Dillon pleads not guilty to speeding in Vermont

January 22, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

CHELSEA, Vt. — Matt Dillon pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a Dec. 30 speeding charge in which police say they spotted the actor doing 106 miles per hour on an interstate highway.

Dillon’s lawyer, Mark Kaplan of Burlington, entered the plea on behalf of the 44-year-old actor. Kaplan said there was no reason for Dillon to attend the arraignment, and he hoped to resolve the case without going to trial.

Because Dillon was reportedly traveling more than 30 mph over the posted 65-mph speed limit on the interstate, he was charged with criminal negligent operation. The charge is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Grand Ole Opry star on mend from surgery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Grand Ole Opry star “Little” Jimmy Dickens has been moved from a Nashville-area hospital to a rehabilitation center to recuperate from surgery.

The 88-year-old Dickens underwent surgery Jan. 13 to repair a subdural hematoma, a form of brain injury.

Opry publicist Jessie Schmidt says Dickens anticipates a short stay in the rehab center.

The 4-foot-11 entertainer has been a member of the Opry since 1948. His hits include “Country Boy,” “A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed” and “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.”

Carnegie Hall reduces schedule, cuts budget

NEW YORK — Carnegie Hall is cutting its 2009-10 schedule by 10 percent because of the recession, instituting a hiring freeze and slashing $4 million from the budget for its current season to keep it balanced.

Carnegie executive and artistic director Clive Gillinson says next season’s budget would be even lower than the revised $76 million for this season. Carnegie announced a schedule of 180 concerts, down from about 200 in recent seasons.

Susan Brady, the hall’s director of development, says individual giving for this season was down 17 to 18 percent to $11 million. She says corporate donations had remained steady and that overall giving was about $30 million.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Piper Laurie is 77. Actor John Hurt is 69. Singer Steve Perry (Journey) is 60. Actress Linda Blair is 50. Actress Diane Lane is 44. Country singer Regina Nicks of Regina Regina is 44. Rap DJ-actor Jazzy Jeff is 44. Actor Christopher Kennedy Masterson (“Malcolm in the Middle”) is 29.