Gwinnett Daily Post

SIERRA BLANCA, Texas — A U.S. Border Patrol spokesman said country singer Willie Nelson was charged with marijuana possession after 6 ounces was found aboard his tour bus in Texas.

Patrol spokesman Bill Brooks said the bus pulled into the Sierra Blanca, Texas, checkpoint about 9 a.m. Friday. Brooks said an officer smelled pot when a door was opened and a search turned up marijuana.

Brooks said the Hudspeth County sheriff was contacted and Nelson was among three people arrested.

Sheriff Arvin West didn’t immediately return a phone message left at his home Friday, but he told the El Paso Times that Nelson claimed the marijuana was his. The singer was held briefly a $2,500 bond before being released.

Nelson spokeswoman Elaine Schock declined to comment when contacted via e-mail by The Associated Press.

Demand hot for Kid Rock concert tickets

DETROIT — Kid Rock always has been a hot ticket in the Detroit area, but sales for an upcoming concert show the country rocker with hip-hop roots is on fire.

The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press report Friday that more than 45,000 tickets for his 40th birthday bash Jan. 15 at Ford Field sold out in only 19 minutes.

A limited number of VIP packages remain at a cost of $300.

A show representative told the Free Press that a second Ford Field date will not be added.

Kid Rock’s real name is Robert Ritchie. He grew up in northern Macomb County’s Romeo and now lives in Oakland County’s Clarkston.

Media exec to be school chancellor

NEW YORK — An official with knowledge of the decision said New York’s education commissioner will grant media executive Cathie Black a waiver to serve as chancellor of the nation’s largest school system.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday because the announcement had not yet been made.

The decision opens the door for the Hearst Magazines chairwoman to succeed Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, who is leaving to take a job with News Corp.