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Thomson Mayor Benji Cranford faces federal lawsuit

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Thomson Mayor Benji Cranford faces federal lawsuit


THOMSON, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Thomson Mayor Benji Cranford is facing a federal lawsuit.

Cranford just took over as mayor last month after unseating Kenneth Usry, who served the city for 12 years.

News 12 found the lawsuit paints a different picture than Cranford’s campaign.

The lawsuit was filed just months before he launched his campaign for mayor — a campaign in which he promoted himself as a successful entrepreneur hoping to help others thrive in the business community just like him.

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But the lawsuit reveals alleged financial troubles and broken promises.

Cranford touted the town and his success in political ads he ran locally last fall.

“I’ve made a good living in Thomson, and I want everyone else to know they can stay in Thomson to have a good living and be successful,” Cranford said in his campaign ad.

Just three months later, his business office doors are locked. Online, it shows it’s permanently closed.

Cranford posted on social media sites and his website about his paving company, C&H Paving, being a cornerstone of the town’s economic landscape.

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But financial troubles and a lawsuit now threaten to shatter his tales of homegrown success.

Last July, four months before launching his campaign, Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Maryland filed a lawsuit against Cranford.

As the bonding company, Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Maryland was brought in to guarantee that large-scale projects undertaken by Cranford’s company would be completed.

The lawsuit says Cranford notified the bonding company that his business was having money problems. Cranford needed them to step in to pay debts, so he could keep his business running.

What’s at stake? Millions of dollars of contract work that Cranford has with the Georgia Department of Transportation.

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READ THE LAWSUIT:

The lawsuit says Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Maryland agreed under certain conditions C&H would continue to help complete the projects by the deadlines with GDOT and give F&D access to all company and personal assets.

The lawsuit says Cranford broke the agreement.

It alleges C&H failed to complete projects on time, never transferred equipment for use and didn’t give F&D access to the company’s financial system.

Instead, the lawsuit says Cranford gifted his asphalt plant to one of his sons just two months after agreeing to pledge all of his properties to the bonding company.

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Days after being elected as Thomson’s mayor, Cranford appeared to be someone who welcomed an open line of communication.

During an interview with News 12, he said: “You should be able to talk to your mayor. He’s the representative of the city. He’s the one that, he’s like your mama and your daddy. That’s who you go to.”

This week, News 12 tried several times to reach the mayor, including at his business office.

That’s when we were approached by a Thomson police officer who said Cranford was not available to talk nor in town.

Cranford did eventually respond to a text message.

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When News 12 called to ask him about the lawsuit, the newly elected mayor, who ran on the slogan of “Grow. Unite. Listen,” cut News 12 off mid-sentence telling us to “Get to the point. He was very busy.” He advised us to schedule an appointment with the city clerk to speak to him.

We have since called the city clerk twice to set up a time to talk to Cranford.

The city clerk left a message Thursday that she didn’t know his schedule and would check on dates and times.

When News 12 followed up on Friday, no one picked up the phone at the clerk’s office.

In the lawsuit, the bonding company said it has suffered over $4 million in losses over Cranford’s projects and expects to shell out even more.

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Augusta, GA

Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University

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Abercrombie Becomes a Leader On and Off the Court – Augusta University


Augusta, Ga. – A year ago when Quinasia Abercrombie was a freshman, she let her work on the court do the talking as she became one of the top players in the Peach Belt Conference. Abercrombie didn’t have to be a vocal leader since the Jaguars had several upper classmen that handled that role. This year, her sophomore season, Abercrombie is still one of the best players around, but now has become the vocal leader of the team, something that didn’t come naturally.

“I’m just leading my team by voice now, not just leading by example,” Abercrombie said. “Since I don’t really talk, I think they (my teammates) were really surprised, but they’re listening.” 

She leads the Augusta women in several offensive categories and has proven to be a major asset to the program. 

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From Greenville, S.C., Abercrombie was an all-state high school player. She gives part of that credit to her siblings, one older brother and three younger brothers. She had to scratch and claw on the basketball court with them and she’s the first to give them credit for helping make her the player she is today. Abercrombie went as fas as saying she enjoys playing against guys since they’ll push her hard to become better, and she likes the competition. 

Now, she’s also being pushed by coach Celeste Stewart. So much so, it’s taking Abercrombie out of her comfort zone. But it’s all for the betterment of her.

“She’s put me in multiple, uncomfortable situations, like talking, being more verbal, and just putting me in positions I wouldn’t normally put myself in,” added Abercrombie.

With the Peach Belt Conference tournament up next for the Jaguars, Abercrombie thinks this team can find another gear and make a run. While she has elevated her game, she knows her teammates can do the same. 

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Even going forward as a player, Abercrombie knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. One of the most notable for her, her ball handling skills.

“I know I like to pick up my dribble a lot and give it to my point guards,” said Abercrombie. “But I know I can bring it down the court, I just need to work on my ball handling and just being confident handling the ball.”

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags. 





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Augusta, GA

Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era

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Peach Belt tournament: Augusta misses out for the first time in Metress era


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 2025-2026 Peach Belt Conference brackets are set, and there is plenty of shakeup this year.

Starting with the women’s bracket, Augusta University secured the #4 overall seed and will face #5 seed Middle Georgia in round one.

USCA’s women’s team did not fair as well, finishing in last place of this season’s standings.

On the men’s side, USCA’s men’s team secured the eighth and final spot in the conference tournament.

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In a shocking turn of events, AU’s men’s team did not qualify for the tournament.

This marks the first time the program has missed the PBC tournament since Dip Metress took over the program in 2004.



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Augusta, GA

Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University

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Augusta Falls to Georgia Southwestern in Final Game of the Series – Augusta University


Augusta, Ga. – Augusta managed just five hits and one run and fell to Georgia Southwestern 12-1 Sunday as the Hurricanes win two of the three games of the series. The Jaguars are now 7-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 11-8 overall. The Canes improve to 7-2 in conference play and 12-7 overall. 

Georgia Southwestern scored runs in all but one inning including four runs in the first two innings and plated five runs in the fifth, highlighted by a grand slam. 

The only Augusta run would come in the fourth inning. Landon Leonard would reach on an error and would come around when Kent Moon reached on a fielder’s choice that would plate Leonard.

Leonard, Moon, Davis Newman, Harris Bachelder and Jakob Cowart would collect the hits for the Jaguars.  

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Augusta will next be in action on Friday when the open up a three game series with Lander at Jaguar Field. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:00 p.m.

Fans of Jaguar Athletics can subscribe to the email listserve by clicking here. Fans can follow Augusta University at www.augustajags.com and receive short updates on Facebook at Augusta University Athletics and on Twitter at @AugustaJags.

 





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