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Josh Lanier

Assistant Managing Editor

jlanier@dailyvoice.com

Josh Lanier started his reporting career in high school for his local newspaper. Many — many — years later, he’s still chasing leads for compelling stories. During his time writing for newspapers, magazines, and online publications, he’s covered everything from murderers to mommy bloggers, but his most interesting story is always the next one.


Josh Lanier's Contributions

Police & Fire
Ex-Mass State Trooper Guilty In CDL Bribery Scandal Gets Month In Prison: Feds Ex-Mass State Trooper Guilty In CDL Bribery Scandal Gets Month In Prison: Feds
Ex-Mass State Trooper Guilty In CDL Bribery Scandal Gets Month In Prison: Feds A former Massachusetts State Police trooper has been sentenced for his involvement in a scheme to falsify records related to Commercial Driver’s License applicants, impacting public safety in the process. Perry Mendes, 64, of Wareham, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one month in prison, followed by one year of supervised release, with the first two months on home confinement. The government had recommended a year behind bars.  In July 2025, Mendes pleaded guilty to several charges, including conspiracy to falsify records, falsifying records, and making fals…

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by Josh Lanier
News
Rare Manatee Sighting Off Northeast Coast Is First Time In A Decade Rare Manatee Sighting Off Northeast Coast Is First Time In A Decade
Rare Manatee Sighting Off Northeast Coast Is First Time In A Decade A rare sighting of a manatee off Cape Cod has locals buzzing, marking the first time the gentle sea creature has been spotted off the Massachusetts coast since 2016. The manatee was first seen in Popponesset Bay off Mashpee on July 26, then again on July 29 in Mattapoisett. In Mattapoisett, the manatee briefly got stranded on tidal flats, but quick-thinking locals helped it back into the water, ensuring its safety, according to the Cape Cod Times.  Manatees, known for their large size and gentle nature, usually live in warmer waters like those off Florida and the Gulf Coast, according …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Worcester Man Convicted Of Murder In Shooting Over Restaurant Bill Dispute: DA Worcester Man Convicted Of Murder In Shooting Over Restaurant Bill Dispute: DA
Worcester Man Convicted Of Murder In Shooting Over Restaurant Bill Dispute: DA A Worcester County Superior Court jury has found a man guilty in the fatal shooting of Joshua Lopez in 2020. Leroy L. Thompson Jr., 30, of Worcester, was convicted of second-degree murder and reckless endangerment of a child on Thursday, Aug. 7, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said.  The shooting occurred early on July 5, 2020, when Lopez, 24, was shot while sitting in the backseat of a car on Almont Avenue in Worcester. A child was also in the vehicle at the time. Lopez succumbed to his injuries on July 6, 2020. The deadly incident followed an argument between Thompso…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Search Suspended For 6-Year-Old Boy Who Fell In Housatonic River At Stratford Boat Ramp: Report Search Suspended For 6-Year-Old Boy Who Fell In Housatonic River At Stratford Boat Ramp: Report
Search Suspended For 6-Year-Old Boy Who Fell In Housatonic River At Stratford Boat Ramp: Report The Coast Guard announced it will suspend its search for a 6-year-old boy who fell into the Housatonic River while walking with his mother, according to reports. The boy was at the Birdseye Boat Ramp on Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 6, when he fell into the fast-moving river. A utilities worker dove into the water to rescue the child, but was unable to reach him. Original Report: Boy, 6, Falls into Housatonic River, Disappears The search lasted for more than 24 hours, with rescuers covering more than 500 nautical miles. Authorities say they have exhausted all options. "We are fathers. This is…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Man Intoxicated In Fiery Lisbon Crash That Killed Pregnant Girlfriend On I-395: Police Man Intoxicated In Fiery Lisbon Crash That Killed Pregnant Girlfriend On I-395: Police
Man Intoxicated In Fiery Lisbon Crash That Killed Pregnant Girlfriend On I-395: Police A Connecticut man has been arrested and charged in connection with a deadly crash that killed his pregnant girlfriend on Interstate 395 in August 2024. Authorities say he was intoxicated at the time and was driving on a suspended license. Rafy Torres, 35, Wallingford, was taken into custody Thursday, Aug. 7, in New London, following a lengthy investigation by Connecticut State Police. He faces multiple charges, including second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle and operating under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The crash occurred late at night in August 2024, when Torres was dri…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Armed, Masked Meriden Man Threatens Waterbury Courthouse Marshals, Sparks Chase: Police Armed, Masked Meriden Man Threatens Waterbury Courthouse Marshals, Sparks Chase: Police
