newsmakers

July 4, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

newsmakers

Judge drops case over McConaughey scuffle

LOS ANGELES

A judge has dropped charges against two surfers accused of attacking a celebrity photographer shooting photos of Matthew McConaughey on a Malibu beach.

Los Angeles County district attorney’s spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons says the charges were dismissed Friday after prosecutors decided against starting a third trial against the surfers. A jury deadlocked last month on the misdemeanor battery case against Skylar Peak and Philip Hildebrand.

Peak and Hildebrand were accused of confronting several paparazzi who showed up to shoot photos of the “Fool’s Gold” star on a Malibu beach two years ago.

Peak’s attorney, Harland Braun, said the case was poorly investigated and never should have been filed. He said paparazzi video of the fight had been manipulated to implicate the surfers.

Melissa Etheridge files to end partnership

LOS ANGELES

Court records show Melissa Etheridge has filed to make her breakup with former girlfriend Tammy Lynn Michaels official.

The singer filed to dissolve her domestic partnership with Michaels on Friday in Los Angeles. They announced their separation in April, and the rocker told Oprah Winfrey it was mutual, but “sad.”

The two held a commitment ceremony in 2003 and registered a domestic partnership in August 2005. Michaels gave birth to twins from an anonymous sperm donor in 2006.

The 49-year-old Etheridge cited irreconcilable differences for the split in court filings. She is asking to share joint custody of their 3-year-old children.

The filing was first reported by celebrity website TMZ.

Travolta thanks fans for ‘Grease’ campaign

ocala, fla.

John Travolta is thanking his adopted Florida hometown, Ocala, after residents waged an online campaign to bring a limited rerelease of his hit “Grease” to the area.

The 1978 classic is being shown in select theaters nationwide as the “Grease Sing-A-Long,” with karaoke-style subtitles for the songs.

Ocala wasn’t on the distribution list. So residents swamped an online poll that allowed the city with the most voting fans to get the film. Ocala topped the poll by hundreds of votes.

Travolta released a statement through JTP Films thanking residents and promising to buy free snacks. “Wish I could be there with you,” he said.

Travolta and wife Kelly Preston bought an $8 million home in Ocala in 2003 with a landing strip so Travolta, an avid pilot, can fly.

Carole King puts ranch in Idaho on market

STANLEY, Idaho

Songwriter and singer Carole King has put her 128-acre central Idaho ranch back on the market with a reduced asking price of $16 million.

The Robinson Bar Ranch compound near Stanley includes a 7,300-square-foot lodge, a private residence, a caretaker’s home, a professional recording studio, guest cabins and horse barns.