6ABC's Annie McCormick leave was due to illness

I'M THE FIRST person to admit when I am wrong and, boy, was I wrong.

Sources had told me that 6ABC reporter Annie McCormick asked the station to take a leave of absence after her husband, lobbyist A.J. Marsico, was accused of sexual assault in September.

But McCormick's leave, which lasted about 3 1/2 weeks, was actually due to a tumor.

On her personal Facebook account, sources tell me, McCormick wrote two posts. The first, in early October, was posted after her surgery, thanking her doctors and assuring friends that she was recovering quite nicely with the help of her dog, Gigi, and husband, Marsico.

McCormick's second post, on Monday, urged her friends to see a doctor if they have any health concerns. She praised her bosses at 6ABC as "amazing" during her time off.

McCormick was back on the air this weekend, covering alleged cop-killer Eric Frein's arrest. Nice to see McCormick back in the game.

* In other 6ABC news, I reported that Amy Buckman said goodbye to 6ABC after 25 years, but she'll still be emceeing the Philadelphia chapter of the Buoniconti Fund's 11th annual "Raise A Glass for a Cure" on Nov. 21. The Buoniconti Fund, on whose board Buckman serves, is the fundraising arm for the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. For more info, go to thebuonicontifund.com.

NBC is investing in its local Telemundo operations, and that includes an upgrade for the Philly version as well. Ramon Zayas and Iris Delgado started anchoring a daily 5:30 p.m. broadcast on Monday.

Remember the proposed celeb boxing match between rappers Soulja Boy and Philly's own Gillie Da Kid that was supposed to take place after Soulja threatened via Twitter to kill Gillie? I've got an update.

Celebrity boxing promoter Damon Feldman ran into Soulja Boy at LAX on Feldman's way home from a recent fight featuring Internet sensation Antoine Dodson, of "Hide yo' kids!" fame.

Gillie was more than happy to step into the ring against Soulja, challenging him to a $1 million boxing match. Soulja initially accepted with glee, but now seems like he's balking. When Feldman asked him what was up, Soulja responded that he would only get in the ring for the right money.

I'd like to live in a world where $1 million is not the right money.

ESPN cameras were in town yesterday shooting footage of Eagles Earl Wolff and Emmanuel Acho as they work on six housing units in Point Breeze with Habitat for Humanity and local veterans groups. The footage will be shown during the Eagles' Monday Night Football game, which also happens to be the day before Veterans Day.

Other Eagles who have worked with Habitat through Eagles charitable initiatives include quarterback Mark Sanchez, nose tackle Bennie Logan and defensive end Fletcher Cox.

WIP talker Glen Macnow's Conshohocken Brewery (739 E. Elm St.) hosted a fundraiser for the Justice Animal Rescue Shelter on Monday night. Beer sales alone led to $1,000 raised for the shelter, and that doesn't include the donations of animal accessories or the $15 admission price. Joe Conklin killed with comedy, while Macnow buddy Ray Didinger showed up to talk football and support his friend.

Help CBS3 meteorologists - Kathy Orr, Kate Bilo, Katie Fehlinger, Carol Erickson and Justin Drabick - track weather this winter by joining their Weather Watchers team. Go to CBSPhilly.com/watchers to sign up.

* Patti LaBelle smelled the purple tulips yesterday while browsing at the Reading Terminal Market.

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