Man arrested in Hollywood Hills burglaries targeting celebrities including Usher, Adam Lambert, Jason Derulo – Los Angeles police have arrested a suspect they say is responsible for a string of burglaries in the Hollywood Hills that targeted high-end homes, including those of several well-known entertainers. According to LAPD Detective Jared Timmons, investigators recovered more than 2,000 items believed to have been stolen during a campaign of break-ins that took place in 2017 and 2018. Authorities say the suspect allegedly gained access to some properties by posing as a prospective buyer or real estate agent at open houses, allowing him to case the homes before returning to steal valuables. Among the 13 victims identified so far are singers Usher, Adam Lambert and Jason Derulo. Investigators described the stolen goods as having a combined value in the millions. The arrest follows a concentrated effort to trace the items and tie them back to burglaries across the area, and police continue to seek additional victims and evidence as the case develops. Read more at USA Today
Britton Buchanan reflects on his eventful 2018 – Sanford native Britton Buchanan looked back on a busy year following his appearance on NBC’s The Voice. Buchanan credited the show with opening doors for him throughout 2018 and said he is eager to build on that momentum with new music and personal changes in 2019. In interviews, he described 2018 as transformative, with a schedule full of performances, recording sessions, and opportunities that grew out of his national exposure. Fans can expect new material and updates as he prepares to release a new album and take the next steps in his career. Read more at WRAL
Carrie Underwood shares a relaxed New Year moment – Country star Carrie Underwood rang in 2019 by sharing a warm, personal moment with fans. In a social media post, she described cuddling up with her sons to watch a movie and joked about wearing her husband Mike’s shirt. The lighthearted update offered a glimpse of family life and the way the singer chose to start the year surrounded by loved ones.
Haley Reinhart’s friend settles lawsuit stemming from Palatine bar brawl – A confidential settlement has been reached in a lawsuit filed by a friend of singer Haley Reinhart after a 2017 bar fight in Palatine. The suit, brought by Wheeling resident Alan Chislof, named the Lamplighter Inn Tavern & Grill and alleged that a now-former employee assaulted him when a disturbance broke out involving Reinhart and others. The settlement between Chislof and the tavern resolves the final outstanding legal action related to the altercation, which occurred in the early hours of July 8, 2017, at a downtown Palatine establishment. Details of the agreement were not disclosed. Read more at Daily Herald
‘The Masked Singer’: how the show protected contestants’ identities – The first season of Fox’s reality competition The Masked Singer was notable not only for its surprising performances but for the extraordinary security measures used to keep contestants anonymous. Producers filmed the season over a month in the fall under tight confidentiality agreements and strict nondisclosure policies designed to prevent leaks. Participants and any accompanying managers or family members were required to follow elaborate protocols: meeting at separate locations, traveling under assumed names, wearing cloaks and masks when entering the set, and being escorted into guarded private areas. On set, contestants either wore their full costumes or additional cloaks and gloves so that no skin was visible and no identifying details could be observed. Production limited knowledge of the performers’ real identities to just a handful of people — reportedly only seven — so that directors, lighting crews and most of the staff remained unaware of who was behind each mask. That level of secrecy helped preserve the show’s mystery and allowed the contestants to surprise audiences with performances that showcased sides of their talent the public had not previously seen. Read more at Hollywood Reporter