Josh Lanier

Assistant Managing Editor

[email protected]

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

Wethersfield, CT

Police & Fire

Wethersfield Woman, 31, Sexually Coerced Long Island 13-Year-Old She Met Online: Feds A Connecticut woman is accused of grooming a 13-year-old New York boy on Discord before driving him to her home and attempting to sexually abuse him, federal authorities said. Amily Colon, 31, of Wethersfield, was arrested Friday, July 17, on a federal criminal complaint charging her with attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity, according to the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut. According to court documents, Colon allegedly used the name "Alice" when she started an online relationship with the 13-year-old boy f…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Norfolk, MA

Obituaries

'She Was Our Heart And Soul': Taunton Family Mourns 26-Year-Old Tattoo Artist Killed In Crash A 26-year-old Massachusetts woman whose family said she had a contagious laugh and an inspiring creative spirit was killed in a single-car crash, leaving loved ones mourning her sudden loss and asking the community for help. Selina Mendez, 26, of Taunton, was killed in a single-car crash around 11:15 p.m. Friday, July 17, on County St. in Taunton, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office. Police said officers found a 2001 Honda Accord with heavy damage to the driver's side after it struck a telephone pole. Two women were still inside the car. Mendez, who was driving, was t…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

New Canaan, CT

Police & Fire

NY Man Arrested Again In New Canaan, Now Facing Strangulation, Police Impersonation Charges A New York man who was arrested twice in Connecticut last month is back in custody after police said he was wanted on new charges tied to a vicious domestic incident. Christopher Douglas Hassel, 42, of Syosset, New York, was arrested on an active warrant by the New Canaan Police Department earlier this month, authorities said. Hassel is charged with third-degree assault, second-degree assault, second-degree strangulation/suffocation, criminal impersonation, impersonating a police officer, and disorderly conduct. His bond was set at $50,000. The latest arrest comes just weeks after Ha…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Windsor, CT

Police & Fire

Speeding Driver Triggers 5-Car Chain Reaction Crash On I-91 In Windsor; 4 Taken To Hospital A speeding driver sparked a five-car chain-reaction crash on Interstate 91 North in Windsor that sent four people to the hospital with minor injuries, according to authorities. Police said four of the five vehicles were slowing down near Exit 37 or stopped because of traffic ahead when a fifth vehicle approached from behind, "traveling at a high rate of speed" shortly after 6:49 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, Connecticut State Police said. Investigators said the driver swerved right in an attempt to avoid a crash. Instead, the vehicle clipped the rear of an SUV in the right lane. The…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Wallingford, CT

Police & Fire

Wallingford School PTO Treasurer Stole $22K From Elementary School Group, Police Say A former Connecticut elementary school PTO treasurer is accused of stealing about $22,000 from the organization that supports local students and teachers. Erica L. Vitale, 39, of Wallingford, was arrested Friday, July 17, according to police. She served as treasurer for the Highland Elementary School PTO and had full access to the group's funds. Wallingford police said PTO officials said $22,000 is missing from their accounts, and Vitale cannot account for it. Vitale is charged with first-degree larceny and fraudulent use of an automated teller machine, Wallingford police …

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

New Haven, CT

Police & Fire

Bridgeport Motorcyclist Critically Injured In New Haven Crash While Riding With Other Bikers A 35-year-old Bridgeport man is fighting for his life after crashing his motorcycle on a New Haven street while riding with a group of other motorcyclists, police said. Editor's note: Police initially reported the man had died, but issued a correction just after 12:30 p.m. Monday after our story was published. Officers believe the man was riding west on Grand Avenue near the intersection of East Street in New Haven when he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed around 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 20, police said. Responding officers found the rider with severe injuries.&…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Meriden, CT

Police & Fire

(Update) Suspect Shot By Police Following Fatal Meriden Baseball Bat Attack Has Died: OIG Update: The man whom police shot after investigators said he beat a man to death with a baseball bat has also died from his gunshot injuries, authorities announced Monday afternoon, July 20. Police have released few details on his death or the other victim. Original: Connecticut State Police released new details after a Meriden police officer shot a suspect accused of beating someone to death with a baseball bat over the weekend. An officer responded to a home on Sagamore Road in Meriden around 10 a.m. Sunday, July 19, after reports of a domestic violence incident. Police arrived to f…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Norwalk, CT

Police & Fire

2 Teens Thrown From Scooter In Norwalk Crash, 16-Year-Old Fighting For Their Life A 16-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries after a moped carrying two teens crashed into an SUV at a busy Connecticut intersection over the weekend, sending them both to the hospital, police said. The crash happened around 2:54 p.m. on Sunday, July 19, at the intersection of Water Street and Hanford Place in Norwalk, according to police. Investigators said the scooter, occupied by two 16-year-olds, collided with an SUV that was making a left turn. The impact threw both teens from the scooter. Neither was wearing helmets. The scooter operator suffered life-threatening injuries. …

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Windsor, CT

Police & Fire

Enfield Driver Killed After Car Rolls Onto I-91 In Windsor, Hit By Oncoming Vehicle A Connecticut man was killed over the weekend after his car crashed, rolled over, and was hit by another vehicle on Interstate 91 in Windsor, according to David Csaszar, 35, of Enfield, was driving a Chevrolet Malibu on I-91 North near Exit 37 around 3:41 a.m. Sunday, July 19, when Connecticut State Police said he left the roadway and hit the guardrail along the right shoulder. His car then crossed all three travel lanes, hit the median, and rolled onto its side in the center lane. An Infiniti G35 then slammed into the overturned Malibu, police said. Csaszar was pronounced dead at th…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

Westport, CT

News

Craig Melvin Thanks Supporters After 'Today' Intruder, Roker Backs 'Brother'; Guard Loses Job A day after a man allegedly sneaked into the NBC studios during the "Today" show and yelled a racial slur at co-host Craig Melvin, the Weston, Connecticut, resident thanked viewers for their outpouring of support. But as his colleagues rallied around him, one security guard was left without a job. In a brief remark on the Friday, July 17, episode of "Today," Melvin said he was rattled but thankful for his co-hosts and colleagues, who were quick to come to his aid. "Thankfully, he was apprehended quickly. He was placed under arrest," the anchor said, adding that the show is "cooperating full…

by Josh Lanier

07/17/2026

Prev Page 1 of 698 1 2 3 4 5 Next

1 - 10 of 6,974 articles