Armed, Masked Meriden Man Threatens Waterbury Courthouse Marshals, Sparks Chase: Police A Connecticut man is facing multiple charges after authorities say he threatened marshals at a Waterbury courthouse while carrying a pistol with live ammunition, police said.  Jose Torrez, 30, of Meriden, was arrested Wednesday morning, Aug. 6, after a chaotic chain of events at the Connecticut Superior Court on Grand Street in Waterbury, Connecticut State Police said. He had reportedly set off the metal detector at the courthouse entrance and refused to comply when Marshals asked him to empty his pockets.  Instead, officials say, he became aggressive and verbally threatened them.…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
New Haven Man Hit Crossing Road Dies From Injuries; Driver Initially Fled Scene: Police New Haven Man Hit Crossing Road Dies From Injuries; Driver Initially Fled Scene: Police
New Haven Man Hit Crossing Road Dies From Injuries; Driver Initially Fled Scene: Police A 58-year-old man struck by a vehicle while crossing a New Haven street has died from his injuries, police said. Jaime Melendez-Martinez, of New Haven, was hit around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, as he crossed Foxon Boulevard after walking from the Walmart parking lot, according to the New Haven Police Department. Melendez-Martinez was rushed to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he later died from his injuries, police said. The driver fled the scene but later went to the New Haven Police Department to report the crash, authorities said. Officers did not release their name. No arrests h…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
Willimantic Man Nearly Killed In Motorcycle Crash Days After Birthday; Another Rider Hurt Willimantic Man Nearly Killed In Motorcycle Crash Days After Birthday; Another Rider Hurt
Willimantic Man Nearly Killed In Motorcycle Crash Days After Birthday; Another Rider Hurt A 35-year-old Connecticut motorcyclist is in critical condition after a three-vehicle crash sent him to the hospital just days after celebrating his birthday, authorities said. Another person was also hospitalized following the collision, which happened around 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, near Club Road and Route 14 in Windham, according to Connecticut State Police. The motorcyclist, a Willimantic man, was riding a Suzuki GSX alongside another rider on a KTM Super Duke and a third individual on a motorized scooter, police said. While taking a curve at a high speed, the Suzuki rider lost contr…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
New DNA Tech Convicts Man In 25-Year-Old Rape Case In Western Mass New DNA Tech Convicts Man In 25-Year-Old Rape Case In Western Mass
New DNA Tech Convicts Man In 25-Year-Old Rape Case In Western Mass More than two decades after a woman on a walk in Western Massachusetts was pulled into the woods and raped, justice has been served, authorities said.  Jamie Dodge, now of Maine, pleaded guilty to aggravated rape and kidnapping in a 2000 sexual assault, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said.  He was sentenced to 12 to 15 years in state prison, followed by three years’ probation. “This resolution brings a long-overdue measure of justice and accountability,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “For 25 years, the victim in this case lived without answers…

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
6-Year-Old Missing After Falling Into Housatonic River At Stratford Boat Ramp 6-Year-Old Missing After Falling Into Housatonic River At Stratford Boat Ramp
6-Year-Old Missing After Falling Into Housatonic River At Stratford Boat Ramp A 6-year-old boy who fell into the Housatonic River in Stratford remained missing late Wednesday after several hours of intense search efforts, authorities said. The child had been walking near the Birdseye Boat Ramp around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, when he fell into the river, police said. A United Illuminating employee who saw the boy fall jumped into the water in an attempt to rescue the child, but was unable to reach him. The boy has not been seen since.  Police in Stratford, working in coordination with departments from Bridgeport, Fairfield, Westport, Shelton, Trumbull, Guil…

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by Josh Lanier
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