Chynna Phillips to get treatment for anxiety

February 17, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

NEW YORK — A representative for Chynna Phillips says the 42-year-old singer has entered an undisclosed treatment facility for anxiety. A statement issued by her publicist, Lizzie Grubman, says Phillips checked herself into the facility “after much thoughtful deliberation.” Grubman says Phillips is “looking forward to her recovery.” The statement asks that people respect Phillips’ privacy and the privacy of her family.

Phillips, of the pop group Wilson Phillips, is married to actor William Baldwin. The couple have three children.

She’s the half-sister of former child actress Mackenzie Phillips, who said in a 2009 memoir that she had a decade-long sexual relationship with their father, pop star John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas.

Richie, Madden make their engagement official

NEW YORK — Nicole Richie is engaged to longtime boyfriend Joel Madden. The 28-year-old Richie confirmed the engagement Monday during a taping of CBS’ “Late Show With David Letterman.” The show will air Friday at 11:35 p.m.

Letterman asked, “You’re not married yet, is that correct?” Richie replied, “We’re not married.” Letterman then asked if she and Madden planned to get married. Richie said, “We actually recently are engaged, yes.”

The 30-year-old Madden fronts the band Good Charlotte. The couple have a 2-year-old daughter, Harlow Winter Kate, and a 5-month-old son, Sparrow Midnight.

Man arrested in killing of guitar maker Sakashta

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — Police in California have arrested a suspect in the killing of prominent guitar maker Taku Sakashta. Police arrested 28-year-old Joshua Rhea Begley early Monday in Rohnert Park on suspicion of murder, burglary and evading police. He is being held without bail.

The 43-year-old Sakashta was an acclaimed maker of string instruments — known as a luthier. His guitars fetched up to $30,000. Police found his body Friday near his shop in Rohnert Park, about 48 miles north of San Francisco.

Sutherland to have surgery

NEW YORK — Production of the Fox network thriller “24” has been temporarily shut down so that star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherland can undergo surgery. Shooting is expected to resume next week with Sutherland’s return. Twentieth Century Fox Television would not comment on the nature of Sutherland’s ailment, referring to it only as “a medical procedure.” The Los Angeles Times first reported the production halt and says Sutherland suffered from a ruptured cyst.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Hal Holbrook is 85. Singer Bobby Lewis is 77. Comedian Dame Edna (Barry Humphries) is 76. Country singer-songwriter Johnny Bush is 75. Actress Brenda Fricker is 65. Actress Rene Russo is 56. Actor Lou Diamond Phillips is 48. Comedian Larry the Cable Guy is 47. Actress Denise Richards is 39. Singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day is 38. Actor Jerry O’Connell is 36. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt is 29.