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

Hartford, CT

Police & Fire

Willimantic Man Accused Of Trying To Pay Minor For Sex In Hartford Sting A Connecticut man is behind bars after Hartford police said he tried to pay someone he believed was a minor for sex during an undercover sting. Alexander Cruz, 58, of Willimantic, is charged with criminal attempt sexual contact with a minor, second-degree criminal attempt, and criminal attempt commercial sexual abuse of a minor, authorities said. Cruz was arrested as part of a sting by the Hartford Police Department's Special Investigation Division Child Exploitation Unit and the FBI Crimes Against Children/Human Trafficking Task Force, according to a news release. Police said C…

by Josh Lanier

07/09/2026

Groton, CT

Police & Fire

Wanted Teen Escapes After Police Say Car Rams Groton Cruiser During Arrest Attempt A wanted 18-year-old escaped an arrest attempt after the car he was in slammed into a police cruiser and sped away. Groton police were attempting to arrest Jaden Rivera on Thursday, July 9, on an arrest warrant issued earlier this week in connection with an alleged incident in Ledyard in 2024, authorities said. Investigators tracked Rivera to a home on Shennecosset Road in Groton and watched as he walked from the house to a vehicle in the parking lot. When officers moved in to arrest him, the vehicle drove off and crashed into an occupied police cruiser, authorities said. There was another…

by Josh Lanier

07/09/2026

Torrington, CT

News

Hero Dog Fights Bear To Save Owner In Torrington, Now Family Needs Help To Save Him A Connecticut dog is being called a hero after putting himself in danger to protect his owner from a charging bear. The attack left the dog critically injured, and his family is now asking for help to cover his medical care. Kobe, a beagle mix in Torrington, was mauled around 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, July 8. Kobe's owner, Richard Hubbard, said in a GoFundMe campaign that he was taking out the trash when he spotted a large bear behind a dumpster. "I tried to get us back inside quickly, but Kobe’s leash slipped from my hand," Hubbard wrote in the fundraising campaign. "He bravely ran and barked …

by Josh Lanier

07/09/2026

Malden, MA

Obituaries

'They Were Best Friends': Mother To Launch Foundation Honoring Malden Woman Killed In Crash The mother of a Massachusetts woman killed in a New Hampshire motorcycle crash is turning her unthinkable loss into lasting purpose by creating a foundation that will carry on her daughter's lifelong mission of helping others, friends said. Michaela Svetlana Waldrop, 29, of Malden, died in a motorcycle crash in Gorham, New Hampshire, on July 2, according to police. Now, her mother, Kris Waldrop, is working to establish the Michaela Waldrop Foundation, which will support underserved individuals and families in her daughter's honor. Friends and loved ones have launched a GoFundMe t…

by Josh Lanier

07/09/2026

Fairfield, CT

News

'Explosive' Diarrhea Parasite On The Rise In Connecticut As Infections Reported In 17 States The number of people in Connecticut diagnosed with a parasitic infection that can cause "explosive" diarrhea and other severe gastrointestinal symptoms continues to grow. The news comes as the number of cases across the United States has surged over the past several weeks. More than 1,000 people have been diagnosed with cyclosporiasis since May, with the largest outbreaks reported in Michigan and Ohio. In Connecticut, 23 people had contracted the infection as of July 1, according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says cyclosporias…

by Josh Lanier

07/09/2026

East Hartford, CT

Police & Fire

6 Cats Thrown From Moving Car In East Hartford, 1 Still Missing Six cats, including four kittens, were thrown from a moving vehicle in Connecticut earlier this week, and police are asking for the public's help to find the person responsible. Officials said a box holding four kittens and two adult cats was tossed from the vehicle on Adams Street in East Hartford on Wednesday evening, July 8. Animal control officers caught five of the cats, but one adult feline has not been found. Authorities did not say if any of the animals were injured. Officers said they received multiple calls about the incident and have opened an investiga…

by Josh Lanier

07/09/2026

Ansonia, CT

Police & Fire

Road Rage Shooting In Seymour Ends With Arrest After Driver Captures Gunfire On Video A driver is accused of opening fire during a road rage encounter on Route 8, leaving another motorist dodging bullets in a shooting investigators say was caught on video. Jonathan Sanabria, 38, was arrested after Connecticut State Police said he fired two shots at another driver's vehicle on Route 8 southbound near Exit 17 in Seymour on Wednesday, July 8. Troopers were dispatched to the scene around 6:51 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. When officers arrived, they met with the driver, who showed them a video of someone firing two bullets at his car. Following an investig…

by Josh Lanier

07/09/2026

Hartford, CT

Police & Fire

Hartford Sex Offender Accused Of Trading Child Abuse Images After FBI Finds Hundreds On Phone A Connecticut registered sex offender with a history of child sex assault convictions is facing new federal child exploitation charges after investigators said they found hundreds of images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children on his electronic devices. Abisai Rodriguez, 38, of Hartford, was charged by federal criminal complaint with receipt and distribution of child pornography, as well as possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan announced on Wednesday, July 8. Rodriguez has been detained since his federal arrest on June 11. Rodriguez was co…

by Josh Lanier

07/08/2026

Putnam, CT

Police & Fire

Fifth Man Arrested In Putnam Armed Home Invasion That Left Victim Injured A Massachusetts man has become the fifth person arrested in connection with a violent Connecticut home invasion that left one victim injured after armed suspects forced their way inside. Gage N. Pietrowski, 21, of Munson, Massachusetts, turned himself in on Tuesday, July 7, nearly a year after the Aug. 24 robbery in Putnam, according to police Putnam police investigators said multiple suspects who knew the victims got into the home through an unlocked door while armed with pistols. They pointed the guns at a man and a woman inside before assaulting the male victim, who suffered minor injuri…

by Josh Lanier

07/08/2026

Vernon-Rockville, CT

Police & Fire

Man Wanted In Child Sex Case Caught After Police Chase Ends In Crash Outside Vernon Diner Two people were arrested after a police chase ended in a crash outside a Connecticut diner, authorities said. Donovan Rice, 26, of Manchester, and Rebecca Lindblom, 28, of Rockville, were arrested after a pursuit that began in Tolland and ended in Vernon around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, when troopers stopped a Toyota Camry at Route 30 and Old Post Road. During the stop, troopers learned East Hartford police wanted Rice on an active arrest warrant for two counts of risk of injury to a minor and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault of a minor, troopers said. When confronted, Rice refus…

by Josh Lanier

07/08/2026

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