Celebrity News: A Birth, A Death, and a Free Man

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

21 Jan 2008 10:50 PM

Pretty soon he'll be able to start his own hockey team... or at least contribute to a couple of figure skating pairs' teams.

Olympic champion ice skater Scott Hamilton and his wife, Tracie, just added another boy to their growing family. According to news reports, baby Maxx Hamilton arrived at 7:51 a.m. this morning. He weighed in at 7 lbs., 8 oz., and measured 20 inches long, according to proud papa Hamilton.

Maxx will reportedly be joining 4-year-old big brother, Aidan at the family's Tennessee home in a couple of days. The 49-year-old gold medal ice skating champ and his wife Tracie have been married since 2002, and reside in Nashville.

Hamilton is scheduled to provide commentary for this weekend's U.S. Figure Skating Championships in St. Paul, Minnesota, but those plans could change due to his new son's arrival.

A DEATH

R&B superstar Usher is in mourning today. According to a Tennessee newspaper, the singer's father Usher Raymond III passed away at an Atlanta hospital on Friday.

According to the paper, the elder Raymond's funeral will take place in a few days in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The cause of death was not immediately known.

No word if Usher's wife Tameka and the couple's 2-month old son will accompany the singer to the funeral.

A FREE MAN

Free at last... free at last... After 48 days behind bars, Kiefer Sutherland has been freed from his California jail cell.

According to jail officials the actor was released from incarceration this morning. But unlike fellow celebrity jailbirds such as Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton, Sutherland served his entire sentence for a second DUI conviction and for violating probation. In doing so the 41-year-old star of "24" spent his birthday, Christmas and New Year's at the Los Angeles-area facility.

Jail administrators say Sutherland was a "model" inmate and "never griped, never complained" and was respected for that.

During his time behind bars Sutherland's family and friends never once visited the actor. Jail records indicate his only visitors were his attorney and his doctor.

In addition to his jail time, Sutherland was also sentenced to five years probation, and must complete an 18-month alcohol education program and attend weekly therapy sessions for six months.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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