WebProNews

Author: Val Powell

  • Pet Duck Attack: Oregon Woman Sued For $275,000

    Cynthia Ruddell from Washougal, Washington, is suing her mother’s neighbor for $275,000 in damages brought on by a pet duck attack.

    On May 2012, Ruddell was in Oregon visiting her mother when she was attacked by a duck, which she claims happened without any provocation. While running away from the duck, Ruddell fell to the ground, spraining her shoulder and elbow, and breaking her wrist. Gregory Price, Ruddell’s attorney, said that the pet duck “flapped its wings at her and knocked her back and she fell down on an outstretched hand and fractured her wrist in two spots.”

    In the complaint, Ruddell is accusing the duck’s owner Lolita Rose, of neglecting to control her pet duck. The lawsuit also states that Rose was aware that the duck had “abnormally dangerous propensities in attacking people.”

    The duck’s behavior towards Ruddell wasn’t the first. According to Rose’s neighbors, they have also seen the duck attack other people in the neighborhood and even kids who are waiting by the bus stop. The lawsuit is also accusing Rose of failing to warn neighbors and other people of the duck’s violent behavior.

    Ruddell, who is a retired nurse, is seeking $25,000 for medical expenses and $250,000 for the pain and suffering from the injuries she acquired during the incident.

    Price believes that Rose has had her pet duck killed since the incident that happened with Ruddell.

    Price mentioned that he is expecting the cost of the damages to be paid by Rose’s insurance policy. However, they still chose to file a lawsuit against Rose as a safeguard, since there will still be medical bills to cover from Ruddell’s second surgery to her wrist. Furthermore, the incident has brought Ruddell attention that she does not want.

    Rose has yet to release a statement about the case.

    When Animals Attack

    Image via YouTube

  • Carriage Horse Ban Stalled In New York City

    Mayor Bill de Blasio is halting his plan to get rid of the horse carriages in New York City. Many citizens showed their support for the horse-drawn carriage industry, which has been one of the prime features of Central Park for over 150 years.

    Now, the mayor is almost in his fourth month of office, and there is resistance from the City Council on the carriage horse ban. De Blasio plans to impose the carriage horse ban by the end of the year, saying that the industry is inhumane and cruel. So what was the cause of the postponed ban? Actor Liam Neeson may be one of the reasons.

    According to Neeson, the horse-carriage industry is an iconic part of New York. It’s also a business that gives jobs to 400 citizens, many of them Irish immigrants. In a New York Times op-ed, Neeson mentioned that he knows what a well-cared-for horse looks like. He also said that in his experience, “horses, much like humans, are at their happiest and healthiest when working.”

    In a recent poll, the results showed that almost two-thirds of New York City citizens were in support of keeping the horses in Central Park.

    Aside from Neeson’s statements on the issue, city unions also showed their support for the horse-drawn carriage industry by urging the Mayor to think twice about his decision. Their resistance to the ban comes from a place of concern for those who will be losing their jobs once the ban is imposed. Additionally, the horse carriages in New York City are a profitable tourist attraction.

    In replacement for the horse carriages, de Blasio is proposing the use of electric cars that are described as the “industrial spawn of a rickshaw and Thomas the Tank Engine.”

    Daily News showed their support for the horse-drawn carriage industry by creating a front-page promotion called “Save our Horses.” They also got 11,000 signatures on an online petition.

    In the middle of all the protests and oppositions, de Blasio is still fighting for his initial plan. In a statement he made last week, he said “I’ve said it many times over the last year so let me try one more time: I believe it’s inhumane.”

    Is the ban about animal rights or real estate?

    Image via YouTube

  • Dyngus Day Celebrated In Buffalo

    Dyngus Day Celebrated In Buffalo

    Dyngus Day or Easter Monday, is a Slavic holiday that signifies the end of the Lenten season. It is celebrated on Monday following Easter Sunday.

    This year’s Dyngus Day celebration in Buffalo was bigger than ever. The festivities were complete with polka dancing, a parade, feasting, and squirt-gun flirting. Polish kitchens were busy preparing food for the celebration, as Polish food is the fuel for the celebration.

    Dyngus Day celebrations first started out on a smaller scale in the Polish Neighborhoods of Buffalo’s East Side. Lotti Pikuzinski, owner of the R&L Lounge at Mills street said that the celebration “brings families together” and allows citizens to “not forget their Polish culture.”

    Each year, the R&L Lounge serves plates of “lazy pierogi” noodles with onion and sauerkraut to Polish-Americans and their friends.

