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

Fredericksburg, VA
Breaking News
Virginia Jury Awards $10M To Former Teacher Abigail Zwerner Shot By 6-Year-Old: Reports Virginia Jury Awards $10M To Former Teacher Abigail Zwerner Shot By 6-Year-Old: Reports Virginia Jury Awards $10M To Former Teacher Abigail Zwerner Shot By 6-Year-Old: Reports
Virginia Jury Awards $10M To Former Teacher Abigail Zwerner Shot By 6-Year-Old: Reports The former Virginia teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student in 2023 was awarded a multimillion-dollar settlement, according to multiple reports. Abigail Zwerner, a former educator at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, was handed a $10 million settlement by a jury in a civil suit filed after the shooting.  She had sought $40 million. WATCH: Plaintiff #AbbyZwerner reacts to the jury awarding her $10M in her lawsuit against former assistant principal #EbonyParker after Zwerner was shot by a first grader.#CourtTV Is this justice?MORE HERE: https://t.co/I2GG3s6PB2 pic.twit…

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by Zak Failla
Woodbridge, VA
Breaking News
Three Arrested in Coast-To-Coast Raids Tied To Deadly Virginia Movie Theater Shooting: Police Three Arrested in Coast-To-Coast Raids Tied To Deadly Virginia Movie Theater Shooting: Police Three Arrested in Coast-To-Coast Raids Tied To Deadly Virginia Movie Theater Shooting: Police
Three Arrested in Coast-To-Coast Raids Tied To Deadly Virginia Movie Theater Shooting: Police Three men have been arrested in connection with the deadly shooting of a 21-year-old outside the Alamo Drafthouse in Woodbridge last month, authorities announced. Detectives with the Prince William County Police Department said the arrests came on Tuesday, Nov. 5, after local and federal law enforcement executed multiple search warrants across Virginia, Washington, DC, and Arizona. The investigation revealed the suspects “targeted or otherwise assisted in the confrontation” with Jasiya Ahmar Vaughn, 21, of Woodbridge, outside the theater on Oct. 2.  Vaughn was found on the sidewalk wi…

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by Zak Failla
Fairfax, VA
Breaking News
Fairfax Teen Caught With Illegal Gun While Violating Protective Order, Police Say Fairfax Teen Caught With Illegal Gun While Violating Protective Order, Police Say Fairfax Teen Caught With Illegal Gun While Violating Protective Order, Police Say
Fairfax Teen Caught With Illegal Gun While Violating Protective Order, Police Say A Virginia teen is behind bars after police say he was caught with an illegal gun while violating a protective order. Officers from the West Springfield Police District responded around 2:05 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, to the 9800 block of Laurel Street in Long Branch after a caller reported that a person he had an active protective order against was seen driving by his home, the Fairfax County Police Department said. Deputies found 18-year-old Alexander Dubasky, of Fairfax, nearby and conducted a traffic stop. During the traffic stop and subsequent arrest, an illegally possessed firearm with …

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by Zak Failla
Manchester-Hampstead, MD
Obituaries
Officer Tony Barbera Came Home To Hampstead After His Mother’s Death — Then Passed Unexpectedly Officer Tony Barbera Came Home To Hampstead After His Mother’s Death — Then Passed Unexpectedly Officer Tony Barbera Came Home To Hampstead After His Mother’s Death — Then Passed Unexpectedly
Officer Tony Barbera Came Home To Hampstead After His Mother’s Death — Then Passed Unexpectedly The Hampstead community is mourning one of its own after the passing of Officer Anthony “Tony” Barbera, a Maryland native remembered for his dedication to others, his deep love for family, and the way he lived his life — all heart, all in. Known to everyone as Tony, Barbera graduated from North Carroll High School, where he earned letters in football, lacrosse, and wrestling.  His obituary says he went on to become “a highly decorated Philadelphia Police Officer, dedicating over fifteen years to the 22nd and 1st Districts.”  Officer Tony Barbera GoFundMe It notes that…

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by Zak Failla
Stafford, VA
Breaking News
Stafford Train Chaos: DC Man Arrested After Refusing To Leave, Hitting Deputy, Sheriff Says Stafford Train Chaos: DC Man Arrested After Refusing To Leave, Hitting Deputy, Sheriff Says Stafford Train Chaos: DC Man Arrested After Refusing To Leave, Hitting Deputy, Sheriff Says
Stafford Train Chaos: DC Man Arrested After Refusing To Leave, Hitting Deputy, Sheriff Says A Washington, DC man is behind bars after deputies say he refused to get off a train, then assaulted a deputy during a struggle at a Stafford County commuter lot. Anthony Barbour, 34, is facing charges after causing a disturbance and allegedly striking law enforcement, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded around 8:10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, to a disturbance at the Brooke Road Commuter Lot. Officials said that train personnel told deputies a passenger had refused to exit the train after staff discovered he didn’t have a valid ticket, investigators said. …

