Singer turning to God

People

Puerto Rican reggaeton star Hector "El Father" Delgado said Wednesday he will give up his role as a rapper known for lyrics about violence and womanizing to devote his life to God. At a news conference in San Juan he said he will preach positive messages to youngsters once he has completed a tour for his latest CD. "My way now is to serve Christ in spirit and truth," he said. Delgado was one of the pioneers of reggaeton, a mix of tropical rhythms, reggae, hip-hop and rap.

Drug charges for Phillips

Los Angeles prosecutors Wednesday charged former teen star Mackenzie Phillips, 48, with felony drug possession in connection with her arrest last week at Los Angeles International Airport. She was charged with two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, heroin and cocaine, and one misdemeanor count of unauthorized possession of a needle or syringe, officials said. Phillips, free on $20,000 bail, has entered rehab for the 10th time in her life. Arraignment is scheduled for October.

Honors for Wonder

Motown star Stevie Wonder, 58, has won the Library of Congress' second annual Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, which honors lifetime achievement. Paul Simon won last year. Wonder also has been commissioned to write music for a Feb. 23 gala at the library, joining an impressive list of musicians who have received Library of Congress commissions, including Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein and Paquito D'Rivera. "It's an immense privilege to join such a remarkable roster of musicians," Wonder said.

Fighting back

Defending Gonzales

Supporters launched a Web site this week to defend former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who was dinged this week by an inspector general's report for mishandling "eyes only — top secret" documents about the administration's surveillance programs. The site, GonzalesFacts.com, says it's "written by friends and supporters of Judge Alberto Gonzales to inform the public about the truth about this fine man." The Web site includes a contact for his spokesman, one for an agent who books his speeches and a link to a site that accepts contributions for his legal-defense fund.

Wanted

Gorilla kidnapped

An 8-foot mechanical gorilla outside Sandy's Sales in East Machias, Maine, has disappeared and owner Lowell Miller wonders how anyone could have moved it. Miller didn't say how heavy it was but said it had a concrete base, with electric motors inside that moved the gorilla's arms up and down and turned it sideways. "Who ... would ever steal a gorilla as heavy as that thing was?" Miller asked Tuesday. Maine State Police Sgt. Jeff Ingemi thinks the pilfered primate is decorating some college student's apartment.

Passages

Bill Melendez, 91, the animator who gave life to Snoopy, Charlie Brown and other "Peanuts" characters in scores of movies and TV specials, died Tuesday at a Santa Monica, Calif., hospital.

Today in History

1888: George Eastman received a patent for his roll-film box camera and registered his trademark: "Kodak."

1951: President Truman addressed the nation from the Japanese peace treaty conference in San Francisco in the first live, coast-to-coast television broadcast.

1957: Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus used Arkansas National Guardsmen to prevent nine black students from entering all-white Central High School in Little Rock.

Today's Birthdays

Actress Mitzi Gaynor, 77. Actress Khandi Alexander, 51. Actor-comedian Damon Wayans, 48. R&B singer Richard Wingo, 33. Actor Wes Bentley, 30. Singer Beyoncé Knowles, 27.

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