    Rev. Czeslaw Krysa, rector of the St. Casimir Catholic Church, said that “Buffalo’s approach to Dyngus Day is wondrous.” Krysa’s church is located on Cable Street, which is considered the second-most concentrated Polish neighborhood in the entire region.

    Dyngus Day was also celebrated in New Orleans, the location of the Slavic restaurant called Kukhanya. The restaurant comes alive, as it is the hub for Dyngus Day celebrations in the area. The restaurant offers delectable Polish dishes, such as kielbasa, Polish meatballs, bigos, and Polish pretzel dogs.

    Aside from celebrating with food, citizens also pull pranks on each other. Men pour buckets of  water over the heads of young ladies. However, ladies need not fret. According to tradition, the women can get their revenge the day after Dyngus Day by throwing dishes at the men.

    Although some Polish neighborhoods in the United States have abandoned Dyngus Day celebrations, the tradition is still very much alive in Buffalo and New Orleans where Polish families look forward to the Easter Monday festivities year after year.

    Dyngus Day 2014 Celebration

    Image via YouTube

  • Nina Davuluri: Miss America Appeals To School To Reconsider Student’s Suspension

    Reigning Miss America Nina Davuluri has urged a Pennsylvania school district to reconsider its decision to suspend an 18-year-old high school senior who asked her to be his prom date during a school assembly.

    According to The York Dispatch, the Indian-American beauty posted a message on the Miss America Organization’s official Facebook page saying that she reached out to the administrators of Central York High School to ask them to reevaluate the three-day in-school suspension given to the student, whose name is Patrick Farves.

    Officials of the school claim that they had been aware of Farves’ plan to ask Davuluri to the prom and warned him against doing it. As punishment for Farves’ defiance, the school decided to issue him the suspension.

    A video uploaded online shows Farves approaching Davuluri and giving her a plastic flower. His fellow students in the audience cheered Farves on as he asked the beauty queen to the school prom. Davuluri graciously accepted the flower but declined Farves’ invitation because her travel schedule does not  permit her to attend the school event.

    Partrick Farves asks Miss America to be his prom date

    Farves’ suspension requires him to stay put in a classroom and work on his own. He expressed regret over his stunt because he said that it might have overshadowed Davuluri’s efforts to promote diversity. As the first ever Indian-American winner of the Miss America pageant, Davuluri was trying to send a strong message that places importance on a person’s ideals instead of divisive factors such as religious beliefs and the color of one’s skin.

    The 18-year-old student is himself a product of a mixed race marriage – his father is black and his mother is white. Despite the massive wave of support that he has been getting from the online world, specifically Twitter and Facebook, Farves said that he remains date-less for his school’s prom on May 10th.

    Image via Nina Davuluri (Miss America), Twitter

  • Florida Sinkhole Finally Filled In By Workers

    The two Florida residents whose homes stood on top of a massive sinkhole are finally breathing a sigh of relief after workers and rescue crews labored around the clock to fill in the cavernous pit with a mixture of cement and sand.

    The gigantic sinkhole, which had a width of 50 feet and depth of 60 feet, opened up between two homes in the Villages, a wide expanse of land in Florida’s Lake, Marion, and Sumter county, that houses a retirement community. The hole stretched under one driveway, and swallowed up a huge portion of the front yard.

    One of the homeowners called Helicon Property Restoration to take over the repair and stabilization of a smaller sinkhole two weeks prior to the appearance of the much bigger sinkhole. The crew had almost carried out the work completely when the huge sinkhole appeared after a rainy Friday night and proceeded to expand.

    Helicon workers dumped 15 truckloads of grout into the sinkhole on Saturday, but claimed that it hardly made an improvement on the pit. By Sunday, however, the workers were successful in completely filling the sinkhole with 40 truckloads of cement and sand. The landscaping work is expected to be finished by Monday.

    The Villages resident Giovanni Velocci, whose home is located just across the street from the disaster spot, said that he was taking his morning walk when the sinkhole caught his attention. As he was coming back from his walk, he noticed that the tree was no longer there, but initially thought that someone had “stolen the tree” or cut it down.

    The state of Florida has seen its fair share of sinkholes over the years, so much so that it has county by county maps detailing each of their locations.  Florida’s land mass is largely made up limestone, and its northern region consists of layers of sand on top of limestone.

    Travel Inside A Sinkhole

    Image via YouTube

  • Macaulay Culkin: Not Dead And Still Making Music

    According to a Facebook post spreading like wildfire, Home Alone and Richie Rich star Macaulay Culkin has died.