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by Zak Failla
Elkton, MD
Breaking News
‘Total Loss’: Blaze Destroys Unwined On The Water Restaurant In Elkton: Fire Marshal ‘Total Loss’: Blaze Destroys Unwined On The Water Restaurant In Elkton: Fire Marshal ‘Total Loss’: Blaze Destroys Unwined On The Water Restaurant In Elkton: Fire Marshal
‘Total Loss’: Blaze Destroys Unwined On The Water Restaurant In Elkton: Fire Marshal A popular Cecil County waterfront restaurant is gone after a massive early-morning fire tore through the building, causing more than $1 million in damage, investigators said. According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the blaze broke out just before 1:40 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at Unwined on the Water, located at 285 Plum Point Road on the property of Triton Marina. Maryland State Police troopers were first on the scene and found heavy fire spreading through the rear of the two-story waterfront restaurant, officials said. Unwined on the Water Singerly Fire Company Crews …

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by Zak Failla
Lexington Park, MD
Breaking News
Maryland Chicken House Inferno That Lit Up Night Sky Ruled Arson, Officials Say Maryland Chicken House Inferno That Lit Up Night Sky Ruled Arson, Officials Say Maryland Chicken House Inferno That Lit Up Night Sky Ruled Arson, Officials Say
Maryland Chicken House Inferno That Lit Up Night Sky Ruled Arson, Officials Say A massive Dorchester County chicken house fire that tore through a farm building earlier this week has been ruled arson, investigators announced Thursday. According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, the blaze broke out around 9:37 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at a 500-foot-by-40-foot chicken house on Cokesbury Road in Rhodesdale. The building, owned by Hadyat Mazhar, was already engulfed when crews arrived, officials said. It took 60 firefighters from the Eldorado Brookview Volunteer Fire Department and surrounding companies about 90 minutes to bring the two-alarm fire under control. …

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by Zak Failla
Arlington, VA
Breaking News
Repeat Pennsylvania Offender Arrested In DC After Threatening Lawmaker: Capitol Police Repeat Pennsylvania Offender Arrested In DC After Threatening Lawmaker: Capitol Police Repeat Pennsylvania Offender Arrested In DC After Threatening Lawmaker: Capitol Police
Repeat Pennsylvania Offender Arrested In DC After Threatening Lawmaker: Capitol Police A Pennsylvania man with a history of harassing government officials was stopped in DC before he could enter a Senate office building — after allegedly threatening to kill a sitting Member of Congress, according to US Capitol Police. The US Capitol Police said their Rapid Response Team arrested 43-year-old Richard Griffin around 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, after spotting him from a BOLO bulletin issued days earlier. Authorities said Griffin was intercepted outside the Delaware Avenue Door of the Russell Senate Office Building before he could attempt to go through security screening. Grif…

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by Zak Failla
Fredericksburg, VA
Breaking News
Spotsy Man Accused Of Animal Abuse Offenses In Child Exploitation Investigation: Sheriff Spotsy Man Accused Of Animal Abuse Offenses In Child Exploitation Investigation: Sheriff Spotsy Man Accused Of Animal Abuse Offenses In Child Exploitation Investigation: Sheriff
Spotsy Man Accused Of Animal Abuse Offenses In Child Exploitation Investigation: Sheriff A Virginia man is facing a long list of disturbing charges after investigators say he was caught with obscene material involving animals and allegedly met with an underage girl, the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office said. Jason Zirkle II was arrested after the sheriff’s office received a report on Monday, Nov. 3, about a man meeting with an underage girl, according to the agency. Members of the Child Victim’s Unit/Internet Crimes Against Children Unit (ICAC) responded and began investigating, officials said. After obtaining search warrants and reviewing evidence, Zirkle was charged with…

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by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
Breaking News
Motorcyclist Killed Crashing Into Volvo Near Busy Baltimore County Intersection, Police Say Motorcyclist Killed Crashing Into Volvo Near Busy Baltimore County Intersection, Police Say Motorcyclist Killed Crashing Into Volvo Near Busy Baltimore County Intersection, Police Say
Motorcyclist Killed Crashing Into Volvo Near Busy Baltimore County Intersection, Police Say A 50-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a crash over the weekend in Baltimore County, authorities said. According to Baltimore County Police, officers were called to the area of Black Rock and Mount Zion roads in Upperco around 2:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, for reports of a serious crash. Detectives determined that a 2023 Kawasaki motorcycle was traveling south on Black Rock Road when it collided with a 2020 Volvo. The driver of the motorcycle, identified as John Sayo, was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Members of the department’s Crash Team are continuing to investigate the ci…

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by Zak Failla
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