Valley natives fail to advance on ‘Ninja’

Valley natives fail to advance on ‘Ninja’

Two Mahoning Valley natives failed to advance on Monday’s episode of NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior.”

NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney, 23, the son of Sharon Speedway owner and former NASCAR driver Dave Blaney of Hartford, attempted the course but failed on the second obstacle.

Pat Lavanty, the chef and owner of Nicolinni’s Restaurant in Boardman, also was unable to make it through the course, which was set up in Public Square in downtown Cleveland. Filming took place May 8-9.

“American Ninja Warrior” competitors had to complete a five-obstacle course to have a shot at advancing.

Ashton Kutcher fires back at tabloid with sarcastic tweet

Ashton Kutcher had a quick explanation after a tabloid questioned why he was seen out and about with a mystery woman recently: She was his cousin.

Kutcher on Sunday responded to a Star magazine article headlined, “Hey Ashton! Who’s the girl?”

The article included pictures of Kutcher and a woman entering a private jet and noted it wasn’t his wife, Mila Kunis.

Kutcher posted a picture of the article on Twitter and added: “You should have heard how upset Mila was that I spent the day with our cousin.”

He also apologized to his aunt, saying, “These magazines lack integrity.”

A representative for American Media, which owns Star, didn’t immediately return a request to comment.

Oswalt slams critics who say marriage plans too soon

LOS ANGELES

Patton Oswalt is defending his engagement from online critics who say the comedian is getting married too soon after his wife’s death last year.

Oswalt shared a link Saturday to a post defending him by Erica Roman, a blogger who lost her husband around the same time that Oswalt’s wife, Michele McNamara, died in her sleep in April 2016.

Oswalt writes that he felt “rage” over the criticism.

He says he initially decided to ignore critics he calls “grub worms,” but Roman articulated his feelings better than he could have.

Roman wrote in her post that anyone criticizing Oswalt isn’t entitled to an opinion because they haven’t gone through his experience.

Oswalt announced his engagement to actress Meredith Salenger last week.

Staff/wire report