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Saturday, may 24

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

Politics

'Disgrace': Reactions Heated For New Mass Bill To Allow Inmates To Donate Organ To Cut Sentence Two Massachusetts state representatives last month proposed legislation that would allow prisoners to shorten their sentences if they donate bone marrow or organs. Reps. Judith Garcia (Suffolk) and Carlos González (Springfield) presented the bill as a way to bolster the number of organs and bone marrow available to those in need and "restore bodily autonomy" for people behind bars. Each inmate who gives could see between 60 days to a year cut from their sentence. The bill would create a committee to decide who is eligible for the program and how much each donation is worth. Related: Pri…

by Josh Lanier

02/03/2023

Police & Fire

Man Caught With Cash From Bank Robbery Admits To The Tewksbury Heist: Feds Talk about an open and shut case. A 39-year-old man who was spotted leaving a Tewksbury bank after a 2020 robbery and caught by police with the money, robbery note, and bag he used in the heist has admitted he did it. Nicholas O'Neil pleaded guilty to one count of bank robbery on Thursday, Feb. 2, and a judge will sentence him in June, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. Investigators said O'Neil walked into the Main Street branch of Santander Bank on Sept. 22 and handed the teller a red bag and a note demanding cash. The teller put $5,689 in the bag and gave it to O'Neil, w…

by Josh Lanier

02/02/2023

Police & Fire

Man Who Choked Woman To Death In Front Of Their Son Convicted Of Murder: DA A Lawrence man who choked a woman to death in front of their then 4-year-old son was convicted Thursday, Feb. 2, of murder, authorities said. Emilio DeLarosa, age 38, was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2016 killing of Wanda Rosa, 28, the Essex County District Attorney's Office announced. “One of the most important things we do is give voice and seek justice for victims,” DA Paul F. Tucker said in a news release. “The work done by our team gave voice to Wanda and justice to her family, friends – and son.” Their son, who's now an 11-year-old fifth grader in Lawre…

by Josh Lanier

02/02/2023

Police & Fire

Police Bust Man Wanted For Murder In Quincy After Weeks On the Run: DA A man wanted in connection with the murder of a woman in Quincy last year was finally captured Thursday afternoon, Feb. 2, authorities announced. Derek Miranda, 28, is one of seven people accused of killing Jordan Wiggins on Aug. 18, the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office said. One suspect remains on the loose. Wiggins was shot just after 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 18 at the Elevation Apartments at Crown Colony, Quincy Police said. Officers believe it started as a robbery in the parking lot. Jordan Wiggins was 32 years oldJordan Wiggins on Facebook Police found him in the stairwell o…

by Josh Lanier

02/02/2023

Schools

School Closings: List Grows As Subzero Temperatures Approach Massachusetts As dangerous wind chills and subzero temperatures are expected to move through the state, many Massachusetts school districts are closing for the day on Friday, Feb. 3. The National Weather Service predicts the lowest wind chills could be between -15 and -45 degrees Fahrenheit from Friday night into Saturday morning. Isolated power outages and snow squalls are expected and the risk for frostbite will also be high. Dangerous Wind Chills Fri-Sat across southern New England. Isolated power outages possible due to strong winds. A few isolated snow squalls possible late tonight into early …

by David Cifarelli & Josh Lanier

02/02/2023

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…

by Josh Lanier

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.

by Josh Lanier

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…

by Josh Lanier

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…

by Josh Lanier

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…

by Josh Lanier

02/01/2023

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