USA Update

THE mayor of a small town in Georgia has been suspended after he was arrested and charged with providing alcohol to a group of prisoners.

Thomson Mayor Benjamin “Benji” Cary Cranford, 52, was arrested in August after a city council meeting in the small town, which is about two hours east of Atlanta, Georgia.

McDuffie County Jail

Benjamin Cranford’s mugshot when he was booked into the McDuffie County Jail after being arrested by the GBI in August[/caption]

Seagram's

A bottle of Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin, which Cranford allegedly threw into a ditch for prison workers to access[/caption]

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation put Cranford in handcuffs after the Thomson Police Department requested the GBI look into allegations that Cranford bought alcohol for inmates on June 3.

The indictment says that Cranford bought a bottle of Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin at a local liquor store, according to local CBS affiliate WRDW-TV.

The mayor allegedly left the gin in a ditch along a road on the path of a work crew of state prisoners.

A worker at the alcohol store told WRDW that Cranford was a regular at the establishment.

“At least twice a week? Sometimes it might be three, but usually, at least twice a week,” the employee said.

The GBI arrested and charged Cranford with furnishing prohibited items to inmates and criminal attempt to commit a felony on August 14.

He was booked into a local jail and later released on $5,000 bail.

Video footage of the mayor’s release shows him smiling and refusing to answer reporters’ requests for comments on his way out.

“As we understand the charges in this case are not related to Mr. Cranford’s duties as an elected official, we do not have a comment,” city spokesperson Jason Smith said in a statement to Fox News.

Governor Brian Kemp officially suspended Cranford from his position on October 4.

Cranford shared a statement maintaining his innocence with local outlet The McDuffie Progress.

“While I am disappointed in the decision to suspend me as the Mayor of Thomson, as a public servant of this community I feel compelled to address this directly,” Cranford’s statement, written on the notes app that comes with an iPhone, began.

“Regardless of title, I have been and will continue to serve my community as we work together to recover from the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene.

“I am confident that the truth will come out once I have my day in court. Until then, I look forward to continuing to be part of the positive changes that the community of Thomson wants and needs.”

This isn’t the first time Cranford has been in hot water since he first stepped into office in January 2024, unseating the city’s previous longtime mayor, Kenneth Usry.

Cranford faces a federal lawsuit that was filed in 2023, according to documents obtained by WRDW.

The lawsuit revealed financial troubles with Cranford’s paving company, C&H Paving, which he often referred to as being successful during his run for mayoral office.

Maryland bonding company Fidelity and Deposit Co. sued Cranford, alleging that he came to them to ask for help paying his debts to keep his business afloat.

The lawsuit says that Cranford broke his agreement promising to complete projects with the Georgia Department of Transportation.

As part of the agreement, he was also supposed to allow the Maryland company to access all company and personal assets – which he also didn’t hold up to, according to the suit.

The lawsuit said the bonding company suffered over $4 million in losses over Cranford’s projects.

Cranford’s suspension will stay in effect until the case is closed or until the mayor’s term expires in 2026.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Cranford for comment.

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DANCING With the Stars contestants and pros are living a life of luxury when they’re not heating up the ballroom floor, photos obtained by The U.S. Sun exclusively show. 

The apartment building boasts a rooftop pool with sweeping views of the city and Hollywood Hills along with a lavish fitness center, movie theatre, full-time concierge and five-star dining options.

The U.S. Sun

AKA West Hollywood sits in the middle of the Sunset Strip and boasts Hollywood Hills views[/caption]

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Rylee Arnold smiles in the living room of her apartment[/caption]

Instagram/ilonamaher

Ilona Maher stuns as she posed at the rooftop pool of the AKA West Hollywood building[/caption]

Dancing With the Stars contestants and pro dancers are given options for housing when they are confirmed to be joining the season over the Summer. 

Some contestants on season 33, such as Eric Roberts, 68, and Chandler Kinney, 24, already resided in Los Angeles before joining the show – making their living situation different than those who are flown in from different parts of the country. 

A production source exclusively confirmed to The U.S. Sun that those from the cast who are from out-of-town are typically put up at AKA West Hollywood – a luxury furnished residential building and hotel that offers both long-term and short-term stays. 

The residential building, which has luxury amenities such as a rooftop pool, fitness center and movie theater, is less than a 10-minute drive from the Los Angeles studios where DWTS is filmed.

The insider claimed that the show covers the cost of rent, which ranges from $5.8k to $6.9k for a one-bedroom unit. 

Additionally, contestants are given a spending stipend for food and other necessities. 

Contestants begin residing at AKA in late Summer to get ready and rehearse for the September premiere of the show and remain there until after their season wraps filming.

The AKA website states that each apartment was “expertly designed to maximize natural light space, and flow, providing you with a peaceful backdrop for your stay.”

The U.S. Sun

The bottom of the AKA building offers fine dining, shopping and nightlife options[/caption]

The U.S. Sun

AKA WeHo boasts views of the Hollywood Hills and offers an outdoor terrace[/caption]

The U.S. Sun

A large outdoor seating area is complete with water features and city views[/caption]

“Relax and unwind in open, airy interiors that feature contrasting contemporary materials, from the rich walnut floors to the stainless-steel kitchen appliances and Italian lacquer furniture. 

“Spend inspiring mornings and romantic evenings gazing across endless views of the city and the hills from your luxury suite — some of which offer private balconies,” the building boasts.