    However, Culkin, 33, is just another victim of a celebrity death hoax. Other stars who have also been victims of a similar hoax include Eminem, Jon Heder, Britney Spears, and Kanye West, among others.

    The news of the actor’s “death” was posted on a Facebook page that said Culkin passed away at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday. The post also asked for sympathy and condolences through likes and comments. The post garnered over a million likes.

    Due to the attention the post acquired, Culkin’s representative cleared the issue and released a statement saying that Culkin is very much alive. The source of the fake news is still unknown.

    News about the actor’s death may have been ignited when Culkin’s health was made public. Several sources said that the actor’s health is declining due to the abuse of various substances. Some sources have even said that Culkin spends about $6,000 monthly on painkillers. His reps, however, denied the allegations.

    Culkin has also been rumored to be addicted to Vicodin, Percocet, oxycodone, and heroin. A source claims to have witnessed Culkin taking drugs and said that “he needs serious help.”

    Reports indicate that Culkin has since recovered from his drug problems and has turned to music by forming a pizza-themed Velvet Underground tribute band called “Pizza Underground.” Culkin is the vocalist of the band, and he also plays the kazoo and percussion.

    Macaulay Culkin and The Pizza Underground

    The band released a demo tape on December 2013 containing tracks such as “All the Pizza Parties,” and “I’m Waiting for the Delivery Man” – a play on Velvet Underground’s famous songs. The band has played gigs for a Lou Reed tribute show and at the Comic Arts Brooklyn as well. News of an album release have not yet been confirmed.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Yosemite Climber Falls 30 Feet After Scaling Higher Cathedral Spire

    Rescue teams had to pluck a Palo Alto rock climber from a popular Yosemite rock formation after he fell 30 feet. The 26-year-old climber, whose name has not been released, was the second person to be rescued this week from Yosemite National Park.

    Now in stable condition, the climber is said to have suffered from major injuries after the fall. A California Highway Patrol Helicopter was sent out to the scene after he was unable to move from the severe pain.

    The Palo Alto resident and his climbing partner were scaling Higher Cathedral Spire, one of many popular near-vertical granite pinnacles. Around 10 a.m, about 15 feet away from the next anchor point, the climbing team encountered trouble and the climber fell onto a rock bench close to 500 feet above the valley floor.

    The California Highway Patrol’s Air Operations Division had difficulty reaching the injured man due to the tough terrain and formidable winds. Officer Andrea Brown, who was the medic aboard the CHP helicopter, stated that in terms of difficulty, she would rate the operation a “7 or 8 out of 10.”

    Close to being carried down the rugged slopes on foot, rescue teams were able to secure the man on an air splint and elevate him into the helicopter.

    He was transported to a hospital in Modesto, where he is in serious but stable condition.

    Climbers from all over the world travel to Yosemite to try to conquer the valley’s famous peaks, with Higher Cathedral Spire being one of the more popular destinations. Park officials claim that most climbers are highly skilled, but rescues are very common.

    Just last Tuesday a rescue crew was also sent out to aid a woman in Tenaya Creek who experienced back pain. She too found herself unable to walk, and left in up to the highly trained National Park Service and the CHP rescue team to get her out safely.

    Higher Cathedral Spire Summit

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Powdered Alcohol: Regulators Gave Approval In Error

    The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved a powdered alcohol product called “palcohol,” but don’t get your hopes up. Tom Hogue, director of congressional and public affairs for the agency, said that the approval was made “in error.”

    The maker of powdered alcohol planned to release rum and vodka varieties. According to Lipsmark, parent company of Palcohol, the discrepancy was in “how much powder” was inside the 1-ounce packets. Lipsmark also mentioned that they would be resubmitting the product for approval.

    According to reports, the company was given “label approval” for palcohol on April 8, but because of the error, they surrendered the given approvals.

    Although the product gained attention as soon as it was announced, critics say that it may be dangerous.

    Robert Lehrman, who manages a beverage law website, said that Palcohol has gone through several stages before reaching the stage of label approval. He said in a phone interview that the reversal of the approval may be caused by the “lawmakers wanting more information on the powdered alcohols.”

    The concept of using powdered alcohol has been around since the 1970s, and creating the product consists of a process wherein carbohydrate powder absorbs the ethanol.

    The official website of Palcohol says that they are offering six types of powdered alcohol – Lemon Drop, Powderita, Mojito, Cosmopolitan, rum, and vodka. There is also a warning that the powder in the packets should not be snorted.

