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

Meriden, CT

Police & Fire

Body Cam Shows Lethal Meriden Police Shooting In Fatal Bat Attack; Police ID Suspect Newly released body camera video shows the moments a Meriden police officer fatally shot a man who investigators say ignored repeated commands to stop beating another man with a baseball bat. The footage was released with a preliminary status report from Connecticut Inspector General Eliot D. Prescott on Tuesday, July 21, detailing the ongoing investigation into the fatal police shooting that happened on Sunday, July 19, on Sagamore Road in Meriden. According to the Inspector General, Officer Anthony Offiaeli was the first officer to arrive after police were dispatched to an active domestic…

by Josh Lanier

07/21/2026

Fairfield, CT

Weather

Cars Submerged, Thousands Lose Power As Flash Flooding Slams Fairfield County Heavy rain has flooded roads, knocked out power to thousands, and prompted a flash flood warning and tornado watch across parts of Connecticut as strong thunderstorms swept through the region Tuesday, July 21. The National Weather Service issued the flash flood warning for Fairfield County and western New Haven County. A tornado watch remains in effect for Fairfield, New Haven, and Litchfield counties until 9 p.m. Tuesday. Middlesex County remains under a flood advisory. Click here to see updated weather alerts across the state. Cars Submerged As Flooding Worsens Forecasters said between 1…

by Josh Lanier

07/21/2026

Westfield, MA

Obituaries

Beloved Westfield Firefighter Dies Suddenly, Leaves Behind Wife, Toddler: 'Unmistakable Smile' A longtime Massachusetts firefighter with a legacy of bravery, leadership, and a bright sense of humor has died suddenly, leaving behind his wife and his 2-year-old son. The Russell Fire Department and Westfield Fire Department announced the death of former Russell Fire Chief and longtime Westfield firefighter and paramedic Niles LaValley on Monday, July 20. Officials did not provide a cause of death, saying only that it was sudden. Loved ones created a GoFundMe for LaValley's wife, Jen, and their son, Theo, to help pay for his funeral expenses and provide some financial support. …

by Josh Lanier

07/21/2026

Southington, CT

Police & Fire

Motorcyclist Repeatedly Stabbed, Robbed In Southington; Waterbury Man, Child Charged: Police A 58-year-old Connecticut motorcyclist was surrounded by a large rideout group, robbed of his cellphone, and repeatedly stabbed in the back with a screwdriver in a brazen daytime attack, police said. Kevin Manuel Rodriguez, 20, of Waterbury, and a 13-year-old from Cheshire were arrested in connection with the assault, which happened around 2 p.m. Sunday, July 20, near 503 Main St. in the Plantsville section of Southington. Officers responded after multiple 911 callers reported a large group riding bicycles, e-bikes, and mopeds was blocking traffic and creating disturbances. As police …

by Josh Lanier

07/21/2026

Windsor Locks, CT

Police & Fire

Nurse Didn't Call 911 For Fear Of Prison After Windsor Locks Patient Wandered Into Snow: Report One of two former employees of a Connecticut nursing home allegedly did not call 911 after a 93-year-old resident with dementia wandered into freezing temperatures for hours because he feared they "could go to prison," according to a court report. That fear could now come true. Police arrested two former Bickford Health Care Center employees in connection with the Feb. 8 death of Margaret Healey, who walked out of the Windsor Locks nursing home during the night and died hours later. Registered nurse Papy Bibo, 53, of Manchester, was charged this week with criminally negligent homicide and t…

by Josh Lanier

07/21/2026

Greenfield, MA

Police & Fire

Greenfield Man Who Left Rotting Dead Body Inside Home For Weeks After Murder Sentenced: DA A Massachusetts man will spend up to two decades in prison after admitting he unlawfully killed another man and left his body inside an apartment for weeks. Taaniel Herberger-Brown, 44, of Greenfield, was sentenced today to 18 to 20 years in state prison in connection with the February 2024 death of Christopher Hairston, 34, of Greenfield, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office announced. Investigators said the two men got into a physical altercation inside the apartment on Feb. 29, 2024, and Hairston died during the fight. Authorities said Herberger-Brown did not call for m…

by Josh Lanier

07/21/2026

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. Colon allegedly used the name "Alice" when she started an online relationship with the 13-year-old boy from New York, according to cou…

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. Officers found a 2001 Honda Accord with heavy damage to the driver's side after it struck a telephone pole, police explained. Two women were still inside the car. Mendez, who was driving,…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

New Canaan, CT

Police & Fire

Police Impersonation, Strangulation Lands Nassau County Man Under Arrest In New Canaan — Again 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. 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. The driver swerved right in an attempt to avoid a crash. Instead, the vehicle clipped the rear of an SUV in the right lane, investigators said. The SUV lost c…

by Josh Lanier

07/20/2026

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