Pete's Hit and Run Notes

John Travolta's son JETT died of a seizure last week according to his death certificate. Contrary to earlier reports, the funeral director reports there was no sign of head trauma.  John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston will be bringing Jett home for a funeral in Ocala, Florida tomorrow.

OPRAH WINFREY declared on her show yesterday she plans to change her ways this year and lower her weight to a healthy, strong, fit level.  She claims to be embarrassed she's ballooned to 200 LBS. and blames much of it on her hectic lifestyle. Oprah plans to take time to relax and get active in other activities away from her work life.

LINDSAY LOHAN says she and SAMANTHA RONSON are still together despite reports they split after the nasty fights they got into New Year's Eve.  They had a screaming match at a Miami nightclub then were spotted punching the stuffing out of each other in the hallway of their hotel. The arguing continued on their flight home to L.A. a few hours later.

New York Daily News reports MARIAH CAREY was paid a cool million by the son of Libyan dictator MUAMMAR KHADAFI, SAIF, to perform four songs during his New Years Eve party.  The celebration was on the island of St. Bart's at the NIKKI BEACH CLUB, and apparently TIMBALAND, JAY-Z and BEYONCE were all on hand too.

THE DARK KNIGHT is among the films up for best picture at the Producers Guild of America awards. BENJAMIN BUTTON,  FROST/NIXON, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE and the film MILK are also in the running for top prize. These nominations often mirror the Oscar line-up, so these could boost the chances of these movies winning the same prize at the Academy Awards.

If the cold weather, darker days, end of the holidays and economic gloom are doing a number on your head, one expert says THROWING A TANTRUM may be the answer.  Brtain's Body language expert and Big Brother psychologist, Judi James, says when stress overwhelms you, a short sustained burst of shouting or closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths can help calm youdown.  A survey reveals people are most likely to be irritated by others eating noisily, sniffling, talking to loudly on the phone or even singing.

JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT'S engagement to Ross McCall and PATRICIA ARQUETTE'S marriage to Thomas Jane were two of the splitsville casualties at the end of the year.  Friends are surprised at Jennifer's breakup as they seemed so happy together, and Patricia Arquette has cited irreconcilable differences in her divorce petition.

HEATHER LOCKLEAR resolved her DUI case Friday and was sentenced to three years of informal probation and a fine after her attorney entered a no-contest plea to the charge of reckless driving. Heather also has to attend a driver's education program. She was charged in November with driving under the influence of prescription drugs.

Get set for a tricky night on the roads as we're expecting between 2 and 4 centimeters of snow, ice pellets and freezing rain all mixed together.  The slippery mix could make for a complicated morning drive tomorrow.