    The company suggests that the product is a great way to consume alcohol during concerts and football games. Just mix the powder with water and you get instant alcohol. They also recommended adding the alcohol powder on food, with combinations such as eggs and vodka. These posts have, however, been taken off the website.

    Despite the reversed approval, Palcohol is still hoping to be the first to market powdered alcohol in the United States.

    Image via YouTube

  • Kenya Moore May Not Return To ‘RHOA’ After Brawl With Porsha Williams

    Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore is reportedly considering her permanent departure from the hit reality show after her much-talked about brawl with co-star Porsha Williams.

    It was during the March 27 taping of the Bravo reality series that the confrontation between Moore and Williams took place. The episode, which was aired on Sunday, also featured the show’s long-awaited reunion among the main cast members. The friction between Moore and Williams had been apparent all season, and it was no surprise that the two began exchanging tirades that stemmed from past feuds.

    The altercation was provoked by host Andy Cohen’s reminder of what Moore had said about Williams regarding her alleged infidelity to her husband, Kordell Stewart. Williams responded by calling Moore “a slut from the 90s” who was trying “to have class”. Moore retaliated by calling Williams a “dumb ho” through a megaphone.

    When matters became physical, the two women stood up and Williams pulled at Moore’s hair and dragged her across the floor of the mansion. Williams claimed that she “blacked out” as a result of the fight but also expressed regret that it had to happen on the show.

    Porsha Williams vs. Kenya Moore: excerpts from the fight.

    In an interview with the Associated Press, Moore stated that she and her cast mates do not condone violence, and that their disagreements had gotten out of hand.

    Moore made a 911 call to report the incident on set, to which the Atlanta police quickly responded. The authorities’ independent investigation resulted in the arrest of Williams on battery charges. After Williams was issued an arrest warrant, she turned herself in to the Fulton County Sheriff on Wednesday.

    Kenya Moore calls the cops. Listen to the 911 call.

    Moore, a former Miss USA, said that the show’s producers still have the last say on Williams’ fate on the hit program. Moore added that she would have apologized right away had she been in Williams’ position.

    Image via YouTube

  • Detroit Motorist Beating: Four Suspects To Stand Trial

    Four men will stand trial on charges of attempted murder after an attack on a motorist. The driver accidentally hit a 10-year-old boy with his vehicle in Detroit, Michigan.

    The 54-year-old driver, Steven Utash spent a few days in a coma, and is still recovering in a Detroit hospital. He received a severe beating on April 2nd from four assailants shortly after striking the child with his truck. Utash, who got out of his truck and rushed to the boy’s side, was immediately confronted by a mob of angry bystanders. The boy is now recovering from a broken leg.

    Defendants Bruce Wimbush Jr., 17, Latrez Cummings, 19, James Davis, 24, and Wonzey Saffold, 30, will stand trial on charges of assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and assault with intent to murder.

    Facing charges as an adult, 17-year-old Wimbush will be tried separately from his counterparts, as he waived his right to a hearing. Cummings, Davis, and Saffold were ordered for trial by Judge Thomas Jackson of Wayne County District Court. This is based on written statements from the defendants and other witness testimonies

    Although admitting involvement in the attack, attorneys for the defendants argue that the charges are too severe.  Judge Jackson contended, “Even one or two [kicks and punches] may not be enough to kill anyone, but in combination with another person, it can be enough to cause death.”

    Several witnesses, such as nearby resident and Nurse Deborah Hughes, testified on what she recalls from the incident.  She stated that shortly after she tried to assist Utash, she saw a crowd of people continue to beat and kick him about 20 times within a few seconds.

    Family members of Utash state that the victim is not himself and is having difficulty taking his first steps since the incident. They also state that Utash, who works as a tree trimmer, has no insurance and his family is in need of financial assistance to help with his increasing medical bills. Thankfully, the popular crowdfunding website GoFundMe has already raised about $181,000 in funds on his behalf.

     Image via YouTube

  • Starved Inmate Dies In Kentucky Prison; Medical Staff Investigated

    James Kenneth Embry, an inmate at the Kentucky State Penitentiary, died in January due to starvation. As a result, a prison doctor has been fired, and two other prison personnel are in the process of being dismissed due to their negligence in medical treatment.

    Embry, 57, just had three years left on his prison sentence of nine years for drug charges before he died. According to reports, he began to behave erratically as soon as he stopped taking anti-anxiety medication in 2013. Embry told staff that he felt paranoid and anxious, and resorted to banging his head on the door of his cell. He then stopped eating most of the meals served to him. “I don’t have any hope,” Embry said to the prison psychiatrist.

