newsmakers

April 3, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

newsmakers

Devo donates artifacts to Ohio Historical Society

COLUMBUS

The oddball rock group Devo has cemented its place in Ohio history with a gift to a museum in its home state. The Ohio Historical Society says it has received a small collection of artifacts from the band and its official archivist. The items include stickers, T-shirts, costumes and one of those red, flower pot-style hats like Devo wore in the video for its 1980 hit song “Whip It.”

Three of the band’s founding members grew up in Akron and met at Kent State University in the 1970s.

The group’s name came from a theory that the human race is in a process of devolution, which members read about in an anti-Darwinism pamphlet. The band most recently performed in Ohio in 2008 for President Obama’s campaign, and an annual “DEVOtional” convention is held in Cleveland.

Workers injured while setting stage for Elton John concert

MEXICO CITY

Part of the stage being set up for a weekend concert by singer Elton John at Mexico’s famed Chichen Itza ruins collapsed during construction, injuring three workers, authorities said Thursday. Two of the workers were treated for slight injuries and released, and the third was hospitalized with a broken leg. The British singer was not present when the accident occurred Wednesday night.

“There has been no discussion of canceling the event” scheduled for Saturday, said Francisco de Anda, a spokesman for Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History, which is in charge of the country’s pre-Hispanic sites. The institute said there was no damage to the 1,200-year-old Mayan ruins. De Anda said the stage was put up at a distance from the pyramid and temples, precisely to avoid any potential damage.

Source: Charlie Sheen wants to bow out of CBS sitcom

LOS ANGELES

Charlie Sheen is looking at a future without “Two and a Half Men.” According to a person close to the actor, Sheen has told friends that he wants to leave the hit CBS comedy in which he’s starred for seven years. The person spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because Sheen had made the remarks in private and had not intended them to be discussed publicly.

“Two and a Half Men,” which also stars Jon Cryer, is the top-rated comedy on TV and a key part of CBS’ Monday night lineup. Last year, CBS gave the show a three-year renewal, through the 2011-12 season, but Sheen’s contract is up at the end of the current season. Sheen, 44, has tired of the demands of a weekly show and wants to focus on movies, the person close to him said. Sheen is in the upcoming film “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” a sequel to the 1987 “Wall Street” in which he starred.

Attorney says James wants to save marriage to Bullock

LOS ANGELES

Jesse James is a “a broken man” and is hoping that rehab and some privacy will help him recover and save his marriage to Sandra Bullock, his friend and attorney said. Joe Yanny told The Associated Press that allegations of marital infidelity against James and the ensuing media “feeding frenzy” have ruined the biker businessman’s life. He said James is still in love with Bullock and hopes the marriage can be saved.

James checked into a rehabilitation center after weeks of reports that he cheated on Bullock throughout their marriage. Yanny declined to say what James is being treated for, but said people shouldn’t assume it is for sex addiction. He also wouldn’t rebut specific allegations lodged against the West Coast Choppers owner or say whether there are plans for the couple to get a divorce.