Kirstie Alley returns home to Kansas to help tornado victims

Greensburg – Kirstie Alley is paying for truckloads of supplies to help residents and their animals recover from the tornado that nearly destroyed this south-central Kansas town.

The actress, a native of Wichita, and a group of Church of Scientology volunteers set up a tent to give out bottled water, candy, T-shirts, hats, socks and other supplies.

They also brought food, bowls, cardboard carriers and other items for animals.

Alley, who starred in the TV series “Cheers,” paid for everything.

She arrived in Wichita on Thursday and said Friday that she expects to be in Greensburg for several days.

Author adds to reward for return of British girl missing in Portugal

London – Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has pledged a major contribution to a $3 million reward fund for the safe return of a British girl who has gone missing in Portugal, a Sunday newspaper said.

The News of the World said Rowling had offered the single largest contribution to the fund started by the tabloid newspaper. It called Rowling’s pledge “staggering,” but said the author asked the amount be kept secret.

Madeleine McCann, 4, disappeared on May 2 after her parents left her, and her brother and sister, both aged 2, alone while they went to a restaurant at Praia da Luz, their vacation resort in Portugal’s Algarve region. Portuguese police continue to search for her.

The newspaper said the amount Rowling offered was larger than the $495,000 pledge from Topshop owner Sir Philip Green.

Sir Richard Branson offered $198,000 and American Idol judge Simon Cowell promised $99,000.

Rowling, 41, is one of Britain’s richest people with an estimated fortune of $1 billion.