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Tuesday, jan 7

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 is a native of Charlotte, NC, where he is a member of a sketch comedy group in his spare time.

Josh Lanier's Contributions

Obituaries

Northford Man Killed In 3-Car Pile-Up On Icy CT Road ID'd; 2 More Injured: Police An elderly Connecticut man died earlier this week after he was involved in a three-car crash on Route 17 in Middlesex County, authorities said. John Festa, 86, of Northford, was driving south on New Haven Road in Durham around 1:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, when a car traveling in the opposite direction crashed head-on with his Dodge Ram truck, Connecticut State Police said. Authorities said a third vehicle, also driving south, could not stop because of icy road conditions and collided with the passenger side of the second car. Paramedics rushed Festa, his passenger, and the 21-year-old driver …

01/07/2025

Obituaries

CT Man Killed After Car Skids Off I-84 Off-Ramp In Tolland A 68-year-old Connecticut man was killed earlier this week when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed along I-84, authorities announced. Robert Bickford, of Ashford, crashed around 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 6, when his Honda Civic skidded off of the Exit 69 off-ramp on I-84, Connecticut State Police said. He died at the scene. Police are investigating the crash. Officials provided little information on the circumstances of the crash, multiple wrecks were reported on Monday because of weather-related incidents. Related: CT DOT Warns Of Treacherous Roads From Icy Cond…

01/07/2025

Police & Fire

Groton Man On Parole For Child Porn Admits To Having More: Feds A 22-year-old Connecticut man admitted to sharing nude photos of children while out on parole for another child pornography charge, authorities said. Ryan Cameron, of Groton, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, the US Attorney for Connecticut said. Cameron was convicted of sharing nude photos of a 15-year-old girl in 2023, the prosecutor said. While out on parole in April 2024, Cameron had a cell phone that contained child sexual abuse material. His parole…

01/06/2025

News

$1M Lottery Jackpot: Chelmsford Man Scores Slam Dunk Win With New Celtics-Themed Ticket A Massachusetts man will be a Celtics fan for life after he won a $1 million lottery prize on a new game themed around the historic NBA franchise. Paul Hart, of Chelmsford, landed the payday playing the "Celtics Banner 18" game, a $10 scratch-off ticket in honor of the team's 18th championship. He took the lump-sum payment of $650,000 (before taxes) rather than the annuity. Hart bought his winning ticket at Corner Cupboard, 149 Gorham St. in Chelmsford. The store will get a $10,000 bonus for the sale. The Celtics Banner 18 instant ticket includes four more gra…

01/06/2025

Traffic

CT DOT Warns Of Treacherous Roads; Crashes Reported Across State From Icy Conditions The Connecticut State Department of Transportation is asking drivers to take extra precautions to protect themselves while driving because of icy roads. Gov. Ned Lamont ordered the state into its severe cold weather protocol that will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, and run through noon Thursday. Those cold temperatures have wreaked havoc on several roads across the state. Facebook groups across the state are littered with reports of black ice, crashes, and bad conditions in multiple locations. With inclement weather happening across the state today, be careful! Drive …

01/06/2025

Police & Fire

Danbury Drunk Driver Hit With 3rd OUI Charge, Caught Urinating On Wilton Highway: Police A 42-year-old Connecticut man was arrested and charged with his third operating under the influence charge and failing to install a breathalyzer device that prevents him from driving while drunk, authorities said. Joseph Simmons, of Danbury, was arrested on Saturday, Jan. 4, just before 3 a.m. after police found him on the side of Route 7 in Wilton, authorities said. He had pulled over to urinate "directly on" the highway. He appeared intoxicated and admitted to drinking before getting behind the wheel of his Subaru, Wilton police said. He failed a field sobriety test, but refus…

01/06/2025

Police & Fire

Worcester Man Admits To Killing Mother Of 2 In 2019 Fatal Stabbing: DA A Worcester man will spend life in prison after admitting to the brutal 2019 murder of Jenifer Vazquez-Rivera, authorities announced on Monday, Jan. 6. Thomas Bergstrom, 42, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and will be eligible for parole after 25 years, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said. The sentence was agreed upon by the court and Vazquez-Rivera’s family, who supported the plea to shield her two young daughters from the trauma of testifying in a murder trial. “We know nothing can bring Jennifer back to her family, but we hope today’s plea brings some …

01/06/2025

Police & Fire

CT Man Exposes Himself To Women Inside Southington Walgreens: Police A 37-year-old Connecticut man was arrested after police said he exposed himself in a "sexual manner" toward women inside a Walgreens last week. Jose M. Valdivia, of Waterbury, is charged with two counts each of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct, Southington police said. Multiple women inside Walgreens at 359 Main Street reported that a man had exposed himself to them on New Year's Eve, authorities said. Police found security video of the incidents and saw the man walk toward a car in the parking lot and leave. Officers pulled that car over about a mile from the sto…

01/06/2025

News

Norwich Public Worker Hurt In Boiler Incident At Wastewater Plant A Connecticut public utility employee was taken to an area hospital after being injured in an incident involving a boiler, authorities said. The worker was hurt around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, from a methane boiler at a Norwich Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to a public utilities representative. Officials said the utility would investigate the cause and cooperate with any potential state probe. Paramedics took the worker to William W. Backus Hospital, where he was released later that day, NPU Spokesperson Chris Riley told other outlets. He is ex…

01/06/2025

Police & Fire

Good Samaritan Pulls Driver From Burning Car After Crash In Monroe A Connecticut driver is likely alive today because of the quick thinking of a stranger, authorities said. The two-car crash happened Saturday night, Jan. 4, on Purdy Hill Road near the intersection with Teller Road in Monroe around 7:15 p.m., firefighters said. The crash crushed the doors of a sedan, trapping the driver inside as a small fire began to grow beneath the car. Police did not ID the Good Samaritan, but the Monroe Sun reported them as Sean Wollenberg, who lived nearby on Teller Road, heard the crash, and ran to the scene to see if he could help. The…

01/05/2025

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