    By the time he died, he weighed only 138 pounds – 30 pounds shy of his normal weight, which was a cause for concern for his 6-foot frame.

    Based on an internal investigation done in the prison, the medical staff failed to give Embry the medical attention that he needed in order to suppress his suicidal tendencies. They also failed to monitor Embry while his condition continued to worsen.

    Because of the investigation, more issues within the penitentiary were revealed. One of the big problems with the medical staff is their uncaring attitude towards inmates, which includes the failure to check in with inmates during medical rounds. The lack of communication among the medical staff also poses a problem.

    Greg Belzley, an attorney for inmate rights, said that the incident is extremely disturbing. “How do you just watch a man starve to death?” he said.

    The Kentucky Attorney General’s Office is now reviewing the circumstances surrounding Embry’s death. After the investigation, officials will have to decide whether to file complaints against the board supervising the doctors in the penitentiary.

    Embry’s remains were buried near the penitentiary, since he had no friends and family, and no one claimed his body.

    Image via YouTube

  • Colton Burpo, The Boy Who Said He Met Jesus In Heaven, Faces His Critics

    When Colton Burpo was 4 years old, he had an emergency appendectomy surgery that nearly took his life. After recovering from the surgery, Burpo said that he was able to visit the afterlife. Not only that, he said that he met Jesus there. He told his story with complete details and described Jesus as a man who had “brown hair, a brown beard, and beautiful sea-blue eyes.”

    His statement made others believe, while others became his worst critics.

    Colton is now 13 years old and is giving interviews together with his parents Sonya and Todd Burpo to promote the upcoming movie Heaven is for Real. The film is an adaptation of the book Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy’s Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, which is based on Colton’s near death experience.

    The book discusses Colton’s experience in detail, even saying that Jesus rides a rainbow-colored horse. The boy also said that he met some of his family members who have already passed.

    Colton said that he hopes the film allows viewers to realize that God loves them and wants them “to go to heaven.” He also mentioned that the problem with people is that they are too attached to material things and that’s what hinders them from entering heaven. “So when you love Jesus and you decide to follow him, it’s easier to let those things go so you can be in heaven for an eternity,” Colton said.

    Through the years, Colton has been using his experience as a way to spread the Christian message. He gives inspiration to children who are terminally ill, as well.

    Despite critics telling the Burpo family to stop telling their story, they still continue their mission of spreading the message. “OK you can believe what you want to,” Colton said addressing his critics. “That’s not going to stop me from sharing what I saw.”

    Heaven is for Real hits theaters on April 16.

    Colton talks about heaven

    Image via YouTube

  • Lea Michele Storms Off ‘Glee’ Set After Being Called A Diva

    Lea Michele reportedly stormed off the set of Glee on Tuesday.

    Sources say that the 27-year-old was infuriated that her co-star, Naya Rivera, went to the producers of the show and complained about her being a “diva.”

    The two have been working together on the musical television series since it first aired in 2009. Glee is currently in its fifth season.

    A source close to Rivera told TMZ that most of the cast and crew were annoyed at Michele for making everyone wait for her to start shooting while she dealt with her own personal matters on set. The incident is said to have happened more than once. Apparently, they have had it with waiting and Rivera was the one who went to the producers to complain about Michele’s unprofessional behavior.

    Michele was able to hear Rivera call her a diva in front of the producers, and that’s what caused her to storm off, said the same source.

    However, sources from Michele’s camp are telling a different story. According to them, there were no complaints against Michele, at least none that she knew of, and she and Rivera were not even filming a scene together. They also said that it was Rivera who left the set of Glee and not Michele.

    TMZ has also received tips that Rivera was fired, but Rivera’s sources say that the rumor is completely untrue and that she is still very much part of the show.

    There are two stories from different camps and one detail is the same in both sides – one of them stormed off the set. Whether it was Michele, or Rivera fans will just have to hope that their feud ends soon. They may even patch things up through a song in true Glee fashion.

    The next episode of Glee will be airing on April 22.

    Image via YouTube

  • Moore, Oklahoma Passes New Tornado-Resistant Building Codes

    Some residents of Moore, Oklahoma are still in the process of rebuilding their homes from damages that were left by last year’s tornado. Buildings were reduced to rubble, cars were left crushed, and walls were what remained of the structures.

    The tornado injured 400 citizens and killed 24 people. It was not the first time the city has experienced that big a catastrophe. Serious tornadoes also ravaged the city in 1999 and 2003.

