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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

Chicopee Man, 57, Busted With Child Porn: Feds A 57-year-old Chicopee man faces potentially decades in prison after police said he sent and received child pornography. Thomas Stemmer, 57, was indicted Thursday, Feb. 2, on one count each of sending and receiving child porn, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. The charges stem from 2015, and it's unclear why he wasn't charged until now. Receiving child porn carries a potential 20-year prison sentence if convicted, as does the charge of sending the offending material. The court could also fine Stemmer up to $500,000 if he's convicted on both counts, the federal prosecutor s…

02/02/2023

Police & Fire

Central Mass Firefighters Battle Back Flames In Home's Basement Firefighters in Holden rushed to a home on Zottoli Road earlier this week when someone saw smoke pouring from someone's basement, officials said. The two-alarm fire was first called in just after 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Flames licked the side of the home as they poured out of the basement window as firefighters arrived. But crews were able to contain the fire before it spread to the rest of the home. There was damage to the basement and other floors. No injuries were reported.

02/02/2023

Police & Fire

Beloved Fitchburg Firefighter Dies After Long Battle With Illness: Officials A 34-year veteran of the Fitchburg Fire Department died recently after suffering from a long-term illness, the chief of the department announced on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Martin Kukkula began his career as an active-duty firefighter in Fitchburg in 1988 and was a well-liked and respected member of Oak Hill Station before moving to the dispatch center. Kukkula was the most senior firefighter in the department, earning badge No. 1. Marty was one of the hardest working most dedicated Firefighters over his 34-year career. It is with a sad heart that the Chief of Department regrets to anno…

02/01/2023

Police & Fire

Romance Scammer Who Swindled $1M From Victims Sentenced To 3 Years: Feds A 38-year-old Canton woman who stole $1 million from her victims using romance scams and pandemic unemployment fraud will spend more than three years behind bars. Florence Mwende Musau pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud and was sentenced to 44 months in prison and ordered to repay $957,000 in restitution and forfeit $350,000 and a Lexus SUV, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Investigators said Musau took part in a conspiracy where criminals would create fake profiles on dating apps to swindle cash from victims. To hide the money, she…

02/01/2023

Police & Fire

Holly Piirainen Killing: Tank Top At Center Of 30-Year-Old Cold Case, Hampden DA Says The Hampden County District Attorney is asking the public to help police identify who owned a white tank top found near the body of 10-year-old Holly Piirainen in 1993. The shirt has the word Boston written across the chest in purple, pink, and blue letters, District Attorney Anthony Gulluni showed during a press conference on Wednesday morning, Feb. 1. Though the tank top lacks a tag or any identifying marks that could help investigators figure out if it belonged to a man or woman or where it was manufactured. He hopes someone will recognize it and reach out to police. Hampden Distri…

02/01/2023

Police & Fire

Jewelry, Laptop, Cash Stolen In Ridgefield Home Burglary: Police Ridgefield Police are searching for the person who broke into a home last week and stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, cash, and electronics, authorities said. Officials released the photo of a vehicle (shown above) they say may be linked to the break-in on Ned's Mountain Road between Wednesday, Jan. 25, and Thursday, Jan. 26. The driver knocked on the home's door but said he was at the wrong house when the homeowner answered. Police said the burglar forced open a basement window to steal $14,000 in jewelry, a Macbook Air, and $1,000 in cash. Ridgefield Po…

02/01/2023

Police & Fire

Some Ogre Stole 200-Pound Shrek Statue From Hatfield: Police Somebody stole a 200-pound Shrek statue from Hatfield this week, and police are asking for the public's help to peel this onion to find out who did it. The concrete version of the swamp-dwelling ogre was taken from its Mountain Road home, where he lived with a dragon statue. Investigators ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of the sculpture or who may have taken it to contact them at 413-247-0323. "Or return him in the condition you found him," they wrote in a Facebook post. "The dragon sculpture he lives with is frustrated and lonely," they wrote. …

02/01/2023

Police & Fire

Boston Teen "Slashed" 2, Stabbed Another During Fight Near High School: DA An 18-year-old Boston high school student was arrested and charged with a triple stabbing on Monday, Jan. 30, outside TechBoston Academy in Dorchester, authorities said. Deinte Wall, of Dorchester, was arrested Tuesday and charged with three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and ordered held on a $5,000 bail, the Suffolk County District Attorney announced. A judge ordered him to have no contact with his co-defendant, an unnamed minor, or the victims in the case. Related: Teens Charged For Stabbing 3 People On Basketball Court Near Boston School Boston p…

01/31/2023

Police & Fire

Heath Man Who Drunkenly Shot At Friends As He Chased Them Gets 5 Years: DA A 39-year-old Franklin County man who admitted to terrorizing his friends by chasing them through the woods while firing shots at them received a five-year prison sentence on Tuesday, Jan. 31, authorities said. Olin Schwenger-Sartz, 39, of Heath, pleaded guilty to 10 charges, including two counts of armed assault with intent to murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a loaded firearm while intoxicated, the Northwestern District Attorney said. Schwenger-Sartz's tenant was found passed out at his Rowe Road home on Oct. 4, 2020. They called their friend to help th…

01/31/2023

Police & Fire

Car Fire Causing Delays For Auburn Drivers Just Before Rush Hour: Fire Department Auburn firefighters were battling a car blaze on I-395 between mile markers 10.4 and 10.6 just before the evening rush hour on Tuesday, Jan. 31, the fire department tweeted. The car was in the breakdown lane, but fire crews had trucks blocking the right lane of traffic on the interstate as they put it out. Engine 3 & 4 responding I-395 south between mm 10.4 & 10.6 for a vehicle fire in the breakdown lane. #MATraffic @WBZTraffic — Auburn Fire Rescue (@auburnmassfire) January 31, 2023 Expect delays while driving through that area.

01/31/2023

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