ELLSWORTH – A signed copy of a rare Stephen King book is up for auction at a Maine bookstore, with proceeds going to a nearby homeless shelter’s emergency home heating fund.

The copy of “The Regulators,” written by Maine native King under the pen name Richard Bachman, was donated by a customer of Scottie’s Bookhouse in Hancock.

Owner Michael Riggs says there are only 550 copies of the book in a special collector’s box.

Auction proceeds will go to the Emmaus Homeless Shelter’s emergency fuel fund in Ellsworth.

Emmaus director Sister Lucille MacDonald told WABI-TV it’s an “ingenious” way to help people struggling to buy heating oil.

The book is on display at Scottie’s and bids are being accepted by email, phone and in person until Jan. 31.

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Lucas to marry investment exec

LOS ANGELES – “Star Wars” creator George Lucas is engaged.

A spokeswoman for Lucasfilm Ltd. says the 68-year-old director is engaged to 43-year-old investment firm president Mellody Hobson.

Hobson serves as chairman of DreamWorks Animation and is a financial contributor to ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Lucas helped to launch the modern blockbuster age with his “Star Wars” sagas and “Indiana Jones” adventures.

The original “Star Wars” still stands as the No. 2 film in terms of tickets sold domestically, behind only “Gone with the Wind.”

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Lucas has three children: Amanda, Katie and Jett. He was previously married to film editor Marcia Lucas from 1969 to 1983.

Disney completed its acquisition of Lucasfilm and the “Star Wars” franchise from Lucas for $4.06 billion in cash and stock last month.

Bieber, others call for tougher paparazzi laws

LOS ANGELES – The 29-year-old photographer had just snapped shots of Justin Bieber’s exotic white Ferrari when he was struck and killed by a passing car on Tuesday — a death that has spurred renewed debate over dangers paparazzi can bring on themselves and the celebrities they chase.

The accident prompted some stars including the teen heartthrob himself to renew their calls for tougher laws to rein in their pursuers, though previous urgings have been stymied by First Amendment protections.

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office confirmed Thursday that the photographer was Christopher James Guerra. Officials did not know his hometown, coroner’s Lt. Larry Dietz said.

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In a statement, Bieber said his prayers were with the photographer’s family. Ironically, the singer wasn’t even in the Ferrari.

“Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders, and the photographers themselves,” Bieber said in the statement.

Industry veterans recalled incidents where paparazzi chasing celebrities have been injured, but they couldn’t remember a photographer being killed while working.

Six months ago, a paparazzo was charged with reckless driving in a high-speed pursuit of Bieber and with violating a 2010 state law that toughened punishment for those who drive dangerously in pursuit of photos for commercial gain.

However, a judge last month dismissed the paparazzi law charges, saying the law was overly broad.


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