    On Thursday, the city has approved new residential building codes. It made Moore, Oklahoma the first municipality in the United States to create building rules that state that new homes must be able to endure strong winds that are up to 135 mph instead of the previous 90 mph. The new code is a preventative measure for extensive damages when another tornado strikes.

    Moore’s City Council approved 11 building codes after structural engineers examined the damages that were left by the 2013 tornado.

    The last tornado that hit Moore left damages that took $2 billion to rebuild. According to Oklahoma University civil engineering professor Dr. Chris Ramseyer, building stronger structures and homes will result in minimized destruction and minimized cost of rebuilding.

    Part of the new code also says that hurricane clips, wind-resistant garage doors, and roof sheathing are required. Ramseyer also mentioned the added building requirements will not be a large expense for homeowners. “We’re talking one or two cents per dollar on a home,” he said. This is a small price to pay for the safety of the citizens.

    Residents of Moore are excited about the new code, especially since they have already had a hard time trying to rebuild their homes from the previous tornado.

    With these new building codes already in place, Moore, Oklahoma will hopefully be prepared for the next tornado that may come their way.

    Aftermath from the Tornado that hit Moore last year

    Image via YouTube

  • 2014 NBA Mock Draft Version 1.0 Is In

    2014 NBA Mock Draft Version 1.0 Is In

    NBA teams who are looking to rebuild their lineup have a lot of work in store for them. The upcoming June 26 draft is a chance to change their rosters. Picking players with huge potential can be tricky and the process takes time. Individual strengths and weaknesses of players will still be assessed for the coming months, but SI.com has already revealed a Mock Draft.

    Milwaukee Bucks – Executives have been eyeing Andrew Wiggins, and he is considered one of the favorites. With a height of 6’8” and a weight of 200 pounds, Wiggins could easily be a contender for the two-guard position. However, he also has his flaws, one of them being his lack of aggression. On the upside, he can be a rock-hard defender, and score from anywhere on the court.

    Andrew Wiggins

    Philadelphia 76ers – Rumor is that the Sixers are keeping a close watch on Joel Embiid, a player from the University of Kansas. Embiid is the best bet for the center position among the players in the draft. When paired with Nerlens Noel, the duo would form a strong frontcourt. However, executives will still be looking at his medical results on next month’s draft combine, as he has already had his lower back injured in February.

    Joel Embiid

    Jabari Parker

    Orlando Magic – It seems that Jabari Parker is a good choice, no matter the position given to him in a team. There have been questions about his defense play, but he has already proved to be a strong rebounder and scorer.

    Utah Jazz – Standing 6’6” tall, Australian Dante Exum has already earned praised for his star quality. Scouts have been boasting about his quick first step, and his improvement in his jump shot. Executives will be looking at Exum more closely during the individual and combine workouts to see what more he has to offer.

    Dante Exum

    Boston Celtics – Called the “best player available” by Matt Moore of CBS Sports, Julius Randle may be the best bet for the Celtics. Randle, who is from Kentucky, plays a powerful offensive game that is just too good to not be noticed. He is also a scorer with a talent that is often compared to Michael Beasley and Zach Randolph.

    Julius Randle

    Other picks include Marcus Smart for the Los Angeles Lakers, Aaron Gordon for the Sacramento Kings, Dario Saric for the Detroit Pistons, and Noah Vonleh for the Cleveland Cavaliers. In other Mock Drafts, names that have popped up include Nick Stauskas, Doug McDermott, and Kyle Anderson.

    NBA Executives have a lot of thinking to do as these picks could bring the team to a favorable position, or push the team further away from the top.

    The critics weigh in

    Image via YouTube

  • Laura Prepon And Tom Cruise: Are They Secretly Dating Each Other?

    If Scientology had a heaven, this pairing may very well be a perfect match made there.

    According to multiple print and online entertainment publications, the Mission Impossible star has been secretly seeing the Orange Is The New Black actress for several months now. The two actors, who are both active Scientologists, are said to be trying to keep their relationship under wraps.

    A few insiders informed UK-based online magazine that Cruise and Prepon were seen sharing a meal at LA’s Manor Hotel last November. However, representatives of both actors denied that there is anything romantic going on between the two. New York’s famous gossip column Page Six claims that Cruise and Prepon are still an item and working hard to keep their romance a secret from the public.

    British tabloid The Daily Mail was informed by Cruise’s representative that not only are the dating rumors not true, but the two actors have actually never personally met. Another anonymous source spoke with E! News seconded the rep’s claim, insisting that Cruise and Prepon have never been formally introduced.

