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Carlyle Group pumps $500 million into Beats Electronics

Beats Electronics, based in Santa Monica, Calif., said equity investment giant Carlyle Group has purchased a minority share of the company for $500 million.

Beats, founded by music producer Jimmy Iovine and rapper Andre Young — known as Dr. Dre — is a rapidly expanding maker of high-end headphones costing between $200 and $400.

Terms of the deal with Carlyle Group were not disclosed, but the deal values Beats at more than $1 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday. When smartphone maker HTC invested in Beats two years ago, the company had a valuation of about $600 million, the Journal said.

Carlyle's investment was announced simultaneously with news that Beats had agreed to buy out HTC Corp.'s 24.84 percent of the company in a deal valued at $265 million.

“These transactions represent the evolution of the financial strength and significant growth prospects of Beats,” said Iovine, who also is chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M.

The Hollywood Reporter said the deal is expected to help Beats expand, especially overseas.

Carlyle Group, based in Washington, is the second-largest private equity firm in the world with $180 billion in assets under its management and is known to have friends in high places, the Journal said.

“Carlyle has a strong history of helping great brands expand globally, and we are thrilled to partner with Jimmy Iovine, Dr. Dre and their talented management and product teams,” said Sandra Horbach, the equity firm's managing director and head of consumer and retail.

Copyright 2013 by United Press International

Village makes at least $5,280 from urination fines

Authorities in Ohio were able to net their village at least $5,280 during the summer via 32 citations for public urination, records show.

The Sandusky (Ohio) Register said its analysis of police reports in the village of Put-in-Bay revealed 32 people were cited during the summer for public urination.

Karen Goaziou, Put-in-Bay clerk of courts, said the offense carries a fine of $80 to $150, plus an $85 court fee. She said those who choose not to contest the offense are automatically fined $80 plus the $85 court fee, meaning most pay a total $165.

Don Dress, Put-in-Bay police public relations officer, said the public urination offense was put on the books around 2000 due to offenders previously being charged with the more serious offense of indecent exposure. He said the frequency of citations led to the lesser offense being implemented.

Dress said not every person caught urinating in public is issued a ticket.

“We always run their IDs in our system to make sure they don't have warrants or anything like that, but it's up to [the officer] to decide whether they deserve a ticket,” he said.

Copyright 2013 by United Press International

Spanish air traffic controllers in trouble for retirement message

Five air traffic controllers in Spain are facing discipline for broadcasting a special message to a retiring pilot over a dedicated radio frequency.

The Spanish Airports and Air Navigation Association said the air traffic controllers are facing disciplinary action for broadcasting a message Aug. 17 to retiring pilot Francisco Ubet as he prepared to land at Madrid's Barajas airport, TheLocal.es reported Monday.

The 35-second message celebrated Ubet's career to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne.”

The air traffic controllers' human resources department said using the air traffic control radio frequency for the message was a violation of the rules.

However, the Union of Air traffic Controllers said special retirement messages for pilots are traditional and do not put passengers at risk. The union is calling for the punishments to be canceled and pilots are being asked to send supportive messages over the radio on approaching the airport.

Copyright 2013 by United Press International

Dog accidentally shoots owner, 78, in Fort Worth, Texas

A Fort Worth, Texas woman, 78, was shot in the foot when her shotgun discharged after her dog walked past it and knocked it over, police said.

The unidentified woman told police she was watching television in her home Saturday night with the shotgun by her side, and it fired when the dog bumped it.

She sought treatment for her injured left foot the following morning, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Monday.

“The victim advised it was an accident and the dog was not to blame,” said officer Sharron Neal, a police spokeswoman.

Police did not identify the breed of the dog.

“He has the right to remain silent,” Neal said.

Copyright 2013 by United Press International

Police: Burglary suspect cashed stolen check at island's only store

Authorities in Alaska said they arrested a man accused of trying to cash a stolen check at the only store in his village.

Alaska State Troopers stationed in Nome said they received a report last Tuesday that a .22 caliber pistol and some checks were among the items stolen from Savoonga resident Jody Madsen's home, the Anchorage Daily News reported Monday.

Troopers said the Savoonga Native Store, the only shop on the island, notified police that Ronald Kingeekuk, 22, cashed one of the stolen checks for $2,000 at the business.

“The Alaska State Troopers recovered each stolen item, including the .22 caliber pistol and upon further investigation linked R. Kingeekuk to the burglary,” the troopers said in a dispatch.

Kingeekuk was arrested Saturday.

