Zak Failla

Assistant Managing Editor

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Equal parts Lois Lane, J. Jonah Jameson and Vicki Vale, Zak! has traveled from coast-to-coast covering small and big town community news in both in print and online for nearly a decade since his graduation from the award-winning Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College in 2010.

Before settling into the Hudson Valley, Zak! previously spent time in the New York Daily News newsroom and worked for hyperlocal digital news outlets on Long Island. He wrote sports for The Ithacan and The Ithaca Journal before taking his talents to the Pacific Northwest, where he served as the sports editor at the Shoshone News-Press until heading back east to work with Daily Voice.

Zak Failla's Contributions

Frederick, MD
Breaking News
Two Killed In 100+ MPH Frederick Police Pursuit Identified By Investigators (UPDATED) Two Killed In 100+ MPH Frederick Police Pursuit Identified By Investigators (UPDATED) Two Killed In 100+ MPH Frederick Police Pursuit Identified By Investigators (UPDATED)
Two Killed In 100+ MPH Frederick Police Pursuit Identified By Investigators (Updated) The two people killed in a police pursuit that topped 100 mph in Maryland have been identified by the Frederick Police Department. Donte Jerron Dejesus Jr., 20, of Hanover, and Amori Elona Terrell, 19, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, were killed on Thursday morning while attempting to flee from officers in Maryland. A third person remains in critical condition following the crash, and a fourth was taken to a hospital and listed in stable condition as of Friday, April 10. The incident began at around 12:50 a.m. on April 9, when a deputy from the Frederick County Sheriff's Office spotted a …

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by Zak Failla
Leonardtown-California, MD
Breaking News
Pedestrian Killed After Being Hit By BMW As Second Driver Flees In California: Sheriff Pedestrian Killed After Being Hit By BMW As Second Driver Flees In California: Sheriff Pedestrian Killed After Being Hit By BMW As Second Driver Flees In California: Sheriff
Pedestrian Killed After Being Hit By BMW As Second Driver Flees In California: Sheriff A 40-year-old pedestrian was killed after being struck by a BMW and a Dodge Caravan while crossing the road overnight in Southern Maryland. Jesse San Nicolas has been identified as the person struck and killed in California early on Friday morning, according to the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office. Shortly before 2:30 a.m. on April 10, deputies were called to the 22700 block of Three Notch Road to investigate a reported crash involving a pedestrian. Upon arrival, they found Nicolas in the roadway. The California resident was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Investi…

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by Zak Failla
Greenbelt, MD
Obituaries
Four Charged After 14-Year-Old From Cameroon Killed In Drive-By Greenbelt Shooting: Police Four Charged After 14-Year-Old From Cameroon Killed In Drive-By Greenbelt Shooting: Police Four Charged After 14-Year-Old From Cameroon Killed In Drive-By Greenbelt Shooting: Police
Four Charged After 14-Year-Old From Cameroon Killed In Drive-By Greenbelt Shooting: Police A break has come in the killing of a 14-year-old boy whose death rocked a Maryland community, with police announcing multiple arrests months after the shooting. Four suspects are now in custody in connection with the death of Carltin Bayong, who was killed in a drive-by shooting in Greenbelt, police announced on Friday. Officers were called around 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, to the area of Breezewood Court near Cherrywood Terrace, where there were reports of shots fired. Bayong was found suffering from a gunshot wound and later died at a hospital. Police say the investigation has b…

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by Zak Failla
Fredericksburg, VA
Breaking News
Four Missing Children In Fredericksburg Taken By Grandma May Be In West Virginia, Police Say Four Missing Children In Fredericksburg Taken By Grandma May Be In West Virginia, Police Say Four Missing Children In Fredericksburg Taken By Grandma May Be In West Virginia, Police Say
Four Missing Children In Fredericksburg Taken By Grandma May Be In West Virginia, Police Say Police in Northern Virginia are on the lookout for a woman who is missing with her four grandchildren after their mother was arrested. An alert was issued by the Fredericksburg Police Department on Friday, April 10, as they attempt to track down Shirley Williamson, who is reportedly in possession of the young children. The ordeal began on Monday, April 6, when officers were called to the 900 block of William Street to conduct a welfare check on four children. Upon arrival, they found that the children were well, but their mother, Kierstan Randall, 28, had a warrant out for her arrest in St…

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by Zak Failla
Waldorf, MD
Breaking News
Caregiver Who Sexually Abused Boy He Was Trusted To Protect In Charles County Learns Fate Caregiver Who Sexually Abused Boy He Was Trusted To Protect In Charles County Learns Fate Caregiver Who Sexually Abused Boy He Was Trusted To Protect In Charles County Learns Fate
Caregiver Who Sexually Abused Boy He Was Trusted To Protect In Charles County Learns Fate A Maryland caregiver who sexually abused a child while taking care of him will spend more than a decade in prison, prosecutors announced. Tristan Thigpen, 40, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after being convicted earlier this year following a five-day trial of sexually abusing a child in Charles County, the state's attorney's office announced on Friday. In February 2021, a detective with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office received a Child Protective Services Intake report from Prince George’s County regarding allegations of sex abuse. During that investigation, prosecutors s…

