newsmakers

newsmakers

Stevie Wonder files for divorce

LOS ANGELES

Stevie Wonder is ending his 11-year marriage to fashion designer Kai Millard Morris.

The 62-year-old musician cites irreconcilable differences in papers filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court. He filed the documents under his real name, Stevland Morris.

Wonder and Millard were married Sept. 1, 2001. According to court documents, they separated in October 2009. They have two sons, 10-year-old Kailand and 7-year-old Mandla. Wonder is seeking joint legal and physical custody of the two boys and agrees to pay spousal support to his former wife.

Singer in metal band Lamb of God released on bail

PRAGUE

An official says the frontman of U.S. death-metal band Lamb of God has been released on bail from a Prague prison, several weeks after his arrest in connection with a fan’s death in 2010.

Randy Blythe, 41, was arrested June 27 and is being investigated for bodily harm resulting in death. Czech media say that during a 2010 concert in Prague, an audience member climbed onto the stage and that Blythe then pushed him off. The fan reportedly hit the floor with his head and later died of the injuries.

Blythe was arrested after returning to Prague to play another gig.

Martina Lhotakova, spokeswoman for Prague’s Municipal Court, says Blythe was released on $400,000 bail. That decision upholds a previous court decision that was challenged by prosecutors.

Fair tries to revive tradition after tragedy

INDIANAPOLIS

Visitors poured into the Indiana State Fair on opening day Friday, signaling they were ready to move on from last summer’s deadly stage collapse and to re-embrace the popular annual event after its most trying year.

The strong early attendance was a good sign for fair officials who hope this year’s event is one of emotional and economic healing. The fair saw revenue and attendance plummet last year after high winds knocked stage rigging onto a crowd of fans awaiting a concert by country duo Sugarland, and many have questioned whether the event often likened to a family reunion ever would be the same.

Vindicator wire services