    On Thursday, Page Six columnist Richard Johnson added that the couple’s secret romance is the “buzz” on the set of Prepon’s show.

    Prepon, who first gained popularity as Donna on the hit TV show That 70’s Show, also starred in How I Met Your Mother, and currently plays a drug-dealing lesbian on the Netflix series Orange Is The New Black. Prepon had a longtime relationship with That 70’s Show and fellow Scientologist Christopher Masterson, which ended in 2007. Us Weekly reported that Prepon briefly dated Californication star Scott Michael Foster after the breakup.

    Cruise, on the other hand, had high-profile relationships with Australian actress Nicole Kidman, and more recently, with Dawson’s Creek star Katie Holmes. Cruise and Holmes ended their marriage in 2012, after seven years of being together. They have a seven-year-old daughter named Suri, of whom they share custody.

    Image via YouTube

  • New Air Jordan XX9 Shoe Unveiled

    Michael Jordan has introduced the 29th edition of his shoe, the Air Jordan, on Thursday in Manhattan. Air Jordan XX9 will be available for purchase in September. Each pair will reportedly cost $225.

    According to Tinker Hatfield, designer for 19 of the 29 Air Jordan shoes, the new version consists of a high-tech weaving process from Italy, where a part of the shoe will be manufactured. The same process is used for manufacturing high-quality silk neckties. The remaining parts of the shoe will be created and assembled in Asia. Designing the Air Jordan XX9 took over two years to complete, with over 20 people involved.

    Hatfield said that he was “designing more and more with computer technology” when he was working on the shoe. “I was thinking about pixels,” he said.

    The shoes will be available in two designs.

    The first design features the classic Chicago Bulls colors – white, red, and black. It also has the elephant print from the Air Jordan III, which was the first shoe Hatfield designed for the Air Jordan series.

    The second design has the colors orange and blue to represent the Oklahoma City Thunder. It also features the popular “Jumpman” logo.

    “Performance is always most important, but style is part of the soul of the game,” Jordan said in an email referring to the Air Jordan XX9. Air Jordans are the most prevalent signature basketball shoes worldwide. Just last year, the United States sold $2.5 billion worth of Air Jordans.

    Usually, new editions of Air Jordans come out in February. However, brand executives decided to push back the release to September in time for the basketball season for consumers. Fans will just have to wait a few more months before they get to play ball in their brand new Air Jordans.

    Image via YouTube

  • ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Sequel Being Planned, But Mara Wilson Isn’t Interested

    ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Sequel Being Planned, But Mara Wilson Isn’t Interested

    We may be seeing more of our favorite nanny soon! News from The Hollywood Reporter said that a sequel for the 1993 comedy movie Mrs. Doubtfire is in the works.

    David Berenbaum, writer for Elf, The Haunted Mansion, and The Spiderwick Chronicles, will be penning the script, and director Chris Columbus will again be working with non other than Mrs. Doubtfire herself, Robin Williams. Williams’ representative said that it is too early to make a comment, but Fox 2000 is close to giving a green light.

    Williams played the title role in the 1993 film. He was a newly divorced father of three who disguised himself as a nanny in order to spend more time with his three children. Williams earned a Golden Globe award for his role in the category Best Actor in a Comedy. Mrs. Doubtfire also won the Best Musical/Comedy that year. The film also stars Sally Field, as Williams’ ex-wife, and Pierce Brosnan as Field’s new love interest. Mrs. Doubtfire grossed over $440 million in worldwide box office sales.

    Fans, who have been waiting for more than two decades for the sequel, are now excited to hear that there is a big chance that it is finally going to happen. One person, however, is not so enthusiastic about the idea of a sequel.

    Mara Wilson, who played Williams’ youngest child Natalie Hillard in Mrs. Doubtfire, said on a tweet that sequels are not good unless they are “planned as part of a trilogy or series.” She also said that in her opinion, Mrs. Doubtfire ended where it should have.

    In another tweet, Wilson stated that she does not have any participation in the sequel, as she has many reasons why she does not want to be in it. “But they haven’t even asked me (yet), so no need to worry,” she said.


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  • Michael Bisping Gives Tim Kennedy His Biggest UFC Win Yet

    When Tim Kennedy joined the UFC in 2013, nobody knew what he was capable of, and many raised their doubts and questions regarding his abilities. In his recent fight, however, Kennedy was able to show the audience just what he is all about.

    The middleweight clash between Kennedy and Michael Bisping happened on Wednesday at The Ultimate Fighter: Nations Finale. Kennedy was able to control Bisping in most of the five rounds that the match lasted. Kennedy won by unanimous decision with 49-46, 49-46, 50-45.

