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

Woburn, MA
Breaking News
Newly Minted Millionaire: Woburn Man Knows How He'll Spend $4M Payday Newly Minted Millionaire: Woburn Man Knows How He'll Spend $4M Payday
Newly Minted Millionaire: Woburn Man Knows How He'll Spend $4M Payday A newly released Massachusetts State Lottery scratch-off game has its first grand-prize winner.  Jose Fernandes of Woburn claimed the first $4 million grand prize in the “$4,000,000 Cash Doubler” ticket. The $10 scratch-off game went on sale last month.  Related: This Nantucket Diner Just Sold Its FOURTH $1M+ Lottery Ticket Fernandes chose the one-time payment of $2,600,000 (before taxes) over the annuity, which would have paid the full amount over several years. He plans to buy a house with his windfall. He bought the ticket at Mobil, 386 Main St. in Melrose. The st…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Trumbull-Monroe, CT
Obituaries
Trumbull Man Killed While Cutting Tree At His Home ID'd Trumbull Man Killed While Cutting Tree At His Home ID'd
Trumbull Man Killed While Cutting Tree At His Home ID'd Police have identified a Connecticut homeowner who died in a tree-cutting accident earlier this week.  Javier Valdovinos, 66, was killed at his home on the 100 block of White Plains Road on Wednesday afternoon, March 4, according to Trumbull police. Valdovinos had been cutting a large tree limb when he became trapped between it and the tree, according to Trumbull police Lt. Brian Falkenstein. He was severely injured.  Two people were inside the home at the time of the incident. Neither were harmed. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has taken custody of Valdovino…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Ayer-Shirley, MA
Breaking News
Police ID 69-Year-Old After Kids Find Dismembered Body In Shirley Pond Police ID 69-Year-Old After Kids Find Dismembered Body In Shirley Pond
Police ID 69-Year-Old After Kids Find Dismembered Body In Shirley Pond The human remains uncovered by a group of middle schoolers earlier this week belong to a 69-year-old man, authorities announced.  Peter Degan, 69, of Rockland, Massachusetts, was confirmed as the victim by Middlesex (Massachusetts) District Attorney Marian Ryan and Shirley Police Chief Samuel Santiago after investigators recovered multiple body parts.  The body had been severed with a sharp instrument, and police believe he died of foul play. Investigators do not believe the killing was random. The discovery happened around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, near the Maritime Vete…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Fairfield, CT
Breaking News
Man Pleads Guilty To Sexually Exploiting CT Child He Met On Roblox: Feds Man Pleads Guilty To Sexually Exploiting CT Child He Met On Roblox: Feds
Man Pleads Guilty To Sexually Exploiting CT Child He Met On Roblox: Feds A California man has pleaded guilty to receiving sexually explicit images from a Connecticut child he met through the online gaming platform Roblox, authorities said.  Jose Nunez, 26, of Santa Clarita, California, pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography in a New Haven court this week, the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut said.  According to court documents, the case began in February 2024. Investigators said Nunez started chatting on Roblox, a gaming and chat platform, with a 13-year-old girl from Connecticut. The conversation later moved to text m…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Trumbull-Monroe, CT
Breaking News
Man, 66, Killed During Tree Cutting Accident In Trumbull, Police Say Man, 66, Killed During Tree Cutting Accident In Trumbull, Police Say
Man, 66, Killed During Tree Cutting Accident In Trumbull, Police Say A 66-year-old man was killed in a tree-cutting accident earlier this week, authorities said.  The accident happened on Wednesday afternoon, March 4, on White Plains Road in Trumbull, police said.  Police and EMS were called to the scene around 3:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a serious tree-cutting accident. The man had already suffered fatal injuries before help could arrive after a large tree branch struck him.  Officers have not released the victim’s identity. Investigators are still working to determine exactly what led up to the incident. Police said t…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Ayer-Shirley, MA
Breaking News
Human Remains Found In Water Near Shirley Bridge, Foul Play Suspected Human Remains Found In Water Near Shirley Bridge, Foul Play Suspected
Human Remains Found In Water Near Shirley Bridge, Foul Play Suspected Authorities confirmed they have opened an investigation after human remains were found in water near the Maritime Veterans Memorial Bridge in Shirley.  A group of middle schoolers was walking in the area when they spotted the body in the waterway on Wednesday afternoon, March 4, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said.  Police believe the person was the victim of foul play, but did not go any further in what they found.  Investigators said there is no ongoing threat to the community.  Residents should expect an increased police presence near Shaker Road and t…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Bristol, CT
Breaking News
Bristol Police Issue Purple Alert For Woman Who Walked Away From Assisted Living Facility Bristol Police Issue Purple Alert For Woman Who Walked Away From Assisted Living Facility
Bristol Police Issue Purple Alert For Woman Who Walked Away From Assisted Living Facility Police are asking for the public's help to find a woman who walked away from a Bristol assisted living facility.  Shaquavia Hall, 22, left the Ability Beyond Disability facility at 47 Nicholas Drive around 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, without permission. Staff members and police have been unable to locate her.  Bristol police issued a Purple Alert, reserved for missing people with mental, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities. She is described as 5-feet, 4-inches tall and weighing 299 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a dark bro…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Norfolk, MA
Breaking News
This Nantucket Diner Just Sold Its FOURTH $1M+ Lottery Ticket This Nantucket Diner Just Sold Its FOURTH $1M+ Lottery Ticket
This Nantucket Diner Just Sold Its Fourth $1M+ Lottery Ticket Turns out the secret to winning the lottery may not be the game you play but where you buy the ticket. Yancy Contreras Menjivar, of Nantucket, became the first grand-prize winner of the Massachusetts State Lottery’s "$2,000,000 Stacked" ticket, a $20 scratch-off game that went on sale on Feb. 17. She chose to accept the $1.3 million lump-sum payout (before taxes) and plans to save the money. Contreras Menjivar bought the ticket at the Old South Diner.  The diner will get a $10,000 bonus from the lottery for the sale. The string of winners at the diner at 57 Old South Road began on Ma…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
West Hartford, CT
On Your Side
Midnight Munchies Solved: Insomnia Cookies Bringing Warm Treats To West Hartford Midnight Munchies Solved: Insomnia Cookies Bringing Warm Treats To West Hartford
Midnight Munchies Solved: Insomnia Cookies Bringing Warm Treats To West Hartford Another late-night cookie spot is coming to Connecticut. Insomnia Cookies will open its first store in West Hartford on LaSalle Road near the University of Hartford. The shop will be the brand’s fifth location in Connecticut and its 351st nationwide. The bakery will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, March 7, with an all-day event filled with giveaways and late-night treats. The store will stay open late most nights. Hours run until 1 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, giving students and nearby residents a new late-night dessert option. Visitors dur…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Hartford, CT
Breaking News
Hartford Police Union Backs Officers In Fatal Shooting, Calls For Mental Health Response Reform Hartford Police Union Backs Officers In Fatal Shooting, Calls For Mental Health Response Reform
Hartford Police Union Backs Officers In Fatal Shooting, Calls For Mental Health Response Reform After Hartford police officers shot and killed two men who police believe were suffering from severe mental health crises, the leader of the city's police union is standing firm behind the officers. He said the state must do more to care for individuals struggling with mental illness to avoid officers being put in positions where they must act. Hartford police shot 55-year-old Steven Jones on Blue Hills Avenue while he waved a large knife and continued approaching officers at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 27. Jones died of his wounds on Tuesday. A family member called 911, saying Jones was experienc…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Prev Page 123 of 736 121 122 123 124 125 Next
1,221 - 1,230 of 7,355 articles