A Southern California girl who became a nationally recognized face of child cancer with a blog that chronicled her fight against brain tumors has died. Jessica Joy Rees was 12 years old. Jessica's family announced her death on her Facebook page, stating that her 10-month battle with brain cancer ended Thursday. Tens of thousands of people responded by posting updates to the page in a show of support that includes "likes" and prayers. By Friday afternoon the outpouring surpassed Jessica's goal to get one "like" for each of the estimated 50,000 American children with cancer.

The Orange County seventh-grader, called "Jessie" by family and friends, began her blog and Facebook page after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in March. A second tumor was discovered in September. While some of her posts discussed her struggles as she underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments, others urged readers in dozens of countries to support pediatric cancer research and to pray for other children with the illness.

She always signed her posts with the acronym "NEGU" (NEE'-goo), short for "never ever give up." Also, she and her parents started The NEGU Foundation, a nonprofit organization to raise awareness of pediatric cancer, support sufferers and raise money for research.

The foundation sold and provided thousands of "JoyJars" stuffed with candy and toys to sick children. More than 3,000 were sold and distributed in 27 states last year, according to the NEGU website. Co-host Ryan Seacrest also allowed her to announce country singer, and eventual winner, Scott McCreery. Jessica wrote on Facebook that her mission was "to encourage kids fighting cancer to Never Ever Give Up by spreading hope, joy and love. A cheerful heart is great medicine."

Ok, so Denver may not be your team favorite, however, Tebow is without a doubt america's favorite QB! So no need to hate...just give props where props are due! "Tebow-mania" seems to be sweeping the nation like the flu after Denver quarterback Tim Tebow lead the Broncos to a thrilling overtime victory over the Pittsburg Steelers Sunday in a wild card playoff game. Tebow is giving a boost to the NFL's television ratings and to religion.

The Rookies Sports Restaurant in San Jose was packed Monday night with fans watching the national college football championship game. But it was Tim Tebow who was getting the most attention. Some fans were at the bar for the Denver-Pittsburgh playoff thriller.

In the first play of overtime. Tim Tebow threw a perfect 80 yard touchdown pass to beat Pittsburgh. It was the former University Of Florida Heisman Trophy winner's fourth overtime win of the year. "There were a lot of people doing the Tebow," said Kate Waggoner of the Rookies Sports Bar, referring to the growing popularity of "Tebowing." Many are imitating the quarterback's celebratory move of dropping to one knee and bowing his head in a proud proclaimation of his Christianity.

"He's got something up there. Somebody's up there looking out for the guy because most of the season, he plays bad for the first three quarters, then in the 4th quarter he pulls it out everytime," said John Albanese of San Jose. San Jose resident Tami Sulzberg, who went to Tebow's school in Florida, said she has no objections to Tebow's demonstrations of faith.

LIMA, Peru -- Dutch citizen Joran van der Sloot asked for more time Friday to decide how to plead in his trial for the 2010 murder of a 21-year-old Peruvian woman. His case was postponed until Jan. 11. A panel of three female judges heard the prosecutor lay out the case against Van de Sloot in the killing of Stephany Flores in his Lima hotel room on May 30, 2010. The 24-year-old defendant was also the prime suspect in the unsolved 2005 killing of U.S. citizen Natalee Holloway from Mountain Brook, Alabama.

He shook his head as the prosecutor detailed the case against him in the Flores case. When asked how he would plead, Van der Sloot answered in rudimentary Spanish, "I want to give a sincere confession, but I don't agree with all the charges that has placed on me by the prosecutor. Can I have more time to think about this?"

Judge Victoria Montoya agreed to the postponement. Van der Sloot entered the courtroom Friday morning in a blue blazer and faded blue jeans with a bulletproof vest beneath the jacket. He sported a crew cut and wore a long-sleeved gray shirt. Defense attorney Jose Luis Jimenez told The Associated Press Friday that there was a 70 percent chance Van der Sloot will plead guilty, which could help him get a reduced sentence.

Flores' father, Ricardo Flores, told the AP Friday that the family would participate in the trial in hopes of ensuring that Van der Sloot is also accused of robbery in connection with the killing, Prosecutors are seeking a 30-year prison sentence on murder and theft charges. But Jimenez has said he would argue that his client was in a state of emotional distress when he killed Flores and "seek to reduce the charge from first-degree murder to simple homicide." The latter carries a prison sentence of from eight to 20 years.

After a lengthy legal battle between a black South Carolina church and members of the Ku Klux Klan, a judge has ruled that the church owns a building where KKK robes and T-shirts are sold. A circuit judge ruled last month that New Beginnings Baptist Church is the rightful owner of the building that houses the Redneck Shop, which operates a so-called Klan museum and sells Klan robes and T-shirts emblazoned with racial slurs. The judge ordered the shop's proprietor to pay the church's legal bills of more than $3,300.

Since 1996, the Redneck Shop has operated in an old movie theater in Laurens, a city about 70 miles northwest from Columbia that was named after 18th century slave trader Henry Laurens. Ownership of the building was transferred in 1997 to the Rev. David Kennedy and his church, New Beginnings, by a Klansman fighting with others inside the hate group, according to court records. That man, according to Kennedy, was feuding with store proprietor John Howard over a woman and "developed a spiritual relationship" with Kennedy's church, the judge wrote.

But a clause in the deed entitles Howard, formerly KKK grand dragon for the Carolinas, to operate his business in the building until he dies. After years of trying to have the property inspected, Kennedy and New Beginnings sued Howard and others in 2008. On Dec. 9, a judge ruled in Kennedy's favor. Reached on his cell phone, Howard said he did not know about the judge's decision and deferred comment to his attorney, who did not immediately return a message.

Law enforcement officers were in Spokane County Superior Court today to provide extra security at the arraignment of murder suspect John "Lil Danger" Castro, who is accused of shooting another rapper at a Spokane hotel. Castro (pictured above) pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, riot, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and two counts of second-degree assault for a Nov. 27 fight that ended with the shooting death of Jose A. “Junior” Solis,  21, of Moses Lake, at a Spokane hotel.  His trial is scheduled to begin Feb. 27, but that likely will be postponed.

Castro, 27, remains in jail on $1 million bond. Public defender Anna Nordtvedt said a request to reduce his bond is to be heard on Thursday. Castro faces life in prison if convicted because of two previous violent felony convictions that qualify him for the state's three-strikes law. Eight other men are charged with assault in connection with the case. Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for tips that lead to the arrest of the six pictured above.

Sheriff's deputies and Spokane police provided extra security at Castro's arraignment before Judge Annette Plese, which was attended by Solis's friends and family. No incidents were reported. Police believe Castro shot Solis after Solis and other men tried to help their friend who was being assaulted. Castro and the other suspects went to the Quality Inn on East Third Avenue after a rap concert and were kicked out of a party hosted by the Moses Lake men, police say.