    Bisping is well-known for getting back to his feet when down on the mat, but on Wednesday night, he wasn’t able to do so, as Kennedy was determined to keep him down.

    After the match, Kennedy approached Bisping and said, “I hit you with my best shots. You took them. I have nothing but respect for you.”

    The rivalry between Kennedy and Bisping started back in 2010, when Kennedy challenged Bisping even though he was still with another organization.

    Despite his win, Kennedy was not all smiles, as he might have broken his right hand with all the action that happened. He hopes to get his hand checked on Thursday.

    This is considered Kennedy’s biggest fight, as he was able to take down Bisping, who is ranked higher than him at No. 5. Kennedy is now at 18-4, while Bisping is at 24-6. Wednesday’s affair was also significant for Bisping, as it was the first time he fought in almost a year because of an eye injury that almost ended his career in the UFC.

    Now that Kennedy has defeated one of his rivals, who’s next in line for him? Rumors say that it might be Luke Rockhold or Souza. Kennedy has lost to both of them, but has showed a lot of improvement since. Beating either one of the fighters would be another big win for him if the match happens, as they are both part of the top five.

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  • Glen Campbell: Country Singer Moved To Alzheimer’s Facility

    Glen Campbell, music legend and country singer, was moved to an Alzheimer’s facility last week, according to reports.

    The 77-year-old singer was diagnosed with the disease about three years ago. After the diagnosis, Campbell was still able to release an album entitled Ghost on the Canvas, and he toured the country as a farewell to his fans in 2012. Three of his children joined him for the farewell tour.

    Glen Campbell talks about his Alzheimer’s

    Last spring, tours in New Zealand and Australia were cancelled due to the singer’s deteriorating condition. However, just before the cancellation, Campbell was able to perform in tiptop shape at the Hollywood Bowl. According to Randall Roberts, a music critic, Campbell had “effortless grace” and no one would have known that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s if he didn’t announce it back in 2011.

    According to a family friend, there are no permanent plans for Campbell as of now. “We’ll know more next week,” the friend told the media.

    Aside from being a country singer, Campbell was also a television host and actor. In his years in show business, the Rhinestone Cowboy singer was able to release over 70 albums. He also made history in 1967 by winning a total of four Grammy awards for pop and country categories. Campbell was also nominated for Most Promising Newcomer for his role in the 1969 movie, True Grit. In 2005, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

    Since Campbell’s diagnosis, fans have been showing their concern and support for him and his wife Kim Woolen. They singer decided to go public with his condition, as he did not want his audience to wonder why he would occasionally forget his own song lyrics during his farewell tour.

    Campbell’s farewell tour can be seen in the documentary entitled Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me. The documentary will be debuting at the 2014 Nashville Film Festival on Friday.

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  • Porsha Stewart Charged With Battery For Attacking Kenya Moore On ‘RHOA’ Reunion

    Reunions are supposed to be fun, but that is not always the case with the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

    The reality TV show started airing in 2008 and has just wrapped up its sixth season. On March 26, the housewives all got together for the taping of their reunion special. Tension was so intense between Porsha Stewart and Kenya Moore, that after the reunion, Stewart was charged with battery and a warrant for her arrest was issued.

    On Wednesday, Stewart turned herself in, but she was released later on a $2,000 bond.

    Stewart was introduced to the show at the start of the fifth season.  By the end of her first season as a housewife, she was trying to fix her broken marriage through therapy. She is now the ex-wife of retired pro football player Kordell Stewart.

    After turning herself in, Stewart received plenty of praises for her perfect mug shot. She was sporting a black high-neck top with full makeup and perfect hair. The photo quickly went viral on Twitter and with many likening it to that of a fashion photo. “Porsha Williams’ mug shot is a thing of beauty,” one of the tweets read.

    According to reports, police started their investigations when Moore filed an official complaint about a physical altercation she had with Stewart. Now that Stewart has paid has been released, she is planning to attack Moore, but this time, with felony aggravated assault charges.

    The brawl between the two may have started when Moore provoked Williams by talking about her failed marriage. According to a witness, Moore brought sex toys to the taping and used them to taunt Stewart on her ex-husband’s sexuality.

    Porsha Stewart addresses Kordell Stewart gay rumors.

    The source also said that Moore was beaten up pretty badly. “She is a little thing and she jumped on her and pulled her down to the ground by her hair, and Kenya doesn’t have a weave, it is all her own hair,” said one source.

    The first part of the reunion will be airing on Sunday.

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