Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page arrested on drug charges

FAYETTEVILLE, New York (AP) — Barenaked Ladies singer and guitarist Steven Page faces a cocaine possession charge after his arrest while visiting two woman at their suburban Syracuse apartment.

Page, 38, of Toronto, was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison, Manlius police Capt. Bill Bleyle said Wednesday.

The arrest comes as the band, known for its clean image and cross-generational appeal, recently released a new album for children titled, "Snacktime," a collection of two dozen original children's songs.

Terry McBride, the Vancouver-based manager for the band, said Barenaked Ladies shows are still scheduled, but he declined comment on Page's arrest.

"We cannot comment because the matter is before the courts, but we are confident our client Steven will be completely exonerated," McBride said in a statement. "Until that time, it's business as usual for the Barenaked Ladies."

Page was with the band when it performed Saturday at the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel Southern Indiana in Elizabeth, Indiana.

Page's lawyer, Mark Mahoney, didn't immediately return phone calls seeking comment about the arrest. Page was originally due back in Fayetteville Village Court on Thursday, but a clerk said the case has been adjourned until Aug. 26.

According to a felony complaint filed by police, Page was found with a total of 0.3 ounces of cocaine in a plastic bottle labled calcium with ten capsules inside, another capsule on a table and two more in his pants pocket. All tested positive for cocaine, police said.

The band was formed nearly 20 years ago in Toronto. It has released 12 albums, producing hits such as "If I Had $1,000,000," "Brian Wilson" and "Too Little, Too Late".

The group is known for its whimsical lyrics and comedic banter on stage.

Andy K. Dick jailed on drug, sex allegations

MURRIETA, California (AP) —Comedian Andy K. Dick was arrested for investigation of drug use and sexual battery after the comedian allegedly pulled down a teenager's top, police said.

The former co-star of the TV sitcom "NewsRadio" was released from a detention center after posting $5,000 bail. Calls to his representatives seeking comment were not immediately returned.

Police were called to the Buffalo Wild Wings in Murrieta at about 1.13 a.m. to investigate a report of "an intoxicated male" urinating outside the bar and causing a disturbance, according to a police statement.

When they arrived, a 17-year-old girl told police that she was outside when Dick left the bar, walked up, "grabbed her tank top and bra and pulled them down and exposed her breasts," the statement said.

Friends escorted Dick to a truck, which officers stopped at a nearby Sam's Club, police said.

Dick was identified by the teenager and a witness, police said.

Marijuana and the drug Xanax were found his pants pockets during a search and he appeared "extremely intoxicated," police said.

Dick, 42, was booked at Southwest Detention Center in French Valley on suspicion of felony possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor sexual battery and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

Dick has a reputation for crude behavior. He has been reported to have exposed himself to audiences at least twice.

Last year, Dick was cited in Columbus, Ohio, for urinating on the sidewalk.

A comedy club owner in the city said the actor also made inappropriate comments while onstage, groped patrons, took women into the men's room and urinated on the floor and on at least one person.

In 1999, Dick was arrested for possession of cocaine and marijuana after driving his car into a telephone pole in Hollywood. He pleaded guilty but the charges were dismissed after he went into a diversion programme.

Rolling Stone guitarist Ronnie Wood in rehab

LONDON (AP) — Ronnie Wood entered a rehabilitation facility for help with alcoholism, said a spokeswoman for the Rolling Stones guitarist.

"Following Ronnie's continued battle with alcohol he has entered a period of rehab," the spokeswoman said on condition of anonymity as required by her agency. "His close family and friends say he is seeking help and look forward to his recovery."

Wood, 61, has fought a long battle with alcoholism during his rock 'n' roll career, which started in the 1960s when he played with the band The Faces.

His spokeswoman didn't release any details about the treatment he will receive or the clinic that he entered.

The craggy guitarist had seemed to be in good health in recent years.

He has developed a strong second career as an artist, selling his paintings at some of London's respected art galleries.

But he has been the focus of feverish recent newspaper reports about his resuming drinking.

Natalie Cole says she has hepatitis C

NEW YORK (AP)— Grammy-winning singer Natalie Cole has been diagnosed with hepatitis C, her publicist said in a statement.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease spread through contact with infected blood. The statement said the disease was revealed during a routine examination and was likely caused by her drug use years ago.

"I've been so fortunate to have learned so much from my past experiences," said Cole. "I am embraced by the love and support of my family and friends; I am committed to my belief in myself and in my abiding faith to meet this challenge with a heartfelt optimism and determination. This is how I intend to deal with this current challenge in my life."

Her physician at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Dr. Graham Woolf, said Cole has had a "terrific response to her medication and is now virus negative."