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Friday, mar 21

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

Obituaries

She 'Brought So Much Joy': Funeral Announced For Mansfield Center Mom, Beloved Waitress Friends and family of a beloved Connecticut mother, known for her warmth, compassion, and kindness, have announced details of her funeral. Kelsey Dunnack, 36, of Mansfield Center, was a well-loved waitress at That Breakfast Place in Willimantic, where she worked alongside her teenage daughter. She passed away on Wednesday, March 12, though details of her death have not been released. Her funeral service is scheduled for Monday at First Congregational Church, located at 199 Valley St. in Willimantic. Doors open at noon, and services begin at 1 p.m., according to her obituary. Dozens of peop…

03/20/2025

Schools

Trump Signs Order to Dismantle Dept of Education Sparking Backlash From CT Democrats, Teachers President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise this week by signing an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education. The move has thrilled many Republicans, but Connecticut Democrats fear long-lasting repercussions for the state's most vulnerable students. Trump signed the order Thursday, May 20, in the East Room of the White House, flanked by children. The goal, the president said, is to return school decisions to the states. But such a major overhaul will require congressional approval, meaning it needs some Democratic support. "Everybody knows it’s right, and the…

03/20/2025

Police & Fire

Man Critically Injured After Milford Tractor-Trailer Crash On I-95 Ejects Him Into Tree: Police A 63-year-old man was critically injured after his car clipped a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 earlier this week, sending him out of control into a wooded area, where he hit a tree and was pinned beneath his vehicle, authorities said. The Brooklyn man was driving south near Exit 39B in Milford around 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, when his Ford Escape veered into a neighboring tractor-trailer, Connecticut state police said. The impact caused the Ford Escape to spin 180 degrees before crashing into a wire barrier. The vehicle then careened into an embankment and down a hill, where it struck…

03/20/2025

Police & Fire

Darien Man Who Once Set Fiancée On Fire Accused Of Strangling Victim In Domestic Attack: Cops A 48-year-old Connecticut man with a history of horrific domestic attacks was arrested and charged with another one, this time allegedly strangling the victim, police said. He previously set his fiancée on fire after she called off their engagement. Kevin L. Epps, of Darien, was arrested on Wednesday, March 19, and charged with two counts of strangulation, unlawful restraint, threatening, and disorderly conduct, authorities said. Police responded to a domestic violence call around 1:30 p.m. to a home on Post Road in Darien. Officers identified Epps as the suspect and located him…

03/20/2025

Business

New Starbucks Opens In West Hartford; 5th Location In City Starbucks has expanded its footprint in West Hartford with a fifth location. The coffee chain opened a new store this week at 415 South Main St., featuring a drive-thru. The store opens daily at 5 a.m. Starbucks already operates locations in West Hartford on LaSalle Road, Kane Street, Albany Avenue, and New Britain Avenue. The expansion comes during a tumultuous time for the coffee giant. Earlier this month, the company announced it is streamlining its menu and discontinuing some of its most popular drinks, including several Frappuccino options, the royal English breakfast latte, and whit…

03/20/2025

Police & Fire

Gloucester Market Basket Employee Accused Of Setting 2 Fires In Store: State Take this job and burn it. That’s what fire officials say a Market Basket employee did last week when he allegedly set two blazes at a grocery store. Matthew Johnson, 35, faces two counts each of burning personal property and attempted arson for allegedly setting two fires at a Market Basket located at 101 Gloucester Crossing Road in Gloucester, according to the State Fire Marshal's Office. Firefighters responded to the scene around 8:20 p.m. on Friday, March 14, and discovered blazes in the stockroom and inside a cardboard compactor, officials said. Crews had both fires under control by 9 …

03/20/2025

Police & Fire

Mass Man Who Admitted To Having Sex With 15-Year-Old Albany Girl Gets 25 Years: Feds A Berkshire County man was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to the sexual exploitation of a child and traveling to New York with the intent to engage in unlawful sexual conduct, federal authorities said. Frank Twing Sr., of West Stockbridge, learned his fate in Albany Federal Court after an investigation revealed his involvement in crimes against minors, the US Attorney for the Northern District of New York said. His sentence includes 25 years of supervised release following his prison term. The case stemmed from a January 2024 investigation by the Massach…

03/20/2025

Police & Fire

Human Remains Found Near Groton Cemetery Police discovered human remains near a Connecticut cemetery earlier this week, authorities said. Groton police received a call on Wednesday, March 19, reporting a suspicious object near Colonel Ledyard Cemetery on Mitchell Street. Officers searched the area and located the remains. Police have not disclosed the condition of the remains, leaving it unclear whether the person died recently. The City of Groton Police Detective Division is leading the investigation with assistance from the New London State’s Attorney’s Office, the Eastern District Connecticut State Police Major Crime Unit, and…

03/20/2025

Police & Fire

Police ID 2 Involved In Fatal Hit, Run Chicopee Crash; Both Face Felony Charges: DA Authorities have identified the men they say were involved in a hit-and-run crash in Western Mass last month that left a 34-year-old woman dead. Lavonta Williams Jr., 29, of Chicopee, is charged with leaving the scene of personal injury and death. Jerimeldo Lopez, 23, of South Hadley, faces negligent operation of a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of personal injury and death charges, the Hampden District Attorney's Office said. The prosecutor said they were in a vehicle that crashed into Vanessa Perez, of Springfield, on Feb. 9 on Abbey Memorial Road. Perez di…

03/20/2025

Police & Fire

Ex-Fairfield Official Sentenced in Toxic Cover-Up That Contaminated Schools, Beaches A former public works director for a Fairfield County Town was sentenced to six months in prison and five years probation after he admitted to illegally dumping hazardous materials on town property, authorities said. Ex-Fairfield official Joseph Michelangelo, 63, pleaded guilty to multiple environmental crimes, including the illegal disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and asbestos, operating an unpermitted waste facility, and conspiracy to commit larceny and forgery, the State's Attorney's Office said. Prosecutors say that between 2013 and 2020, he and others consp…

03/20/2025

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