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Thursday, jul 17

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

Police & Fire

Man Strangled With Dog Leash In Washington, CT, Home Invasion; Relative Among Attackers: Police A man told police he was strangled with a dog leash and kicked in the face repeatedly during a violent home invasion at his Connecticut home. He was able to police track down one of the assailants because they are related, authorities said. Huckleberry Durkin, 26, of Thomaston, and Austin Dutcher, 26, of Washington, were both arrested after allegedly breaking into the victim’s home Saturday afternoon, July 12, and assaulting a man inside during a planned confrontation, Connecticut State Police said. The victim told police he was attacked inside his home around 2 p.m. when the tw…

by Josh Lanier

07/15/2025

Police & Fire

Lightning Sparks House Fires, Damage To Multiple Westport Homes Two homes were damaged overnight after lightning struck during a sudden thunderstorm that blew through the area, causing damage from multiple lightning strikes. Westport firefighters were busy battling fires sparked by two of those strikes. One of the strikes hit a house on Joanne Circle, setting fire to the second floor. Firefighters rushed to the home and stopped the blaze before it could spread beyond a single room. Luckily, no one was hurt. In a separate incident on Bayberry Lane, a bolt of lightning hit an underground electric pet fence system — often called an “invisible …

by Josh Lanier

07/15/2025

Police & Fire

CT Troopers Justified In Shooting Suspect Who Killed Police K9 In Stonington: State A police K9 was shot and killed, and the suspect who pulled the trigger was fatally wounded in a December 2023 gunfight with state troopers during a tense standoff outside a Stonington home. State investigators ruled in July 2025 that the officers’ use of deadly force was justified. The deadly incident happened during a high-risk operation to arrest 42-year-old Vaughn Malloy, who was wanted for a 2022 shooting in Norwich. Troopers believed Malloy was inside a home at 69 Mechanic Street and used a loudspeaker to call for him to surrender. He didn’t respond, according to the State Inspector Ge…

by Josh Lanier

07/15/2025

Lifestyle

Bay State Pride: Longmeadow Native Among 3 Emmy Nominees With Mass Ties Three actresses nominated for Emmy Awards this year have something in common beyond their talent: They all have strong ties to Massachusetts. Meghan Fahy, nominated for her role in “Sirens,” is a Longmeadow native who grew up in western Massachusetts. She began performing in school plays and quickly built a name for herself. “Sirens” follows a therapist who helps women navigate grief after a tragic loss. The show has been praised for its emotional honesty and strong female lead. This marks Fahy’s second Emmy nomination. She was previously recognized in 2023 for her performance in HBO’s “The…

by Josh Lanier

07/15/2025

Police & Fire

Stafford Man Charged With Animal Cruelty After Dogs Found With Infections, Wounds, Sicknesses A Connecticut man is facing serious animal cruelty charges after authorities say four dogs were found suffering from infected wounds, untreated medical issues, and living in filthy conditions inside his home. Neal Basinet, of Stafford, was arrested late last week after months of investigations and discussions with police. He is charged with four counts of animal cruelty, Connecticut State Police said. He wa released on a $5,000 bond. Municipal Animal Control Officer Jennifer Miller described the scene as disturbing. One dog, “Athena,” was covered in puncture wounds from fighting, had …

by Josh Lanier

07/15/2025

News

$1M Lottery Win — Twice: Man Accidentally Buys 2 Lottery Tickets, Wins On Both Of Them A Central Massachusetts man is $2 million richer after making the same Powerball pick — twice. Paul Corcoran, of Fitchburg, hit it big two times in the same Powerball drawing last week. Corcoran’s windfall came in double: he matched the first five numbers on two different tickets, each earning him a $1 million prize for each ticket. He bought both tickets for the same July 9 drawing, each purchased at different stores in the area. One winning ticket was sold at Market Basket on Water Street in Fitchburg. The other he bought at Farms on North Main Street in Leominster. Both stores will …

by Josh Lanier

07/15/2025

Police & Fire

Ansonia Man Gets 65 Years For Murdering Christine Holloway; Their Daughter Remains Missing A Connecticut man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the brutal murder of Christine Holloway in Ansonia, but the case is far from over. The couple's daughter, Vanessa Morales, who was 14 months old at the time of the slaying, remains missing nearly five years later. Jose Morales was sentenced Monday, July 14, to 65 years in prison, 60 years for Holloway’s murder and five years for tampering with evidence, Ansonia police said. He was convicted in April following a two-week trial for killing Holloway inside her Myrtle Avenue home on Dec. 1, 2019. Prosecutors said Morales tried to c…

by Josh Lanier

07/14/2025

Police & Fire

Manhunt Underway For Waterbury Suspect In Shooting Death Of 17-Year-Old Girl Police are searching for a 40-year-old man who is wanted in connection with the shooting death of a Connecticut teenager. Shamar Atwater is wanted in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Carizma Fox, both of Waterbury, outside a home on Willow Street early Friday, July 12, authorities announced. Waterbury police responded to the scene around 2:48 a.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. When they arrived, they found Fox suffering from a gunshot wound. Detectives say a disturbance involving multiple people broke out before the shooting. Investigators have not yet shared what led to the violenc…

by Josh Lanier

07/14/2025

Obituaries

Man, 43, Drowns During Family Picnic On Housatonic River In New Milford A 43-year-old man from Yonkers, New York, drowned while picnicking with his family on the Housatonic River in New Milford over the weekend, authorities said. Simon Hernandez was spending time with loved ones in the Gaylordsville section of New Milford on Sunday, July 13, around 4:10 p.m., when he entered the river but did not resurface, according to police. Emergency crews responded to the area of 781 Kent Road in an attempt to rescue him, but were unsuccessful. After a two- to three-hour search, New Milford police dive teams recovered Hernandez’s body. He was pronounced dead at the scene. …

by Josh Lanier

07/14/2025

Police & Fire

Bridgeport Woman, 81, Killed In Hit-Run Crash; Police Ask For Public's Help An 81-year-old Connecticut woman has died after she was struck in a hit-and-run crash in Bridgeport over the weekend. Angela Pagan was struck near the corner of Park Avenue and Maplewood Avenue around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, authorities said. Multiple people called 911, and first responders were dispatched quickly to the scene. Paramedics rushed her to St. Vincent’s Hospital, where she died at approximately 10:29 p.m., officials said. Investigators said the driver who hit Pagan was heading north on Park Avenue, and they sped away from the scene after the crash. The fatal wreck remai…

by Josh Lanier

07/14/2025

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