newsmakers

newsmakers

Crystal Cathedral founder Schuller dies

ARTESIA, Calif.

The Rev. Robert H. Schuller, a California televangelist and author who beamed his upbeat messages on faith and redemption to millions of followers from his landmark Crystal Cathedral only to see his empire crumble in his waning years, has died. He was 88.

Schuller died Thursday at a care facility in Artesia, daughter Carol Schuller Milner said. He was diagnosed with terminal esophageal cancer in 2013.

Once a ubiquitous presence on Sunday morning television, Schuller faded from view in recent years after watching his church collapse amid a disastrous leadership transition and sharp declines in viewership and donations that forced the ministry to file for bankruptcy.

The soaring, glass-paned Crystal Cathedral — the touchstone of Schuller’s career — was sold to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange in 2011. Schuller lost a legal battle the following year to collect more than $5 million from his former ministry over claims of copyright infringement and breach of contract.

Vanilla Ice accepts plea deal in burglary case

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.

Vanilla Ice has accepted a plea deal to perform community service after being arrested over the break-in and theft at an abandoned home in Florida.

The rapper, whose real name is Robert Van Winkle, appeared in circuit court in West Palm Beach on Thursday. He agreed to a fine and 100 hours of community service to avoid charges of grand theft in the February incident.

Associated Press