The furnished residences also feature pricey Yard sofas, and authentic wool rugs with living rooms that are accented by Piero Lissoni-designed consoles. 

“Serene bedrooms include stylish upholstered king-size beds dressed in luxury Sferra linens. Lighting throughout, thoughtfully placed to create inviting spaces to meet, eat, drink, and sleep, was imported from Flos in Italy, and Nest thermostats included in each suite allow individual temperature control for comfort.

“Modern, open kitchens are convenient for entertaining and showcase other design details such as sleek concealed appliances, quartz countertops, and self-closing kitchen cabinets. 

“Spacious, spa-like baths are outfitted with gorgeous Salvatori Stone walls and sinks, custom-made for AKA, generous soaking tubs, and large mirrored vanities,” the site added. 

Downstairs of the building offers luxury shopping options on the famous Sunset Strip, fine dining restaurants and various nightlife. 

TikTok/ryleearnold

DWTS pro Rylee gave fans a look at the apartment’s modern all-white kitchen[/caption]

TikTok/ryleearnold

The AKA residences’ kitchens come with top-line stainless steel appliances[/caption]

TikTok/ryleearnold

Views of the Hollywood Hills can be seen from Rylee’s floor-to-ceiling windows[/caption]

Pro dancer Rylee Arnold, 19, often shows off the inside of her apartment with sprawling views of the green Hollywood Hills and high-vaulted concrete ceilings. 

In her “Getting Ready” videos, you can see the modern kitchen with top-grade appliances as well as the sleek bathrooms.

Olympian Ilona Maher, 28, shared a sexy snap in a tiny pink bikini as she is lounging in the building’s rooftop pool and jacuzzi on a sunny day.

The rugby sensation also shared photos from inside her apartment where she can be seen dancing around her living room before heading to DWTS rehearsals. 

NFL star Danny Amendola, 38, looked sharp as the former Patriots wide-receiver posed on the terrace at AKA, which offers lounge chairs, tables and water fixtures alongside city views for a relaxing ambiance.

Bachelor Joey Graziadei, 29, filmed a sweet video with his fiancee Kelsey Anderson, as they also showed off their apartment’s living room and kitchen before heading to DWTS rehearsals. 

Bachelorette Jenn Tran, 26, stunned as she showed off her apartment while getting ready in the all-white bathroom and filming in the common area before heading to practice with partner Sasha Farber. 

AKA did not respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment. 

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Instagram/ilonamaher

Olympian Ilona Maher danced in a bikini in the living room of her apartment unit[/caption]

Instagram/dannyamendola

Danny Amendola posed on the terrace of the residential building[/caption]

Instagram/joeygraziadei

Bachelor Joey showed off the West Hollywood pad he’s staying in with fiancee Kelsey[/caption]

DISNEYLAND Resort has brought back a limited-time offering for families.

The deal could benefit those traveling to the beloved California attraction at the start of 2025.

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Disneyland Resort is offering a special promotion starting this month[/caption]

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Families can get discounts on park tickets and more[/caption]

A variety of ticket options and packages are offered to guests, and sometimes, there are special promotions for even more savings.

In an effort “to welcome as many fans as possible,” Disneyland Resort is releasing another one of those special promotions for children ages three through nine starting on October 22, per a press release.

A 1-Day, 1-Park ticket will go for as low as $50 per child as part of the offer and are eligible for any Disneyland theme park — including Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

The tickets must be purchased for visits between the dates of January 7 and March 20, 2025.

Along with the $50 kids ticket, customers can also check Disneyland Resort’s theme park reservation calendar, where select dates have adult tickets for as low as $104.

MONEY MANAGED

For families who plan it correctly, there could be significant money saved on a trip, so long as it’s between the January 7 and March 20, 2025 window.

A group of four (two parents and two children) who visit on one of the select days from January to March could go for a total price of around $308 before tax.

Additionally, the kids’ $50 1-Day, 1-Park ticket offers “a variety of options and flexibility” for families planning a longer trip.

“Guests may choose from 1-Day, 2-Day, or 3-Day park tickets, and upgrades such as Park Hopper tickets and Lightning Lane Multi Pass are available to add-on,” the release reads.

“Reservations are required and subject to availability.”

That means it’s first-come-first-serve, so those who anticipate planning for a Disneyland Resort trip as a Christmas gift, birthday gift, or otherwise should act fast when October 22 arrives.

The date also applies to those looking for special room pricing at the Hotels of Disneyland Resort.

STAYING IN STYLE

Discounts of up to 25% will be applied on select stays of four nights or more for the January 7 and March 20, 2025 timeline starting on October 22.

This applies to any of the three hotels on-site at the Disneyland Resort — including Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, the Disneyland Hotel, and The Villas at Disneyland Hotel.

There’s also a 20% off promotion for specifically Sunday through Thursday evenings within the timeline on standard and premium rooms at the three on-site hotels.

Only a 10% discount is available for the Pixar Place Hotel on Sunday through Thursday nights.

Similar to the park tickets, the offering is first-come, first-serve.

If you’re coming to the parks at the end of this year, there’s still a way to save on the three on-site hotels.

A 15% off deal is going on right now for select nights between October 20 and December 19, 2024.

Those looking for more information and availability should head to the Disneyland Resort website.

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