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by Zak Failla
Linthicum, MD
Breaking News
Linthicum Man Charged After Tearing Up School Sports Fields In Off-Road Vehicle, Police Say Linthicum Man Charged After Tearing Up School Sports Fields In Off-Road Vehicle, Police Say Linthicum Man Charged After Tearing Up School Sports Fields In Off-Road Vehicle, Police Say
Linthicum Man Charged After Tearing Up School Sports Fields In Off-Road Vehicle, Police Say A Maryland man is facing charges after police say he tore across multiple school sports fields in an off-road vehicle, leaving behind thousands of dollars in damage. The destruction happened at Lindale Middle School in Anne Arundel County, where officers were called around 4:25 p.m. on Monday, April 6, to the fields on Andover Road in Linthicum. School staff told police someone had driven over a lacrosse field, a practice field, and a baseball field between April 3 and April 5, causing extensive damage. Google Maps satellite view Investigators began tracking down the driver, reviewing se…

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by Zak Failla
Lexington Park, MD
Obituaries
Maryland Father Killed In Work Accident As Family Works To Bring Him Home To Guatemala Maryland Father Killed In Work Accident As Family Works To Bring Him Home To Guatemala Maryland Father Killed In Work Accident As Family Works To Bring Him Home To Guatemala
Maryland Father Killed In Work Accident As Family Works To Bring Him Home To Guatemala A Maryland father killed in a workplace accident is being remembered by his family as a devoted provider and proud member of his hometown, as loved ones now work to bring his body home to Guatemala. Leonicio Velasquez-Morales died on the morning of Monday, April 6, after a job-related accident, according to a fundraiser organized by his son, Jerry Velasquez. He had spent the past decade in the United States supporting his family while staying closely tied to his village of Boxoncan, a place relatives say he never stopped representing. “Leonicio Velasquez-Morales was a father, grandfather, …

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by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
Breaking News
Contour Airlines Returning To BWI After Yearlong Absence: Here's What To Know Contour Airlines Returning To BWI After Yearlong Absence: Here's What To Know Contour Airlines Returning To BWI After Yearlong Absence: Here's What To Know
Contour Airlines Returning To BWI After Yearlong Absence: Here's What To Know A regional airline is returning to Maryland’s busiest airport, restoring a direct route that had been unavailable for more than a year. BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport announced on Wednesday, April 9, that Contour Airlines will resume service to Middle Georgia Regional Airport in Macon starting June 9, airport officials said. The airline plans to operate 10 weekly roundtrip flights between Maryland and Georgia, offering daily service with additional flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Contour previously served the route from August 2017 until April 2025, leaving a gap for travelers …

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by Zak Failla
Fredericksburg, VA
Breaking News
Woman Missing For Decade In Spotsylvania May Be Linked To Sex Crime Arrest, Sheriff Says Woman Missing For Decade In Spotsylvania May Be Linked To Sex Crime Arrest, Sheriff Says Woman Missing For Decade In Spotsylvania May Be Linked To Sex Crime Arrest, Sheriff Says
Woman Missing For Decade In Spotsylvania May Be Linked To Sex Crime Arrest, Sheriff Says A Virginia disappearance that has haunted investigators for more than a decade just exploded back into focus. A man is now under arrest in Spotsylvania, and detectives say one of his alleged victims may be Katelin Akens — the young woman who vanished without a trace more than 10 years ago. James Branton was arrested on multiple sex offense charges in Spotsylvania County on Friday, April 10, following a joint investigation by Spotsylvania detectives and Virginia State Police, according to the sheriff’s office. Then came the gut punch. One of the victims in the case is believed to be Akens,…

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by Zak Failla
Annapolis, MD
Breaking News
Anne Arundel Officer Who Left Man To Die After Chase Banned From Policing After Guilty Plea: AG Anne Arundel Officer Who Left Man To Die After Chase Banned From Policing After Guilty Plea: AG Anne Arundel Officer Who Left Man To Die After Chase Banned From Policing After Guilty Plea: AG
Anne Arundel Officer Who Left Man To Die After Chase Banned From Policing After Guilty Plea: AG A Maryland officer who left a man to die after an unauthorized high-speed chase will never return to law enforcement after pleading guilty in connection with the crash, prosecutors said. Alexander Rodriguez, 30, a former Anne Arundel County police officer, entered the plea on Thursday, April 9, in Howard County Circuit Court, according to Attorney General Anthony Brown. pic.twitter.com/GtglkVnGww — Anne Arundel County Police Department (@AACOPD) April 2, 2025 During an early morning encounter on Aug. 10, 2024, while Rodriguez was on patrol, prosecutors say he tried to block a motorcycl…

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by Zak Failla
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