Meningitis outbreak
The death of a University of Oregon student is found to be related to a bacterial infection form of meningitis. An 18-year-old is found in her room unconscious is later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. She is the fourth case at this particular university. The other three students are recovering. The university announces a full-scale vaccination program the first week in March.
Sworn in
Carter is sworn in as the fourth secretary of defense under President Obama and the 25th overall. He will be contending with spending cuts for the Pentagon. Joe Biden calls Carter:
a thinker and a doer.
Lachlyn Hope born
Gosselaar welcomes his fourth child, second with wife McGinn, daughter Lachlyn Hope.
So in love with our new baby girl, Lachlyn! Born last night 2/17 Mum and baby are healthy and happy. 2 boys, 2 girls, too perfect!
— Mark-Paul Gosselaar (@MPG) February 18, 2015
Rejoins 95.7 The Game
Dibley, a popular radio host who had been let go by the sports-talk radio station, returns to 95.7 The Game, according to Matt Steinmetz:
So pumped to be working with @dandibley again. He joins @JohnLundRadio and me rest of week 12-3 on @957thegame … and then more.
— Matt Steinmetz (@SteinmetzNBA) February 17, 2015
$300 million donation
Princeton University receives a donation of rare books and manuscripts worth $300 million from alumnus Scheide. The collection includes the first six printed editions of the Bible, the original printing of the Declaration of Independence, and an autographed speech by Abraham Lincoln. It is the largest donation in Princeton’s history.
Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber:
Through Bill Scheide’s generosity, one of the greatest collections of rare books and manuscripts in the world today will have a permanent home here. It will stand as a defining collection for Firestone Library and Princeton University. I cannot imagine a more marvelous collection to serve as the heart of our library. We are grateful for Bill Scheide’s everlasting dedication to Princeton and his commitment to sharing his breathtaking collection with scholars and students for generations to come.
Likely high on Xanax
Brown had had an argument with Gordon and had likely taken on Xanax when she was found unconscious in her bathtub. Ex-boyfriend Zach Jafarzedeh, thinks she may have fallen asleep in the tub, but does not rule out the possibility she was trying to commit suicide:
I know they got into a fight a few days before and she was really depressed about that and probably took a few Xanax and bathed and fell asleep.
She remains in a medically induced coma.
Lorena Rojas dies at 44
The Mexican actress and singer passes away in her home as a result of liver cancer. She is survived by one daughter.
Lesley Gore dies at 68
Gore dies at the age of 68 from cancer. Her partner of 33 years, Lois Sassoon:
She was a wonderful human being—caring, giving, a great feminist. Great woman, great human being, great humanitarian.
Announces pregnancy
Headey announces that she is pregnant with her second child. The actress already has a 4-year-old son, Wylie.
I’m happy to confirm that I’m having my second child this summer. I only hope that this announcement can help me to regain some of the privacy I have recently lost to prying photographers and ask that they please respect my privacy and let me enjoy this time.
Announces retirement plans
Bolt announces that he plans to retire after the 2017 World Championships in London.
That was the initial plan (to retire in 2016). But my sponsor has asked me to go on for another year, to 2017 and London. But I’ll be doing one event, the 100. I’ve already discussed it with my coach. I can concentrate on that, and on retiring on a winning note.
Cumberbatch, Hunter marry
Cumberbatch marries fiancee Hunter in a private ceremony at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church in Mottistone, located on the Isle of Wight in England.
Resigns
Kitzhaber announces his resignation from long-time position as governor of Oregon amidst allegations that his fiancee was not acting ethically financially.
Questions concerning whether her activities and contracts or my activities as governor have violated ethics laws are currently before the ethics commission. And we are cooperating fully with the commission to allow them to arrive at a conclusion.
Season 20 celebrity cast anounced
Eleven of the 12 celebrities couples for the Season 20 cast are announced on ABC’s Good Morning America. The couples are: Noah Galloway & Sharna Burgess, Robert Herjavec & Kym Johnson, Patti LaBelle & Artem Chigvintsev, Nastia Liukin & Derek Hough, Riker Lynch & Allison Holker, Charlotte McKinney & Keo Motsepe, RedFoo & Emma Slater, Michael Sam & Peta Murgatroyd, Willow Shields & Mark Ballas, Suzanne Somers & Tony Dovolani, Rumer Willis & Valentin Chmerkovskiy. Alfonso Ribeiro:
The one thing I would say to everybody is simply that it is a marathon, not a sprint, It’s not about winning week one, it’s about winning that final week. You’ve got to take it slow, pace yourself. Go hard, learn everything, and be the best you can be and give it 100 percent, but pace yourself.
Baby boy born
Tyler welcomes her second baby boy, the first with boyfriend Gardner. Tyler’s rep:
He’s healthy and everyone is very happy.
Bob Simon dies age 73
Simon dies at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital from injuries sustained in an accident involving his livery cab in New York City. 60 Minutes Executive Producer Jeff Fager:
It’s a terrible loss for all of us at CBS News. It is such a tragedy made worse because we lost him in a car accident, a man who has escaped more difficult situations than almost any journalist in modern times. Bob was a reporter’s reporter. He was driven by a natural curiosity that took him all over the world covering every kind of story imaginable. There is no one else like Bob Simon. All of us at CBS News and particularly at 60 Minutes will miss him very much.
Expecting first child
Carpenter is expecting her first child with fiance Avett.
Carpenter, Avett engaged
Carpenter is engaged to boyfriend Seth Avett. Insider:
Jennifer met Seth about four years ago at a concert. She loves music and has always been a big supporter of the band. The relationship developed over the past few months. They have a lot in common and seem to have a similar sense of humor. There is an ease about their relationship. They are a good match.
Manager fired
The manager who was involved in an incident where another employee berated him, which was recorded and posted on YouTube, is fired. Company officials state that Brandon Robertson has been terminated because they did not like the way he handled the situation. Robertson does not believe that he could have done anything differently:
I asked him to leave. What was I supposed to do?
Employee meltdown
An employee at a St. Paul, Minnesota restaurant throws a tantrum after he is fired, in full view of customers. He goes on a profanity laced rant while damaging restaurant property. The worker seems to be upset because he is not being compensated for services rendered:
give me my (expletive) pay!
He eventually leaves the restaurant after having been asked to by the manager.
Collins, Windsor break up
Collins and Windsor break up. Windsor’s spokesperson confirms this to Ok Online. There is no comment on the reason for their split.