Ruthe Hirsch of San Rafael, Calif., has just turned 80. Now, before young cynics ask, "So what's to celebrate? That only means she is another old woman whose best years are in the past," let's take a moment to examine Ruthe's life. You cynics obviously don't know Ruthe (pronounced "Ruthie"). Let me tell you about her. Ruthe is no traditional octogenarian. Oh, no. Not only does she have a lot to celebrate in her past ... [full story]

It's been 2 1/2 years since Kings of Leon opened the first concert of U2's 2005 "Vertigo" world tour at the San Diego Sports Arena, but the members of this critically acclaimed Tennessee band remember that night as clearly as yesterday.   KINGS OF LEON - The Kings of Leon are Nathan Followill, Matthew Followill, Caleb Followill and Jared Followill. CNS Photo courtesy of James Minchin III. It was the first time this young quartet of rootsy ... [full story]

NEW RELEASES ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - The oomph-driven theatrical director Julie ("Lion King") Taymor can really ride herd on a film. Now, Taymor ropes, brands and stampedes the Beatles into her showbiz corral. In "Across the Universe," she and the writers serve up the fabled tunes and the 1960s fondly and as   'ACROSS THE UNIVERSE' - Eddie Izzard is featured in 'Across the Universe,' a love story set in the turbulent '60s. CNS Photo courtesy ... [full story]

From a very young age, while going to drama school in England and training in theater, it was always about the work for actor Clive Owen. While he continues to fly just below the celebrity radar, Owen, 42, makes a point of keeping his roles as varied as possible so his work stays challenging and he avoids getting typecast.   CLIVE OWEN - Clive Owen plays dangerous mystery man Mr. Smith in the thriller 'Shoot 'Em ... [full story]

A 19-year-old Bend man has been arrested for allegedly stabbing his stepfather in the elbow with a kitchen knife early this morning, police reported.   Jerid A. Helm - DCJ photo Shortly after 4:15 a.m. September 17, officers were dispatched to the report of a stabbing at 61003 Targee Drive, a news release prepared by Bend Police’s Ben A. Gregory stated. Officers determined that Jerid A. Helm, 19, had allegedly stabbed his stepfather in the left elbow ... [full story]

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis police sources confirmed that a large amount of money, possibly more than $40,000, was stolen from an evidence vault. The theft -- the second within the police department this year -- occurred in the property-custody room in the basement of St. Louis Police Headquarters, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Monday. Lt. Col. Roy Joachimstaler, chief of detectives, confirmed that internal and criminal investigations were under way into the disappearance of ... [full story]

BELGRADE, Serbia — A court in western Serbia sentenced a 49-year-old man to three years in jail for raping an under-age boy. Judge Nadezda Zivic of the District Court in Valjevo, 56 miles southwest of Belgrade, ruled Ciric was drunk when he forced his young neighbor to the sexual act at a fun fair on the outskirts of Valjevo, the Serbian news agency Tanjug said Monday. Zivic said she passed the minimum sentence because Ciric ... [full story]

LAS VEGAS — Las Vegas police say former NFL star and actor O.J. Simpson will be held without bail until a Thursday court appearance on robbery, weapons and other charges. Simpson, 60, was arrested at a Las Vegas hotel Sunday and charged with two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one count each of armed burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police ... [full story]

DES MOINES, IA -- Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton unveiled her healthcare reform package Monday that would require all Americans be insured. 'It puts the consumer in the driver`s seat by offering more choices and lowering costs,' Clinton, D-N.Y., said on her Web site. She unveiled her proposal at a Des Moines hospital. Clinton said her plan would include tax credits to help defray premium costs and could be transported if an insured person ... [full story]

SUN CITY, Fla. -- The owners of a Sun City, Fla., petting zoo said attackers broke into the facility, stole as many as five pigs and stabbed two others.Cornelia Winn said Big Pig, a particularly docile 400-pound animal, was stabbed at least 10 times, the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune reported Monday.Winn said two of Big Pig’s wounds were about 2 inches deep, and one was 7 or 8 inches long.She said a second pig, a pregnant ... [full story]