Copyright 2013 by United Press International

Russian women get lost in cemetery, call authorities for help

Russian authorities said two women who took a group of girls into a cemetery to visit a relative's grave ended up intoxicated and lost.

Officials with the Emergencies Ministry in the Tomsk region village of Voronino said a pair of women took four girls, ages 7 to 17, to visit a relative's grave at the cemetery Saturday and ended up calling the ministry for help when they couldn't find their way out, RIA Novosti reported Monday.

The ministry said a rescue team used flashlights and sound signals to show the group the way out. The women and girls were escorted home, officials said.

“There were external indicators that the adult women were in a state of alcoholic intoxication,” the ministry's statement said.

Officials said it is not unusual for relatives and friends of a deceased person to gather at their grave with food and alcoholic beverages.

Copyright 2013 by United Press International

Arizona's restaurant ferret ban takes effect

A law officially forbidding ferrets from being brought into the Arizona restaurants has taken effect.

Friday, the 90th day since this year's legislative session was adjourned, marked the day 256 new laws took effect in the state, including the ferret ban, which stems from efforts to narrow the number of species considered “service animals,” Capital Media Services reported Monday.

Laws previously allowed several types of animals to be claimed as “service animals” and brought into restaurants and other facilities by people with disabilities, but the new law restricts the designation to dogs and miniature horses.

Miniature horses were left on the list due to their ability to be trained, greater physical strength than dogs and their longevity.

Copyright 2013 by United Press International

Valerie Harper documentary to air on NBC Thursday


A documentary about cancer-stricken U.S. actress Valerie Harper is to premiere Thursday, NBC announced Monday.

“Valerie”s Story — a Meredith Vieira Special” is to debut at 10 p.m. ET following the finale of the game show “Million Second Quiz.”

“The documentary explores Valerie Harper”s raw and emotional journey as she battles a rare incurable disease,” a synopsis said. “Harper, who is 74 years old and had previously battled lung cancer, announced on March 6, 2013, that she had been diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a rare, terminal cancer. Given only three to six months to live, her diagnosis has turned a corner. In an exclusive to ”Today,” Harper”s latest MRI revealed that she had defied the odds and her neuro-oncologist Dr. Jeremy Rudnick said that she ”was pretty close to remission.” From the revelation that she had an incurable disease, to doctor”s visits and experimental treatments, ”Valerie”s Story — a Meredith Vieira Special,” takes an intimate look inside Harper”s reality as she lives life to its fullest with her husband Tony Cacciotti and their daughter Christina.”

Harper and Vieira are to be guests on Thursday”s edition of “Today.”

Harper is currently a contestant on ABC”s “Dancing with the Stars.”

Copyright 2013 by United Press International

Iggy Pop to replace Roger Daltrey as Caterpillar on ‘Wonderland'


U.S. punk music icon Iggy Pop is to guest star on ABC”s “Once Upon a Time” spinoff “Wonderland,” EW.com reported Monday.

Pop will lend his distinctive voice to the Caterpillar on the show.

He will replace Roger Daltrey who played the role on “Once Upon a Time,” but was unavailable to reprise the character in “Wonderland,” the entertainment news website said.

Copyright 2013 by United Press International

Gandolfini, Monteith to be remembered at Emmys ceremony


The late TV stars James Gandolfini, Cory Monteith, Jean Stapleton and Jonathan Winters are to be honored at Sunday”s Emmy Awards show in Los Angeles, CBS said.

The quartet, along with producer Gary David Goldberg, will receive special recognition outside the show”s traditional “In Memoriam” segment.

Those who will provide special tributes include Edie Falco, who will remember her “Sopranos” co-star Gandolfini; Michael J. Fox, who will honor his “Family Ties” producer Goldberg; Jane Lynch, who will talk about her friend and “Glee” co-star Cory Monteith; Rob Reiner, who will pay tribute to his long-time “All in the Family” co-star Jean Stapleton; and Robin Williams, who will remember his friend and mentor Winters.

“The ”In Memoriam” is a very emotional and evocative segment for the Emmys, or any annual awards program,” Emmys Executive Producer Ken Ehrlich said in a statement Monday. “These five individuals brought us such great entertainment and joy, so having their close friends share personal remembrances is something that will be very meaningful for television audiences across the country and across the generations. And our traditional ”In Memoriam” segment will be presented in a unique new format that will give added importance to an already much anticipated segment of the Emmy show.”

Neil Patrick Harris is to serve as host of the ceremony, which celebrates the year”s best in television.

Copyright 2013 by United Press International