Blotter

Created
By a University of Utah graduate student, a microscopic facsimile of the Olympic rings out of live nerve cells. The student made the rings to illustrate a cutting-edge bioengineering process researchers hope may one day be used to repair damaged spinal cords.

Permitted
To play in the Olympics, Team Sweden and Canucks defenseman Mattias Ohlund, whose status was uncertain after he failed an International Ice Hockey Federation drug test last month. Ohlund had taken the banned drug acetazolamide to heal his right eye after surgery. After a hearing the IIHF deemed those "exceptional circumstances" and issued Ohlund a warning.

Resigned
From England's Essex County Football Association, veteran ref Brian Savill, who'd been suspended for intentionally scoring a goal for Wimpole 2000 in a 20-2 loss to Earls Colne Reserves. With Wimpole trailing 18-0, Savill slammed a left-foot volley into the Colne Reserves net, an act he said was "done in the best of humor."

Sentenced
In a St. Louis County courtroom, to four months in jail and five years' probation for several auto-related crimes including persistent drunken driving, free-agent outfielder Bernard Gilkey. Gilkey, who hit .274 for the Braves in 2001 and who has been caught driving drunk at least four times, pleaded guilty to the charges on Nov. 9.

Chosen
As background music for a Cadillac ad that will debut during next month's Super Bowl, Led Zeppelin's classic anthem Rock and Roll. Using the 30-year-old song is proof, says Cadillac general manager, Mark LaNeve, "that we're unafraid to lead in styling, performance and functionality."