Shia LaBeouf's former on-screen sister: He's going to be fine

Actress Christy Carlson Romano, who played opposite of Shia LaBeouf on Disney Channel's "Even Stevens," says her former co-star will push through his current troubles and the media will be "very forgiving."

LaBeouf was recently arrested after an outburst in a New York City theater and announced he would seek treatment for alcohol addiction. 

"I think he's such a talented person," Romano told FOX411. "I think he's going to be fine."

Romano also said male actors seem to be able to bounce back from scandal much faster than their female counterparts, who face sharp criticism from the media.

"Men seem to be able to come through of whatever they have going on publicly much easier than female actresses," Romano said. "He's just so talented, too, that I think everyone will be able to push forward through whatever it is he's going to be going through in the future, too. But then again, what do I know? I'm not exactly an expert, I'm just somebody who knew him at the time that I knew him for."

Romano also recalled their time on the "Even Stevens" set fondly. She said she once tried to prank LaBeouf by putting a fart machine under his chair during a close-up. Her prank was successful, but LaBeouf (and his dad) sought revenge.

"His dad was his chaperone on set, so he TP'd my dressing room while we were in a scene together so I didn't know who to blame," Romano said. "I walked into my dressing room and it was completely TP'd with toilet paper and I said, OK, I can't play with the boys. They're obviously going to punch back harder."

CHRISTY CARLSON ROMANO ON STAYING IN TOUCH WITH FANS

Romano, who also voiced "Kim Possible" on another hit Disney show, says she feels fortunate that she grew up in the entertainment industry but was able to maintain her privacy. 

"My heart goes out to the Miley Cyrus's, the Selena Gomez's that I see are young and trying to live their lives and your 20s is not an easy time," Romano said. "It's hard to see them going through it because I'm sure there's some suffering there, but I think everyone figures it out one way or another."

Romano plans to use her experiences to write a semi-fictionalized book series about young Hollywood. She's still acting, and will appear in the upcoming independent comedy "Bear With Us." She also plans to go back to school to study film and become a director.

"I have a lot of 'sheroes' - Angelina Jolie is a 'shero' of mine - and I would like to be somebody's 'shero' at some point outside of being Kim Possible," Romano said. "I just think female directors are such a minority and that it's something that I feel like I could get the helm of and study and make a passion of mine."

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Former Redneck Olympics under way in Maine

HEBRON, Maine (AP) — Despite being forced to changes its name, the event formerly known as the Redneck Olympic Games continued its tradition Saturday of holding unorthodox competitions like lawn mower races, mud runs and tire burnouts.

A full day of events was on tap during the Maine Redneck "Blank" Games. Organizer Harold Brooks changed the name under pressure from the International Olympics Committee, but noted that "everyone knows what the 'blank' stands for."

Friday's events included a wedding and a demolition derby. Other events over the weekend included bobbing for pigs' feet, toilet seat horseshoes and a greased watermelon relay race.

The idea behind the event, Brooks said, was to have what amounts to a great big outdoor picnic and pig roast for hardworking people who've earned the right to blow off some steam.

Being a redneck, he said, isn't about living in a trailer, or getting drunk.

"A redneck is someone who works hard. They say their neck is red because they work outside. A redneck can make fun of himself and have a good time," said Brooks, who's a general contractor.

The Redneck Olympic Games kicked off three years ago. But the name was changed after the International Olympic Committee came after him, telling him he couldn't brand his event as an Olympic event.

That still doesn't sit well with Brooks because he doesn't think anyone should own the rights to a word.

"The word was around before they were around," he said, pointing to the Olympics' origins in ancient Greece. "If they want to complain, then they should have the Greeks call and tell me to stop using it."

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Former NY shelter dog honored for heroism

ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — A former shelter dog has been honored for saving his new family from a Long Island house fire.

Bear the 150-pound Mastiff mix was honored Wednesday at a ceremony in Islip (EYE'-slihp).

Officials presented him with a 12-inch dog biscuit in the shape of a "key to the town." He ate the attention — and the treat — right up.

Town officials say Bear saved Carol Swinson and her 9-year-old grandson, DJ, during the recent fire in Brentwood. He jumped on Swinson to wake her up.

The family had adopted Bear just two weeks earlier. He'd been at the shelter two months.

Bear also received dog toys to replace the ones he lost in the fire.

Town officials say Bear represents other deserving shelter pets still waiting for adoption.

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Former NBA star has a new job as a crossing guard

SILVER SPRING, MD. (AP) — Former NBA star Adrian Dantley spent years guarding the opponents on the field. Now he is guarding schoolchildren crossing the road.

Radio station WTOP (http://bit.ly/YlNvyo) reports that Dantley, a hall of famer and former star for the Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons, he began work as a crossing guard in September. Works one hour a day at school and Middle Eastern New Hampshire Estates Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD

THS 6-foot-5 Dantley grew up in the area and says he has taken the job for the health care benefits and to have something to do. Montgomery County civil service records show that he gets paid $ 14, 685.50 a year. Dantley said he didn't need money.

He says he likes to give children encouragement and high fives.

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Information from: WTOP-FM, http://www.wtop.com

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