing
Former baseball star Mark Grace says he alone is responsible for getting a DUI and getting fired as a TV analyst for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The former Cubs and Diamondbacks first baseman is facing four felony counts of aggravated DUI when he goes to court March 19.

Belcher Legally Drunk When He Killed Himself
Autopsy results revealed that Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher was drunk when he committed suicide on December 1. Belcher's blood-alcohol level was 0.17 when he shot is girlfriend nine time and later shot himself. Kassandra Perkins had no alcohol in her system. Neither tested positive for illegal drugs.

Casey Pachall Returns to TCU After DWI
Former TCU quarterback Casey Pachall has returned to the team and started classes at Texas Christian University. Pachall quit the team in the middle of last football season to check himself into rehab after he was arrested for DUI.

A.J. Barker Charged With Marijuana Possession
A former Minnesota star wide receiver, who was trying to transfer to the University of Houston, may have derailed his football career with an arrest the day before he was expected to enroll. A.J. Barker was arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana over the weekend.

Monday quotes

We must be greatfull for our mistakes, without them we wouldn't know any better.
- Ayash Sabbagh

Science is not only compatible with spirituality,; it is a profound source of spirituality.
- Carl Sagan

It is much more difficult to judge oneself than to judge others.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Simplicity is the most difficult thing to secure in this world; it is the last limit of experience and the last effort of genius.
- George Sand

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
- Carl Sandburg

The more sand that has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
- Jean-Paul Sartre

Some people change their ways when they see the light; others when they feel the heat.
- Caroline Schoeder

Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost.
- Robert H. Schuller

A person can succeed at anything for which there is enthusiasm.
- Charles M. Schwab

The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.
- General Schwarzkopf

A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.
- William Shakespeare

When you worry about the problems of tomorrow, you are creating unhappiness for yourself today.
- Shantidasa

Don't be concerned if running or exercise will add years to your life, be concerned with adding life to your years.
- Dr. George Sheehan

weekly roundup

the latest celebrity news from About.com/Alcoholism;



Lindsay Lohan Drunk on ‘Canyons’ Set
A reporter who was embedded with the cast and crew during production of “The Canyons” co-starring porn star James Deen, said Lindsay Lohan was so drunk on the set she freaked out and then locked herself in a closet for two hours. She then refused to use a driver and drove her own Porsche home, the same vehicle she later crashed into a utility pole.

DUI Charges Filed Against Randy Travis
Authorities have officially charged country music singer Randy Travis with driving under the influence in connection with his August 7 crash in Texas. Toxicology reports revealed that Travis had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.15 at the time of the incident.

Josh Brolin Arrested For Public Intoxication
"Gangster Squad" actor Josh Brolin was arrested for public intoxication just before New Year's Day in Santa Monica, California. The 44-year-old said it was a New Year's "fun thing" that brought about his arrest and bail of $250.

Thomas Gibson Busted for DUI
"Criminal Minds" star Thomas Gibson was arrested on New Year's for driving under the influence. Los Angeles Police Department Central Traffic Division arrested Gibson after he drove through a police barricade set up to block traffic from a half-marathon run.

Couple Charged in Infant's Heroin Death
A New Jersey couple have pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in connection with the death of their 11-month-old infant boy. The couple admitted that they rubbed heroin on the baby's gums to try and sooth his teething pain. Denise Manco and Rondell Moore are facing up to 10 years in prison.

Drunk Pilot Arrested at Airport
An American Eagle pilot scheduled to fly from Minneapolis to New York was arrested after he failed a blood-alcohol breathalyzer test. Kolbjorn Jarle Kristiansen was given the test after airport police received a tip around 6:30 a.m.

quotes for today

Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
- Samuel Ullman

Happiness is to be found along the way, not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it is too late.
- Robert R. Updegraff

Examine the contents, not the bottle.
- The Talmud

We worry about what a child will be tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.
- Stacia Tauscher

I make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes.
- Sara Teasdale

Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.
- William Makepeace Thackeray

Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.
- Margaret Thatcher

What is right is often forgotten by what is convenient.
- Bodie Thoene

Time is the most valuable thing one can spend.
- Theophrastus

Success has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others.
- Danny Thomas